Måneskin
An Italian rock band from Rome whose Eurovision victory and international hits helped bring contemporary glam-rock performance back to the center of global pop culture.
Last updated October 2, 2026
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Overview
Måneskin is an Italian rock band formed in Rome in 2016 by vocalist Damiano David, bassist Victoria De Angelis, guitarist Thomas Raggi, and drummer Ethan Torchio. The group emerged from Rome’s street-performance and youth-music scene and developed a sound drawing on hard rock, glam rock, alternative rock, pop-rock, and elements of funk and punk. Its name is Danish for “moonlight,” a reference to De Angelis’s Danish heritage. The band first gained broad national attention through the Italian edition of the television talent competition The X Factor in 2017. Although it did not win the competition, the appearance established the group’s public identity: a highly visual, performance-led act combining classic rock instrumentation with flamboyant styling, direct sexuality, and an intentionally nonconformist attitude. Måneskin released its debut album, Il ballo della vita, in 2018, followed by Teatro d'ira: Vol. I in 2021. The decisive turning point came in 2021. Måneskin won the Sanremo Music Festival with “Zitti e buoni,” earning the right to represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest. The band then won Eurovision 2021, Italy’s third victory in the contest. That result transformed Måneskin from a successful Italian act into a global touring and streaming property. Its performances and recordings reached audiences well beyond Italy, while English-language releases helped the group move into the US, UK, and other international markets. The band’s international breakthrough was reinforced by its versions of “Beggin’” and “I Wanna Be Your Slave,” as well as the later single “MAMMAMIA.” “Beggin’,” a cover of a 1960s song, became a major streaming-era hit after gaining momentum on social platforms. “I Wanna Be Your Slave” further established the group’s provocative visual language and was released in a version featuring Iggy Pop. The group’s third studio album, Rush!, extended its international reach and supported major arena and festival touring. Måneskin’s brand extends beyond recorded music. The members’ styling—mixing leather, tailoring, platform footwear, makeup, lingerie-inspired elements, and gender-fluid silhouettes—has made the group a notable fashion and beauty presence. Gucci selected the band for its Gucci Aria campaign in 2021, and the group has also been associated with other fashion activity. In 2024, Diesel named frontman Damiano David its first global male ambassador and announced a planned genderless capsule collaboration with him. These partnerships position Måneskin as a cultural and fashion brand as well as a recording and touring act. The group’s appeal rests on a combination of musical revivalism and contemporary identity politics. Its songs and stage performances reference the theatricality of classic rock, while its presentation challenges conventional expectations about masculinity, sexuality, and dress. This has allowed Måneskin to connect with younger audiences seeking visible self-expression while also appealing to older listeners familiar with the traditions of rock music. The band remains active as an international music act, although individual members have also pursued separate creative projects.
History
Måneskin was formed in Rome in 2016 by Damiano David, Victoria De Angelis, Thomas Raggi, and Ethan Torchio. The members met while attending school and began performing in Rome, including as street musicians. Their early identity was built around live energy, visible chemistry, and a style that treated clothing and performance as central parts of the group’s artistic proposition. In 2017, Måneskin appeared on the Italian talent show The X Factor. The televised exposure brought the group a national audience and led to a recording opportunity. Its first major release was the 2017 single “Chosen,” followed by the debut album Il ballo della vita in 2018. The album was primarily in Italian and established the band domestically, combining rock arrangements with accessible hooks and a strong visual identity. Touring in Italy helped turn the group’s television visibility into a durable live following. The band’s second studio era began with Teatro d'ira: Vol. I. Its central single, “Zitti e buoni,” won the Sanremo Music Festival in 2021. Sanremo’s result sent Måneskin to the Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam, where the group won for Italy. The victory was a major international inflection point: it gave the band a large cross-border audience and made its Italian-language rock performance one of the most visible Eurovision moments of the period. After Eurovision, Måneskin’s catalog expanded rapidly across international streaming platforms. “I Wanna Be Your Slave” became a global hit and was followed by a version featuring Iggy Pop. The group’s cover of “Beggin’” also became a major international streaming success, introducing Måneskin to listeners who had not followed the Italian or Eurovision markets. “MAMMAMIA” and additional English-language work consolidated its transition from a national act into a globally marketed band. Fashion became an important part of the group’s public profile. Gucci selected Måneskin for the Gucci Aria campaign in 2021, with the band appearing in the house’s collection imagery and beauty looks. The collaboration connected the group’s glam-rock styling with a major luxury-fashion platform. Måneskin also performed at Global Citizen Live in the same period, associating its growing international profile with a public campaign focused on poverty and environmental action. The band released Rush!, its third studio album, as its international audience continued to grow. The album supported large-scale touring and festival appearances and reflected the group’s increasingly international songwriting and production environment. Its commercial identity remained tied to live rock performance rather than to a single fashion house or platform. In 2024, Damiano David began a more visible solo phase while publicly describing Måneskin as continuing. Victoria De Angelis also discussed solo activity and collaborations. These projects broadened the members’ individual profiles but did not, on the available evidence, establish a formal dissolution of the band. Måneskin’s current identity therefore remains that of an active Italian rock group with global music, touring, fashion, and cultural influence.
- 2024
Diesel ambassador appointment
[2]Damiano David became Diesel’s first global male ambassador, with a genderless capsule collaboration announced.
- 2023
Rush! era
[6]The group’s third studio album, Rush!, extended its international release and touring cycle.
- 2021
Sanremo and Eurovision victories
[1]“Zitti e buoni” won Sanremo and then Eurovision, turning the band into an internationally recognized act.
- 2021
Gucci Aria campaign
[1]All four members appeared in Gucci’s Aria campaign, linking the group’s visual identity with luxury fashion.
- 2021
Global Citizen Live performance
[5]Måneskin performed in the international Global Citizen Live event.
- 2018
Debut album released
[1]Måneskin released Il ballo della vita, establishing its Italian recording and touring profile.
- 2017
Breakthrough through The X Factor Italy
[1]The band gained national visibility through the Italian edition of The X Factor and released early material including “Chosen.”
- 2016
Band formed in Rome
[1]Damiano David, Victoria De Angelis, Thomas Raggi, and Ethan Torchio formed Måneskin in Rome.
Products and positioning
A globally oriented Italian rock act combining glam-rock theatricality, streaming-era pop accessibility, gender-fluid fashion, and an outspoken culture of self-expression.
Studio album · 2018
Il ballo della vita
Måneskin’s debut studio album, released in 2018. It established the group’s Italian-language rock identity after its exposure on The X Factor Italy and supported the band’s first substantial domestic touring cycle.
Studio album · 2021
Teatro d'ira: Vol. I
The 2021 album that includes “Zitti e buoni,” the song that won both Sanremo and Eurovision. Its forceful rock presentation became the foundation of Måneskin’s global breakthrough.
Studio album · 2023
Rush!
An internationally oriented studio album released during Måneskin’s post-Eurovision expansion. It broadened the group’s English-language catalog and provided material for major international touring.
Single · 2017
“Beggin’”
Måneskin’s rock reinterpretation of the Four Seasons-associated song became one of the group’s most widely recognized streaming-era recordings after gaining strong momentum on social platforms.
Single · 2021
“I Wanna Be Your Slave”
A provocative, high-energy track from the band’s international breakthrough period. Its English lyrics, theatrical video, and later version featuring Iggy Pop helped define Måneskin’s global image.
Marketing campaigns
- 2024Diesel global ambassador and capsule collaboration
Global
Diesel appointed Damiano David as its first global male ambassador and announced a genderless capsule collection to be developed with Glenn Martens.
Outcome. The appointment expanded Måneskin’s fashion influence through the band’s frontman and emphasized nonconformity, inclusivity, and a less traditional approach to menswear.
- 2021Gucci Aria
Global
Gucci selected all four members of Måneskin for its Aria campaign, presenting the band in collection clothing, accessories, and makeup looks. The partnership connected the group’s glam-rock and gender-fluid styling with Gucci’s luxury-fashion positioning.
Outcome. The campaign strengthened Måneskin’s status as a fashion and beauty reference in addition to its role as a music act.
- 2021Global Citizen Live
Global
Måneskin performed in the 24-hour Global Citizen Live event, which sought public action addressing poverty and environmental issues.
Outcome. The appearance associated the band with a large international cause-marketing and benefit-broadcast platform.
Brand decisions
2024
Members broadened individual creative activityStrategyBackground
Måneskin members began developing individual projects as their personal profiles grew independently of the band.
Action taken
Damiano David pursued a solo project and Victoria De Angelis discussed solo work and collaboration, while available reporting continued to describe Måneskin as an ongoing group.
Aftermath
The individual projects diversified the members’ creative identities without confirmed evidence of a formal band breakup.
2021
International expansion after EurovisionStrategyBackground
After winning Eurovision with an Italian-language rock song, Måneskin faced the strategic opportunity of reaching audiences outside Italy and the Eurovision market.
Action taken
The group pursued international promotion, English-language releases, global touring, and collaborations that increased its visibility in music, fashion, and digital media.
Aftermath
The strategy produced a sustained international profile, with “Beggin’,” “I Wanna Be Your Slave,” and later releases becoming central parts of the group’s global catalog.
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