Sergio Caputo, the Roman singer?songwriter with a singular blend of jazz, pop, bossa nova and poetic wit, brought his charismatic show to the Istituto di Cultura Italiana last Thursday. While the venue was far from intimate – and occasional technical sound problems briefly disturbed the show – Caputo’s musicality and storytelling still carried the evening with delightfully off?kilter charm.
Caputo’s style which I dare describe as an “Italian Bob Dylan”, is not because he mimics Dylan’s voice, but for the way he turns observations of everyday life – from global news headlines to classic pop culture – into lyrical narratives that feel both puzzled and precise. In his London performance, this range was clear: jazz?y explorations, laid?back bossa nova beats, and songs rooted in Italian cantautore tradition like something you might hear from Edoardo Bennato.
Caputo’s most iconic tune, Sabato Italiano, arrived with a playful swing that married influences as eclectic as Peppino di Capri and Bennato – a track that remains timeless in its jaunty, almost cinematic melancholy. Other standout moments included his quirky ode to a tin of Citrosodina, which got genuine laughs, and songs like Merci beaucoup, combining worldly humour with Caputo’s warm delivery.
One anecdote that had the crowd smiling was his tale behind L’astronave che arriva (Bon Voyage): during a studio session in Milan, Caputo purportedly feigned fainting to escape and go home – only to return just before the show with the finished song tucked under his arm. It was quintessential Caputo: unpredictable, cheeky and serendipitous in execution.
Along the way, the artist also touched on his diverse career – including three appearances at the prestigious Festival di Sanremo, with songs such as “Il Garibaldi Innamorato,” Rifarsi una vita and Flamingo marking his participation in 1987, 1989 and 1998 respectively. These moments at Sanremo offer context for Caputo’s idiosyncratic place in Italian popular music: celebrated for his originality, and at times under?appreciated by mainstream competition.
Musically, the set ranged from the irresistible energy of Non bevo più tequila – a track from a period when recording budgets were more generous – to introspective break?up songs that explored love and loss with sly intelligence. Caputo closed with an exuberant Italiano Mambo, leaving the crowd bouncing despite earlier sound glitches.
Yet the evening wasn’t without its technical challenges. Occasional sound issues distracted from what might otherwise have been a seamless experience – but perhaps, in a way, that imperfection only underscored Caputo’s live spirit: unpredictable, human, and full of joy.
Caputo’s London show was less about pristine polish and more about connection – a charismatic performance from an artist who has quietly carved his own path through Italian pop culture and jazz?inflected song-craft.
Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
