When Damiano David took to the main stage at Lisbon’s MEO Kalorama, expectations were high – that fire, that electricity we’ve come to associate with his voice and presence felt almost inevitable. But what unfolded wasn’t an explosion; it was more like a spark still finding its way – a solo venture clearly in the making.

    His voice remained as commanding as ever – that signature rasp, and a dynamic range that effortlessly slid from whisper to roar – but there was a certain emptiness in the air. Without a full band behind him or a more fleshed-out stage production, his performance occasionally felt like a rough sketch of something that could, eventually, become much more.

    The sound mix didn’t help matters either – at times the vocals overpowered everything, and at others, they were buried beneath keys and guitars. That imbalance chipped away at the impact of several tracks. The band were tight, technically solid, but something visceral was missing – that chill-down-the-spine connection that elevates a live show into something unforgettable.

    Visually, things stayed stripped back, with Damiano choosing intimacy over spectacle. A genuine artistic choice, no doubt, but in a setting of this scale, it left you wishing for something more immersive, more ambitious.

    One of the night’s most authentic moments came when Damiano, smiling, admitted: “Sorry, I don’t speak any Portuguese – but I should. The only thing I know is ‘o mar de gente, o sol diferente, o monte de betão não me provoca nada.’” A nod to the track “Deslocado” by local band NAPA – followed by a cheeky Eurovision quip: “They should’ve won… after Italy, of course.” A small but sincere gesture to connect with the Lisbon crowd.

    He also shared a personal detail that warmed the room: he’s in a relationship with actress and singer Dove Cameron, whose parents happen to live in Bombarral. So, Portugal isn’t exactly unfamiliar territory – a real connection that makes his repeated visits feel all the more meaningful for local fans.

    Still, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. When  in Månesquin he set the stage alight with pure, unfiltered fan energy. In this gig the vibe felt more muted – almost too relaxed. Part of the crowd seemed unconvinced by Damiano’s new direction, as if they’d come hoping for something else, or were quietly wrestling with the shift in artistic focus. But as he has mentioned several times, in Måneskin he was playing a character he no longer identifies with, and his audience needs to respect his choices and what he feels is best for himself.

    In the end, there was a sense that this is an artist still finding his solo footing. The talent is undeniable, but the finer details – technical cohesion, sonic balance, visual storytelling – still need refining. Here’s hoping that next time, Damiano David returns not just with fire, but with the full flame we know he’s capable of igniting.

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