The dream of watching a DJ drop a sunrise set inside the Roman Colosseum just got a reality check.
While electronic dance music has echoed through ancient temples, deserts and castles in recent memory, the newly appointed Director of the Colosseum Archaeological Park, Simone Quilici, is setting clear boundaries. In his first foreign media interview since stepping into the role, Quilici extinguished recent social media rumors sparked by misinterpreted comments about the potential for raves at the nearly 2,000-year-old amphitheater where gladiators once battled.
“The music must be carefully controlled,” Quilici told the Associated Press. “I mentioned certain artists—not by accident—who haven’t been ‘rock’ for some time, who play calm music and attract a calm audience, because the important thing is that it’s not a wild crowd.”
His words come in direct response to criticism from archaeologists and locals, who were initially alarmed by the possibility of turning one of Italy’s most sacred landmarks into a club-style venue. Even fans of electronic music expressed concern that pursuing raves at the venue could damage the ancient structure, which continues to yield new archaeological discoveries.
The vision stands in contrast to what’s happening elsewhere around the world, particularly at UNESCO World Heritage sites. In recent years, a growing trend has seen DJs and promoters transform some of Earth’s most treasured landmarks into standalone stages, but the convergence of ancient history and modern music hasn’t been without controversy.
Earlier this month, the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights filed a lawsuit aiming to halt raves and large-scale music events at the Great Pyramids of Giza, citing risks of vibration damage and improper laser illumination. The legal complaint followed a high-profile performance by Anyma in early October.
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