The Italian singer took the stage at Isle of MTV Malta 2025 for his first solo performance at a major international festival, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his career following global success with the band Måneskin.
“Now I understand my needs better, and I know they understand theirs better too. We’ve grown. Together, we can communicate better and make everything more feasible and healthy.”
Damiano David was the undisputed star of the 2025 edition of Isle of MTV Malta, marking his first solo performance at a major international festival. Yet, he hasn’t forgotten his Måneskin bandmates and leaves the door open for a reunion, writes LA STAMPA.
In Malta, he was joined backstage by his girlfriend Dove Cameron, with whom he lives in Los Angeles, while he took center stage with his debut solo album Funny Little Fears — a personal record born from creative urgency:
“I had a lot of space to experiment and find my sound. The key word was to try different things, to also tell the most fragile parts of my story.”
There’s no goodbye to Måneskin — Damiano cleared up any doubts at the end of his set when introducing Solitude:
“This is the last song on the setlist, but don’t be fooled by the title: it has nothing to do with the current situation. I just wanted to say some things I was feeling.”
During the Maltese show, no Måneskin songs were performed, though the singer spoke of the band’s newfound maturity, saying the four of them have made peace with certain restlessness. As he told New Musical Express:
“To play together again, we all need to be well-rested. I think the first thing we do should be something we genuinely feel, and not something that feels like a forced job. That’s the ideal scenario.”
On Tuesday, Spotify named David the most-streamed Italian artist abroad in the first half of 2025; no fewer than eight songs entered the global Top 30, with Next Summer and The First Time taking the first and second spots.
“When I started seeing comments in every language on social media, I realized something big was happening. It’s beautiful — it’s part of being a musician: bringing people together.”
Victoria, Ethan, and Thomas listened to the album while it was still in progress:
“Some things they loved, others they hated! It was what I expected.”
Expectations were high for his Maltese performance.
“It’s my first time here, I’m happy and curious to see how people react. Malta has energy, history, and a warm audience. Perfect to kick off a very long journey that will take me to 34 cities across America, Europe, and Asia — I’m preparing a lot of surprises.”
Isle of MTV, now in its 17th edition, remains one of Europe’s longest-running and most popular free festivals. Originally launched by MTV in Ibiza, the show is part of Malta Music Week — a series of events that transform the island into a hub for pop and electronic music. Sharing the stage with David were Brazilian DJ Alok, Ella Henderson, and Malta’s own Miriana Conte, fresh from Eurovision with Serving Kant.
The crowd — 90% teenagers — surpassed 30,000 attendees, with fans coming from all over Europe. The event was broadcast live on Pluto TV and will air again on MTV, Paramount+, and NOW starting September 13.
Meanwhile, Damiano’s next stop is on July 29 at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, where he’ll be a guest in the Spotlight series at the prestigious Clive Davis Theater, a true prelude to the Grammy Awards. It’s a chance to share how his solo journey doesn’t erase the past, but marks the beginning of a new chapter — one written with honesty after moving 11,000 km from home:
“When I started working on the album, I knew I couldn’t do it in Italy because I was stuck in my daily dynamics and needed a place to start fresh. L.A. wasn’t completely unfamiliar, but I still had everything to discover. It was this compromise between two things that allowed me to feel truly comfortable, but at the same time, I had to push myself to leave my comfort zone and meet new people.”
He also hints at a possible second chapter, telling NME:
“I’ll do another one, for sure. I don’t know when, I don’t know if it’ll be before another one with the band or maybe even a film. Every door is open.”
The frontman of Måneskin, who captivated the crowd with his electric energy on stage, shared glimpses of his sightseeing adventure across the island on social media. From cultural landmarks to picturesque views, Damiano immersed himself in some of Malta’s most beloved spots.
He was seen alongside his brother at the magnificent St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta, admired the stunning sea views at Blue Grotto from Żurrieq, and enjoyed a quiet moment in the historic, walled city of Mdina with his girlfriend, Dove Cameron.
Damiano’s visit has stirred excitement among locals, many of whom were thrilled to see the artist appreciating the island’s charm beyond the stage.
Setlist:
The First Time
Voices
Tango
Mars
Nothing Breaks Like a Heart (Cover)
Zombie Lady
Too Sweet (Cover)
Angel
Tangerine
Born with a Broken Heart
Solitude (No One Understands Me)
Gallery Links
Public Appearances > 2025 > July 15 – Isle of MTV Malta in Floriana, Malta – Photocall
Candids > 2025 > July 15 – Arriving in the Isle of MTV Malta’s Backstage in Floriana, Malta
Concerts > 2025 > July 15 – Isle of MTV Malta in Floriana, Malta
Social Media > Instagram (@damianodavid) – Posts
