Alcàntara – In Concert | Progressive Rock Central.com

Sicilian progressive rock band, Alcàntara released their live album “In Concert,” on June 19, 2026, via Oskar Records. The album was captured live at Zo Centro Multiculturale in Catania. The 10-track release features the entirety of their 2025 studio record “Tamam Shud,” along with highlights from their 2019 debut “Solitaire.”

Alcàntara is from Catania, Italy. This Mediterranean experimental and progressive rock band, blends atmospheric psychedelia and blues. Alcàntara is made of members: Sergio Manfredi Sallicano, lead vocalist, singing in both Italian and English. Francesco Venti, lead guitars and production; Vittorio Distefano, guitars; Salvo Di Mauro, guitars; Delio Santi, on bass; and Rosario Figura, on drums [1, 2].

The band featured live and studio guests on “In Concert,” including:

Alessandro Caltabiano – Keyboards (on select tracks)

Caterina Coco – Violin (on select tracks) [1]

“TerryG,” opens the album and live show; and it does so with bold bass and electric guitar. Drums jump willingly into the soundscape as Sergio Manfredi Sallicano sings his first lyrics. The mood is slow and melodic. Sergio begins to sing louder in Italian, as the song progresses. This three-guitar player sound fills the soundscape well. The quiet moments between parts of the song are fantastic, with Sergio singing low and quietly. The three different guitars along with bass, really provides layers of sound, which will be fun to examine during succeeding listens to the album. You will certainly not get bored. There is a lot of music in this over 8-minute epic opener. The drumming and percussion begin to interact with the guitar playing as the song continues. They add Alessandro Caltabiano’s keyboards later, to make the soundscape complete. The haunting keyboards at the end close the song well.

“Il Distacco,” is another epic long track at close to nine minutes. You get plenty of the multiple guitar interactions throughout this piece. This one opens with needle like electric guitar playing, with bass and the two other guitarists adding their own riffs. Sounds a little like Pink Floyd meets Dire Straits “Love Over Gold,” album. A very good mix indeed. The three-guitar sound is definitely the strongest benefit this band adds to the genre. I don’t know too many bands that can fill space like they do here with this multi-guitar attack. Sergio Manfredi Sallicano sings mostly in Italian. His vocal is hard to compare. Maybe a little like Roger Lopes, from Atomic Time, only less expressive, and explosive as Roger.

“Distant Star,” also begins with great lead electric guitar riffs, bass, and with drums supporting. Sergio Manfredi Sallicano sings straight ahead and with the rhythm of the music. The soundscape fills with that wonderful guitar, bass, and drums sound. The keyboards and orchestration/programming help add more to the soundscape. But it is the guitar playing that makes this music so good. There is so much here to digest.

“Tamam Shud,” the initial album title song, opens with orchestration and then, beautiful, mystical keyboards and programming. It sets such a nice Santana-like soundscape in front of the audience. Absolutely perfect on the keyboards. A nice intermission from the electric guitars. Sergio Manfredi Sallicano almost whispers throughout this song in Italian. It is a perfect headphone song. Then, the Dire Straits’ guitar sounds and acoustic guitars join in to absolutely take this song above the rest of the tracks so far. The wonderful blending of the keyboards and soft drums are just perfect. Deeper bass chords also stand out on this song. Very Pink Floyd meets Santana, which is a great mix indeed.

“Sail,” opens slowly with percussion and soft acoustic guitar. Sergio Manfredi Sallicano almost whispers again on this one and the effect is wonderful. The keyboards, guitars and drums build a great melody. The bells add to the soundscape bringing back more of that Santana sound I remember from albums like “Caravanserai,” “Festival,” and “Moonflower.” A magical mix of music which allows the listener to sit back and relax, and enjoy all the many layers being added. Sergio Manfredi Sallicano sings at the end of the song, “My mind content.” Exactly.

“Wodwo/Vertigo,” opens with soft acoustic guitar and Sergio Manfredi Sallicano singing. A very peaceful song that will make you close your eyes and enjoy all the layers of different guitar being added to the soundscape, “down this road ahead.” Violin adds so much soft feeling to this warm song, mixed well with the acoustic guitar. Only missing a flute, but they add keyboards instead.

“Treefingers,” opens with the roar of the crowd. Then, soft orchestration, that sounds like machinery. People talking and moving. Then, piano and percussion effects and sounds fill the soundscape, until the electric guitars start to take over the soundscape. Sergio Manfredi Sallicano sings softly, before the soundscape explodes with drums, bass and electric guitar riffs. Later, Sergio Manfredi Sallicano’s voice rises, as the power of the soundscape becomes harder and more magnified.

“Logan,” opens with drums, bass and electric guitars. Sergio Manfredi Sallicano sings straight ahead again. This song is full of great electric guitar solos and soft drums. A more vocal-driven song lead by Sergio.

“After the Flood,” opens with soft acoustic guitar. Sergio Manfredi Sallicano sounds a little like David Gilmour on some of his softer songs. He almost whispers this song, full of guitar and keyboards. Later, synthesizer like keys play as the drums sound, with bass and soft electric guitar. Then, they pull the string, and the Gilmour – like guitar fires off like fireworks.

“Seasons,” is the epic closing and longest song on the album. At almost 10 1/2 minutes it is absolutely stellar! It opens with a perfect electric guitar solo. Sergio Manfredi Sallicano sings softly, as the three electric guitars surround the soundscape with rhythm and sound. The bass, keyboards and drums complete the soundscape. Almost like a Santana ‘wind’ song. Very peaceful and reflective. Like a soft breeze blowing near the ocean. Sergio Manfredi Sallicano even sings, “Standing on the shoreline. We’re waiting for the ocean to arise!” It is a wonderful journey of relaxation, with electric guitar riffs rising about the soundscape as percussion, keyboards and tambourines rise. Sergio Manfredi Sallicano sings the ending with soft acoustic accompaniment.

Alcàntara’s “In Concert,” is an excellent introduction to the band in a live environment. I like that no fear approach, to releasing a live album, just after the studio album. I think they captured the power of the songs live, better than in the studio. Sometimes you play better when the pressure is on, in front of an audience. This is definitely an album you can sit and listen to at any occasion. The car, dinner, or with headphones sitting on the couch. This music can go anywhere. It is a relaxing wonder of the mind enhancing music. A great mix of Santana and Pink Floyd influences. Which I love both of those bands and their sounds. You can easily get lost in this performance, like I bet a lot of the fans who attended the show in Zo Centro Multiculturale in Catania, Italy, did. Give Alcàntara’s “In Concert,” a try and I’m sure, like me, you’ll be looking forward to the rest of their catalog of albums!

Album Track List: