The Candelai has a longstanding history of live music spanning almost 30 years. From the beginning, the choice to promote and organize original and high-quality musical offerings has made The Candelai a national and international reference point for what it means to “make music” in Palermo.
A diverse array of artists have graced The Candelai’s stage over the years, including: Elliot Sharp, Alvin Curran, Tom Verlaine, Irio de Paola, Ravi Coltrane, Ralph Towner, Jonathan Ritchman, Paolo Frusu, Francesco Cafiso, Ianos Asur, Giovanni Sollima, Z-Star, Kaki King, El Guapo, Damo Suzuki, Embryo, David Thomas, Ulan Bator, Motel Connection, Magoni & Spinetti, Malfunk, Skiantos, Calibro 35, Brunori SAS, Le Loup Garou, Montefiori Cocktail, Bandabardò, Le Luci della Centrale Elettrica, Diaframma, Radiodervish, Le Vibrazioni, Frankie Hi-NRG, Tony Esposito, Luca Madonia, Daniele Sepe, Vinicio Capossela, Bologna Violenta, Mario Venuti, Cristina Donà, Cosmo, Marlene Kuntz, Subsonica, Afterhours, Dente, 99 Posse, Roy Paci, Nada, Modena City Ramblers, Maneskine.
Among the local artists: Giovanni Sollima, Enzo Randisi, Gianni Gebbia, Lelio Giannetto, Omosumo, The Waines, Dasvidania, Iotatòla, Dimartino, Colapesce, Fabrizio Cammarata, Nicolò Carnesi, Shorty.
More recently: Willie Peyote, La Rappresentante di Lista, Cosmo, Brunori SAS, Swingrovers, Eugenio in Via di Gioia, Dente, F.A.S.K., Canova, Ghemon, Giorgio Poi, Myss Keta, A Place to Bury Strangers, and many others.