The Chemical Brothers @ Rock in Roma 2027

The Chemical Brothers will perform at Rock in Roma 2027 on Saturday, June 19, 2027, at the Ippodromo delle Capannelle in Rome. The concert is scheduled to begin at 9:00 pm, with gates opening at 7:30 pm. The performance marks the British electronic music duo’s return to live touring in 2027.

The concert will feature Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons, whose productions have helped define electronic dance music since the 1990s. Guest DJ James Holroyd will also participate in the event. The duo’s live performances are internationally recognised for combining electronic music with elaborate visual projections, lighting effects, and large-scale audiovisual productions.

The Chemical Brothers

The Chemical Brothers are a British electronic music duo formed in Manchester in 1992 by Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons. Their music combines elements of techno, house, hip-hop, psychedelic rock, and other genres. They became important representatives of big beat, a style that achieved considerable mainstream popularity during the 1990s.

The two musicians met while studying at the University of Manchester in 1989. They shared an interest in electronic dance music, hip-hop, and the city’s expanding club culture. Their musical influences included the alternative dance scene associated with the Haçienda nightclub and the emerging British rave movement.

Rowlands and Simons began DJing together in 1992, performing at a Manchester club night called Naked Under Leather. Their sets incorporated hip-hop breakbeats, techno, and house music. Initially performing under the name The Dust Brothers, they subsequently began producing original recordings to complement the existing material used in their DJ sets.

Their first original release, Song to the Siren, appeared in 1992 on their independent Diamond Records label. The recording attracted the attention of influential British DJs, including Andrew Weatherall. Its combination of samples, electronic percussion, and psychedelic textures established several characteristics that would become associated with the duo’s subsequent productions.

In 1995, the musicians changed their name to The Chemical Brothers to avoid confusion with the American production duo known as the Dust Brothers. The change coincided with the development of their international recording career and the release of their debut album.

Their musical approach was distinguished by heavy breakbeats, distorted basslines, synthesiser sequences, and samples drawn from different recorded sources. Unlike conventional electronic dance productions, many of their tracks incorporated structures and musical elements associated with rock, allowing their recordings to reach audiences beyond traditional club culture.

The duo have collaborated with numerous prominent musicians, including Noel Gallagher, Bernard Sumner, Beth Orton, Q-Tip, Beck, Tim Burgess, St. Vincent, and Aurora. These collaborations introduced different vocal styles and songwriting approaches without fundamentally changing the electronic production techniques that characterise their recordings.
 

The Chemical Brothers Discography

The duo’s discography includes ten studio albums, several compilation and remix collections, extended plays, singles, and soundtrack recordings. Their debut album, Exit Planet Dust, was released on June 26, 1995. It reached number nine on the UK Albums Chart and established The Chemical Brothers as an important emerging act in British electronic music.

The debut featured Leave Home, Chemical Beats, and Life Is Sweet, the latter including vocals by Tim Burgess of The Charlatans. The album combined instrumental dance tracks with compositions incorporating guest vocals, distorted electronic sounds, and rhythm patterns influenced by hip-hop and psychedelic rock.

Their second album, Dig Your Own Hole, appeared on April 7, 1997, and reached number one on the UK Albums Chart. It included Block Rockin’ Beats, Setting Sun, Elektrobank, and Where Do I Begin. The album substantially expanded the duo’s international audience, particularly in Europe, Australia, and the United States.

The single Setting Sun, featuring Noel Gallagher, became their first UK number-one hit in 1996. Block Rockin’ Beats followed in 1997 and also reached the top of the British singles chart. Both recordings demonstrated how the group’s production techniques could connect electronic dance music with mainstream rock audiences.

The third album, Surrender, was released in June 1999. Its musical direction incorporated stronger house and psychedelic influences, alongside collaborations with different guest vocalists. The album included Hey Boy Hey Girl, Out of Control, Let Forever Be, and Music, and reached number one in the United Kingdom.

The single Out of Control featured Bernard Sumner of New Order, while Let Forever Be reunited the duo with Noel Gallagher. Hey Boy Hey Girl became one of their most recognisable dance recordings, incorporating a repetitive vocal sample and synthesiser arrangements associated with late-1990s electronic music.

Their fourth studio album, Come with Us, appeared on January 28, 2002. It included Star Guitar, It Began in Afrika, The Test, and the title track. The album reached number one in the United Kingdom and Australia, continuing the group’s commercial success beyond the initial popularity of big beat.

In 2005, the duo released Push the Button, featuring Galvanize, Believe, and The Boxer. Galvanize, recorded with American rapper Q-Tip, combined electronic production with a distinctive string sample. The single became an international hit and remains one of the group’s most widely recognised compositions.

Their sixth studio album, We Are the Night, followed in July 2007. The recording included Do It Again, featuring Ali Love, and The Salmon Dance, featuring Fatlip. The album reached number one on the UK Albums Chart and explored a combination of electro, dance-rock, and experimental electronic arrangements.

The album Further, released in June 2010, contained eight tracks, including Escape Velocity, Swoon, and Another World. Each composition was accompanied by specially created visual material. The project developed the relationship between electronic music and audiovisual experimentation that had become increasingly important to the duo’s artistic identity.

A five-year interval preceded Born in the Echoes, released in July 2015. The album included Go, featuring Q-Tip, Wide Open, featuring Beck, and Under Neon Lights, featuring St. Vincent. It became their sixth number-one album in the United Kingdom, continuing a sequence of chart successes established during the 1990s.

Their ninth album, No Geography, appeared in April 2019. Its principal tracks included Free Yourself, MAH, Got to Keep On, and We’ve Got to Try. The record returned to several production techniques associated with their earlier work, incorporating analogue electronic instruments and samples into contemporary dance arrangements.

The tenth studio album, For That Beautiful Feeling, was released on September 8, 2023. It included No Reason, Live Again, Goodbye, and Skipping Like a Stone. The album featured contributions from French singer Halo Maud and American musician Beck, continuing the duo’s tradition of combining electronic productions with guest vocals.

Their catalogue also includes compilation albums such as Singles 93–03 (2003) and Brotherhood (2008). These collections brought together important singles and previously released material, while remix projects and DJ mixes documented the musicians’ continuing involvement in electronic music production and club culture.

Beyond conventional albums, the duo composed music for the 2011 film Hanna, directed by Joe Wright. Their audiovisual concert production was documented in Don’t Think, a film directed by Adam Smith and released in 2012, featuring footage recorded during their performance at Japan’s Fuji Rock Festival.

The Chemical Brothers Awards and Sales

The Chemical Brothers have won six Grammy Awards from 15 nominations, recognising achievements across electronic dance music and alternative rock. Their first Grammy came in 1998, when Block Rockin’ Beats received the award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance, reflecting the recording’s combination of electronic and rock influences.

At the 2006 Grammy Awards, the duo won Best Electronic/Dance Album for Push the Button and Best Dance Recording for Galvanize. Their album We Are the Night subsequently received the Grammy for Best Electronic/Dance Album in 2008, extending their recognition within the developing dance music categories.

Two additional Grammy Awards followed in 2020, when No Geography won Best Dance/Electronic Album and Got to Keep On received Best Dance Recording. Their tenth studio album, For That Beautiful Feeling, earned another nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Music Album at the 2024 ceremony.

The duo have also received recognition at the Brit Awards, winning Best British Dance Act in 2000. Their recordings have achieved six number-one albums and two number-one singles on the UK charts, placing them among the most commercially successful British electronic music acts.

Their international commercial achievements include more than 21 million physical records sold worldwide, alongside billions of digital streams. Several albums have received platinum or multi-platinum certifications, including Dig Your Own Hole, Surrender, and Push the Button, reflecting substantial sales across multiple international markets.

Venue – Ippodromo delle Capannelle

The concert will take place at the Ippodromo delle Capannelle, a historic horse-racing complex situated along Via Appia Nuova in southeastern Rome. Its origins belong to the nineteenth century, when organised horse racing became an increasingly established sporting activity in the Italian capital.

Modern horse racing in the Capannelle area began before the construction of the permanent facility. The first recognised racecourse opened in 1881, establishing a dedicated venue for equestrian competitions. The complex subsequently underwent various improvements as the popularity of organised racing increased during the following decades.

A major transformation occurred in 1926, when architect Paolo Vietti-Violi oversaw the reconstruction of the racecourse. His project introduced modern sporting facilities and architectural improvements, developing Capannelle into one of Italy’s important horse-racing venues during the first half of the twentieth century.

The complex covers approximately 140 hectares, incorporating racing tracks, training facilities, stable areas, and extensive open spaces. Traditionally used for flat racing and steeplechase competitions, its substantial grounds also provide suitable locations for temporary installations associated with major public entertainment events.

During Rome’s summer concert season, portions of the grounds are adapted for large outdoor performances. Temporary stages, lighting structures, sound systems, audience sectors, food services, hospitality facilities, and backstage areas can be installed without permanently altering the original sporting infrastructure.

The location has served as the principal home of Rock in Roma since the festival was established in 2009. Different areas of the racecourse have been used for concerts of varying capacities, including configurations capable of accommodating tens of thousands of spectators, depending on individual production requirements.

The official address is Via Appia Nuova 1245, 00178 Rome. The venue lies southeast of the historic centre, outside the areas most frequently visited by tourists. Visitors staying near central Rome’s principal monuments or railway stations should therefore consider public transport connections and potential evening traffic restrictions.

How to Get to Ippodromo delle Capannelle

By bus: The Capannelle/Appia Nuova bus stop is situated approximately 100 metres from the main entrance. Services in the surrounding area include routes 520, 654, 664, and 789. Passengers using Metro Line A can connect with local buses at Cinecittà or Colli Albani, depending on their chosen route.

By train: The nearest railway station is Capannelle, approximately 700-900 metres from the concert area, depending on the entrance used. Regional FL4 services connect the station with Roma Termini and destinations including Ciampino, Frascati, Albano Laziale, and Velletri. Visitors should check the availability of return trains after the concert.

By taxi: Licensed Rome taxis provide direct transport from central districts and major railway stations. Services can be requested through Radio Taxi 3570 or the municipal Chiama Taxi number 060609. Journey times vary according to traffic, and passengers should consider possible restrictions around the venue during major concerts.

Rock in Roma 2027

Rock in Roma 2027 marks the 17th edition of the summer music event established in June 2009. Since its foundation, the festival has developed into one of Italy’s important concert series, attracting internationally recognised performers and large audiences to Rome during the summer months.

Unlike festivals concentrated into several consecutive days, Rock in Roma generally operates through individual ticketed concerts distributed across several weeks. Each performance has its own admission arrangements, schedule, stage configuration, and audience, allowing the programme to accommodate artists participating in different international tours.

The festival’s musical programme has expanded considerably beyond its original rock focus. Previous editions have included metal, alternative rock, electronic music, pop, rap, and Italian urban music, featuring both established performers and emerging artists. Its programming reflects the diversification of contemporary popular music audiences.

Since 2009, Rock in Roma has welcomed more than three million spectators across over 300 concerts. Although Capannelle remains its primary location, major performances have also taken place at other Roman venues, including the Circus Maximus, where particularly large productions can accommodate substantially greater audiences.

The festival has previously featured internationally recognised artists including The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, David Gilmour, Roger Waters, and Imagine Dragons. Such performances have contributed to establishing Rome as an important destination for major international concert tours during the European summer season.

For the 2027 edition, the performance by Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons forms part of their return to live concerts following the announcement of new European dates. Their Italian schedule also includes June 17 in Milan and June 18 at La Prima Estate in Lido di Camaiore, Tuscany.

Frequently Asked Questions about the The Chemical Brothers Concert in Rome

When will The Chemical Brothers perform in Rome?

The concert is scheduled for Saturday, June 19, 2027, at the Ippodromo delle Capannelle, as part of the Rock in Roma 2027 summer concert programme.

Where will The Chemical Brothers concert take place?

The performance will take place at Ippodromo delle Capannelle, an outdoor event venue located at Via Appia Nuova 1245, southeast of Rome’s historic centre.

Is there a guest DJ performing at the concert?

Yes. James Holroyd has been announced as the guest DJ for the Rome event. His participation is confirmed, although the precise running order has not been published.

What is the nearest railway station to the concert venue?

Capannelle is the nearest railway station, approximately 700-900 metres from the concert area. Regional trains connect it with Roma Termini and other destinations southeast of Rome.

Will The Chemical Brothers perform elsewhere in Italy in 2027?

Yes. Two additional Italian appearances are scheduled: June 17 in Milan, at Parco della Musica, and June 18 at La Prima Estate in Lido di Camaiore.