Phil Beau Riva: On Love in Times of Sorrow

The story of Fil Bo Riva, her fans and FM4 is a beautiful love story – from the initial crush, through the sweet and sad moments between them, to the perfect happy ending.

By Nina Hochreiner

In 2016, German-Italian musician Filippo Bonamici and his band released their first EP and single. “Francis” We played our hearts out and yours, danced to their concerts at two FM4 birthday parties and cried to their debut album “Beautiful Sadness” in 2019.

Then, in the middle of working on the second record, Filippo Bonamisi decided to take a creative break and take care of his mental health. Breakup? No, because we could always hear Phil Bu Riva's music – until the longing for a reunion became too great.

And now we want to celebrate this meeting together – not with drums and trumpets, but in the intimate and concise atmosphere of an FM4 radio session that Phil Bo Riva recorded at the ORF Radiokulturhaus in the summer. The band performs songs from their new album “Modern Melancholia” live in front of an audience for the first time – in person and as close as a good relationship can get.

On Thursday 19 September 2024 the exclusive concert will be broadcast on radio and as a concert film. To get you in the mood and to increase the anticipation a little, Filippo Bonamisi told me in a conversation what it feels like to be on stage again after a long time, why the love of his fans encouraged him to continue making music, what melancholy means in the 21st century and why complete satisfaction should not be a permanent state.

But for a brief moment we can enjoy complete satisfaction – an FM4 radio session is one of those things. And if you really think about it, it's not a happy ending – it's a happily ever after.