Following the resounding success of last year’s concert featuring Gigi D'Alessio and the Versatile Orchestra, the Vernal Festival is making a triumphant return with an expanded lineup. This year, the festival will host not one but two headlining concerts, featuring internationally acclaimed artists.

• NEK

Let’s rewind to 1997 when NEK burst onto the international music scene with his smash hit Laura non c’è. This wasn’t just another breakup anthem; it was a global phenomenon that had fans humming along whether or not they knew Italian.

With over 10 million albums sold worldwide, his discography is a treasure trove of fan favourites, including chart-topping albums like Lei, gli Amici e Tutto il Resto and Un’Altra Direzione.

Over the years, he has also collaborated with legends like Laura Pausini, proving he’s as much a collaborator as he is a hitmaker. Love, life, heartbreak, and hope—his songs cover it all!

With a career spanning three decades, NEK remains a defining figure in the Italian and international music scenes. His passion for his craft, coupled with an uncanny ability to connect with fans, has solidified his place as one of Italy’s most iconic musicians. 

Get your tickets for Nek here.

• UB40

Let’s take it even further back to December 1978, when UB40 sprang to life in Birmingham, England. Named after a British unemployment benefit form (yes, really), the band proudly flaunted their working-class roots from the very start. 

What made UB40 stand out? Their lineup was as eclectic as their sound. With members hailing from English, Welsh, Irish, Jamaican, Scottish, and Yemeni backgrounds, the band’s rich cultural mix brought an undeniable magic to their music.

UB40 became a chart-topping powerhouse, with more than 50 singles lighting up the UK Singles Chart and global sales smashing past the 70 million mark. Classics like Red Red Wine, Can’t Help Falling in Love, and their duet with Chrissie Hynde, I Got You Babe, made them international icons. Fun fact: Red Red Wine and Can’t Help Falling in Love didn’t just make waves in the UK—they also hit #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

Fast forward to today, and UB40 is still bringing the groove as they continue to captivate audiences worldwide. Whether it’s the unmistakable reggae rhythm or their knack for delivering pure nostalgia, UB40 proves that their music only gets better with time.

Get your tickets for UB40 here.