The Rise of a Voice: Ultimo at Estragon Club, 2018
Every photographer remembers the "I was there" moments—the shows where you can feel the floor vibrating not just from the speakers, but from the sheer force of a crowd that knows they are witnessing a star in the making. On May 4, 2018, at the Estragon Club in Bologna, that star was Ultimo (Niccolò Moriconi).
Coming off his victory in the "Newcomers" category at Sanremo just months prior, Niccolò arrived in Bologna with an energy that felt like a pressure cooker finally being released.
Capturing the "Peter Pan" Spirit
The Peter Pan Tour was a turning point. As a photographer, you’re usually looking for the "hero shot," but with Ultimo, the story was in the raw, unfiltered emotion. He doesn't just sing his lyrics; he lives them on stage, and that intensity is a gift for any lens.
Through my camera, I wanted to document the duality of that night:
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The Intimacy: The moments where he sat at the piano, the stage lights dimming to a soft blue, making a packed club feel like a private room.
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The Explosion: The surge of energy when the beat dropped and a thousand voices sang back every single word. In those moments, Niccolò wasn't just a performer; he was a mirror for the dreams and frustrations of an entire generation.
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The Connection: The sea of hands reaching toward the stage. At the Estragon, the barrier between artist and audience is thin, and I focused on capturing that physical and emotional proximity.
Light, Shadow, and Sincerity
The Estragon is a legendary venue for its grit and its atmosphere. Photographing Ultimo there meant playing with deep shadows and sharp spotlights that caught the sweat and the determination on his face. I leaned into a cinematic style—trying to frame him not just as a singer, but as a storyteller.
There is a specific sincerity in Niccolò’s performance—a lack of artifice—that I tried to preserve in every frame. Whether he was leaning into the microphone or taking a breath between songs, I wanted the "human" behind the phenomenon to shine through.
A Snapshot of History
Looking back at these photos from 2018, it’s incredible to see the spark that has since ignited into stadium-sized tours. These images capture Ultimo at a pivotal threshold: the hunger of the beginning meeting the first roar of massive success.
For those who were there in Bologna that night, I hope these images bring back the sound of that choir of voices. For everyone else, I hope they offer a glimpse into the heart of an artist who was always destined for the big stage.
Relive the start of the journey. Explore the full gallery of Ultimo live at the Estragon Club below.
