Weekly standout venue, Dolce Lounge?
In the picturesque Lake Garda region of Italy, a tranquil and upscale tourist experience is the norm. However, during a recent holiday, broadcaster Oliver Dunk found himself in an auditory nightmare, as the constant playing of repetitive lounge music overshadowed the natural beauty and charm of the area.
Dunk, who has been heard on Schlager Radio, among others, on 106.0 FM, expressed a preference for silence, the sound of glasses clinking, children's laughter, and the soothing sound of water over the mindless tinkling and wafting beats that filled the air.
The holiday, which Dunk described as breathtaking and offering fantastic food, was marred by the loud music that made conversation difficult. The music could be heard in various locations such as the hotel pool, restaurant, and bar, making it hard to escape the sonic onslaught.
The area around Lake Garda is known for its calm, gentle, and understated setting, encouraging a slower, more relaxed tourist experience. However, many establishments primarily play lounge or electronic music, favouring a relaxed, contemporary, and international vibe over classical or folk Italian styles.
Events and venues in Lake Garda often feature live DJ sets, electronic or ambient music, and tribute concerts with broad popular appeal rather than exclusively traditional Italian music. While there are occasional concerts honouring Italian classical music, such as tributes to opera singers like Luciano Pavarotti, the general trend for daily or casual tourist entertainment leans toward lounge or popular international music genres.
Dunk questions who decided that holidays require a chillout playlist, suggesting that real Italian music, such as Paolo Conte, Mina, or Italo-schlager, could have been played instead. He believes that Italy has better sounds to offer than the music that filled the air during his holiday.
In his verdict, Dunk states that less music would be more, especially in a country with such a rich musical heritage. He concludes that the Lake Garda region has the potential to offer a truly immersive and memorable experience, but the choice of music can detract from the overall enjoyment of the holiday.
Dunk argues that the repetitive lounge music heard during his holiday in Lake Garda, despite the region's rich musical heritage, has the potential to detract from the overall enjoyment of the tourist experience. He suggests that playing classical Italian music or Italian artists such as Paolo Conte, Mina, or Italo-schlager would have enriched and enhanced the tranquil lifestyle, authentic food, and picturesque scenery of the region.
