STUFISH Entertainment Architects have been unveiled as the stage designers for the highly anticipated electronic Adriatic Sound Festival, set to take place at Fano Airport, Italy, from June 13-14, 2025. For two electrifying days, the airport will be transformed into a vibrant festival venue, drawing inspiration from Fano’s ancient Roman heritage as a hub for social connection. Marking its debut edition, the festival will bring together some of the world’s most renowned electronic music artists for an unforgettable experience.
At the heart of the festival’s design is STUFISH’s Infinity Stage, an architectural statement that seamlessly merges history with the future. Rooted in Fano’s rich Roman legacy—where classical architecture remains a defining element of the city’s identity—the stage draws inspiration from fundamental architectural forms, reinterpreted through a bold, futuristic lens.
One of the key inspirations for the Infinity Stage is the Arch of Augustus, a historic gateway built around 9 CE as part of Fano’s defensive walls, leading directly to Rome. STUFISH has reimagined the arch as a portal, symbolising the immersive and transformative power of music. By reinventing this iconic structure, the Infinity Stage serves as a bridge between antiquity and modernity, embodying the festival’s spirit of connection across time.
Fano, historically known as Fanum Fortunae, was once home to an ancient Roman temple dedicated to Fortuna, the goddess of luck and fate. This historical significance is echoed in the festival’s main stage, The Temple, conceived as a community meeting place where people gather for a shared sensory experience. Designed as a sculptural embodiment of the infinity loop, the stage visually reinforces the festival’s dialogue between past and future.
At the core of The Temple is a rotating central drum that houses the artists, dynamically shifting their positions throughout their performances. Unlike traditional static festival stages, this motion creates an ever-evolving focal point, allowing performers to engage with the audience in a dynamic and unpredictable way. Above the stage, a luminous halo casts ethereal light, pulsing in sync with the beats and rhythms of the music, further heightening the sensory experience.
Conceived as a temporary city, the festival space is both enclosed and expansive. Inspired by classical Roman arenas and coliseums, the circular layout fosters an intimate yet high-energy atmosphere. Four grandstands surround the main stage, providing elevated vantage points and panoramic views of both the performers and the crowd. Unlike traditional open-air festival designs, the 360-degree structure amplifies the sense of immersion, drawing festival-goers into a fully enveloping world of sound, light, and movement.
Echoing the grandeur of classical Roman architecture, the festival arena is interwoven with towering columns, creating a dynamic network that guides attendees through the space.
Immersing the audience in a 360-degree sensory experience, a dynamic canopy of light shifts overhead while sound and turbine-like visuals swirl all around. Inspired by the revolving energy of an airplane engine, these mesmerising elements transform the space, amplifying the festival’s intensity in a striking artistic nod to its airport location.
More than just a stage, STUFISH’s Infinity Stage is an architectural and experiential phenomenon. By fusing the enduring legacy of ancient Rome with the boundless energy of electronic music, it creates a time-bending world. Through a masterful combination of historical references, cutting-edge technology, spatial design, and audiovisual storytelling, Infinity transforms the festival into a living, breathing architectural performance—an immersive celebration of sound, space, and the infinite energy of music.
For over four decades, STUFISH Entertainment Architects has been the visionary force behind some of the world’s most iconic live performances. In the past year alone, STUFISH has designed groundbreaking and culturally significant productions, including the Rolling Stones’ Hackney Diamonds US tour, Adele’s acclaimed residencies in Las Vegas and Munich, and Sabrina Carpenter’s Short & Sweet tour. As STUFISH continues to evolve, it remains at the forefront of live performance innovation, pushing creative and technological boundaries to redefine the future of entertainment.
The Adriatic Sound Festival will take place from June 13-14, 2025, at Fano Airport, Italy. The initial lineup includes some of electronic music’s most celebrated artists, including Sven Väth and Armand Van Helden, with more performers to be announced soon. More information can be found here.
