
Feature Photo: Paolo Santambrogio, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Måneskin burst onto the music scene as a vibrant Italian rock band formed in Rome in 2016, though their origins trace back to 2015. Bassist Victoria De Angelis, who is half-Danish, suggested the band’s name, meaning “moonlight” in Danish. The suggestion came when the group needed a name to register for Pulse, a local music competition for emerging bands.
What began as four teenagers busking on the streets of Rome has become one of the most successful rock acts in recent years, with international acclaim after their Eurovision Song Contest victory in 2021.
The band’s journey to stardom accelerated when they finished as runners-up in the eleventh season of the Italian talent show X Factor in 2017, mentored by Manuel Agnelli. Their international breakthrough came in 2021, when they won the Sanremo Music Festival and represented Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest, where they triumphed with “Zitti e buoni.”
This victory made them the first band to win Eurovision since Finland’s Lordi in 2006, and gave Italy its third Eurovision win overall.
Måneskin’s discography includes three studio albums, Il ballo della vita (2018), Teatro d’ira: Vol. I (2021), and Rush! (2023), plus the EP Chosen (2017). A deluxe edition, Rush! (Are U Coming?), followed in November 2023.
As of 2022, published estimates placed Måneskin’s worldwide record sales at 40 million and their combined streams across platforms at four billion. At that time, they reported six diamond certifications, 133 platinum certifications, and 34 gold certifications. Their musical style evolved from pop rock with funk influences on their debut album to a harder rock approach on their second.
The band’s sound and aesthetic drew comparisons to 1970s rock, reflecting influences from Led Zeppelin and Fleetwood Mac to Nirvana and the Rolling Stones. In 2023, The New York Times described them as “almost certainly the biggest Italian rock band of all time,” reflecting the scale of their international breakthrough.
Damiano David
Damiano David is Måneskin’s charismatic lead vocalist and occasionally plays guitar as well. Born in Rome, David began his musical journey at age six, when he started singing. He met Victoria De Angelis and Thomas Raggi in high school in Rome, and the three formed the early nucleus of what would become Måneskin. His powerful vocals and magnetic stage presence have become defining characteristics of the band’s performances.
As frontman, David gained significant attention during their 2021 Eurovision victory, when he boldly proclaimed “Rock and roll never dies!” while accepting the trophy. His distinctive voice has been instrumental across all of Måneskin’s releases, from their debut EP Chosen to their most recent album Rush!. David has been with the band since its formation in 2016 and has contributed to their songwriting process throughout.
Outside Måneskin, David began exploring a solo career in 2024, releasing songs such as “Silverlines” and “Born with a Broken Heart.” He released his debut solo album, Funny Little Fears, on May 16, 2025, followed later that year by an expanded edition titled Funny Little Fears (Dreams). The recordings developed a more pop-oriented sound while retaining his distinctive vocal delivery.
David has also used his public profile to support LGBTQ+ rights and challenge stereotypes about gender expression. During Eurovision in 2021, he denied accusations of drug use and subsequently received a negative drug test. His relationship with author and activist Giorgia Soleri, which began in 2017, ended in 2023.
Victoria De Angelis
Victoria De Angelis, born on April 28, 2000, is the founding bassist of Måneskin and has been with the band since its inception in 2016. Of mixed Italian and Danish heritage, De Angelis provided the band with its Danish name. Her musical journey began at age 8, when she started playing guitar and later switched to bass in seventh grade.
She met Thomas Raggi in middle school, forming the band’s earliest incarnation before recruiting Damiano David in high school.
De Angelis’s melodic bass playing and energetic stage presence have been integral components of Måneskin’s sound across all their releases, including their three studio albums and EP. In 2023, her musical horizons expanded when she performed as a guest bassist and vocalist on Duran Duran’s cover of Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer.” In 2024, she launched a solo DJ career, touring Europe and the United States while performing electronic music.
She released her first solo single, “Get Up Bitch! Shake Ya Ass,” a collaboration with Brazilian singer Anitta, on August 30, 2024. She continued exploring DJ sets and electronic music while Måneskin took a break from group performances.
Beyond her musical contributions, De Angelis identifies as lesbian, having previously identified as bisexual, and has spoken candidly about the challenges of being openly queer in conservative Italy. She has used her platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has been vocal about her experiences with discrimination. Her personal journey also includes overcoming the loss of her mother to cancer when she was 15 years old.
Through Måneskin and her solo endeavors, De Angelis continues to push boundaries both musically and socially.
Thomas Raggi
Thomas Raggi is Måneskin’s skilled guitarist and has been with the band since its formation in 2016. He first connected with Victoria De Angelis in middle school in Rome, forming the earliest musical partnership that would eventually evolve into Måneskin. Later, they met Damiano David in high school, completing the initial trio before finding their drummer.
Raggi’s guitar work features powerful riffs and solos that shape Måneskin’s rock sound. His playing has evolved alongside the band’s style, from the more pop-rock approach of their early work to the harder rock edge of their later albums.
He has performed on all of Måneskin’s releases, including their three studio albums, Il ballo della vita (2018), Teatro d’ira: Vol. I (2021), and Rush! (2023)—as well as their 2017 EP, Chosen.
Outside of his musical contributions, Raggi identifies as straight but has been an active ally for LGBTQ+ rights. Along with Damiano David, he has challenged gender norms through his stage presence and appearance, famously kissing David during a performance in Poland to support LGBTQ+ rights. Despite criticism and accusations of queerbaiting, Raggi has continued to express himself freely through fashion and performance, with support from his bandmates.
In December 2025, he released his debut solo album, Masquerade, produced by Tom Morello and featuring guest musicians including Beck, Chad Smith, and Alex Kapranos. The album gave Raggi an opportunity to explore guitar-led rock outside the Måneskin format while the band was on hiatus.
Ethan Torchio
Ethan Torchio joined Måneskin as their drummer after responding to a “Musicians Wanted” advertisement the other members posted on Facebook. Hailing from Frosinone near Rome, Torchio completed the band’s lineup in 2016, bringing his rhythmic expertise to the group. Unlike the other three members who knew each other from school, Torchio connected with the band through social media, but quickly became an integral part of their musical identity.
Torchio’s powerful drumming has been a consistent force across all of Måneskin’s releases, including their three studio albums and EP. His rhythmic foundation supports the band’s evolution from their early pop-rock sound with funk influences to their more hard rock orientation on later albums. In 2023, he expanded his musical role by also playing guitars on some recordings.
Torchio has described himself as “sexually free” and has been part of Måneskin’s advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. Despite the conservative environment in Italy, he has expressed himself authentically through music and performance. Torchio’s distinctive style and technical skills contributed significantly to the band’s energetic live performances, including its historic Eurovision win and subsequent world tours.
In 2024, he also composed music for the documentary Ogni pensiero vola, exploring work outside the group during its quieter period.
After the group’s last major touring period, Måneskin paused collective activity in 2024 while the four members pursued individual creative projects. The lineup has not announced a permanent breakup, but as of October 2026 it has not confirmed a new studio album or a date for returning to the stage together.
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Updated October 13, 2026.
Complete List Of Måneskin Band Members article published on ClassicRockHistory.com © 2026



























