"But is Davide properly harnessed?" The platform is rising, and Grazia Niedda can't think of anything else: she wants to make sure her son isn't in any danger. Because even when they step onto one of the most important stages on TV, the first X Factor Live show, surrounded by lights, smoke, and the cheers of the audience, Renato Marchisio, Davide Dore, Jacopo Sale, and Luca Pintus are still their boys to Mom and Dad. More than two weeks ago, the Mad-Dogs left Sassari for Milan, far from home and without cell phones. Their parents can only imagine what they're doing, clinging to a few minutes of phone calls every Sunday and their appearances on the afternoon TV show Daily. An isolation that's hard to stomach, while in Sassari the support grows.

Sausages and flatbreads

Last week was the baptism of fire, with the "Dad-Dogs" and "Mum-Dogs" in the front row, repeatedly framed by the cameras. What wasn't seen was the package from home—"letters, but also sausages, spianatas, and pears"—to be delivered to their children. They were delivered strictly through the editorial office, because the kids, even if just a few meters away, remain unapproachable. "I was panicked when I saw they'd be first," says Sabrina Porcheddu, a doctor at the Sassari hospital and Renato's mother. "Then the enthusiasm exploded." "They took me by surprise," says father Andrea, also a doctor, at the Sassari Transfusion Center. As in the various stages of the auditions, everyone tries to be there, even if this time they have to deal with the limited seats available in the theater and work commitments.

"We thought they'd be much more excited, but they were confident," comments Grazia, a primary school teacher at the Brigata Sassari Institute, who was at the X Factor Arena on Thursday with her husband, Luca Dore, a travel agent; her grandmother; and Davide's brother, a former Mad-Dog. " I was so busy watching my son that I couldn't hear the judges' comments," says Rossella Murrali, originally from Oschiri and a nurse in the child neuropsychiatry ward at Stecca Bianca for 35 years. Her husband, Giuseppe Sale, from Siligo, is also a nurse and works in the emergency room at Santissima Annunziata.

From home

Jacopo's 84-year-old grandmother was watching on TV: "How beautiful he is, how sweet he is," she kept repeating. The only one staying home for now was Giuseppina Ara, mother of Luca Pintus, a special education teacher at the San Donato elementary school. Her husband Mario, also a teacher, and Luca's brother went to Milan. She watched the show from home, surrounded by family and friends. "It was beautiful anyway, but tonight I'll be in the front row." Paola Iezzi's four will perform "Mrs. Robinson." by Simon & Garfunkel in the alternative rock version by The Lemonheads.

The music

A dream that came true piece by piece, in four families where music has always been a central theme. Renato, an only child, grew up listening to the Beatles, beloved by his father Andrea. During lockdown, immersed in distance learning, he started using GarageBand, the app that lets you play with virtual instruments, to entertain himself. "He played the drums with his fingers," Andrea recalls. "When we were able to venture out, I took him to a real drum kit, and the owner of the rehearsal space was impressed: he was amazing." Then came the bass, guitar, and singing. All self-taught. Davide began playing instruments as a child: first the piano, then the bass. "He's a great listener," says Grazia. "Ever since he was little, he could pinpoint the spot on the vinyl record where a song would start." Jacopo has always been obsessed with drums. "It was his constant request to Santa Claus. We bought him a plastic one, and when it broke, he would put the pillows on the bed and 'play' them with ladles,” Rossella smiles. Luca grew up immersed in different genres, from Italian singer-songwriters to rock. “He took his first guitar lessons at the parish church, and from the second lesson onward, it was love at first sight.” Then he joined his first bands at school, until he decided to quit soccer to dedicate himself entirely to music.

In Sassari

Meanwhile, Mad-Dog fever is rising in Sassari, with parents stuck everywhere. Renato, in his final year of high school, and Davide, in his scientific high school, are also approaching their final exams. "Yes, it worries me a little," Sabrina admits. "They'll have a lot of catching up to do, but the teachers are calm." For everyone, the greatest joy is seeing their children pursue their dreams. They'll have to keep studying, of course, and take advantage of the experience and advice of the professionals around them, but they'll also have to keep their feet on the ground and, why not, have fun with their other students: "And maybe learn how to use a washing machine and dryer." The emotion is immense, however, and, beyond the result, the satisfaction of having raised good kids remains: "Whatever happens tonight, we're already happy."

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