From Sassari to the stage of X Factor 2026 with four yeses and a standing ovation. Mad-Dog brilliantly passed the Auditions of Sky’s talent show, winning over the audience and judges during the first episode of the new season.

The young band from Sassari appeared before Paola Iezzi, Jake La Furia, Francesco Gabbani and Irama, choosing to perform Brianstorm, one of the Arctic Monkeys’ most energetic songs.

The choice immediately allowed the group to showcase its rock identity and strong stage presence.

Standing ovation after “Brianstorm”

The performance quickly changed the atmosphere in the studio. After the first notes, the four musicians swept the audience along to the final standing ovation.

The judges also highlighted the energy of the performance. Irama focused on the contrast between the young men’s appearance before the performance and the determination they showed once they started playing.

Jake La Furia, on the other hand, especially appreciated the Mad-Dog’s ability to play like a real band, also highlighting the drummer’s performance.

The verdict left no room for doubt: four yeses out of four and passage to the next stage of X Factor.

Who are Mad-Dog

Mad-Dog’s current lineup consists of Renato Marchisio on vocals and guitar, Davide Dore on bass, Luca Pintus on guitar and Jacopo Sale on drums.

The project began in Sassari in the summer of 2023, initially as a cover band. Over time, the group began focusing on writing original songs, developing a sound that blends garage, punk, indie and alternative rock.

The band’s first album, Shame On Youth, was released in December 2025, while during the summer of 2026 the band continued performing on stages across the city.

One of the most important events was also their participation in Abbabula, on July 22 in Piazza Università in Sassari, as part of the evening dedicated to the new music scene.

Now the adventure continues

Mad-Dog’s presence on X Factor had already emerged in June, when the band appeared in content released by the programme during the selections. The result of the Audition, however, remained confidential until the episode aired.

Now the verdict is official: the band from Sassari clears the first hurdle with unanimous approval and continues its journey on the talent show.

For the four young musicians, who started out in rehearsal rooms and on the stages of Sassari, X Factor thus represents a national showcase and a new milestone in a project that has continued to grow over the past three years.