The Sanremo 2025 Festival, Italy's premier music competition, produced memorable performances and emotional reactions, culminating with Olly declared as the winner of this year’s coveted title. The festival, held at the historic Teatro Ariston, featured 29 artists showcasing their talents over five nights of live music, and this year's event has been met with significant enthusiasm both from the public and critics alike.
After five action-packed nights, the results were announced with Olly, performing his hit song "Balorda Nostalgia," taking home the grand prize. Following closely were Lucio Corsi and Brunori Sas, who secured the second and third positions, respectively. The fourth slot was occupied by Fedez, and Simone Cristicchi rounded out the top five, showcasing a diverse range of musical styles and talents. It was quite the unexpected lineup, drawing much discussion and some disappointment from various fan groups.
A particularly poignant moment occurred when noted artist Giorgia was called to receive the Tim Award. During her appearance, the auditorium erupted with cheers of "Hai vinto! Hai vinto!" overwhelming her with emotion, and the singer burst out crying, symbolizing the festival's intense connection with its performers.
This year's festival marked the debut of popular presenter Carlo Conti as the host, following the legendary Amadeus's role over previous years. Conti’s warm and engaging style has been lauded, garnering peak ratings of 65% during the first night alone. Such figures demonstrate the festival's continued relevance and importance within Italian culture.
The format remained consistent, with performances judged through Televoto (34%), Radio (33%), and Stampa (33%). Audience participation was notable, especially during the final voting process, which saw the top five artists face off again, adding suspense to the already thrilling finale.
Controversy did not escape Sanremo 2025, as fan-favorite artists Giorgia and Achille Lauro did not make it to the final top five. Many voices echoed dissatisfaction over this, noting their absence from the highly competitive list. The crowd was vocal about their sentiments, leading to dramatic calls for both artists during the final concert, underscoring their significant fanbases—"Giorgia! Giorgia!" became a rallying cry echoing through the Ariston.
Giorgia's performance, which was highly praised, especially her touching rendition of "La cura per me," stirred the audience, prompting the standing ovation she received. This year's competition showcased the vast talent pool present within the Italian music scene, yet not all shares were joyous; the tension surrounding the finalists highlighted how passionate fans can be about their favorites.
Also noteworthy was the guest lineup, which included notable figures such as Alberto Angela and Vanessa Scalera, bringing additional flair to the performances. Each evening involved surprises, charismatic performances, and heartwarming tributes, making it truly memorable.
Of interest to many is what winning Sanremo truly means for artists. Not only does the winner gain recognition and acclaim, but they also secure their place at the Eurovision Song Contest scheduled for May 2025, held this year in Basel, Switzerland. Though the victors may not receive significant monetary awards—an estimated reimbursement of around 50,000 euros—what they gain is invaluable: visibility and opportunities for future engagements.
Behind the scenes, the festival involves months of planning, from artist selection to stage design and technical aspects. Each edition is effectively a grand machine showcasing Italy’s rich musical history, combined with modern flair and vibrant presentations.
Despite the ups and downs, Sanremo cultivates a sense of unity among its viewers, celebrating the passion for music and performance. Fans flock each February, translating their love for the festival and the artists involved onto social media, where discussions range from heartfelt praise to critique of artistic choices presented on-screen.
Carlo Conti captured the audience's regard with his remarks prior to the final, stating: "Ce l’abbiamo fatta, il Festival è in salute," summing up the spirit surrounding the event, which speaks volumes about Italian music culture. The latest edition of Sanremo affirms its position as not just any music festival, but as the heart of the Italian musical narrative.
This edition’s success delivers another chapter within the Festival’s storied legacy, inspiring the coming artists and entertaining viewers across the globe.