The 75th edition of the Festival di Sanremo kicked off on the night of February 7, 2025, with much excitement surrounding the performances. Hosted by Carlo Conti, alongside co-hosts Antonella Clerici and Gerry Scotti, the evening promised memorable moments and showcased both established artists and fresh faces.
Opening the festival was GAIA with her song "Chiamo Io Chiami Tu," which was rated 5 by critics. Despite her effort to energize the audience, the performance was deemed lackluster as she faded quickly from the spotlight. Following her, FRANCESCO GABBANI's rendition of "Viva La Vita" got more favorable reviews, scoring 7.5. The artist proved to be right at home on the Ariston stage, delivering a performance infused with joy and charisma.
Rapper RKOMI's performance of "Il Ritmo Delle Cose" earned him 6.5, with critics remarking on the need to improve his diction. NOEMI stepped up next with "Se T'innamori Muori" and received praise for her powerful vocals and performance, garnering a 7. Irama's song "Lentamente" followed, bringing his familiar sound to the stage, also notching up 6.5.
Performing together as COMA_COSE, the duo wowed the audience with their visually compelling act, scoring 7 for their energetic performance. A highlight of the night came from SIMONE CRISTICCHI, whose piece "Quando Sarai Piccola" struck emotional chords among the audience, earning him a commendable score of 8.
Next, MARCELLA BELLA's performance of "Pelle Diamante" seemed to miss the mark with critics, resulting in a score of 5.5, as nostalgia failed to resonate with younger listeners. Meanwhile, ACHILLE LAURO showcased his new style with "Incocienti Giovani," which earned him another solid 8, showing growth and maturity as an artist.
The evening continued with GIORGIA, whose captivating performance of "La Cura Per Me" received the highest score of the night at 8.5. The audience reacted positively, highlighting her vocal prowess without relying on autotune.
Performers like WILLIE PEYOTE and ROSE VILLAIN followed suit, each earning scores of 6.5 and 5.5 respectively. OLLY, the anticipated favorite, delivered his performance "Balorda Nostalgia" to mixed reviews, receiving 6.5, proving the unpredictable nature of the festival.
ELODIE's "Dimenticarsi Alle 7" perhaps didn’t showcase her full potential, clocking in at 6. SHABLO and his guest artists drew attention with their performance, scoring 6.5 as the eclectic setup entertained the audience.
The night also saw veteran performer MASSIMO RANIERI present his song alongside contemporary styles, receiving 6.5 for his nostalgic yet engaging presentation. TONY EFFE, known for his transformation from bad boy to more refined presentation, was evaluated with 7, capturing attention without overshadowing his past controversies.
Among newer stars, SERENA BRANCALE shone brightly with "Anema E Core," scoring 7 as her personal storytelling connected deeply with viewers. BRUNORI SAS touched hearts with his emotional piece "L'Albero Delle Noci," achieving another 8 for his heartfelt performance, solidifying his place as one of the festival’s standout artists.
MODA’ performed "Non Ti Dimentico," with solid vocals but not much innovation, receiving 6. While Clara, with her song "Febbre," struggled to impress, garnering only 5. The returning favorite, LUCIO CORSI's "Volevo Essere Un Duro" held strong at 8+, showing his versatility and creativity.
The night concluded with high-energy performances from JOVANOTTI, scoring 10 for engaging the crowd with various hits and his incredible charisma. On the opposite end, there were disappointments too, with newcomers like SHABLO and BRESH receiving average scores for their performances, averaging around 5-6.
Following the performances, the hosts unveiled the first night’s rankings, which produced some surprises. The top five songs as voted by the press were presented: BRUNORI SAS - "L'albero delle noci"; GIORGIA - "La cura per me"; LUCIO CORSI - "Volevo essere un duro"; SIMONE CRISTICCHI - "Quando sarai piccola"; and ACHILLE LAURO - "Incocienti giovani." While this ranking is only preliminary, it sets the stage for the upcoming nights and the anticipated involvement of the audience through televoting.
Overall, the first night of the festival flowed remarkably well, showcasing rigorous planning and execution from Conti, who ensured the show concluded on time. The mix of modern flair with classic performances managed to appeal to both younger and older audiences, leaving many eager for the next installment.