The first evening of the Sanremo 2025 Festival kicked off on February 11, setting the stage for another exciting year of Italian music. Hosted by Carlo Conti, who has been synonymous with the tradition of this prestigious festival, and co-hosted by the ever-charismatic Gerry Scotti, the event attracted significant viewer interest.
With the audience eagerly tuning in, the initial ratings were highly anticipated. During the evening, audiences witnessed stunning performances from 29 participating artists, each vying for both the judges' and the public's acclaim. According to preliminary reports, this inaugural evening would play a pivotal role in assessing the festival's success based on the ratings achieved, with historic comparisons to previous years providing insight.
Among the standout moments, Gerry Scotti made headlines himself when he enthusiastically exclaimed, "L'accendiamo?", entertaining the crowd and marking the event's formal start. To the delight of every performer present, this phrase was followed by Scotti donating 10 points to all competing artists, sparking excitement and camaraderie within the festival atmosphere.
The leaderboard after the first evening revealed Lucio Corsi leading with 90 points, closely followed by Brunori Sas with 85 points and Bresh landing third with 75 points. These initial rankings stemmed not only from their musical performances but also from additional bonuses collected throughout the evening. Corsi, who engaged the audience with his dual instrumental performances and heartfelt acts, proved particularly popular.
Brunori Sas's efforts to interact beyond the stage paid off, especially at the 'DopoFestival', where he garnered extra points through creative interactions. This newfound engagement challenges the initial perception of artists' indifference toward the Fantasanremo contest, as it appears some performers are strategically working their way through the festival.
That said, the event's approach included specific guidelines for appearances, seen as equally important to the music itself. The organizers enforced dress codes, with black outfits penalized severely. One commentator noted, "The main struggle was for the total black look, which incurred penalties," pointing out several artists like The Kolors and Giorgia receiving deductions of ten points each for failing to incorporate brighter colors.
Meanwhile, the ranking system for intermediate performances added new layers to the competition. The 'Fantasanremo' contest also introduced its own set of rules to add excitement. At one point, the artists needed to wear red to gain additional bonus points, making fashion and performance equally important. The dexterous navigation of these criteria vastly impacts standings, especially with some artists embracing bold, flamboyant outfits.
The evening also showcased moments of sheer brilliance and heartfelt performances, but not everyone emerged unscathed. Giorgia, who initially seemed on track for success, found herself at the bottom of the leaderboard at 16th place—a surprise for many fans who expected her to dominate the evening. Achille Lauro, another notable performer, similarly stumbled to 19th place with only two obtained bonuses.
Structured leniency during the first night implied awareness of the festival's long history; the program closed around 1:35 AM, echoing the style of past editions which often extended late. The performances were strategically timed, leading to varied viewer engagement throughout the night.
Reflecting on past ratings highlights how viewer habits influence engagement patterns. With targets reflecting viewer expectations laid down over the past fourteen years, everyone involved—producers, hosts, and artists alike—are acutely aware of the task at hand. The ratings will be pivotal for assessing whether the festival meets its potential this year as evidenced by previous successful editions.
The Sanremo Festival has historically warred for viewership against competing programming. The evening's competitive atmosphere saw significant ratings drop during performances from other networks, showcasing Sanremo's pivotal standing within the Italian cultural fabric.
Looking to the future, the festival promises more electrifying nights and new twists. The organizing team encourages viewers to continue supporting their favorites, ready for the next round of performances. Artists not only face direct competition on stage but also engage directly with fans and the unique 'Fantasanremo' twist—turning traditional music contests on their heads. A celebration of music, culture, and competitive spirit lies ready, priming both artists and audiences for remarkable performances to come.