Italy's iconic music event, the Festival di Sanremo, kicked off its 75th edition on February 11, 2025, at the renowned Teatro Ariston. This year, the excitement is palpable as the festival hosts 29 diverse artists competing for the coveted title and the chance to represent Italy at Eurovision 2025.
Carlo Conti returned to the helm of the festival, joined on the first night by beloved co-hosts Antonella Clerici and Gerry Scotti. Their opening remarks noted the festival's celebration of music and culture, promising viewers both fun and heartfelt performances. The night officially began at 20:40 CET, streamed live on RAI 1, with audiences eager to see which artists would stand out.
One notable change this year is the format: for the first time, no songs will be eliminated prior to the grand final taking place on Saturday. Instead, all participants will have their moment to shine each night, with the unique twist of the results from night four, the cover night, serving as a standalone mini-competition. This new structure aims to build tension and excitement throughout the festival's duration.
Conti expressed his vision for this edition: "Un Festival con una conduzione corale e all’insegna dell’amicizia: questo è il Sanremo che ho immaginato. Una conduzione corale fatta con divertimento e leggerezza. Mi piace ricordare una frase che sul palco dell’Ariston disse Ezio Bosso prima della sua esibizione del 2016: ‘La musica, come la vita, si fa insieme’.”
The performances began with Gaia's “Chiamo io chiami tu,” followed by other fan favorites. Artists like Francesco Gabbani, Rkomi, and Noemi were among the first to grace the stage, delivering electrifying renditions of their songs. Each performance is judged by the press jury, with the top five revealed at the end of the night, though presented in random order.
Among the festival's highlights was the guest appearance of jovanotti (Lorenzo Cherubini), whose lively performances brought the crowd to their feet. The night also featured special guests Noa and Mira Awad, who passionately delivered their rendition of “Imagine,” sending messages of unity and peace amid their musical presentation, which was particularly notable during the festival's theme.
Following the trend of incorporating young talent, the festival reintroduced its “New Proposals” section, showcasing newer artists outside the main competition. The lineup featured several promising young talents who performed their previously released songs, each capturing the essence of modern Italian music.
This year also saw the introduction of new artists to the Sanremo stage, including Brunori SAS, Tony Effe, and Bresh, who all joined returning favorites like Achille Lauro and Massimo Ranieri. Ranieri, known for his iconic ballads, continued to captivate audiences and demonstrated the festival’s ability to bridge generations of music.
Throughout the festival, there will be numerous performances at the Suzuki Stage nearby, where fans can gather to enjoy additional entertainment and watch artists like Raf perform on the first night.
Conti emphasized the spirit of togetherness he envisions for Sanremo 2025, hoping to showcase both established artists and newcomers, bridging musical styles, and creating lasting memories. With this historical event running from February 11 to 15, viewers are promised engaging performances, heartfelt tributes, and opportunities to witness the evolution of Italian music.
So, as the night drew to close, anticipation for what was to come was evident. Not only would the contests drive the excitement, but it would also allow music enthusiasts to engage with their artists through the interactive commenting and live discussions encouraged by the festival’s producers.
Festival di Sanremo 2025 promises to be more than just another music competition; it’s set to be a vibrant celebration of culture, creativity, and connection. Fans of the festival and newcomers can look forward to nights filled with nostalgia, innovation, and unforgettable musical moments. Already, the buzz surrounding the opening night indicates it could be one for the record books.