The Sanremo 2025 Song Contest is gearing up for its highly anticipated kickoff, with festivities set to commence tonight at the Teatro Ariston. The event, broadcast live on Rai Uno, has been met with excitement as fans prepare to witness the performances of 29 talented artists aiming for the coveted title.
Running from February 11 to 15, 2025, this year's festival showcases both established icons and promising newcomers. Notably, the lineup features superstars such as Francesco Gabbani, Clara, and Achille Lauro. The competition has slightly adjusted its roster after artist Emis Killa withdrew, leaving 29 entries instead of the initially planned 30. Nonetheless, this has not dampened the enthusiasm surrounding the event.
Tonight’s performances will mark the first of the contest, with audience anticipation building as the artists take to the stage for their initial showings. Carlo Conti will lead the proceedings, announcing at the end of the night the top five entries based solely on the votes from the press jury and television viewership.
Tomorrow, the excitement continues with the second night dedicated to 15 more established artists. This evening, fans will have the chance to cast their votes through SMS and landline telephone methods, contributing to the overall ranking alongside the Radio Jury’s input.
Wednesday will also introduce some fresh talent to the competition through the “Nuove Proposte” category, featuring four new artists battling it out head-to-head, where two winners will advance to the finals on Thursday evening.
On the third night, the festival will witness the remaining 14 Big artists perform, again utilizing the public's voting system. The fourth night is another highlight, featuring special guest appearances and cover performances from all Big artists where they can showcase their creativity with well-known songs from various eras.
Intriguingly, results from the cover performances, though entertaining, will not impact the overarching competition standings. Each artist’s score from this round will be counted independently, allowing for recognition of talented renditions and collaborations.
The grand finale on Saturday, February 15, promises to be spectacular, with all 29 artists performing once more. The remaining votes will weigh equally across the different voting systems employed throughout the week: public voting contributing 34%, the press jury also at 33%, and the Radio Jury wrapping up the final third. The accumulated results from all nights will lead to the announcement of the festival winner.
Leading up to the event, critics have weighed in on the lyrical quality of the entries. While they assessed the vocabulary choices extensively, Input on the overall musicality and artistic expression has also surfaced. Linguist Massimo Arcangeli remarked on the lyrical richness displayed, highlighting the vigor and varied styles represented. This year’s festival promises an eclectic mix, encapsulating the diverse cultural fabric of Italy's music scene.
Ahead of the festivities, viewers can access lyrics for each of the competing songs, adding depth and connection to the performances they’ll witness on stage. Each artist brings their unique flavor, with songs covering varying themes and emotions, from heartfelt ballads to upbeat tracks.
Some standout entries include “Viva la vita” by Francesco Gabbani and “Febbre” by Clara, both of which are generating buzz among fans. Anticipation is palpable as viewers gear up for the performances, eager to see who will capture the grand prize at this year’s historic Sanremo festival.
With the excitement of the Sanremo 2025 Song Contest already buzzing, fans and viewers can tune in nightly to support their favorite artists and witness the magic of Italian music shine on this prominent platform.