The second evening of the 75th edition of the Sanremo Festival has set the stage for what promises to be an exciting finale, as the finalists of the Sanremo Giovani competition have been announced. Hosted by Alessandro Cattelan alongside the festival's artistic director Carlo Conti, the event witnessed talented new artists vying for victory and the chance to perform on larger platforms.
On February 12, 2025, the semifinals saw four artists competing: Alex Wyse, Settembre, Maria Tomba, and the duo Vale LP & Lil Jolie. The first battle featured Alex Wyse, performing "Rockstar," going against Vale LP & Lil Jolie with their song "Dimmi tu quando sei pronto per fare l’amore." The results showed Alex Wyse moving on to the finals, as decided by combined votes from the press, radio, and television, as well as the public's televote.
Subsequently, Settembre secured his place by beating Maria Tomba, who presented her song "Goodbye (voglio good vibes)." Settembre’s track "Vertebre" has already gained significant traction, boasting over 6.5 million streams. The performances were judged by three different show juries, which included the press, radio, and audience voting, with weights distributing between them equally.
Both Alex Wyse and Settembre will now take to the stage for the final round scheduled for tomorrow, February 13, 2025. This finale promises to be interesting as both finalists come from diverse musical backgrounds and experiences. Wyse, at just 24 years old, has already built quite the resume, including participation in the Italian talent show Amici and graduating from BIMM London.
Despite not clinching the final spot, the other semifinalists will not go unnoticed; they will join the Sanremo Giovani World Tour. Scheduled for May, this tour aims to introduce these new talents to international audiences, and it includes stops across five major cities in North America, namely Montreal, Toronto, Miami, New York, and Chicago.
The tour will run from May 2 to May 11, allowing them to showcase their music to new audiences, effectively creating pathways for their careers. The festival is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Rai, with Maestro Maurizio Filardo leading the accompanying band which consists of six members.
Reflecting on their semifinal experiences, Alex Wyse noted, "My song depicts freedom as a fantasy, something elusive yet tied to self-discovery and breaking emotional bonds." His counterpart Settembre, whose real name remains undisclosed, echoed similar aspirations through his engaging narrative found within "Vertebre," which explores themes of growth and introspection.
The two finalists will certainly bring thrilling performances to the final stage, each hoping for not only the immediate recognition of victory but broader opportunities to expand their musical careers. Fans and supporters eagerly await the culmination of this year’s competition, eager to see which artist will emerge victorious and claim the spotlight.
So, the question stands: who will take home the coveted title? With Alex Wyse’s vibrant energy and Settembre’s deep storytelling, the finale is bound to be historic.