The 75th edition of the Sanremo Music Festival kicked off on the evening of February 11, 2025, with excitement and emotional tributes at the Teatro Ariston. Hosted by Carlo Conti, the festival promises to be memorable as it showcases 29 artists over five nights, culminating on February 15 with the grand finale.
Conti opened the night with heartfelt words borrowed from the late maestro Ezio Bosso: "La musica, come la vita, si fa in un solo modo: insieme," expressing the festival's spirit of unity and collaboration. Assisting him were co-hosts Antonella Clerici and Gerry Scotti, both of whom added to the glow of the event with their charisma and charm.
"Mi avete fatto sentire importante," Scotti said, thanking the production team and dedicators, conveying his nerves on the first night of the festival on Rai 1.
The evening featured high-energy performances, starting with Gaia, whose song "Chiamo io chiami tu" set the stage alight. Following her, Francesco Gabbani entertained with his new track "Viva la vita," offering fans a refreshing departure from his past hits.
Notably, the festival aims to honor the rich legacy of Italian music, with several tributes throughout the night. A touching remembrance was made for Fabrizio Frizzi, with Antonella Clerici becoming emotional as she remembered their friendship, leading to the crowd bursting out with sentiments of support.
Throughout the evening, there were numerous light-hearted moments and heavy-hitting performances, with each artist delivering their best to captivate the audience and viewers. The excitement culminated with the arrival of Jovanotti, who brought positivity following his two-year hiatus due to injury. His performance, anticipated by many, was met with thunderous applause.
The diverse lineup included many exciting artists such as Rkomi, Noemi, and Achille Lauro, each bringing their unique flare to the stage. Other highlights included the dynamic duo of Israeli and Palestinian artists, Noa and Mira Awad, who performed John Lennon's "Imagine," symbolizing peace and collaboration during this festival.
Viewers were glad to find the festival easily accessible via Rai Play, allowing fans both within Italy and abroad to stream the exciting performances from the comfort of their homes. The platform even disabled geographical restrictions for streaming during the festival hours, amplifying the spirit of togetherness the event embodies.
The night also marked the beginning of the competition phase of the festival, with the press tasked with creating the first provisional rankings based solely on the evening's performances. Audiences were eager to find out which top five artists would stand out at the end of the night, adding to the suspense and excitement.
Fedez, battling recent rumors surrounding his participation, made headlines by confirming his commitment to the festival, dismissing speculation about any withdrawal: "Non ho mai comunicato a nessuno di voler rinunciare a Sanremo." His return merely added to the drama surrounding the competition as fans awaited more surprises.
Set to wrap up around 1 AM, the buzz from the festival felt electric, setting the tone for the remainder of the event. Carlo Conti's seamless mixture of humor and genuine enthusiasm, combined with the star-studded lineup, positioned the festival for success this year.
With the first night now complete, Sanremo 2025 promises to be one for the books, tantalizing fans with elite performances and stirring moments of connection, unity, and triumph for Italian music. The anticipation for the remaining nights only builds, and fans can't wait to see how the competition will evolve as the festival continues to roll on.