The Sanremo Music Festival is set to dazzle once again as it opens its doors for the 75th edition, taking place from February 11 to 15, 2025. Anticipation is high as the iconic Teatro Ariston prepares to host 29 competing songs, featuring a vibrant mix of aspiring talents alongside some of Italy's most celebrated musicians.
This year, the festival will be led by the charismatic Carlo Conti, who will be surrounded by twelve co-hosts throughout the event. Conti, reflecting on the festival's essence, shared the philosophy of the late musician Ezio Bosso, stating, “Music, like life, is made together.” This theme of unity and collaboration underpins the festival, promising shared experiences among artists and audiences alike.
Among the prominent artists gracing the stage will be Achille Lauro, Giorgia, Fedez, Francesco Gabbani, Irama, Marcella Bella, and Rocco Hunt. Rounding out the competition, four burgeoning talents selected through Sanremo Giovani 2024—Alex Wyse, Maria Tomba, Settembre, and Vale LP—will vie for the coveted title in the Nuove Proposte segment. Each performance will be complemented by the traditional orchestra, comprising professional musicians specially selected by RAI and the Sanremo Symphony Orchestra Foundation.
The five-day festival will feature a well-structured lineup, commencing with tune showcases on the first night, followed by two evenings of performances judged through public televotes and radio juries. The penultimate night will spotlight iconic cover songs, allowing contestants to reinterpret classic hits, accompanied by special guests. The final night will reveal the winner through double-voting procedures among the top five artists, crowned amid the excitement of the festival.
For the line-up of famous performers, notable appearances will include the legendary Duran Duran, marking their return to Sanremo after 40 years, as well as musicians like Jovanotti and the Måneskin's Damiano David. Notably, the festival will once again celebrate the long-standing contributions of artists with career awards this year-going to Antonello Venditti and Iva Zanicchi for their impactful musical legacies.
Enhancing the festival experience, the organizers have introduced several innovative elements, such as the monumental Suzuki Stage located at Piazza Colombo. Fans can expect live performances from up-and-coming acts like Raf, Big Mama, and Ermal Meta, semantically intertwining contemporary music with the festival’s rich history. Meanwhile, the final night will feature the Planet Funk bringing their signature sound aboard the Costa Toscana cruise ship.
The festival's stunning backdrop is set to be complemented by avant-garde stage design from architect Riccardo Bocchini, featuring the Techno Hall —an innovative space defined by kinetic walls and cutting-edge lighting technology. The production, led by director Maurizio Pagnussat, will utilize advanced filming techniques through twelve UHD cameras and the use of the "Digital Score" for synchronizing effects and visuals, promising to deliver awe-inspiring visuals to viewers.
Mediatic coverage will be extensive, utilizing Rai Radio2 as the festival’s official radio partner, alongside active digital distribution on social media platforms and Rai's digital services. All performances, exclusive interviews, and special behind-the-scenes content will be readily available on RaiPlay. The platform will host engaging content titled “Conversation – Sanremo Edition,” where audiences can interact with their favorite artists directly.
Rai's dedication to inclusivity continues to shine through this year, with efforts ensuring accessibility for all viewers. Live subtitles, audio descriptions, and Italian Sign Language translations will be provided via RaiPlay. Meanwhile, daily formats such as “Accessible Sanremo 2025” will highlight behind-the-scenes insights and audience engagement after each festival night.
After the festival concludes, audiences won’t be left wanting for more, with the return of the “Dopofestival,” hosted by Alessandro Cattelan, bringing livelier commentary and spontaneous musical performances. Another program, “PrimaFestival,” will serve as the perfect prelude each evening with interviews and insightful previews.
Rai's production commitment remains firmly entrenched as it invests heavily in technological advancements, presenting the festival live in native 4K, with immersive Dolby Atmos audio, creating unparalleled entertainment experiences. A dedicated team of over 340 professionals will handle logistics, ensuring the seamless execution of the festival, with cutting-edge effects and sound systems for the highest quality transmission.
Even the city of Sanremo will immerse itself fully, with initiatives named “Between Stage and City,” featuring live performances and direct interactions to engage local audiences. Under the watchful eye of local authorities, careful planning is set to cultivate excitement and create memorable experiences for attendees and performers alike.
The Sanremo Music Festival 2025 will undoubtedly evoke emotions and inspire unity, reaffirming the importance of music as humanity’s universal language, bridging gaps between generations and cultures.