Last night marked the final semifinal of the COAC 2025 (Carnaval de Cádiz), pending the jury's decision on which groups will advance to the Grand Final set for February 28, on the Día de Andalucía. The event featured various participants including the choir directed by Julio Pardo and Rivas, chirigotas from Écija, Yuyu, and Los Villegas, and comparsas from Cantera, Germán, and Manuel Cornejo.
One of the most anticipated performances came from the chirigota 'Al cielo con él', which secured 501 points. They were closely followed by 'Los cagones' with 497 and 'Los hermanos del buen fin' with 487. The competition has proven fierce, with standing ovations for both the artistry and humor the groups brought to the stage.
According to reports from the jury, the final list of groups advancing to the Grand Final highlighted the intense competition across all categories. The comparsas 'Los poderosos' and 'La resistencia' earned noteworthy scores of 481.79 and 480.75 respectively, just shy of the top ranks. 'DesOBD!' landed 468.62 points, placing them within the competitive upper tier.
Meanwhile, individual performances varied greatly, creating towering pressures on the participants. The comparsa 'Los del otro barrio' achieved 484 points, which was not enough to surpass the leaders but demonstrated solid talent and potential. Its contemporary design and fresh voices captured the essence of this year's carnival.
The audience were captivated not just by numerical scoring but by the myriad of themes and social commentary interwoven within performances. For example, the captivating storylines presented by 'DesOBD!' drew praise for their creativity and intellectual depth, paralleling the light-hearted yet poignant humor demonstrated by groups like 'Los cagones'.
Adding to the buzz, the prix de public at the carnival, powered by Solera 1847, saw 'Los hermanos del buen fin' topping the rankings, as public votes poured in striped with excitement. This aspect underlines the carnival’s essence, combining theatrical flair and community involvement.
Extended commentary from the Diario del Carnaval emphasized the artistic merit of the competing groups. The chirigota 'Los James Bond que da gloria verlos' secured third position, praising their engaging humor and storyline. Yuyu’s group continues to build on their established reputation, evoking laughter through clever lyrics integrated with sharp social critique.
The first performance of the evening was from the choir 'El lado oscuro', which introduced themes of introspection and societal reflection. Resulting scores of 474 were indicative of the group's strong narratives and vocal prowess and welcomed by the audience with heartfelt responses.
Further exploring the significance of the carnival experience, the judges acknowledged the artistic structures and performances across genres. With 'Los poderosos' and 'La chulita' incorporating traditional and modern elements effectively, they stood out as formidable contenders for the Grand Final.
The frantic buzz surrounding the event culminated with the announcement of scores and positions shortly after the last performance. The anxiety built as groups awaited the fate decided by both official judges and the public alike, demonstrating how integral these elements are to the carnival's survival.
Evaluations also revealed some divergence compared to the jury of LA VOZ, which maintained over 86% accuracy with the official scores, showing synchronization across the judging panels. Nevertheless, distinctions emerged, hinting at the subjective nature of art evaluation. The differences suggested vibrant discussions may arise post-judging.
Overall, the COAC 2025 semifinals encapsulated the cultural richness and theatrical diversity of Cádiz's annual Carnival. Performers prepared diligently, and audiences engaged wholeheartedly, establishing yet another memorable chapter leading to the Grand Final.
Anticipation now builds as the community awaits to see which groups will transform their efforts and passion from the semifinals onto the grand stage this coming Friday.