Spain: Benidorm Fest 2022 begins today with the first semi-final!

The big moment for spanish eurofans has arrived. The Benidorm festival is reviving after more than fifteen years and this year’s edition will determine the representative of Spain at Eurovision 2022.

Format

Benidorm Fest 2022 will consist of two semifinals, with 7 songs taking part in each. Four artists from each semifinal will advance to the Benidorm Grand Final.

The big winner and representative of Spain in Eurovision 2022 will be selected 50% by the preference of two juries and 50% by the will of the Spanish viewers. Both juries will be composed of professionals in the field, with one consisting only of natives and the other being an international one.

The Benidorm Fest jury, which will determine 50% of the voting, consists of:

National jury:

Natalia Calderón – Vocal coach
Miryam Benedited – Director and Choreographer
Estefanía García – Singer, mezzo-soprano of the RTVE choir

International jury:

Marvin Dietmann – Director of several Eurovision entries
Felix Bergsson – Head of the icelandic Eurovision delegation

The other 50% of the will of the Spaniards will be determined 25% by the televoting and 25% by a sample of the Spanish population selected on the basis of statistics and demographics (demoscopic jury). This is used in both the Sanremo Festival (Italy) and Melodifestivalen (Sweden).

First semifinal

Seven artists were to compete in tonight’s first semifinal of Benidorm Fest 2022, however Luna Ki’s sudden withdrawal from the competition for violating Eurovision rules (Autotune use) changed the original design.

Therefore, six artists and six songs will take part in tonight’s show, four of which will qualify to Saturday’s grand final. These artists are:

1. Varry Brava – “Raffaella“
2. Azúcar Moreno – “Postureo“
3. Blanca Paloma – “Secreto del agua”
4. Unique – “Mejores“
5. Tanxugueiras – “Terra”
6. Chanel – “SloMo“

Benidorm Fest 2022 will be held at Palacio de Deportes L’Illa in Alicante and will be presented by Alaska, Inés Hernand and Máximo Huerta.

You can watch the first semifinal of the Spanish music festival at 22:40 CET by clicking HERE.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all news regarding Spain’s participation in Eurovision 2022!