The Sanremo Music Festival 2024 has officialy begun! The 74th edition of the Festival di Sanremo, or the Italian Song Festival, is here taking place for once more at the Teatro Ariston, in the small town of the same name in Liguria. Through the Festival, which is the oldest annual music event not only in Europe but in the rest of the world as well, the winners will gain the so called “right of first refusal”, meaning the right to represent Italy in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest only if they wish to do so. Thus, the official Festival di Sanremo commences and the First Night or La Prima Serata is a fact!
Live on RAI Uno, the Night began with journalists and presenters of the broadcaster welcoming the audience and showing live footages outside of the Teatro Ariston and scenes from the backstage for almost twelve (12) minutes before the official airing of the Festival. Some little interviews of some of the Festival’s contestants were also aired.
The Carabinieri Fanfare opened the First Night, performing horseback right outside of the theatre.
The presenters
The Night started finding last year’s Italy’s representative Marco Mengoni on stage with the audience of the theatre welcoming him firmly. For the fifth and final year the famous Amedeo Umberto Rita Sebastiani, also known as Amadeus, was the artistic director and host of the Festival, while during each one of the five Nights he will be accompanied by a different artist of the Italian music scene. For tonight’s First Night Amadeus shared the stage with his co-host, Marco Mengoni, who is not only a familiar artist for the Festival, since he was the last year’s winner and representative of Italy with “Due Vite”, but he is also an old acquaintance with this year’s Eurovision host city, Malmö, because in 2013 he had represented his country singing “L’ essenziale”. Mengoni performed his song “Due Vite” live in the Festival.
This year’s format
This year’s Festival di Sanremo is characterized by some changes which had not occured during the last year or the years before. The first and foremost change is that during the First Night all of the thirty contestants had to performe their songs for the very first time and not the first fifteen or fourteen as it was used to happen. At the end of the Night, all of the thirty entrants were judged only by the jury of the press, TV and web which held the full percentage of the Night’s results.
The First Night’s performances
As it is already mentioned above, this year’s entrants are thirty (30) and not twenty eight (28) as it was the norm the last years. All of the entrants performed their songs in the official running order that was published some hours before. All of the entrants were introduced and accompanied by Amadeus on stage and all the songs are accompanied by live orchestra. Thus, the thirty (30) candidate entries for the Festival di Sanremo 2024 were the following:
01) Clara – “Diamanti Grezzi”
Arriving first on stage, Clara performed her song “Diamanti Grezzi” (=rough diamond). All alone on stage she sang her rhythmic pop dance song wearing a long dress.
02) Sangiovani – “Finiscimi”
Then, Sangiovani stepped on stage performing all alone as well his song “Finiscimi” (= finish me off). An interesting ballad with some rap influences.
03) Fiorella Mannoia – “Mariposa”
Arter him, Fiorella Mannoia appeared on stage singing her song “Mariposa” (= butterfly). An essentual, latin like rhythmical song, totally alone on stage.
04) La Sad – “Autodistruttivo”
Later, La Sad stepped on the stage singing their song “Autodistruttivo” (= self distractive). A rock song in Italian carring a heavy meaning, since people holding billboards accompanied them on stage.
05) Irama – “Tu no”
After a long commercial break, Irama came on stage performing his song “Tu no” (= not you). A power ballad in Italian with intense vocal requests from him.
06) Ghali – “Casa mia”
Later, it was time for Ghali and his song “Casa mia” (= my home), a pop song with some old retro disco vibes.
07) Negramaro – “Ricominciamo tutto”
One of the odds most favourite entry was the next one to be presented. Negramaro performed their song “Ricominciamo tutto” (= Let’s start everything all over again), a sentimental, powerful rock ballad.
08) Annalisa – “Sinceramente”
Another odds’ favourite was next to perform. Annalisa sang her song “Sinceramente” (=sincerely), a pop song with vivid 80’s sound. Annalisa was also alone on the stage.
In the meantime, a commemoration to Giovanbattista Cutolo, a young musician who was assassinated in Naples last year, was held.
09) Mahmood – “Tuta gold”
Coming up was Mahmood, an already known artist in Eurovision since he has already participated twice, in 2019 with “Soldi” and in 2022 along with Blanco singing “Brividi”. In his third attempt to represent Italy Mahmood performed his song “Tuta gold”, an upbeat song, one of those that Mahmood has made us become accustomed to.
10) Diodato – “Ti muovi”
The next one to perform was Diodato, who had already won the Festival di Sanremo in 2020 with his song “Fai Rumore”, a totally fan favourite song back then, capable and worthy of winning the Contest, which unfortunately was never held. However, Diodato is back to claim his lost chance. His song “Ti muovi” (= you move), is a sentimental ballad, which was accompanied by people on stage, although this song is not considered to be at the same level as “Fai rumore” was.
In the meantime, a very emotional and special medley was held in memory of the later Toto Cutugno, a legend of the Italian music stage and winner of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1990 with his song “Insieme: 1992“. Toto Cutugno passed away on the 23rd of August in 2023.
11) Loredana Bertè – “Pazza”
Another legend of the Italian music stage, Loredana Bertè has participated eleven times at the Festival di Sanremo, last in 2019. During her 12th appearance, she performed her song “Pazza” (= crazy), a powerful pop rock song while she received one of the loudest applause.
12) Geolier – “I p’ me, tu p’ te”
Next one to perform was another fan and odd’s favourite, Geolier. His song “I p’me, tu p’te” (= I’m for me, you’re for you) is an interesting song that combined elements of pop, rap and even electropop elements.
13) Alessandra Amoroso – “Fino a qui”
Coming up next was one of the biggest stars of not just Italy but of Europe as well, Alessandra Amoroso. Her song “Fino a qui” (= up to here) is a sentimental, power ballad which may worthy justify her placing among the favourites.
14) The Kolors – “Un ragazzo una ragazza”
Next in the running order to perform was the band The Kolors. Their song “Un ragazzo una ragazza” (= a boy a girl), is an upbeat dance song with elements of disco from the decade of the 70s.
15) Angelina Mango – “La noia”
We have reached the middle of the First Night’s performances. Rememeber untill last year this would have been perceived as the last song of the Serata. However, after the new rules all of the 30 entries have to be performed. Thus, Angelina Mango sang her song “La noia” (= the boredom), a total oxymoron, since her song was totally upbeat, filled by latin energy that invited everyone to get up and just dance.
During the interval, Marco Mengoni performed some of his songs and his 2013 entry “L’essenziale”.
16) Il Volo – “Capolavoro”
Coming up next is one of the most beloved pop operatic trio of Europe. Il Volo, consisting of Gianluca Ginoble, Piero Barone and Ignazio Boschetto represented Italy in Eurovision back in 2015 with the song “Grande Amore”, winning the puplic’s vote but coming third at the end. This is the trio’s third try to represent Italy in Eurovision, after 2019. Their song “Capolavoro” (= masterpiece), is a power pop operatic ballad, with a powerful climax and music drops.
17) BigMama – “La rabbia non ti basta”
The next entry comes from BigMama and her song “La rabbia non ti basta” (= anger is not enough for you), a graet song with an anti-bullying message reagarding the fatphobia around the world.
18) Ricchi e Poveri – “Ma non tutta la vita”
A symbol for the Italian music around the world, the duo Ricchi e Poveri represented Italy in Eurovision back in 1978 singing “Questo Amore” and came 12th. Their song “Ma non tutta la vita” (= but it’s not the whole life) is an upbeat pop dance song influenced by Spanish music as well, encorporating some flamengo moves and sounds.
19) Emma – “Apnea”
Another familiar artist with the Contest is Emma Morrone, who represented Italy in Eurovision in 2014 with her song “La mia città”. Her song “Apnea” encorporates some techno music elements along with dance pop sounds. An upbeat song that the audience seemed to enjoy.
20) Francesco Renga and Nek – “Pazzo di te”
The next contestants were Francesco Renga and Nek who performed their song “Pazzo di te” (= crazy about you); a sentimental ballad with a powerful bridge before the ending.
21) Mr. Rain – “Due altalene”
Next is Mr. Rain who participated last year at the Festival di Sanremo and finished 3rd with his song “Supereroi”. This years he performed “Due altalene” (= two swings), which is a sentimental and powerful ballad performed on a swing on stage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3B6RXxfDUc
22) Bnkr44 – “Governo punk”
The next entrants were Bnkr44 with their song “Governo punk”. The song includes some elements of pop dance genre, along with rock elements and just a little bit of punk. The song sounds like a mockery towards somebody.
23) Gazelle – “Tutto qui”
Coming up next is Gazelle with his song “Tutto qui” (= that’s all), a sentimental, powerful, rock ballad.
24) Dargen D‘Amico – “Onda alta”
The next entrant is Dargen D’Amico with his song “Onda alta” (= high wave); a song encorporating elements of rap, techno and trance music. He performed wearing a vest full of teddy bears, while also he performed the last part of his song passing among the audience.
25) Rose Villain – “Click Boom!”
Next is Rose Villain, a newcomer in the Festival, while she has also worked in the United States. Her song is called “Click Boom!” a song that encorporates different genres, since the verses resemble to those of an uplifting ballad, while the chorus could be characterized as a typical pop melody. Eitherway, it is interesting built.
26) Santi Francesi – “L’ amore in bocca”
Next is the duo Santi Francesi who performed their song “L’amore in bocca” (= love in the mouth) which is a power, upbeat ballad with a general fast beat and rhythm.
27) Fred De Palma – “Il cielo non ci vuole”
The next participant is Fred De Palma. His song “Il cielo non ci vuole” (= the heaven does not want us) is an upbeat and fast rhythm pop song accompanied by interesting violin parts.
28) Maninni – “Spettacolare”
For the very first time in Sanremo, Manini is here to perform his song “Spettacolare” (= spectacle), whose one of the composers has actually Greek origin. The song is a classical Italian ballad, filled with emotion.
29) Alfa – “Vai!”
Coming up next is the young Alfa to perform his song named “Vai!” (= let’s go!). His song has a happy and uplifting vibe including some whistles in the chorus.
30) Il Tre – “Fragili”
Last but not least, the competing part of La Prima Serata came to an end after Il Tre’s performance of his song “Fragili” (= fragile). An upbeat pop song which encorporates parts in rap genre as well.
Special guests
Of course some special guests could not be absent from Sanremo’s First Night! Those included the famous Italian World Cup alpine ski racer Federica Brignone, who won her World Cup title back in 2020, becoming the first ever female Italian ski racer to achieve susch an accomplishment. Moreover, the famous Italian rapper Lazza who performed his song “Cenere” was one of the Night’s guests and Tedua as well, a famous actor and rapper himself who performed his song “Hoe“. The famous Swedish basketball player Zlatan Ibraimovic was also present who shared a lovely interview between Amandeus and the audience in the middle of the contestants’ performances.
The results
As it was also mentioned up above, this year’s festival encountered some significant changes. One of them included also the First Night’s results, which were determined only by the Jury of the press room, TV and web. For the first time only the top entries in each Night’s ranking were revealed, meaning the top five of the First Night. The results, among the thirty (30) entrants, were the following:
- Loredana Bertè – “Pazza”
- Angelina Mango – “La noia”
- Annalisa – “Sinceramente”
- Diodato – “Ti muovi”
- Mahmood – “Tuta gold”
Source: RAIPlay
Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun for even more news regarding Sanremo 2024 and its Second Night!
