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Spain: All about Beniform fest Second semifinals

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Rehearsals for Benidorm Fest continues as we get more details about what we are going to see onstage.  This time it was the turn for the acts competing in the second semifinal.  Seven acts  are competing in the second semifinal for the last four places in the national final.  In this semi-final early favorite Rayden will perform.  Furthermore, all eyes are on Rigoberta Bandini who is currently leading the betting odds.

Here are the first details from the Second semifinal rehearsals:

Xeinn:  Xeinn is planning to do some storytelling through his performance.  He will use the LED screens, the camera movements and light playing at the same time to represent the story of his song and “the nostalgia of past love”.

Marta Sango: Marta Sango’s stage will look retro.  Her performance has some 80s vibes with a glam, colorful style.  According to RTVE, the atmosphere of Marta Sango’s performance will indeed be glamorous.  There will be fireworks and a TikTok like choreography.

Javiera Mena: She will use lots of gadgets, lasers and light elements.  The performance will surely be very energetic.

Gonzalo Hermida: Sadly Gonzalo Hermida could not participate on the rehearsals.  He was tested positive for coronavirus and is isolated.  Following this update, his Quién lo diría music video will be played during his performance on the semifinal.

Rigoberta Bandini: Rigoberta’s performance will be one of the biggest surprises of this semifinal.  Contrary to all expectations, Rigoberta is using a very theatrical staging.  Her band and a dancer will join Rigoberta onstage.  The dancer will help her show the feminist message she is bringing in this performance.

Rayden: Rayden’s performance will use lots of smoke as a visual resource.  The smoke is indeed an element representing hate.  Furthermore, in his choreography Rayden is fighting an enemy that represents his fears, insecurities and social control.

Sara Deop: Sara will have an outstanding choreography made by Vicky Gómez (Spain’s JESC 2020 and 2021). Moreover, there will be neon lights.  Sara’s stage is reminiscent to SuRie’s (United Kingdom 2018) staging.

Source: RTVE

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for more updates of Benidorm Fest!

Spain: All about Benidorm Fest Semifinal 1 rehearsals

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The acts competing in the first semifinal of the Benidorm Fest have made their first rehearsals and the first details are already here.  Six acts  are competing in the first semifinal after Luna Ki’s unexpected withdrawal from the competition.  However, the competition for the first spots to the final is far from settled.  Among the competitors we have fan favorites Tanxugueiras and Azúcar Moreno.

Here are the first details from the First semifinal rehearsals:

Varry Brava: The act is paying tribute to Raffaella Carrà in their performance.  According to the press the costumes and screens are inspired in the Italian diva.  However, rest assured that Varry Brava are not falling into clichés.  This will be a very colorful performance.

Azúcar Moreno:Azúcar Moreno will perform a revamp version of their song adding more guitarras and palmas.  The duo performance is very ‘old school’ and truthful to their rumba and flamenco roots.

Blanca Paloma: Blanca Paloma’s performance will be very minimalist.  She is not using the LED screens.  Her performance looks more like a theater show than a performance for TV.

Unique: On the opposite side of the spectrum we have the boys from unique.  During their performance there will be acrobatics, light tricks and fireworks.  The guys will include beatbox in their routine.

Tanxugueiras: One of the early favorites to represent Spain.  The scenario will look dark with Galician folk symbolism.  Tanxugueiras are paying tribute to pandereitas.  Further they took inspiration on traditional costumes.  The faces of the artists are displayed on the screens during their performance.  Moreover, the lyrics “there’s no borders” will appear in different languages.  Their backing singers will perform shirtless.

Chanel: Kyle Hanagami was in charge of the choreography for Chanel.  Five dancers support Chanel.  For Semifinal 1 we will have a revamped version of SloMo where percussion is emphasized.

Source: RTVE

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for more updates of Benidorm Fest!

Spain: Will Tanxugueiras perform on stage, at Benidorm Fest?

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After Luna Ki, that has withdrawn from Benidorm Fest, another act is in danger of not being able to perform live on stage, at Benidorm Fest, due to Aida and Olaia getting infected by COVID-19.

As the group has already Tweeted a few minutes ago and as some members of their team is already at Benidorm, Aida and Olaia will travel within the next few days, as a precaution.

But how is it going to work with Tanxugueiras at this year’s Spanish national final, but also for any other contestant that might also get infected by COVID-19?

The three scenarios

Three different scenarios have been announced in case an artist tests positive for COVID-19 at Benidorm Fest.

In a recent article, RTVE unveiled the contingency plan in case a competing artist turns out positive before appearing in the upcoming Spanish selection process Benidorm Fest.

The producers, Boomerang TV and the broadcaster, RTVE, have come up with three different scenarios to ensure that every song and artist will be able to compete in this year’s Benidorm Fest.

  • The first scenario is that if the artist has already completed his first rehearsal, it will be broadcast during the live show instead of a live performance.
  • Second, if the artist comes out positive before his first rehearsal, then the official music video for the song will be played.
  • The final scenario is that, if there is no music video, the song will be played with montage of images and photos of the artist.

It was announced by Eva Mora, head of the Spanish delegation, that it was not possible to produce live performances, such as those created for this year’s ESCZ selection process and the expected process of Northern Macedonia, due to lack of time.

The Benidorm Fest will be held with two semifinals on January 26 and 27, leading to the Grand Final on January 29. The songs and the artists have been revealed and the order of the two semifinals has also been decided and announced.

The voting system

Only eight artists will make it to the grand final of the Benidorm Fest. The result will be done through a mixed voting system between a professional jury (national and international), televoting and a poll jury:

  • 50% of the grade will correspond to the professional jury consisting of five experts (three of Spanish nationality and two, international).
  • The remaining 50% will be in the hands of the public (where 25% will be by phone and SMS and the remaining 25% will be selected by a poll jury).
  • The artists will be given a phone number and as soon as everyone completes the show, the hotlines will be open for voting. The voting period will be approximately 15 or 20 minutes and the presenters, Alaska, Inés Hernand and Máximo Huerta, will be responsible for the announcement.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all news regarding Benidorm Fest and the spanish representative at Eurovision 2022!

Source: Tanxugueiras Twitter Account

Historical Benidorm Festival returns as the Spanish national selection

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Spain has made an important announcement about their selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.  In July 16, the president of RTVE stated there will be an official announcement on July 22.  Further, the announcement will take place in the city of Benidorm, Alicante (Spain).  The big 5 country last results have been far from satisfactory, being outside of the top 20 since 2015.  In addition to this, their best achievements in recent times have been two top 10s in 2014 and 2012.  Spain came in the top 5 for the last time in 1995 with Anabel Conde who ended in second place.

 

However, the Spanish broadcaster is looking forward to reverse the current trend with a new format.  The news came as a surprise for many fans because it is not usual that Spain starts her Eurovision plans so early.  The first speculations pointed to the possibility of bringing back the Benidorm International Song Festival as a national final.

“We are going to take the Eurovision Song Contest very seriously.  (…) (RTV) is the only Spanish public broadcaster that is part of the EBU.  We are interested in the contest and its contact with the youth in a European context”. José Pérez Tornero, RTVE president

 

Moreover, the president of the Valencian government announced that he is working with RTVE on a big musical event.

“We are working together with RTVE to make Benidorm a meeting place for what we need more than ever: music, Europe and diversity.  We will communicate all the details on thurday”.  Ximo Puig, president of the Valencian government

What was the Benidorm International Song Festival

The Benidorm International Song Festival took place from 1959 to 2006.  The contest was modeled after the Italian Sanremo Music Festival.  The winner of the Benidorm Festival received the Golden Mermaid Trophy.  RTVE used to broadcast the event.  However, the public broadcaster withdrew their support due to a lack of interest from the public.

Among the winners of the Benidorm Festival we have Raphael (Spain 1966, 1967) and La Década (Spain 1988).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thV-vhOQHvQ

Source: ABC

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for more news about the Spanish national selection for Eurovision 2022.