Welcome to five days of pure-distilled-Italian-genius which is the Sanremo Music Festival! For those who are unfamiliar - the competition is held in the picturesque town of Sanremo in the North-Western pocket of Italy. Beginning in 1951, many of the best known names in Italian music took part as competitors, guests or composers. For Italians it is *the* music event on the calendar and will propel artists straight to the top of the charts.
For everything (and I mean *everything*) you need to know about Sanremo to enjoy the contest - check out our preview article.
Half of the artists performed this morning during the five hour show with the other half performing tomorrow - here are the provisional results for the first twelve artists consisting of a print and TV media jury (33%), a radio jury (34%) and a web media jury (33%):
Results
Notable Performances
Mahmood & Blanco - 'Brividi'
It's no surprise they're odds on favourites to win the contest. Their performance was nothing short of spectacular and unique. It's not often that we get a male duo singing such a contemporary song at Sanremo. The chemistry between Mahmood & Blanco's performance and vocals is stunning. Bravissimi!
La Rappresentante di Lista - 'Ciao ciao'
A very different entry to last years 'Amare' and it feels right on track to beat last years 11th place. Combining the best of a few aspects of Italian pop - the chorus is extremely catchy and Veronica Lucchesi does a wonderful job on vocals. Certainly one of the best upbeat entries of the night. Can see the local charts loving this.
Noemi - 'Ti amo non lo so dire'
This is Noemi's seventh appearance at Sanremo in the Big Artists section and she has brought the goods this year! Another beautiful entry with wonderful range to demonstrate her flashy and memorable vocals. A lot more tempo and *oomph* than her last few entries - certainly a highlight of the night and her career.
Rkomi - 'Insuperabile'
Debuting at the contest this year - Rkomi has chaotic and intense performance and singing style. Certainly packs some punch and could see 'Insuperabile' building momentum by the end of the contest for a good result. I get the impression this is an entry that doesn't benefit from the live orchestra.
Achille Lauro with the Harlem Gospel Choir - 'Domenica'
Our show opener of the night. It wouldn't be Sanremo without an iconic performance from Achille Lauro...this year he was accompanied with the Harlem Gospel Choir straight from The States. Probably not one of his strongest songs but still a captivating and provocative performance nonetheless.
Iconic Moments
Måneskin's return to the Sanremo stage singing 'Zitti e buoni' and 'Coraline'. Daminao got very emotional on stage at the end of proceedings and the band was true to form giving us outstanding performances.
Fiorello making a grand appearance and wielding a thermometer
Måneskin being picked up in a golf cart by Amadeus to be driven to Teatro Ariston
Tennis player Matteo Berrettini making an appearance and Fiorello making 'tennis grunting noises' for lack of a better phrase
Milanese EDM music group Meduza performing their greatest hits on stage - turning Teatro Ariston into a nightclub alongside Irish singer Hozier
This morning was the opening night of the five day festival - the rest of the week will proceed as follows:
Second Night - Thursday (06:40am AEDT)
The remaining 13 artists will perform their entries for the first time
Voting will be revealed and performed in the same manner as the first evening.
A combined ranking of all 25 artists will be given
Confirmed special guest: Laura Pausini
Third Night - Friday (06:40am AEDT)
All 25 artists will perform their entries
Voting will be split between a demoscopic jury (50%) and televote (50%)
A provisional ranking combining results from all three evenings will be given
Confirmed special guest: Checco Zalone
Fourth Night - Saturday (06:40am AEDT)
All 25 artist will perform covers of iconic Italian or international songs from the 60s, 70s or 80s.
Artists may perform solo or together with an acclaimed Italian or international guest
Voting will be televote (34%), combined press jury (33%) and demoscopic jury (33%)
A provisional ranking combining results from all four evenings will be given
Confirmed special guest: Cesare Cremonini
Final Night - Sunday (06:40am AEDT)
All 25 artists will perform their songs for the third and final time
At the end of televoting, the final ranking will be drawn up, determined by the average between the percentages of the final evening and those of the previous evenings, which will establish the final ranking from the twenty-fifth to the fourth position. The top 3 ranked acts will proceed to super final to decide the winner.
Votes will be reset. Of the top three in the super final - the winner will be decided by televote (34%), press jury (33%) and demoscopic jury (33%).
Confirmed special guests: Banda musicale della Guardia di Finanza and Orietta Berti with Fabio Rovazzi
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