A Quick Guide to the 2025 Sanremo Music Festival

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by InTrieste

Italy’s most beloved music competition, the Sanremo Music Festival, returns for its 75th edition, promising five nights of musical spectacle from February 11 to 15, 2025. The annual event, held at the historic Teatro Ariston in the picturesque seaside town of Sanremo, is a cornerstone of Italian culture, influencing generations of artists and serving as the inspiration for the Eurovision Song Contest.

A Legacy of Song

First held in 1951, Sanremo is the longest-running televised music competition in the world. Its illustrious history includes launching the careers of global stars such as Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, Eros Ramazzotti, and Zucchero. The competition gained international recognition when Domenico Modugno performed Nel blu, dipinto di blu in 1958, a song better known as Volare, which became an enduring classic.

The 2025 Line-Up and Format

This year, 29 artists will compete instead of the usual 30, following the last-minute withdrawal of rapper Emis Killa due to legal issues. Each artist will perform a previously unreleased song, with a mix of jury and public votes determining the winner. The competition will also feature a special night dedicated to cover performances of classic songs from the 1960s to the 2000s.

Performing artists and their songs:

• Achille Lauro – Incoscienti giovani
• Bresh – La tana del granchio
• Brunori Sas – L’albero delle noci
• Clara – Febbre
• Coma_Cose – Cuoricini
• Elodie – Dimenticarsi alle 7
• Fedez – Battito
• Francesca Michielin – Fango in Paradiso
• Francesco Gabbani – Viva la vita
• Gaia – Chiamo io chiami tu
• Giorgia – La cura per me
• Irama – Lentamente
• Joan Thiele – Eco
• Lucio Corsi – Volevo essere un duro
• Marcella Bella – Pelle diamante
• Massimo Ranieri – Tra le mani un cuore
• Modà – Non ti dimentico
• Noemi – Se t’innamori muori
• Olly – Balorda nostalgia
• Rkomi – Il ritmo delle cose
• Rocco Hunt – Mille vote ancora
• Rose Villain – Fuorilegge
• Sarah Toscano – Amarcord
• Shablo feat. Guè, Joshua & Tormento – La mia parola
• Serena Brancale – Anema e core
• Simone Cristicchi – Quando sarai piccola
• The Kolors – Tu con chi fai l’amore
• Tony Effe – Damme ‘na mano
• Willie Peyote – Grazie ma no grazie

A New Host Takes the Stage

Veteran TV presenter Carlo Conti returns as both host and artistic director after a hiatus, having previously hosted the festival in 2015, 2016, and 2017. He takes over from Amadeus, who helmed the event for the past five years. Conti will be joined by a rotating cast of celebrity co-hosts each night.

Controversies and Headlines

This year’s festival has already sparked debate, particularly with the inclusion of rapper Tony Effe, whose past lyrics have been criticized for misogynistic content. Despite calls for his exclusion, Conti confirmed there would be “no censorship.”

Meanwhile, British synth-pop legends Duran Duran are set to make a highly anticipated return to the Sanremo stage, marking 40 years since their last appearance.

Where to Watch

Sanremo 2025 will be broadcast live on RAI 1 and streamed on Rai Play, with coverage beginning at 8:35 PM each evening. Fans can also follow updates via the festival’s official website and social media channels.

The Road to Eurovision

As always, the Sanremo winner will have the opportunity to represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest, scheduled to take place in Basel from May 13-17, 2025.

Whether you love it or claim to ignore it, the Sanremo Music Festival remains an unmissable event in the Italian entertainment calendar.