ITALY: SANREMO 2024 KICKS OFF TONIGHT. HOW DOES IT WORK?

The 74th Festival della canzone italiana kicks off in legendary Teatro Ariston in Sanremo tonight. The artistic director and main host is once again Amadeus for the 5th year, officially his last but there's demand from Rai for him to do it again next year. His festivals have been not only viewing successes but also an endless source for multiplatinum scoring hits. The first night's co-host is none other than last year's winner and Eurovision 2023 4th placed Marco Mengoni who will open the night with his winning entry (and the most streamed Italian song abroad) Due vite. Singer and Sanremo winner Giorgia will co-host second night, comedian/actress Teresa Mannio 3rd, showgirl Lorella Cuccarini 4th and finally legendary funny man Fiorello the final.

Among the artists Eurovision veterans Mahmood, Emma, Il Volo and Ricchi e Poveri with Diodato. Other previous winner is Francesco Renga. 15 out of 30 acts are debutantes, or 16 if you don't count Negramaro's participation among newcomers in 2005. Ricchi e Poveri participates for the 13th time (last time in 1992), Loredana Bertè 12th. Annalisa, Fiorella Mannoia and Francesco Renga for the 6th and Irama for the 5th time. Diodato and Emma are back for the 4th time. Il Volo, Mahmood and Nek for the 3rd time. Mahmood above all has a lot to prove. If we don't count his first time among newcomers in 2016 he has won three times in a row now (Giovani 2018, Big 2019, 2022). He stated he loves Sanremo and could be back every year if he has something new to offer.

The voting will be this year like this:

First night: All 30 acts will perform. The Media jury (press, tv, web) will vote. The Top-10 will be revealed.

Second and third night: 15 acts will perform, presented by the other 15 acts. The voting is 50% televote, 50% radios. Top-5 will be revealed.

Fourth night: Cover night. All 30 acts will perform with guests different songs. Voting: 33% media, 33% radio, 34% televote. And again crazily this vote will be added to the competition. I just don't get it.

Final night: The ranking of the four previous nights will be revealed. All the 30 acts perform again. 100% televote. A new ranking will be revealed. The Top-5 will perform again. A new voting: Televote 34%, media 33%, radio 33%.

Amadeus and Rai have already warned several times the nights will be LOOOOONG!

And yes, the winner is the first option for the Eurovision song contest in Malmö 2024.

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Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

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