The Wiwi Jury reveal their favourites in Spain’s Benidorm Fest 2023

The semi-finals are over, and Benidorm Fest 2023 is about to reach its climax. Eight finalists will compete on Saturday night for the right to represent Spain at Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool this May. 

But before Spain decides, the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of musical unprofessionals — has been busy listening to all the finalists entries. Now it’s time for them to reveal who their favourites are.

Below, they’ll each list their top five songs and provide a short review of their favourite. Read on to find out who they’re rooting for.

Scroll down to find out which Spanish entry our Wiwi Jury thinks will earn their ticket to Liverpool.

Wiwi Jury: Spain’s Benidorm Fest 2023

Antranig

1. Agoney – “Quiero arder”

In a strong Spanish field, Agoney manages to stand out. Packaged with an infectious beat, “Quiero arder” serves a lot of attitude. Composed expertly, performed wonderfully and staged flawlessly, this is a complete earworm with an unforgettable hook. “Quiero arder” is bound to bring Spain another respectable Eurovision result.

2. Megara – “Arcadia”
3. Vicco – “Nochentera”
4. Jose Otero – “Inviernos en Marte”
5. Fusa Nocta – “Mi familia”

Lauren

1. Megara – “Arcadia”

Last year’s Eurovision was noted as particularly rock-heavy, but what I was missing is particularly heavy rock. This is giving me everything I wanted, from theatrical, over-the-top, thematic staging, to a crunchy synth-pop/heavy metal fusion instrumental. It’s giving a more fun take on last year’s Australia Decides runner-up “Dreamer” by Voyager. I would really appreciate something as daring as this from Spain, a country that’s starting to get on the right track but hasn’t truly went with something super risky in a while. We need something totally new — so for me, it’s either Megara or Blanca Paloma.

2. Blanca Paloma – “Eaea”
3. Karmento – “Quiero y duelo”
4. Alice Wonder – “Yo quisiera”
5. José Otero – “Inviernos en Marte”

Pablo

1. Megara – “Arcadia”

Now THAT’S a show! I admit I was fearful of how “Arcadia” would translate on stage, but it blew all of my expectations away! This dark number’s stark, original, and offers a complete package in a way Spain has never sent before. If they held that show in Benidorm, imagine how extravagant would be in Liverpool!

2. Agoney – “Quiero arder”
3. Blanca Paloma – “Eaea”
4. Vicco – “Nochentera”
5. Fusa Nocta – “Mi Familia”

1. Agoney – “Quiero arder”

A dark fiesta! This one is so addictive, definitely my new obsession! I’d give 10 out of 10 for this song! Spain needs a very good song, a strong one to come after Channel because her success was insane. She definitely took Spain to the next level and I think that Agoney could carry her legacy! This could create a great performance on the stage, full of pyrotechnics. And as far as I can see, this is also successful among the Euovision fans: it’s dark, sexy and it has an addictive drop in the chorus. This would definitely do good in charts, it has good vocals but also a huge show potential.

2. Karmento – “Quiero y duelo”
3. Alice Wonder – “Yo quisiera”
4. Blanca Paloma – “Eaea”
5. Megara – “Arcadia”

Samuel

1. Agoney – “Quiero arder”

“Quiero arder” completely fell off my radar when listening to this years snippets, but after watching the first semi final, Agoney has quickly become my favourite to win Benidorm fest. The vocals and staging are unmatched and Liverpool ready, although I think I will always prefer watching the performance over listening the studio version, where I’m much more likely to be dancing to “Nochentera”, my other winner this year.

2. Vicco – “Nochentera”
3. Fusa Nocta – “Mi Familia”
4. Alice Wonder – “Yo quisiera”
5. Blanca Paloma – “Eaea”

Tom

1. Blanca Paloma – “Eaea”

That voice. Wow – I can’t get over it. Paloma’s chops pierce through me like the hottest, sharpest knife through butter. I don’t like using this word lightly, but Paloma truly looks like a Queen, singing and beautifully whaling about her lost love. However, this Queen isn’t meek and mild sitting on her throne waving gently at her subjects – she is a warrior, a fighter, and a leader of people. 
Whoever managed the staging and choreography should also get a medal – it is perfect. The ladies dancing, singing and chanting surrounded by a see-through red curtain – it is a moment. The camera angles (again perfect) capturing every stunning, powerful move by these incredible women.
This needs to go to Eurovision. 

2. Vicco – “Nochentera”
3. Megara – “Arcadia”
4. Alice Wonder – “Yo quisiera”
5. José Otero – “Inviernos en Marte”

What do you think of the Wiwi Jury’s reviews? Who is in your top five? Let us know in the comments.