With two shows behind it, Sanremo 2017 moved on to the traditional “cover night” on Thursday.

The 16 Campioni participants — who had placed in the top 8 in the first two episodes — performed their own version of an existing hit single to win the “Best Cover Performance” award. The outcome of this peculiar internal competition has no influence on the final result. But it’s tradition, and traditions linger.

Just like yesterday, the live show started with the performances of half of the Nuove Proposte, the category dedicated to newcomers, judged by televote (50%) and the press center (50%).

Two are in, two are out: Maldestro with “Canzone per Federica” and Lele with “Ora mai” advanced to the final, while Tommaso Pini with “Cose che danno ansia” and Valeria Farinacci with “Insieme” got the boot. Sayonara.

In the endless list of guest performers this evening, one is worth mentioning: British singer MIKA. His rendition of “Jesus to a Child” paid homage to the late George Michael. Another standout was the American songwriter LP — who earned a standing ovation singing “Lost on you” and “Other people“.

COVER NIGHT

TOP 3

1. Ermal Meta – “Amara terra mia” (Domenico Modugno)

2. Paola Turci – Un’emozione da poco” (Anna Oxa)

3. Marco Masini – “Signor Tenente” (Giorgio Faletti)

The key part of the evening, however, came at the end, when the six provisionally eliminated Big artists sang their entries again to earn a spot in Friday’s semifinal, with the public at home (50%) and accredited journalists (50%) deciding their fate.

We’re glad to report that the Wiwi readers’ big favourite Giusy qualified for the next round! Now let’s hope she sorts out her live vocals.

REPECHAGE ROUND

QUALIFIERS

ELIMINATED ACTS

Tomorrow evening, the 20 semifinalists will sing their original entries, judged by the televote (40%), the jury experts (30%) and a demoscopic poll (30%) — a sample consisting of hundreds of people scattered throughout Italy chosen from those people who bought at least one album or saw a concert in the last six months.

Four of the Campioni will definitely abandon the contest, while 16 finalists will vie for the trophy on Saturday night. Who would you like to see representing Italy at Eurovision 2017?

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AngieP
AngieP
7 years ago

@Unofficial Mansters Association I have nothing to add. You said it all! Totally agree! Here’s my perspective on the subject: Correct me if I’m wrong but Eurovision started as a way of Europe to be united again, decades ago. So, people all over Europe should be united despite the differences among them. That’s how Eurovision should be nowadays. If all countries send pop songs, or ballads, or folk songs, this is not ESC. All the same in order to be acceptable.And at the end of the day every country has the right to choose whatever they want. For me, Eurovision… Read more »

Vicky
Vicky
7 years ago

@ Patrick No you’re not the only one, I loved Raige & Giulia and they totally deserved the final. Still, I’m impatiently hoping for Ermal Meta to win! ????????

James
James
7 years ago

Daniel, among the the Big 5 countries, Italy has been fairly consistent in avoiding a placement slump in the final since it came back, something that it’s fellow Big 5 countries have been unable to get out of every single year. And that is without having to resort to measures taken by most other countries where they either send in fully and poorly Anglicized songs that sounds more or less the same (or in the case of a good few, they sound “Swedish”). Italian pop music, or Italian music in general, has a very distinctive sound that resonates well to… Read more »

Mark
Mark
7 years ago

San Remo is starting to confuse me

Thomas
Thomas
7 years ago

I feel like this is the same Daniel that commented on Ukraine’s NF an was removed…

Soy
Soy
7 years ago

“Like c’mon Italy, you just need a good POP song to ain! Don’t be political, be cool”

The part you said ‘be cool’, I had lost it. So in order for a country to be ‘cool’ (if thats a thing), one must send a pop song? And an English one? Have you seen the slogan, Daniel, its CELEBRATE DIVERSITY FYR. Sorry, but does pop make someone a cool kid? Because if so I should be calling my friend beside me ‘loser’ at this point if so.

Unofficial Mansters Association
Unofficial Mansters Association
7 years ago

@Daniel Why should every country in Eurovision send a pop song? Obviously, you haven’t been paying attention to this year’s slogan, “Celebrate Diversity” right? At Eurovision, there should be many different songs of different genres to make it entertaining or fun for people to watch. Otherwise, if every country should send a pop song, in your opinion, that wouldn’t be fun to watch, now wouldn’t it? No, it would be absolutely tedious and boring. In addition, a good pop song is not always the formula to winning Eurovision. For example, in 2007, Serbia managed to win with a ballad (Molitva)… Read more »

chessguy99
7 years ago

Ermal Meta’s performance was stunning. I think it may have won him some new fans.

Soy
Soy
7 years ago

Not all countries have to send pop! Personally, people like you (Daniel) disgusts me. No harsh feelings, I just have problems with people who COMPLAIN of a country not sending pop.

Daniel
Daniel
7 years ago

Why does everybody like Italy? They barely sing in English, and they never send pop. Like c’mon Italy, you just need a good pop song to win! Don’t be political, be cool!

Paul D.
Paul D.
7 years ago

I would love to see Ermal Meta winning again on Saturday, although I have to say this is quite a fantastic year for Sanremo, with many acts that could do really well in Kiev 😉

Patrick
Patrick
7 years ago

Am i the only one who LOVED “Togliamoci la voglia”. They totally deserved to be in the final