It’s that time of the year again, y’all! Sanremo season has officially started tonight with the announcement of the first twelve confirmed acts.

Twenty four singers will compete at the Ariston Theatre from 5 to 9 February 2019 to gain access to the Eurovision 2019 stage in Tel Aviv, Israel.

For the first time since 2004 there will be only one category on stage, following the cancellation of the traditional distinction between Big and Newcomers.

A novelty strongly desired by the artistic director and host Claudio Baglioni, who created a separate festival — named Sanremo Giovani, with the first of two shows aired tonight — for the emerging acts. The two winners will compete together with twenty two well established artists.

Let’s find out who slayed the first night conquering the honor of competing at the Sanremo Music Festival 2019!

SANREMO GIOVANI’S FIRST NIGHT

Einar Ortiz with “Centomila volte” is the first winner of Sanremo Giovani. A name that is not surprising, as he took part in the latest edition of the talent show Amici di Maria De Filippi reaching 3rd place.

After the televised experience he released the self-titled album “Einar” and the singles “Chi ama non dimentica“, “Salutalo da parte mia” and “Notte d’agosto“.

He will took the stage of Sanremo 2019 with a new song, not the one he won the competition with.

This is the final ranking of the first show:

  1. Einar – Centomila volte
  2. Federica Abbate – Finalmente
  3. Deschema – Cristallo
  4. Andrea Biagioni – Alba piena
  5. Giulia Mutti – Almeno tre
  6. Ros – Incendio
  7. Marte Marasco – Nella mia testa
  8. Fosco17 – Dicembre
  9. Wepro – Stop/Replay
  10. Fedrix & Flaw – L’impresa
  11. Diego Conti – Tre gradi
  12. Symo – Paura di amare

Rai, in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, has developed a prestigious project.

Six competitors of Sanremo Giovani — the first three classified of each evening — will go on a world tour in the spring of 2019, that will take place in Tunis, Tokyo, Sydney, Buenos Aires, Toronto, Barcelona and Brussels.

SANREMO 2019 PARTICIPANTS

Here is the first half of the official participants. The other half will be revealed tomorrow night, during the second and final show of Sanremo Giovani.

Loredana Bertè – “Cosa ti aspetti da me”

One of the most famous and multifaceted artists, known as “The Queen of Italian rock”. Eccentric clothing, rough voice, evergreen hits. Forty years since the beginning of her career and she still slays the pack. Her “Non ti dico no” is the most-airplayed song of 2018 in Italy. Loredana is the sister of the unforgettable Mia Martini, star of Eurovision 1977 and 1992.

Simone Cristicchi – “Abbi cura di me”

Singer, actor and writer on the scene for twenty years. He made his debut in Sanremo, among the Newcomers, in 2006 with “Che bella gente“. A year later he triumphed in the main category with the poignant “Ti regalerò una rosa” — a sad tale of a man exiled due to his mental illness who struggles being away from the woman he loves.

Ghemon – “Rose viola”

Ghemon, pseudonym of Giovanni Luca Picariello, is the best known name in Italy of the so-called “conscious hip hop”. Active since 1996, he has released five albums and two mix tapes. Many collaborations too in his career. “Rambla” with Elodie is the most recent one.

Il Volo – “Musica che resta”

There is little to say about them, y’all know this operatic pop trio formed by Gianluca Ginoble, Piero Barone and Ignazio Boschetto. In 2015 they won Sanremo with “Grande amore“. Later that year they reached 3rd place at the Eurovision in Vienna, but managed to secure a solid first-place victory in the televoting with 366 points.

Irama – “La ragazza col cuore di latta”

Filippo Maria Fanti, aka Irama, is a rapper who participated among Newcomers in 2016 with “Cosa resterà“. He sadly didn’t reach the final. The success came this year winning the 17th edition of Amici di Maria De Filippi. He then collected five platinum and four gold certifications in a few months.

Motta – “Dov’è l’Italia”

Francesco Motta is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter little-known by the general public but very prolific. He won two prestigious Tenco Prizes, awarded every year by Italian journalists and music critics. One of his songs that got attention recently is titled “La fine dei vent’anni“, like his debut album.

Nek – “Mi farò trovare pronto”

Filippo “Nek” Neviani is popular in Italy and throughout the Spanish-speaking world, selling over 10 million records. He first gained success in 1997, when he took part in Sanremo with “Laura non c’è” (“Laura no está“) went on to become his international breakthrough as it became a major hit in Europe and Latin America that year. He also reached 2nd place in 2015 with “Fatti avanti amore“.

Anna Tatangelo – “Le nostre anime di notte”

At just 31 she already has six participations at Sanremo. Anna made her debut when she was only 15 winning the Newcomers section of the Festival with “Doppiamente fragili“. She reached 2nd place in 2009 with “Il mio amico“, 3rd place in 2005 with “Ragazza di periferia“. Tatangelo also won the Women category in 2006 with “Essere una donna“.

Paola Turci – “L’ultimo ostacolo”

Inseparable from her guitar, the songwriter Paola Turci returns for the eleventh time. She won the Newcomers’ category and the Critics’ Prize in 1989 with “Bambini“. Her last participation dates back to 2017 when she placed 5th with the beautiful rock anthem “Fatti bella per te“.

The Zen Circus – “L’amore è una dittatura”

There is always space in Sanremo for indie projects ready to jump in the mainstream scene. This year it’s up to this rock band founded in 1994. They published ten albums, three of which reached the top ten. Their most successful song is called “Andate tutti a fanculo” (F ** k y’all)

Ultimo – “I tuoi particolari”

His presence is quite obvious. Niccolò “Ultimo” Moriconi won the Newcomers category in 2018 with “Il ballo delle incertezze“. Most important, the Roman singer-songwriter is the breakthrough artist of this year, exceeding the 350,000 certified copies, between albums and singles, since February.

Last May Ermal Meta & Fabrizio Moro managed to reach 5th place in the grand final with their heartfelt rendition of “Non mi avete fatto niente”. Do you think any of these first twelve Sanremo 2019’s acts can finally give Italy their third victory? Let us know in the comments box below!

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Yssy
Yssy
5 years ago

Something tells me Nek nor Il Volo will win because they will take away points from each other.

AngieP
AngieP
5 years ago

OMG! Il Volo are back! I’m so so excited!
Also looking forward to NEK, I ‘d love to see him at Eurovision.
It’s interesting to listen to Ultimo because last year he had a brautiful, solid song.

Víctor/Eurovisión
Víctor/Eurovisión
5 years ago

OMG! I am going to buy an Italy’s flag because I see a possible victory.

John
John
5 years ago

Can´t believe some people are still fighting about Il Volo vs. Måns Zelmerlöv – three years later. For Christ sake…

Nek for victory – preferred him last time, and probably will this year too. Great singer!

Richard
Richard
5 years ago

Italy have proven to be a truly uncompromising power house since their return to the contest. I’ve loved every song, bar one, and I’l Volo delivered a beautiful song that deserved to win. Wish them the best

Héctor
Héctor
5 years ago

Nek… I love “Fatti Avnati Amore”. I know “Il Volo” were impressive, but I preferred Nek. Hope he can win this time with a similar song. Looking forward to hear it.

Miguel
Miguel
5 years ago

I can´t say i am particulary excited wih these names. I will wait for the next 12.
Maybe Nek will come with something interesting.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

yay yay yay!!!

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
5 years ago

Did not know that Nek was coming back! Great news. Unlucky that he’s competing when Il Volo are competing again.

Nadors
Nadors
5 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

Nek made some very nasty comments, last time he lost to Il Volo, a very bad loser

Mr. Abbott
Mr. Abbott
5 years ago

Is Simone Cristicchi a singer? I still remember his disastrous performance of Non mi avete fatto niente in the “duets” night with MetaMoro at last sanremo

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago
Reply to  Mr. Abbott

He won Sanremo in 2007

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

Ultimo: di nome e di fatto (speriamo).

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

Einar and Irama are TRAGIC, just like anyone else who’s come out of Amici since 2014. Bunch of faceless acts marketed for pre-teen girls that disappear after one album. Among the confirmed acts, I’m only hyped for Il Volo. Nek might also serve a great song.

Sabi
Sabi
5 years ago

Apparentely If Il Volo wins San Remo Festival 2019, then they will refuse their ticket for ESC, cause they had schedule concerts in Japan arround ESC 2019 dates!… so, its Likely then that Nek goes to Tel Aviv.

https://www.ilvolomusic.com/en/news/#

PP77
PP77
5 years ago
Reply to  Sabi

EBU babies Sweden, Australia, Malta is happy with that news. Yes thay have schedule concerts in Japan arround ESC 2019 dates!…

sabi
sabi
5 years ago
Reply to  PP77

But Nek still their headche for them so….

Rasmus
Rasmus
5 years ago
Reply to  PP77

oh when we did bought the EBU? That was news to me. Here are a tip: Vote for the song you like. I always do. If your not voting for 3 countries in the next 10 years then you are not a person that should watch competitions.

Nikki
Nikki
5 years ago

I’ve been a fan of NEK since Laura. Eleven year old me is excited as @#)& with this. And Il Volo, dude, Il Volo trying to do a Bilan would be awesome. It looks like Italy is positioning herself to be my fave again, with Cyprus as second and Albania as third is they send Jonida

It's the BBC's fault, not the UK's
It's the BBC's fault, not the UK's
5 years ago

Il Volo back for revenge to Sweden!

Jack
Jack
5 years ago

They are touring Japan at the same time as ESC so they won’t be going if they win San Remo. They are just entering this time again because it is their 10 year anniversary.

Mirko
Mirko
5 years ago

Yes, yes, yes, everything is yes for now! I’m only sorry for Federica Abbate, she deserved Saremo much more than Einar for me. Her performance was amazing!

Ogie
Ogie
5 years ago

Thank you santa for il volo.
Omg il volo. I Love you guys.

Stian F
Stian F
5 years ago

Wow we are back to one amazing year of San Remo for sure. Einar seems very talented for sure. Back in 2015 Nek was my favorite but I did love Il Volo as well. In 2011 Anna Tatangelo was by far my favorite. And this is only the first 12 names and I am already super excited 🙂 After a great year in 2017, this years contest was pretty dull. 2019 will be amazing 🙂

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago

Ultimo, Il Volo, Nek and other pretty solid acts. And this is just half of the lineup… Perché Sanremo è Sanremo!

Bruno
Bruno
5 years ago

God! i always adored Nek and his magical voice, would be amazing if he represents Italy next year:)))

Esc1234
Esc1234
5 years ago

christer bjorkman has already left the chat

Marc
Marc
5 years ago
Reply to  Esc1234

He’s already calling all his EBU buddies

SwedishFan
SwedishFan
5 years ago
Reply to  Esc1234

Melodifestivalen will be much better anyway soo… 🙂

brennan
brennan
5 years ago

Symo’s song was so beautiful though 🙁 can’t believe she was last in sr giovani

Jack
Jack
5 years ago

Only skeptical thing I have with Il Volo’s return is all the annoying Il Volovers everywhere hyping their Sanremo comeback and repeatedly calling them the ‘true winners’ or ‘people’s winner’ of Eurovision 2015, I’m most excited for Nek in this line-up so far.

Denis
Denis
5 years ago
Reply to  Jack

I know, right! There is only one winner, and that is the one that won. Thats the only result that actually matters. Winners arent decided by only televote! To think that after 4 years some people can’t accept that fact…

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

I agree with you mostly, except in this case the difference is that Heroes won because of its stage act, not the actual song. Arguably.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Well if you look at them now, Il Volo have been doing sold-out tours worldwide while Måns hasn’t had a charting song since 2016 and he’s only remembered when he appears uninvited at national finals or nude for some magazine.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Maybe because the winner was so unremarkable and try-too-hard by the juries. If Aminata, Polina or Loic had won, people wouldn’t be so annoyed, just like 1994. Most people got over Lazarev’s case, because Jamala’s song was indeed much better.

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

Right! I’m not saying that Il Volo’s song is an original masterpiece, but at least it wasn’t a David Guetta rip-off.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago
Reply to  Jack

I mean… they still got 92 more points than Sweden, and 28 million single televotes > 200 jurors who have often proved to vote based on no objective criteria.

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago

They didn’t even get the satisfaction of the split vote reveal – the casual viewer never even knew they won the televote, which seems like another mild injustice.

Denis
Denis
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

So? The result isn’t just televotes. The real winner is the one that won. Televoters isn’t more worth than jury votes, Its equal. The fact that some people still after four years still thinks it means something
Måns has a career, he’s just not interested in having chart hits. He had them, he has other interestes now

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

I like Måns, and I like Il Volo. I highly doubt that Måns is “not interested in having chart hits”…but that’s not really relevant to the debate at hand. Il Volo should have won in 2015. The juries were actually instructed to vote on stage presentation (partially) so for me that result is tainted. The actual viewers voted with their hearts, not their heads.

Jack
Jack
5 years ago
Reply to  Jack

Yes we are hyping their San Remo return. Doesn’t matter about ESC considering they are touring Japan in 2019 at the exact time of ESC so won’t even be making a return to that if they win SR. What happened in 2015 happened.

ImFromRomania
ImFromRomania
5 years ago

Yess Ultimo <3 , for me him is the best italian artist in this moment , is just fantastic <3 . I want to see him too in ESC.

Marc
Marc
5 years ago

I’m also very hyped for Ultimo.
His music has feeling. Authenticity.
I understand why Italians love him so much. He hits all audience targets so he could really win.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago

The righteous winners of 2015 return. I like it and I’m very curious, but does lightning strike twice? Well, thanks to those tasteless juries and possible lobbies it didn’t even strike once yet in the official result but it did with us real people. I certainly hope they were given an outstanding song.

Marc
Marc
5 years ago

The real winners of Eurovision 2015 are back!
I dunno if I want them back at Esc though. It’s almost impossible for Il Volo (or anybody) to beat Grande Amore televoting score.
And we know juries are still boring and useless and will go again for boring generic Pop in English.
EBU doesn’t deserve Il Volo

Jack
Jack
5 years ago
Reply to  Marc

It’s OK. If they win San Remo they won’t do ESC because of prior commitments. They’re back for their 10 year anniversary.

FanESC
FanESC
5 years ago

Yeah, but what about the 18 songs from Destination Eurovision ?