On the last day of 2019, it was Amadeus himself — artistic director of the 70th Sanremo Music Festival — who shocked everyone by throwing a bomb that wasn’t expected to drop until 6 January — the Sanremo 2020 lineup.
Probably because of the latest tranche of rumours (read spoilers) doing the rounds on several websites and tabloids, the TV host has chosen to reveal the 22 artists competing in the “Campioni” element of the Italian Festival to the La Repubblica newspaper. The original plan was to announce the singers during his game show I Soliti Ignoti.
Sanremo 2020: Participants
Here’s who will compete for the chance to represent Italy at Eurovision 2020 in Rotterdam. The titles of their entries will be announced in the coming days:
- Anastasio
- Giordana Angi
- Bugo feat. Morgan
- Diodato
- Elodie
- Francesco Gabbani
- Irene Grandi
- Raphael Gualazzi
- Paolo Jannacci
- Junior Cally
- Elettra Lamborghini
- Achille Lauro
- Levante
- Le Vibrazioni
- Marco Masini
- Enrico Nigiotti
- Piero Pelù
- Pinguini Tattici Nucleari
- Rancore
- Riccardo “Riki” Marcuzzo
- Alberto Urso
- Michele Zarrillo
Former Eurovision artists Francesco Gabbani and Raphael Gualazzi stand out in the list. The former was a favourite to win the song contest in 2017 while the latter finished second in 2011.
Several singers on the list come from talent shows – such as Amici‘s Elodie, Giordana Angi, Alberto Urso and Riki and X Factor‘s Enrico Nigiotti and Anastasio.
An act who will certainly grab plenty of attention is Elettra Lamborghini. The “twerking queen” is a popular MTV character who released her first album in 2019. It contained reggaeton songs in Italian and Spanish.
Sanremo 2020: Newcomers
On December 19th, the eight artists competing in the “Nuove Proposte” section were announced.
Unlike the artist in the “Big” category, their songs are already published and available for listening. These eight artists will not be in the running to sing for Italy at Eurovision.
- Eugenio in Via Di Gioia – “Tsunami“
- Fadi – “Due noi“
- Fasma – “Per sentirmi vivo“
- Gabriella Martinelli e Lula – “Il gigante d’acciaio“
- Leo Gassman – “Vai bene così“
- Marco Sentieri – “Billy Blu“
- Matteo Faustini – “Nel bene e nel male“
- Tecla Insolia – “8 marzo“
Who is your favourite on the Sanremo 2020 lineup? Who do you think will win the contest? Tell us your thoughts below.
Okay so I really want Anastasio to win, ‘la fine del mondo’ is such a goood song, hopefully he’ll come with something even better than this
Male singers get NOTHING!! Female singers get flowers every time they sing, even if is the same song.. Why?
You know ? ?
I find it very bad that young artists cannot represent Italy in Eurovison. This is discriminatory and favoring the establishment. I loooove Italy in ESC, but this is a big disapointment.
What do you even mean with that? If it’s about the Newcomers there’s no problem with that, there really wasn’t any big change this year. Really short explanation: Previous (and current as they went back to it this year) system: Sanremo Giovani (young artists competition) in december 2019. Finalists (8) go on to perform on one night in Sanremo 2020 in the Newcomers section. The winner (1) partecipates in Sanremo 2021. Changed system which was in place just for the year Mahmood won: Sanremo Giovani in december 2018. Winners (2) perform in Sanremo 2019. It’s literally almost the same. Almost… Read more »
Levante is in, fingers crossed!
Young folks will not understand what I m saying, but what I desire from Italy is another “Fiumi di Parole”.
One of my faves. So beautiful.
Define young. People do have the internet, a magic way of looking into the past.
which was my hidden agenda. Educating new generations about an Italian masterpiece.
Who is the guy with the gum???
Achille Lauro
No Irama? ?
Thank god Il Volo is not returning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3oUC_tJRsg The QUEEN
Yes! Go Francesco
Elettra Lamborghini can’t sing live so that’s gonna be lol.
I already know Italy will serve quality this year. It’s like they don’t put a lot of effort in the contest but still get great results because they deliver class and quality.
Elettra Lamborghini is gonna be amazing she is a full on performer ! And also she knows how to sing live very well. And she already promised that her song is not gonna disappoint
I’m already seeing part of the fandom getting obsessed with whatever Elettra brings to the table and then complaining about her final result (which maybe won’t be that bad, since I can see the televote buying it, for entertainment value or, in the worst case scenario she’s terrible singing live, as a big laugh). Glad to see Gabbani and Gualazzi back. I’ve read that The Kolors could get a spot, but sadly it hasn’t happened. I don’t know much of these names, so I can’t say if I’m excited or not. But there’s always quality stuff in Sanremo.
Elodie should have won with “Tutta Colpa Mia”, so I hope she has something very strong next year.
So this year, the Newcomers will not have a shot a the “Big” category? That’s a shame, specially after what happened this year 🙁
Gimme another Raphael Gualazzi song and I’ll be happy as a clam. People still sleeping on Madness of Love.
Is even Elettra Lamborghini capable of singing live? Does she know this is a live contest? Maybe this is all an strategy to make a fool of her. I see the televote and the press going crazy for her though. On the other hand, I see the jury overrating Raphael Gualazzi…
Achille Lauro, Giordana, Elodie or Levante.
(But unfortunately Alberto or Anastasio will win).
Who is the guy with the tatts in the article photo?
Achille Lauro
ACHILLE LAURO BABY!!! Google him!
Rolls Royce! Rolls Royce!
Very excited to see Diodato coming back. Excellent performer so hopefully, he’ll have a good song.
– Based on the names watch out with Riki and Alberto if they have a song. They have the charm Italian boy factor that work for televoting at Sanremo and Eurovision. But I guess juries will prevail them from winning Sanremo. – Also Anastasio can do something if he has a powerful Rap song. Wouldn’t be shocked if he won this thing. – Elodie is also good and she had a great year in Italy. I’m curious is she will go with a safe Sanremo entry or with a Bop produced by Takagi & Ketra. – Achile Lauro might surprise… Read more »
I really wanted Giusy Ferreri but I’m still happy for Raphael Gualazzi.
I’m not over the moon with this list, but let’s see…
Tecla and matteo – they fit for eurovision.
So much talent.
Looks very promising. Can’t wait to see what Italy will bring to Eurovision in 2020!
Hoping for either Elodie or Achille Lauro. I know it’s trash, but Eletra can also surprise
And unfortunately the two returning acts are my least favourite Italian acts since 2011:(
Me is happy, me is really happy. I love Elodie and Raphael and holy Toft, Francesco is my Lord and Master and I’m rooting for him even if it’s just there to read the phone book.