Despite rumors regarding a possible long-term postponement due to Covid-19, the legendary Italian Sanremo Festival is ready to return to screens March 2-6, 2021.
Led for the second year in a row by tv host and artistic director Amadeus, the competition is already in full preparation mode. There are just a few days left until the official presentation of the cast, which will be revealed on Thursday, December 17.
According to the rules 20 artists will tread the stage, but the roster of artists could be expanded to 22 or even 24 names.
In the last few days newspapers and blogs have published several lists full of possible names, a tradition now well-established. Let’s find out the artists rumored by All Music Italia, the main blog dedicated to Italian music.
Unfortunately Diodato, who would have represented Italy at Eurovision 2020, has confirmed he did not submit a song to the artistic commission of the festival.
Leading the list are a couple of singers dear to the Eurovision audience: Francesca Michielin and Ermal Meta. The two represented Italy in the European contest in 2016 in Stockholm and 2018 in Lisbon, respectively.
And while Ermal Meta is expected to return to the Festival as a soloist — in 2018 he won together with Fabrizio Moro — Francesca Michielin could be joined by famous rapper Fedez, also known as the husband of influencer Chiara Ferragni.
The two have already collaborated in the past for the hits “Cigno nero” and “Magnifico”, which in total have obtained eight platinum records in Italy.
Morever, many faces seen in recent times at the Festival are ready to launch new projects — or re-issue those released a few months ago: Francesco Renga, Michele Bravi, Noemi, Irama, Bugo, Arisa, Ghemon, Max Gazzè. Malika Ayane. Achille Lauro and Annalisa.
Several other artists from the indie and rap scene would debut on the stage of the Ariston Theatre. Among them Fulminacci, Willie Peyote, Random and La Rappresentante di Lista.
After the success of the platinum hit “Per sentirmi vivo”, rapper Fasma could make the big jump from the Newcomers category to the main one after twelve months.
From the world of talent shows would come two highly anticipated debuts, those of Gaia – Italian-Brazilian winner of the nineteenth edition of Amici di Maria De Filippi – and Måneskin – the runner-up band at X Factor Italy in 2017, among the most successful artists of recent years.
Closing the list of rumors are veteran Orietta Berti and Spanish singer and actress Ana Mena, who has given voice to three great summer hits in Italy in the last years: “D’estate non vale” and “Una volta ancora” with Fred De Palma and “A un passo dalla luna” with Rocco Hunt. The latter could accompany her in the race at the Festival.
Who would you like to see at the Sanremo Festival? Let us know in the comments below!
I’m 99% sure Aiello will enter the contest this time. Hopefully he’ll bring something similar to his summer hit “Vienimi” cause my body is totally ready for it.
“Magnifico” is a great record, with such simplicity and easy accessibility. But… I prefer listening to Francesca by herself; that’s just a personal choice.
you all are sleeping on måneskin
right, they’re such a great band! I’m most excited for them and for Gaia
If I were RTVE, I would spoke with Ana Mena to represent Spain in Eurovision 2022, rather than Italy… Remember, that also in Spain, Ana Mena this two years has got summer hits as ’Se me iluminaba’ and ‘A un Paso de La Luna’.
she isnt by any means a great live performer though
I want to see the pinguini boys from last year come back again
Of course I’m excited to hear that both Francesco and Ermal are entering. Both brought great songs to Eurovision so if they wanted to go again, they would be welcome. Glad that they also have a strong lineup of women this year, hopefully they have the songs to match.
I still don’t really get the Achille Lauro thing but he does appeal to some fans so it’s good that he’s taking part, too.
Giusy Fereri please please please ! Her voice !!!
Ouiiiii! Actually some good participants! Francesca is like the second best artist Italy can send after Francesco Gabbani.
Never mind, I just read the article and I passionately dislike rap. But at the end of the article…ANA MENA!!! She’s so excellent!
Italy’s return is one of the best things that happened to ESC. Regardless of my personal taste, Italy always brings great stuff. I am looking forward to 2021.
Gaia and Maneskin, and also Francesca, Annalisa and Irama! – can’t ask for more, especially excited for the debutes
Can’t wait to know the list. Some exciting names here.
Ermal’s come back was just a matter of time. Like Gabbani last year. And Diodato very soon.
Very curious about Francesca.(Magnifico couldn’t age better).
Achille Laura needs to go to Eurovision!
The list of Italian artists I want to see in Eurovision could probably fill a Sanremo line-up. There are some very exciting rumoured names there.
again no Eros, a shame
Eros is too big of a name to participate in Sanremo, he just goes as a guest
Many great names mention above..
I mostly excited about maneskin, fasma and irama.
I think that with the right song they can be brilliant at ESC.
The question is if Francesca and/or Ermal would want to do Eurovision again..
But yeah, looking forward to listen to their songs.
Personally, I would love to see Elodie again cause I really loved “Andromeda” and I feel like she ould bring a great result for Italy.
Of course, everyhting is up to the songs, so let’s hope for great entries.
Btw, off-topic: Does anyone know when exactly FiK will take place now? I’ve heard either on December 19th or 26th, but still no news..
The only thing I know is that the artists did their rehearsals, but that’s all.
I think semifinals are 17th and 18th, and big final saturday 19th.
I think Francesca loves eurovision, she still shares pictures from 2016 and is really proud of it. Don’t know about Ermal tho
Francesca only came 16th, so there might be the desire to go back and improve her position.
I think Francesca would do it but I have doubts about Ermal, he wasn’t too kind when asked about the experience in later interviews
Yup, I highly doubt Ermal would ever come back. I guess he just went in expecting something more Sanremo-like and ended up disappointed. He had good words for a lot of Eurovision aspects and contestants but I swear he looks like he hates Toy with his whole heart.
Plus he and Fabrizio, earlier this year, kind of let it slip that something happened with one or more delegations during the final. For what I could gather, someone was a bit too happy about their bad result with juries.
If I remember correctly, Francesca said two years ago that she would love to go to Eurovision again, but she wasn’t keen on entering Sanremo again. The biggest surprise would be Fedez entering because he is a huge name.
The ones that most excite me personally are Malika Ayane at number one, followed by Arisa and Achille Lauro.
Also excited to see what Lauro does next!
It’s always interesting in Italy! Wasn’t keen on neither 2016 or 2018 entries but maybe this time it’ll be different because performers are talented.
Achille Lauro and Annalisa together would be AMAZING!
They already are – they’ve just released Jingle Bell Rock together!
Yeah i know, that’s like thier 4th song together this year. But it would be great if they entered the contest together too.