Hola! It’s Benidorm Fest week! On Wednesday, Spain will kick off with Semi-Final 1 of its new national final Benidorm Fest 2022, which has been heralded as one of Spain’s strongest national finals in recent memory.
Thirteen artists will head to the beautiful east coast where they will compete to be Spain’s act for Eurovision 2022. Six acts will compete in the first semi-final and seven in the second semi-final, with the top four from each show advancing to the final.
The Wiwi-jury, our band of music unprofessionals have already had their say but now it is time for you to have yours! Who is getting through their semi-final of Benidorm 2022, making the final on Saturday and climbing one step closer to represent Spain in this years contest in Turin?
?? Meet the artists of #BenidormFest second semi-final
— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) January 24, 2022
??@saraadeop
??@_XEINN
??@soyRayden
??@javieramena
??@rigobandini
?? @hermidagonzalo
?? @martaot2018
And hey @evamora_tve, hey @MariaEizaguirre ?? pic.twitter.com/vCnL6jnPJX
Benidorm Fest 2022: Notable Semi Final names
Semi Final 1:
Tanxugueiras, are making their attempt at Eurovision with “Terra” in Semi Final 1 — a song that draws on Celtic music and the most ancient folklore of the Galicia region. “Terra” is sung entirely in Galician, but includes the lyrics “there are no borders” in all the co-official languages of Spain. The song amassed over a million views in just one week. Group members Aida, Olaia and Sabela often refer to the pandereteiras, those women who have kept oral tradition alive, helped by their tambourines.In their minds, they are “poets who didn’t know how to read or write.” They’ve even dedicated their song to these women, and honour them through action. “You’ll sing and I’ll sing, the way our mothers did.”
Wiwiblogger Lauren says: The Benidorm Fest 2022 songs dropped when I was boarding the plane back home from Junior Eurovision, and I only had time to play one song. About ten seconds into it, I knew I had chosen the right one. A booming electronic bass echoing as the trio chants “ailaralalá!” at the top of their lungs, fading into an addictive percussive beat – that intro single-handedly gives hope that Spain could end their current dark age at Eurovision and get their best result in at least 20 years. “Terra” is unique, (post-) modern, empowering, and above everything, unifying. Hopefully the nation of Spain is unified in the opinion that Tanxugueiras should go to Turin!
Semi Final 2:
Rigoberta, in Semi Final 2, is one of Spain’s hottest artists at the moment and has gotten a lot of attention for her entry — a feminist hymn that seeks to break taboos regarding the female body, directly tackling stigmas about breastfeeding and menstruation.
“Ay mamá” is an electro pop experiment, which builds from choir-like verses to a very catchy “mamamamamamamá” line. The in-your-face lyrics have become talking points online and within Spanish media. At one point Rigoberta says: “I don’t know why so many people are scared of our tits.”
Fans have been singing the praises of her recent live performance, which suggests she won’t be phased by delivering this live to Spanish voters later this month.
Wiwiblogger Luis says: “Ay Mamá” is a modern anthem. The song’s progression from slow ballad to choir hymn and the way it gains momentum as seconds go by makes me want to jump from my chair and scream “Amen!”. The magic of this song is the way Rigoberta manages to turn a simple pop song into both an earworm, with the playful “Mamamamama”, and a tune that moves the masses. The gravitas this song is getting in Spain makes it one to watch. It’s faring better than anyone else on streaming platforms, and is often played in private broadcaster Telecinco, one of Spain’s most watched TV channels.
Poll: Who should qualify from Benidorm Fest 2022?
Please vote for your FOUR favourites in each semi-final.
Semi-final 1 – Wednesday 26, 22.40 CET
- Varry Brava – “Raffaella”
- Azúcar Moreno – “Postureo”
- Blanca Paloma – “Secreto de agua”
- Unique – “Mejores”
- Tanxugueiras – “Terra”
- Chanel – “SloMo”
Semi-final 2 – Thursday 27, 22.40 CET
- Xeinn – “Eco”
- Marta Sango – “Sigues en mi mente”
- Javiera Mena – “Culpa”
- Gonzalo Hermida – “Quién lo diría”
- Rigoberta Bandini – “Ay mamá”
- Rayden – “Calle de la llorería”
- Sara Deop – “Make you say”
Benidorm Fest 2022
The first semi-final will take place on 26th January 2022 and the second semi-final will take place on 27th January 2022. The final will take place on 29th January 2022. The eight entries that qualified from the two preceding semi-finals will compete and the winner will be selected through the combination of the votes of an expert jury (50%), a demoscopic poll (25%) and a public vote (25%).
The jury will be made up of five experts, three from Spain and two international.
The demographic jury will be made up of 350 statistically selected people who represent the Spanish population. It will represent the different regions of Spain and different gender and age ranges. Potential jury members are asked if they like Spanish music. Only those who answer sí, can be considered for the jury.
Benidorm’s demographic jury is similar to Sanremo’s demoscopic jury, as well as the people’s juries used to help internally select the Swiss Eurovision entry.For more information about Benidorm Fest 2022 click here.
Are you excited for Benidorm Fest? Want to state your case for your winner? Spill all in the comments section below!
There’s only one of my faves that I’m slightly worried about, and that’s Blanca Paloma. I really want her to qualify!
The selection is good. Above Spanish standarts, that’s true.
But the only song I can see succeeding is “Calle de la lloreria”.
“Ay Mama” is a destined to flop, and I’m sorry to say this, but “Terra” isn’t a guaranteed success either. I think “Terra” is very Eurovision fanbase favorite, but I don’t think it’ll be just as appealing to general public as many people think. It’s not a quality of Shum.
“Ay Mamá” is a grower. And Tanxugueiras are incredibly good at live performing. Both choices are amazing.
My opinion.
Semi 1:Terra, Rafaella, Postureo, SloMo are the best, quite clear divide for me.
Semi 2:Calle de la llorería, Sigues en mi mente, Ay mamá, Culpa should qualify, But I’m fine as long as CdlL Qualifies
One of the main problems with Spanish eurofan is the inability of viewing a song “from the outside”. Just imagine the song Ay mama sung by Lithuania in their own language, it would not impact us (Spaniards). In Europe nowadays music “with message” is wrapped up in much more transgression and formal excess.
Bandini is too Joan Baez whereas Europe is more used to the Millie Cyrus style.
Why should we think about “the view from the outside”? Last year, the ten first qualified were amazing and authentic songs (sauf la France, désolé, trop cliché pour moi). We are all tired of “international” profiles.
I definitely prefer a more authentic and diverse festival.
Every countries were amazing and authentic except France, of course, too cliché…the others were not, ALL the others were good, only France is bad as usual, yeah Barbara was not authentic, give me a break…..that bad obsession of some eurofans towards some countries is crazy, they can’t prevent themselves to talk about and bash them as soon is possible…
The ten first qualified? Wtf is this?
1. Rigoberta Bandini (2nd)
2. Tanxugueiras (1st)
3. Javiera Mena (2nd)
4. Rayden (2nd)
5. Chanel (1st)
6. Varry Brava (1st)
7. Azúcar Moreno (1st)
8. Marta Sango (2nd)
Tanxugueiras and Rigoberta are not a little bit cliché, no lol of course they are not
Why are they ‘cliché’? Are they common? Are they inspired by any other artist? Is there any sign of plagiarism? Do they represent the ‘spanish stereotypes’?
They are both original, different, feminist… And they represent the power of the millennial and generation z women and their immense desire for change.
I love both songs and will vote for them. If the rest of the European countries don’t like them, I don’t give a f… They represent us and I’m sure that Benidorm Fest will be very good for their careers.
I hope nobody from Wiwibloggs is on the jury, because if you are and you go against the will of the Spanish people, it won’t be good for you.
The jury members have already been announced, and there are no wiwi members but even if, the threats are not and have never been a good thing.
Ok sorry my bad, threats are and have always been a good thing, I didn’t know really sorry.
My favorite is Culpa, but I’m okay with Calle de la llorería or Terra winning too.
In SF1, I’m ok to lose Azúcar Moreno and Unique.
In SF2, I can do without Xeinn, Gonzalo and Rigoberta.
Of course, in SF2, Rigoberta is definitely getting through so I’m prepared for Marta to get eliminated. ;;
Rigoberta has one of the best songs overall. Do you really prefer Sigues en mi mente o Make you say instead? LOL
I’m not that person, but I do. I find Ay Mama extremely annoying.
Both Raffaella and Eco are my guilty pleasures so I hope they qualify, sorry not sorry. also super pumped to see Terra live at last. I think we’re in for a treat with this Benidorm Fest super week
The 1st semi is going to be WILD, anything can happen.
I predict Unique doing a lot better than this poll suggests, they have that timeless boyband charm and the song has that epic feel designed for large arenas so I can see them easily getting through to the final.
Bandido is epic. The sisters and their struggle with the Yugoslavian technical staff remain one of the most memorable ESC moments in history. I’m curious how they will fare in this selection.
Who would’ve thought in 1990 that Azucar Moreno could still have a second shot in eurovision 32 years later.
The Japanese god of thunder has to win Benidorm Fest in my opinion. If you know, you know.
What? Who’s that?
1st SF:
Tanxugueiras
Blanca Paloma
Varry Brava
Chanel
2nd SF
Rayden
Xeinn
Rigoberta Bandini
I don’t care too much about the other. Could be literally everyone.
Javiera Mena and Chanel are my favourites. Terra is also up there.
Spain has a really strong lineup this year! Rooting for Javiera (been a fan of hers for years) and Tanxugueiras.
In semi 1 my favorite are: Blanca Paloma, Azúcar Moreno and Tanxugueiras in that order.
In semi 2: Rayden, Xeinn and Gonzalo in that order.
Overall my favorites are Rayden and Blanca Paloma
#TeamJaviera
Benidorm fest is very strong this year! I’m really stressed about who’s gonna qualify. I don’t know why, but I always end up liking the underrated songs when it comes to Eurovision and it’s national finals. I just hope Culpa and Raffaella will qualify! In the rest, Ay mama, Calle de la lloreria and Terra are definitely qualifying. There’s no doubt about that. But I’ve been skeptical about Terra for some reason. I love the song, but something makes me feel that someone else should win (sorry, Terra fans) Ok, for now, Ay mama seems to be the local favorite,… Read more »
For SF1 my picks would be Chanel, Azucar, Blanca and Unique. I know it won’t be like that at the end, Tanxugueiras will qualify, but I’m not at all into Terra since the first listening it didn’t catch me and make me feel nothing, sorry.
yeah it’s very repetitive.
I will be hated for that, but I’m used of that, it’s repetitive and it goes nowhere, there’s a build near the end so I waited for an explosive end at least, but nothing. Not my favourite of Benifest for sure.
Postureo, Secreto de agua, and Terra are my top 3 from Semi 1
Calle de la lloreria, Culpa, and Ay Mama are my top 3 from Semi 2
As long as these 3 make it from each, I’ll be happy regardless of who the 4th is
rayden go!
my fave