Photo: Diego Pinzon

It’s “Stripper” for San Marino! On Saturday evening, 18 acts competed in the Grand Final of Una Voce Per San Marino inside the glamorous Teatro Nuovo. The show was hosted by Eurovision 2021 star Senhit and TV presenter Jonathan Kashanian.

After a night of thrills and spills, Achille Lauro rocked the world (and the all jury vote affair) to land the spot at Eurovision. Burak Yeter & Alessandro Coli and emerging artist winner Aaron Sibley rounded out the Top 3.

Una Voce Per San Marino: Grand Final top 10 result

  1. Achille Lauro – “Stripper” 
  2. Burak Yeter & Alessandro Coli – “More Than You”
  3. Aaron Sibley – “Pressure”
  4. Ivana Spagna – “Seriously in Love”
  5. Matteo Faustini – “L’ultima parola”
  6. Francesco Monte – “Mi ricordo di te (Adrenalina)”
  7. Vina Rose – “Sweet Denial”
  8. Camille Cabaltera – “Move ‘Em Like You Never Did”
  9. Maria Chiara Leoni – “Tiramisù”
  10. Tony Cicco & Deshedus & Alberto Fortis – “Sono un uomo”

Una Voce Per San Marino: Grand Final running order

  1. Elena & Francesco Faggi – “Nothing Can Blow Me Out”
  2. Matteo Faustini – “L’ultima parola”
  3. Aaron Sibley – “Pressure”
  4. Ivana Spagna – “Seriously in Love”
  5. Vina Rose – “Sweet Denial”
  6. Cristina Ramos – “Heartless Game”
  7. Alessia Labate – “World Falls Down”
  8. Achille Lauro – “Stripper” 
  9. Mate – “DNA”
  10. Tony Cicco & Deshedus & Alberto Fortis – “Sono un uomo”
  11. Sebastian Schmidt (Basti) – “Running”
  12. Francesco Monte – “Mi ricordo di te (Adrenalina)”
  13. Kurt Cassar – “Tears of Gold”
  14. Valerio Scanu – “Io credo”
  15. Maria Chiara Leoni – “Tiramisù”
  16. Burak Yeter & Alessandro Coli – “More Than You”
  17. Camille Cabaltera – “Move ‘Em Like You Never Did”
  18. Farby & Labiuse feat. Miodio – “Blu”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv2CuaVPO98

All week long, San Marino has been taking us on a journey. The national selection, which has involved a series of Emerging Artist rounds and a second chance show, was at times so confusing people on Twitter said they just couldn’t keep up.

Earlier we joked this was Sanremo done on a San Marino budget. But tonight’s grand final unfolded inside the beautiful Teatro Nuovo. As you can see in our video tour below, it was a whole new world.

Jury members

The jury of the grand final consists of five people, including Susanne Georgi, who participated in Eurovision 2009 for Andorra.

  • Mogol (President of the jury)
  • Simon Lee (Conductor / Composer / Arranger / Orchestrator)
  • Clarissa Martinelli (Speaker of Radio Bruno)
  • Susanne Georgi (Andorra’s representative in Eurovision 2009)
  • Dino Stewart (Director of A&R BMG Italy)

 

 

Originally there were ten established acts. Unfortunately, Blind had to withdraw amid illness and a positive Covid test.

There was a lot of hype surrounding Achille Lauro, the three-time Sanremo veteran and massive star from Italy.

He performed a song called “Stripper”, which he says is deeply personal and a chance for him to showcase a new side of himself. This is what he said during a mini press conference in San Marino on Friday.

“We are a team that does so many things, perhaps more than what is required of us. We come from two difficult years when we couldn’t play, the music market was at a standstill, and it’s great to see these signs of restarting, San Marino included. The live experience is always incredible, we can’t wait to perform on a date as important as this one, where parallel projects are starting, in collaboration with the fashion house Gucci and the online gaming platform Roblox, on which I will hold a concert in the metaverse, a worldwide event.”

“My team and I are open to many operations and in each one we try to put something very personal, our identity and our way of seeing things. As in music, in concerts, in the production of our imagery, as in everything we’ve done over the years, which has been very influential, whether people like it or not.”

“‘Stripper’ is a very punk-rock track but with a new flavor. Since we’re playing in a theater maybe few people would expect this entry, it’s a song of extreme energy and power, disruptive. It has an international flavor. I grew up with Italian songwriting, I love that kind of world too, but I would say that ‘Stripper’ is the exact opposite.”

Italian Eurovision legend Al Bano appeared as a special guest performer.

264 Comments
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jofy
jofy
2 years ago

next year: Annalisa for San Marino

Ulla Rajala
Ulla Rajala
2 years ago

It is a pity he did not sing Domenica here…

vetrina
vetrina
2 years ago

Do we know when the song will be out on Spotify?

Leendert Jan
Leendert Jan
2 years ago

Not my cup of tea

Last edited 2 years ago by Leendert Jan
Jo.
Jo.
2 years ago

my take from the reaction video: “at Sanremo, Atchille sang Dominika”

lol
lol
2 years ago

this wont struggle to qualify, they will make a great stage show, and i dont think we saw him at his full potential he didint seem that excited to be there, that will be different at Eurovision in his home country where he is very popular

Bb T
Bb T
2 years ago

Yikes. This just proves music and Eurovision are dead.
It’s been a good run.

Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
2 years ago

Say what you want about the song, but his stage persona definitely fits the punk sound. Most enjoyable Sammarinese entry so far (along with their 2008 debut), and considering all the other boring entries in SF2 so far that I don’t really care about (Poland, Estonia, Ireland, Malta, North Macedonia and Israel all included) there’s a very good chance I’ll be voting for San Marino for the first time ever…

sam
sam
2 years ago

hottest guy at eurovision 2022 award goes to san marino <3

Ola
Ola
2 years ago
Reply to  sam

true

Héctor
Héctor
2 years ago

I was actually positively surprised with this NF. There were more songs I liked than in some other NF. And the production value was on point if you think this was all staged in a small theater and in a country with 33.000 inhabitants. In the end I said it was between Achille Lauro and Cristina Ramos. I was right with Achille and I still think Cristina Ramos deserved a higher place even though I didn’t like her style of just throwing out higher and higher notes. I would’ve also liked to see Farby & Labiuse feat. Miodio make it… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Héctor
Lalaa
Lalaa
2 years ago

So much better than his song for Sanremo

Meckie
Meckie
2 years ago

Italy does not vote in Semi 2.

Matrix 12
2 years ago

It’s a bit of a Måneskin rip-off

Last edited 2 years ago by Matrix 12
James
James
2 years ago
Reply to  Matrix 12

Because Måneskin was the first to introduced rock in Eurovision?

Teddie
Teddie
2 years ago
Reply to  Matrix 12

Lol wut?

Ellie
Ellie
2 years ago
Reply to  Matrix 12

Guitar in a song =/= Måneskin
Male piano ballad =/= Duncan
Ethnic electronica =/= Go_A

And the classic

Female bop with dancing =/= Eleni

Can we not do this every time?

buttercup
buttercup
2 years ago
Reply to  Matrix 12

Nothing like Maneskin

riley
riley
2 years ago
Reply to  Matrix 12

Achille Lauro has been doing music longer than Måneskin, so if anything, they’re an Achille Lauro ripoff.

Ellie
Ellie
2 years ago
Reply to  riley

He was releasing trap songs with a different visual style when Måneskin became famous in Italy. No one ripped off anyone and we can do better than these lazy comparisons.

Bob
Bob
2 years ago

Love this! I’m so happy he’s going to ESC. My second favourite after Italy.

Séamus Mór
Séamus Mór
2 years ago

I think this is awful rubbish, this year feels like a race to the bottom with most countries (my own Ireland included) and as for Malta last night! They had a chance to do something different but new they went with the safe bland option.

Johnny
Johnny
2 years ago

It’s not my type of music, but I guess some people enjoy this.

JSU12
JSU12
2 years ago

I love San Marino. Not for the quality of songs or artists, but because the send the most CRAZY stuff, and it is a welcomed change.

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago
Reply to  JSU12

I really love that from them too! They always send bold entries and never stay the same. Other countries should take note from them uwu

Ziv
Ziv
2 years ago

I am surprised Achille really takes part in Eurovision, because he looks like that he would have said no to Eurovision even if he had won Sanremo.

Anyway, the focus now is what he will wear on stage. If he qualifies, can he wear another outfit for the grand final? Is there any rules requiring contestants to wear the same clothes for both semi-final and final? Given what he has worn in Sanremo in recent years, it seems that the Barbara Dex award will be between him and Norway.

Séamus Mór
Séamus Mór
2 years ago
Reply to  Ziv

I’m sure if he feels he ESC will enhance his career he’ll lower himself.

Last edited 2 years ago by Séamus Mór
Frau Loch
Frau Loch
2 years ago
Reply to  Ziv

The outfit and entire stage show need to be the same for semi and final. The producers do not allow changes.

Doris
Doris
2 years ago

This year is so bad that this could qualify when in an ordinary year it would finish in the bottom 3 of any SF.

Robert
Robert
2 years ago
Reply to  Doris

We only have 19 songs so far. Reserve your judgement until you hear the other 22. This is no different to any other year at this stage

Lulu
2 years ago

So they’re going for the Maneskin formula, meh….

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago
Reply to  Lulu

song with electric guitar =/= Måneskin

Knut Olav
Knut Olav
2 years ago
Reply to  Lulu

It’s rather the other way! Måneskin goes for the Achille formula. I won’t be surprised if Måneskin has Achille as one of their inspirations when it comes to ways of expression.

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

He hasn’t posted anything about Eurovision and San Marino on his social media, weird??

Also, no news about the release of Stripper…

I think he’s the kind of artist that could either do very well or flop because he is very eccentric.

Knut Olav
Knut Olav
2 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Achille does it his own way, always has.

Mr X
Mr X
2 years ago

I have to correct my personal running order

Italy 11,5/12
Lithuania 10/12
Ukraine 9,5/12
Norway 8/12
Estonia 8/12
Czech Republic 7,5/12
Slovenia 6,5/12
San Marino 6/12
Moldova 6/12
Spain 5/12
Croatia 5/12
Albania 4,5/12
Poland 4/12
North Macedonia 3,5/12
Latvia 3/12
Israel 3/12
Bulgaria 2,5/12
Ireland 2/12
Malta 1/12

Hello hi
Hello hi
2 years ago

From what I’ve seen so far I only love Cornelia Jakobs . If she is selected by Sweden she is the only stand out so far apart from Spain, Italy and maybe Poland .Hopefully the next released and selected entrants are just as good.
Has anything leaked on UK or Switzerland?

blueeyed
blueeyed
2 years ago
Reply to  Hello hi

Stand out with that generic boring ballad? Sweden may forget the final if they don’t show anything good in the last semi. It has been a train wreck so far, especially yesterday’s show

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago
Reply to  blueeyed

It’s not generic, I’m usually on the “haters” side of Sweden but Cornelia has an outstanding song, looking more so bc of this year’s Mello’s lackluster lineup

Last edited 2 years ago by ete sech
Tedd
Tedd
2 years ago

Bloody awful. It’s a whole mess. Second hand shop clothes can never fit as original… just saying.

Crystal
2 years ago

Not in the semifinal stage. Italy is voting in the first semifinal, San Marino performs in the second semifinal.

Chupacabra
Chupacabra
2 years ago

Still more than 50% of entries we don’t know. It still might become a good year. Achille Lauro should qualify in semi, but he must work on good performance and singing.

Patrick Pastor
Patrick Pastor
2 years ago
Reply to  Chupacabra

Glad to see a voice of reason here.

Stef
Stef
2 years ago

Did he say I love Britney or was my idea?

Addie
Addie
2 years ago

This was pretty obvious. No offense, but what was the point of having this national final? I think Stripper is great, I just mean, why couldn’t they have selected Achille internally? Ever since Elis was out of the running, I knew that Achille was going to win. Anyway, leaving all that, I think it’s great that Achille finally got a chance to go to Eurovision! He is such a great and charismatic performer. I hope he has a very different and avant-garde staging for Turin.

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago
Reply to  Addie

One of the contestants from the first night ended up 3rd, it’s not all pointless

Marius
Marius
2 years ago

Smart move. Votes from Italy, he’s a singer with charisma, he can sell his song and although it’s not my piece of cake, we’ll definitely see a high-energy performance. One downside is that him participating in the year when Maneskin won, and being quite similar to Maneskin (in terms of style) might deter some people from voting. It can definitely be a grower, so we’ll see what will happen.

Im so fab
Im so fab
2 years ago

San Marino NEVER fails to surprise me. I don’t know if they will qualify, but their act js gonna be one of the most memorable!

San Marino <3

Mr X
Mr X
2 years ago
Reply to  Im so fab

Meanwhile I like it….

Mr X
Mr X
2 years ago

Italy 11,5/12
Lithuania 10/12
Ukraine (Kalesh) 9,5/12
Norway 8/12
Estonia 8/12
Czech Republic 7,5/12
Slovenia 6,5/12
Moldova 6/12
Spain 5/12
Albania 4,5/12
Croatia 4/12
Latvia 4/12
Poland 3,5/12
North Macedonia 3,5/12
Israel 3/12
Bulgaria 2,5/12
Malta 2/12
Ireland 2/12
San Marino 1,5/12

Vincenzo
Vincenzo
2 years ago
Reply to  Mr X

Minus 49 downvotes because one has expressed his preferences. To all the downvoters: go to see a good psychiatrist. You desperately need one.

Séamus Mór
Séamus Mór
2 years ago
Reply to  Vincenzo

You’re only allowed to make positive comments, posters here can’t deal with negativity no matter how constructive. I see some websites that have got rid of the option of down voting, I wish this site would do the same.

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago
Reply to  Séamus Mór

It’s not being unable to post “negative” stuff, it’s about you shouldn’t bash/be condescending, and preferably elaborate (or at least say it kindly/tactfully) when you dislike something

Vincenzo
Vincenzo
2 years ago
Reply to  Séamus Mór

I asked on many social media to William Lee Adams to get rid of the downvotes here because they are poisonous, but he didn’t answer. Sooner or later all the websites will understand the possibility to downvote only increases the hate, the infected discussions, the wars, the legions fighting. All those people of lost souls coming here to downvote the idea of other people only lead to dictatorship, repression of cultural diversity, etc.

xina23766
xina23766
2 years ago
Reply to  Vincenzo

cry

Jamie
Jamie
2 years ago
Reply to  Mr X

The fact that someone’s top has 52 downvotes just proves how disconnected some Eurovision fans are from this world

Esc addict
Esc addict
2 years ago

If he goes in the final in May which is almost sure, San Marino have already 24 points in their bag, 12 pts jury + 12 pts televote from Italy, it’s clever 😉

Marso1337
Marso1337
2 years ago
Reply to  Esc addict

I wouldn’t be so sure, the 2nd semi is very strong and many people doesn’t vote for San Marino because… they are San Marino.

Kaija
Kaija
2 years ago
Reply to  Esc addict

If I could vote in semi final 2, I would vote for San Marino for sure. Hope it qualifies!

Sandro
Sandro
2 years ago
Reply to  Esc addict

Italy can’t vote and there is no live between italy and San Marino

Fact
Fact
2 years ago

Every country except Slovenia made their best choice. Well done!

Jenny
Jenny
2 years ago

I’m so happy Achille won! I’m seeing comments saying they wished he brought Domenica but I disagree, this is way better, Domenica was too pop while this is way more punk. I can’t wait to see what he’s going to do with the styling, I’m sure Gucci will design something amazing for him

Stephanie
Stephanie
2 years ago

Is this entry for real or is it a joke?

2022
2 years ago

OMG, HE CANT SING

Vincenzo
Vincenzo
2 years ago
Reply to  2022

That’s a fact, unfortunately.

Thanos
Thanos
2 years ago

Wow. I like it way better than Domenica actually. It has a bit of a punk rock style that is really appealing to me. Surely the best song San Marino has ever sent. And of course Achille Lauro will get a lot of applause while performing in Italy.

Last edited 2 years ago by Thanos
Sucof
Sucof
2 years ago

there is a lot of Italy in this Eurovision edition 🙂

Last edited 2 years ago by Sucof
Isabella
Isabella
2 years ago

I really don’t get the appeal

Yankee
Yankee
2 years ago

Can someone send me a link from Youtube of the studio version of Stripper?

Andi
Andi
2 years ago
Reply to  Yankee

It’s not there (yet)

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago

I really liked Stripper. I was already vibing to it the first time I listened, it’s better than Domenica imo (which is a terrific song on its own right).

Last edited 2 years ago by ete sech
ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago
Reply to  ete sech

I almost forgot to add the most important part: I always thought Achille Lauro was worthy ESC material and he’s now got the chance to perform at the ESC stage! I’m over the moon rn! 😀

Last edited 2 years ago by ete sech
BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago

When was the last time San Marino sent something in Italian? It feels like a long time, and it’s the first non-English song for semifinal two.

kir
kir
2 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

2013

Crystal
2 years ago

No matter what, San Marino always makes it interesting! I don’t know if I necessarily see this song qualifying to the Final, but dang it…it’s gonna try! At least it’s not the Pure Unadulterated Cheese™ that San Marino typically sends when it doesn’t have a song contending for the Final. I’m not familiar with Achille at all (me being American and all), but just going off this one performance he’s giving me real Iggy Pop vibes (and that’s considering the real Iggy Pop did a single remix of “I Wanna Be Your Slave” with Måneskin). Maybe a little Bowie, with… Read more »

Mio
Mio
2 years ago
Reply to  Crystal

I wish you could see all of Achille’s past Sanremo performances. But there is this one that is a compilation/ splicing of his different performances of “Me ne frego” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGhtJV_QKgQ

Crystal
2 years ago
Reply to  Mio

He’s definitely a showman, which is always a plus when it comes to Eurovision!

Craigee_mac
Craigee_mac
2 years ago

Not for me, but I hope he does well. Hopefully we don’t get a surprise rap verse from Flo Rida thrown in.. btw, this national selection was more confusing than my final chemistry exam!

vetrina
vetrina
2 years ago

Finally! I’m so excited to see him at ESC!

Pearli
Pearli
2 years ago

They better hope Finland and Australia won’t send rock songs next week or they’re doomed.

Ellie
Ellie
2 years ago
Reply to  Pearli

I know what you mean and I somewhat agree. But speaking generally, Eurovision can handle 4+ rock songs. Italy and Finland proved last year that multiple rock acts can succeed in the same year without necessarily directly competing for the same votes. Australia’s rock is not Bulgaria’s rock is not San Marino’s rock. They’ll likely appeal to distinct audiences.

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago
Reply to  Pearli

As I see things going for Finland, either Bess or Younghearted will be the winning act this year…

meliris
meliris
2 years ago
Reply to  Pearli

There are never enough rock entries in eurovision…please, Australia and Finland, add some quality rock flavor(as I can’t have my Eskimo Callboy)

Eurofan
Eurofan
2 years ago
Reply to  Pearli

Yes…..Finland do excel with rock songs…..a difficult country to beat in this genre.

Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
2 years ago
Reply to  Eurofan

I really appreciate Finland going for that sound more than most, but don’t think they’ve had any entry as good as Italy 2021 or Turkey 2008, at least for me.

Kaija
Kaija
2 years ago
Reply to  Pearli

I don’t like the rock/poprock songs from Finnish and Australian selections, but I like San Marino. There will be people who won’t like San Marino and will like Finland and Australia (if they send those rock songs). You can’t predict which ones will do better.

Personally I find both (pop)rock songs in UMK quite boring and cheesy and hope that Finnish people won’t pick The Rasmus just because of their name. There are better songs there, although Eurovision audience might like The Rasmus as well.

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago
Reply to  Kaija

Don’t worry, they’re not as certain for the win as it seems for many, the UMK entrants that have generated the most buzz in Finland have been Bess and Younghearted since their respective entries’ release

Rich
Rich
2 years ago

Better than Domenica. It’s a shame he didn’t bring this to San Remo, it feels like he was using San Remo as a way to promote himself before Una Voce per San Marino.

Nils
Nils
2 years ago

I’m hate to write this, but … apparently this year will proof Mika right. ?

Sale
Sale
2 years ago
Reply to  Nils

Right of what?

esc_fl
esc_fl
2 years ago
Reply to  Sale

He said that “Eurovision was trash;” I assume that’s what Nils means, though we still have 22 countries left.

Alo
Alo
2 years ago
Reply to  Nils

Every year people say the same.. I’m tired from the fans lol

Nils
Nils
2 years ago
Reply to  Nils

Yep, esc_fl got me right. And I know people say that every year, but this year, there are quite a few who say so.

I mean … after all that we’ve heard so far, Subwoolfer are a serious contender for a Top 5 result. And I think they wouldn’t even have seen the left side of the scoreboard last year.

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago

As someone that has been following Sanremo closely, I’m excited that Achille Lauro will be in Eurovision, even if he had better tracks than “Stripper” (though my opinion may change when I listen to the studio version, since Una Voce per San Marino’s sound mixing was far from great). This song also sounds a little too specific to sell for a wider audience, but if there’s someone that has the stage persona to make people talk about him, it’s this guy.

Mio
Mio
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Good points. I’m looking forward to both the studio version (maybe a little rewrite?) and especially the Eurovision staging, anticipating something epic.

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  Mio

Sounds a little late for a rewrite and I suppose Achille is not the kind of guy that would overthink things to this point, but I believe the appreciation for the song can improve a lot when we properly hear the guitars and drums on it.

In terms of staging and outfit, I hope he takes his previous appearances in Sanremo as inspiration. If he was that bold in Sanremo, imagine what he can do in Eurovision, where being flamboyant is even incentived!

Adnama
Adnama
2 years ago

This is very decent and a new style for San Marino.
Im hearing the similarity in the sound with Maneskin as some say.
I hope they go full extra with the performance!