Sanremo Festival 2025: Will a Solo Artist Win in Their Category?

The 75th Sanremo Music Festival, a landmark anniversary for the iconic Italian song contest, is set to take place at the Teatro Ariston from February 11th to 15th, 2025. With Carlo Conti at the helm as both artistic director and main host, and a revamped format, the competition promises to be a spectacle. But with a diverse lineup featuring solo artists, duos, and bands, the question remains: will a solo artist emerge victorious?

A Year of Anniversaries

2025 marks not only the 75th edition of Sanremo but also Italy’s 50th participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. This double anniversary adds an extra layer of significance to the festival, as the winner traditionally earns the right of first refusal to represent Italy at Eurovision. The pressure is on, and the stakes are high.

Conti’s Return and Format Changes

Carlo Conti, a familiar face at Sanremo, returns after a four-year hiatus, having previously hosted and directed the festival from 2015 to 2017. He brings with him some key format changes, including the reintroduction of a separate Newcomers’ section, a shorter “DopoFestival” post-show, and a retained “cover night” where artists perform duets or collaborations. Crucially, no entries will be eliminated before the final night, keeping the suspense alive until the very end. The voting system is also tweaked, with a final round of voting for the top five songs, the results of which will be added to the overall score.

A Diverse Lineup of Competitors

Thirty artists will compete in the Big Artists section, a larger field than initially planned. The lineup is a mix of established names and rising stars, spanning various genres from pop and rock to rap and indie. Notable participants include previous Eurovision representatives Francesca Michielin (Italy, 2016) and Francesco Gabbani (Italy, 2017), as well as Achille Lauro, who represented San Marino in 2022. Veteran artist Massimo Ranieri, who represented Italy in both 1971 and 1973, also makes a return to the Sanremo stage. This eclectic mix of talent guarantees a diverse range of musical styles and performances.

Can a solo artist win big this year at the Sanremo Festival? Betting site 22bet21.com lists the odds at 1.65/1 or 60.60%, meaning there’s a pretty good chance they will.

The Solo Artists’ Chances

While the competition is fierce, several solo artists stand out as potential winners. Giorgia, Olly, and Achille Lauro are considered frontrunners, each bringing their unique strengths to the table. Giorgia, a powerhouse vocalist, is known for her emotional depth and captivating stage presence. Olly, a rising star in the Italian music scene, brings a fresh and contemporary sound. Achille Lauro, with his flamboyant style and genre-bending music, is always a force to be reckoned with. Other solo artists like Noemi, Irama, and Elodie also have the potential to make a strong impact.

The Challenge from Groups and Duos

However, the solo artists face strong competition from groups and duos. Coma Cose, an indie pop-hip hop duo, has gained a loyal following with their unique sound and introspective lyrics. Modà, a popular Italian pop-rock band, brings a wealth of experience and a dedicated fanbase. The Kolors, another well-established band, are known for their energetic performances and catchy melodies. These groups and duos add another layer of complexity to the competition, making it difficult to predict the eventual winner.

Predicting the winner of Sanremo is always a challenging task. The competition is fierce, the voting system complex, and the public’s taste unpredictable. While several solo artists are considered frontrunners, the strong presence of groups and duos makes it far from a certainty that a solo artist will win. Ultimately, the winner will be the artist who connects most deeply with the audience and the juries, delivering a performance that captivates and resonates.