Sanremo 2023, final with Depeche Mode. Kiss between Rosa Chemical and Fedez

4′ of reading

It has been quite a while since we have seen international guests of this weight in Sanremo. Shortly before 10pm, Depeche Mode arrives on the Ariston stage, a few months ago reduced to a duo due to the death of Andy Fletcher. They perform the new, “Bergmanian” single Ghost Again anticipating the album’s release memento moriso they play it safe with Personal Jesus. Dave Gahan preaches with his unmistakable baritone voice: «Lift up the receiver/ I’ll make you a believer». And the audience can’t help but stand up and applaud. «Reach out and touch faith».

The Depeche leave without lingering too much, unlike Gino Paoli who, on the sidelines of his songs, speaks. A lot, too much. Accompanied on the piano by the genius of Danilo Rea, he performs first A long love story e Flavor of salt. Pressed by Amadeus he lets slip: “It’s a madhouse!” Then with Gianni Morandi there is time for some anecdotes on the days of the Italian Rca. Like Little Tony asking him for advice after the betrayals of his girlfriend at the time. “But these things cannot be said on television!” Morandi scolds him. Good thing it’s time to sing Ithe sky in a room. Ah, the old guard! The new one, at most, allows herself a kiss in favor of the camera, like the one between Rosa Chemical and Fedez. Chiara Ferragni, the latter’s wife, will ask for her “lemon bonus”. All kinds of things happen and Fedez, video-connected with Amadeus’ smartphone, prophesies: “Tomorrow all Rai executives will be kicked out”.

The final of the 73rd Sanremo Festival is underway, the fourth in a row under the guidance of Amadeus who, in addition to Gianni Morandi, again has the influencer Chiara Ferragni next to him as co-host. It starts with the Mameli anthem performed by the Air Force Band. Among the guests also Ornella Vanoni. There will be a reading of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech for 1.15. We will once again hear all 28 songs in the competition performed: it will be up to televoting to subvert a podium for now made up of Marco Mengoni, Ultimo and Lazza. The first five songs will be subjected to an “enlarged” ballot to determine the final podium.

This is the release order: Elodie, Colla Zio, Mara Sattei, Tananai, Colapesce and Dimartino, Giorgia, Modà, Ultimo, Lazza, Marco Mengoni, Rosa Chemical, Cugini di Campagna, Madame, Ariete, Mr. Rain, Paola and Chiara , Levante, Lda, Coma Cose, Olly, Article 31, Will, Leo Gassmann, Gianmaria, Anna Oxa, Shari, Gianluca Grignani and Sethu.

Amadeus is the real Goofy II

Even the 2023 Festival is now behind us and some considerations become necessary. The first on Amadeus who next year will direct his fifth consecutive Sanremo, equaling in number of hostings one called Nunzio Filogamo: whether you like it or not, he is the only credible heir of Pippo Baudo, a national-popular president who knows well the Rai audience and equally well the musical scenes of contemporary Italy, for which social networks play a decisive role. His masterpiece was to hybridize one of the most traditional products of our television with social networks. The share results and the renewed feeling with Rai’s advertising investors have directly to do with his magic touch. He has once again made a contemporary, inclusive and attentive to diversity Festival. When there was something to say, he said it, with more confidence than in years past (the results help, you know). Of course, the musical offer in terms of quality has not been up to the level of its previous three editions – who knows if the participation of Mengoni and Ultimo has not acted as a deterrent – but it is not that we can have Giovanni Truppi and the Representative every year di Lista, just as Colapesce and Dimartino and Coma Cose are not always up to par.

The role of the co-hosts

Among the co-hosts, the real added value was Gianni Morandi, a family friend for 60 million Italians. Overall, the work done by the co-presenters (Paola Egonu in particular) was good, but it would have been better with a few less sermons. Ferragni authentic playmaker of the social migration of this festival with all that follows, including controversies. It is known that every San Remo turns its fuel into controversy. In this edition, apparently the best in terms of share since 1987, one almost gets the feeling that there has been a scientific use of the controversies to the advantage of the format.

More and more TV series festivals

We left months earlier, with the tussle around Zelensky’s speech and Ferragni’s cachet donated to charity. The Festival has begun and we have witnessed the influencer’s letter to herself, in nude look, Blanco’s anthology and Fedez’s agit prop rap. No one says that the episodes of the festival that caused discussion were prepared beforehand, but it is indisputable that they brought the festival out of the Ariston, leading it to invade our days through every device around us. A continuous and irresistible invasion. The Festival is now a TV series, Lucio Presta, manager of Amadeus and Benigni, explained to the Sole 24 Ore, two days before the start of the 2023 edition. And, just like a TV series, it never ends. And it will never end. Forever and ever, amen.

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