They won't revolutionize this Festival, but they'll certainly update it. Angelica Bove, Nicolò Filippucci, Mazzariello, and the trio Blind, El Ma & Soniko: these are the four new acts who will perform in a separate competition from the 30 Big at Sanremo 2026. The first two emerged from "Sarà Sanremo," hosted by Gianluca Gazzoli and Carlo Conti, the others from "Area Sanremo." They're all different: some indie singer-songwriters, some more classical, some attempting the urban catchphrase. Whatever the chosen language, the narrative is clear: the focus is on a strong, sincere personal experience, which, while eschewing excess and provocation, speaks to and empathizes with a young audience but without excluding anyone with ears to hear.

Angelica Bove

Almost everyone's past, even this year, has been marked by talent shows, opportunities, and sometimes condemnations, which have helped them emerge but not explode. Angelica Bove, a 22-year-old participant on "X Factor" 2023, enchanted the audience by singing "La Notte" by Arisa. She's a complex family history, born in Rome to quadruplets, a special caesarean section at the Sant'Eugenio clinic in the capital. She and her siblings were struck by a tragedy beyond words: the death of both their parents. "Mattone" speaks of pain, a song that isn't afraid to face suffering and its impact on daily life, while embracing a perspective of reconstruction. After all, a brick is a burden on the stomach, but also the first step towards a new beginning.

Blind, El Ma and Soniko

Blind and El Ma also received four yes votes: he, born Franco Popi Rujan, 25, born in Perugia and of Romanian origin, came in third at "X Factor" 2020. During that time, he released the album "Cuore Nero," along with the unreleased song of the same name, which currently has over 11 million views on YouTube. In 2021, he opened up about his addictions in the book "Cicatrici," and in 2022, he participated in "L'Isola dei Famosi." Now, he's returning to music. She, the stage name of Elmira Marinova, 19, from Bulgaria, established herself in the 2024 edition of "X Factor." She dreamed of being a pop star, she revealed to the judges at the time, and she had already demonstrated her charisma two years ago. Her first Italian single, "Julie," was released a few months ago. And now, together with Blind and Soniko, a DJ and producer born in 2001 , as well as one of the emerging names in Italian electronic pop, he launches his pop-dance sounds into the depths of the digital world with “Nei mieiDM”: an extremely Gen Z piece.

Nicholas Filippucci

From the evening slot of "Amici" 24 comes Nicolò Filippucci, born in 2006 in Umbria, with a solid musical education at the Conservatory: at the age of nine, he joined the Morlacchi Children's Choir in Perugia. His song is perhaps the most Sanremo-esque, in tone and theme: "Laguna" speaks of a lost love, evoked with melancholy through black and white images. Perhaps the least distinguishable of the four, Filippucci has his talisman: the first Guerriero Award – Premio Città di Ronciglione, established in honor of Marco Mengoni, who won it in Sanremo in 2013 and 2023.

Mazzariello

Mazzariello, a singer-songwriter from Salerno born in 2001, is one of the freshest voices in Italian indie pop. He's already made a name for himself with his EPs, acoustic live performances, and major stages like the Concertone del Primo Maggio. His "Manifestazione d'amore" is a hymn to feelings and the right and duty to reconnect with one's roots, with a lightheartedness that's never superficial.

The final on Thursday

For those curious, the songs are already on YouTube and other major music platforms. As for the TV competition, the four—or rather, six— will compete in a double-header during the second evening, with the two winning songs advancing to the Thursday finale.

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