Sanremo in history with the Pope, Jovanotti cyclone, Tamberi does not withdraw: the chronicle of the first evening

Suddenly the Pope. Sanremo 2025 enters history and hosts for the first time the intervention of a Pontiff. Francis surprisingly appears in a video message preaching peace in the world through music, "beauty", "an instrument of peace that opens the heart to harmony": a unique moment, which warms the performance of the Israeli Oscar winner Noa with the Palestinian Mira Awad who intertwine their voices on the notes of Imagine and sweep away the debate on an intimate festival.

Then the energy of Jovanotti: with a megajam with dozens of drummers outside the Ariston he overwhelms the city, then with the altoist Gianmarco Tamberi he celebrates the human body, the title of his project after the bike accident in Santo Domingo. Finally the long-awaited announcement from the athlete: «See you in Los Angeles 2028».

The evening

The 75th edition of the Sanremo Festival opens with a tribute to Ezio Bosso, the Turin musician who passed away in 2020. "Music is like life and can only be done in one way: together," he said in 2016 when he moved the Ariston to the notes of Following a bird. A technical incident ruins the magic: a small audio blackout "turns off" Carlo Conti. Dozens of reports on social media but within a few seconds the problem was solved: "The Contis are back and I'm back."

The co-hosts

And here are the co-hosts: first Gerry Scotti, absolute debutant at Sanremo, but who notices? He starts off oozing spontaneity with his ironic and irreverent verve. Antonella Clerici doesn't have time to remain impressed in the memory , just to play with the bright clothes and to be moved by the homage to Fabrizio Frizzi on the notes of "You've got a friend in me", soundtrack of Toy Story and his Woody.

The Pope's message

"Music can help people live together," says Francis. "I think of so many children who cannot sing and cry and suffer because of the many injustices in the world, because of the many wars, situations of conflict. Wars destroy children." "This is what I desire most, to see those who have hated each other shake hands, embrace and say with life, music and song: peace is possible! Today - he turns to Conti - you are doing it and you are making it said through music." So it is with Noa and Mira Awad who in English, Arabic and Hebrew, sing John Lennon's immortal anthem against violence.

Jovanotti Cyclone

Drums in the streets, at the port, at the Santa Tecla fort, on the balconies, to the tune of Ombelico del Mondo. Cyclone Jovanotti bursts into the theater accompanied by 10 Bollywood dancers, then with Il più grande spettacolo dopo il Big Bang he is already in the stalls, embraced by the crazy audience. The time for a kiss to his daughter Teresa in the stalls and Lorenzo, dressed all in gold, and he is on stage, for a medley of I love you baby, Fuori onda, A te. He talks about the emotion of the “new body” after the operation (“I am a little bionic, titanic and also a little photonic and above all happy to be here”), then he reads a text by Fausto Bolelli on the beauty of being imperfectly oneself.

Tamberi starts again

With him Gianmarco Tamberi who is not retiring, on the contrary. "My body tells me to run away or embrace", concludes the Olympic high jump champion, fresh from the nightmare of calculus at the 2024 Olympics. "After Paris I lived through some very hard months because fate took the ground from under my feet. You lose confidence and courage, but I realized that the difference has always been the will to try again even when those difficulties seem insurmountable. I'm scared, but see you in Los Angeles 2028 ".

The performances

The competition enters Eurovision Song Contest mode and proceeds more intensely than ever. Gaia opens, in a flesh-colored bustier and a maxi jewel on her cyborg-style hand. Black mermaid dress with a maxi bow for Noemi who enchants. A heart-shaped catchphrase for Coma_Cose, ovations for Simone Cristicchi and his letter to his mother, and for Giorgia, a veteran faithful to herself. Olly doesn't break through, not even Elodie in total silver Prada. Hip-hop party with Shablo, Tony Effe in white just can't help but mess up, Fedez with autotune and black lenses saves himself. All 29 Bigs parade on stage, subjected to the judgement of the press room, while in Piazza Colombo people dance with Raf.

The first ranking

In the top five positions, according to the Press Room Jury, the only one to vote this evening, not in order of placement, are Brunori Sas, Giorgia, Lucio Corsi, Simone Cristicchi and Achille Lauro.