Some descend the stairs in slow motion, some confidently, some can't hear well and ask to be repeated. The stage rehearsal for the thirty competing singers, just hours before the opening of the 76th edition of the Sanremo Festival, is relentless. The song counts, of course, but only up to a point, because the Ariston is the Ariston. And so the now-hosts move with ease: Francesco Renga, Arisa, Ermal Meta, Patty Pravo (who's playing in a different league), Raf, calm even if the song doesn't leave an impression.

Also very good were newcomer Tommaso Paradiso, Levante who almost dances and doesn't miss a note, Fulminacci, a new Roman crooner, Malika Ayane, funky-tribal, and Dargen D'Amico, out of place but perfectly at ease. The favorites shine: Serena Brancale is perfect in white with a starry sky setting and the intensity of a great American voice (with a final high note). Ditonellapiaga is brilliant and fun with beautiful stage choreography.

J-Ax also chooses a dance troupe, with Italian cheerleaders performing Super Bowl-caliber stunts and a country violin, a charming performance that covers his (many) vocal imperfections. Sal Da Vinci needs no frills: whatever your musical tastes, his stage presence is undeniable and captivating. Drums and dancers for LDA and Aka7Even and their "Napoli sotterranea": immature but, it must be said, surprising.

Among the debutants, Sayf, Maria Antonietta, and Colombre do well. Chiello excels, treating the show as if it were a small club stage (and rightly so). Outsiders Bambole di Pezza are a force of nature, with unbridled guitars, all dressed in black, their colored hair standing out against it. Tredici Pietro had a double performance due to a technical problem: the first time it didn't impress, but the second time it proved it deserved a good score in the pre-listening.

Nayt, Eddie Brock, and Samuray Jay seem to have wandered in by chance, while Leo Gassmann and Michele Bravi seem too classic. Mara Sattei, already in her dark gala dress, the inoffensive Luchè, the shy Enrico Nigiotti, and the bubbly Elettra Lamborghini all seem to struggle. Fedez and Marco Masini try their hardest, but they just can't seem to get together and take off: an operation that, at least for now, seems to be a failure.

The favorites

Tonight, all thirty competing singers will perform, and only the Press Room will vote. At the end of the evening, the top five will be announced, in no particular order. Who could win a spot?

According to the latest Sisal estimates, a seat seems to be reserved for Ditonellapiaga, offered at 1.12. Joining her in the top five are Fulminacci and Sayf, tied at 1.25; the pair Maria Antonietta Colombre at 1.50, and Serena Brancale at 1.65. But watch out for Ermal Meta and Tommaso Paradiso, who at 2.25 will be fighting hard to reach this first milestone. Possible surprises, however, could also come from Malika Ayane (2.50), Tredici Pietro (2.75), and the new duo Fedez-Masini (3.00).

The ladder

Hosts Carlo Conti and Laura Pausini will be joined by Turkish actor Can Yaman.
The evening's super guest will be Tiziano Ferro , who will return to the Ariston stage 25 years after the release of the single Xdono and the album Rosso Relativo and to present his new album Sono un grande.
Every evening, live connections with the Tuscan coast off the Riviera: Max Pezzali will be accompanied in the first appointment by Olly, winner of the 2025 Festival.
Gaia will sing in Piazza Colombo.

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