“È come Il Natale, La Pasqua, Il Carnevale,” Jovanotti declared from Sanremo’s main stage on the first night of the music festival’s 75th edition. Love it or loathe it, the annual weeklong affair released its chokehold on Italian TVs and minds on Saturday. The Sanremo Music Festival is a national event that’s dreaded by naysayers but almost like a mini-holiday season for others — especially those Italians set on building their playlist of go-to tunes for the year ahead.
This year marked television presenter Carlo Conti’s first time directing the program, and he helped the 75th anniversary go down…well, go down. After a cringeworthy 30-second audio blackout to kick off the opening ceremony, the show persisted, drawing in a record-breaking 12.6 million viewers, making it the most-viewed opening night in history.
Sanremo captures the contradictions of Italy, and its annual juxtaposition of glamour and relatability, of nostalgia and progress, makes it a reliable cultural thermometer. For those who did not have a spare 25 hours to take in the five-day festival in its entirety, here are the standout moments destined to be remembered for years to come.
1: Emis Killa retired before the festival even kicked off
Sanremo’s reputation for drama preceded the festivities this year, as rapper and competitor Emis Killa (aka Emiliano Rudolf Giambelli) withdrew just days before opening night. The decision, tied to his alleged involvement in the Doppia Curva inquiry into mafia activities linked to prominent football clubs, reduced the competition lineup from 30 to 29. Carlo Conti addressed the situation before the show, remarking, "I understand that his (Emis Killa’s) state of mind does not allow him to live the week of music at the festival to the fullest and with serenity.”
2: Current events were cautiously acknowledged — with a papal cameo
One year after Milanese rapper Ghali drew criticism for using the Sanremo stage to comment on Gaza, host Conti dedicated time to acknowledging the conflict, focusing on the impact of the war on children.
“I wrote to someone who is in all of our hearts, and who often raises their voice, yelling to the world and calling for peace,” Conti said, cryptically. “I wrote to them, asking if they could write some thoughts to share before this moment — and they did something even more.” All became clear once Pope Francis appeared on the big screen at Ariston, speaking on music as an international language of peace.
Conti also welcomed Israeli and Palestinian singers Noa and Mira Awad, who performed a rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine” in Hebrew, Arabic, Italian and English.
3: Sanremo viewers had plenty of commentary on Conti
Each night of Sanremo, viewer-generated social media content now practically rivals the show itself for entertainment value — and there was no shortage of meme-making this year. Carlo Conti’s meticulous direction became a core theme, earning both praise and light-hearted criticism. Following night one, viewers around the world swarmed comment sections bemoaning the loss of previous presenter Amadeus and sidekick Fiorello, whose laid-back style in the past sometimes caused 2am finishes. This year’s viewers primarily poked fun at Conti’s quasi-authoritarian fixation on time, pointing out the awkwardly abrupt shoo-ing Conti did with co-hosts and guests in moments throughout the week.
“If it lasts too long, it’s a problem because it lasts too long. If it finishes too early, it’s not okay. You tell me at what hour it should finish and I will adapt. Send me a message, slow down, speed up,” Conti quipped in an interview with Fanpage.It after night two.
By midweek, Conti’s softer adjustments demonstrated his willingness to take feedback as he allowed more breathing room for spontaneous moments. The careful, traditional orchestration resonated with older audiences nostalgic for Sanremo’s more classic style — tributes were a big part of Conti’s vision for this year’s 75th edition, with the show honoring icons like Ezio Bosso and Fabrizio Frizzi and a breadth of previous Sanremo participants gracing the stage.
4: Pop prince Jovanotti made a grand return
Jovanotti, super guest of night one, returned to the Sanremo stage 31 years after his first performance in 1989, dazzling in Dior gold from head to toe. His performance featured 1,000 drummers of all ages arranged in the streets of central Sanremo. The audience delighted in a moment between Jovanotti and a woman (quickly dubbed “The lady in love with Jovanotti” across social) who ambushed him with attempted kisses just ten feet into the Ariston theater.
Sharing the moment was Tokyo gold medalist and reigning world champion high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi, who announced plans to compete in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles after heartbreak at the Paris games.
“Today I’m very scared, but I have, even more, the desire to try again, to get back in the game, and that I can have hope,” he said. The moment felt significant for the future of Italian sports on the world stage, particularly as Milan prepares to host the winter edition in 2026 at Cortina.
5: Pieces of Måneskin resurfaced
Rock world stars (and 2021 Eurovision victors) Måneskin broke hearts last fall when lead singer Damiano David shared that he would be pursuing a solo career — and in (gasp!) English only. Promising that the band was not to break up, Damiano has been spotted all over the U.S. with his American actress/singer girlfriend, Dove Cameron. David was invited back to Sanremo’s stage to perform Lucio Dalla’s classic “Felicità” as a superguest on night two — with Dove sitting front row.
David’s famed post-win declaration at Eurovision that ”rock and roll never dies” may have come back to bite him now that he’s seen as having broken up the group. The underlying hurt feelings still seemed a bit raw for fans, music critics and the general public alike, as he was ribbed by Conti and co-hosts throughout the day over his perceived anglicization. Sanremisti took to X, jokingly praising David for “speaking Italian well.”
Adding to the nostalgia, superstar bassist Victoria de Angelis (Damiano’s former bandmate and close friend) made her own appearance night three with Duran Duran.
6: Olly won, qualifying to represent Italy at the 69th Eurovision in Basel
Tagged as a favorite in the days leading up to the festival, 23-year-old Olly’s “Balorda Nostalgia” met expectations and took home the win late Saturday night. His victory makes it three wins in a row for Marta Donà, manager of Marco Mengoni, Måneksin, Angelina Mango and Olly.
The 23-year-old will now decide whether or not to continue the competition on a worldwide stage at Eurovision. If he chooses not to, very, very close runner-up Lucio Corsi will have the option to step up. Just .4% separated the two, with Corsi’s alternative tilt providing a foil to Olly’s classic pop--appearing with beloved puppet Topo Gigio on cover night to sing “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu,” he navigated the week masterfully by relying on tradition and emotion through his performances. Corsi didn’t leave the festival empty handed — his unique style and storytelling prowess earned him the prestigious Mia Martini Critics’ Prize.
