Sanremo 2024: Cover Night Highlights and Controversial Winner

Twenty-nine competing artists graced the Sanremo stage for the highly anticipated cover night, though only twenty-six duets were actually performed. Six contestants uniquely collaborated with fellow competitors. Noemi and Tony Effe paid tribute to Franco Califano’s “Tutto il resto è noia,” while Francesca Michielin and Rkomi interpreted Cesare Cremonini’s “La stella di Broadway.” Elodie and Achille Lauro delivered a captivating performance of Riccardo Cocciante’s “A mano a mano” and Loredana Bertè’s “Folle città,” their unique rendition earning them eighth place – a ranking that, unlike in past years, did not affect the final competition. The voting comprised a blend of audience votes (34%), press, TV, and web juries (33%), and radio juries (33%). Giorgia and Annalisa’s rendition of Adele’s “Skyfall” secured first place. While undeniably talented, their performance felt more like a vocal prowess competition, prioritizing high notes over nuanced interpretation, raising questions about the judging criteria. Lucio Dalla’s delicate interpretation of Modugno’s “Nel blu dipinto di blu,” featuring the exceptional guest Topo Gigio, claimed second. Fedez and Marco Mengoni took third with “Bella stronza,” followed by Olly’s performance with Goran Bregović and his Wedding & Funeral Band, reimagining Fabrizio De André’s “Il pescatore.” Brunori Sas, Riccardo Sinigallia, and Dimartino secured fifth place with “L’anno che verrà,” ahead of Irama and Arisa’s rendition of “Say Something” in sixth, Rocco Hunt and Clementino’s “Yes, I know my way” (seventh), and Elodie and Achille Lauro (eighth). Clara and Il Volo’s harmonious interpretation of Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” achieved ninth place, while The Kolors and Sal Da Vinci’s collaboration on “Rossetto e caffè” rounded out the top ten. The performances by Coma_Cose with Johnson Righeira (“L’estate sta finendo”) provided notable audience participation. Other noteworthy pairings included Rose Villain and Chiello (“Fiori rosa, fiori di pesco”), Modà and Francesco Renga (“Angelo”), Serena Brancale and Alessandra Amoroso (“If I ain’t got you”), Gaia and Toquinho (“La voglia, la pazzia”), Marcella Bella and the Twin Violins (“L’emozione non ha voce”), Francesco Gabbani and Tricarico (“Io sono Francesco”), Simone Cristicchi and Amara (“La cura”), Sarah Toscano and Ofenbach (“Overdrive”), Joan Thiele and Frah Quintale (“Che cosa c’è”), Massimo Ranieri and Neri per Caso (“Quando”), Willie Peyote with Federico Zampaglione and Ditonellapiaga (“Un tempo piccolo”), Bresh and Cristiano De André (“Crêuza de mä”), and Shablo feat. Gué, Joshua, and Tormento with Neffa (“Amor de mi vida” and “Aspettando il sole”). Roberto Benigni opened the show, while Geppi Cucciari and Mahmood co-hosted.