María Bas gazes at the audience with calm resolve, a posture that carries no harm or disrespect. From behind the screen comes a raw, soulful performance, a story that hurts yet heals. The view feels soothing and brave, reminding us of courage many miss today. It reads like poetry to the listener, and its bold energy unsettles the industry’s noise. Bitch Seduces remains principled and unadorned by makeup, a cry for liberation and a feminist anthem. The statement of intent stands out with an electric, seductive, inclusive rhythm that cuts through the chatter. Tonight, the moment repeats itself: a bold appearance at the Benidorm Festival. This is from Nebulossa, because the gaze met the audience, pulling at hearts exactly when it mattered.
In a premiere that felt slow and inevitable, with scripted lines that didn’t land and a few awkward pauses, along with some technical glitches, the duo nonetheless thrilled with galactic electropop. María and Mark, aged 56 and 49, unknown until RTVE selected them, turned their call into the edition’s anthem. The question: can expectations be met? Bitch This is the strongest track, yet the live execution held back by a clumsy adjustment that dimmed the spark seen by Rigoberta Bandini and Tanxugueiras a couple of seasons ago. It’s understandable at this stage of their career to feel the weight of a first-time on such a big stage. Still, they managed to excite both the audience and the jury alike, signaling a likely path to victory.
With 156 points, Bitch will represent Spain at Eurovision. Some points deserve reconsideration, yet the charisma of past contenders like Ruslana (Ukraine, 2003), Conan Osiris (Portugal, 2019), and The Roof (Lithuania, 2021) looms large as a benchmark. At times it felt impossible to avert one’s gaze, and at other moments it was the performance that fixed your eyes on them. The moment stuck, and the act knew when to offer a hug and a pause. The biggest critique center on a perceived misalignment with the final hurdle: a 17-point gap separated the winner and the runner up, highlighting a strong jury and public split. The numbers read 156 points for the winner and 139 for the runner up, based on jury, televote, and demographic samples.
Jorge González’s ‘sauna’
On stage, without extra tools or noise, St. Pedro delivered a bolero that fit perfectly in his voice. After a moment, it became clear that the sound he wanted to project could travel far, hinting at a Miami-bound reggaeton surge. A moment of honesty returned him to the Canary Islands, where Latin influences began to color his compositions. Last night he stood with rose in hand, addressing the audience with a candid, almost naked performance. He tasted each syllable, felt every note, and though the landscape begged for more, the crowd’s reaction was instantaneous, a blush of connection that could have carried the night. Still, perhaps a more direct conversation would have carried more weight.
González’s appearance in the Antipodes carried a provocative musical persona. With bold lyrics and strong staging, the performance read as a Eurovision trompe l’oeil that fuses soul with spectacle. Some viewed this as a bold declaration while others saw a less clear message. The star’s return after a decade of absence carried a sense of experience, and his composure stood firm amid a shifting field. The act kept control, letting the choice rest in the audience’s hands, a decision made clear by the reaction and the sustained poise on stage.
Almácor and lack of automatic tuning
Without the Bronze Microphone, the crowd turned toward Angy. I Know Who I Am is a personal letter to music and perhaps that is why it stuck so firmly. The performance felt honest and accomplished, broadly effective in its emotional reach. The same sincerity connected with Maria Pelae and the night’s strongest moments. St. Pedro closed the evening with a package that felt alive, graceful, and commanding. He did more than sing; he told a story with history, texture, and a playful edge that suggested a deep, gut-level resonance with the format. A moment of magic underlined a potential win, even if the final tally didn’t crown him. Some felt the lack of auto-tuning dulled the intended metallic nuance, a technical flaw that masked what could have been a sharper vocal presence. The urban vibe and street-smart energy represented a bold shift for Spain, aiming to push beyond its familiar territory in Europe. A regret remains for what could have been achieved with cleaner control.
Similarly, Sofia Arm’s performance felt restrained at times, though the track held a strong theme. The stage visuals seemed slightly out of sync, diminishing opportunities to leverage a high-impact moment. The sense of unity among the performers proved crucial, a quality that often elevates a competitive show. Miss Caffeina’s crew—Alberto, Toni, and Sergio—delivered a confident, avant-garde presentation that translated well to television while preserving the thrill of live concerts. The overall progression suggested that Nebulossa could achieve Eurovision success in a future run, with stronger cohesion and, perhaps, a bit more audacity in the staging.