The latest phase of Benidorm Fest has moved ahead decisively, marking a key milestone in the competition’s path to Eurovision. Last Tuesday, TVE completed the registration window for music submissions, receiving 825 offers through a dedicated web form over the 147 days the period remained open, according to a press release distributed to media outlets.
That figure surpasses the 455 submissions recorded through the same channel last year. It is noteworthy that for this third edition every application was submitted via the online form, including invitations sent directly by RTVE. In the final day alone, nearly 200 songs were uploaded just hours before the deadline, underscoring a strong, last-minute surge of interest.
Benidorm Fest 2024 pool: 16 artists to represent the real Spain
A salient detail is that all entries came with full, completed sets of performers and songs. This accomplishment stands out when compared with the preceding edition, which saw more than 300 songs submitted without translations, even though the number of participants remained similar at 876 submissions. The Benidorm Fest management team, together with the three music consultants Pablo Cebrián, Tony Sánchez-Ohlsson, and David Martínez (Rayden), stayed dedicated to the integrity of every offering and stressed the goal of presenting fully realized musical works.
Out of the 825 submitted tracks, 23 emerged from the festival’s pilot project, the song camp organized by RTVE. This event gathered Spanish and international composers during the third week of September with the aim of enriching the festival’s catalog, with further details to be announced soon.
This year, the project’s management and music consultation process became more personalized. A segment of the work centered on guiding a direct talent search in collaboration with artists and record labels to ensure the Benidorm Fest project resonates clearly with the broader audience while drawing in as much talent as possible.
It is notable that 2024 saw the largest variety of musical styles submitted, including reggaeton, trap, urban, and electronic genres that had not been dominant in previous seasons. There was also a rise in entries presented in multiple official languages, reflecting a more inclusive and diverse pool of contestants.
Looking at the profile of submitting artists, the mix includes established names alongside emerging talents. This genre and artist diversity reflects RTVE’s effort to position Benidorm Fest as a competition that appeals to a wide audience while maintaining a sharp focus on identifying strong Eurovision contenders.
Benidorm Fest 2024, next steps
After the nomination window closes, RTVE’s expert committee begins listening to the submitted entries. The goal is to select the 16 strongest candidates who will advance to the festival’s semifinals. The semifinals are scheduled for January 30 and February 1, culminating in the grand final on February 3.
Following the selection, RTVE will introduce the Benidorm Fest 2024 contestants in Seville on November 11, as part of the Latin Grammy events to be held there a few days afterward.
Preparations will start in early November for staging and production, with La 1 broadcasting the shows on Spanish television. Eight songs will compete in each semifinal, and the top four from each gala will move on to the grand final. In the end, eight finalists will vie for the bronze microphone and the privilege of representing Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden, scheduled for May 11.