Marco Mengoni and the Sanremo Spotlight: A Look at His Festival Comebacks
Marco Mengoni continues to push boundaries by revisiting key moments from his career. The Sanremo Festival is a recurring stage for the Italian singer, and this Sunday he steps back into the public eye as he lines up in the Big section for the next edition of this legendary Italian song contest. While the exact subject of his competition for the 2019 edition remains undisclosed, the event is set to take place in early February and promises a high-profile return to one of Europe’s most storied stages.
The singer marks the ten-year anniversary of his first triumph at Sanremo. In 2013 Mengoni took home top honors with L Essenziale, a track that later represented Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden. Although it finished seventh, the song secured Mengoni a lasting place among Italy’s most recognizable voices in contemporary pop and universal melody.
In an interview with Yotele in 2019, Mengoni kept the door open to future appearances at Sanremo and Eurovision, explaining that such experiences are rare and should ideally be lived at least once in a lifetime. At 31 years old at the time, he suggested that he could offer a different musical proposal for those two iconic festivals, signaling an evolving artistry ready for fresh challenges.
Mengoni has spoken about the appeal of the Eurovision experience. He described the event as a celebration of music that travels beyond borders, a grand party where nations showcase their unique sounds. He emphasized that Eurovision acts as a global gathering rather than a strict competition, highlighting the communal spirit of the festival. The 2013 Eurovision chapter remains a memorable reference point in his career and a reminder of Italy’s ongoing relationship with the competition.
It is important to note that the Sanremo Festival is not the sole path Italy uses to select its Eurovision entrant. The Italian broadcaster RAI traditionally favors the Sanremo winner for the European event but reserves the right to decline the invitation if it does not align with its strategic plans. The path from Sanremo to Eurovision is not automatic, and historical decisions reflect a nuanced approach to representing Italy on the international stage. For instance, after Stadio clinched Sanremo in 2016, the invitation to Eurovision was declined, and Francesca Michielin later stepped in as the Italian representative.
Elodie, Levante and Tananai: Veterans Returning to Sanremo 2023
Mengoni will share the Big category spotlight with 27 other artists in the 2023 Sanremo lineup, a robust roster that underscores the festival’s enduring appeal. The organizers officially unveiled a slate of performers that includes Giorgia, Articolo 31, Collapse Dimanrtino, Ariete, Moda, Mara Sattei, Leo Gassman, I Cugini di campagna, Mr. Rain, Anna Oxa, Lazza, Tananai, Paola & Chiara, Lda, Madame, Gianluca Grignani, Rosa Chemical, Coma_Cose, Up and Son, and several more. These names signal a vibrant mix of established stars and rising talents who bring diverse genres and storytelling to the stage.
As the festival progresses, additional announcements are expected, with Giovani set to host a gala on a Friday in December to reveal further participants. This reveal will complete the 12-artist Giovani category lineup, enriching the festival’s continuity and setting the stage for a new era of Italian pop artistry. The Sanremo experience remains a powerful platform for artists to connect with both national and international audiences, shaping careers and amplifying the reach of contemporary Italian music.
Source notes and contextual commentary accompany these developments to reflect the evolving relationship between national festivals and international competitions. In roster updates and festival coverage, attribution is provided to primary reporting and press materials. [Source: Yotele, festival organizers communications]