The next edition of the ‘Benidorm Festival’, the contest that serves as a prelude to Eurovision and in which it will be decided who will represent us in the Song Festival. After last year’s controversial decision with Chanel Terrero which, however, won the best position for our country in many years, it will be time to find a successor who manages to live up to.
Format
Previously known as ‘Benidorm Festival’, it accumulated 39 editions between 1959 and 2006. After the break, in 2022 RTVE recovered it under the title of ‘Benidorm Fest’ and this year repeats the bet to decide the singer who will represent Spain in Eurovision.
The format consists of two semi-finals and a final, where eliminating contestants based on the evaluations of the jury and the public. The scores are made by the voters (the jury, the televote and the demographic vote) and a total of 520 points are distributed.
presenters
Monica Naranjo will replace Alaska in this 2023 edition. The singer of ‘Sobreviviré’ has extensive experience on television, as a presenter of ‘La isla de las tentaciones’ and as a jury in ‘Tu cara me sonido’, among others.
who yes repeat one more year in the contest are Maximum Orchard, journalist and former Minister of Culture and Sports, as well as presenter on ‘Destinos depelicula’ and former contestant on ‘Mask Singer’. He will also repeat Agnes Hernandlawyer, influencer and collaborator of ‘La Resistencia’.
Participants
These are 18 candidates those who will face each other on stage to obtain the one-way ticket for the musical event of the year in Liverpool.
agoney (27 years old, Tenerife) was a finalist in the 2017 edition of ‘Triumph operation’. He was the winner of season 9 of ‘Your face is familiar to me’ and is currently participating in ‘Incredible Duos’. Her main style is pop. Featured songs: ‘Maybe’, ‘Black’ and ‘Libertad’.
Alfred Garcia (25 years old, Barcelona) was also a finalist for ‘Triumph operation’ in 2017 and represented Spain in 2018 together with Amaia Romero (remaining in position 23). Her main style is pop but she also moves between other music genres. Featured songs: ‘Your song’, ‘From the earth to mars’ and ‘Wonder’.
Alice Wonder (23 years old, Madrid) is an indie singer who released her first album in 2018. She is mainly dedicated to alternative music. Featured songs: ‘Who I am’, ‘Under the skin’ and ‘Don’t go away’.
Aritz Aren (30 years old, Valencia) has dedicated himself above all to his career as an urban, acrobatic and hip hop dancer. He participated in ‘Fame, let’s dance!’ and has thousands of followers on TikTok and Instagram. He has also been a choreographer for musicals like ‘Fame’ and ‘World of dance’.
White Dove (33 years old, Elche) repeats at the ‘Benidorm Fest’ after participating in the last edition. She is the sister of Sara Ramos (former Eurojunior 2003 contestant) and her style is indie. Featured songs: ‘Secreto de agua’ and ‘Niña de fuego’.
E’FEMME (Madrid) is a quartet formed by Sandy (25), Melania (24), BUBU (23) and Lottie (22). The group was born in 2019 and currently has a large following on Instagram and TikTok. His style mixes trap and kpop. Featured songs: ‘Vroom Vroom’, ‘3 fires’ and ‘Mírame’.
Famous (23 years old, Seville) was the winner of ‘Triumph operation’ in 2018 and was presented in 2019 as a possible candidate for Eurovision. He has participated in the musical ‘The Lion King’. Featured songs: ‘Bulla’, ‘I can’t take it anymore’ and ‘Hoy ya no’
Fusa Nocta (28 years old, Gandía) became known in ‘X Factor’. He mainly makes trap music and has participated in festivals such as Arenal Sound or Madcool. Featured songs: ‘No Gyals’, ‘En la ruina’ and ‘Sola’.
Jose Otero (32 years old, Las Palmas) participated in ‘The voice’ Mexico and his musical career has developed internationally. His style moves between soul and flamenco-pop. Featured songs: ‘What would we do on Fridays’, ‘Lisboa’ and ‘East where you are’.
karment (Albacete) is a singer-songwriter, sexologist and lover of communication. She combines author song, pop and traditional music and has already released several albums. Featured songs: ‘Danzar sobre la tierra’, ‘Tell me no’ and ‘Qué feo’.
Megara (Madrid) is a group made up of four members: Kenzy (vocals), Pol (drums), Pablo (bass) and Rober (guitar and backing vocals). With a style they call “Fucksia rock”, they encompass rock, electronic and dance sounds. Featured Songs: ‘Trick or Treat’, ‘Hocus Pocus’ and ‘Welcome to Disaster’.
Meler (Madrid) is made up of Loren, Javi and Jonathan, who came together in 2018 to form this “energetic pop” group. Featured songs: ‘Que te va mal’, ‘Alarmas’ and ‘If it’s with you’.
rakky (27 years old, Granada) is an artist who mixes pop, reggaeton and trap and one of the pioneers of hyperpop in Spain. Featured songs: ‘Donde Stas?’, ‘Whatever’ and ‘Me olvidé’.
Sharonne (46 years old, Sabadell) has participated in several television programs, highlighting ‘Your face doesn’t sound like me yet’ and, above all, as the winner of season 2 of ‘Drag Race Spain’ and with ‘Reinas to the rescue’. This will be the second time trying to represent Spain in Eurovision, since in 2001 he appeared with the group Trans-X. He has done some collaborations on songs like ‘Llévame al Cielo’, ‘Sparkle’ and ‘Mil churreros’.
sideland (Barcelona) is a trio of musicians made up of Andreu (drums), Albert (bass) and Uri (vocals and guitar). They debuted in 2018 and define their style as “night pop”. Featured songs: ‘Tragedia o calor’, ‘La festa infinite’ and ‘Crema la pista’.
Sophia Martin (26 years old, Alicante) has collaborated with artists such as Abraham Mateo or VIZE. She writes songs in three languages and combines rhythms within the dance and Latin dance genres. Featured songs: ‘Tóxica’, ‘Yo por ti’ and ‘No hard feelings’.
Twin Melody (24 years old, Ordizia) are the two sisters Paula and Aitana Etxeberria. Both discovered their passion for music at a very young age and their TikTok account is a complete success. They have also collaborated with ‘The Anthill’ Featured songs: ‘Ciao’, ‘If I want you’ and ‘No soy tuya’.
Vicco (26 years old, Barcelona) began to compose his own songs at a young age and opened a YouTube channel. She has opened for Alejandro Sanz and has composed songs for artists such as Edurne or María Sarmiento. Featured songs: ‘Quédate’, ‘You can count on me’ and ‘With much pleasure’.
Release date
The opening gala of the ‘Benidorm Fest’ will take place on Sunday, January 29, 2023. It will be followed by the first semifinal on Tuesday January 31 and the second semifinal Thursday February 2. The final it will be saturday february 4, whose winner will represent us at the Eurovision gala on May 13. It will be broadcast on La 1, with a duration of 60 minutes (semi-finals) and 80 minutes (the final).