If you're in Italy in February, you're going to hear about the Sanremo Music Festival, the music festival that everyone's crazy about.
Every year, 29 established and four unknown musical performers compete for the top spot in the festival, held in the town of Sanremo. People in the audience and at home can vote for their favorite singers.
The only thing I can compare it to in the U.S. is the Super Bowl. It's that popular! In fact, 10 million people tune in, and it's all anyone talks about.
Italy Celebrities, Old and Young
One thing I've noticed was how many older performers were still celebrated and even competed against the 20somethings singing discoteca base-pumpers. I, of course, didn't know any of them, but even those who were popular in the 1960s were still getting standing ovations.
I find that different than in the U.S. Certainly, there are older performers like Mick Jagger and Madonna who still get plenty of respect, but generally, it's the newer generation who takes center stage.
This year, Jovanotti was the big act on Night 1. He was popular in the late '80s and '90s, and even I knew most of the songs he sang! And Duran Duran also performed. The last time they performed at Sanremo was 40 years ago!
In Italy, it's a lovely mix of old and new.
And speaking of new, Sanremo is the opportunity for never-before-heard singers to make a splash. Even if they don't win, they perform for millions, and all the songs from Sanremo will (annoyingly) be on replay on all the radio stations for months.
Saturday is the finale, where all the singers will perform for the THIRD time (getting a little sick of these songs already!!) and a winner will be chosen. Then we'll hear the songs on replay for months. Oh, the joys of another culture!
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