Let's Review! Amine’s take on all the Festival di Sanremo 2026 songs

The Grand Final of Sanremo 2026 takes place this evening at the Teatro Ariston. After several nights of live performances, the 30 competing artists return to the stage for the decisive show. Here is Amine Spugna’s on-site review of the competing entries ahead of the final.

Our correspondent Amine Spugna has been following the Festival di Sanremo directly from the Teatro Ariston, experiencing the performances live alongside the press and audience. This year’s edition once again showcases the diversity of contemporary Italian music, ranging from intimate ballads and classic songwriting to modern rap and energetic pop productions.

With thirty artists in competition, Sanremo 2026 offers one of the most varied line-ups of the season, from established names to emerging performers.

Ditonellapiaga – 'Che Fastidio!'

Amine Spugna: "Ditonellapiaga kicks off the Festival di Sanremo 2026 with a bang. ‘Che Fastidio!’ electrifies the stage with edgy pop and punk accents. Her unique voice, driving rhythm, and daring staging make the show’s opening both risky and thoroughly successful."

Michele Bravi – 'Prima o Poi'

Amine Spugna: "Following Ditonellapiaga’s explosive opener, Michele Bravi struggles to maintain momentum. His distinctive Italian voice carries an introspective ballad at a slow tempo. The performance lacks energy contrast, and after such a dynamic piece, it feels subdued, leaving a more discreet impression than memorable."

Sayf – 'Tu Mi Piaci Tanto'

Amine Spugna: "Sayf charms the stage with overflowing energy and a luminous voice. The childlike, communicative staging is captivating, with a subtle Berlusconi reference adding an unexpected detail. The performance is cute and engaging, drawing the audience into a pleasant, captivating universe, generous and sincere."

Mara Sattei – 'Le Cose Che Non Sai di Me'

Amine Spugna: "Mara Sattei delivers a gentle ballad with a delicate voice and elegant staging. The artist shows real talent, but the song feels fairly conventional and struggles to stand out. Pleasant to listen to, the piece is controlled and aesthetically pleasing, yet it leaves little lasting impression."

Dargen D’Amico – 'AI AI'

Amine Spugna: "Dargen D’Amico presents contemporary Italian rap with questionable melodic choices. The staging and outfit, including bold glasses, are divisive. The AI theme is modern and ironic but fails to fully save a performance lacking coherence, which can feel tiring despite some interesting ideas."

Arisa – 'Magica Favola'

Amine Spugna: "Arisa leans into a Disney-like fairy tale with a controlled voice and minimalist but elegant style. Her polished outfit and confident stage presence complete the picture. Classic yet effective, the performance exudes a visually harmonious and pleasant atmosphere, faithful to the soft, poetic universe of the artist."

Luchè – 'Labirinto'

Amine Spugna: "Luchè brings an urban, introspective atmosphere. His flow is solid, though his voice lacks distinctive brilliance. The performance is coherent and dark, offering a strong artistic identity. The song appeals through its rigor and contemporary rap style, yet lacks notable vocal highlights."

Tommaso Paradiso – 'I Romantici'

Amine Spugna: "‘I Romantici’ wins praise from the press but may leave some puzzled. Deeply rooted in Italian sensibility, the piece is perhaps more relatable to the local audience. Generational melancholic pop with a controlled voice, enjoyable yet relying on familiar Italian contemporary music codes."

Elettra Lamborghini – 'Voilà'

Amine Spugna: "Elettra Lamborghini electrifies the stage with a spectacular show. Stunning staging, precise choreography, and dazzling talent immediately captivate. Her magnetic presence and beauty transform the performance into an unforgettable moment, with the music seizing the audience from the first notes with energy and confidence. We also love the different references to French culture."

Patty Pravo – 'Opera'

Amine Spugna: "Patty Pravo, an icon, delivers a legendary but lackluster performance. Slow tempo and dated style render the piece tedious, saved only by public recognition and respect. The performance relies more on the artist’s fame than immediate musical impact."

Samurai Jay – 'Ossessione'

Amine Spugna: "Samurai Jay charms with Latin flair and a pleasing musical base. Slightly shaky vocals are a minor flaw, but the modern flow and communicative energy make it an enjoyable moment. The song is appealing, with contemporary style and melodic allure despite minor vocal imperfections."

Raf – 'Ora e per sempre'

Amine Spugna: "Raf offers an elegant, intimate pop ballad. Deep, controlled voice conveys sincere emotion, and understated staging highlights the performance. Simple yet refined, it captivates through sincerity and depth, offering a well-felt and polished interpretation."

J-Ax – 'Italia Starter Pack'

Amine Spugna: "J-Ax surprises with an unexpected mix of rap, kind of American country and Italian costumes, backed by striking pop choirs. Eccentric, funny, and unpredictable, the piece entertains and intrigues. The performance, intentionally offbeat, provides a unique moment where humor and stage creativity outweigh traditional musical coherence."

Fulminacci – 'Stupida Sfortuna'

Amine Spugna: "Fulminacci captivates with his unique style: many close-ups and an assumed nonchalant stage presence add charm. The talk-singing brings modernity, while his beautiful and expressive voice conveys authenticity and subtlety, making the performance pleasant and engaging."

Levante – 'Sei Tu'

Amine Spugna: "Levante presents an intimate, emotional ballad with a controlled voice and polished staging. Sincere and musically refined, it touches the audience with sensitivity. The artist’s vocal and artistic qualities shine, offering a charming and enjoyable performance."

Fedez & Marco Masini – 'Male necessario'

Amine Spugna: "Fedez returns in a duo with Marco Masini, blending modern rap with classic Italian melody. The duo’s energy and popularity are undeniable, yet the stylistic fusion may not appeal to everyone. Dynamic but polarizing, the performance divides audiences based on taste."

Ermal Meta – 'Stella stellina'

Amine Spugna: "Ermal Meta dazzles with oriental sounds and strong symbolic engagement, highlighted by the name of a Gaza victim on his shirt. An emotionally and musically extraordinary performance, the artist is magical, carrying each note with intensity. One of the evening’s most moving and remarkable performances."

Serena Brancale – 'Qui con me'

Amine Spugna: "Beautiful voice and charisma, with orchestration conducted by her sister adding a touching personal note. The performance recalls Giorgia 2025 but slightly falls short of expectations. Well-executed and pleasant, yet lacks an element of surprise or extra captivation."

Nayt – 'Prima che'

Amine Spugna: "Nayt impresses with a blend of singing and rapping over an energetic base. Powerful, precise flow captivates, and the performance radiates energy. A strong, well-executed piece that imposes the artist and makes the song dynamic and compelling."

Malika Ayane – 'Animali notturni'

Amine Spugna: "Despite a slightly dated style, Malika Ayane charms with a refined voice and natural charisma. The performance is pleasant, elegant, and draws the audience into her world, demonstrating skill and sensitivity, offering a captivating moment despite more traditional musical codes."

Eddie Brock – 'Avvoltoi'

Amine Spugna: "Performance is complex and occasionally disorienting: shouted passages versus nearly whispered lines make the artistic direction unclear. Without understanding the lyrics, it feels chaotic. Interesting intentions exist, but the execution struggles to convince, leaving a confusing impression."

Sal Da Vinci – 'Per sempre sì'

Amine Spugna: "Pure Neapolitan style, energetic and communicative. Lights and camera angles enhance the performance, which fully charms the press and audience. The authenticity and charisma of the artist shine, delivering an irresistible, lively performance."

Enrico Nigiotti – 'Ogni volta che non so volare'

Amine Spugna: "Beautiful staging, but the personal storytelling demands understanding the lyrics. The visual aspect is pleasing, yet the piece lacks power to fully captivate. Vocal technique is good, but the song fails to transport the audience completely."

Tredici Pietro – 'Uomo che cade'

Amine Spugna: "A technical problem with the microphone initially destabilized him. Son of a well-known Sanremo participant, he struggles to convince. The song is difficult to enjoy, and the performance feels fragile despite some artistic merit."

Bambole di Pezza – 'Resta con me'

Amine Spugna: "A girl group with well-presented instruments and visuals. Energy could have been higher, but the music itself is very pleasant. Harmonious and enjoyable performance, visually and musically coherent, faithful to the group’s style."

Chiello – 'Ti penso sempre'

Amine Spugna: "Pleasant and visually original artist. The pop-rock music is repetitive and lacks excitement. Correct but flat performance, with few memorable moments. Outfit is appealing, but the song fails to captivate."

Maria Antonietta & Colombre – 'La felicità e basta'

Amine Spugna: "Charming duo with evident chemistry. Positive energy and harmonious performance. Stage presence highlights their artistic and personal connection, making the performance enjoyable and warm."

Leo Gassmann – 'Naturale'

Amine Spugna: "Beautiful voice and appealing style, but extreme vocal contrasts between whispered verses and shouted choruses disorient. Stage management seems inconsistent. Interesting performance but sometimes hard to follow despite a generally attractive style."

Francesco Renga – 'Il meglio di me'

Amine Spugna: "Controlled, mature voice, elegant and emotive music. Refined, enjoyable interpretation showcasing the artist’s experience and technique. Sobriety and emotion captivate, with vocal mastery and refined musicality offering a polished listening experience."

LDA & Aka 7even – 'Poesie Clandestine'

Amine Spugna: "Irresistible duo with intelligent, captivating staging. The music immediately grabs you, dynamic and energetic. Their synergy and communicative energy make you want to dance, closing the evening on a joyful, contagious, and memorable note."

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