Spain: Submissions kick off for Benidorm Fest 2023

• The Spanish national broadcaster, RTVE, has opened the submission window for Benidorm Fest 2023 the event that will be selecting Spain's next Eurovision hopeful. 

  Spain will be selecting their Eurovision 2023 act and entry via the Benidorm Fest for a second year in a row. RTVE has released the  the rules and regulations of the next Benidorm Fest the submission for which will open on  01 September and will close on October 10. Entries however will be submitted via two way through a public submission window and via a direct invitation to specific artists and composers by RTVE. Acts that ambition to represent Spain at Eurovision 2023 should send their application via the folllowing link. 

   

  Solo artists must be Spanish citizens or residents. In the case of groups, at least 50% of the group must be based in Spain. The same counts for songwriters, as  at least one songwriter must be based in Spain. Songs must be in one of Spains officials languages. A total of 22 candidates will be shortlisted, 16  will compete in the semifinals and six acts will serve as backups. 

  Next year's venue will be more spacious witth he tickets going on sale over the following weeks. The tickets prices will be around 20-30 euros each.  Benidorm Fest 2023 will unfold according to the following schedule: 

  • January 29 – Opening Ceremony
  • January 31 – Semi-Final 1
  • February 2 – Semi-Final 2
  • February 4 – Grand Final

  The music festival will be hosted by the international Spanish star Monica Naranjo. The outcome of the competition will be determined 50% by the public and 50% by a jury. The public vote will include a 25% of votes coming from a demoscopic jury and 25% by the televoting. The Jury will be made up by international and national music experts. 

  Christer Bjorkman has been confirmed as one of the members of the international jury while Nacho Cano one of Spain's famous musicians, composers and producers will serve as the president of the jury. 

   

  Spain in Eurovision

  Spain participated for the first time in 1961 with Conchita Bautista and has achieved twice to win, in 1968 (Massiel) and in 1969 (Salome). Madrid hosted the contest in 1969 where there was a four country tie in the first place on the final scoreboard.

  Despite not having missed a single contest since 1961 , Spain doesn’t have remarkable results to show the latest years. Exception was Anabel Conde’s 2nd place in  Eurovision 1995 held in Dublin. Spain has came in history 2nd four times ( 1971, 1973, 1979, 1995) while it has finished last 5 times (1962, 1965, 1983, 1999, 2017) from which the first three receiving null points.

  In 2020  Blas Cantó was chosen internally to represent Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020, with the song “Universo”: Unfortunately the contest was cancelled due to the covid-19 pandemic and Blas never had the chance to perform in Rotterdam.However, TVE, invited the Spanish act back for Eurovision 2021 where he performed his entry "Voy e Quedarme" at Rotterdam Ahoy in the Grand final, finishing 24th with 6 points. 

  This year Chanel slayed on the Eurovision stage in Turin after winning with 'SloMo' the national selecrion of Benidorm Fest. Chanel achieved to bring Spain back in the game offering a remarkable 3rd placing in the Grand final after 27 years since the nation saw a top 5 placing. 

   

  News Source/Images:  RTVE

   

   

   

AUTHORS

Angelos D.
Loyal follower of the Eurovision Song Contest since 1987, I've made the competition one of the stories of my life. After attending as accredited press the event for 13 consecutive years along with the 2017-2024 JESC editions, I also enjoy the last three years sharing more Eurovision music through the Eurofans radio's project.