Benidorm Fest starts: six days of music and activities ahead

The second edition of Benidorm Fest is already underway. Last night the Benidorm Palace nightclub hosted the Opening event with which the new installment of the contest from which the representative of Spain in Eurovision 2023 will come out. Ahead, almost a week of music, parties, events, and activities as a complement to the galas in which 18 artists will seek to become the winner of the Benidorm Fest and the voice and face of Spain in Eurovision.

At around 7:00 p.m., the photocall began, through which the 18 artists of this edition passed: Vicco, Twin Melody, Sofía Martín, Siderland, Sharonne, Rakky Ripper, Meler, Megara, Karmento, José Otero, Fusa Nocta, Famous, E' femme, Blanca Paloma, Aritz Aren, Alice Wonder, Alfred Garcia and Agoney.

The presenters of this edition also posed before the cameras: Mónica Naranjo, Inés Hernand, and Rodrigo Vázquez; some of the groups and artists from the first edition of the Benidorm Fest such as Varry Brava, Rayden, Marta Sango, and Sara Deop; and national music stars linked to the Eurovision contest such as Rosa López, Soraya, and Serafín Zubiri. They were joined by the musician Miky Núñez, the presenter Jordi Cruz and the singer Xuso Jones, among others. These last two, together with Inés Hernand, are in charge of the 'Benidorm Calling' program about the festival.

The mayor, Toni Pérez; the president of the Generalitat Valenciana, Ximo Puig; and the president of RTVE, Elena Sánchez; top representatives of the three organizers of the contest, also went through the photocall before following live a gala in which Rosa López and the last representative of Spain in EuroJunior, the Valencian Carlos Higues performed; and in which the Unión Musical de Benidorm and the Societat Musical La Nova performed some of the most legendary songs from Eurovision and the city's Song Festival.

After last night's Opening, the Benidorm Fest activity continues this Monday with the Euroclub 01 party at Penélope Disco with performances by Nena Daconte, Álvaro Montes, Azúcar Moreno, and Xeinn, among others. Tomorrow Tuesday, January 31, the first semifinal of the Benidorm Fest will take place at the Palau d'Esports l'Illa, in which Agoney, Alice Wonder, Aritz Aren, Fusa Nocta, Megara, Meler, Sharonne, Sofía Martín and Twin will participate Melody. On Wednesday, the 1st, a new appointment of the Euroclub at Penélope Disco, in this case, the second installment through which Karina, Tanxugueiras, Ruth Lorenzo, and many more will pass.

On Thursday, February 2, it will be time for the second semifinal, also at Palau, with Alfred García, Blanca Paloma, E'femme, Famous, José Otero, Karmento, Rakky Ripper, Siderland, and Vicco.

On Friday, again, Euroclub moment, this time from the technohito of the Plaza de la Hispanidad, Soraya Arnelas, Marta Sango, Gonzalo Hermida, Ronela and WRS. On Saturday the 4th, it will be time for the grand finale of the Benidorm Fest, from the Palau d'Esports l'Illa.

In addition, Benidorm Fest Tapas Contest is being held throughout the week, with 18 participating establishments that have made a special tapa on the occasion of the Fest that diners can consume at the price of 2.5 euros. To participate in the contest, users can vote for the tapas through the GastroEventos app, scoring them in the range of 1 to 5 stars. On February 1, among all the votes, a double ticket will be raffled to live the final gala of Benidorm Fest on February 4, which includes a 'meet and greet' with the artists.

The participating establishments are: Angelillo, l'Abadia, El Mesón, Esturión, Brasería Aurrerá, La Cava Aragonesa, La Marina, Tabernita del Sur, La Tapería, Los Peces, Malaspina, Manila, Mia Social Club, Pinocchio, Pintxos Aurrerá, Taberna Andaluza, Wine On and Bar Zarzosa.