Eros Ramazzotti Weighs In on Sanremo 2026 Winner and the State of Italian Music

Eros Ramazzotti, a mainstay of Italian music, has offered his assessment of the winning song at the 2026 Sanremo Music Festival, as well as broader thoughts on the current musical landscape. His comments come amidst ongoing debate surrounding the winning artist, Da Vinci Hall and their song, sparking discussion among critics and fans alike.

Ramazzotti’s Take on the Winning Track

Speaking to Corriere della Sera, Ramazzotti described Da Vinci Hall’s winning piece as “not bad,” noting he first encountered the artist when inviting them to the National Singers at the end of the 1990s. Although, he suggested the song’s arrangement feels dated. “His version has a retro, vintage arrangement, which does not represent today’s Italian scene: there is music of greater depth,” Ramazzotti stated. He acknowledged appreciating covers of the song that emerged on social media, experimenting with different styles and languages.

Appreciation for Emerging Artists

Despite his critique of the winning song’s arrangement, Ramazzotti highlighted artists he admired from the recent festival. He expressed optimism for Sayf’s future and praised Serena Brancale, with whom he has an unreleased duet recorded several years ago. He similarly lauded Marco Masini as a consistently strong performer, acknowledging Masini’s contributions to Fedez’s career.

Concerns About the Evolution of Italian Music

Ramazzotti expressed concern about the challenges facing contemporary songwriting. He believes it’s become more hard to create songs with the lasting impact of those from previous generations. “The dish is general and in any case a attractive song is not able to leave the same mark and have the same strength as then,” he explained.

The State of Live Performance

Ramazzotti, currently on a world tour scheduled to continue until mid-2027, emphasized the importance of live musicianship. He stated that he and his nine musicians and three backing singers perform 98 percent of their music live, without relying on backing tracks. However, he lamented a broader trend towards less authentic live performances. “Unfortunately I notice that the general trend is to move towards a zero level of music. So silence is better,” he concluded.

Ramazzotti’s comments offer a seasoned perspective on the evolving dynamics of the Italian music industry, touching on themes of artistic authenticity, generational shifts, and the enduring power of live performance.