2023 Benidorm Fest Second Semifinal was aired on 2nd February. It looked like first semifinal were going to be stronger and harder to predict, according to the pre contest favourites, but it wasn’t this way at all. Eventual winner and Spanish ESC representative Blanca Paloma were in this semifinal.
The arena was full as usual, and the host were less nervous than in the firs semifinal. The work from TVE and the presenters were better than in the first one,,, and it were even better for the final.
Three special guests in the sow;
Miguel Poveda in an opening act singing 1973 ESC Spanish entry “Eres tú”
Álvaro Soler presenting his new single in an interval act.
And superstar and LGBTI friendly, Mexican Gloria Trevi with a medley that includes “Gloria” and her hit “Todos me miran”
THE PERFORMERS
Song 1; Famous “La Lola” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isA6nSHFDR0
Former Operación Trinunfo (Star Academy) winner, gave us a good opening, with choreography and a good vocals. Latin sounds but maybe not too much impressive.
Song 2; José Otero “Inviernos en Marte” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvCHeGgwQ9A
The main point is this one was the powerfull and charismatic voice of Jose. Maybe in the semifinal he wasn’t on point, but he were 4th and could do it better in the final.
Song 3; Karmento “Quiero y duelo” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2Lyd7PD-NM
One of the two performances in the semifinal with a 100% Spanish flavor. Karmento gave us a piece of La Mancha (Land of El Quijote) with the mix she usually do, with folk, tradition and modern way to do it.
Very emotional, and very well received in the arena (and in the televote)
She was 3rd this night.
Song 4; Rakky Ripper “Tracción” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cFAyu589K4
Modern and alternative. Rakky gave us electric sounds in a good performance. Not the taste of everybody.
Song 5; Blanca Paloma “EaEa” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEm9jBI5u9w
Blanca was in Benidorm Fest for second year in a row, but she wasn’t a pre festival favourite. Her song was one of the least streamed before the contest.
All that changed the day of the semifinal.
A mix of flamenco style, modern sounds, Blanca amazing on point voice and a stunning staging.
The song is a lullaby where she remembers her grandma, and everything on the stage and on the song fits perfect, showing us something more than just a song. That is what we call “art”. It is remarkable, that Blanca is a production designer as well, and she is the mind behind the staging.
She won this semi by a landslide
Song 6; E’Femme “Uff” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvoWCqPJ6sE
It is no easy came after Blanca Paloma,,, but they did it far better than everybody thought. Good for they
Song 7; Siderland “Que esclati tot” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtDFfPoEu2c
Good performance for them, very catchy and well done.. Maybe the song needs something else. They sang in Catalan
Song 8; Alfred “Desde que tú estás” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUleeHku7mc
ESC spanish Singer in Lisboa with Amaya,,, Alfred tried to be in the contest for a second time. He has a good career in Spain, mostly in festivals and has a strong personality.
The song is good, the staging maybe over the top,,, but it was a good performing.
Song 9; Vicco “Nochentera” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMAwxSmhJe8
Acording to the streamings, this is one of the winners. Because it is the most listened song of all in the Fest in Spain.
Fresh, catchy, funny,,,, every in the crowd was singing this one.
She won the demoscopic vote
THE RESULTS
JURY (50%)
1 Blanca Paloma
2 Vicco
3 José Otero
4 Alfred
5 Siderland
6 Karmento
7 Famous
8 Rakky Ripper
9 E’Femme
DEMOSCOPIC (25%)
1 Vicco
2 Blanca Paloma
3 Karmento
4 Famous
5 E’Femme
6 José Otero
7 Alfred
8 Siderland
9 Rakky Ripper
TELEVOTE (25%)
1 Blanca Paloma
2 Karmento
3 Alfred
4 Vicco
5 Siderland
6 E’Femme
7 José Otero
8 Rakky Ripper
9 Famous
OVERALL
1 Blanca Paloma > qualified for the final
2 Vicco > qualified for the final
3 Karmento > qualified for the final
4 José Otero > qualified for the final
5 Alfred
6 Siderland
7 Famous
8 E’Femme
9 Rakky Ripper