After an intense first semi-final of Benidorm Fest, we are preparing for another night of fun in Spain. However, before that RTVE has revealed that Ruth Lorenzo and Niña Polaca are the guest performers for the second semi-final.
Ya tenemos invitados a la segunda semi del #BenidormFest ! @RuthLorenzo y @NinaPolaca 🙌🏼 #ElFestivalQueQuieres https://t.co/QHTyDfjuga
— Eurovisión RTVE (@eurovision_tve) January 27, 2022
A Spanish Eurovision Icon and a Spanish Indie-Group
Eurofans will know who Ruth Lorenzo is, as she represented Spain at the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen with “Dancing in The Rain”. Her participation in the competition was the last time that Spain reached the Top 10 in the competition.
The other guest performer is the band Niña Polaca consisting of Álvaro Surma (singer and composer), Alberto Rojo (bassist and composer), Sandra Sabater (guitarist), and Luis von Kobbe (drummer), which was formed in 2018. In addition, they are also performing live gigs for the next few months.
Who’s competing tonight?
The competing artists, as well as the running order for tonight’s show are as follows
| Order | Artist | Song Title |
| 1 | Xenin | “Eco” |
| 2 | Marta Sango | “Sigues en mi mente” |
| 3 | Javiera Mena | “Culpa” |
| 4 | Gonzalo Hermida | “Quién lo diría” |
| 5 | Rigoberta Bandini | “Ay Mama” |
| 6 | Rayden | “Calle de la llorería” |
| 7 | Sara Deop | “Make You Say” |
As we have previously reported, Gonzalo Hermida did not perform live due to testing positive for COVID-19. The music video for his entry will be shown instead.
Details about Benidorm Fest
This year’s Benidorm Fest is taking place at the Palacio de Deportes L’ILLA. There are three shows in this year’s national final, two semi-finals taking place on 26th and 27th January and the final on Saturday 29th January. Four acts from each semi-final will qualify for the grand final. The winner will be chosen by 50% jury voting and 50% audience voting, split into a 25% televote and 25% demoscopic panel.
The five jurors for the festival this year are:
- Estefanía García – Coordinator of the RTVE Orchestra and Choir
- Felix Bergsson – Head of Delegation for Iceland at Eurovision
- Marvin Dietmann – Creative Director
- Miryam Benedited – Choreographer
- Natalia Calderón – Singer, actress and vocal coach
Spain’s Eurovision Journey
Spain debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1961 with Conchita Bautista’s “Estando Contigo” and the country earned its first win in 1968 with Massiel’s “La La La”. They then earned their second consecutive win in 1969 with Salome’s “Vivo Cantando” in an infamous four-way tie. Although they have yet to win again, Spain earned several 2nd place finishes, including Mocedades’ “Eres tu” in 1973 and Anabel Conde’s “Vuelve conmigo” in 1996.
However, Spain has been less successful in recent years. Although they achieved two 10th place finishes in 2012 and 2014, the country has not finished above 20th place since 2015. This includes one last-place finish in 2017. Unfortunately, this trend continued in 2021, with Blas Canto’s “Voy a quedarme” finishing in 24th place at the 2021 contest with 6 points.
Are you excited to watch tonight’s show? Who do you want to qualify? As always, let us know in the comments or on social media. Also, be sure to follow THAT Eurovision Site on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
News Source: RTVE
Photo Source: EBU
