The stadium where the Benidom Fest 2024 is being held has returned to full capacity to host the second semi-final of the contest that will end up choosing Spain’s representative in Eurovision. This new gala has come with the memory of the previous one. And you could still hear some “bitch, bitch, bitch” from those attending the event. It is not surprising considering that Nebulossa’s song took first place in the first semi-final. However, the new batch of contestants has not remained idly by.
St. Pedro, María Peláe, Jorge González and Almácor have obtained the last tickets to the grand final of the contest next Saturday, February 3. An event in which nothing has yet been decided and that not all of this year’s participants will be able to attend. Marlena, Roger Padrós, Yoly Saa and Dellacruz have not managed to pass the screening and thus join the list of those not classified.
The audience, which has been going crazy throughout the night with each and every one of the performances, has remained in the most absolute silence at the moment in which the score began to be revealed. Something that did not take long to break due to some decisions of the jury, the demoscopic vote and the televoting.
On the one hand, the professional members have decided that St. Pedro and María Peláe have been the best proposals of the night. Even so, the demoscopic, which always goes on its own, has not thought the same, giving its highest scores to Jorge González and St. Pedro. In turn, the televoter has thought that the best have been St. Pedro, and Jorge González, coinciding with the previous ones.
But that moment of tension came after a long night of performances, some of which drove those present at the Palau d’Esports l’Illa in Benidorm crazy. And from inside the stadium the screams have not stopped, even surpassing those that could be heard in the first semifinal with the performance of Nebulossa.
Ruth Lorenzo, Marc Calderó and Ana Prada have given way, between jokes, which have generated laughter from the public, to the candidates to fly to Malmö to fight in Eurovision.
One of them has been María Peláe’s proposal. Despite being among her favorites, her similar style to Blanca Paloma could have had a negative impact on her, something that ultimately did not happen. The woman from Malaga has managed to seduce the jury and the public and has obtained her place in the final with 131 votes. It is not surprising to see the applause she received at the end of her performance given the history she wanted to convey: the ‘disbandá’ of the Franco era. A very careful staging that has brought more than one tear to those present.
Despite not having passed the screening with 54 points, Dellacruz has achieved his goal of making everyone present dance. The Tenerife native’s good vibes have spread to everyone, and even after his performance was over, there were many who continued humming his song in the stands. The singer has moved everyone to the back of his car, where through the dances of his companions he has expressed a story of love and disappointment.
The well-known duo formed by Ana Legazpi and Carolina Moyano have climbed onto a round platform illuminated with dozens of colored light bulbs that made the audience explode with applause. Even so, from the stands, the general comment was disappointment at not seeing the beach or the summer reflected in the performance. For this reason, he has managed to collect 96 points, falling just short of it.
From the first moment, St. Pedro has positioned itself as one of the favorites of the edition, which is why it is not surprising that it has swept 164 votes and has managed to advance to the grand final. With a very minimalist staging, the canary wanted to focus attention on his person and on the enormous boxes illuminated with shadows of his dancers. A staging that, despite not being what many expected, has moved everyone present.
After trying several times to go to Eurovision, it seems that this could be the year to do it. The screams from the audience have been the dominant tone of the entire performance. And it is not surprising due to the fire, smoke and dances, which have starred in the moment. Jorge González has achieved 122 points and, therefore, a pass to the grand final on Saturday. Even so, numerous boos were heard when he received the third lowest score from the jury.
Yoly Saa’s vocal power has surprised many of those attending the big event. The Galician has evoked nature in her intimate performance, trying to appeal, in turn, to the feelings of the audience. However, it seems that she has not managed to convince herself, remaining with 79 at the gates of the final. Even so, if anything has been taken away, it has been the applause of the entire stadium, even when the postcard for the next participant was being broadcast.
The audience in the stands, where the press is, has been moved by Roger Padrós. The Barcelona native has been one of the great surprises of the night. Although he has remained at the bottom of the payout stakes at all times, many have been left speechless upon seeing his piano playing, the play of lights, and hearing his voice. For this reason he has achieved 103 points, although he has been left out.
But if there is one performance that has brought down the stadium, it has been that of Almácor. The one from Villena has filled the stage with his sole presence and the help of the play of lights and pyrotechnics. His solvency and his flow have brought the entire stands to their feet during several moments of his performance. So much so, that the screams of those present almost hide the song during the chorus. He has made his way to the grand final with 115 votes.
Such has been Almácor’s performance that many have not been able to pay attention to the performances of the guests. Even so, it has generated numerous positive reactions to see Íñigo Quintero on stage singing If You Are Not, a song that reached number 1 in the world. Right after, Sergio Dalma gave his all on stage. Now, we will only have to wait for the grand final to find out the winner.
