After the transcendent joy that was Nebulossa’s Zorra, Spain’s Benidorm Fest winning anthem and Eurovision Song Contest 2024 fan favourite, the nation is hard at work lining up a successor. With Benidorm Fest taking place across two semi-finals on Tuesday 28 January and Thursday 30 January, followed by a grand final on Saturday 1 February, Spain have presented a plethora of musical talents ready to take the crown.
We run through the highlights of the Class of 2025, ever thankful for Spanish broadcaster RTVE delivering us this joyous pre-Christmas pop treat. We’ve highlighted a small sample, but present these with the caveat that the live performances can obviously change everything!
J Kbello – V.I.P.
A real standout for us is J Kbello’s V.I.P. The easy-on-the-eye Spaniard collaborates with co-writers Dangelo, José Otero, María Parrado and Ricky Furiati on the high-energy anthem that fuses pop and R&B to craft something that would provide a truly fresh and original Spanish entry. J Kbello’s attitude and delivery is truly that of a real pop giant, shining with a radiant charisma – we have no doubt that he would light up the stage for Basel next May.
Sonia & Selena – REINAS
Mark Dasousa writes and produces REINAS for Sonia Y Selena, the iconic noughties pop duo have once again reunited. These campaliscious divas have made no-secret of their desire to represent Spain at Eurovision over the years and REINAS is undoubtedly the song to do it – high energy, camp, and an undeniable crowd-pleasing floorfiller. With the title translating as Queens, we have no doubt that Sonia & Selena could end up queens of Benidorm Fest.
Carla Frigo – Bésame
Carla Frigo delivers electronic club anthem in Bésame, a number that shines on its own right but could explode with energy if Carla can match the track’s powerhouse pop vibe with a high-octane stage performance. With pulsing electronic synths powering throughout the track and Carla’s intoxicating vocal, the Catalan star could be one to watch next month.
Celine Van Heel – La casa
Spanish-Dutch star Celine Van Heel delivers something a little more traditional with La casa, a charismatic jazz-flavoured number with an infectious danceable rhythm from a creative team of Alfred García, Celine herself and Pol Álvarez. Celine shares “it is a song that is about love, about the pain of love and about my liberation as the powerful woman that I am” and this defiant sense of freedom should translate into a fascinating stage performance.
K!ngdom – Me Gustas Tú
One of the few groups to be taking the Benidorm Fest stage is K!ngdom made up of Ane Rada, Iván Ramírez and Jorge Gomis. Delivering an uplifting electropop jam in Me Gustas Tú in which the Madrid-based pop trio sing of telling their crushes ‘We like you, we like you so much’, With a build in the tempo around 2:15m, Me Gustas Tú this is a feel-good anthem that will certainly see K!ngdom gain a hefty amount of new fans.
Melody – Esa Diva
Sevillian star Melody will take to the stage with Esa Diva produced by Joy Deb, Peter Boström and Thomas G:son, a euphoric Spanish schlager anthem with big vocals, high energy, and pure euphoric vibes. The star previously came close to representing Spain in 2009 with Amante de la luna, but unfortunately never made it to the contest in Russia, narrowly missing out. Perhaps Esa Diva will be the track that sees her fulfil her Eurovision her dreams.
Listen to all songs below via the links to the RTVE website.
Carla Frigo – Bésame
Celine Van Heel – La Casa
Chica Sobresalto – Mala Feminista
Daniela Blasco – UH NANA
DAVID AFONSO – AMOR BARATO
DeTeresa – LA PENA
henry semler – NO LO VES
J Kbello – V.I.P.
K!NGDOM – Me Gustas Tú
Kuve – LOCA XTI
Lachispa – Hartita De Llorar
Lucas Bun – Te Escribo En El Cielo
Mawot – Raggio Di Sole
Mel Ömana – I’M A QUEEN
Melody – ESA DIVA
Sonia y Selena – REINAS