The annual showcase of Italian music returns today for its 69th edition. Popular singer Claudio Baglioni resumes his role as artistic director and presenter, and comedians Claudio Bisio and Virginia Raffaele will be his co-hosts. As in previous editions, the festival will run for five consecutive nights but its format will be different this year.

Whereas traditionally the competition was divided into two categories, one for established singers and the other for newcomers, this year there will only be one category featuring all the 24 competing acts. These include the winners of Sanremo Giovani: Einar, one of the finalists of last year’s talent show Amici, and Mahmood. This competition was held in December to replace the nuove proposte category.