Mahmood and Blanco
The singers do not want to see the ESC as a competition
Mahmood (left) and Blanco represent Italy at the ESC.
© EBU / Bogdan Chillday’s Plakov
Mahmood and Blanco start for Italy at the ESC, their song is considered a favorite. In the interview, they reveal how they deal with it.
The Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Turin this year. Italian rock band Måneskin won the 2021 final titled “Zitti e buoni”. In 2022, Italy will be the favorite again: the singers Mahmood (29) and Blanco (19) will start with their ballad “Brividi”. In 2019, Mahmood came second at the ESC with the song “Soldi”, will it be enough for victory this time?
Betting agencies reckon Ukraine has a 42 percent chance of winning, putting the country in first place the fan community “eurovisionworld.de”. But right after that comes Italy with a 15 percent chance of winning. In the song checks of the “eurovision.de” portal fans and experts even voted the title “Brividi” first. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, Mahmood and Blanco reveal what strengths the song has and why they don’t see the ESC as a competition.
Italy has been a pioneer at the ESC in recent years: in 2019 you finished second, in 2021 Måneskin won. How high do you think your chances are of winning again for Italy?
Mahmood: Our only wish is that the song reaches as many people as possible. Our real victory is that we can get our music out of Italy. Besides, we don’t think about winning, we want to enjoy this experience.
“Brividi” is considered one of the favorites. What strengths do you think the song has?
Mahmood: We believe that the song’s strength lies in the total spontaneity with which it was created. It speaks of us, of our feelings, and we hope that many people can identify with our words.
“Brividi” is already an international hit. What does it mean to you that the song is so well received?
Mahmood: We are amazed and of course happy that “Brividi” is also being streamed outside of Italy. For us it is a great satisfaction that our music can reach as many people as possible.
It’s about love. Why is this topic so important to you?
Mahmood: We realized that there is a feeling that connects us and brings us closer, and that we describe in the chorus of “Brividi”: the feeling of uneasiness and fear in love, not being able to express yourself, not being able to express yourself adequately to feel. The desire to engage and take risks, to experience a pure and all-encompassing feeling, to overcome barriers, in total freedom. And this is something that everyone experiences at least once in their lifetime.
You will be on stage with Blanco. What do you value in each other?
Mahmood: We’re friends, we have fun and support each other, and we each learn something from the other.
Blanco: On a human level, we have a strong friendship. I learned a lot from him and I really appreciate his sensitivity and respect for me.
In your opinion, what makes an ESC winning song?
Mahmood: The song that hits the heart of the audience despite language and cultural barriers.
How much are you looking forward to representing Italy in your own country?
Mahmood: We can hardly wait. This year the Eurovision Song Contest is back in Italy after 31 years and it’s really an honor for us to be able to perform one of our songs on stage for this special occasion.
This is your second time on the ESC stage. what is so special about that?
Mahmood: Taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest is always a special experience. This time I will share the stage with Blanco and I will try to experience it as a new first time. It will surely be different.
Do you have a certain ritual before you go on stage?
Blanco: Sometimes I kiss a necklace that my father gave me and that he got from his father.
Mahmood: I always hug my band.
Can you already reveal details about your ESC appearance?
Mahmood: We’re working on something nice for our performance, but we don’t want to reveal anything yet, it will be a surprise.
What other songs do you think could make it to the top? Who is your biggest competitor?
Mahmood: We don’t want to see the Eurovision Song Contest as a competition, for us it’s an important opportunity to compare ourselves with many other creative people.