Highlights from the Maltese National Final 2014

 

 

 

The show was presented by two former Maltese entrants, Ira Losco who finished in second place for the country in the 2002 edition, and last year's participant Gianluca. They were joined by the experienced presenter Moira Delia.

 

Firelight to represent Malta

Photo (c) TVM

Ta'Qali, Malta - Firelight has been selected as the Maltese entrant in this year's Eurovision Song Contest, and will carry the hopes of the small island nation with the song Coming Home. They saw off the challenge of 13 other songs in tonight's livel final broadcast from the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre in Ta'Qali.

The show was presented by two former Maltese entrants, Ira Losco who finished in second place for the country in the 2002 edition, and last year's participant Gianluca. They were joined by the experienced presenter Moira Delia.

Tonight's Participants

1. Love Tricity sung by Christabelle Borg. Composed by Magnus Kaxe and Gerard James Borg.
2. Some Kind Of Wonderful sung by Wayne William. Composed by Wayne William Micallef.
3. Brand New Day sung by Davinia Pace. Composed by Elton Zarb and Muxu (Matthew Mercieca).
4. City Lady sung by Ryan Paul Abela. Composed by Paul Abela, Ryan Paul Abela and Joe Julian Farrugia.
5. Love Will Take Me Home sung by Franklin Calleja. Composed by Glen Vella, Beatrice Eriksson, Marcus Frenell and Michael James Down.
6. One Last Ride sung by Daniel Testa. Composed by Stephen Rudden and Lawrence Peter Bridge. (Third Place)
7. Let The Sunshine In sung by Sophie Debattista. Composed by Sophie Debattista, Lou Mullen, Adam Pakard and Alexander Dew.
8. Oblivion sung by Chris Grech. Composed by Philip Vella, Chris Grech and Gerard James Borg.
9. Until We Meet Again sung by Deborah C. Composed by Elton Zarb and Muxu (Matthew Mercieca).
10. Hypnotica sung by Jessika. Composed by Philip Vella and Gerard James Borg.
11. Take Me sung by Pamela. Composed by Boris Cezek.
12. Coming Home sung by Firelight. Composed by Richard Micallef.
13. Because I Have You sung by Amber. Composed by Paul Giordimaina and Fleur Balzan.
14. Pin The Middle sung by DeBee. Composed by Peter Paul Galea and Debbie Stivala.(Second Place)

Special guests in tonight's final were the current Eurovision Song Contest title holder, Emmelie de Forest who performed her new song Rainmaker and the Swiss entrant for this year, Sebalter with his song Hunter Of Stars. Plus the Maltese winner of the Junior Eurovision song Contest 2013, Gaia Gauchi performed in front of her own audience. Local guests performing included Winter moods and comic duo Gorg u Pawlu.
The running order of the final was mainly producer led, however two positions were drawn at the press conference following the semi-final. The opening song and the final song in the line-up

The Judging

The winning song was determined by the votes of six judges and televoting made the votes of a seventh judge. The judges in the final were different judges to those that judged the semi-final. The televoters favoured the song Hypnotica.

About Firelight

Firelight is a Maltese country/ folk/ pop band. The band consists of Michelle Mifsud (vocals, piano, percussion), Richard Edward Micallef (vocals, acoustic guitar, Appalachian mountain dulcimer, percussion), Tony Polidano (vocals, upright bass, electric bass, acoustic bass, percussion ), Matthew Ellul (acoustic guitar, electric guitar) and Leslie Decesare (drums, percussion, harmonica).
Firelight were formed in June 2013 and are still in the process of recording their first album which is set to be released in February 2014. All the songs of the album are a collective effort of the band inspirations and ideas which represent the band itself.
The style of music is somewhat new and the aim of the band is to produce a fresh sound to the music scene both locally and internationally. The start of Firelight’s journey will began at the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2014 with the song entitled Coming Home but surely does not end there. After the festival in February there are plans which will be set in motion that include promoting the new album via online marketing, getting the songs played on local and foreign radio and tv stations, releasing the music video’s and touring in Malta and Europe.
The sky is the limit and the hope is to have the bands’ music recognized and enjoyed throughout the world. So far, the feedback for the release of Coming Home has been great so with nothing but determination and drive Firelight look forward to the future and thank everyone upfront for any support they receive along the way.
Malta has been drawn to perform in the first half of the Second Semi-Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 to be held on the 8th of May in Copenhagen.
 

What do you think of the Maltese choice? Tell us below!

Malta reveals first phase participants

Malta reveals first phase participants

Gianluca who represented Malta in 2013

Valletta, Malta - TVM in Malta have announced details of the 70 entries which have reached the first phase of the contest to represent Malta in next year's Eurovision Song Contest. A record number of 210 songs were submitted in total, and these have now been reduced down to 70 for the first phase. Only 20 of them though will make it through to the televised semi-final stage.

Multi-national submissions

Entries were received from not only Maltese composers, but also from composers from Sweden, Norway, Spain, Israel, Greece, Germany, Slovenia, Austria, Ireland, USA, United Kingdom, Moldova, The Netherlands, Belgium and Portugal.
Amongst the artists there are several familiar names including Miriam Christine who represented the country in 1996 and Fabrizio Faniello who was the Maltese entrant in 2001, whilst Daniel Testa represented the country in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2008. There are also a number of artists who have competed in the Maltese finals before, as well as a number of newcomers to the contest.
There are familiar names also amongst the composers, Glen Vella, Gerard James Borg, Philip Vella, Stephen Rudden, Jonas Gladnikoff and Marc Paelinck.
You can find a full list of the songs, artists and composers on the website of TVM.
On Friday the 29th of November, the details will be announced on the television show Xarabank as to which 20 songs have qualified for the semi-final.

The Judging

Those 20 songs will be judged in a live television show on Friday 7th of February 2014, by six judges, and televoting will make up the votes of a seventh judge. 14 songs will then progress forward to the final. Artists however will only be allowed to perform one song in the final.
In the live final on Saturday 8th of February, the winning song will also be determined by the votes of six judges and televoting will make the votes of a seventh judge, In the event of a tie, the votes of the judges (therefore excluding televoting) will be used to ascertain the order of tied songs.
The winning song will go forward to represent Malta in the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen.

History

Malta have yet to win Europe's Favourite TV show since their debut in 1971, though they have come close on several occasions, finishing as runners up in 2002 and 2005, and in third place in 1992 and 1998. Last year Gianluca finished in eighth place in the Grand Final with the song Tomorrow for the island nation.

Have you any early favourites from the artists announced?

Malta announce details of 2014 selection

Gianluca Malta's representative in 2013.

 

Valletta, Malta - PBS the Maltese broadcaster responsible for the nation's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, have published the regulations for the selection of their entry for 2014. 20 songs will be initially performed in a qualifying round on a live television show early next year, with 14 of them going through to the national final.

Authors and composers, who can be of any nationality, have until the end of October to submit their entries to PBS in Malta. The artist(s) however have to be of Maltese nationality or hold dual citizenship. One exception is Gianluca Bezzina (pictured), who as winner of the 2013 contest in Malta is not permitted to defend his title.
At the end of November, the 20 songs that have been selected will be announced. Any artist can perform up to two songs in this qualifying round of the competition.

The Judging

The songs will be judged in a live television show, in January or February 2014, by six judges, and televoting will make up the votes of a seventh judge. 14 songs will then progress forward to the final. Artists however will only be allowed to perform one song in the final.
In the live final, the winning song will also be determined by the votes of six judges and televoting will make the votes of a seventh judge, In the event of a tie, the votes of the judges (therefore excluding televoting) will be used to ascertain the order of tied songs.
The winning song will go forward to represent Malta in the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen.

History

Malta have yet to win Europe's Favourite TV show since their debut in 1971, though they have come close on several occasions, finishing as runners up in 2002 and 2005, and in third place in 1992 and 1998. Last year Gianluca finished in eighth place in the Grand Final with the song Tomorrow for the island nation.

What has been your favourite entry from Malta?