After a one year absence, we are happy that Portugal will again #JoinUs all at Eurovision in Copenhagen. Portuguese broadcaster RTP decided to keep Festival da Canção simple this year with one semi-final (that went down tonight) and one final. Not a bad idea for a country still recovering from the chill of recession. Anyway, Rui Andrade, Zana, Catarina Pereira,Raquel Guerra and Suzy advanced to the finals.
As in previous years, RTP is using the traditional ‘Festival da Canção’ show to choose its song and artist. Unlike previous years, there are no regional juries: voting happens by televoting alone. Let’s hope they can bear the heavy responsibility and make the right call in the final.
There was nothing that really stood out tonight. If we had to choose, we’d argue that Zana and Carla Ribeiro had the most impressive performances of the night. We were a little bit surprised that Catarina Pereira made it, as she was a little pitchy. Rui Andrade was expected to qualify, since he is the Portuguese version of Sanna Nielsen (participating in 2011, 2012 and 2014). Some other familiar faces included composer Andréj Babic and Catarina Pereira, who placed second back in 2010. Portugal is very consisent: all the finalists will sing songs in Portuguese, and they all fall into the same genre (and, um, kind of sound the same).
To the final:
1. Rui Andrade (song: Ao teu encontro)
2. Catarina Pereira (song: Mea culpa)
3. Zana (song: Nas asas da sorte)
4. Raquel Guerra (song: Sonhos roubados)
5. Suzy (song: Quero ser tua)
Eliminated:
Madalena Trabuco (song: Coração de filigrana)
Lara Afonso (song: O teu segredo)
Ricardo Alfonso (song: Emoção)
Carla Ribeiro (song: Mais para dar)
Ivo Lucas (song: Eu vou)
Date of the final: 15th of March
Daphne Dee contributed this report from Belgium. Follow her on Twitter @JacinthaD1. You can also keep up-to-date with the latest Eurovision news and gossip by following the team on Twitter @wiwibloggs and by liking our Facebook page
@Laura – mind your own business.
@Mex You need to try harder next time, though, because that comment was a convoluted mess.
Bienvenida querida Portugal, de nuevo a ESC
I found the whole competition dull, unimpressive and it’s awful that none of the 10 songs are able to give anybody Goosebumps or any will to feel excitement. But coming from Portugal I am not surprised with their every now and then lack of musical commitment to do a very good musical show that any Portuguese could proud of. All my friends In Portugal gave me the exact same response and feedback after last night “We are bored and ashamed with these songs”. Catarina’s song is just another copypasted version of her previous 2010 entry (that caused so much noise… Read more »
Catarina Pereira or Suzy to Copenhagen
@Laura
It’s called “sarcasm” and a lot of people with brain use it while lots of no-brainers can’t figure it what “sarcasm” even stands for.
Goodbye.
I love the outdated kitschy factor here …. That is what Eurovision was all about – crazy formal/disco outfits, pop that is 20 years late in the actual music industry and gimmicks ….. Catarina for the win
Rui Andrade to win!!
@Mex “Turkish sauna”, “Oscars Red Carpet”… You may want to fix that brain – it seems a bit damaged. It’s actually ironic you use the word “nonsense” in your insightful comment.
And by the way, Catarina’s dance took inspiration from Greece & Ukraine ones, back in 2008, me seems 🙂
I couldn’t care less, to be honest. These songs, these outdated tunes, this nonsense…ahhh…
But, where the heck they were filming/making this Festival? In the middle of a Turkish sauna? On the contrary, they are all dressed up as ready for the Oscars Red Carpet. Seriously, what’s wrong with you Portugal?
At least, that Suzy’s song made me smile. 🙂
My favourite is “Ao teu encontro”, though I’m almost positive “Mea culpa” will win. Not sure if Portugal will qualify or not.
Because we have only televoting Catarina Pereira will win, and we have two better songs Zana song and Rui song.
For me best choice is Zana , Rui and on third place Catarina.
Rui had better song in 2011, 2012 with song from 2011 he wili win in 2014.