There’s no rest in the quest to find Portugal’s act for Eurovision 2022. Just two days after the first, semi-final two of Festival da Canção 2022 took place on Monday 7 March.

This semi-final saw another ten acts battle it out for only five tickets to the grand final. The result was determined by a 50/50 split between the votes of a jury and the public watching at home.

Tânia Ribas de Oliveira and José Carlos Malato will be hosting proceedings.

Festival da Canção 2022 semi-final two qualifiers

Milhanas – “Corpo de Mulher”

SYRO – “Ainda Nos Temos”

Inês Homem de Melo – “Fome de Viagem”

Pongo & Tristany – “Dégrá.Dê”

Pepperoni Passion – “Código 30”

Festival da Canção 2022 semi-final two non-qualifiers

  • Os Azeitonas – “Solta a Voz e Canta”
  • Cubita – “Uma Mensagem Tua”
  • O Vampiro Submarino – “Ao Lado de Mim”
  • Jonas – “Pontas Soltas”
  • Blacci – “Mar no Fim”

Festival da Canção 2022 – Rules

The 50/50 voting system is back, but with different forms for the semi-finals and the grand final. A single jury and the public televote will decide which songs will advance to the final. In case of a tie, the professional jury will decide which ones advance.

In the grand final, the decision will be split by televote and seven regional juries. This time around, if we have a tie, the televote will prevail.

The grand final of Festival da Canção 2022 is set for March 12. It will be hosted by Eurovision 2018 host Filomena Cautela as well as Vasco Palmeirim. Inês Lopes Gonçalves will be the green room host.

The ultimate winner will represent Portugal at Eurovision 2022 in Turin, Italy. Portugal are scheduled to perform in the second half of the first semi-final on 10 May.

What do you think of Festival da Canção 2022 semi-final two? Are you happy with the qualifiers? Let us know in the comments below.

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Angelique
Angelique
2 years ago

For me the winner of festival de canção is Aurea with “Why?”
Amazing lyrics, her voice is superb, minimal stage…The best song.

No screams, no weird dances or other fool things in order to be trendy.
Just a simple but meaningful song.

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
2 years ago

Go go go Pongo and Tristany!!! I was not sure if they were my favs, but last night dissipated all my doubts! What a performance! Tristany has to round some edges for the vocals, but the act is good to go! I know that the fate of this act is non-qualification… Too much artistry and exoticism for the mainstream audience and jury. But at this point I don’t care! It’s a blunt statement and I am all for it! As for the rest, no real surprises except for one shocker: Inês Homem de Melo passing. I think this a real… Read more »

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
2 years ago
Reply to  L’oiseau

Oh yes I forgot. Syro has to step up his game vocally. He was too nervous and ruined what could be a great entry

Marina
2 years ago

I generally appreciate FdC but since 2017, when Salvador won, this has been the weakest year. So quite disappointed. The only entry I enjoy but needs a big revamp is De. Gradê which is also an important song (lyrically) it talks about the desire of overcoming the gradation of black skin colour (Tristany is from Cape Verde more “mulatto” and Pongo from black Africa). Very cool. Kudos to them but the guy needs to relax and sing the keys right.

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
2 years ago
Reply to  Marina

The desire of overcoming the gradation of black skin colour?? What the hell is this?.

Marina
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

There is racism within black skin colour

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
2 years ago
Reply to  Marina

Wow how deep is the world today.

Tomi
Tomi
2 years ago
Reply to  Marina

Pongo is Angolan & Tristany’s father is Angolan as well.

Tomi
Tomi
2 years ago
Reply to  Marina

Degra.DE’s message is very simple: being black is just as cool as being white.

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
2 years ago

I am sorry but people are crazy, specially singers and specially singers who might go to Eurovision… They give new meanings to the word ‘weird’. Most of the songs in this cançao thingy were zzzz but the stagings o my god!.
Corpo de Mulher was nice, specially last 2 minutes but why she wearing that curtain?? The lugagge Mary Poppins act was unbelievable in a bad way, Degradé crazy ‘we are drunk, she is angry’ act was an ode to drugs…

just an esc fan
just an esc fan
2 years ago

All very expected. I’m not surprised at all that Jonas and Blacci NQed and Ines and PP made it to the final judging by their performances.

Based on the lives, I’d say that the favorites for Saturday are FF, Aurea, Maro and Pongo & Tristany, with FF possibly winning juries. I think Aurea will get the 12 points as she’s established in Portugal so it all depends on her jury placement. I just hope there won’t be another Black Mamba moment where a complete outsider ends up winning the whole thing (i.g Os Quatro E Meia)

Fabio
Fabio
2 years ago

Black Mamb were never outsiders, they’re well known in Portugal.

CatcoolH
CatcoolH
2 years ago

Nooooooooo Blacci 🙁

AlexisMateoFan45
AlexisMateoFan45
2 years ago

My only wish for FdC is for them to eventually allow an entry sang in Brazilian Portuguese to make it to the finals… like just for once, I’m not even asking for it to win or even do well, come onnn lol

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
2 years ago

I would like that as well, but let’s face it, the three acts sang in Brazilian Portuguese since 2017 were not very competitive…

AlexisMateoFan45
AlexisMateoFan45
2 years ago
Reply to  L’oiseau

This is no shade to Portugal but they’re notorious for filling up their national final with non competitive acts tho lol. Guess I’ll have to wait until they finally convince Blaya to apply to FdC sigh

Tedd
Tedd
2 years ago

They all bore me to death. I gave it multiple listens but it’s so boring. The only that makes me flinch would be Pongo & Tristany – “Dégrá.Dê”. But even so…

Tomi
Tomi
2 years ago
Reply to  Tedd

I agree with you. This year’s FdC is like 3 or 4 levels below last year’s FdC. At the very least. Moreover, was this RTP’s big birthday party? Oh my… I have attended merrier funerals before. The only good song out of this selection is Dégrá.Dê, but the vocals tonight were very bad (for a second, I feared they wouldn’t qualify) & the dancing was very amateurish.

Nicolas
Nicolas
2 years ago
Reply to  Tedd

Bring back Fado Bicha.

Jake
Jake
2 years ago

I think the biggest lessons for RTP should be: 1) faster/joyful entries are clearly being rewarded by the Portuguese public when the contest always has so many slow and serious songs and 2) 3 of the 4 songs from the open submission went through over “established artists” which means—the balance between the 2 might need to alter in the future especially when established artists like Os Quatro e Meia are entering “open submissions”.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
2 years ago

When I saw the title I thought Pongo and Tristany didn’t qualify, thank God.

Stian F
Stian F
2 years ago

What in the name of dieties!!! No Jonas, and that after no Fado Bicha?!?! 2 of the best chances for Portugal to do well inEurovision with something authentic… Horrible results this year in the Portuguese semis.

georgeesc
georgeesc
2 years ago

The performance of Chanel has been the best of the night.

Nini Kiwini
Nini Kiwini
2 years ago

Sad for Jonas. He should have gone through instead of the Pepperoni nightmare, but hey only one can win in the end anyway.

I would be happy with either Syro or Pongo/Tristany; although the latter would definitely stand out more.

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago

I hope Milhanas wears something different on Saturday. I kept thinking of Carola at Melodifestivalen 2006, which didn’t really fit with the mood. I imagine that was just me, though.

pastel de nata
pastel de nata
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

She’d rally stand out dressed like “The virgin” Mary. Just because it is for most of the wetern world, the symbol of a respected woman. (even though we know that’s bs)

Vamoss
Vamoss
2 years ago

can we talk about how improved was Chanel’s performance? they can literally do miracles in may, top 3 material at least

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
2 years ago
Reply to  Vamoss

I’m fed up of such entries, and this song itself is extremely basic.

Jo.
Jo.
2 years ago
Reply to  Vamoss

i keep hearing and singing “wikipedia wants so more”

rackham
rackham
2 years ago
Reply to  Vamoss

Right? Her voice was a lot stronger and tbh I didn’t think her dancing could get better, but then she went ahead and made that happen anyway.

And I really always have such a whiplash with SloMo! Like I’m never interested in going out of my way to listen to it, it’s not my type of song at all… but whenever I watch her perform it I’m suddenly like ‘this is the greatest song of all time’ lmao. I just really love Chanel.

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
2 years ago
Reply to  Vamoss

I must confess: She is my guilty pleasure 🙂

Ria van de Velde
Ria van de Velde
2 years ago

From the new finalists I only like Milhanas – “Corpo de Mulher” and SYRO – “Ainda Nos Temos” I don ‘t like the other 3 songs. I was hoping for Jonas with his song “Pontas Soltas”. I am a little sad he didn’t ,ake to the final.

Roro31
Roro31
2 years ago

I’m very happy for Ines, SYRO and Pongo/Tristany !!! .

Milhanas is good but not my cup of tea.

Pepperoni Passion what ??? No no no sorry… Not good…

For Eurovision, I think that it will be played between Pongo/Tristany (obviously the juries liked the rap for having qualified Pongo and Pepperoni), Aurea, Syro and maybe FF who can create the surprise but otherwise I don’t see the others win.

Bravo Portugal, good selection !!!

Alex
Alex
2 years ago
Reply to  Roro31

Watch out for Os quatro e meia also
And I think Maro is not out yet
Very open

Roro31
Roro31
2 years ago
Reply to  Alex

yes but Maro needs to improve his staging

but they are all good! I also like Os Quatro e Meia too

MariaCD
MariaCD
2 years ago
Reply to  Roro31

Obviously, Pepperoni had more points with the public vote. The lyrics are brilliant!!

Roro31
Roro31
2 years ago
Reply to  MariaCD

those are the only ones i don’t like haha

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

I think there’s 5 songs with real chances to win on Saturday. It’ll be another very open and exciting FdC final

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago

Goodbye, Jonas. Thanks for coming.

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

Pepperoni took part in FdC as a wildcard and they went trhu over entries/songwriters that were invited. Wow

pastel de nata
pastel de nata
2 years ago

Pepperoni pizza, anyone? ?
They were so cute to besurprised and overwhelmed!

Anoni
Anoni
2 years ago

As much as I did enjoy Pepperoni Passion, I don’t think they shoud’ve gone through instead of Jonas…

pastel de nata
pastel de nata
2 years ago
Reply to  Anoni

I agree but at the same time Jonas kind of struggled a bit.

Tomi
Tomi
2 years ago
Reply to  Anoni

Jonas along with Vampiro Submarino was the cringe moment of the evening.

In Jonas’ case: that dance was simply ridiculous, he was too breathy towards the end (it’s not easy to dance & sing in tune, not everyone can do that…). And on top of that: dressed as the Dalton Brothers, Jonas & his buddies simply didn’t look good.

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago

Inês, Milhanas, Pepperoni Passion, Pongo & Tristany and SYRO are the qualifiers.

No idea how PP got in and Jonas is out… I agree on the other 4.

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago

Chanel really fighting for the 24 points from Portugal, performing “SloMo”, being a darling and singing Happy Birthday to You in Portuguese for RTP that’s celebrating 65 years today. Well done!

pastel de nata
pastel de nata
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

With a brazilian accent, I’m not sure if it made her any favours..

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  pastel de nata

Maybe Blacci was the one who taught her. 😀

pastel de nata
pastel de nata
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Blacci spoke in perfect Portuguese PT accent so I’m guessing she learned it on google translator.

Sebastián
Sebastián
2 years ago
Reply to  pastel de nata

And what’s the freaking problem? She spoke portuguese, period

Sebastián
Sebastián
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

I don’t think she will get 12 points from televoting and jury in Eurovision. Portuguese public usually vote so relaxed song (in honor to this ‘portuguese soul’), look at 2018 where Fuego recieved few points and Toy aswell, in contrast with Spain where those songs were on the top; in other hand, portuguese juries in Eurovision are so hipsters and the vote to melancholic and relaxed songs (their favorites since the renewal have been Azerbaijan, Estonia, the Netherlands and Bulgaria). So, Chanel is gonna target to another european public, I mean the continental, the balkan and eastern countries.

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  Sebastián

I don’t think she’ll get those 24 points either, but there’s nothing wrong about campaigning a bit, right? She was charming, tried some words in Portuguese, maybe some audience members will remember this when May comes. And I imagine RTVE may pay the favor inviting the FdC’s winner to one of their shows.

The jury points will be much more complicated to get, it’s true. And it makes sense that they vote for more artsy or calm things, since Portugal usually sends entries on this style.

Tomi
Tomi
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Chanel is really a nice girl. Too bad I can’t stand her song… I still have mixed feelings towards the Spanish entry. I want to like it & enjoy it, but just can’t. 🙁

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  Tomi

I feel the song is pretty average, while the performance is great. So I understand your mixed feelings, I have them too. I hope she does well in Eurovision, for 2 reasons: the first being that she was unnecessarily hated when she was just doing her job and the second is that RTVE put a lot of effort in Benidorm Fest and a good result would strenght it. On the other hand, I don’t think this should be a top 3 entry, because feels more like a (good) product than genuine songwriting.

Azan
Azan
2 years ago

It’s also really cool seeing Spanish and Portuguese speakers understanding each other!

pastel de nata
pastel de nata
2 years ago
Reply to  Azan

She didn’t have to understand anything, he spoke in spanish!

Allaine
Allaine
2 years ago
Reply to  pastel de nata

On the radio this morning they asked her in Portuguese 20min and she was answering in spanish, and trying some portuguese.

Azan
Azan
2 years ago

OMG, Chanel was so good! I’m pretty sure she was using a different version, and she also sang slightly differently, but she nailed it!

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
2 years ago

Honestly, they were ALL good…

Nini Kiwini
Nini Kiwini
2 years ago

My favourite tonight was Jonas. This was really hypnotizing, couldnt keep my eyes of the screen. Maybe this is nothing special for the portuguese, but for a random austrian like me, this was captivating.

Also pongo is amazing, to be honest she could have carried the song by herself, the guy wasnt needed.

MariaCD
MariaCD
2 years ago
Reply to  Nini Kiwini

I am Portuguese and Jona’s song felt a bit a caricature of Portuguese music…

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago

I would say Jonas might be my favourite. The feet stamping actually sounded live, and it had a big impact on me for whatever reason. Us Jonases are very talented.

Alaska
Alaska
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Jonas is a contender to win it all. Fingers crossed!

Colin
Colin
2 years ago
Reply to  Alaska

I’d be happy if that happens.

Roro31
Roro31
2 years ago

OMG SYRO is amazing !!! This voice !!! Lack of staging…

Ines its very Barbara Tinoco and finally I like it’s fresh.

I love also Jonas (the dancers fantastic and I like this song much better live now compared to the studio version)

Blacci I love it !! This voice !!! Touched me !!!

and…

Pongo & Tristany (OMG OMG OMG !!!!!!! My winner for Portugal its a risk but I love risks !!! Incredible !! Its very good and catchy !!! Its different especially for Portugal)

Its my top 5 for final.

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

DegraDe is just an experience

Velvet
Velvet
2 years ago

So Ines, Syro and Pongo & Tristany are the obvious qualifiers
I’m quite sure Os Azeitonas will surprisingly qualify as well
Milhanas, Jonas and Blacci will fight for the last spot

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago

Pongo & Tristany would be a revolutionary pick. Would Portugal dare to make it? She carried him though. Jonas was the best surprise of FdC, his performance was like anything else in the competition or in the Eurovision season. He and the dancers even made the stage look bigger. Milhanas was tonight’s FF: excellent performance, beautiful lyrics, exquisite outfit, too bad the melody of the song is so depressing. But the jury will push her forward. Blacci was cute, but her singing was iffy (a curiosity: she speaks with Portuguese accent, but sing with a Brazilian one, she was born… Read more »

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

The always great Inês Lopes Gonçalves asked Blacci about singing with a Brazilian accent and she said it’s come naturally to her, that she speaks at home with a Brazilian accent, but with her friends in a Portuguese one.

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Would “wistful” be a better word?

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Tristany got more comfortable during the performance, so maybe he was nervous. Pongo on the other hand was a force of nature!

“Corpo de Mulher” improved a lot with the live performance, but I can’t stop comparing its melody to church music. It’s too heavy to my ears, and since the words are so strong, it leaves me a little sad. Though it could be the intention behind it. Milhanas deserves to be in the final, in any case.

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

No, no, same organs here. And the singing is not as good as Milhanas’ also… But I only get there for baptisms and weddings, I’m not the best person to judge the current church music industry!

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

I can’t see the comment, but based on the lyrics, it’s more like a “lament”.

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Fair enough. Please bear in mind that I just learned the word wistful, so Jonas improved my vocabulary tonight. 🙂

Anita
Anita
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

I hope that Tristany will be more concentrated in the final, I think he is able to improve his singing just by concentration. Maybe the dancing gets too much concentration, which is more natural for Pongo. If they win then we need Europe to be more sensible than with Conan.

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  Anita

I also don’t know if has the same level of stage experience as her. I made a quick search and his first album was released in 2020. Who knows how many times he has been on a stage since the pandemic started.

About Jonas: the performance was great, but I guess vocals and song won’t make him a contender. This is a very strong year in FdC.

Last edited 2 years ago by Sabrina
Anita
Anita
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

And I want to like Jona’s performance as much as all of you, but his singing needs also to improve imho, or is it on purpos, it doesn’t sound pitch perfect.

Anoni
Anoni
2 years ago

Jonas and Pongo & Tristany are my winners for the night

Colin
Colin
2 years ago

I still don’t know how to properly describe Degra.De. It’s not the type of music I am accustomed of listening, but it’s very interesting. I have a hunch this might be the wildcard entry if picked. Much like Telemoveis or Amar Pelos Dois, I have no idea how this would place, but it’s perhaps a risk worth taking?

My (very preliminary) top 5 qualifiers of the evening: Jonas, Ines, Pongo & Tristany, Blacci, Syro (So, the Wiwi poll would be right this time, if I was deciding).

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  Colin

I would replace Blacci with Milhanas, but that’s it.

Colin
Colin
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Personally, I find Blacci’s song more captivating. Both are slow, but there is a melodic line which slowly keeps you expecting in Mar do Fim, while CdM feels just a bit… IDK… sleepy? But that’s just me. I’m sure the two can have a vastly different impact on someone. 🙂

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Oh, don’t get me wrong, I also think Blacci’s song is more captivating. Like I just told Tibor, “CdM” leaves me a little sad. But the jury part of my brain would send her to the final and leave a spot between Blacci and Inês. And Inês nailed what she’s doing, what I know you can agree on.

Colin
Colin
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

I understand. There are several entries in this semi that have elements that deserve to go through. In fact, other than PP and OVS, I would theoretically be okay with any qualifiers. But I would be sad if Ines, Jonas, or Pongo & Tristany don’t make it. I hope these 3 are locked. Not sure…

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Maybe the only real lock is SYRO. But I believe these 3 will move on too.

Anita
Anita
2 years ago

And the winner of the night are Pongo & Tristany.
Second place Milhanas, for me.

Colin
Colin
2 years ago

Among three slow female ballads of the evening, I think that Blacci has the most interesting one.There is something captivating and almost eerie here, and the staging was amazing.

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

Jonas amazing. I was hooked all 3 minutes. Wow. The folk. The drama. The music. Loved it

Colin
Colin
2 years ago

Wow, Jonas! Dark, mysterious, vibey. That was certainly more choreo than I had in mind for this song, but it works.

Anoni
Anoni
2 years ago

Oh wow, the only performance that managed to get my attention so far was Jonas’! Very captivating performance and the song sounds very mysterious, I like that. Definitely a grower after live performance

Isabella
Isabella
2 years ago

geez I’m still bitter that Fado Bicha didn’t qualify plus this second semi seems weaker in comparison to the first one. so yeah, not in the mood tonight, nevertheless good show to you lot, meus irmãos

Last edited 2 years ago by Isabella
Colin
Colin
2 years ago

Ao Lado de Mim is this year’s Cubismo Enviesado. Same verse upon same verse upon same beat upon same beat. But it does have a nice groove nonetheless.

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Very Americana.

Colin
Colin
2 years ago

My favorite so far was definitely Ines, but this is my style of music. 😉 My second would definitely be Syro.

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago
Reply to  Colin

You just haven’t met the right musical yet.

fionn
fionn
2 years ago

can’t wait to see ponyo, i rly hope to see her go all the way to esc because that song is so special

fionn
fionn
2 years ago
Reply to  fionn

pongo *

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago

First batch of the songs and SYRO proved to be competitive. Inês was adorable and her entry is very old school (which is good and bad depending on how you see it). Cubita has a good song, but her vocals were disappointing. I believe she was very nervous.

Os Azeitonas was also old school, but too silly for my taste. Fun fact: the singer is 8 months pregnant, so she didn’t even know if she would be able to perform! Another fun fact: according to Pepperoni Passion’s postcard, this was their very first concert.

Colin
Colin
2 years ago

Pepperoni Passion feel like they are having fun on stage. Yet, I feel like they don’t really get that 20-year-olds are young adults who most often provide for their families, and some are even married. So, ”30s are the new 20s” comes across like ”30-year-olds dressing and behaving like kids in their mid-late teens”. Fun, but a bit (cringey?) too. And I’m saying that as a really childish 30-year-old. 🙂

Last edited 2 years ago by Colin
Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago

Fome de Viagem is like something Jacqueline Boyer might have done in 1960, or an off-Broadway musical. SYRO reminds me of Irama. These are all good things.

Owen
Owen
2 years ago

I think that the Portuguese selection is the strongest, this year. 4 or 5 entries could win Festival da Cançao 2022 and make it to the left side of the board in the final.

Last edited 2 years ago by Owen
Colin
Colin
2 years ago

Ines is simply adorable! I am totally sold, and if Portugal picks her, they’d stand out in any selection. Her crew from the official video was with her on stage too, and they all feel in-sync with the song.

Alex
Alex
2 years ago
Reply to  Colin

I really enjoyed it. Everything felt like a musical number in a very good way.

Azan
Azan
2 years ago

So excited to see Chanel’s performance, it’s going to be FABULOUS