Since December, you’ve been able to hear all 20 songs competing in Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2016. You voted in our poll and read our wiwi jury reviews. But tonight it was time for 20 to become 14.
Last year’s winner Amber Bondin opened the semifinal with a fantastic reprise of “Warrior”. Then it was over to our host, the dashing Ben Cammile. Once all the contestants had performed, local indie-rock band The Crowns and sisters Bettina and Philippa of The New Victorians kept us entertained until the results were revealed. Speaking of which…
A seven-part panel — six international juries plus Maltese televoters — decided what acts made it through to tomorrow night’s final. A total of 19 singers competed with 20 songs, only 14 acts could advance.
MALTA EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2016 FINALISTS
The running order of the grand final has been confirmed by TVM.
- Deborah C – “All Around the World”
- Franklin Calleja – “Little Love”
- Daniel Testa – “Under The Sun”
- Brooke – “Golden”
- Raquel Galdes – “Flashing Lights”
- Christabelle – “Kingdom”
- Corazon – “Falling Glass”
- Dominic – “Fire Burn”
- Jessika – “The Flame”
- Jasmine Abela – “Alive”
- Lawrence Gray – “You’re Beautiful”
- Maxine Pace – “Young Love”
- Ira Losco – “Chameleon (Invincible)”
- Kim – “Lighthouse”
Eliminated acts
- Ira Losco – “That’s Why I Love You”
- Stefan Galea – “Light Up My Life”
- Domenique – “Empty Hearted”
- Sarah Crystal – “Right Here With You”
- Dario – “I Love You”
- Danica Muscat – “Frontline”
It may seem surprising that only one of Ira’s songs made it through. However, after the show she confirmed on Facebook that this was always going to be the case. Apparently the rules only allowed for one to progress. So while “That’s Why I Love You” might have gotten more votes than other qualifiers, it was never going to pass to Saturday’s final so long as “Chameleon” remained ahead.
You can watch all 20 semifinal performances on YouTube.
What do you think of the semifinal results? Did your favorites make it? Before tonight’s show, you crowned Ira Losco’s “Chameleon” your winner, while our in-house panel backed Christabelle’s “Kingdom”. Is the final a two horse race? Let us know below!
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Photo: TVM
D’OH!! I read the wrong column at BetFair.com. Ira is now at 1/10 (!!), while Maxine and Corazon are at 3/1.
@Lopez: But Ira sings AFTER Maxine. And BetFair still has her at 3/5, while Maxine’s odds went from 3/1 last night to nearly 9/1 today.
I’m going to watch the tape-delay. Big blizzard here in NYC, and I have things to take care of while the live broadcast takes place.
@Lopez: You could be right. A feel-good song does have that effect on an audience. Gianluca finished 8th at ESC 2013.
@EugeneESCUK: That doesn’t make it any better for the televoters. Someone (like Jessika in 2014) could win the televote outright, and get killed by the jurors.
How didn’t I see this before?
Maxine’s definitely going to win. She’s literally Gianluca 2.0. The underdog who went up against a favourite and won.
Maxine is good but her song.. hmm im not sure it is the best for eurovision…. it sounds like that kind of song that could perhaps make the top10.. at a low top10..at best…
I still think Ira is the best choice for Stockholm.
Yesterday’s selection was quite good as the 7 strongest performances agreed buy many (Ira, Brooke, Maxine, Corazon, Christabelle, Jasmine and Jessica) went through to the final, BUT: Deborah C – Should not have qualified as her live performance was so bad (only equaled by Sarah Crystal), I truly believe she must have powerful friends in Malta’s PBS (TVM). Laurence Gray – How did this qualify? Particularly don’t like his voice, dated music, and the lyrics are weird. In my opinion it would have been fairer if Danica Muscat (It’s a pity she did not qualify) and Stefan / Domenique qualified… Read more »
My top 3:
1. Ira
2. Corazon
3. Maxine
I’m confident that Ira can give a much more stunning live performance tonight. Otherwise, “Falling Glass” would be great for me.
Some good songs some awful ones. The best acts are Brooke and Jessica Muscat. One of them deserves victory. Ira was too nervous and too bland, not very impressive. Christabelle’s entry did not live up to the hype and it sounds like some recyled song from an older contest. Franklin had good vocals but his song is not that good, and corazon was really hilarious falling down, song itself nothing special. Maxine’s song as we all know is a copy and therefore I wont even comment, and Lawrence had disappointing vocals. I liked Raquel (song not so much) but she… Read more »
Jessika! she was amazing! The best by far.
top 3
Jessika Brooke Franklin
Brooke Borg Golden!! The best performance and song and above all she’s deadly beautiful!!
Brooke – Golden was probably the best performance last night! I hope she will win!!
My prediction :
1. Ira
2. Christabelle
3. Maxine
4. Brookes
5. Corazon
6. Franklin
7. Kim
8. Jessica
9. Daniel
10. Dominic
11. Jasmine
12. Lawrence
13. Raquel
14. Deborah C
Well “Young Love”,”Chameleon” and “Kingdom” are simply the best !!
Here in New York City, I had to shield myself from anything that might reveal the results, so that I could watch all 20 performances at YouTube and grade them. Here is how I saw it: 9.45 Ira Losco (“Chameleon”) This is the kind of song that will instantly grab 100 points in Stockholm, if it wins MESC. With a new stage routine and an ace video, it could very well get at least 200. BetFair bookies placed her return to Eurovision at 3/5 before this contest. 9.425 Franklin His voice is carrying him to places the bookies didn’t think… Read more »
Word on the street is that Ira will win, and her song will be replaced by a more powerful one. The running order also suggests that she is to win
Yeaa Corazon and Falling glass on the final! The best song imo! Excellent voice and performance, although I believe that they need more lights on stage!
I also think Maxine was the winner of the night. I do not feel like Ira has a good song. Nonetheless, she is an amazing singer.
I was pro Ira until I heard Maxine’s song. It’s very modern, upbeat and fun which I feel like Eurovision has been lacking lately. Going to be rooting for Maxine tomorrow, but I wouldn’t be upset if Ira won!
SHOCKED Danica didn’t go through.
Of the remaining, I like:
Maxine, Dominic, and Franklin Calleja
Sounds like this year in National Finals we’ll have lots of copies of Meghan Trainor like Maxine in Malta and Makeda in Norway–I’m sure we’ll also get lots of Sia-type songs and of course too many Mans-type songs
Ira Chameleon Please 🙂
It definitely looks like is between Maxine and Ira, I really hope the first wins (wouldn’t bother with Ira winning but she wasn’t very convincing live)
Wait, why in the world did Ira have 2 songs? That seems completely unfair.
I honestly feel like Dominic has an outside chance to take it! His performance was surprisingly strong and the music is just so awesome! Really rooting for him alongside my top 3
Christabelle’s performance of Kingdom was excellent, probably had the best reception in the audience from what I could see. Didn’t mind Falling Glass from Corazon either
If Ira came back tomorrow dressed like Brooke, everyone would want her to win instead.
Haven’t watched Maxine’s full performance but based on here and Twitter, she apparently is a strong favorite. I’m still rooting for Kingdom, although I did watch that full performance and staging can be a bit better (seemed a bit too dark, lighting-wise lol)
Raquel, Maxine, or Jasmine to Stockholm. Please no Ira.
At this moment only Belgium has an idea for staging. Maybe this is nothing special, but at least this is something.
Brooke or Ira Losco for win definitely!
Next country even not without the project, but without any idea of staging for ESC 2016. So even worse.
Thankfully the good Ira song made it – that’s all I wanted out of the Semi!
Yikes! I wanted Danica Muscat to qualify 🙁
Golden for the win, no doubt! Come on Malta, make me proud tomorrow (which is not going to happen) 🙁
@MarioMario I agree with you Deborah C was the worst vocal act but most probably she passed because she s the only singer from Gozo and all Gozitans voted for her lol.
Unimpressed by Ira Losco, meh.
Best 3 are Corazon, Brooke and Christabelle. Jessika was very good also.
Stefan, Dominique and Sarah should have qualified and Light up my life was my favourite
Maxine was incredible tonight so proud of her at just 16 she slayed the pack!!! She’s the underdog and i think if Malta choose her she’ll do great in Stockholm!! My favourite since the first snippet a few months ago and she didn’t disappoint – Maxine for the win!!!
All and all, I am very happy with Maltese finals. I think most of these acts are better than anything is today’s Belarus’ finals. Jessika – My favorite performance and song! just WOW! Ira – Amazing, I am only surprised how she hasn’t passed twice, her second song was just as good. Brooke – Amazing performance! I thought the song maybe needed a different dress, but who cares, she was great. Dominic – Cheesy song, but catchy as hell and it was a very cheerful act. Corazon – Loved her song and performance Christabelle – She indeed put herself 100%… Read more »
Christabelle bought her a game Kingdom to Stockholm please!
Impressed by Ira Losco, Brooke and Christabelle…any of those three should go to Stockholm. Still impressed with “Chameleon”.
What a joke. Deborah C was by far the worst performer there and still made it through. Lawrence Gray was awful as well and Kim was very boring. I’ll never get Malta in Eurovision. Brooke should win.
Check my Eurovision fan page. http://eurovisionla.weebly.com/
Ira was dissapointing. Christabelle however brought it. I hope she goes to Stockholm
Brooke was amazing! Malta should choose Golden! 🙂
Brooke and Golden is my favourite, I adore it. But Chameleon is also a vey good song and I won’t mind seeing it go…or when it goes Stockholm if we are honest.
deborahC yes girl !
In my opinion Ira was underwhelming, my new favourite is Maxine, that girl is only 16 but for me was the highlight of tonight. I can see her doing really well at Eurovision: song, voice, looks… she has the total package
Brooke with Golden or Corazon with Falling Glass!
In my opinion Ira was underwhelming, my new favourite is Maxine, that girl is only 16 and for me was the highlight of tonight. I can see her doing really well at Eurovision: song, voice, looks… she has the total package
Golden has for sure the best performance.
It was just amazing!
Malta please choose this for EUROVISION!