Last year Madame Monsieur barely missed the top ten in the grand final. And now France is looking for their next star. There are 9 acts in the first semi-final of Destination Eurovision fighting for the ticket to Tel Aviv. All of them think their song has that je ne sais quoi. But do you?
In semi-final one we’ve got a strong field of contestants battling for the four spots in the grand final. Can fan favourite Bilal Hassani take the lead headed into the final? Or will it be Florina with her incredibly well-produced track? And we know you won’t want to miss the gentle strumming of Lautner, who have a strong bid as well. We could go on. But instead why don’t you just check out all the snippets for yourself?
Destination Eurovision 2019: Semi-Final 1
Happy new year everyone! Pour bien commencer, voici les 9 artistes de la 1ère demi-finale de #DestinationEurovision le…
Posted by Eurovision France on Thursday, January 3, 2019
A total of nine acts are competing in the first semi-final. While a few songs have already been fully released, we’ve only got snippets for most of the entries online so far.
This semi-final includes Aysat, Battista Acquaviva, Bilal Hassani, Chimène Badi, Florina, Lautner, Mazy, Naestro and Silvàn Areg.
Below you can listen to all of their clips. Then vote in our poll. You can vote for as many songs as you’d like, but you can only vote one time. Be sure to click next to all four of the acts you want to see in the final before pressing submit.
Aysat – “Comme une grande”
Choisirez-vous le titre "Comme une grande" d'Aysat pour nous représenter à l'#Eurovision ? #DestinationEurovision
Posted by Eurovision France on Thursday, December 20, 2018
Battista Acquaviva – “Passio”
Choisirez-vous le titre "Passio" de Battista Acquaviva pour nous représenter à l'#Eurovision ? #DestinationEurovision
Posted by Eurovision France on Thursday, December 20, 2018
Bilal Hassani – “Roi”
Choisirez-vous le titre "Roi" de Bilal Hassani pour nous représenter à l'#Eurovision ? #DestinationEurovision
Posted by Eurovision France on Thursday, December 20, 2018
Chimène Badi – “Là-haut”
Choisirez-vous le titre "Là-haut" de Chimène Badi pour nous représenter à l'#Eurovision ? #DestinationEurovision
Posted by Eurovision France on Thursday, December 20, 2018
Florina – “In the Shadow”
Choisirez-vous le titre "In the Shadow" de Florina pour nous représenter à l'#Eurovision ? #DestinationEurovision
Posted by Eurovision France on Thursday, December 20, 2018
Lautner – “J’ai pas le temps”
Choisirez-vous le titre "J'ai pas le temps" de Lautner pour nous représenter à l'#Eurovision ? #DestinationEurovision
Posted by Eurovision France on Thursday, December 20, 2018
Mazy – “Oulala”
Choisirez-vous le titre "Oulala" de MAZY pour nous représenter à l'#Eurovision ? #DestinationEurovision
Posted by Eurovision France on Thursday, December 20, 2018
Naestro – “Le brasier”
Choisirez-vous le titre "Le brasier" de Naestro pour nous représenter à l'#Eurovision ? #DestinationEurovision
Posted by Eurovision France on Thursday, December 20, 2018
Silvàn Areg – “Le petit Nicholas”
Le petit Nicolas – Silvàn Areg
Choisirez-vous le titre "Le petit Nicolas" de Silvàn Areg pour nous représenter à l'#Eurovision ? #DestinationEurovision
Posted by Eurovision France on Thursday, December 20, 2018
Who should qualify from the first semi-final of Destination Eurovision?
[polldaddy poll=10204955]You can follow the official Eurovision France 2 Facebook page for the latest updates.
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I have to agree with you, I am not buying the hype over Bilal or his song whatsoever. There’s just something with Florina’s song that I gravitated to straight away, kind of like how it was for me last year with Madame Monsieur and “Mercy”
Haha, I see the Bilal fans made their way to this poll finally. Florina and him were more or less tied for a good three days at least and all of a sudden he’s outpaced her by over a thousand votes.
Some people returned from their holidays. 🙂
Bilal and Lautner ?
Look at that !!! Battista Aquaviva in The Voce France, you will understand why she must win Esc 2019 !!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ay4zHP-G6E
Bilal Hassani is the best i think
This is a very strong semi. My three definite qualifiers are Florina, Silvan and Battista. Florina’s song is a good example of striking mainstream music. I like the contrast between the French verses and the English chorus. It’s a song which could appeal to many and feels a bit safe, but it has some dark undertones which makes it more special. Silvan’s song has a singalong quality which makes it catchy and fast-paced. It has a bit of a circus vibe in it. It’s a quite narrative song and it would be nice to hear it all to know all… Read more »
Very much alone on this I’m sure, but Silvàn Areg is the stand-out for me here. The song feels authentic, it’s very catchy, and different from the rest of the bunch. Plus, I’m sure he’ll pull an Igit and surprise everyone with the live performance. Personally, I just find it brilliant. Chimene’s song is also very good. It has a strong hook, is well-constructed, and she has the talent and the voice to really bring it to life on stage. Florina’s entry is a bit two-sided, because it’s technically great in every way – it has a really good build,… Read more »
CHIMÈNE BADI – “LÀ-HAUT”
Please vote!!! Great great song. Love her.
Great news for us Canadians: according to TV5’s website it will be airing the French selection again this year. All 3 shows will air on the same day as in France, but on a time delay of 19:00 Eastern time. TV5Monde will also air the shows on delay worldwide starting at 23:15 CET
Omg thats awesome news!! Thanks for sharing!!
Hopefully the EBU will let the CBC participate next year. Danielle Wade could go all the way is she enters under the maple leaf.
Except for TV5Monde Asie. There’s no mention of Destination Eurovision in their schedule for next week. 🙁
I can’t believe the team behind “Roi” is almost the same one behind “Mercy” last year.
Florina would be the safest choice for France at Eurovision. With a good staging, its a Top 15 guaranteed because even if its generic, the song remain effective and really modern
Jury loves this kind of song.
The top 2 on the poll are pop songs we’ve heard so many times. Last year was better, imo.
Tellement meilleure que l’on a terminé 13 ème…. nous avons un nouveau chef de délégation qui a prouvé de quoi il était capable durant l’ESC Junior 2018 + des chansons qui ne vous en deplaise pourront bien se classer à Tel Aviv.
Florina and Mazy. Bilal’s song is ok too, but he is trying hard to be Conchita.
For me it’s Aysat, Battista, Bilal and Lautner. I can’t see the hype for Florina. I think she will end up somehow like June The Girl last year.
My favourite here is Florina. I’m so in love with this song.
My other 3 qualifiers would be Chimene, Aysat and Naestro.
Aysat FTW
I really want to like Bilal’s song, but I can’t. It’s the same old cliché “I’m so different and yet I’m so strong!” story. It’s trying so hard to be inspirational, but it has been done so many times before. I think a decade ago this would’ve been mindblowing, but now it’s just tiresome, in a generation full of people who paradoxically ALL are “completely different”.
Homophobia, discrimination, cyber-bullying. We still need this message in 2019 to take the haters to the ground…
I understand 🙂 Let me add, the reason why I like Bilal is not that I am a “fan”, cause I haven’t even known him before 😀 I really love the SONG! The melody, the “glamour” in it. But no arrogant vibes, just beautiful vibes 😀
Honestly, people, just imagine a staging of “Roi”: Bright light, white smoke, Bilal on a platform. Singing, walking down the stairs, glamour, charisma, attitude, golden rain. You get it? 😀
That’s exactly what i don’t wanna see. Not even catchy, original and WOW. Let’s choose real music, not cliche with cheap glamour blinking stuff and wig. I support Chimène Badi and Lautner here, but the real masterpiece comes by Seemone.
Awwww, I am so sorry, y’all don’t see it 🙁
Glamour has not to be cheap, I mean self-confidence and role-model-character and charisma HUNTY 😀
You understand? No? Okay 😀
I wasn’t huge fan of their last year’s selection, but this year, they’re killing it!
In the shadow is my favourite at the moment. I love that darkness. I am getting some “Fly” vibes from last year’s Czech selection but this is so much better.
Roi is another stand out for me. I can feel the emotion. That french/english switch works well and I am looking forward for that staging (Let’s hope that they don’t mess up this great song).
My last 2 qualifiers are Comme une Grande and La-Haut, both great song with some potential
Whig? Snatched!
Destination? Eurovision!
Bilal? King!
Hotel? Trivago!
As for now, I can’t decide who my favorites are as this semi has so many good songs if we compare with the other one… I’m definitely rooting for Battista, her song is unique and I hope she will deliver it and blow us away. People say that the last time we sent a song in Corsican it failed, but this time I don’t think it’s an operatic song, but more a crossover with traditional Corsican music too (and Amaury Vassili’s staging was not good too) I think that Bilal is the only lock in this semi, he has a… Read more »
I think bilal hassani is the only one who could reach a top-15 place. But, frenglish is dreadful.
The song must be present in french or english.
My qualifiers are: Bilal Hassani, Chimène Badi and Florina. I root for Florina and Chimène the most! Come on France, you have a lot of great songs this year. Let’s go for an amazing endresult this year!
I like all of these songs except for “Passio”. Yes I know it’s in Corsican and that the singer is awesome, but I just don’t like that melody, sorry. 🙁 There is good and bad about all of these: – In The Shard-oh, oops I mean In The Shadow, has a great extended Chorus, but is a bit laid back overall. It’s good, but I don’t think it’s a winner. – “Oulala” has a defining hook, but will lose the listeners’ attention after 2 minutes. – “J’ai pas le temps” is a rhytmically awkward song to sing, so Lautner have… Read more »
my qualifiers are:
Florina, Battista Acquaviva, Lautner and Chimene Badi.
Lautner is easily my favourite in this selection. I think they should make it through along with Florina, Naestro and Bilal or Chimene. I know it’s early but there seems to be a lot of up-tempo female led pop songs this year so I think Lautner could really stand out for their simplicity at Eurovision if they were to go.
Is it just me or is SF1 much stronger than SF2?
The only singers that have songs which appeal to me in SF2 are Gabriella, Tracy de Sa, and maybe Philipelise
My semi 2 winner is Seemone, but I agree that (seemingly) semi 1 is stronger. It will depend on live performances also. Maybe some You Tube favorites crash in live and some others shine more. I wouldn’t be surprised if the outcome is radically different from Wiwi poll or YT lists.
Yeah that’s very true. Live performances can change everything.
Despite loving the recorded versions of the songs, June the Girl, Louka and Nassi’s songs didn’t translate as well for live performances.
Personally I’d like to see Battista, Florina and Mazy go through (as long as they sing well live/their songs are suited for live performances)!
Otherwise I’d probably be happy with Aysat going through as well, I just have trouble seeing that song work well in a live performance but fingers crossed for her!
Well, in the beginning I didn’t get the hype around “Roi”, it was for me totally overrated… But it has grown on me so much that now I really like it 🙂 and the full version of the song came out like couple hours ago and it has stucked in my head. But overall there is so much good songs that it’ s hard to pick my favourites…
Exactly same about Roi :3
I voted for Florina and Chimene as well, I don’t quite remember the other entries, I should listen to them all again…
FRANCESCO GABBANI IS THAT YOU
If so you are totally not in it to win it
I personally voted for Mazy, Battista, Bilal, Florina. I think Mazy will be a qualifier if she slays live and also I’m one of those who like the song to begin with(I feel that she will be the underdog, who’ll go through). Battista’s song is something so different that I think she’ll be rewarded for and she clearly seems to know what she is doing. Bilal and Florina – OK, yes, they are fan favourites at the end of the day and I think it is deserving. I am slightly worried about their live performances, but I think Florina is… Read more »
Agreed with you. Mazy, Florina and Battista are three of my favourite songs in this SF. I’m not over the top about Bilal’s song but I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets through. What is the controversy around him though? I didn’t know about that.
Aysat and Chimene are alright, I would have put one of those two in my fourth spot.
OK, not controversy (can’t use my words properly) but I meant the mixed feelings about his look
ahh ok I understand 🙂
Happy to see Aysat getting love <3
Aysat & Chimène are by far the best songs in my opinion but i’m not sure any of these songs could win Eurovision (especially Bilal)…
Chimène Badi is the candidate who corresponds most to the public of France 2 (the one who is supposed to vote …). Lautner, they correspond to what works very well in France music currently (Fredo Delevega, Boulevard des airs, Trois cafés gourmand etc) Teens will be more likely to vote for Bilal or Florina, maybe even Naestro. but it’s not sure they watch “Destination Eurovision” (we remember the fall of Lisandro last year in the final). As for the song of Battista, yes it is beautiful (I love this side world music hovering), but I don’t forget that the last… Read more »
All the songs are interesting.. Bilal will probably win the whole thing and bring Madame Monsieur back to Eurovision…
I only hope Bilal won’t win it all and go to Tel Aviv.
Wow so much hate, I thought Eurovision Fans were openminded…… very disappointing!
Bilal’s song is bland and boring, him being gay or anything is no excuse for that.
Roi is boring.
France send Battista to Tel Aviv challenge
It would be interesting to see her in Tel Aviv.
Aysat, Silvàn, Battista and maybe Naestro!
The other songs in this semi are boring or annoying, but at least the Lautner boys are hot 🙂
So glad Aysat is getting love! Hope to see her qualify
She’s great! “Comme une grande” sounds terrific!
Hope Battista Acquaviva, Lautner and Aysat will qualify
My qualifier are :
1. Chimene
2. Bilal Hassani
3. Mazy
4. Aysat
The only songs that I like are from…
Bilal Hassani
Aysat
Battista Acquaviva
the 4th remaining spot I could care less
I support my girlll aysat
Roi is such a bland vanilla choice for France
The English parts are awkward and in the most random times
Not to mention that the English lyrics are utter trash.
France will be in the bottom half of my top this year.
Something like battista acquaviva excites me!
And everyone sleeps on it!
I agree with you and I also think Roi would not resonate with european televoters at home should it gets sent to tel aviv. There is something fake and wannabe about that song for me. But it clearly leads the youtube views so maybe Iäm mistaken and people actually really like it….
Am I the only one who doesn’t like “Roi”? The first verse is good but the chorus is bland if you ask me. I dislike his voice too.
Worst entry of the selection for me..
It’s VERY bad! And the fact that it’s a drag singer deffo DOES NOT make it better! Awful lyrics too!
Count me in.
The only one that I care is Battista, even though we’ve heard that chorus before, or kind of. Imo, she’s also the only one who can achieve a decent result in Israel. The others are just so bland…
My qualifiers: Silvàn Areg , Chimène Badi, Aysat, Lautner.
The rest is also ok (though I admit the chorus of In the Shadow kinda gets on my nerves) , but I prefer those 4 songs over them.
My top:
1, Naestro – Le Brasier
2, Battista Acquaviva – Passió
3, Lautner – J’ai pas le temps
4, Chiméne Badi – La-haut
5, Florina – In The Shadow
6, Aysat – Comme Une Grande
7, Bilal Hassani – Roi
8, Silvàn Areg – Le Petit Nicholas
9, Mazy – Oulala
Voted for my top 4.
I personally don’t get the hype about Florina and Bilal.
We have to hear the live performances to make a definitive decision but for me, using only these clips my 4 qualifiers would be Bilal, Chimene, Florina and Mazy……chances are im wrong but its all about opinions yes?
high five! they’re my qualifiers too 🙂
Wow, I really started to appreciate Battista’s song more and more. Corsican seems to be a really beautiful language, and since it’s kind of similar to Italian, I could understand some of the lyrics.
Florina’s song is good as well, till the chorus comes. The chorus is really basic and destroys the whole ambience of the first part and the song overall.
Btw, just imagined Battista singing on the stage in Tel Aviv.. With a strong performance, she could even win the whole contest.
The song screams ORIGINALITY!!