The end is nigh. We’ve reached the penultimate Saturday of national final season, and it’s a busy one. Tonight fans will have five shows to choose from and we’ll finish the night with four more Eurovision 2021 entries to add to our Rotterdam playlist.
Here are all the details you need for 2021’s eighth Saturday of national selections. We’ll be checking in with Sweden’s andra chansen and finals in Portugal, Estonia, Italy and Denmark. You can follow all the results on wiwibloggs (and via our Twitter: @wiwibloggs and Instagram: wiwibloggs) throughout the evening. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s happening, when it’s on and how to watch.
Saturday 6 March: Eurovision 2021 Selection Shows
Estonia’s Eesti Laul 2021
Grand Final
Time: 18:30 CET to 20:00 CET and 20:30 CET to 21:45 CET
After one week off,Eesti Laul 2021 concludes tonight. The 12 act final is filled with familiar faces, including recent winners Jüri Pootsmann, Uku Suviste and Koit Toome. The final result will be determined across two rounds of voting. The first will see three songs sent to the superfinal through a combination of jury and public vote. The second round of televotes alone will determine the winner
Click to watch the Eesti Laul 2021 final.
For additional viewing instructions, click here.
Denmark’s Dansk Melodi Grand Prix
Grand Final
Time: 20:00 CET to 21:45 CET
While much of the discourse leading up to the Danish final was on the fate of last year’s winners Ben & Tan, this evening all eyes will be on the eight new hopefuls. The slimmed-down final hasn’t managed to generate as much buzz as other years, but there are a few fan favourites in the mix.
Watch Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2021
For additional viewing instructions, click here.
Sweden’s Melodifestivalen 2021
Andra chansen
Time: 20:00 CET to 21:30 CET
Melodifestivalen 2021 is fast approaching the business end of things. But before next week’s final, there’s andra chansen or the second chance round. Here, all the third and fourth place finishers from the semi-finals will battle it out for the last four grand final spots. The eight acts have been split into four duels — Alvaro Estrella and Lillasyster, Frida Green and Paul Rey, Eva Rydberg & Ewa Roos and Clara Klingenström and Klara Hammarström and Efraim Leo. The winners of each duel will join the eight direct qualifiers in next Saturday’s show.
Click to Watch Melodifestivalen 2021 andra chansen
For additional viewing instructions, click here.
Italy’s Sanremo 2021
Fifth evening: The final
Time: 20:45 CET to 01:30 CET (approximate end time)
It’s been rumbling along in blocs of five hours or more since Tuesday. And tonight is the night that Italy’s premier music festival reaches its climax. Heading into the last show, Ermal Meta is the provisional leader. However, past contests have shown that everything can change before the end result is announced. Unlike other shows on the Eurovision calendar, the Sanremo winner won’t necessarily go to Eurovision — they simply have the right to first refusal. However, since 2015, the Sanremo champion has only passed on the opportunity once.
Watch Sanremo 2021 on RAIPlay.
For additional viewing instructions, click here.
Portugal’s Festival da Canção 2021
Grand Final
Time: 22:00 CET to 01:45 CET
After two semi-finals, Portugal’s Festival da Canção 2021 wraps things up with a final hosted by Eurovision 2018 host Filomena Cautela and Vasco Palmeirim. Ten acts will perform — five qualifiers from semi-final one and five from semi-two. As with the earlier rounds, a 50/50 voting system will determine the results. However, rather than a single jury, there will be seven regional panels. Furthermore, in case of a tie, the public will have the final say. The juries had the power during the semis.
Click to Watch Festival da Canção 2021 Grand Final
For additional viewing instructions, click here.
Which show will you watch? Let us know below.
When they are going to release the full results? I am wondering why Irama wasn’t in the top 3…
Irama was probably 3rd or 4th with the televote. Francesca and Fedez won the whole thing and Colapesce and Dimartino also had more votes than him (don’t ask me why), since they were behind. And then there was also Maneskin.
Still a chance for Francesca & Fedez. Wouldn’t be the first time for her. 🙂
I guess I’d pick some other songs ahead, but this is still good. As predicted, the best song today. 🙂
Too bad there’s nothing I was previously passionate about that won this NF season. Dotter is my last chance, but we all know it’s gonna be Tusse… 🙁
Next Saturday will be on the same side, Colin. Which probably means that we’ll lose together, but hey… better than lose alone. 😀
That it is. 🙂
At least I have Voila. 🙂
So for everyone who is interested, if Maneskin decides not going to Eurovision, Rai can choose whoever they want for Eurovision… There is still hope for Irama…
Not that there aren’t plenty of good options (it is Sanremo, after all), but I hope Måneskin say yes. I loved their performance.
Now that’s how you do an encore winner performance.
A very nice end to the evening! It seemed like everyone was getting a prize but I’m pleased Maneskin got the overall win – I think they’ll be great in Eurovision!
OMG Maneskin??? Disappointed about Irama but very very happy about this choice, my spirits are lifted
A happy ending for Ashton after all and more good news for me!
OMG! It’s ROCK for Italy!!!
Fantastico! Can’t wait to listen! It’s Italy, so it’s probably good.
It’s awesome 🙂 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OISmX4vOKA&ab_channel=Rai
That is WONDERFUL! I hope they say yes, because man oh man I would LOVE to see that at Eurovision. They would shoot right up into my top five.
If we get both them and Blind Channel in the final it’ll be the best year for rock at Eurovision since 2007.
Same here, they would be in my top 5 already. But I admit I’m biased, I’m their fan for a while.
We have the first favorite for the Win this year!!! Finally!
Maneskin! YAY!
They win? We getting some rock for Italy?
They won, but let’s wait to say if they want to do Eurovision. I hope the mystery doesn’t take too long. I bet they’ll.
3rd place to Ermal…
So, one guaranteed comeback down, one possible comeback to go
off-top fun fact: just found out Ermal and Eleni were born in the same place in Albania
Yeah, that got brought up a lot back in 2018.
Well, all 3 superfinalists in Sanremo would indeed be the best winners of this night. I am glad I didn’t make my Sanremo ranking yet, cause I’d probably be more disappointed than I am.
Some critical award to Willie Peyote, one from the press room to Colapesce e Dimartino, another for best lyrics to Madame and finally one for best musical composition to Ermal.
Can anyone explain the superfinal to me? I was looking at the scores from the other nights and Ermal basically won each time. Wikipedia makes it look like the other nights scores will be averaged together….so can the other two even win at this point? I feel like I’m missing something.
I think it’s the final televote results
Okay, that would make more sense to me.
The final round starts the whole voting from the scratch. 1/3 of the power to the televote, 1/3 to the press room and 1/3 to the demoscopic jury, which is a group of Italians trying to reflect how the population would be divided (sort like a political poll).
Ah! Okay, that makes even more sense then. Thank you!
Lmao! Same, every year. It’s like endless chaos, where I have no idea what’s happening, but I can’t stop watching.
and so Irama is not chosen. that just caps off a really disappointing night
Poor Ashton. Hugs
Let’s be real, it would be almost impossible for anyone to win Sanremo just with a rehearsal tape to show. 5th place was already very impressive.
I turned up the volume because I couldn’t hear what they were saying, then remembered I don’t speak italian
Rooting for Maneskin
Omg Irama didn’t pass….
Ooo that’s an exciting top 3 from Italy. 🙂
Gaudiano was great, but Aiello’s live vocals are horrible.
In other words, he screams like he wants to punch us with his voice. 😛
I have an umbrella against his charms then!
Sanremo it’s between Ermal, Francesca and Fedez (they made it!) and Maneskin.
Good options all, from what I’ve seen.
Will it be rock? :O
Justice for PTN!
I thought they were rock! Not the same kind, but rock.
Imagine if Ermal and Maneskin come first and second and say no and Francesca once again swoops in
I can see Ermal doing it, but not Maneskin. In any case, nobody says RAI has to go in order of qualification, right? As far as I know, if the winner says no, they can ask anybody else, or has it changed?
Maybe I’m just thinking that because Francesca was, in fact, the runner-up in 2016?
I guess it’s common cortesy. In the current situation for example, I guess they’ll go with the order, since F&F and Maneskin sound like good acts for Eurovision.
If it was arbitrary, they got lucky, since “No Degree of Separation” was, in fact, a very Eurovision-friendly song (should’ve done better if you ask me).
I guess you’re all for Ermal?
I did expect that answer. I agree and would love to see Francesca & Fedez winning. 🙂
I think I just realized: the reason I’m so unconcerned about Italy in spite of having not heard the entries is because…it’s Italy. They can’t pick wrong. If it wins Sanremo, it’s gonna be good. Haven’t disliked a single Italian entry since I started following Eurovision, and I doubt that’s going to change no matter what it is.
Even that 2014 mess?
That’s the worst entry they’ve sent since coming back and I still liked it!
That’s how I am too. I normally don’t follow San Remo that closely because I’ve genuinely liked all the songs they’ve sent in the last decade so I just let them do their thing even if the favorites don’t win.
What time is San Remo going to end? I’m in the central United States so it’s 7 pm here and I was shocked to see San Remo still going. It has to be like 2 am in Italy which is very late to me to still be going on.
Almost 8 over here in Saratoga
Nice and warm there I bet I’m in Wisconsin
Oh no, it’s freezing!
Wait I’m embarrassed I got my towns mixed up smh ?????
Lol, no worries. It will be getting into the high 50s a couple days next week but then it’ll be snowing because it doesn’t get warm in Saratoga until like June.
Gosh, are you still using Farenheit over there? 😛
Yeah yeah yeah, we’re stupid Americans and we’re stuck with farenheit
Geez, it looks like Italy are going for an all-night festival. 😀
Breaking news: the televote is closed in Italy. It’s 1:50am there.
Holy crap.
Once again, really glad I’m watching it after the fact.
That was actually the main reason why Germany skipped their NF after 2019. It makes sense, I think the way how Sweden calculates the votes is more appropriate.
I suppose the younger generation can’t afford to pay for voting. Or, they don’t care enough about Eurovision? Speculation, of course
The solution would be online voting. But that would bring another problem: people all around the world voting with a VPN.
Meanwhile, Italy brings out Fasma. That terrible mic effect and those four chords. 🙁
Also; breathe, don’t hyperventilate! Otherwise well done. 🙂
That autotune-effect is a way too strong. Absolutely distracting, but the orchestra did a great job. 🙂
I miss the live orchestra at Eurovision.
It would be a nice idea to bring it back at an annual event in the future like in 5 years (70th ESC). I mean – why not?
Also remembering Francesco with the Alé-Orchestra. That would have been epic and more impactful if it has made it that way to the contest.
I defy anyone to be able to sing that song with that speed and intensity and not need to take a breathe like he does! It is a down side of the song rather than his performance I think. I’m still loving the rock / rap mix, it is very well done.
Yeah probably. The song got what it deserved though.
Well, I really hope that at least Italy will save today’s evening!
The good news is that they have at least 15 options that would easily be the best songs of the evening. It’s not a high bar, though.
What if they pick Bugo, Ghemon or Gio Evan? 😀
Eh… at least Gio Evan’s lyrics are nice. 🙂
But yeah, nothing would surprise me today. 🙁
“Today’s evening”?
Some of us concentrate on the songs so much that forget it’s after midnight already 🙂
What makes these historic choices more infuriating is that their obvious subsequent non-qualifications will make Portugal and Denmark think that the language is what killed it. Same logic as with France last year. Thus, this might be the last time they do so in a long time.
Obvious is a big word, no? We’ve got a lot of SF2 entries to go.
Let’s put it as – highly likely. 😉
Put it this way: I feel more certain that The Black Mamba has a fighting chance at the final than I did about either Elisa or Conan Osiris. Which isn’t saying much, but still.
Portugal is a surefire qualifier this year
I wouldn’t call them surefire qualifiers or surefire non-qualifiers. They’re a legit 50-50 shot if you ask me (although that’s true of all of them, in a literal sense).
Lithuania, Finland, Serbia (I don’t like it, but people inexplicably seem to go for it), Cyprus (equally televote bait), Czech Republic, Romania, likely some not yet published internal choices by talented artists.
About the only songs I feel 100% certain are going to qualify as of now are Lithuania in SF1 and Finland in SF2. I call the rest in the air until we hear the other entries.
Denmark will make it to the final – you heard it here first!
Wouldn’t mind you being right, but that one I’m definitely not calling in favor of or against until Eurovision itself.
On the other hand, this is a style that we won’t found in any other entry in Eurovision. Both Carolina and Neev would face ballads from fan favorites like Victoria and Gjon’s Tears.
I still think it will be complicated, but the Portuguese viewers already went for it in an unexpected fashion, so…
Yes, but I’d rather have four HQ ballads, than a plodding song like this. Sorry… 🙁
I don’t think it’s that bad, but you know I’m shocked too. They would be my 6th or 7th option. My point is that at least they play in a separated league. If it will be enough, I don’t know.
Neev would have been a respectable winner, that’s for sure. But I’m happy for him, that he won the public vote.
Hey, good choice Portugal! Eesti Laul denied us some Britpop-inspired realness so I’m glad Black Mamba’s filling the void. Sorry it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
Again, sort of one of the slower songs. This, particularly:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPPi2D6GK7A&ab_channel=OasisVEVO
Sure, I hear this too. But, when compared to 3 or 4 other songs in the Portugal final, this choice looks… bizarre. Anyhow, I suppose, welcome to Eurovision, The Black Mamba.
Maybe if I go back and listen to the other FdC songs, I’ll agree.
well, every single country chose wrong, so I’m scared for what Italy will send. I just…I don’t understand this, Portugal. I’m at a loss for words. tonight’s finals suddenly made semi final 2 a whole lot weaker compared to semi final 1.
Just imagine Iceland, Switzerland and Greece presenting mediocre songs next week
I thought every song in FdC was supposed to be good and even people’s last place would still be a good choice? That’s what people were saying around here. Boy, I’m happier than ever that I haven’t actually been doing that good a job of keeping up with the NFs. I’m listening to the winners with fresh ears and don’t have anything to compare them to.
Sure, FdC is generally strong, but The Black Mamba was my 18th of 20 and I never thought they even had a chance. Too bad that the only major upset of this NF season benefits such a weak song.
I like it, but everyone’s entitled to their opinion, of course. Maybe I should’ve paid more attention, since NEEV was the only act I was aware of being a heavy favorite.
To be fair Italy has like 10 choices, everyone I know has different opinions about who is his best. From Irama to Madame to Fransesca to Ermal, the fans are divided so whoever wins, many will be disappointed. On the other hand Estonia had like 1 good choice and many mediocre songs… They chose the mediocre everone is dissapointed. In italy they will still choose a decent song.
Portugal – shocked and disappointed. Such a plodding, boring song. Sorry, Portugal, but this might be even less of a my choice than Estonia. Now Italy is the only country which could possibly help this evening. 🙁
The only thing that’s actually an unusual trivia is that Denmark is going to compete with Danish and Portugal with English. If I was passionate towards either song, I’d even be invested.
I like them both. I feel like I’m going insane since nobody seems that pumped about the winners tonight but I’ve been liking all of them (although no, Uku wasn’t my favorite in Eesti Laul, but there weren’t many bad choices there).
I sense a meltdown coming on….
The post about their victory will attract hate from a lot of different tribes…
WTFFFFFFFFFFFFFF IS THIS result Portugal????
Ahahaha! OMG, that’s a funny shocker
Black Mamba woooooon!!!!
I’m shocked!
To be honest i was supporting it from the beggining. I was between that and Saudade. And then Saudade had a bad staging….
Well, the staging for “Saudade” improved a lot tonight. But what really shocks me is that I haven’t seen may Portuguese people online talking about them.
That good? Bad? Still haven’t heard the songs
I kinda like it, but it wouldn’t be in my top 5. The only person I saw picking it as a winner is Robyn, so imagine New Zealand is partying right now. 😛
Listening to the clip on YouTube now – I actually am digging it!
It’s cool. It’s a little… Simply Red, maybe? But I doubt the fandom will receive it well…
The fandom damn near never likes the Portuguese entries, it seems. “Amar pelos dois” was a grower too.
I didn’t see that coming
Juries: 1) Deslandes, 2) The Black Mamba, 3) Sara, 4) EU.CLIDES, 5) Joana, 6) Neev, 7) Karetus, 8) Valéria. I can’t imagine Carolina losing this anymore.
Only The Black Mamba still can beat her. It would be the most surprising result ever.
They basically cleared the way for Carolina to easily win. There’s no chance for The Black Mamba, Joana or Sara to win the televote and all of other ”popular choices” are too low to catch up.
Well, Sara was supposed to be a jury favorite from the start. Joana also seems like a jury-bait. But I can’t explain The Black Mamba doing that well.
I love the jury from Açores (12 to Sara, 10 to Karetus, 8 to Carolina, 7 to Neev). You’re my people.
Portuguese juries are not serious, right?
I am handling it better with Random’s song playing simultaneously.
FdC will finally proceed to the regional juries. If their Internet connection helps.
I didn’t expect that the juries will favor The Black Mamba that much.
I’m also surprised. Was expecting more love for Valéria too.
True! I’m curious how the publics vote will look like. There’s a lot unexpected here. 🙂
4 of 7 regions in, Carolina, The Black Mamba and Joana fighting for the first place, Neev and Karetus aren’t doing well so far.
Ohhh, Annalisa really performed to win this tonight. I also loved the pieces to camera; great filming.
I’ll be quite happy if Annalisa wins tonight. This was very good!
Unfortunately, I don’t think the press room would let this happen. But a top 3 is still very possible.
Almost 1am in Italy, still 8 artists to perform.
Meanwhile in Portugal, sometimes it feels they aren’t even thinking on starting counting votes yet.
The voting lines are closed now, let’s wait
I guess after the break they’ll finally show the regional juries’ votes.
I mean, in Italy, a host just pretended to theatrically fake-punch the other host. And now they’re advertising football kits. This is Sanremo. 😀
They were actually a gift from Ibrahimovic, but… yeah, everytime we think the show is flowing well, they find a reason to interrupt! 😀
Only 1 hour 30 minutes to go… ahaha
Madame is spetacular.
So different. But, unfortunately, that mic effect probably won’t be permitted at ESC.
But do you think without the effect the performance would lose much? I think both her and Fasma would do fine with them.
The vocal would sound totally different without the mic effect, so my advice would be for Italy to proceed with caution – make sure the vocal sounds just as good without it.
That’s true. Since Sanremo is the first time I’m watching her performing live, I can’t say if she can pull it off without effects.
Fantastic performance. Deserving of a much better outcome than it has had so far.
I hope she can still make to the top 10 after the televote, but it’ll be complicated.
Madame is unique, dramatic and interesting. She’d certainly bring something totally new to ESC.
Seeing so many Sanremo performers changing their costumes makes me wonder – why doesn’t it ever happen on ESC? I don’t think I’ve ever saw a contestant changing their outfit from semi to finals. Is it contractual or just considered too risky?
That’s a good question. Maybe people don’t want to risk the new outfit not looking perfect with the lighting. It would be a nice way to shake things up from semi to final.
Anybody else getting Kula Shaker vibes from the Maneskin guitarist? Apologies if it is too niche a reference!
Tattva slaps