40 has become one. After five weeks of shows, Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2023 has finally come to an end and The Busker have been chosen as the country’s representative for Eurovision this May. They won the contest with the song “Dance (Our Own Party)”.

The grand final saw 16 acts competing for the trophy. Hosted by Glen Vella and Amber, it took place in the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre at Ta’ Qali.

Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2023 grand final

Results

  1. The Busker – “Dance (Our Own Party)” – 121 points
  2. Ryan Hili – “In the Silence” – 85 points
  3. Matt Blxck – “Up” – 76 points
  4. Maxine Pace – “Alone” – 73 points
  5. Brooke – “Checkmate” – 70 points
  6. Chris Grech – “Indescribable” – 34 points
  7. Ian – “On My Own” – 22 points
  8. Fabrizio Faniello – “Try to Be Better” – 21 points
  9. Eliana Gomez Blanco – “Guess What” – 20 points
  10. Christian Arding – “Eku Ċar” – 17 points
  11. Nathan – “Creeping Walls” – 12 points
  12. Dan – “It’ll be OK” – 10 points
  13. Cheryl Balzan – “La La Land” – 9 points
  14. Giada – “I Depend on You” – 3 points
  15. Geo Debono – “The Mirror” – 3 points
  16. Stefan – “Heartbreaker” – 3 points

The result was determined by a 50:50 split between a 5-member jury and the public televote. The Busker topped the televote, whilst Matt Blxck won the jury vote.

Running order

What do you make of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2023 grand final? Can The Busker give Malta a strong result at Eurovision? Let us know in the comments below.

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Stephanie
Stephanie
1 year ago

Not bad but nothing what I haven’t heard yet

Addie
Addie
1 year ago

Ok i wasn’t really looking forward or paying any attention to MESC and i thought it was gonna be Brooke or someone else who’s jury bait. But this! I didn’t expect this. Wow. Just wow. I can’t believe Malta actually chose a fun song! It’s a breath of fresh air after all the pop girlies. On listening it’s quite repetitive and i wish they had more charisma on stage, but Dance is quite good. I hope Malta qualifies and proves it to them that you can send fun entries and still be successful!

Kevan1994
Kevan1994
1 year ago

Repeat after me: having a saxophone does not mean a song is a copy of Moldova.

Kevan1994
Kevan1994
1 year ago

This is exactly what Malta needed to send. It seems like maybe it’s not for everyone but it’s an infectious song, super catchy and easy to sing, clap, and dance along to. The staging is unique and fun and really allows the mix of chill vibes and dance vibes to shine simultaneously. I won’t be shocked if this surprises some of you with a Top 10 televote in the final.

Alex
Alex
1 year ago

My favourite Maltese entry since their 2013/2014 era.
Glad Malta sends something more genuine and playful this time

Sam
Sam
1 year ago

I’m enjoying this but it’s most likely due to the fact that the lead singer is an absolute hottie

Jamie
Jamie
1 year ago
Reply to  Sam

That’s the only reason people are enjoying this… the song is mid at best.

Dave
Dave
1 year ago
Reply to  Sam

Hottie indeed, and doesn’t even need to try.

Roger La
Roger La
1 year ago

I kind of liked it when I heard the snippet but now I just find it to be a hot mess. Clearly Malta missed out on better chances

esc_fl
esc_fl
1 year ago

Aidan released Regina and I have it on repeat…happy for the Busker but Malta really missed out. Forget the rule-breaking, he’s been snubbed twice in a row now.

Jamie
Jamie
1 year ago

But why is the performance so low-key? They literally look bored, when the song screams PARTY.

Eurovisionfrance
Eurovisionfrance
1 year ago

Omg I love it!!
Malta straight to my top 3 ?
Reminds me of Lake Malawi who were my absolute winners in 2019 😛
great choice in an overall disappointing super saturday for me

Kalla
Kalla
1 year ago

Still very bitter about Aidan. But this is actually far better than I expected to come from Malta. The verses could use a bit of a revamp, but I think this might actually have a shot at qualifying as its just televote. The saxophone chorus is very catchy.

Marty McCU
Marty McCU
1 year ago

This isn’t going to qualify for the final.

Mr X
Mr X
1 year ago

So far better than Brooke – 8/12

Chupacabra
Chupacabra
1 year ago

No vice, not catchy enough. NQ

Btzbtz
Btzbtz
1 year ago

Do we know for sure this will be their song?

James
James
1 year ago
Reply to  Btzbtz

Take this with a grain of salt but PBS’s official Eurovision Facebook page said that “Dance (Our Own Party)” by The Busker will “be representing Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool”.

Polegend Godnova
1 year ago

while i’m not a fan of this style, i’m so happy malta chose this. it’s a very good full package, and it was their only chance at reaching the final. semi-final 1 is going to be very competitive.

AllThingsNordic.eu
1 year ago

It might be fun (kinda) but it’s a weird blend of Moldova-style sonds & Dadi Freyr. Pfff… After Croatia, even this one sounds ok.

Doggy Bark
Doggy Bark
1 year ago

What is a Moldova-style sound???? Saxophone :D:D:D:D:D

Dave
Dave
1 year ago
Reply to  Doggy Bark

Yes Moldova invented sax didn’t you know? ?

SebESC23
SebESC23
1 year ago

I like this- very Moldova- esque and this will do very well with televoters.

A lot of fan experts criticise lyrics of other countries but have no issue with Malta rhyming sweater and better. Double standards?

Dave
Dave
1 year ago
Reply to  SebESC23

I can assure you that no Moldovan music inspired this

Alecs
Alecs
1 year ago

Great choice, Malta. Would be happier with Aidan, but maybe next year. In 2023 we will dance with the Busker.

Žilvinas
Žilvinas
1 year ago

Here is the first song of class 2023 that is going straight to my Spotify playlist. Thanks Malta!!

Kevan1994
Kevan1994
1 year ago

The amount of people that were dismissing this song… so glad to see Malta give this song a landslide televote win, especially with the semis being televote-only this year.

Musimak
Musimak
1 year ago

Top 10 in the final in Liverpool for sure

Stian F
Stian F
1 year ago

OMG this is amazing!!! I skipped watching it and just saw the result!!! What a joyful surprise. This is a great song and will do well in Eurovision!!!

I am delighted with Malta and Denmark, I am also happy with Romania and Croatia. I am ok with Latvia. I am a bit disappointed with Italy and Estonia, but they are fine still.

But lots of males now… And still no bangers… So this strengthens Norways chances to do well now for sure!

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
1 year ago

Well as long as im drunk this sounds pleasant and i am right now

AllThingsNordic.eu
1 year ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

Haha, really, that’s exactly my feeling. It’s one of the songs you listen to in the background when having drunk quite a few shots and it sounds pleasant and fun. Other than that…

Daniil
Daniil
1 year ago

Pleasantly surprised by this one. Going straight to my playlist

Europa México
Europa México
1 year ago

Ja ja 9 finals today and no oye song like to me

Robert
Robert
1 year ago

Great! Now get the song on Spotify please

Serafina
Serafina
1 year ago

Totally off topic and has nothing to do with the song, but the leading singer here is so gorgeous, I got the biggest crush on him ever lol. With that being said, it’s probably not a song I’ll be listening to, but for Eurovision and for a semi final with no juries, it is their best option for an attempt of qualification, as the televote would probably eat this up.

Serafina
Serafina
1 year ago
Reply to  Serafina

It’s still Malta so who knows, had this been Moldova, I would’ve been confident this would qualify 100%, but since it’s Malta and they’ve struggled to get televote in the past, idk, all I know is that THIS WAS THEIR ONLY OPTION, period

Esc addict / Shut up and watch my ...
Esc addict / Shut up and watch my ...
1 year ago

They had fun on stage, and were fun to watch. A new epic sax guy is coming in Eurovision however the song does nothing for me.

Milo
Milo
1 year ago

Seeing how it is going… San Marino, this is the year you can do something….

Roro31
1 year ago

I’m so very happy about This Choice !!! The busker are charismatic, amazing performance also. The song is very catchy, let’s go the dance party guys !! Unfortunately, Malta is in the 1st SF, the strongest about SF 2… I don’t know if Malta can qualify but I hope ! Thanks you Malta for this amazing choice ! Malta, Estonia, Latvia & Denmark have chosen the best songs. I’m dissapointed by Romania. Croatia it’s average for me, trash and original I love it for this part but, it’s very politic ! Tonight, Italyyy with Marco Mengoni or Lazza I hope… Read more »

Vivian
Vivian
1 year ago

I was a bit scared when Matt Blxck won the jury, but I think this was a solid option. It’s not gonna qualify because it’s Malta, but at least they’ll be represented by an act that performs an enjoyable performance. Let’s just hope they don’t randomly ditch their song for another lol

Serafina
Serafina
1 year ago
Reply to  Vivian

This is very different from the formula Malta’s been trying for the past couple of years (generic paint by numbers pop song), so who knows, maybe this is what Europe needs to finally throw them some votes. I just know that wouldn’t be the case had Brooke won, we’ve seen it with Taboo, Chameleon, even Destiny, Europe does not want pop songs from Malta lol.

Faezdel
Faezdel
1 year ago
Reply to  Serafina

Chameleon didn’t go to to Eurovision. It was Walking on Water, that was clearly a worse song.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  Faezdel

She was referring to the 2019 Malta entry chameleon, not Ira losco’s original song.

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago

It’s a below-average song and the singer’s pronunciation is horrific, I could barely understand anything he said other than ”do you wanna dance?”.

Anyway, this is one act we can count on to not qualify.

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

On the bright side, this is Malta we’re talking about, so they’ll probably buy a Swedish-produced Melfest reject for them. The Busker has great potential, so I hope they get a new song, or a revamp, or completely reconstructing the song they have.

AlexisMateoFan45
AlexisMateoFan45
1 year ago

Do we actually know who the songwriters of this song are? Ngl I’d laugh real loud if after ya’ll praised how it doesn’t sound “Swedish produced” it was discovered that Swedes actually did it lmao

Doggy Bark
Doggy Bark
1 year ago

it is their song and the lead singer said from the stage after winner’s performance literally: “I am happy that a Maltese-produced song will represent Malta at Eurovision”

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  Doggy Bark

He really said that? Oh, the shade of it all.

Mark Camilleri
Mark Camilleri
1 year ago

Lyrics by Dave Jr, the frontman of the band ?

sam
sam
1 year ago

the busker had easily the most interesting and original entry in MESC. a very well deserved victory, and i think this could do better than most people think. however my main takeaway after all of this is that malta is really floundering at eurovision. if they want to do well they need to stop being so greedy and corrupt because MESC feels like a big sham and is clearly all about making ad money for the broadcaster and less focused on art and music. luckily we got a respectable entry out of it this time but malta needs to get… Read more »

Maya G
Maya G
1 year ago

Good job Malta! I’ll be rooting for you

Irishfan
Irishfan
1 year ago

A joke! Eurovision deserves better than this

Leendert Jan
Leendert Jan
1 year ago

OK this at least makes me smile. I can’t say it’s a good song but it’s got a hell of a lot more character than last year’s Maltese entry.

wait, what
wait, what
1 year ago

this is city zeni without the pussy.

Doggy Bark
Doggy Bark
1 year ago
Reply to  wait, what

This is the Busker. They are not Lake Malawi, they are not Dadi og Gagnamagnid, they are not Sunstroke Project and whatever band you name who 99% of ESC televoters don’t remember for a reference or an analogy.

wait, what
wait, what
1 year ago
Reply to  Doggy Bark

I am not saying the televoters will remember the reference. I doubt they’ll remember the song at all.

Dave
Dave
1 year ago
Reply to  wait, what

No, city zeni wasn’t a class act, more like a crass act.

Evan
Evan
1 year ago

Everyone in the comments seems to love this. Great. For me it’s just gonna flop like Slovenia but this year is so weak that it could easily go to the final. I think Brooke was very good tonight, but if everybody finds her « melfest reject » so bad, I guess it’s better like that.

Film4o
Film4o
1 year ago

Teodor won from Romania and now The Busker for Malta. Im buzzing. I usually go for more of a outsiders not winners. It so rare a favorites of mine to win and its such a cool feeling. Good luck to The Besker. Welcome to the Eurovision family and good luck in Liverpool. Love your charm, playfulness and personality.

Héctor
Héctor
1 year ago

Was one of my favs, so I’m glad they won.

Sonam
Sonam
1 year ago

First Maltese entry I really love since I can’t even remember! Congrats Malta, you’ ll do fine in televoting for a change!!

DutchTurkk
DutchTurkk
1 year ago

First things first… a huge congratulations for The Busker, even tho I really preferred Brooke over this. I think this has a chance to qualify actually, but if Moldova sends Sunstroke Project again Malta would need a miracle to qualify. I also really didn’t expect these results: Brooke should have finished second and Maxine should’ve finished third IMO… Brooke should try again asap to go to esc

Dave
Dave
1 year ago
Reply to  DutchTurkk

I heard Yummy Mummy and Malta’s is by far the more superior sax song. If Moldova does better, it’s because of the country not because of the song.

Jack
Jack
1 year ago

Damn, the maltese public literally gave the finger to the melfest rejects and chose something that at least seems authentic. Its weird cause the only year when Brooke had the complete package she didnt do well. I guess this sends a message to TVM and the “executives”

Xxx
Xxx
1 year ago
Reply to  Jack

It’s Malta, they can still buy another Melfest reject for them.

The truth
The truth
1 year ago
Reply to  Xxx

Malta has participated in the ESC over 30 times. In those 30 times Malta has chosen maybe 4 “Melfest rejects” in all. So can you people stop it with the hate for once.

Etienne
Etienne
1 year ago
Reply to  The truth

They are so tiring!

Aitch
Aitch
1 year ago

I have a feeling we may have a top 10 on our hands. (Not even just the song) the group have so much potential!!!! This could be a good year for Malta!!

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago

Okay, so personally I wanted Maxine or Brooke. With Aidan gone, this was the one year rigging it for Brooke would have paid off. However, I was NOT expecting this! To be fair, the warning signs were there with people hyping it up again. I think it’s a fair victory though may be embarrassing for highly funded singers like Brooke who AGAIN doesn’t get to go! I think this song WILL appeal to televoters. Not sure if it will get through but it will certainly be better for the televote only semi finals. Not sure also if they’ll change their… Read more »

Doggy Bark
Doggy Bark
1 year ago

Brooke should pay these guys or Aidan or someone local for her next song which needs to have a soul first and foremost. She will save some money for even better staging in that case.

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
1 year ago

I thought that Brooke had it in the bag, but it’s nice to see The Busker winning tonight! Their song was the best

Milo
Milo
1 year ago

Are we sinure this will be the song ? Because you know it’s Malta….

The truth
The truth
1 year ago
Reply to  Milo

From over 30 participations Malta changed its song 2 times (which it can do because of its rules and regulations – so no corruption there). So will people just grow up and stop it with “Because you know it’s Malta” jibes? What I get from certain comments is that Malta is quite hated for some reason and another.

Etienne
Etienne
1 year ago
Reply to  The truth

Malta will keep the song. Happy?

We changed song only 2 times in our ESC history! So stop speaking nonsense

Jo.
Jo.
1 year ago

not a lost cause