Malta is wasting no time in choosing their act for Eurovision 2024. The country is the first to begin its selection for Malmö, with semi-final 1 of Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2024 taking place on Friday evening.
Out of the 36 competing acts, nine shared their songs during semi-final 1. This took place during Maltese TV show XOW.
Voting opened after all nine acts performed, but the results won’t be revealed until after all four semi-finals have taken place. In total, 12 acts will progress to the grand final in January 2024.
Whilst we wait to see what the Maltese public decide, we’ve added a poll below so you can let us know who stood out for you in semi-final 1 of MESC 2024.
MESC 2024 semi-final 1 acts
- Kurt Calleja – “Misunderstood”
- Sarah Bonnici – “Loop”
- Gail – “Wild Card”
- Mark Anthony Bartolo – “Condition Or Friction”
- Eliana Gomez Blanco – “There’s Only Flowers”
- OXYGYN – “Cloudmaker”
- Nathan – “Ghost”
- Lyndsay – “Fire Proof”
- Dominic Cini – “Bewsa”
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Poll: Who had the best song in semi-final 1 of Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2024?
You can vote for as many acts as you want, but you can only vote once.
Who was your favourite? Which acts from semi-final 1 do you think will make it to the grand final? Share all your thoughts in the comments below.
I really hope they would send Bewsa, if semi final 3 wont have some superb songs (probably not). Loop was not anything special, another generic female pop-dance song that somehow makes Eurovision fans go bongers. Bewsa would be more interesting to see in Eurovision, catchy more “folk” song and not in English (has there even ever been Maltese song in Eurovision before?). It could be next year’s Soarele ?i Luna if Malta somehow stages it well. Loop would be buried under all the other more or less generic female pop-dance songs as there is definitely going to be many again… Read more »
And if I may ask… ‘Bewsa’ won’t be buried
under all the other more or less generic male pop-dance songs????? LOOP has
potential and deserves to be at the Final!!
Thanks for the positive feedback for our song BEWSA. You support is much appreciated!
You´re welcome !
Sarah Bonnici had the best song
Oxygyn!
Sarah Bonnici – my utmost favourite with her song Loop
Sarah Bonnici is a bit of a Poundshop Chanel but still the best by far
Oxygyn – Cloudmaker is the only one that gave me je ne sais quoi vibes. Kind of like Portugal’s Saudade.
It needs work, but it’s different and the performers memorable.
Rooting for Dominic. It’s the whole package: native language, radio friendly, silly but fun, potential to go vital on social media if the meme is suitable… What’s not to love?
Viral*
Not vital, stupid spellchecker.
I very much liked the returning acts and I think Bewsa could win the whole thing. Give us something in Maltese!
Nathan and Sarah Bonucci have by far the best efforts here, in my opinion. Sarah because her song is cool and fresh, and Nathan because he’s a really good singer with a solid song
Well done Sarah
Dominic ! I saw the full perfomance and he was really good.
Arabic Serhat wannabe?
No, much better
Serhat is super-charismatic and likable, but Dominic Cini can actually hold a pitch and key.
And dance like he should never be alowed on stage again haha People have to be realistic, he is not a good performer, not a great vocalist and those are facts.
Sarah Bonnici rocked that stage ? We need that type of energy to rank well!!
Great voice and good energy. However, very dated song, even unfinished, without melody, totaly NQ material. With a revamp that would change this song drasticaly, she’d stand a chance at ESC.
Sarah Bonnici for sure! ?
I think OXYGYN had the least worst
Solid improvement from last year for Malta. Not so keen on the voices but Gail and Nathan have big potential. Dominic’s entry is somewhat radio friendly and might do very well this year. Would have loved to see Kurt Anthony Cassar in the list after such an impact in San Marino, hoping he will submit a song to Malta soon.
Rumor has it Kurt Anthony is automatically drawn to San Marino selection this time, No sign of anything on his socials but could be true. As to Malta I’m eagerly waiting for Ryan Hili. Does anyone know when he is on?
None of these songs would qualify from a televote only semi final ?
That depends on a revamp and the full staging. Several of these songs feel like they could be good with some musical changes. “Only Flowers” for example, feels like if you keep her vocal as is, but swap the current piano heavy backing for a rockier sound you could get a much more attention-grabbing song. Gail’s voice is beautiful, but the song is such a slow burn that some people will have left for a piss break before you get to really hear it. Some adjustments to the pacing could give it a chance. It’s not like televote only semis… Read more »
Dominic reminds me of Serhat in the best way that can be interpreted.
he was in a duo last time around, for ”whatever wind may blow”
The first selection of 2024 is here! Happy NF season, everyone! I think that all things considering, this is a fine batch of songs by MESC standards. Eliana and Nathan have good ballads, and Dominic has a banger in Maltese. Eliana and Dominic upgraded from last year, while Nathan continues a good streak. Sarah Bonnici is another one who is much better than two years ago. She’s serving that type of “Slay Queen” energy. Oxygyn is interesting. I’m still making my mind up on it, but it certainly brings diversity. Gail’s ballad is dramatic, but I miss the memorable melody.… Read more »
Almost entirely bad but at least an interesting selection of songs in this semi (besides the truly woeful Fire Proof). An improvement from last year where most of the songs just sounded alike.
Bewsa and Cloudmaker are the two that have the most to offer the final, and Mark Anthony, Eliana and Nathan are all sincere and solid performers.
Dominic, Oxygyn and Eliana
Gail. What a voice. Quality. Stood out
I haven’t heard Oxygyn yet, but Sarah Bonnici is my pick. I’d probably send Gail, Eliana and Dominic through as well.
“Cloudmaker” is up on YouTube now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ki58grmNuDk&ab_channel=ESCCarleigh
It’s definitely not an immediate hit, but it could grow on me.
My top: Dominic Cini – Bewsa (THIS IS IT, it’s in MALTESE, upbeat and catchy, and something so different than Malta has sent before! My clear favorite)
gail attard – wild card (VOCALS?? HELLO???? SLAYING SO HARD)
Eliana Gomez Blanco – There’s Only Flowers (beautiful ballad, good vocalsss!!!)
Haven’t found a video of Cloudmaker yet. Can’t wait to see it though! Promising final so far!
Sarah Bonnici
Sarah Bonnici my favourite!
Sarah Bonnici is my top for SF.
1.Sarah Bonnici
2.Oxygyn
3.Mark Anthony
Good luck for all,
Is there any studio versions available? I can’t listen to any live ones as I can’t do that without losing my sanity!! it’s giving me flashbacks to una voce per san marino
I’m on song 1 and in the first 10 seconds I paused 4 times.(Aaaahhhh)
Bewsa could qualify in tele only semi at Eurovision
I also see a lot of potential in this song and performance.
Bewsa is clearly standout of SF1, but Wild Card is also pretty.
I absolutely agree- Such a good with arabic style !
Is Mark Anthony a relative of Kurt Anthony Kassar from UVPSM? I can’t see resemblance. ?
Nope. But we are friends. I am Mark Anthony.
National selections participants reading here? Aawwwwwww!!
Imagine he goes to Eurovision after this…
Yes…. I’m a fan of wiwibloggs and a huge fan of Eurovision. 🙂 Much respect to all of you.
My personal top 3
1. OXYGYN (Bit different from Malta)
2. Eliana (Decent ballad and kind of remind me of Amber “Warrior)
3. Mark Anthony (Endearing song and nice vocals)
Thanks for your compliment. Much appreciated. I’m Mark Anthony from MESC 2024.
What is your top 9? vote here: https://scorewiz.eu/rsvp/670408/PjRJHcPpy9S
Well done for the initiative
My top 3:
1-2 Mark Anthony and Dominic
3 Gail
Good start for Malta!
Kudos to the broadcaster for this show with their first songs whereas there are broadcasters who don’t even confirm (publicly) their participation.
Thanks for your wonderful compliment. Much appreciated. I’m Mark Anthony. Hope for the best.
If it’s really Mark Anthony then thanks very much. I love your song this year and wish you all the best!!
Dominic Cini with “Bewsa” – very enjoyable and it did save the night as it was uptempo and well delivered.
So, my top 4 from the SF1 are :
The rest is not my cup of tea (Mark Anthony Bartolo song’s very cute but not my cup of tea). I hope for good songs from others contestants !
Here is my ratings for the songs. (from 1 to 5 stars)
1:2
2:4
3:3
4:4
5:2
6:4
7:5
8:5
9:5
Lazy Swedish songwriting. Third day leftovers.
at least 4 have Swedish songwriters one of them has Tom Hugo from Norway, 2 were by Maltese, the rest are mixed writers. and the infamous twins Ylva/Linda on the most boring song out of them.
Oxygyn are the best, Gail has a good voice but the song very old, Sarah Bonnici is fresh and good but not very good. Yeah it’s Malta xd !
But Oxygyn are authentic I love it !
Mark Anthony with “Condition or Friction”. Well done!! I shall listen to this song again!!
does anyone know when ill be able to buy the 2024 my eurovision scoreboard year because i want to rate the mesc songs. also this is my first year using this app so im not just stupid
I think the creator is working on it, some people asked him/her on Instagram. When 2024 is shown in the app, you can purchase the 2024-fullyear
Gail with “Wild Card”!! I liked it!!
The voting will be opened today for 30 minutes, but just after the 9 songs will be performed.
Let’s go!
I’ll be happy with a decent song or two here. Perhaps Eliana, perhaps Oxygyn…
Yeeeeeessssss!! Malta, so exciting!!!!