Hello Malta! This week, the Mediterranean nation is undertaking its search for an act to send to Basel. It all kicked off on Tuesday evening with semi-final 1 of Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
Taking place at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre, 12 of this year’s competitors performed during the first show. They each had a 66% chance of qualifying to the final, as eight performers advanced.
Hosting the show was Valentina Rossi, Davide Tucci and Pauline Agius.
During the interval Czechia’s Eurovision 2025 act, ADONXS, gave the debut performance of his entry for the contest. He sang a stripped-back, acoustic version of his song “Kiss Kiss Goodbye.”
Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2025: Semi-final 1
Qualifiers
The decision on who made it through to Saturday’s grand final was down to both the public and a jury.
- Raquela – “Silenced”
- Adria Twins – “Qalb ma’ Qalb”
- Justine Shorfid – “Still I Rise”
- Victoria – “Juno”
- Kurt Calleja – “Aziz/a”
- Mark Anthony Bartolo – “Hideaway”
- Kristy Spiteri – “Heaven Sent”
- JVF – “Festa (No Time for Siesta)”
Eliminated acts
- Dre’ Curmi – “Te amo”
- Matthew Cilia – “Control”
- Marie Claire – “Wildflower”
- Haley – “Whistleblower”
What are your thoughts on semi-final 1 of Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2025? Do you agree with the results? Let us know in the comments below.
And our first swerve of the night MAB qualifying despite being a mediocre singer. Ah well.
My first and last tine watching Maltese semis/finale. This amout of advertising is unbearable…
They are really dragging things out. What is taking so long anyway? They only have to eliminate 4 acts – that should be pretty easy.
I do think Juno is the whole package to go… previous years there were always some changes…to the song…revamps…that does take people not consider us serious…but Victoria slayed..
In order of preference (song+performance): Q Juno (not the best song but definitely the best performer, she sold the heck out of it and hit every note though she does feel to connect with the audience I feel) Still I Rise (solid song, solid performer, song lacks punch but very decent) Heaven Sent (love this song to bits but something was missing) Te Amo (Dre gave a very likeable and camp performance of an otherwise pretty mid song) Silenced (can’t stand the song but hell she can sing) Qalbi Ma Qalb (love this song but the chemistry was missing on… Read more »
I love love love Adonxs’s voice!
Now I’m even more hyped about the full version of the song.
I gave my bottom 4, so for positivity I will give my top 4 as well:
Kurt Calleja
Victoria
Kristy Spiteri
Haley
I agree they were the best. Kurt with his cheeky dance from his entry This is the Night way back in 2012 sold me.
Do Czechia really think that they can win with a bad version of “Arcade”???
Czechia’s song hasn’t been revealed yet?
Adonxs performed it live during Malta’s semi.
He performed a song. I didn’t get the impression it was the song.
Adonxs sang the acoustic version of the song
Thanx
Ok, so is the song, but not the final version. Thanks for clarifying.
Doesn’t sound anything like it.
My winner tonight is Kurt Calleja’s smile. Great stage presence and personal projection!!
Song-wise my fave is “Aziz/a” followed by “Whistleblower”. Honourable mention for “Hideaway” – the song and the sentiment are moving <3
That recap focused on so many bad moments of performance. SMH. Not saying they were alldisasters as performers, but there were certainly nerves on display, and flat/off-key vocals. I didn’t see the show from the very beginning, but they couldn’t have all been struggling all through their entire performance.
Or did they pre-arrange which parts of the song they wanted replayed and then unfortunately fell short of their expectations?
Czechia just sang live kiss kiss godebye in Malta
… and it was not memorable.
Yes true – It’s not my cup of tea. Just want to mention it first ?
It was the acoustic version of the song. The full version will be released later. No idea when though.
So my 4 NQs for this semi are Mark Anthony Bartolo, Dre’ Curmi, JVF, and probably Matthew Cilia (although I missed most of Marie Claire and Justine Shorfid’s performances for buffering issues, so if either of them were awful feel free to substitute them in here so the token rock act can advance).
Agree with 3 of your NQs, but I thought Dre was pretty decent and his song is not the bottom of the pile either. I’d swap Dre with Marie Claire (whose song is bland and whose staging was bland).
My fav Is Heaven sent but Juno was my second and both were SO GOOD!!
No doubt. “Juno” was obviously the best overall package in this semi final. It really looks like she wants to win! Would be amazing on the Eurovision stage.
“Juno” isn’t a great song, but Victoria is really selling it.
oh juno was GOOD lol
IF the adria twins did not shoot to the top for you idk what will ?
I spent most of their performance worried they were going to fall off the platform. That just looked dangerous in a negligence sort of way.
Guys do u think kristy can beat Mariana ?
I Hope that!
It was so nice to see JVF having so much fun on stage!
I didn’t get the hype for JVF before the show. I still don’t get it to be honest.
I think it was horrible
I wouldn’t put it through, but they certainly weren’t the worst.
The postcard concept is BRILLIANT!! Movies s ho t in Malta for a 100-year anniversary. *BRILLIANT*!!
I think it is lazy. Wy can’t they just use footage shot by the artists ONLY like any reasonable postcard instead of encountering many copyright costs.
Loved Kristy’s performance, with some staging she is DEFINITLEY winner material
Stunned by Kristy’s performance! Favourite by farrrr right now
I love “Heaven Sent” as a song, but this staging is awfully minimal. I am not sure I see that performance at Eurovision.
I love Kristyyy!
Kristy slayed that and I’m happy, Malta don’t mess please I want her in Eurovision!
Kristy ATE THIS. But she seriously needs to fix her camera work. Too many unnecessary wide angles,
I was a bit nervous for Raquela’s vocals right at the start, but she hit her stride and is clearly a powerhouse. Staging is a little random, but it does succeed at being interesting to watch. Probably not our winner for Malta, but I don’t see a reason for this not to go to the final.
“Te Amo” is very stereotypical. It’s pleasant enough, but I don’t think it’s going anywhere
The show looks amazing!! What a brilliant effort and it’s just the semifinal. Well done!!!
Thank you Mark Anthony Bartolo for your contribution. NEXT!
Good luck tonight Malta!
Shalom and Roar!
#UntilTheLastHOSTAGE
#release yours first
Hi Malta!! <3 Shalom Netta!!!!!! <3