It’s the country that won its first Eurovision after a five decade long wait. And on Sunday, Portugal’s quest to find Salvador Sobral’s successor will begin in earnest with the first semi-final of Festival da Canção 2018.
Now, for the first time since 2011, RTP is giving fans a taster of what to expect. Earlier today, the broadcaster released 45-second snippets of each song competing in this week’s show.
Listen to all 13 snippets in the playlist below.
Festival da Canção 2018 semi-final one line-up
Of the semi-final one acts, Anabela is probably the best known name in Eurovision circles. She represented Portugal in 1993, securing the country a rare top ten finish.
- Anabela “Para te dar abrigo”
- Beatriz Pessoa “Eu te amo”
- Bruno Vasconcelos “Austrália”
- Catarina Miranda “Para sorrir não preciso de nada”
- Janeiro “(sem título)”
- Joana Barra Vaz “Anda estragar-me os planos”
- Joana Espadim “Zero a zero”
- José Cid “O som da guitarra é a alma de um povo”
- JP Simões “Alvoroço”
- Maria Amaral “A mesma canção”
- Peu Madureira “Só por ela”
- Rita Dias “Com gosto amigo”
- Rui David “Sem medo”
Festival da Canção 2018
After rebooting the Festival da Canção concept in 2017 — which translated into the first ever Eurovision victory for the Iberian nation — RTP is keeping the same show structure while adding ten more songs.
Each semi-final will have 13 songs and seven of them will advance to the grand final on 4 March. The voting system follows last year’s pattern: 50% televote and 50% jury in the semis, and 50% televote and 50% regional jury in the grand final.
While the two semi-finals were drawn back in October, the running order itself will be determined by the show’s producers. This Eurovision-style move is new for 2018.
Júlio Isidro — a well-known Portuguese television presenter and entertainer — will be back as the head of the jury, which consists of Ana Bacalhau, Ana Markl, Antonio Avelar Pinho, Carlão, Mario Lopes, Sara Tavares, Tozé Brito — and Eurovision-winning songwriter Luisa Sobral.
While the competition is open to songs in languages other than Portuguese, only two songs are in English. Perhaps inspired by Salvador Sobral’s in, Portugal’s national language is proving popular.
I’m someone who loves slow ballads and killer bops so I try to appreciate every different side to music industries, and I must say I love that Portugal are trying to show off there style of music. Tbh, I would like some more upbeat songs but some of these could really pop live and I’m looking forward to the semi
Well at least I’m happy with Portugal’s songs. 🙂
Some of them sound dated, some of them have a Salvador Sobral infuence and most of them are ballads.
For me it’s “Só por ela” or “Eu te amo”.
I start to worry about having many ballads this year.
Portuguese is totally foreign to me and in my ear, I purely based it on melody, the tone of the singer and how easy the song in the ears. I only managed to like 3 songs and they are – Janeiro “(sem título) – sounds a bit like alternative music with the electric guitar sound – JP Simões “Alvoroço” – liking his deep voice and the bossa nova sound to it – Beatriz Pessoa “Eu te amo” – easy on the ear, soothing and sweet sounding, song about love I guess? Also, I’m sure I’m not alone here in thinking… Read more »
Para te dar abrigo seems to be the best one for me.
It’s alright – I like some song, am kinda ok with the rest. Nothing really stands out though – and by that I don’t mean the song sound the same (although they are quite similar), but that there isn’t a single song that would caught my attention, a song that would get stuck in my head and I would hum its melody throughout the day.
Best of the bunch: Alvoroço, Sem medo, Zero a zero
So typical to see any posts about Portugal having so many comments with half absolutely hating everything this country does and the other half defending it endlessly. The reality is RTP asked 26 different composers to submit something and this is what they chose to do. There will definitely be comparisons to Salvador and Portugal will have to understand that and might suffer in voting because if that. Amar Pelos Dois was more rooted in the Great American Songbook–these are not. But yes they are all soft. I love Melfest but the reality is that while the songs are diverse… Read more »
Yeah, we are not born to do pop songs in Pt, but I think these entries are in general better music wise, but very safe in the voice aspect. Too safe and bland, some of the voices are ruining potencial good songs, they should risk and go along with the new wave, not to sound cut and polite.
Am I dead? I think I’m dead. It’s so boring that I think I’m dead. I really wish Portugal finishes last so that we will all stop calling boring crap “artistic” or “unique,” when it’s all just a boring crap.
Well if you are afraid of being dead, then don’t watch it. It won’t do you any good, unless you are suicidal. In that case, go ahead!
And here it comes, finally in Eurovision, a gentle and simple fado, touching the heart directly. Portugal, you may have good songs, but please give it to us in your own home, beautiful Lisbon.
You can’t win every year with the same boring , depressing cr.ap
Nice
who told you that Portugal wants to win this year?
I do take the point that with the 45 seconds we were granted, many songs sound very similar to Amar pelos Dois. Some of the authors could have done something a bit more uptempo and I am not sure about the choices of some voices. Having said that, the overall quality seems to be indeed outstanding, whether you like it or not. For all the fans that don’t appreciate this kind of music and rather appreciate what Melfest has to offer, I recommend that you don’t make your life miserable and just don’t watch the FdC. Go watch a movie… Read more »
Negative is only your comment, and miserable is only your life.
Not true. There is positive criticism there too.
It’s true. This was not a positive criticism.
Sorry Purple Mask, I was just trying to be nice. But such a evil person like myself can never do it right, I suppose 🙂
The vibes you speak of do not exist. And I do not write to you anymore, because I do not want to be connected in any way with you. You are evil.
Now, that is a very clever comment and decision! Thank you and enjoy! It is just a pitty that you don’t take the same decision for your other many nicknames.
The voice sample from these entries is a bit dated and safe, I think this first semi-final is doomed.
So por ela!!! Such a beautiful song
Indeed it is. Indeed it is.
I fell asleep halfway through the second snippet…
Yei!!! Good for you man! Hope you had a nice nap
These songs are so pure. I love a mesma canção and com gosto amigo a lot. I’m rooting for them!
Lemme just say, Com Gosto Amigo is incredible! I can’t wait for the full version!
Ok firstly…clueless foreigners: I’m laughing. We are not trying to be something, we ALREADY ARE. This is a huge part of our musical industry, SALVADOR was simply an example that you, finally payed attention to. Maybe try checking our radios or music scene so you dont sound so silly. This genre of music is more valued than pop will ever be.
We cant copy ourselves.
Secondly: I dont like most of the songs. I want us to be diverse musically, and i dont feel like this is representing all of us. Semi final 2 will be much better though.
PREACH!
I’m only curious with 2 songs the others are nothing special for me. But for sure the 2nd Semi final will be much dinamic and I can’t wait for Sequin feat Xinobi and Isaura and I’m curious if Diogo Piçarra’s song is good or not I heard positive things about his song…
Ok firstly…clueless foreigners: I’m laughing. We are not trying to be something, we ALREADY ARE. This is a huge part of our musical industry, Portugal was simply an example that you, finally payed attention to. Maybe try checking our radios or music scene so you dont sound so silly. This genre of music is more valued than pop will ever be.
We cant copy ourselves.
Secondly: I dont like most of the songs. I want us to be diverse musically, and i dont feel like this is representing all of us. Semi final 2 will be much better though.
Portuguese NF shows a very genuine personality. In no case do they enter into frenetic rhythms, or cheap, easy commercial proposals. Portuguese composers seem to know that their language sounds more beautiful in slow rhythms … I really liked it. Very curious for Peu, Joana Espadim and JP. In a few seconds of listening, you can not say much more.
My choices too.
130 comments, predictable, because here are Sobral watchdogs that think they are the artistic compass of this world, and if you disagree with them they will take care to tell each one that you’re brainwashed by fast food music.
Not really. In fact, most portuguese people in portuguese forums are very disappointed and sad about the songs. Nice try though.
But, Cris, you literally just made a post bashing people about “not understanding the Portuguese music industry.” So, yeah, you are acting just as Anja described. Nice try, though. lol.
No Mizna, Cris is agreeing to the fact that portuguese entries are bad this year but that doesn’t conect to Salvador’s winning because people will not standby bad music even if thei’re own.
I do not deny the good quality of this group of songs, but all of them are the same (pretty forgettable and boring)… i was waiting for some Catarina Pereira realness, or at least some current pop tune, but it is the same fado, intimist bossa nova sound and i don’t say is bad, but it’s just repetitive and non memorable!
Zzz
OMG, 45 seconds, I hate this … Magic ALLERT in Peu Madureira song.
Love his voice. It’s very into fado (traditional Portuguese folk song). I’m curious to see how it works on live show.
What a voice!
Tears in 20 seconds … The positive emotion that comes from beauty.
I get stripped back with only piano and guitar but at least offer one song for the sake of the portuguese public to choose something different if they want
it’s salvabore sobstory without the sobstory
No, it’s what is more valued and known in our musical industry. Europe doesnt know much about our country, so…can you please stop acting like you do? Salvador was just representing what we have. We cant copy ourselves, do you understand?
13 salvador wannabes who think they’re making “real music”, it’s pointless to choose a song since they re all the same, portugal should investigate their health condition and send the most problematic
kids crying for bops… For you music is only upbeat shaky-shaky songs.. Bye bye hater
first of all you should be investigate of your ridiculous words of ignorance. You don’t know the reportoire of the artists. The 2nd semifinal will be more “uptempo”, also we have trash pop on another weekend programs at portuguese channels we are tired of cheesy songs. My playlist is full of slowy ballads and 80s disco songs (I have only 3 from esc), since ever. Salvador didn’t invented slowy ballads, try to best arguments for the next time.
Oh, baby boy, we have A LOT of that kind of stupid music you so much like to listen and praise. We just don’t think it should represent our country in Eurovision. Is that so hard for you to understand?
So…Salvador is a Antonio Zambujo wannabe? you probably dont know who he is but…friend, we can’t copy ourselves. This is part of PORTUGALS music scene. Why are foreigners so silly and naive?
Generic pop music sound the same much more often than not.
Look, Portugal, all these songs have quality and are well-written, BUT there’s no diversity here. The semifinal is a boredom, very somnolent. That being said, RTP probably doesn’t want to win again this year, so it’s not a big deal either.
Just “fica a dica” for the next years.
From a sequence of 45-second snippets you can not draw those conclusions. “Fica a dica”: do not be a “tuga hater”.
??? What did I say to be a hater here??? Also, unless one of these songs has an “explosion” at some point, they are all similar to each other. 45 seconds are enough to tell that.
You have all the characteristics of belonging to the club of those who last year also accused Amar Pelos Dois of being sleepy … If you do not see differences of style in this group of songs, I think you know very little about music.
The songs do not distinguish themselves by having an explosion or not. Melodic line, composition, instrumental arrangement, lyrics, interpretation…..
You couldn’t be more wrong. I LOVE Amar Pelos Dois, I even downloaded the song.
I’m talking about music diversity, and this semifinal doesn’t have it. It’s not only about lyrics and composition (that’s why I said the songs have quality), but also the music style and what is attractive for TV.
In any case, you should know that having a different opinion doesn’t make anyone a hater. Your behavior is much closer than a hater than mine, because you just can stand anyone that doesn’t like something that you like.
But I just don’t care. So, bye!
# 2 is pure ART.
#2?
Ok, #2 from the playlist. Peu Madureira. Yes, amazing… Something very different, like a moan of love.
I started watching ESC in the 70s and my first thought after listening to these songs was: they sound like taken completely from a 70s ESC and eliminating all rock and disco songs. After all not really inspiring, I wished they had more diverse sounds or styles. I cant hear anything here that sounds modern – hope the songs in SF 2 will offer some difference. Festival da Cancao 2017 for sure had a lot more diversity and interesting songs to offer.
“Modern” in your head…
“modern” music? nowadays the songs sound like 2011…… who cares?
I’m sorry, but people said the same thing about Sobral last year. ‘it’s so 50s and old fashioned, bottom 5!!!!”
I looked up the comments after he won, i laughed histerically. I do agree that we need a more diverse sound though…but you shouldnt insult, because salvador proved you wrong.
Maybe you got me wrong. In last year`s FdaC my favourites were Salvador and Deolinda. I don`t have any problems with this kind of music, I just wished the coming Semi Final would offer a little bit more variety. Maybe in SF 2…
You know those songs that really don’t stick in the mind, but everytime you hear it it sounds sweet and magical. It’s like you don’t clearly remember the melody, but you definitely take away the emotions.
It seems that’s what I’m getting from Portugal this year. Love it so far.
It’s normal, in songs that do not shoot the chorus soon … 45-second snippets, remember.
So why all the songs sounds like Salvadors?
All very different … Of course, for ears full of fast food music everything looks the same, not just those from Portugal but also from other countries.
Time to stop using ‘fast food music’ in 2018. These songs do lack variety, something different wouldn’t have hurt.
I hate that term ”fast food music”. Who are we to judge what is trash and what is not? I listen what I like and actually don’t give a f what others think.
Oh, you can have non-fast food song without sounding like Salvador, the world of music isn’t black and white and there are different shades between Salvador Sobral and let’s say, Robin Bengtsson.
Hello sweetie. ONCE AGAIN..Sobral sounded like portuguese music. .IT’S PORTUGUESE MUSICAL INDUSTRY. Sobral and LUISA was inspired by a lot of portuguese artists and jazz and created amar pelos dois. DO YOU UNDERSTAND? It’s common to hear these songs on our radios, more than pop.
i dont like to scream but, pls, your ignorance is ridiculous.
ffs give it a rest already you can’t copy yourselves we frekin get it, get over yourself
Netherlands syndrome.
Basically, just like Netherlands sent only “redneck music” since their success in 2014, Portugal will probably try to send only Salvadorclones in the next years just to try to repeat the success of Salvador in 2017. Though I dunno how this will work for them – I guess, poorly…
Polyna, No, it’s part of portuguese musical industry. i find it cute when foreigners act like they know our music industry, but you dont, really, just like you dont know much about our country. The most valued, known genres in our country are: rap, fado, rock and indie/jazz music. It’s not because of Salvador, in fact he kinda seek inspired in one of our artists but to the point : this is what you listen everywhere, indie is much more valued than pop. Salvador was basically representing what we do musically. Listen to the semi finals of last year, mostly… Read more »
If that’s what the Portuguese industry is supposed to sound like, why hasn’t Portugal sent anything like it since the 90s?
So….why cant you understand that Portugal is not trying to be something, we already are. We are copying ourselves? why dont you check music in our country? sigh
Zzzzzzz. Sorry, not even something dramatic or powerful. It’s just “there.”
Good thing Portugal is automatically in the final. But at least it’s different compared to other countries.
And reading some of the comments here we can already see that some kids already started crying for bops. Eurovision is not just about your upbeat shaky-shaky songs for the love of God. If you can’t stand the other countries’ music why are you following eurovision in the first place??? Don’t worry I’m sure the countries like Armenia, Cyprus, Moldova etc etc. will present you the kind of songs you eagerly wait for. But do not expect all the countries to send the cheap trashy entries like that. Bye!
Such a beautiful voice, the second one … The song sounds precious but it’s just a breeze …
45 seconds don’t say much about songs that aren’t “chorus-driven”. What I can say is that I miss some kind of variety. In a field of calm ballads, songs like “Zero a Zero” and “Para te Dar Abrigo” can stand out for having different elements. There are so many beautiful voices on this semifinal. I really like Peu, Catarina, Janeiro and Beatriz.
Gosh… I feel like I were living in 1960s
Stop being like Salvador! Think outside the box!
They are not like Salvador. THIS is part of Portugals music. If you knew anything about it, you’d say that salvador was trying to be like Antonio Zambujo(Portuguese artist)
I get it that this is Portugal’s music but my goodness there HAS to be something different from this in their music industry. Their music can’t possibly all sound the same. Every country can pull off different styles while maintaining a personal vibe, look at Italy doing opera, comedy, indie pop and even jazz, and never sounding like another country.
Polegend there is, that’s why i’m SO mad about the semi final 1. Rap and r&b is also very valued here, i dont see them represented. We even have an amazing rapper and r&b man from the states of portuguese origin here, he’s even known in Russia…he would slay. He’s the portuguese The Weeknd and is selling so well. I dont get RTP. Why only indie songs? I bet some pop and modern composers were invited but they rejected because our jury is very old fashioned, they would cut them off. Specially after salvador won, these modern artists dont wanna… Read more »
All snippets sounds very beautiful and similar, I can’t decide 🙂
i think the same, protugal always put the bohemian ingredient in ESC
Jose Cid? I mean, entrant from 1980? That would be quite something to return after 38 years.
Anna Vissi holds the record for the longest break between first and last appearance, BTW – 26 years between 1980 and 2006 for Greece. She has met Jose in The Hague, he placed higher (7th to 13th), although both songs were lovely.
José Cid was part of Alma Lusa, the portuguese representatives in 1998. (and I’m pretty sure that Anna also represented Cyprus in the 1980’s)
Based on the snippets, it’s so-so for me… At least, I can find a few promising ones…
I’m going to give the full versions of Bruno Vasconcelos’ “Austrália”, JP Simões’ “Alvoroço”, Maria Amaral’s “A mesma canção” and Rita Dias’ “Com gosto amigo” a second listen…;-)
I’ll be honest, I’m NOT here for an old-fashioned song from them. They need to come through with a Portuguese bop. Show Europe that you can slay all tempos and don’t stick with a formula
But unfortunately, from these snippets I can tell they’re ALL trying to reproduce Salvador’s success, and we know how this always backfires. Nothing at all stood our for me, they all sounded the same!
It seems that the Portuguese have only one formula: do not copy anyone or try to please Eurovision. Each composer in his own style without leaving his style. ESC is irrelevant … Could you understand? Victory can happen or not … What they want is to feel pride in their song.
bops are for clueless kids, ESC should be like in the 90s, folk, jazz, sophisti-pop, indie, singer-songwriter stuff and a Paul Oskar shocker once in a while
Honestly? I’m kinda with you on this one. Eurovision should be as adventurous as it was from about 95-97 – a good mix of folk sounds, modern pop, and the like. At least nobody’s regulated these days.
You described a county fair concert, I guess you should go there if you want to be entertained. This is a SONG contest and it’s totally fair that some countries try to bring contemporary songs. I applaud Blanche, I wish more would try that sound rather than Salvador’s.
“Portuguese bop”? do you want catarina pereira with another recycled of canta por mim?
@desfolhada yes please 😀 😀
That’s all I want tbh.
lmao
no
I really like they stick to singing in Portuguese… BUT… To me they kinda sound all the same. The only thing outstanding for me is JP Simões’ “Alvoroço” because of the singers voice. But wait and see
4 March … Now my curiosity has awakened.
#2
Never in a lifetime will I see anything like that in the Melodi
Agree… It sounds magical.
I guess you’ve forgotten Roger Pontare’s entry from last year. What I love about Melfest is that there’s something for all tastes there.
Ethnic mainstream … Typical Swedish. Nothing, nothing new. Sorry.
Swedes don’t appreciate music in Swedish like they should
They do, look at their charts. They just vote for the visuals at Melfest.
Woah.. I can’t believe you just compared Diogo Clemente to Roger Pontare..
Okey, I agree with the critics! But, the only think that makes me like this more than Melfest, for example, is that I’m sure that, at least, this singers CAN REALLY sing! Looking foward for sunday!
Só por ela my favorite.
Mine too.
<3
The same here.
With only 45” it’s not easy! But I would say “Zero a Zero” and “A mesma Canção”. Also “(sem titulo)” seems amazing
Apart from a couple of them, most are quite bland, but then again, these are 45” snippets, so let’s wait for live performances. From what understand, Semi 1 of FdC is mostly ballads, Semi 2 will be more uptempo. Quite an interesting way to divide them, if both Semis are quite different that will mean that we will avoid and All Ballad/other type Final, allowing it to be quite diverse. Anyways, people need to stop the “all ballads are the same” stereotype, there seems to be quite a big hatred towards ballads for years now. Let’s embrace the “50 shades… Read more »
Thank you for the unbiased comment! Kind of sick of Eurofans just lashing out their hatred on every single post of every single country. When did Eurovision stopped being a celebration of this continents unique diversity? Rergarding the snippets, it seems it will be a very slow passed semi, which I don’t find to be such a bad thing. (Sem título), Eu te amo, Zero a zero and Para sorrir não preciso de nada. Portugal over and over showed Europe that results are not the goal of their submissions but rather the showcasement of Portuguese culture and identity. This bunch… Read more »
* (Sem título), Eu te amo, Zero a zero and Para sorrir não preciso de nada look the most promising entries thus far.
Does any of these singers have tics on stage? Or has a life-threatening condition?
If not most from this semi will not go to left hand side of scoreboard .
I only like zero a zero. A mesma Cancao and para sorrir nao preciso De Nada were tolerable.
Such a nice comment… Wouldn’t heard if you could exell some of this nordic tolerance spirit you people brag about all the time and that you do apply only to your own…
Kris, no one knew about his life threatening condition, not even portuguese people that voted for him. Only when he performed on ESC.
Let’s be real. Based on the way eurofans treat contestants with different medical conditions and disabilities, it’s safe to say that it’s the opposite case: a.k.a. Almost no one would have cared about or been considerate (or respectful) of Salvador’s condition if he hadn’t brought a winning song to Eurovision.
Everybody loves Salvador, but why did they vote more for Pop-Opera Nova Glora in NF last year?
Because half don’t like Amar pelos dois. Portugal thought it was a song contest not singer contest.
No, it was because she’s a known singer in Portugal.
Oh my… I dislike none of them! They all sound so lovely and pure. Can’t wait to listen to the full versions.
I like Janeiro’s song and I hope if it wins and goes to ESC he still doesn’t put a title on his song, just because.
I also like Alvoroco because it sounds like the type of laid back song they put in a movie in the scene when they show the gang commiting a hilarious crime in slow motion.