The Portuguese Eurovision national selection show ‘Festival da Canção’ began this weekend with its first semi final.
The two-and-a-half-hour semi final was hosted by Jorge Gabriel and Sónia Araújo from the RTP Studios in Lisbon, with the greenroom being presented by Inês Lopes Gonçalves.
Of the ten performing songs in this morning’s show, only five advanced through to the final, due to be held on the morning on 8 March for Australians. The advancing acts were chosen through a 50/50 combination of jury and public televoting, where ties would see the jury vote prevail.
Semi Final Results:
Qualifiers (will perform in the grand final on 7 March):
The Black Mamba - 'Love Is On My Side'
Valéria – ‘Na mais profunda saudade’
Fábia Maia – ‘Dia lindo’
Karetus & Romeu Bairos – ‘Saudade’
Sara Afonso – ‘Contramão’
Some of the stand out performances included:
Failed to qualify:
mema. – ‘Claro como água’
Nadine – ‘Cheguei aqui’
Miguel Marôco – ‘Girassol’
Irma – ‘Livros’
IAN – ‘Mundo’
The five qualifying songs will go through to the grand final of Festival da Canção on 7 March. Semi final 2 will take place on 28 February with the other ten potential entries.