Tonight, the second semi-final of the annual Portuguese national selection Festival da Canção was held at RTP studios, with the last ten semi-finalists vying for a spot in the Grand Final on March 9th.
The semi-final was hosted by Sónia Araújo and Jorge Gabriel, while the green room host was Inês Lopes Gonçalves. To celebrate Festival da Canção’s 60th anniversary, several figures related to the event were invited to present the competing songs, including Adelaide Ferreira (winner of Festival da Canção 1985), Catarina Furtudo (Eurovision Song Contest 2018 host), Eládio Clímaco, Helena Coelho, Helena Isabel, Isabel Campelo, Isaura, Jorge Fernando, José Nuno Martins, Júlio Isidro, Manuel Luís Goucha, Rita Guerra (Portuguese representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2003), Rui Drumond (Portuguese representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2005), Sofia Morais, Simone de Oliveira (winner of Festival da Canção 1965 and 1969) and Vânia Fernandes (winner of Festival da Canção 2008).
The running order was announced prior to the show and would see Buba Espinho open the semi-final and Silk Nobre closing it. The full running order was as follows:
- 1. Buba Espinho – “O Farol” (lyrics by Edu Mundo | music by Buba Espinho, Bruno Chaveiro, Edu Mundo & Luís Aleixo)
- 2. Cristina Clara – “Primavera” (lyrics by Cristina Clara | music by Jon Luz)
- 3. Leo Middea – “Doce Mistério” (lyrics & music by Leo Middea)
- 4. FILIPA – “You Can’t Hide” (lyrics & music by FILIPA, Rich Pilkington & Marie Jenkins)
- 5. João Couto – “Quarto Para Um” (lyrics & music by João Couto)
- 6. Huca – “Pé De Choro” (lyrics & music by Huca)
- 7. No Maka feat. Ana Maria – “Aceitar” (lyrics & music by Duarte Carvalho, Emanuel Oliveira, Ana Maria Ramos, Mara Cortez, Rafael Martins & Marcelo Garrido)
- 8. Maria João – “Dia” (lyrics by Maria João | music by Maria João & João Farinha)
- 9. Rita Onofre – “Criatura” (lyrics & music by Rita Onofre)
- 10. Silk Nobre – “Change” (lyrics by Silk Nobre | music by Silk Nobre, Artur Guimarães & Pity)
After the performances, while the televoting lines were still open, Milhanas paid a tribute to Maria Guinot, winner of Festival da Canção 1984, who passed away in 2018. The main interval act was given by Herman José, Festival da Canção 1983 contestant, who is celebrating 50 years of career.
Results
The first 5 qualifiers were based on the results of the public and jury votes (consisting of personalities linked to the world of music, entertainment and media), in a 50/50 proportion, with both voting pools assigning 12, 10 and 8-1 points to all ten competing songs. In the event of a tie for 5th place, the song with the highest score in the jury’s vote will qualify to the Grand Final. The first five artists that advanced directly to the final were Buba Espinho, Cristina Clara, Leo Middea, No Maka feat. Ana Maria and Silk Nobre.
The lines then re-opened one more time to decide the sixth televote only qualifier for the Grand Final.
Then, it was announced after a short interview that Rita Onofre had won the last spot in the Grand Final.
The line-up of the Grand Final is thus:
- Buba Espinho – “O Farol” (lyrics by Edu Mundo | music by Buba Espinho, Bruno Chaveiro, Edu Mundo & Luís Aleixo)
- Cristina Clara – “Primavera” (lyrics by Cristina Clara | music by Jon Luz)
- iolanda – “Grito” (lyrics by iolanda | music by iolanda & Luar)
- João Borsch – “…Pelas Costuras” (lyrics & music by João Borsch)
- Leo Middea – “Doce Mistério” (lyrics & music by Leo Middea)
- Nena – “Teorias Da Conspiração” (lyrics & music by Nena)
- NOBLE – “Memory” (lyrics by NOBLE | music by NOBLE & Rui Saraiva)
- No Maka feat. Ana Maria – “Aceitar” (lyrics & music by Duarte Carvalho, Emanuel Oliveira, Ana Maria Ramos, Mara Cortez, Rafael Martins & Marcelo Garrido)
- Perpétua – “Bem Longe Daqui” (lyrics & music by Perpétua)
- Rita Onofre – “Criatura” (lyrics & music by Rita Onofre)
- Rita Rocha – “Pontos Finais” (lyrics & music by Rita Rocha)
- Silk Nobre – “Change” (lyrics by Silk Nobre | music by Silk Nobre, Artur Guimarães & Pity)
The official running order will be revealed afterwards.
The Grand Final final of Festival da Canção will take place on March 9th and will select the country’s act for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö.
What do #YOU think about the results in Portugal tonight? Let us know on social media @ESCUnited, on our discord, or on our forum page!
