Overnight, Maltese broadcaster PBS has announced the 24 artists that will compete to represent Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
The format of MESC 2025 will be simplified in comparison with recent years, and the number of songs has been reduced. Rather than multiple audition rounds or music videos, the national final will consist of two 12-song semi-finals to take place on Tuesday 4 February and Thursday 6 February 2025, followed by a 16-song final on Saturday 8 February 2025. This means that only four songs will be eliminated in each semi-final.
The 12 songs participating in semifinal 1 are as follows:
Alexandra Alden – Magnolia
Kelsey Bellante – 365
Kristy Spiteri – Heaven Sent
Kurt Calleja – AZIZ/A
Miriana Conte – Kant
Mark Anthony Bartolo – Hideaway
Nathan Psaila – Concrete
Miguel Bonello – Breaking the Cycle
Matthew Cilia – Control
Dre’ Curmi – Te Amo
Martina Borg – Yo Listen
Kantera – LalaRataTakeke LalaRataTakabu
Participating in semifinal are:
Justine Shorfid – Still I Rise
The Alchemists – Rubble & Stone
Krista Šujak – Unheard
Kelsy Attard – Love Me Loud
JVF (Jessika, Victorio, Fabrizio) – Festa (No Time for Siesta)
Marie Claire – Wildflower
Kurt Anthony Cassar – Miegħek Biss
Raquela Dalli – Silenced
Stefan Galea – Lablab (Talk Talk)
Adria Twins – Qalb Ma’ Qalb
Haley Azzopardi – Whistleblower
Victoria Sciberras – Juno
The main names which will be recognisable to Eurovision viewers are two of the members of the supergroup JVF. Jessika Muscat (the "J") of course memorably represented San Marino alongside global rap star Jenny B with the song "Who We Are", while Fabrizio Faniello (the "F") has represented Malta at the contest twice, in 2001 (Another Summer Night) and in 2006 (I Do).
Both are also regular MESC participants, with Jessika in particular having participated in MESC no less than 12 times before this year (although she has never won). By their powers combined, can they take us to Valletta in 2026?
Also appearing in this year's lineup is "Kurt Calleja". It is not clear whether this is the Kurt Calleja who represented Malta at Eurovision 2012 with the song This is the night, or the identically-named artist Kurt Calleja who unsuccessfully attempted to audition for MESC 2024 with the song Misunderstood, or indeed a third artist who is also named Kurt Calleja. More news as we have it.
As is usual for MESC, there is also a grab-bag of former MESC competitors who have competed previously represent the small island nation. In no particular order, long term MESC viewers may remember Miriana Conte, Mark Anthony Bartolo, Miguel Bonello, Marie Claire, Stefan Galea and Haley Azzopardi.
MESC 2025 will kick off in February 2025.
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