Tonight was a big night in the Eurovision calendar for one country in particular, with the prestigious Festival da Cancao returning to Portuguese TV screens this Sunday. The difference this time? Portugal have begun the search for their first ever Eurovision entry on home soil!
As one could imagine, many of tonight’s entries were of an understated nature following Salvador Sobral’s crushing victory in Kyiv, but it was certainly an eclectic field of songs tonight. The thirteen performances in the first semi-final were;
- Bruno Vasconcelos – Austrália
- Rui David – Sem medo
- Beatriz Pessoa – Eu te amo
- Anabela – Para te dar abrigo
- Catarina Miranda – Para sorrir eu não preciso de nada
- Joana Espadim – Zero a zero
- Janeiro – (sem título)
- José Cid – O som da guitarra é a alma de um povo
- Joana Barra Vaz – Anda estragar-me os planos
- Peu Madureira – Só por ela
- Rita Dias – Com gosto amigo
- JP Simões – Alvoroço
- Maria Amaral – A mesma canção
Eagle-eyed long term Eurovision fans may recognise two of the artists; Anabela (1993) and José Cid (1980) both represented Portugal in the contest before. Janeiro was specially invited by Salvador Sobral to the competition this year to compete, with Salvador making a surprise TV appearance with the singer in the green room on his return to public appearances.
Following a combined use of a professional jury of music professionals and a lengthy sequence of public televoting, seven qualifiers were chosen. They are;
- Peu Madureira – Só por ela
- Janeiro – (sem título)
- Catarina Miranda – Para sorrir eu não preciso de nada
- Anabela – Pra te dar abrigo
- Beatriz Pessoa – Eu te amo
- Joana Barra Vaz – Anda estragar-me os planos
- Joana Espadinha – Zero a zero
Portugal will continue their search for the entry for Lisbon next Sunday, with thirteen more acts taking to the Festival da Canção stage.
Which act did #YOU enjoy the most tonight? Share your thoughts with us on our forum HERE or join the discussion below and on social media!
