Malta: Changes announced for MESC 2023!

According to an announcement by Maltese broadcaster PBS, in a meeting, which was attended by the 40 artists who will compete at MESC 2023, changes to the format of the national final were discussed, including the introduction of quarter-finals.

PBS Executive Chairman Mark Sammut stated that these changes are being made to give more Maltese singers the opportunity to showcase their talent at this festival which year after year attracts a bigger audience.

The 24 songs that will advance to the Semi-Final will be selected from four Quarter-Finals through public and jury voting. From the Semi-Final 16 acts will advance to the Grand Final, where they will compete to represent Malta at the 67th Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, UK.

It was also announced that Paul Giordimaina, Mike Spiteri, Ludwig Galea and Moira Stafrace will act as consultants in the selection, offering support to the participants.

Through a draw, it was determined that the song that will appear in the first place of the first Quarter-Final is Hailey’s Tik Tok, while Maria Cristina will compete last in the fourth Quarter-Final with Our Flame.

The Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2023 program is as follows:

First Quarterfinal – January 13
Second Qualifinal – January 20
Third Qualifinal – January 27
Fourth Qualifinal – February 3rd
Semi-Final – February 9
Grand Final – February 11

The candidates are the following 40 artists:

Among them we find Brooke who has tried to represent the country in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and was a fan favourite. Also two last year’s MESC participants, MATT BLXCK as well as Aidan, who finished second to Emma Muscat. Finally, we have four past representatives, Fabrizio Faniello (Malta 2001 and 2006), Jessika (San Marino 2018), Francesca Scibberas (Malta Junior Eurovision 2009) as well as Eliana Gomez Blanco who represented her country at Junior Eurovision 2019.

Malta last year lost their qualification streak with I Am What I Am and Emma Muscat finishing 16th in last year’s second semi-final. You can remember her appearance below:

Will we see a familiar face representing Malta in the upcoming song contest? Stay tuned for all developments!

Source: TVM