Angel will be the song representing Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest in Ukraine this May. It was a triumphant comeback for the big-hearted Chiara Siracusa who was in tears as she was mobbed by all those present on stage. The song written by the singer herself polled 11,935 votes.
In second place was Olivia Lewis with Déjà Vu which polled 11,916 votes. Philip Vella and Gerard James Borg wrote the song. Placing third with 5,913 votes was J. Anvil with You composed and written by Augusto Cardinale along with John Attard.
Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech praised the excellent standard of performances and reiterated the government’s commitment to support the winning song through the new all-televoting system.
A long wait until the final result was announced turned the Green Room into a veritable concert venue as all singers and their friends released the tension by singing along to Julie & Ludwig’s On Again, Off Again.
The annual appointment that creates just less hype than the Eurovision Song Contest got off to a rather staid start as all singers took the stage with a catchy song but with evident quirks as regards sound. Next Julie and Ludwig took the stage along with a host of children singing last year’s winner On again, Off again.
Presenter Clare Agius was resplendent in red, Moira Delia was equally stunning in pink while John Bundy was in a simple, yet smart suit. Natasha and Charlene kicked off the evening with an energetic rendition of their catchy song, Love is the Reason. Eleanor Cassar was next with He, a lovely ballad that also brought enthusiastic reactions from the packed audience. Former winner Fabrizio Faniello sang another ballad, Don’t tell it which also included backing in the form of classical instruments. One Life by Gunther injected some energy and beat into the festival and was also well received.
Aldo Busuttil’s Addio Ciao evidently paid debt to the Italian tenor tradition and his emotional interpretation brought a hearty reaction from the audience. Hearthrob Keith Camilleri gave an energetic rendition of Sunshine in Your Eyes which also included some scantily clad dancers into the bargain.
Ali and Lis followed suit with a predictably energetic and finely choreographed Don’t Stop the Party. Louiseanne Tate’s To Fall in Love Again was well sung but not outstanding.
Olivia Lewis’ Déjà Vu was an original exercise in tribal rhythms and stunning singing from this local favourite with the audience going predictably wild.
Rosman Pace’s The Sky’s the Limit included some interesting work from his band. Fiona and Nadine’s Words of Love was also quite original and again included excellent supporting work from the band. Justine’s Through your Eyes was another love ballad which relied on the vocal prowess of this talented singer.
Karen Polidano’s Holding me Down was also well sung and included a lovely dance routine as an added visual effect. Another effective duet was that sung by Leontine and Roger whose There for You brought to the fore the chemistry between the two singers. Rachel, Romina and Nev sang We can do better with evident feeling while The Mics’ Its Up to You was a bit more energetic, but not spectacular.
Another former winner – and eventually the winner this year too – Chiara literally brought the house down with a superb interpretation of Angel, a lovely song indeed. Glen’s Appreciate was another ballad which was very well sung by the talented artist. Andreana and Christian’s Let’s Make a Change was another fine duet. Pamela’s Play On was a good ballad and was also quite well sung.
J. Anvil’s You was strikingly original in its use of cabaret influences and was a breath of fresh air while Manuel’s The Angels are Tired brought to an end the round of 22 songs.
The show also included performances by the Young Talent Team, Corkskrew who gave energetic performances of Blindspot and Insomnia from their latest album No Ordinary Maybe, Bearsun, the Central Academy of Ballet and Cypriot singer, Konstantinos who performed his country’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest called Ela Ela.