Image: RTP
On Saturday 25th February, Portugal will start the process of selecting their Eurovision entry for 2023. This comes after the full songs were released by Portuguese Eurovision broadcaster RTP on 19th January. This weekend sees the first of two Semi-Finals – with the next one taking place on March 4th where the other 10 acts will take to the stage to try and qualify for the Festival da Canção (FdC) final on March 11th.
But what about this week? Let’s take a look at the running order of the first Semi-Final of Festival da Canção 2023.
1. MoYah – ‘Too Much Sauce’
2. Bolha – ‘Sonhos de Liberdade’
3. April Ivy – ‘Modo Voo’
4. Churky – ‘Encruzilhada’
5. Cláudia Pascoal – ‘Nasci Maria’
6. SAL – ‘Viver’
7. Mimicat – ‘Ai Coração’
8. You Can’t Win, Charlie Brown – ‘Contraste Mudo’
9. Neon Soho – ‘Endless World’
10. Esse Povo – ‘Sapatos de Cimento’
Want to find more about the acts taking part? Read on as we give you a sneek peak preview of this year’s Portuguese Eurovision hopefuls!
MoYah – ‘Too Much Sauce’
MoYah is originally from Mozambique and moved to Lisbon at a very young age because of the Mozambican Civil War. Now, he currently resides in the United Kingdom and the country has a clear influence on his music, incorporating the popular afrobeats genre into his tracks. With his hard hitting raps and high energy melodies, he’ll be a great show opener.
Bolha – ‘Sonhos de Liberdade’
Bolha are a musical project who are driven by Jacinta, the composer of the song. However the band is made up by member’s Ana Gomes, Hugo Torres and Cristiano Martins – will perform the song on the night. A fusion of different melodies and sounding distinctly Portuguese – this is one for the Festival da Canção superfans and the type of song we know and love the Festival for.
“It’s a strong song that brings together several worlds from a complex harmony and melody. At first it feels weird but then it sinks in”
Jacinta’s thoughts on ‘Sonhos de Liberdade‘
April Ivy – ‘Modo Voo’
April Ivy is the stage name of singer, songwriter and actress Mariana Gonçalves . She started her career at the age of nine as a Disney voice actress and in 2019 she released her debut album ‘Game of Love’. She’ll be looking to build on her career with her FdC entry, presenting one of the most contemporary pop sounds of the competition.
Churky – ‘Encruzilhada’
Diogo Rico is better known as Churky – a singer/songwriter from Alcobaça. Starting a love of music from a young age, by fifteen he was already composing his first songs. Now, he’s an established artist playing at festivals all around the world and released three full length albums. He’ll look to bring his indie/folk sound to the stage on Saturday night!
Cláudia Pascoal – ‘Nasci Maria’
Cláudia will be the name most familiar to Eurovision fans, as a former Festival da Canção winner with the song ‘O jardim’ written by Isaura who performed the song alongside Cláudia. Even though it was a fan favourite, they finished in last place in the Eurovision final in 2018. Clàudia is looking to light up the FdC stage again this time solo with her alternative electronic/fado fuse Nasci Maria.
SAL – ‘Viver’
Formed at the end of 2019, the band consists of João Pinheiro (drums), Sérgio Pires (vocals and viola braguesa), João Gil (bass), Daniel Mestre (guitars) and Vicente Santos (keyboards). The band incorporates a range of traditional instruments into their music such as as the viola braguesa, the mandolin and the cavaquinho. Adding some Portuguese flavour to an indie sound, they’ll be hoping the FdC voters like what they hear.
Mimicat – ‘Ai Coração’
Mimicat is the alter ego of Marisa Isabel Lopes Mena. She started as a performer, interpreter and composer from a very young age – she recorded her first album at the age of nine! The performative with musical theatre touches ‘Ai Coração’ has, is one that has certainly got fans talking – this is one to watch for sure.
You Can’t Win, Charlie Brown – ‘Contraste Mudo’
The six piece band from Lisbon You Can’t Win, Charlie Brown consists of Afonso Cabral (vocals, guitars, keyboards and bass), David Santos (vocals, keyboards and percussions), João Gil (vocals, keyboards, guitars, bass), Pedro Branco (vocals, guitars and bass), Salvador Menezes (vocals , bass and acoustic guitar) and Tomás Sousa (voice, drums and samplers). The band have been together for over ten years and have explored different sounds in that time, experimenting with electric, pop and rock genres. Take a listen to their dreamy track for FdC 2023 below!
Neon Soho – ‘Endless World’
Neon Soho is a trio from Lisbon of alternative electronic pop music. The band members Ana Vieira, Ricardo Cruz and Vera Condeço combine various influences and styles of each of the three members which could be anything from synth-pop to dance to soul. Their debut album ‘Proof of Love’ was described by the band as “a pop salad, without rules or formalisms”. They mix all of these influences together in their Festival da Canção package for you to enjoy.
Esse Povo – ‘Sapatos de Cimento’
Esse Povo is a group formed especially for the Festival, led by composer Quim Albergaria – a drummer, percussionist and vocalist. You can really feel that with this percussion led track, it’s layed with drum beats. This anthemic song is going to be a great show closer!
So that’s this week’s acts in the first Semi-Final of Festival da Canção. Who are you cheering for? You can watch the show on Saturday 25th February at 22:00pm CET on RTP Player. Let us know your thoughts on this year’s Festival da Canção in the comments and on our Twitter and Instagram!
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