Portugal: The five qualifiers of the 1st Festival da Cançao 2021 semi-final

Sunday, 21 February 2021

• The Portuguese Eurovision 2021 national selection kicked off this evening determining the first five finalists of of Festival da Cançao 2021.

  For one more year RTP has opted for the iconic Portuguese competition,  Festival da Canção, in order to select the country's Eurovision 2021 act. The Portuguese selection consists of three shows ( two semi-finals and a grand final).

  Tonight the first semi final took place with Jorge Gabriel  and Sónia Araujo hosting this first heat of the competition. During the show Elisa, who was set represent Portugal in Eurovision 2020, performed her new song “Na Ilha” as a guest.

  A total of 10 acts competed in the 1st semi final heat in the following running order (You can watch their performances by clicking on song titles) :

  1. The Black Mamba - "Love Is On My Side"  (Tatanka)
  2. Valéria - "Na Mais Profunda Saudade"  (Helder Moutinho)
  3. Mema - "Claro Como Água"  (Stereossauro)
  4. Nadine -"Cheguei Aqui" (Anne Victorino d'Almeida)
  5. Miguel Marôco - "Girassol"  (Miguel Marôco)
  6. Fábia Maia - "Dia Lindo"  (Fábia Maia)
  7. Irma - "Livros"  (Irma)
  8. Karetus & Romeu Bairos - "Saudade"  (Karetus)
  9. Sara Afonso -" Contramão"  (Filipe Melo)
  10. IAN - "Mundo"  (IAN)

  Unlike the previous editions, instead of 16 acts, in 2021 the competition has the participation of 20 composers: 18 have been invited directly RTP and 2 selected out of a public submission. This means that five acts from each semi final will advance to the grand final show. 

  The outcome of tonight's show was determined by public and jury voting. The jury consisted of the following members: 

  • Maria Carvalho – Winner Composer of Festival da Canção 2020
  • NBC – Festival da Canção 2019 runner up
  • Paulo de Carvalho – Portuguese Eurovision 1974 act
  • Rita Carmo – Photographer
  • Rita Guerra – Portuguese Eurovision 2003 act
  • Vanessa Augusto – T.V presenter

   

  The 5 qualifiers

  The five acts that won the ticket to the final of the Portuguese selection are: 

  • The Black Mamba - "Love Is On My Side"  
  • Valéria - "Na Mais Profunda Saudade"  
  • Fábia Maia - "Dia Lindo"  
  • Karetus & Romeu Bairos - "Saudade"
  • Sara Afonso - "Contramão"

  The Portuguese selection continues next Saturday, February 27 with the second semi final of Festival da Canção 2021.