In February, Gianluca won the prestigious Malta Eurovision Song Contest with the track Tomorrow co-written by Dean Muscat and Boris Cezek and a couple of months later, he has become the most successful mainstream artist in Malta. Gianluca, the younger brother of classically trained performer, Dorothy Bezzina has stolen the hearts of many with a humble personality and a charming smile. Earlier this week, it was revealed that the Maltese entry for this years' edition of the Eurovision Song Contest which finished in eighth place with 120 points has managed to peak in the top forty in the United Kingdom and the top eighty in Ireland thus making it the most successful entry, ever to come from the Eurovision Song Contest where Malta is concerned. 

The Netherlands, a country which made it through to the final for the very first time since 2004 and finished in ninth place thanks to Birds performed by Anouk gave Malta eight points during the final and this has been reflected in the official singles chart considering that Tomorrow performed by Gianluca entered in position number #32. It is important to denote that the entry that represented Malta has also been published in an extended play on iTunes which features an instrumental version, a family version as well as a brand new track entitled I'll Be There. This extended play led the local iTunes chart for a number of weeks thanks to the promotion of Sony Music UK. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for all of the latest news.

Source: Official Dutch Charts

Tomorrow, co-written by Dean Muscat and Boris Cezek was successfully interpreted on the stage of the Eurovision Song Contest by Gianluca as the lead vocalist, Samaria Bezzina and Louise Ann Bugeja Tate as the backing vocalists and Christopher Tate, Kenny D'Ugo and Gabriel Cassar as part of the onstage band. Nevertheless, the aftermath of the eighth place finish for Malta, the best result at the prestigious event since 2005 is proving to be highly successful with the song entering the Irish Charts.

Ireland, seven time winning nation of the Eurovision Song Contest were represented by Only Love Survives performed by Ryan Dolan which finished in an underserving last place. The nation known for artists such as Sinead O'Connor, Westlife, Ronan Keating and Enya amongst others have a relatively strong music industry and to see Malta amongst another eight entries to chart from this years' Eurovision Song Contest is remarkably outstanding. As a matter of fact, Gianluca's entry Tomorrow which was published on the official compilation released by Universal Music managed to peark at number #69.

• #5 Emmelie de Forest (Denmark)
• #13 Ryan Dolan (Ireland)
• #31 Robin Stjernberg (Sweden)
• #54 Margaret Berger (Norway)
• #69 Gianluca Bezzina (Malta)
• #71 Anouk (The Netherlands)
• #94 Cascada (Germany)
• #99 Krista Siegfrids (Finland)

The list of eight countries which have managed to chart in Ireland might somewhat reflect the tele-voting portion of the vote that took place on Saturday night which was not fully realised in the final voting shown on screen as read out by Nicky Byrne of Westlife fame. Amongst the countries which did not receive any points and yet were still granted favour with the public, there were Finland, Germany, Malta and Norway. Once more, this is another success which the country should truly celebrate. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for more news in the coming days. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter as well.

Source: IRMA

Exams! A term which denotes one of the several definitions of stress yet four talented individuals who are inclined towards the path of music have decided to take a breather and share it with the general public, coming together in the form of SkyCity and releasing their sophomore single. Gianni on vocals and rhythm guitar, David on lead guitar and keyboards, Dario on bass and backing vocalists and Jean Paul on drums released their debut track Make You Believe earlier this year, sometime around April and received nationwide earlier but nevertheless, they tweaked their sound ever so slightly for their new single, All I Know. 

Airport Impressions, The Crowns, Red Electrick, Dolls for Idols and WinterMoods are some of the most successful bands in the country and rather than emulating them, SkyCity have decided to come up with their own sound and with more than one strong vocalist in the line-up, they can very much play things by the ear. Talent comes a long way and this is definitely a particular group which can succeed in the months to come especially with the right support. All I Know has a slight hint of Every Breathe You Take in terms of sound production and quality and sourcing The Police as inspiration is a good move. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for all of the latest news from the local music scene. 

Source: Press Release

Anton Attard, Chief Executive Officer of the Public Broadcasting Services as well as the Head of Delegation for the past three years confirmed that Malta will be returning to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2014 following a guest appearance on the daily evening talkshow, TV Hemm produced by Where's Everybody. In light of the success achieved at the esteemed international competition in 2013 thanks to Tomorrow co-written by Boris Cezek and Dean Muscat to the vocals of Gianluca, Attard stated this exposure for the country has been important even towards giving exposure to the professionality of the local music scene. 

Malta has been competing in the Eurovision Song Contest every year since 1991 and has never missed the contest due to the initial relegation rules that had been set in place noting consecutive top ten results from 1991 until 1998 and then from 2000 until 2002. Since the introduction of the semi-final system, Malta has managed to qualify on four out of eight occasions, these being in 2004 with On Again .. Off Again performed by Julie & Ludwig, in 2009 with Chiara and her entry What If We, in 2012 with This is the Night sung by Kurt Calleja and of course, last week with Tomorrow performed by Gianluca.

Anton Attard, currently Head of Delegation and Chief Executive Officer at the Public Broadcasting Services has helped rebrand our participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, working hard with his team to achieve the best possible production quality and the best results both locally and abroad. He states, that he will be putting forward a proposal to the Board of Directors at the broadcaster about his plans for the 2014 selection process but more will be revealed in due course. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com, even on Facebook and Twitter for all of the latest news with regards to next years' edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in Denmark. 

Source: TV Hemm, Emil Calleja Bayliss (image)

The 58th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest came to an end during the early hours of Sunday, at around 01:00 CET when the broadcast was cut during the reprise of the winning entry Only Teardrops performed by Emmelie de Forest. The winner of the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix had always been the favourite to win the international spectacle and assured her place in the history books amassing 281 points, the fourth biggest in terms of statistics. 

Nevertheless, whilst Denmark recorded their third victory at the Eurovision Song Contest, Malta finished in a brilliant eighth place, making it the first top ten finish since 2005 when CHiara had finished in second place with her entry Angel. Gialuca and his charming on stage antics had managed to steal the hearts of many during the fortnight and as he landed in Malta, he was greeted by hundreds of fans at the airport. It was indeed, a heroic welcome. It was an extremely tight situation according to The Times of Malta who stated that bodyguards were duly needed in order to ascertain the protection of the young doctor. 

The crowd varied from elderly to children, awaiting that signature on a poster or postcard. Gianluca managed to do what the artists in the past seven years have not been able to do and that is to enter the top ten. Tomorrow co-written by Boris Cezek and Dean Muscat is also becoming an international hit according to digital sales through iTunes. We'll await the official charts to be released in a couple of days but things look extremely positive. We urge you to stay tuned to escflashmalta.com even through Facebook and Twitter for all of the latest news as soon as it becomes available. 

Sources: esctracker, Times of Malta

RAI, the broadcaster responsible for the participation of Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest has opted in favour of releasing the fifty percent split of the result in both the first semi-final and the final and there seem to be quite a couple of intriguing figures. During the semi-final stage of the competition, the Italian public clearly had one favourite and that was Zlata Ognevich with her song Gravity which received 42.3% ahead of Moldova's entry entitled O Mie performed by Aliona Moon which got just 15.5% in comparison. During the final, the tables turned and support shifted towards Romania and Moldova leaving Ukraine in the lurch and a third position. 

Italy were represented by Marco Mengoni and his song L'Essenziale who managed to take the nation into the top ten for a third consecutive time, finishing in seventh place, just ahead of Malta whose entry Tomorrow sung by Gianluca was awarded the second biggest amount of points from the Italian nation. In the tele-voting portion alone, Malta would have been given four (4) points in total and that means that the ten (10) points given during the show were a mixture of both public and jury votes respectively. You may view the full document as published by RAI here whilst we remind you to stay tuned to escflashmalta.com even through Facebook and Twitter for the latest news.

Source: RAI

Chris and Moira, the representatives for Malta at the 1994 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest have somewhat been lurking in the shadows in recent years, stepping away from the limelight but it seems that the time is right to release some new material, their first in around five years. 2013, has been rather different for them noting performances all over the country as well as during the Malta Eurovision Song Contest as the results of the semi-final were to be announced. Chris and Moira are no longer a duo, havoing become a four piece band in recent years ,with the addition of Billy B on bass and Philip Borg Barthet on drums. Such a line-up has somewhat spurred them on to create new thumping sounds in the studio. 

The result of the foursome will ultimately be an album, one which will be officially released later on this year as some last minute tweaks take place. Until then though, in order to quench the thirst of fans, Chris and Moira have released a brand new original single entitled Flight 170 which marks a fresh chapter in their music career. 'The song was written with a comical approach, a bit like wanting to send everyone to hell instead of the usual love story lyrics'. Rolling in with a fairground type of chime, the song quickly picks up the pace, pushing ahead over a solid rock backbeat and a catchy melody that is as immediate as it is powerful. “It is rather different from what people might have expected from us” Chris commented,  “and it is also quite different from the rest of the album, which I would say is more ‘us’ but sounding fresher than ever before”. 

Flight 170 is available to stream on Chris and Moira’s YouTube channel. The single is also available to buy as a digital download on iTunes. For more information, visit the Chris and Moira page on Facebook. We urge you to stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for all of the latest news as soon as it becomes available, which is also found on Twitter and Facebook respectively. 

Source: Press Release (Michael Bugeja)

Tomorrow, co-written by Dean Muscat and Boris Cezek with vocals provided by Gianluca managed to win the Malta Eurovision Song Contest back in February. Since then, Gianluca embarked on a promotional tour across Europe where he visited several nations including Hungary, Romania, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and Armenia amongst others. In each of the rehearsals, Gianluca was seen to be a dark horse for victory noting that the foreign press described him as having one of the best personalities in this years' competition. A simple tune with a positive message is everything that Malta could have hoped for, ultimately leading to an extremely positive result which saw the nation getting points from most of the participating countries.

San Marino and Italy were amongst the beginning to vote and as a matter of fact, they both awarded Malta a total of ten points which were then followed by Norway later on during the evening. Tomorrow did not gather any points from Sweden, Albania, Austria, Israel, Serbia, Finland, Bulgaria, Belgium, Russia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Croatia and Switzerland respectively. In the semi-final stage of the competition, Malta did even better noticeably finishing in fourth place achieving top marks from three countries, including FYR Macedonia, Norway and Azerbaijan. Despite the fourth place finish, it was only a mere three points away from being the first runner-up. Gianluca along with his team consisting of Louise Ann Bugeja Tate, Samaria Bezzina, Gabriel Cassar, Kenny D'Ugo, Christopher Tate, Dean Muscat and Boris Cezek deserve a round of applause but the Maltese Delegation led by Anton Attard and incorporating Peter Carbonaro, Daniel D'Anastasi and Joseph Mizzi also deserve salutations for their hard work.

Since Anton Attard took over back in 2011, the results have been improving every year as Malta manages to reach their best position since the runner-up finish achieved by Angel performed by Chiara back in 2005. Sweden is becoming a hub for success when it comes to the Maltese Participation noting that back in 1992, Mary Spiteri managed third place with her entry Little Child whilst in 2000, Claudette Pace finished in eight place with Desire. Gianluca has also managed an eighth place finish with his entry Tomorrow. We would like you to stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for all of the latest news about the Eurovision Song Contest as the Public Broadcasting Services unofficially confirms a return to the competition as this is Malta's thirteenth top ten result. 

Source: Eurovision.tv

Good Evening! Welcome to the escflashmalta.com live coverage of the 58th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest which is taking place Malmö, Sweden. Earlier this week, thirty-three (33) countries competed in the semi-final stage of the competition, which was split up into two, one held on Tuesday and the other held on Thursday. Malta was a qualifier from the latter with Gianluca and his entry Tomorrow co-written by Boris Cezek and Dean Muscat managing to make it a second year in a row for the Mediterranean nation. This evening, they will be joining the pre-qualified countries including those who financially contribute the most towards the event on an annual basis; France, Italy, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom as well as the hosts for the year, Sweden.

In recent years, social media has become an important tool to get a message across and escflashmalta.com has been proud to keep you updated through both Facebook and Twitter whilst bringing you exclusive content through Flickr and YouTube respectively. This evening, the special coverage that is annually planned is set to be conducted by our Senior Editor, Antoine Farrugia as well as guests; Brooke, winner of the Best Solo Award at this years' edition of the Malta Music Awards as well as Lauren White, an upcoming Irish singer/songwriter who most recently signed a Publishing Deal with the Universal Music Group. Our support goes towards Malta who will be performing at position number #09 this evening. Follow the Final as of 21:00 CET on Television Malta.

The Show (Part 1)

So here we are today, the Grand Final of the Eurovision this year! Opening starts with flashbacks from last year and Loreen getting many twelve points and being crowned the winner in Baku, Azerbaijan. Now, we see a snail crawling and a shot of a hot air baloon. This 'snail' is now travelling on many things like cars and other transport material. I think it has to do with the butterfly, maybe it's a caterpillar in the end! It got to France and now it's on the snow! This caterpillar seems to be a huge thing in this opening. It slept and woke up again, this time in Malmo! As I thougt, it's this year's theme the buterfly! Welcome to Sweden and to Malmo! It starts right here!

A choir is on stage all clad in black! It consists of a huge number of singers. The song just went from a ballad operatic one, to a more up-tempo song! People are all waving their flags! The song is 'We Write The Story' written by ABBA, the Swedes who got fame thanks to Eurovision! It being sung by B&B choir! On the same 'bridge' that Loreen was last Tuesday! We have the singers from the Final travelling on it carrying the flags by other people infront of them! There was Gianluca, our own representative, I wish him all the greatest luck for today! This is pretty amazing, it's really different, nice to see all the singers unite! Anouk is dancing her way through the bridge in a funny way! After they walked the whole bridge, the ones carrying the flag goes on stage with the flags in various lines! This is just perfect for my eyes! I love this opening! This song is available to download from iTunes! The waves are the attention now!

And here's the host of 2013! Petra Mede is clad all in pink, a very girlish dress I must say! Wasn't expecting this dress on her at all! The song we just heard is the new anthem for eurovision and it was written by two members of ABBA together with Avicii. We must admit, she's right that it is getting bigger and bigger every year! Petra said that this show is being aired in 44 countries including Australia, although it's 5am right there! Petra is explaining the voting method after all the songs are performed! Nobody can vote for their own country! She's explaining the official application for the Eurovision and vote from there! Petra said 'May the best song win and let the competition begin!' Goodluck to every single contestant!

France

Wish i could understand what she's saying... i love the melody very sexy and very rock. Different but i like it and the singers amazing raspy voice. Emotions are incredible. (Brooke)

First up is Amandine Bourgeois with her song 'L'enfer Et Moi'! Amandine is one of the Big 5 countries! Great audience tonight! I hope the sound is good since she's arranging her headphone from the beginning. I like the outit she's wearing and her hair is really nice today compared to rehearsals! This song is quite the same except for the chorus where there's a specific beat. At least, she's singing on a stand cause if she wasn't I'm sure she'd be going around the stage like crazy all the time. The song is getting better with the guitars all the time! Vocally. this is great! This is a really nice show although I would imagine some dancers on stage with Amandine, it would've looked so much! Huge applause from the audience! Liked this one! (Antoine Farrugia)

Ok I like the dark feel and the rock chick feel to it, but personally I cannot stand Eurovision songs not in English. I lose interest half way through. Sounds like it should be on an advert for Bodyform lol (Lauren White)

Lithuania

Graham Northon said "you'd dress better to come and see the contest" that to me explains it all. His look i dont like. But the song is strong but there are stronger. Nothing special. (Brooke)

Something from Lithuania and Andrius Pojavis. He passed from the first semi-final! He's dressed as he was in the semi-final as many acts will obviously be. I don't know something really. How this song passed through the semi-finals, that's what I don't know Andrius. This is always going the same and not a single change is in the song. Plain simple too much for Eurovision. Is it possible, not having any better songs to send from Lithuania?! I never got the concept of this song at all. I don't think this will be breaking through the score board at all. I think it will get a position towards the end, unfortunatley for them but this doesn't simply gain a good position. (Antoine Farrugia)

I don't like it and I was baffled that it got through the semi final. It's boring. The song is weak, he is a weak performer and the backing singers are boring. "I'm not in love with it" sorry Lithuania. (Lauren White)

Moldova

Not fond of her dress... and again.. i ask myself... why sing in a language half of europe wont understand? i cannot relate to whatever she sang. Vocal technique sounds really good. I like the dress gimmick. (Brooke)

Aliona Moon, the one who had the big big dress from the first semi-final from Moldova with O Mie is next. Vocally Aliona started really shaky. Still having the same hair-style, I believe Jedward are a bit jealous now. Aliona is not so good today vocally, she's not hitting all the notes. This chereography is just amazing, I like it way too much. Pasha Parfeny is also on the piano too. It's getting better from Aliona now! It's getting that vibe in the arena when the dres goes up! Strong vocals now! The song reached a near-perfect point! I liked it from the first I listened to it! Turned out to be not as expected but still really good! Deserves a middle position on the score board. (Antoine Farrugia)

I'm convinced I have heard the melody of the chorus before. Reminds me a bit of Serbias winner a few years ago. Great hair and only good thing about this song is the dress. (Lauren White)

Finland

Very similar to Hot n Cold & i kissed a girl by Katy Perry. I think the song is old pop now. If she makes it in the top 10 it's because the controversy and the promotion she got over the famous kiss. (Brooke)

Marry Me and Krista Siegfrids for Finland. She got through last Thursday from the second semi-final. This is one of the favourites. She way too adorbale in that dress! She doesn't have the same breath as last time or she started way with too much energy. The backdrop still is just too much for me! We're in Sweden not Las Vegas! A really girlish performance this one is! It's nice though! The song is quite enjoyable and has that beat that keeps you taking notice of it no matter what. Too many fireworks on stage, though they go a lot with this song! Great perofrmance from Krista! Here's the kiss once again! This will get a good position I think. (Antoine Farrugia)

It's something that reflects the charts now, very Katy Perry. Very catchy and love the lyrics!! I'm in awe love it all!! THAT'S THE WINNER!!!! (Lauren White)

Spain

Boring! Was bored by the second line she sang. Very pitchy. (Brooke)

Big 5 again! El Sueno De Morfeo (ESDM) with Contigo Hasta El Final which translates to With You Until the End. What a great introduction, it gives you a different vibe to other songs, so folk-ish! She wore a really nice yellow dress with gold. She's wearing shoes today, gold sandals! She's way too shaky for me! This song is getting better musically! Turned into a pop-rock one! Are those shoes or no? I'm confused! A really nice song though! I'm enjoying it but I think they won't get a great position. She sang her final line in English! WOO! Great ending and good feedback! (Antoine Farrugia)

Has the Celtic theme. Be nice listening to it on a Sunday, but it can't make up its mind what it is. Too many ideas mixed into one. Although I like the bagpipes riff but to be Spanish singing always sounds out of tune! (Lauren White)

Belgium

Love kills over and over...?? Does it?? Isnt he the youngest singer there?? Plus... not really the message you wanna get across. Production of this song is beautiful. He scares me, i dont know why. (Brooke)

Roberto Bellarosa with Love Kills for Belgium. He got through last Tuesday! Vocally he started really good today! This isn't one of the favourites, infact it got through as a surprise. The chereography is based lyrical and we see the lyrics on the backdrop at some points. Vocally, he isn't any good too much now! The song is quite mainstream for me, you find many songs like this! Another thing, is that he is not helping the performance at all just by standind on a stand. Not a good thing to do with this song Belgium! The song is good but it has something missing I don't know why I'm finding it hard to like it! Not sure about the position! (Antoine Farrugia)

he just ruined it for himself jumping up and down like that!!! Lol! (Lauren White)

Estonia

I think she is beautiful, lovely smile. She seems like she's having a great time singing about whatever she's singing about. (Brooke)

Estonia, Birgit Oigemeel and Et Uus Saaks Alguse up next! she got through from the first semi-final which was quite a surprise for me to pass since it wasn't one of the favourites. The shots start black and white and it is just so nice to see a different screen at least! This is one of the most melodic languages I think! She's clad in all white like last time! I think this will do not bad. I'm liking it more than last time a lot! It's making sense to me finally! Her voice is too nice and she's really good vocally today! Such an angelic moment in this Eurovision which surely makes difference from the other songs since most of them are up beat songs! The vibe in the audience is so much better today than in the semis! I'm finding it quite nice today! It might get a good position for Estonia! (Antoine Farrugia)

Start of it sounds like Bwitched's song Blame it on the Weatherman!! But it's a beautiful song, very uplifting and she's lovely to watch, even though she's wearing her bed sheet! I think it's gonna do well!!(Lauren White)

Belarus

If i had to close my eyes and listen to this song i would be able to guess by the intro it's a eurovision song. They should create a genre called Eurovision. Fed up of the same songs! That is why i like Malta! (Brooke)

Solayoh and Alyona Lanskaya for Belarus. The disco ball is back on stage from last Tuesday! Quite a nice opening for me! That dress is too short I think, it's like Eleftheria Eleftheriou from Greece last year. Vocally, she's really bad. I don't know but the singers are stressed a lot today or they got too much energy! She's not much of a dancer for sure! The song is good, I find it quite an interesting song if many of those boom boom booms at the back were reduced because it gets always the same after some time! Musical break where Alyona shows her bad dancing skills, sorry! This is enjoyable though! The song is so so good for me! This will get a middle poition in the charts! Great response from the audience! (Antoine Farrugia)

The same Greek/Turkish beat that we have heard every year for the past 10 years! But again, I like it I would dance to it, reminds me of Holly Valance "Kiss Kiss" LOOK AT THOSE legs. Repetitive, but half of Europe like that sound! Every year..... (Lauren White)

Malta

Graham Northon likes the song A LOT! So simple and Perfect!!! Breath of fresh air!!! Well done Gianluca. The audience is singing their heart out! (Brooke)

Malta up next! Goodluck Doctor Bezzina! Tomorrow is the song! The clip before is so nice, we see how Malta is nice! Let's hope he will be good! GOODLUCK GIANLUCA! By the time the ukele starts clapping is the thing you hear and people going Oh Oh! He got his smile back on the stage! All the performers seem so happy to be back on stage again! The audience are enjoying it too continuing the Oh Ohs all the way through! The song is really good, relaxing from the one before this! Vocally, gianluca is good too/! THe catwalk thing he did is just so good! He's enjoying it way too much! He doesn't have any breath left unfortunately! Was a great performance! Great job Gianluca! (Antoine Farrugia)

Hey hey!! I'm with you guys!! Lovely sweet song! Ill be voting! That's all I have to say  BEST OF LUCK!!! "Hey soul sister-very like that and I've goosebumps hearing everyone sing! You finally got it right Malta-looks so happy to be there!! (Lauren White)

Russia

Such a strong ballad. Top 5 for me! Goosebumps all over! (Brooke)

Dina Garipova, What If are up next for Russia! She got through from the frist semi-final last Tuesday! She starts off a bit shaky too! She has got a nice voice for sure! I think she's a bit stressed today, it sound in her voice! This is one of the favourite ballads this year! I'm finding it rather a bit boring, it never changes! Vocally, this isn't the best performance Dina gave. The bridge is so nice! My favourite part of this performance is when the audience light their bulbs together! So so nice! Vocally, she's not good at all! But I think this will gain a quite good position, maybe top 15! (Antoine Farrugia)

Khloe Kardashian singing for Russia  its a beautiful melody and I'm a sucker for strings. Very uplifting and positive.. "What if" this wins..... Nah don't think so! (Lauren White)

Germany

Summer 2013 Anthem!!!! Feels like a party all of a sudden. Love it. (Brooke)

Germany and Natalie Horler from Cascada and Glorious is up next! This is one of the most favourites entries and believed to get back the Eurovision in Germany. She's glamorous for sure! I jsut can't stand this revised version shortening it! She's way before the music and she is one of the best performers on the stage today! She's insane jumping and dancing on that staricase. She's performing the song way too good! A really good contender for the win I think! It got a bit more personal, toning it down! Before Cascada gets down the staircase, and the song turns into a magnificent entry for sure! She's writing history! Vocally, she's not really good though! This will be top 5 for sure! Great response form the audience! (Antoine Farrugia)

 I like Cascada and I don't think it's like Euphoria. But it's not a winner. I was expecting more and I think something is missing from the chorus... Raging!! (Lauren White)

Armenia

His voice is nice. He needs to improve his look, big time. Cool soft rock song. (Brooke)

Lonely Planet, Dorians and Armenia up next! They got through last Thursday! Tony Iommi form Black Sabbath wrote this song! It starts out so nice! He's a bit late contrary to Cascada! Vocally, he's super! This is a really rock song by a great band! Still, I think it has that something missing! His voice is jut so so nice to listen to! I still think there is way too many jeans fabric on stage! The song is getting better in my opinion! His riffs are spot on on pitch! This song is so nice! I don't know how, but many are ranking it really low! I think it won't be high on the final scoreboard, but not the worst positions, maybe mid scorboard position! Better than Thursday I think! (Antoine Farrugia)

The only thing standing out to me is his eyebrows. BORING and whiny blah! (Lauren White)

The Netherlands

I don't get the fuss about this song. Nice melody in chorus verses are slightly boring. Anouk is a great singer and this song does not show off her voice. Backing Vocals are stunning! (Brooke)

Anouk and her Birds falling from the rooftops for The Netherlands! One of the hottest to win! The beginning is just great! I wasn't a fan of this song at all until last Tuesday! Her voice is so clear but it is a bit shaky! This song is beautiful compared to others! The audience is loving it, screaming all the way through! This may be a bit too slow for Eurovision, but it is great let's admit it! This is a performance everyone should enjoy! I don't have words to describe it. I think this will do great tonight! Amazing that's all I can say! Great job Anouk! (Antoine Farrugia)

I love this song!! Love her voice and it's so different to anything we have ever seen!! It's my favourite next to Finland! But I'm singing it constantly!! (Lauren White)

Romania

I cannot stand this song. Im off to make some more popcorn and a cup of tea. (Brooke)

Cezar, Romania and It's My Life up next. He got through last Thursday as a big surprise for everyone. Why are there people screaming for him? I don't find it interesting in any way. Here ends the ugly part of the song and we go to the uglier part of the song. How did he pass? How did they let him on stage? That outfit is really not nice to look at. I think Cezar should stick to opera and forget his pop-opera attempt. The bridge shows his vocals a bit better, but I still don't like it. First entry from Romania that I don't like in all the years they participated. No, this won't do well I hope! (Antoine Farrugia)

I see Rylan from X Factor with a voice. An unbelievable voice and should be on Andrew Lloyd Webbers next show. At this point beyond words so find your own. Not a winner. (Lauren White)

United Kingdom

UK need to send a good singer like Bonnie Tyler with a GOOD SONG. Good perfromance but there are loads of great and better song in the final tonight. (Brooke)

Bonnie Tyler from United Kingdom singing Believe In Me. She's already a superstar around the world so I don't know what she's doing here. What the hell just got in her voice in the beginning? Her ooutfit is just plain simple. The song is nice but like lsat year, it's old for the Eurovision. Her voice is so good now! Although, there are some notes off at times. This performance is getting better. Her voice is just so so beautiful. She's walking the catwalk and she reached the platform where it got slightly up a bit! I think they will get a better position than last year! (Antoine Farrugia)

Hello 1980! I don't understand why they're sending oldies each year.. I think it might do ok, the chorus is singable but just can't get the thoughts of her kissing her husband out of my head! (Lauren White)

Sweden

I had to raise the volume during this song. It's BEAUTIFUL!!! I wouldnt mind having the next years eurovision in Sweden again. No. 1 for me!. (Brooke)

Sweden is up next and Robin Stjernberg with his song 'You'. This is the host country and ofcourse, the audience went crazy! He's wearing white and beige! Audience is clapping and screaming every single time! The song is so so nice and vocally he's really good! this is a great performance I think! Whoa! He missed some words! They got off the platform they are using on stage! And they went back up again! Can't understand why it is there really! This is one of my personal favourites but I thought it would come across better! That high note was great in my opinion, was needed in the song! It will get another good ranking for the Sweden! (Antoine Farrugia)

Ryan's brother. I like it, it's catchy and his vocal is amazing. He should be swinging from trees in the jungle!! Sweden never cease to amaze me with their pop! (Lauren White)

Hungary

I still wonder how this song made it through. Is he a singer or a rapper? (Brooke)

Hungary with their representative ByeAlex with Kedvesem which was the first qualifier last Thursday. Great feedback from the audience! The audience is so hyped up tonight! This is a rather boring song this year. Don't know how this got through. Many are saying that it will gain a top 10 position, I really don't know why! Vocally, nothing special at all and I think that the song didn't take much time to be written. It is boring to death. If I try to close my eyes, I'd sleep! As what happened to The Netherlands, I didn't know what to write, same happens here but in a bad way. No, just a no! (Antoine Farrugia)

 it's nice and sweet not my cup of tea and I see we have a Donna Donna McCaul lookalike as a backing vocalist. I'm bored though of the same two guitar strings being plucked! (Lauren White)

Denmark

I love the instrumentation of this song. I think its very similar to one of my fav songs in the charts right now. Her voice is very particular and very warm. Top 5 for me. (Brooke)

Denmark's representative Emmelie De Forest, who is one of the favourites today with 'Only Teardrops'. WHOA! Great feedback! this is truly the favourite in the audience! I like this song too and a lot not just like any other song, but sill I don't think it will win even though she has what it takes to win! Visually it's great, as well as vocally! She's feeling the win coming, I can see it in here smile! She's enjoying it more than last Tuesday! The audience is loving it too! Great show from Denmark today! Can this be the winner?! It can, it really can. Not quite sure if it will with the juries! Who knows?! I'm sure this will be heard a lot through Summer! (Antoine Farrugia)

I am always a fan of Denmark. Love her voice. Mixture of Shakira and Dido. Celtic theme again and great build up I am interested! (Lauren White)

Iceland

His voice is amazing. I bet he'd be a great Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. Nice song but would have preferred him singing in English. (Brooke)

Eg A Lif with Eythor Ingi for Iceland. This got through last Thursday! Such a beautiful beggining this song has! This is the most melodic language I have ever heard in my entire life! All the singers are happy today, all smiling a lot! Vocally, he's really really good! Though, it's turning out a bit boring! This song has really miniature changes in it! The thing that shines is his voice which is really relaxing to be honest! the backing vocalists got on stage now and they're singing the first line while he's improvising. He will get a middle ranking I think! Obviously, with juries it got a good position! (Antoine Farrugia)

Ugh the language is as depressing as the country. He is singing as if there's a lump of vomit in his throat. Boring its like it should be a National anthem. NEXT (Lauren White)

Azerbaijan

Wow!!!!! the choreography is amazing!!! Beautiful song. Azerbaijan always bring great songs to the eurovision. (Brooke)

Farid's Hold Me is up next for Azerbaijan. This is one of the best visual performances ever on the Eurovision. He started shaky again. He's shaking, he's obviously really excited. He was excited in rehearsals so now it's obvious he'll be more excited. This performance is just so high-class! He was a bit off I think after jumping from that box! The long dress is taking on the stage! I don't think it is represetning anything. This is one of the favourites too! Such a difficult final to be hinest today! The most perfect vidual performance I ever seen in the Eurovision history! Will he take the Eurovision back to The Land Of Fire?! Top 10 I think! (Antoine Farrugia)

Looks like the guy that won for Russia years ago. Think the staging is brilliant. But the song doesn't stand out. Whiny!!! (Lauren White)

Greece

Another strange song! The only good thing about is that Alcohol is free! I wouldnt be surprised if it makes in the top 10.. (Brooke)

Koza Mostra and Agathon Iakovidis with thier free alcohol for Greece! This song is so so enjoyable! Whoa! I can't stand sitting down to this! This is beyond perfect to dance with! I'm screaming Hey Hey Hey all the way through! Alcohol Is Free guys! Whoa! I'm really liking this!! Is something wrong with me thinking it will end up with the top 10! I'm liking it way too much! The one thing that concerns me is the old man singing, it isn't that original! Glowing instruments are sure great! I love it, really! This was so needed after two ballads! Well done Greece, once again! (Antoine Farrugia)

I love the greek bouzouki-very infectious. Very like Madness! I actually really like this!! It's fun!! (Lauren White)

Ukraine

Beautiful song, beautiful singer, beautiful dress, beautiful voice. She wore a stunning dress in the rehearsals i dont know why she didnt wear it. But again.. the song is beautiful. Very lion king! Top 5 for me!!! (Brooke)

Ukraine's Zlata Ognevich and the giant, Igor are back with Gravity! Igor sometimes makes me think how difficult it is to live for him! Vocally, I think Zlata is the best singer in the final this year! This song is so reaching the point Zlata wanted it to when she says she wants a fairytale to be created in the arena! It's like effortless for her to sing those high notes! Great job Ukraine! Is this a mixture of Avatar and Disney as many followers of Eurovision are saying? No, it's so original! I like this one too! I hope Ukraine will get another good result for them! (Antoine Farrugia)

Pure Disney. The chorus is very Celine Dion.. That is all! (Lauren White)

Italy

Brilliant song... only coz i understand italian though. The lyrics are beautiful and he's super calm on stage. Love him! (Brooke)

Marco Mengoni and L'Essenziale! Winner for X-Factor Italy and San Remo. Many are making him the winner of the Eurovision too. His voice is way too nice! At least, today he does not seem drunk on stage! I don't like that colour of the suit he's wearing! I'd prefer it if it was a black suit. Why is making his notes longer than normal? Not a really goos thing to do Marco sorry! Although, this song is really good! His voice is so nice! The song is now getting better! He's a really good singer! He was a bit off-pitch now unfortunately! It didn't come out as I expected it to! I think it will be top 3! Great take Italy! (Antoine Farrugia)

He is standing there like a soloist in a young boys choir. I'm bored. Not memorable and not Eurovision. Nice chap (Lauren White)

Norway

I like the feel of this song. Production is very nice. Not my fav though. (Brooke)

Margaret Berger and her feeding of love from Norway. She got through last Thursday and is one of the most favourites to win! WOAH! Excellent intro! Ok, I just got back to reality! Her voice is really good but all that white is really bothering my eyes. Her complexion is already too white and that dress doesn't help at all! No, don't dance please!! She was off too! I don't find it that much interesting to be honest! The bridge is the nice thing of the song for me! It is way too simple and always the same! Though, it is one of the favourites to win! Will Margaret take the Eurovision to Norway after Alexander?! Top 7 for me! (Antoine Farrugia)

Great modern pop song. Very Robyn. Its original and dark, i like it! Gorgeous looking! (Lauren White)

Georgia

Such a strong melody. The chorus makes me sigh. Beautiful. Very old school though including the dress etc. (Brooke)

Waterfall from Nodi & Sophie for Georgia. This is a song I quite used to like but since last Thursday, it didn't take much on me! He's really good in his solo part in the opening. And she compliments him here! This song is lacking chemistry for me. Either it is an unuasal harmony or she's off! It got better today! Smoke all over the arena! Fire too? No, you just went overboard! She got the right pitch today! Improved a lot since Thursday! Got back my support! I love it! Top 15! Maybe!! (Antoine Farrugia)

lovely ballad. I don't really get the duet thing though like fast forward Sonny and Cher.  Nice harmonies. Not my thing. Don't think it will do well! (Lauren White)

Ireland

John Travolta on stage. Nice song. (Brooke)

Ireland to end the day! Only Love Survives and Ryan Dolan! He got through last Tuesday! Ireland has such a great hsitory in Eurovision with seven nikes!  The drummers appear first! His voice is not one of my favourites to be honest, I find it rather nasal or an undeveloped voice! The drummers are the thing that matters the most it seems in this act! I don't like the backing vocalists voices! It is growing on me! Still, his voice is annoying! I quite like the song though! I think this will be a great summer hit this year along with other ESC songs! I don't know where to put this on a scoreboard! Though, goodluck! (Antoine Farrugia)

I lost to Ryan, but if ya can't beat them join them!! Best of luck Ryan and co!! Go Ireland! (Lauren White)

The Show (Part 2)

And Jean Paul Gaultier designed all the dresses for Petra Mede and he is in the audience Petra is repeating the voting system for this year including the application! Europe has the 15 minutes to vote as we go to the first recaps! Loreen is with us, awkwardly looking like a bird from The Netherlands! This is a beautiful performance of 'We Got The Power' her new single! Turned boring for me! And as the song changes, we find Loreen back on the floor like last year! She is held off from the stage hanging in air! Vocally, this is so much better than last year of Euphoria!  She took off the wings and is now wearing a long cape while singing Euphoria! Vocals are so strong! That was one hell of a performance by Loreen! Great job! Another recap while we have four more minutes to vote! You can notice how stiff this competition is this year! Petra Mede changed clothes for closing the lines! Europe stop voting now! That was a history of Eurovision is hort and now we go back to Petra Mede introducing us to Eric Saade in the greenroom! Eric who took part in 2011 with Popular for Sweden! Eric lead us to Jan Ola Sand!

In years gone by, the running order of the voting process was scheduled in the same manner in which the performances took place but nevertheless, the system was altered a couple of years back when the juries gained their voting priveledges back, and which now undoubtely decide half of the respective result. The European Broadcasting Union would like to make the best possible showcase for the millions of viewers watching all over the world including; China and Australia and therefore, where possible, changes in the leaderboard will be implemented just to create an exciting feeling for all to enjoy.

Valletta, the capital city of Malta will be the backdrop for the voting this evening with the spokesperson being none other than Emma Hickey, otherwise known as Jeremy's love interest in the music video for Tomorrow, which is the entry representing the country in the international music showcase. The song which is co-written by Dean Muscat and Boris Cezek with vocals provided by Gianluca got through to the final round following an initial qualification phase held on Thursday. Malta was announced as the ninth country following what seemed to a nerve wracking situation. This evening, during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest, Malta will be performing in position number #9.

1. San Marino (John Kennedy O'Connor)
2. Sweden (Yohio)
3. Albania (Andri Xhahu)
4. Netherlands (Cornald Maas)
5. Austria (Kati Bellowitsch)
6. United Kingdom (Scott Mills)
7. Israel (Ofer Nachshon)
8. Serbia (Maja Nikolic)
9. Ukraine (Matias)
10. Hungary (Éva Novodomszky)
11. Romania (Sonia Argint)
12. Moldova (Olivia Furtuna)
13. Azerbaijan (Tamilla Shirinova)
14. Norway (Tooji)
15. Armenia (Andre)
16. Italy (Federica Gentile)
17. Finland (Kristiina Wheeler)
18. Spain (Inés Paz)
19. Belarus (Darya Domracheva)
20. Latvia (Anmary)
21. Bulgaria (Joana Dragneva)
22. Belgium (Barbara Louys)
23. Russia (Alsou)
24. Malta (Emma Hickey)
25. Estonia (Rolf Roosalu)
26. Germany (Lena)
27. Iceland (Maria Sigrun Hilmarsdottir)
28. France (Marine Vignes)
29. Greece (Andriana Magania)
30. Ireland (Nicky Byrne)
31. Denmark (Sofie Lassen-Kalhke)
32. Montenegro (Ivana Sebek)
33. Slovenia (Andrea F)
34. Georgia (Liza Tsiklauri)
35. F.Y.R. Macedonia (Dimitar Atanasovski)
36. Cyprus (Loukas Hamatsos)
37. Croatia (Uršula Tolj)
38. Switzerland (Mélanie Freymond)
39. Lithuania (Ignas Krupavicius)

All of the participating countries in this years' Eurovision Song Contest will be casting their votes, half of them as decided by a panel of professional experts and the other half by the million of people watching in their homes. As one could denote from the list above, there are a number of well known individuals who will be reading out the points of their country, amongst them being; Tooji (Norway), Anmary (Latvia), Lena (Germany), Alsou (Russia) and of course, the most famous one being Nicky Bryne of the former group, Westlife for Ireland. Speculation is running high that Italy did extremely well with the juries last night as opposed to Denmark who might have not scored one of the top results. This is yet to be seen. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for more of the latest news.

Source: eurovision.tv