They’re here! The 20 entries of the Portuguese national final have been released already! In a press conference today, the broadcaster also revealed the hosts.
Each of the semifinals (taking place on February 20 and 27) will have 10 participants (9 by direct invitation from RTP and 1 from public submission), with the 5 most voted by the jury and the public of each semifinal winning the qualification. for the Grand Final of the contest, scheduled for March 6.
Here are the entries:
The draw
Like last year, Festival da Canção 2021 will take place over three nights:
- Semi-final 1 – February 20th, hosted by José Carlos Malato & Sônia Araujo.
- Semi-final 2 – February 27th, hosted by Tânia Ribas de Oliveira & Jorge Gabriel
- Grand Final – March 6th, hosted by Filomena Cautela & Vasco Palmeirim.
Inês Lopes Gonçalves will be the host of the green room of the two semifinals and the Grand Final.
The draws for each semi are as follows:
Semifinal 1 – February 20
- Nadine – “Cheguei Aqui” (Anne Victorino d’Almeida)
- Fábia Maia – “Dia Lindo” (Fábia Maia)
- Sara Afonso – “Contramão” (Filipe Melo)
- Valéria – “Na Mais Profunda Saudade” (Helder Moutinho)
- IAN – “Mundo” (IAN)
- Irma – “Livros” (Irma)
- Karetus & Romeu Bairos – “Saudade” (Karetus)
- Miguel Marôco – “Girassol” (Miguel Marôco)
- Mema – “Claro Como Água” (Stereossauro)
- The Black Mamba – “Love Is On My Side” (Tatanka)
Semifinal 2 – February 27
- Carolina Deslandes – “Por Um Triz” (Carolina Deslandes)
- Da Chick – “I Got Music” (Da Chick)
- Joana Alegre – “Joana Do Mar” (Joana Alegre)
- Graciela – “A Vida Sem Acontecer” (João Vieira)
- NEEV – “Dancing In The Stars” (Neev)
- Eu.Clides – “Volte-Face” (Pedro da Linha)
- Pedro Gonçalves – “Não Vou Ficar” (Pedro Gonçalves)
- Tainá – “Jasmim” (Tainá)
- Ariana – “Mundo Melhor” (Virgul)
- Ana Tereza – “Com Um Abraço” (Viviane)
Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest
Portugal was once seen as one of the most unlucky Eurovision countries, holding the record for the longest period of participation without a win (49 attempts). Of course, this ‘curse’ was broken in 2017 when Salvador Sobral won the contest with “Amar Pelos Dois”. Not only was this their first win, but it was also their first and only top 5 placing in the contest to date.
Unfortunately, since this victory, Portugal haven’t been able to replicate this success in the past two contests. In 2018, as the host nation, Portugal got its fourth last place finish with Cláudia Pascoal’s “O Jardim”. After performing 15th in semi final 1 in Tel Aviv this year, Conan didn’t qualify for the Grand Final.
In 2020 Elisa won Festival da Canção 2020 but unfortunately didn’t get a chance to represent her country at the Eurovision due to the pandemic. Later RTP confirmed they are going to hold Festival da Canção 2021.
Are you excited for Festival da Canção 2020? Who’s your early favourite? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to see our reactions to the news in the run up to Rotterdam!
