The first semi-final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest captivated audiences as 15 performers vied for a spot in Saturday’s grand final. Hosted by Hazel Brugger and Sandra Studder, the event took place at the St. Jakobshalle, marking the third Eurovision held in Switzerland.
For the second time in the semi-finals, automatic qualifiers performed in the semifinal. This also marked the third consecutive year qualifiers are chosen by televote only.
The 10 qualifiers were announced in this order (with final half drawn):
- Kyle Alessandro “Lighter” (producer’s choice)
- Shkodra Elektronike “Zjerm” (second half)
- KAJ “Bara bada bastu” (producer’s choice)
- Væb “Róa” (first half)
- Claude “C’est la vie” (producer’s choice)
- Justyna Steczkowska “Gaja” (producer’s choice)
- Gabry Ponte “Tutta l’Italia” (producer’s choice)
- Tommy Cash “Espresso Macchiato” (producer’s choice)
- Napa “Deslocado” (second half)
- Ziferblat “Bird of Pray” (first half)
Unfortunately, not all could make it through. The five acts that did not advance to the grand final are:
- Theo Evan “Shh”
- Marko Bošnjak “Poison Cake”
- Klemen “How Much Time Do We Have Left”
- Red Sebastian “Strobe Lights”
- Mamagama “Run with U”
Three of the six automatic qualifiers, Spain (first half), Italy (producer’s choice) and Switzerland performed and voted in the first semi-final. They will return to the stage Saturday, May 17 for the grand final.
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