Introduction

Despite of the size of the island of Malta and the number of inhabitants, the interest and enthusiasm is extremely high; other countries could jealously look at. The Maltese broadcaster TVM is putting all efforts together organizing a huge yearly TV event with several semi finals and a big final to find the perfect song for the Eurovision Song Contest. This year it’s going to be the 27th participation for Malta in the ESC. Like every year the Maltese entries are receiving a general make over with better arrangement, sound and video clip. Malta is very keen to win the ESC one day.

This year’s winner is a country band called Firelight and consists of five band members Michelle, Richard, Tony, Wayne, Daniel and Leslie. The group was formed in 2013 and is about to record its first album. The sound of their songs can be described as mix of pop songs with folkloristic elements the aim of the band showing fresh music both for the national local and international music scene.

The song “Coming Home” is a solid country pop song with strong vocals and a catchy melody. This kind of music seems to be the trend this year, as Latvia and Switzerland have entries of the same music genre. The sympathetic singers look very happy and full of passion on stage. If the arrangement and stage show could be improved a place in the final would be possible.

History

Participations: 27

Debut: 1971

Biggest success: 2x 2nd place 2002 “7th Wonder” by Ira Losco, 2005 “Angel” by Chiara, 2x 3rd place “Little Child” by Mary Spiteri 1992 and “The One That I Love” by Chiara 1998, 1x 5th place, 1x 6th place, 3x 8th place, 2x 9th place, 2x 10th place

It’s the 27th participation of Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest this year. Maltese Eurovision songs are mainly known for English ballads and pop songs. Malta always enjoyed the privilege of singing in English as it is one of the official languages in Malta beside of Maltese, which has been used twice in the beginning in 1971 and 1972. This language advantage has been important in the 90’s, as the new language rule is now allowing that every country can choose the language of preference, for Malta it means that there is no real advantage anymore. There have been many good Top 10 places in history – even last year with Gianluca Bezzini “Tomorrow”. Unfortunately, Malta has never won the contest so far, but there were two second places “7th Wonder” by Ira Losco in 2002 and “Angel” by Chiara in 2005; and two third places “Little Child” by Mary Spiteri in 1992 and “The one that I love” by Chiara in 1998. Furthermore there were one fifth, one sixth, three eighth, two ninth and two tenth places. Since 2004 Malta could reach the grand final only six times due to the fact that the semi finals have been introduced in that year.