Aidan Looks To Impress During First Malta Eurovision Quarter Final With Newbies Hot On His Heels

These are the artists whose pre-recorded live performances we will see tonight:

Haley – ‘Tik Tok’

18-year-old Haley Azzoppardi will open the show with a song composed by Philip Vella and Gerard James Borg. Despite her young age, Haley has already performed on a big stage before.

Last year she competed in Mużika Mużika with the song “Nixtieq”.

Stefan Xuereb – ‘What do you want?’

Stefan Xuereb is a relatively new name to Malta’s Eurovision scene. He will be singing a song written by Aidan O’Connor and former Maltese representative Richard Micallef.

Clintess – ‘Lura Qatt’

Singing a song about her journey of gender transition, Clintess Cilia will be making her Eurovision debut. From her snippet, she looks the most comfortable she’s ever been. Written by Dominic Cini and Etienne Micallef, this song could be a surprise.

Fabrizio Faniello – ‘Try to be Better’

Fabrizio is no stranger to the Malta Eurovision selection. Having competed ten times before with two victories under his belt, this will be Fabrizio’s eleventh time competing.

Written by Johan Bejerholm, the song title could be dedicated to this Eurovision selection in general.

Eliana Gomez Blanco – ‘Guess What’

2018 Junior Eurovision representative Eliana Gomez Blanco is all grown up now and she will be debuting in the adult contest with veteran composers Ray Agius and Alfred C. Sant.

‘Guess What’ has its fans among non-Maltese enthusiasts following the selection.

Christian Arding – ‘Eku Ċar’

Mużika Mużika 2021 runner-up Christian Arding is coming back to Eurovision with a song written by Jan Van Dijck and Emil Calleja Bayliss.

The last time Arding made it far in the Maltese selection was in 2006, when he finished fifth with the song ‘Stronger’.

Jason Scerri – ‘Anything Can Happen’

Jason Scerri is another debutant this year. He will be taking to the stage with a bouncy, self-composed track that talks about the beauty of taking risks in life.

Maria Debono – ‘X’Allegrija’

MMA 2020 award winner for best upcoming artist, Maria Debono has now got Eurovision on her radar.

This track is a joyous and melodic offering and will surely stand out. Written by Maria herself, Muxu and Cyprian Cassar, ‘X’Allegrija’ has also made waves with foreign fans.

Geo Debono – ‘The Mirror’

Composed by Daniele Moretti, Natasha Turner and Niall Mooney, ‘The Mirror’ is a gentle and inoffensive offering. Geo Debono is also among the debutants this year.

Mikhail – ‘Leħen fiċ-Ċpar’

Making it four songs in Maltese so far, Mikhail will sing ‘Leħen fiċ-Ċpar’ written by Cliff Casha and Cyprian Cassar.

Mikhail last participated in the selection in 2018 where he duetted with Cherylis on the song ‘Breaking Point’.

Aidan – ‘Reġina’

Aidan is the red-hot favourite to win among Eurovision fans, particularly foreign ones.

This is his third participation in the selection, with a song dedicated to his mother. Produced by Aidan himself and Boban Apostolov, Reġina is considered by many as one of the few songs that could get Malta out of a televote-only Eurovision semi final.

Nathan – ‘Creeping Walls’

Best known for fainting during his X-Factor audition, Nathan is a very promising rising talent.

Jonas Gladnikoff, Dominic Cini and Emil Calleja Bayliss are the minds behind ’Creeping Walls’, a song that could be a grower if it advances.

Klinsmann – ‘Piranha’

We missed Klinsmann! Who can forget the iconic ‘She Gives Me Wings’ that placed third in 2007? This will be Klinsmann’s ninth attempt at representing Malta. Tonight he sings ‘Piranha’, written by Mats Ygfors, Robin Svensson, Magdalena Ohlin and Gerard James Borg.

Eight songs must make the cut. While Aidan is definitely expected to go through, I would also put a penny on Maria Debono, Eliana Gomez Blanco, Fabrizio Faniello and Klinsmann to make it. As for the other three, it can go either way. As far as predictions go, I will say Nathan, Clintess and Mikhail.

Who would you like to see advancing?