The hunt for Sarah Bonnici’s successor is on, as the 24 acts that will compete at Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2025 have now been announced. We’re now one step closer to finding out who will represent the island nation at Eurovision 2025 in Basel.
24 acts in contention
| Artist | Entry |
| Alexandra Alden | “Magnolia” |
| Kelsey Bellante | “365” |
| Kristy Spiteri | “Heaven Sent” |
| Kurt Calleja | “Aziz/a” |
| Miriana Conte | “Kant” |
| Mark Anthony Bartolo | “Hideaway” |
| Nathan Psaila | “Concrete” |
| Miguel Bonello | “Breaking the Cycle” |
| Matthew Cilia | “Control” |
| Dre’ Curmi | “Te Amo” |
| Martina Borg | “Yo Listen” |
| Kantera | “Lalaratatakeke Lalaratatakabum” |
| Justine Shorfid | “Still I Rise” |
| The Alchemists | “Rubble & Stone” |
| Krista Šujak | “Unheard” |
| Kelsy Attard | “Love Me Loud” |
| Marie Claire | “Wildflower” |
| JVF (Jessika, Victorio Gauci, and Fabrizio Faniello) | “Festa (No Time for Siesta)” |
| Kurt Anthony Cassar | “Miegħek Biss” |
| Raquela Dalli | “Silenced” |
| Stefan Galea | “Lablab (Talk Talk)” |
| Adria Twins | “Qalb Ma’ Qalb” |
| Haley Azzopardi | “Whistleblower” |
| Victoria Sciberras | “Juno” |
The 24 songs competing this year will be narrowed down to a 16 song final. Submissions to this year’s contest closed on the 29th of last month. The final of the 2025 edition of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest is set to take place on the 8th of February; with the two semi finals set to take place on the 4th and 6th.
Returners this year include Jessika, who alongside Jenifer Brening represented San Marino in 2018 with the song “Who We Are”, and Fabrizio Faniello, who represented Malta in 2001 and 2006.
What is Malta Eurovision Song Contest?
Whilst they have used selection competitions before, such as Mużika Malta and X Factor Malta, Malta Eurovision Song Contest has been the method to pick Malta’s entry for the contest since 2022, but has consistently made changes to the format in each of the three years it has been held. The 2024 format consisted of four semi-final shows, branded as “XOW” which took place in October and November 2023, months before the Final in February. Those who progressed to the final were announced at the same time, and without a set amount qualifying from each semi, it had a unique distinction of every song from the third show failing to progress. The final is a combination of Jury (7/9 vote share) and Televote (2/9 vote share). As of yet a MESC winner is yet to reach the Eurovision Grand Final.
Malta’s Eurovision Journey
Malta made its Eurovision debut in 1971, with Joe Grech performing “Marija I-Maltija” (Maria the Maltese Lass), finishing 18th with 52 points. Malta did not participate in Eurovision from 1975 until 1991, when they returned with the song “Could It Be” by Paul Giordimaina and Georgina, finishing 12th with 32 points. Since then, Malta has been at every Eurovision and finished in the top 10 an impressive 12 times. Their best result is second place, which they’ve achieved twice. The first time was in 2002, when Ira Losco sang “7th Wonder,” and the second time in 2005 with Chiara’s “Angel.”
Sarah Bonnici represented Malta in 2024 with her song “Loop”. When all was said and done, Sarah placed 16th in the second semifinal, garnering 13 points.
What do you think of this year’s list? As always, please let us know what you think by getting involved in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads, tumblr, and Bluesky for more information about Eurovision 2025!
News source: PBS
Photo Credit: PBS
Giwrgos Oiko