PORTUGAL: Live blog of Festival da Canção semi-final two from 22.05 CET

In Portugal, we’ll be a little closer knowing who’ll be brandishing the golden ticket. The second semi-final of Festival da Canção will see four songs out of eight progressing to next week’s grand Final in Portimão.

A 50/50 combination of jury and televoting will pick tonight’s lucky finalists.

You know the drill: Hit ‘Refresh’ to see our latest thoughts. You can also watch the action HERE.

José and Jorge are our hosts for tonight. They know the tune Te Deum. Ines is in the Green Room.

And with very little chatter, it’s onto the songs

Lara Laquiz – O lugar

Ooh, this is very Iberian. Lara is in basic black. Her schtick is to not move around that much, as she might be stood on something. She’s relying on arm and shoulder movements instead, and leaving the legwork to two dancers. The song involves a lot of ‘oh-oh’s from the backing singers. It’s a pleasant enough song but ends slightly abruptly.

Dan Riverman – Lava

Dan goes for the smart casual look, and is backed by a small band of chums. One of them plays two keyboards at once – one with each hand. I’ve not seen that since a Tori Amos gig. But what’s his song like? It has high soaring notes and a nice piano-led accompaniment. The song hangs together OK but the chorus may not be the most memorable thing we here tonight. Unfortunately also, this could be a two-minute song that’s been stretched out to make three. Not that bad an effort though.

Mariana Bragada – Mar doce

Mariana has done everything herself writing-wise, so this is being interpreted exactly how she meant it to. She’s in an interesting ankle-length dress and matching headscarf. Her song is nicely mid-tempo but could also be slowed down or sped up I think. There’s nothing off in Mariana’s delivery, but its just missing something to make your average Portuguese want to pick up the phone and vote for it. This will struggle.

João Couto – O jantar

This song is a bit more upbeat, yet in a relaxed Latin style. It has a decent enough verse and a chorus with a reasonably-memorable hook. João does have a clear vocal which might help his cause and make the voters listen. And it’s a bit friendlier on the ear. With four to go through, this may well be one of them.

Before song five, we head to the Green Room

Madrepaz – Mundo a mudar

Group time with a number of singers. They have very striking face-paint that’s a little bit disturbing. But the song is a pleasant thing made up of lilting guitars. On the whole. this is far more listenable than what we’ve heard so far. It’s nicely local, with some decent harmonies. This should qualify for next week.

Surma – Pugna

Another self-composed number see Surma and interpretive dancers. IT’s immediately very surreal. And then you see the striking Surma herself. Singing at said dancers. Her song is part chant, part prayer by the sounds of it. Thetre’s no distinct melody as such, just the singer free-styling it, it seems. There’s a long break where I wonder when she’s going to start singing again. But sing she does, in a fashion. Very, very Marmite.

Mila Dores – Debaixo de luar

Mila starts at a grand piano. Will she finish at it or walk away whilst it keeps playing? Her song is very slow – almost piano bar music. Not incredibly memorable, but nice all the same. On cue, Mila moves away from the piano. I think this will struggle. It just doesn’t grab me.

NBC – Igual a ti

Finally, NBC in a suit to remember. Black and purple, and it looks almost like plastic. Or maybe leather. The song has a heavy electric guitar riff and bounces along in a very relaxed style. NBC’s voice is very clear and precise. I’m not sure about the song though. It gets a tad shouty in places, despite the clear vocal. It’s borderline for me.

In less than an hour, we’ve had eight songs. So we’ve gone back to the Green Room.

The phone lines are now thrown open to the televoters of Portugal. Let’s hope they choose wisely.

How to fill the time? Well, we can speak to the jury. One of whom is Isaura. You might remember her as the writer and co-performer of the song O jardim last year.

More recaps of the eight songs. Followed by catchy hashtags. And the an ad break.

Nostalgia time now. Fifty years ago, a certain Simone de Oliveira went over to Madrid and sang Desfolhada Portuguesa. It’s since become a classic. She also sang Sol de inverno at an earlier contest. Simone’s return home after the 1969 contest was given a massive reception. An absolute legend. Sadly, she’s not there tonight, but it brings back memories for me of a concert she gave at Lisbon’s Eurovillage last May. It’s on Youtube if you fancy checking it out.

The Portuguese public are still televoting, so we’re back in the Green Room.

Back to the stage, and Kumpania Algazarra entertain us with a brass-based piece of music. Imagine a ska style and you’re on the way there. We’re getting A festa da vida. It was a nice diversion.

More recaps and Green Room chatter follows.

Kumpania Algazarra are back. Hurrah! This time with Sobe sobe balão sobe (PT 79).

More recaps and chat. And the phone lines have closed!

It looks like we might have some results coming up. The jury spokesman has come on stage with what look like votes!

The jury has decided as follows:

Public vote next. The top four go to the final next Saturday.

Congratulations to NBC, Surma, Medrepaz and Mariana Bragada. They all live to fight another day.

Don’t forget to tune into the show next week. Thanks and good night.

Author: John Stanton

Source: Eurovision Ireland, RTP