Welcome, dear readers, to another wild night at Festival da Canção! Buckle up, because this semi-final had everything: folk anthems, epic ballads, 80s nostalgia, tango vibes, and even a guy rocking a mustache that really should have stayed in the history books.
The show kicked off with flashy intro videos of the 10 semi-finalists, and then our lovely hosts, Sónia Araújo and Tânia Ribas de Oliveira, took the stage, all smiles and sparkle. The voting system was classic: 50% jury, 50% public. But wait! There’s a twist—one extra finalist would be chosen later by only the public, adding some last-minute drama.
Over at the backstage chaos corner, Alexandre Guimarães and Wandson Lisboa were hyped, announcing that they had hit one million views on TikTok! Because what’s a music competition in 2025 without some viral content?
The Performances – A Rollercoaster Ride
A Cantadeira – “Responso à Mulher” - women, folk instruments, and a feminist anthem. Strong start, powerful message.
Tota – “À-tê-xis” - A ballad, a guitar, and… a Hitler mustache? A theatrical inquisition? Let’s just say this was a choice.
Bombazine – “Apago Tudo” - Funky, fun, and rocking those 80s suits like they just walked off the set of Miami Vice. Instant mood boost.
Emmy Curl – “Rapsódia da Paz” - Epic, dramatic, two dancers with long capes twirling around. Basically, an artsy dream sequence come to life.
Inês Marques Lucas – “Quantos Queres” - She started with a huge red cape, then—boom!—four dancers popped out of it. Folk-pop magic in motion.
Fernando Daniel – “Medo” - A chair, a table, deep emotions, and dramatic lighting. Classic Fernando, delivering the feels.
Lucas Argel feat. Pri Azevedo – “Quem Foi?” - Milonga with accordion? Yes, please. Tango intensity level: maximum.
NAPA – “Deslocado” - A chill pop ballad, solid vibes, just them and their instruments. Keeping it classy.
Diana Vilarinho – “Cotovia” - White dress, black-clad dancers, traditional vibes. Portugal’s folk roots alive and thriving.
Henka – “I Wanna Destroy U” - Rock energy, dark camera effects, and a whole lot of attitude. Eurovision metalheads, take note!
And the Finalists Are… After the first round of voting, these five made it through:
NAPA – “Deslocado”
Diana Vilarinho – “Cotovia”
Bombazine – “Apago Tudo”
Emmy Curl – “Rapsódia da Paz”
Fernando Daniel – “Medo”
Then, the phone lines opened for a second round of voting. The people had the power, and they wanted destruction! The final wildcard spot went to… Henka – “I Wanna Destroy U”
What’s Next?
The festival returns next weekend for The Grand Final! The 12 finalists will fight for the honor of representing Portugal at Eurovision in Basel. Who will take the crown? Drama awaits.
Until then, keep streaming, keep voting, and please… let’s leave the historical mustaches in the past.