Malta becomes the first of 2 countries to determine their act this weekend for the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest, with the island’s national final set to air this evening.

Sixteen finalists, but only 1 can represent Malta at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. Tonight, the Mediterranean island will select their act for Lisbon, taking place live at the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre in Ta’ Qali.

How to watch

Malta Eurovision Song Contest (MESC) will air from 21:00 CET via the following channels:

TVM

Live webcast via tvm.com.mt

Maltese national final

This evening will see the 16 shortlisted finalists performing onstage publicly for the very first time in the country’s Eurovision national final, Malta Eurovision Song Contest (MESC) 2018.

The participants

Aidan – Dai laga Mariana Conte – Rocket Jasmine – Supernova Matthew Anthony – Call 2morrow Danica – One step at a time Dwett – Breaking point Lawrence Grey – Love renegade Richard & Joe – Song for dad Tiziana – First time Eleonor Cassar – Back to life Rhiannon – Beyond blue horizon Brooke – Heart of gold Christabelle Borg – Taboo Deborah C – Turn it up Avenue Sky – We can run Petra – Evolution

The 2018 Maltese representative will be determined via a combined public and jury vote, each of whom will have a 50% in the final outcome.

The winner of MESC 2018 will go on to represent the nation at the Lisbon-hosted Eurovision Song Contest this coming May, with Malta set to compete in second half of the second semi-final on the 10 May.