MESC rules have been announced!

Malta Eurovision Song Contest, the Maltese national selection, announced its rules and format for the 2024 version of it. The applicants must obliged to EBU rules along with the following:

• All artists must be of Maltese nationality or have dual citizenship, one of which is Maltese. In the case of a group comprising two or more artists, all artists participating in lead roles must be of Maltese Nationality or hold dual citizenship, one of which Maltese.
• The previous year’s winners cannot compete (a.k.a. The Busker).
• All artists must be aged at least sixteen by the 1st May, 2024.

For more information about the criteria you can go online at eurovision.pbs.mt. The applications open on August 28.

Format

The entries will be heard by a jury, which will decide which songs will make it to the semis. It is noteworthy that if someone apply more than one songs, only one can make it to the semifinals.

An unknown number of semi-finalists will compete in the semis, the number of the semis is yet to be announced too. During this phase, the artist will perform their songs, but without any props and choreography. Like last year, the 12 finalists will be announced after all the contestants have sung on stage. A combination of jury and public voting will select the finalists.

The finalists will have to record within one hour a live-on-tape performance, like Eurovision entires did in 2021 and 2022. At this phase props and choreography is allowed. Moreover, each finalist will get 5.000 euros in order to prepare for their performance. The winner will be decided with the help of both a jury and the public.

Malta in Eurovision 2023

Malta was represented by The Busker in 2023. Their song “Dance (Our Own Party)” didn’t qualify for the final.

What do you think about the national final? What of you think about the format? Let us know in the comments below!