Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2017 finalists announced

Sixteen acts have been named as finalists for this year's Malta Eurovision Song Contest taking place in February. 

On Monday night, an 11-person expert panel assessed 60 songs which were shortlisted from 156 entries, and came up with the list of 16 finalists. Yesterday evening, TVM announced the finalists as part of the evening news bulletin.

The musicians include:

• Maxine Pace performing Bombshell
• Claudia Faniello performing Breathlessly
• Shauna Vassallo performing Crazy Games
• Miriana Conte performing Don’t Look Down
• Rhiannon Micallef performing Fearless
• Sherton Caruana performing Fighting to survive
• Kevin Borg performing Follow
• Franklin Calleja performing Follow Me
• Janice Mangion performing Kewba
• Klinsmann Coleiro performing Laserlight
• Raquela Dalli Gonzi performing Ray of Light
• Jade Vella performing Seconds Away
• Crosswalk performing So Simple
• Deborah C and Josef Tabone performing Tonight
• Brooke Borg performing Unstoppable
• Richard Edwards performing You

The next phase of the competition is to compete at the MESC 2017 grand final on 18 February 2017, which for the first time will be held in one session. The general public will be able to vote for their favourite song through televoting.

The winner will represent Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest in the Ukraine in early May next year.