Live: Festivali i Këngës semifinal two!

[cft format=1]

Tonight, Albanian broadcaster RTSH will broadcast the second semifinal of the 50th Festivali i Këngës, live from Tirana, Albania at 20:30CET.

Tonight’s show will be hosted by Enkeleida ZekoHygerta Sako and Nik Xhelilaj. A total of ten acts will qualify from 14 acts tonight. The Jury members will be deciding the outcome tonight and they are Aldo Shllaku, Edi Xhani, Ndriçim Xhepa, Redon Makashi, Zana Shuteriqi and Zhani Ciko.

[line]

Good evening Europe and welcome to Albania’s national selection for Eurovision Song Contest 2012. This is the second semi-final of Festivali i Këngës. This year, RTSH celebrates the 50th year of Festivali i Këngës. There will be fourteen competing songs tonight, where ten of them will be qualifying to the Grand Final.

The show will start shortly, and you may watch the show here.

[line]

Alright Europe, the show has just started. The hosts are currently introducing the orchestra and explaining the format. There is an interval act coming up, with Albanian folk music.

[line]

01. Toni Mehmetaj – “Ëndërra e parë”

The first act to open the show is Toni Mehmetaj with “Ëndërra e parë” (The first dream). The song has been composed by Edmond Zhulali while the lyrics are written by Agim Doçi. Toni appears on stage with a black suit. He is surrounded by some absctract background in the LED screen. The song is rhythmic and quiet catchy and talks about love. His voice is not perfect though. Will Toni Mehmetaj qualify to the Final? Let’s see..

[line]

02. Dr. Flori – “Personale”

The second act on stage is Doctor Flori with “Personale” (Personal). The song was composed and written by Dr. Flori himself. In Albania, Doctor Flori is a well known hip-hop singer. He was a part of “West Side Family” who took second place in Festivali i Këngës 2008, where Kejsi Tola won. His song is hip hop and talks about his dreams. He follows the song very good, together with the backing vocals. Is Dr. Flori good enough to qualify to the final? Let’s see..

[line]

03. Kamela – “Mbi Yje”

The third song is “Mbi Yje” (Upon stars) by Kamela. The song was written by I.Solji while it was composed by Alban Male. Kamela appears on stage with a beautiful black dress. The song is quiet catchy. It talks about dreams. Kamela’s voice is perfect and so far it is the best song we have heard. Two years ago, Kamela ranked third in FIK. Will she succeed again? Let’s see..

[line]

04. Frederik Ndoci – “Jeta ime”

The fourth act to take the is Frederik Ndoci with “Jeta ime” (My life..). Frederik won Festivali i Këngës in 2006 and represented Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 with “Hear my Plea”, where he finished 17th on the semi-final, failing the to qualify for the final. Tonight, he is back after 5 years with “Jeta ime”. The song was written by Frederik himself while the music was composed by Lejla Agolli. He surprisely appears on stage together with his two sisters. The song is a ballad with a beautiful story behind, written by Frederik himself. But.. Is this song good enough to qualify to the final? Or.. win again Festivali i Këngës? Let’s see

[line]

05. Marseida Saraçi – “Eja më merr”

The fifth act is Marseida Saraçi with “Eja më merr” (Come take me). The song was written by Arbër Arapi and composed by Enis Mullaj. Marseida appears on stage with a beautiful tide black dress. The song talks about a sad love story and it’s very catchy. The music behind is also good. She sings the song very well. The orchestra follows the song very good. But.. is this song good enough to go through to the final? It’s up to the jury to decide.


[line]

06. Bojken Lako – “Të Zakonshëm”

The sixth song up is Bojken Lasko. He presents himself with “Të Zakonshëm” (Usual). The song was written and composed by Bojken Lako himself. He is accompanied with another girl who helps him with the song.The song has Hard Rock rhythms, while the song talks about the darkest side of life. We barely hear his voice, and the song is really incomprehensible. The song is fine, comparing to some others. Will he advance to the final? Let’s see…

[line]

07. Sindi Berisha – “Braktisur”

Sindi Berisha is on stage. She is the seventh act tonight. Her song is called “Braktisur” (Abandoned) which is written by P. Truja and composed by Kristi Popa. The song is a ballad, the lyric talks about children and it’s very good, but her voice doesn’t fit to the music very much. I personally like the song, beacuse it’s a little bit more “alive” than the other ballads we have heard before. Will Sindi qualify to the final? Let’s see..

[line]

08. Mariza Ikonomi – “Më lër të të dua”

The eighth act tonight is Mariza Ikonimi. Her song is called “Më lër të të dua” (Let Me Love You). The song was composed by Sokol Marsi and written by Jorgo Papingji. Mariza has been participating in Festivali i Këngës many times, she finished in the Top three 6 years ago. She appears on stage with a red dress. The song is a strong ballad. It talks about love. Mariza sings it perfect, like she always does. But is this enough to qualify her to the final? It’s up to the jury to decide.

[line]

09. Kujtim Prodani – “Digjem”

The ninth act tonight is Kujtim Prodani with “Digjem” (I’m burning). The song is composed by Kujtim Prodani himself, while the lyrics were written by A. Biba. The song talks about love. Personally, I found the song very boring, it is not quiet an “Eurovision Song Contest song”. But, will he make it through to the finals? We will find that out, very soon…

[line]

10. Iris Hoxha – “Pa ty asnjë sekond”

The tenth act tonight is Irish Hoxha with “Pa Ty…Asnjë Sekond” (Without You..Any second). The song was written by L. Shqiponja while the music was composed by Edmond Rrapi. She is surrounded with fire background in the LED screen. Her voice is by far the best, she sings the song perfectly and follows it great! The song talks about love, and by far tonight it’s the best song. Will she qualify to the final? Let’s see

[line]

11. Saimir Braho – Ajër

The eleventh act on stage is Saimir Braho who presents himself with “Ajër” (Air). The song was composed by Saimir Braho and Ilir Dangëllia. The music was composed by I.Kurti. The LED screen background is very nice and fits to the stage. The song is a ballad, with a very good lyric. He sings it very well though. But, will this qualify to the final? Let’s see….

[line]

12. Goldi Halili – “Rroj për dashurinë”

Twelfth act tonight is Goldi Halili with “Rroj për dashurinë” (I live for Love). The song was composed by Fatrin Kraja and written by Agim Doçi. It’s an uptempo song unlike most of the songs we’ve heard tonight. The lyrics talk about love. Her voice is quiet good. But, will this song qualify to the final? Let’s see…


[line]

13. Xhensila Myrtezaji – “Lulet mbledh për hënën”

The second-last song tonight is “Lulet mbledh për hënën” (The flowers for the moon) by Xhensila Myrtezaji. The song was written by P.Papingji and composed by Genti Lako. The song is a very nice ballad. The lyrics talk about love, it’s a very good composed song. Xhensila’s voice is not on the right level but she sings it well. Will this song get through? Let’s see..


[line]

14. Elhaida Dani – “Mijëra vjet”

The last song of the night is “Mijëra Vjet” (Thousands of years) by Elhaida Dani. The song was written by Sokol Marsi and composed by Endri Sina. Elhaida appears on stage with a long white dress. The song is a very beautiful ballad. She sings it perfecly and the orchestra follows it quiet well. The songs talks about love. Will this song go through to the final? Let’s see


[line]

Now, it’s up to the judges to decide, who goes to the final and who fails. Catherine Ellis is the special guest tonight, she is performing one of her songs.

[line]

The results are in, the ten finalists are:

  1. Ëndërra e parë – Toni Mehmetaj
  2. Personale – Dr. Flori
  3. Mbi Yje – Kamela Islamaj
  4. Jeta ime – Frederik Ndoci
  5. Të Zakonshëm – Bojken Lako
  6. Më lër të të dua – Mariza Ikonomi
  7. Pa ty asnjë sekond – Iris Hoxha
  8. Ajër – Saimir Braho
  9. Lulet mbledh për hënën – Xhensila Myrtezaji
  10. Mijëra vjet – Elhaida Dani

[line]

Dear viewers, this was all from Albania. See you in the Grand Final night, again live from ESCDaily.com! Thank you very much.

Reported by Rinor Nuhiu

[line]