Malta selects The Busker for Eurovision 2023 with "Dance (Our Own Party)"

From 40 songs down to only one.

Even if Malta's public broadcaster (PBS) has the right to reverse the results and choose a completely different song for Eurovision 2023, so far it seems that The Busker was the chosen one to fly to Liverpool and represent the island with "Dance (Our Own Party)."

"Dance (Our Own Party)" was written by David Meilak.

In tonight's fifth and final show of Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2023, the 16 standing artists performed one last time with the goal of winning the competition and going on to Liverpool in May to represent Malta at Eurovision 2023.

The decision was split equally by the public and the jury, a major difference from last year when the jury panel's decision accounted for 84%.

Held in the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre in Ta' Qali, Maltese singers Glen Vella and Amber Bondin were again in charge of conducting the national selection. Surprisingly, Aidan, who was disqualified from this year's show, got to perform his entry from last year, "Ritmu."

Moreover, the hosts performed a medley of several Eurovision hits such as "Golden Boy," "Euphoria," "Toy," and many others. Finally, Emma Muscat (Malta 2022) came back to the show as an interval act to perform "I Am What I Am."

The Busker

The Busker is a Maltese band formed in 2012 by Dario Genovese (guitar, vocals) and Jean Paul Borg (drums, percussion).

The two friends had already been working together on other musical endeavors, but due to their excellent musical chemistry and similar tastes, they decided to create a band blending 1960s pop/rock with folk and rock.

In the meantime, more members joined the group whereas Dario left and currently the lineup stands as such:

• David Jr. Meilak (vocals, guitar);
• Jean Paul Borg (drums);
• Sean Meachen (saxophone).

Up until today they've released an EPs and two studio albums. "Telegram," their first LP, was critically acclaimed in the country.

Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2023

Although last year's Malta Eurovision Song Contest brought up some controversy after the Maltese broadcaster decided to overrule the results the day after the final, PBS decided to keep the same selection process for Liverpool.

With a total of 40 competing songs, MESC 2023 featured four different phases and five shows:

• Quarter-final 1: 13 January 2023
• Quarter-final 2: 20 January 2023
• Quarter-final 3: 27 January 2023
• Semi-final: 9 February 2023
• Final: 11 February 2023

The quarter-finals were hosted by Maltese TV hosts Ryan Borg and Josmar, whereas the two final shows by Glen Vella and Amber Bondin. The results were divided between the professional jury and the televote.

Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest

Malta debuted in Eurovision back in 1971, and has participated in the contest 34 times since then – without any victories.

Their best results are two runners-up finishes in 2002 (Ira Losco - "7th Wonder") and 2005 (Chiara - "Angel"). They came last in 1971, 1972 and 2006 and in their semi-final in 2023.

Since the introduction of the Semi-finals in 2004, Malta has qualified for the Grand Final 10 out of 18 times.