FESTIVAL DA CANÇAO 2020 GRAND FINALE
The grand finale of the Festival da Cançao 2020 has taken place in the Coliseu Comendador Rondao Almeida de Elvas also known how Elvas Arena, a bullring converted into a multi-use pavilion.
Taking advantage of the celebration of the event, RTP has also celebrated the 53rd anniversary of the beginning of its broadcasts, the presenters of the gala, Inés Lopes Gonçalves, Filomena Cautela and Vasco Palmeirim, have remembered many of the most outstanding programs and series during the life of this channel at the beginning of the broadcast and as an introduction to the performances of the 8 finalists.
Each song has had a presentation postcard recorded in the city of Elvas, whether in museums, fortresses near its historic center or other attractions that the city has.
~ Song 1 ~
Filipe Sambado - Gerbera amarelha do sul
The Elvas artist performs a song with touches of typical Portuguese folklore. A rather gloomy style, similar to that of a burial introduces the singer who defends the song quite well. Although the whole set is somewhat strange. Much applauded inside the arena, although it must also be said that he plays at home.
~ Song 2 ~
Jimmy P - Abensonhado
A spotlight in the dark illuminates the rapper to begin to perform a theme that talks about the addictions of a young man who, as an adult, wants to apologize to his mother. A gospel chorus is added as the song progresses to complete a quite remarkable performance. Huge cheers inside the arena, the audience highlights the wonderful lyrics of the song.
~ Song 3 ~
Tomás Luzia - Mais real que o amor
The young singer originating from Amadora performs a mid-tempo theme solo. The nervousness of the boy with respect to the semifinals is notorious, although it must be said in his favor that he manages to fill the stage by himself. Perhaps too new for Eurovision, if the directors of RTP are intelligent, they will send it in a few years with a theme made for him, he has charisma to spare.
~ Song 4 ~
Elisa Rodrigues - Não voltes mais
Great performance by Elisa, correcting some mistakes she had during the semifinal and that made the song lose a bit of meaning. The singer is presented in a silver sequin dress and is surrounded by four backvocals dressed in black. A rather outstanding aesthetic and performance improvement over its semifinal.
~ Song 5 ~
Throes + The Shine - Movimento
Song with Kuduro rhythms, very popular among young Portuguese. Without a doubt song that lifts you from the seat and as its title indicates, it makes you move to the rhythm of the music. Actually, the performance could be improved vocally, but they supply it perfectly with a staging that does not bore you.
~ Song 6 ~
Kady - Diz só
The elegant singer brings us a r'n'b song with touches of bossanova and simple choreography that makes her, on the whole, really attractive. Kady is accompanied by three female showgirls who perform the steps correctly giving it a sensual touch. Much applauded by the attendees to the grand final, showing that it is the great competition of the two great favorites that come next.
~ Song 7 ~
Elisa - Medo de sentir
Elisa comes out accompanied by Marta Carvalho, author of the song, on the piano, to sing this ballad that reminds us of other great songs that have worked so well in Portugal in the last years of the festival. Beautiful voice of the singer who has complicit gestures with the composer, just like Claudia Pascoal and Isaura did in her day.
~ Song 8 ~
Barbara Tinoco - Passe-Partout
Presentation very different from the rest of the songs for this up-tempo song with French touch composed by Tiago Nacarato, which comes out at the beginning of the song accompanying the singer on a bench. After a slow start to the beat of the chords, a change of rhythm makes four dancers enter the scene, who together with Barbara make this a very remarkable performance and probably the most applauded inside the arena.
After completing the eight songs that sought the place in Eurovision 2020, the presenters recall once again that the voting lines have been open for several days and begin to interview the candidates one by one to later give way to a tribute to Portuguese rock in which Surma, one of the great favorites at last year's Festival da Cançao, participates.
Then all the finalists come together to perform an acoustic medley and then give way to the winner of the previous edition, Conan Osiris, who plays a version of "Telemóveis" accompanied by violins and cello, once again demonstrating its great versatility.
If there is a big problem in the RTP shows it is the long period of time between the last performance and the announcement of the results, almost an hour later. Voting begins with the votes of the juries from the 7 regions of the country, which give Filipe Sambado a momentary victory.
And finally, the votes of the public are announced, which give the highest score to Bárbara Tinoco, but which fails to reach Elisa, who after finishing second in jury and public is finally the winner of the Festival da Cançao 2020 with the song “Medo de sentir".