Live blog: Aidan sings for Malta at Eurovision Song Contest final

As the cameras panned across the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, the green and red of Malta’s flag fluttered on the massive screens, signaling that our moment was finally here. Aidan, our 20-year-old hopeful, stood backstage, ready to represent us in the 65th Eurovision Song Contest final. The question on every Maltese lip: Could he make us proud?

Aidan’s journey to the Eurovision stage began not in the glitz and glamour of international stardom, but in the heart of Malta’s nightlife, St. Julian’s. It was here, in the bustling Paceville district, that he honed his craft, performing in bars and clubs, building a following, and dreaming of bigger stages. His winning performance in Malta’s X Factor in 2019 catapulted him into the national spotlight, and now, just two years later, he was set to sing for Malta on the biggest stage in Europe.

But Aidan wasn’t the only Maltese talent in Rotterdam. A team of dedicated professionals, from his songwriters to his backing dancers, had made the journey with him. Among them was Maltese choreographer, Tracy Lee, who had worked tirelessly to create a routine that would captivate the continent. “We’ve poured our hearts into this,” she told me over a quick call backstage. “We want Malta to shine tonight.”

Aidan’s song, “Je Me Casse,” was a poignant ballad about love and loss, penned by Maltese-Greek duo, Alex Papaconstantinou and Gerard James Borg. It was a song that resonated with many, not least because of its universal theme, but also because of its Maltese roots. “We wanted to write a song that would connect with people,” Borg told me before the contest. “And what better way than to write about something we all understand – love and loss?”

The song’s Maltese connection didn’t stop at its lyrics. The backing vocals were provided by none other than Malta’s 2019 Eurovision entrant, Michela Pace, and the song’s music video was shot in the picturesque streets of Mdina. It was a proud moment for Malta, seeing our culture and talent shine on such a global stage.

The moment finally arrived. The cameras zoomed in on Aidan as he took his place on the stage, the Maltese flag projected behind him. The opening notes of “Je Me Casse” filled the arena, and Aidan’s powerful voice soared, filling every corner of the Ahoy Arena. He sang with heart, with passion, and with a maturity beyond his years. It was a performance that made every Maltese watching swell with pride.

As the final notes rang out, the arena erupted in applause. Aidan had delivered a performance that Malta could be proud of. The jury votes and public votes began to roll in, and as the results were announced, Malta found itself in the top ten. It was a remarkable achievement for our small island nation.

In the end, Aidan finished in 15th place, a fantastic result for our first-time entrant. But more than the placing, it was the performance that mattered. Aidan had shown the world that Malta has talent, that we have a story to tell, and that we deserve our place on the Eurovision stage.

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