A contestant in the Malta Eurovision Song Contest has claimed that a sound issue during her performance impacted her delivery, but PBS has denied any technical faults.
Thursday night’s semifinal marked singer-songwriter Rhiannon Micallef’s third appearance on the Malta Eurovision stage, this time with the vocally powerful song Hold Myself Up.
During a performance that was far from perfect, Micallef could be seen touching her ear on several occasions, including as she walked off stage. Shortly afterwards, she released a statement on social media claiming a technical issue with her in-ear monitors had affected her ability to perform.
Noting that she was shocked by her performance and that it did not reflect her capabilities, she wrote: “My in-ears malfunctioned, and I made the decision to try to continue singing when I couldn’t hear anything.”
Speaking to Times of Malta the morning after the semifinals, Micallef said she had had “an amazing experience” in the lead-up to the show.
“Being back after several years, the rehearsals went swimmingly, as well as meeting multiple people,” she said.
However, when she took the stage on Thursday, her nightmare became a reality.
“I went on stage last night, and the only thing I could hear was terrible sound quality. It caught me completely off guard,” she said.
“It was like the music in my ears was completely underwater. I couldn’t hear properly; it was as if there was nothing.”
She explained that MFCC is such a large venue that in-ear monitors are essential. These monitors are worn inside the ear so that performers can hear the track properly. Micallef added that her in-ears also had a metronome included to help her stay in time; this is not heard in the version of the track played to the public.
During her performance she said she could only hear the click of the metronome in her ears but not the music.
“In the performance, I was in a state of panic because now you are basically deaf and blind,” she said. She added that for three quarters of her song, the output had disappeared.
“Imagine all those people staring at you, so many people watching you at home, all I wanted to do was to get off the stage but the show must go on,” she said.
Micallef said that while she was on stage, she realised this was her fate, but she pushed through, even though her heart sank. “All that work and effort had just turned into a nightmare,” she said.
As she left the stage, she asked for a second chance, pleading that she could not hear the music and that the situation did not reflect the standard she had demonstrated in rehearsals and through her professionalism throughout. However, it was decided she would not be allowed to perform again.
In part, she was told, this was because she had chosen to remain on stage and attempt to finish the song.
“Using the fact that I kept singing was upsetting because as artists we are trained [to] keep going even under panic or pressure and not give up,” she said.
She argued that while a second chance should not be given simply for singing out of tune, if a technical failure occurs, the artist should not lose the opportunity to compete fairly.
“I felt powerless. It wasn’t even a chance at a fair shot. This is an artist’s right in a competition or concert; technical mistakes happen sometimes and it is no one’s fault.”
Micallef said she accepted the result of the competition and had no regrets about how she handled the situation. However, she stressed, “The artist has a right to fair competition and that right should never be compromised. That should be non-negotiable,” she said.
She noted that ultimately it is the artists who make Eurovision possible, along with the songwriters and other creatives, and thanked those who had supported her in creating her song.
“We took time, effort and money to do this contest, and the least artists can ask for is to be treated fairly.”
While grateful for the support she received online and backstage, she added that she believed many singers were afraid to speak out.
“It breaks my heart to see artists scared to speak up for themselves in fear of backlash,” she said. “I am speaking up because I want to make sure what happens to me happens to no one else.”
“This malfunction doesn’t make me or take away from my talent, as no one could have predicted this, but how it is handled is how we should all be measured.”
In response to questions from Times of Malta, PBS issued a statement denying Micallef’s claims of a technical issue.
PBS’s statement regarding Micallef’s claims Photo: Malta Eurovision Song Contest“Following comprehensive technical checks and assessments, no production-side technical fault or audio malfunction was identified or substantiated,” PBS said.
It added that the situation was assessed in line with established procedures and contest rules.
“On this basis, there was no justification for authorising a repeat performance. As a general principle, a repeat performance may only be considered in exceptional circumstances where a verified technical failure has occurred and has materially affected the performance. Any such decision is taken on a case-by-case basis following confirmation by the relevant technical and production teams.”
PBS said it would continue to treat performers with respect and ensure fairness, transparency and consistency.