The first semi-final of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest takes place tonight.

Eighteen countries will compete for 10 places in the grand final this Saturday.

Professional juries in each of the participating countries - as well as in Sweden, France and Spain - voted on yesterday's dress rehearsal.

They account for 50% of the overall total.

Tonight, the remaining 50% of the votes will be decided by the public televote in the same 21 countries.

These votes will be added to those of the juries to determine the countries that will qualify for the final.

Ireland’s Nicky Byrne will perform his song ‘Sunlight’ in the second semi-final on May 12th.

The show will be broadcast on RTÉ 2 from 8.00pm.

The first semi-final contenders are:

• Finland: Sing It Away sung by Sandhja
• Greece: Utopian Land sung by Argo
• Moldova: Falling Stars sung by Lidia Isac
• Hungary: Pioneer sung by Freddie
• Croatia: Lighthouse sung by Nina Kraljić
• Netherlands: Slow Down sung by Douwe Bob
• Armenia: LoveWave sung by Iveta Mukuchyan
• San Marino: I Didn't Know sung by Serhat
• Russia: You Are The Only One sung by Sergey Lazarev
• Czech Republic: I Stand sung by Gabriela Gunčíková
• Cyprus: Alter Ego sung by Minus One
• Austria: Loin d'ici sung by ZOË
• Estonia: Play sung by Jüri Pootsmann
• Azerbaijan: Miracle sung by Samra
• Montenegro: The Real Thing sung by Highway
• Iceland: Hear Them Calling sung by Greta Salóme
• Bosnia & Herzegovina: Ljubav Je sung by Dalal, Deen, Ana & Jala
• Malta: Walk on Water sung by Ira Losco

While US singer Justin Timberlake will perform his new single ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’ on Saturday night.