Tag Archive for Eurovision

Eurovision Song Contest 2013 Review: Austria

April 8, 2013 Austria No comments

ESC2013_butterfly_white_sloganIn exactly five weeks from now, Europe most favourite Tv show, the Eurovision Song Contest is back onto our screen. 39 confirmed countries will be battling it out, hoping they’ll be crowned the winner of this years contest, held in Malmo, Sweden. However, 33 have to make it through two semi finals where ten places are up for grabs in each before they can join the big five (Germany, France, UK, Spain and Italy) and last year’s winner and host Sweden. In order to get you prepared we have a look at what the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 has on offer.

Austria: Natália Kelly ”Shine”

Last year they were shaking their popo’s in the giant crystal arena hall in Baku, unfortunately not with the  desired result, leaving the country in the semi last year. This year, the Austrians are hoping young vocalist Natalia Kelly can get them back to the final with her mid-tempo track ‘Shine’.

We’re not sure how this well fare. There’s a little Adele ‘Rolling into deep’ feel noticeable but, it doesn’t quite lift of to the uptempo level of the British songstress which is probably a good thing consider it might get slack for sounding too similar. Not a bad attempt but it leaves us a bit indifferent.

Loreen’s got a new video out (though it’s not a new single)

February 21, 2013 Sweden No comments

Yes, while we’re still waiting for the official video for ‘My Heart is refusing me’ (accordingly it’s being shelved for now) Loreen’s been a busy bee. Not only has she been in the studio with producer Kleerup, sheLoreen_Heal‘s also managed to find time to make a brand new video for a track, which isn’t a single as such yet.

Jumping between appearing at several national finals in the main European land, the Eurovision winner has recorded a video for the dark pop track ‘Heal’, taken from her debut album. The video is perfect for the song, dealing with the struggles in a relationship. It’s all frosty and moody, and it’s an absolute highlight and delight to see Loreen in yet another amazing video.

Despite the track receiving the video treatment, it’s not been confirmed as a new single as yet. In fact Loreen decided to release ‘In My Head’ as her next Scandi single. There’s no news yet, on what the successor for ‘My heart is refusing me’ will be in the rest of Europe. Though there’s no need for alarm bells as the singer features on Kleerop’s new single which is out worldwide now.

‘Heal’ can be found on Loreen’s debut album ‘Heal’. Watch the video below:

ESC13: Those Who Didn’t Make It: Ukraine’s Tatyana Shirko

January 18, 2013 Ukraine No comments

ESC2013_butterfly_white_sloganIt’s hard to imagine that almost a month ago, the Eurovision Season had well and truly kicked off. Always a fan favourite, well in our household anyway, are the lovely chaps and chappettes of Ukraine, who in all honesty aren’t shy for a little bit of controversy in their national finals.

But not this year, as 20 candidates took part in the national final, which was eventually won by Zlata. Never mind Zlata, we’ll see her with ‘Gravity’ in a few months time but more intriguing we thought was this little charmer; Her name Tatyana Shirko. Do we know much about her? No not really, apart from the fact that she has an incredible voice and a happy chappy clappy sing along song; ‘Feeling Like A Sir’ finished in a respectable third place in the national final, which is good, but also dissapointing considering it would have been a definate ‘douze points’ from us. Suddenly that butterfly doesn’t look that bad anymore at all.

Give us your verdict!

ESC13: Those Who Didn’t Make It; Belarus – Switzerland and Belgium

December 16, 2012 Belarus, Belgium, Eurovision, Switzerland No comments

eurovision_song_contest_2013_logo_by_lazaric-d51dij3Believe it or not, but not even 8 months after Sweden won the Eurovision Song Contest many countries have already started their quest for their nation’s hopeful in the 2013 event. Even though it’s still waiting for a final list of its participants, which according to various reports won’t have Slovakia, Portugal, Poland and Turkey included, the Eurovision season is full on.

As last year we’re not going to spoil the suspense by presenting you the winner songs, but we kick off with our ‘those who didn’t make it’ chapter where we present you some of the tracks, we think would have made a pretty good chance. We’re kicking off with Belarus who chose their entry last week, and finish with Switzerland and Belgium, who both made their choices yesterday and today.

Belarus: Daria – Catch Me Again

Last week, Belarus kicked off the Eurovision season with their Eurofest final. Belarus is one of the most intriguing countries when it comes to Eurovision as their selections seem to be rather interesting with most of the times the winner and its song being changed more than usual. However we don’t think that would have been a necessity if Belarus had chosen Daria to represent Belarus in Sweden with ‘Catch Me Again’. It’s old school, sixities and jazzy. Lovely lovely!

Switzerland:

Last night saw Switzerland choose its representative for the contest and going unanimously for the salvation army. Listening to the other candidates this fella caught our attention the most. With a track that sounds a bit like a Coldplay track, but sung by a singer with a voice timbre of Roch Voisine, Nicolas Fraissinet’s Lève-toi would have been a decent entry for Malmo in our opinion. A bit baffled this ended fairly low in the overall ranking. Never the less still very enjoyable.

Belgium:

Just barely a month ago, Belgian broadcaster RTBF announced the winner of their first season of the Voice, Robert Bellarossi would defend the nation at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. This morning during a radio show, the young performer presented three songs of which one was selected to be the entry. One of the tracks, coming from his latest album ‘Reste Toi’ has to be our favourite though as it’s catchy fresh and reminds us a little bit one particular Swedish pop star who went to third place back in Germany, now two years ago in the Eurovision Song Contest.

What do you make of these songs, and what were your favourites? We’d love to hear!

We said she didn’t but she is now. Anouk to represent Netherlands at Eurovision.

October 17, 2012 Netherlands No comments

Not so long ago we posted an article about Dutch singer Anouk claiming to have the perfect killer song ready for Eurovision. Unfortunately for her at the time the broadcaster, responsible for the Dutch participation denied the singer from appointing her directly. But after a lot of discussions Tros and the popular Benelux singer have announced that she is the Dutch hope for Malmo in 2013. Watch Anouk announce the news herself here

How or when Anouk is going to introduce her song for Eurovision is not yet known. The Netherlands are the first country in this years field to announce their representative for the 58th contest. The 2013 edition will be held in Malmo, Sweden after the country won in Azerbaijan with ‘Euphoria’. The Netherlands are yet to qualify for the final for the first time. The only time the country has managed to get to the final was when they were automatically qualified in 2004.

Watch one of Anouk’s biggest hits, ‘Michel’ below:

Is Anouk the right choice for Eurovision? Let us know your thoughts.

 

 

Aftonbladet releases list of potential Melodifestivalen 2013 participants

October 7, 2012 Sweden No comments

The race for Melodifestivalen has begun. The Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet published an article earlier in the week with names of artists who are said to be in talks to make an appearance during the Swedish selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest, Melodifestivalen. Amongst them are quite a few names who’ve been in Melodifestivalen before.

The Aftonbladet article is one of the most anticipated articles in the run up for SVT and has proven in the past few years to be quite accurate in its predictions. Over the past few weeks, a special jury has selected 16 of the 32 songs which will be performed during this years contest. Those were chosen from the total of 1902 submissions. Melodifestivalen director Christer Björkman will now choose the other 16 tracks. In the next coming week a list is expected of the tracks that have made the final cut.

But who’s going to perform those. When the list of songs and composers is made available we’ll be able to put some names with the songs but according to the Aftonbladet article we’re in for a few returnees from 2012 ; Mattias Andréasson, boy band Youngblood and the finalists Ulrik Munther, Sean Banan, David Lindgren and MF host Sarah Dawn Finer are all said to be in talks for a potential participation. Munther, in fact is said to be working together with the composer of ‘Euphoria’, the winning song of Melodifestivalen and the Eurovision Song Contest.The man, G:sson, is also responsible for many Swedish entries, including Carola’s ‘Evighet’ (Esc, 2006). Carola is in fact, alongside Helena Paparizou, a former Eurovision winner rumoured to take part, although she only recently revealed she has no more intention to take part in both festivals.

After the odd, but successful collaboration of Sara Li & writer Bjorn Ranelid this year, more unusual collaborations are to be expected. Linda Bengtzing, a Swedish schlager queen and rock star Nicke Borg are said to come up with a rock duet, while Fame Factory participant Sara Löfgren is said to partner up with Patrik Isaksson.

From the 32 spots, only one candidate is certain from taking part, being ‘Svensktoppen nästa’ winner Therese Fredenwall. The following list of artists are also rumoured to be in talks:

Amanda Fondell

”Håkan ”Nordman” Hemlin

Jessica Andersson (ESC ’03)

Jessica Folcker

Swingfly

Martin Rolinski (ex-BWO)

Eric Amarillo

Amy Diamond

Mimmi Sandén (Junior Eurovision and sister of Molly Sandén)

Erik Segerstedt

Lisette Pagler

Dogge Doggelito

Sibel Redzep

Cecilia Vennersten

Gravitonas

Cookies N Beans

Lasse Berghagen (as songwriter)

Tommy Körberg

Måns Zelmerlöw

Linnea Henriksson

Etzia i samarbete & Kapten Röd

Robin Stjernberg

Andreas Weise

Nina Söderquist.

As said, these are just potential artists who are considered to be in talks with the SVT producers. In due time, SVT, the Swedish broadcaster will announce the 32 participants for this years popular event. Melodifestivalen will choose the next representative for the Eurovision Song Contest, which is taking place this year in Malmo, Sweden after the broadcaster won the contest with ‘Euphoria’ by Loreen. Watch a recap of Melodifestivalen 2012 below:

Source: Aftonbladet

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