UMK: Leola and Aura Pineda out, The Spyro in

So, tonight's UMK is over and we have a result. This week I don't totally agree with the judges but hey, that's life. Aura Pineda is out. The judges thought she's a good singer and she is, and the song is a good schlager hit which is it but somehow it wasn't honest. Indeed she said in interview she "wants to sing all sort of music" in a way that it sounded like she's not that into the song herself. Could be. Surprisingly also Leola was kicked out. They praised the solist and the song and wondered if she would go solo anytime soon. Even if the song came alive on stage like never before it lacked originality reminding many Finnish current artists (Irina meets Stella for example). So, welcome back nest year!

Iconcrash did it. They thought they were ambitious stadium rock. A good song. Freeman also did it but they were very disappointed Uusi Fantasia band was not with him but five backing singers. He better bring them along (after all it's labeled "Freeman & Uusi Fantasia") to avoid an anticlimax in the club gig. 1970's retro with a fresh touch they said.  Ville Eetvartti was very nervous and the judges thought he has been already in so many occasions, why isn't he already a star? The "it's now or never" terror was visible in his face, too scared to fail again. he needs to relax to move on after the club gig. Kaisa Vala was also very nervous yet self secure in a good way. One judge absolutely loved the song, the other said it was very mediocre. Like Leola this song came alive on stage but it didn't help Leola. Kaisa instead made it and if she finds the sparkle could go very far.

I would have switched Freeman with Leola and the club gig line up would have been perfect.

And as announced before, The Spyro (75%) won the online wildcard. Martina (7%) and Jessica Wolff (17%) are definately out of race.
Next week in the club gig part the judges will drop 2 out 9 entries and then people may vote 5 of them directly to the final.

Darin is back!

Darin has been prepairing his new album and it's almost here. The first single Nobody knows is out now and could have breathed some life into tomorrow's Melodifestivalen semifinal for example if it was there. But it's not.

ESC Baku 2012: Worth of 48 million euros

It is rumoured the budget for the Eurovision song contest 2012 in Baku is a recordbreaking 48 million euros. If so, it beats also the Moscow 2009 edition by almost 10 million euros. Helsinki 2007 managed with 12 million euros and Athens with half of that. The costs went up when the two semifinals were introduced but still Belgrade, Oslo and Dusseldorf made it with 20-30 million euros. With this calculation Azeris are ready to burn some 20 million extra of their oil money (plus build a completely new arena for it that is not included in the costs.) And if we think there will be a significative drop in the number of fans attenting the show, and journalists perhaps, too, they can't propably count much on tourism.... but I'm sure we will have three great shows. With a lot of local flavour I hope! Like the good old days!

UMK? Better watch MF!

The almost tragicomical UMK rating disaster continues tonight as planned. Media has mostly focused how difficult it is to follow what's going on and how even the hardcore fans have lost interest when they have been listening the songs since October. Over three months when nothing happened in between and now when something is happening no one keeps track how, why and when. But the most exciting thing for the media seems to be now whether UMK will reach the top-20 of YLE2 channels most watched programmes this week or not!? Even the Ilta-Sanomat TV-guide ends their presentation with "better watch Melodifestivalen on FSTV5 like 3,37 million Swedes than the UMK with 0,2 million Finns." Oh well, maybe so. But as I always say in the end all that matters is one song. Not how it was selected and out of how many entries. One song only.

Anyways, UMK is tonight and MF tomorrow night. Both will be reported here so stay tuned!

#1 in Finland this week: Madonna - Give me all your luvin'

Madonna did it again and went straight to number one with Give me all your luvin' at the same time her Super Bowl performance and tour dates are making headlines. She will back in Finland on August 12, 2012 and this time in the Olympic stadium. Half the size of her last concert place in Jätkäsaari where more than 85.000 gathered to see her in 2009. Add tens of thousends people all around in the parks and islands enjoying the hot summer night. The fight for the tickets starts on Tuesday - last time about one million phone calls and internet access were made within minutes causing a tilt to the whole system - but I'm very happy to have one already! Phew...

UMK continues tonight

So far the show has been a rating disaster and people have showed little interest, even amongst the fans it seems. Tonight again six acts will perform to the judges who will then drop two of them. They are Aura Pineda, Freeman, Iconcrash, Kaisa Vala, Leola and Ville Eetvartti. As this is a recorded show the real thing happens elsewhere at the same time: the eight qualified ones + the wildcard voted online from Martina, Jessica Wolff and The Spyro will perform in Club Dom in Helsinki live infront of a live audience and judges. And here is the change: apparently when this airs on February 17 the public can vote five acts directly to the final, and the judges will add one more. So far there has been no talk about public voting at this stage so is this an attempt to try to make the show more interesting and viewer friendly? The show starts tonight at 20.00 CET and you can watch it live on YLE Areena. I will of course post after the show my comments and thoughts.

The Irish songs online. Jedward vs the others

Today the Irish songs were presented on radio ahead of the national final on February 24, 2012. It all starts with Maria McCool's Celtic whisper that is Celtic indeed, wonderful atmosphere and beautiful melody that the good old judges would have loved. The televoters maybe less. Donna McCaul continues with Mercy, modern pop that needs a better arrangement and mix. Very Lady Gaga-ish. Andrew Mann with self-penned Here I am next. Nice vocals but the chorus is a kind of anti-climax unfortunately. Una Gobney and David Shannon offer Language of love. Sounds like an UK entry from the past. Good singers but sadly very uninspiring and uninteresting song. Last but not least Jedward with Waterline.  First reaction is it's totally different from what I thought it would be! Not sure yet if it's a good thing or not. Maybe it's good to not to have Lipstick all over again? This makes me think of Anonymous and Miodio strangely... I guess they will win again and do better than last year with this. Which is what they are here for, isn't it?

Eurovision in concert comes again!

The already annual Eurovision in concert, the biggest pre-Eurovision gathering and pretty much the official kick off for the event takes place on April 21, 2012 in Amsterdam. It's the 4th edition and once again some 20+ artists from this year's contest will meet and greet the fans, sing their songs and get to know each other in an unofficial way. Already Ivi Adamou from Cyprus, Can Bonomo from Turkey and ever present Sinplus from Switzerland have confirmed their precence along with the yet unnamed Sammarinese artist. More info later right here or go to the website here. Ruth Jacott and Cornald Maas will present the show.

Carola robbed and bruised in South Africa

Carole flew to holidays in Capetown last week and now we can read in her Twitter that she has been robbed and bruised when entering her rented farm. At least her cellphone was stolen. Despite all that she later twittered she still loves South Africa. Carola, who is one of the judges in the Swedish The Voice has also a new boyfriend Marcus Werjefeldt it seems and apparently she's also in a look out to buy a... church!

UMK: Martina is pregnant

Tomorrow we will know if Martina did it or not to the next stage of UMK with the wildcard, but today all papers are screming about her pregnancy that was confirmed by herself. The baby is due in September and it is her second child. She has a daughter Victoria with her ex-husband. Victoria's pregnancy turned into a reality-TV series, let's see what she's up to this time! This one's with her new guy.

Romanian TV's wishlist aiming high

Romania will take place in the Baku 2012 Eurovision after all and the national selection is planned for March 10, 2012. And guess what, TVR has published a list of those names that they would like to see taking part. So far we know Mihai Traistariu seems rather desperate to get to the Eurovision spotlight again. Other names include everything from Alexandra Stan to Edward Maya, Akcent and Dan Balan. I guess we can't expect entries from them... Several names besides Traistariu would be welcomed back by TVR like Elena Gheorge, Hotel FM, Luminita Anghel, Marcel Pavel, Natalia Barbu, Nico and Ovi along with an endless list of previous national finalists like Blaxy Girls, Catalin Josan and Costi Ionita. Let's see who swallows the hook and tries again!

Aurelian Temişan, Akcent, Alex Velea, Alexa, Alexandra Stan, Alexandra Ungureanu, Alin Vaduva, Alina Eremia, Annamarie Dancs, Anda Adam, Andra, Andreea Bănică, Antonia, Blaxy Girls, Bogdan Bradu, Cătălin Josan, Claudia Pavel, Connect-R, Costi Ioniţă, Cristian Sanda, Cristina Vasiu, Dalma, Dan Bălan, Delia, Desperado, Direcţia 5, DJ Project, Dya, Edward Maya, Elena Gheorghe, Ellie White, Fly Project, Giulia, Holograf, Horia Brenciu, Hotel FM, Inna, Ionuţ Ungureanu, Irina Popa, Jasmine, Kamelia, Keo, Laurenţiu Cazan, Laurenţiu Duţă, Leo Iorga, Liviu Teodorescu, Lora (Wassabi), Loredana Groza, Lucia Dumitrescu, Luminiţa Anghel, Mandinga, Marcel Pavel, Maria Radu, Mihai Trăistariu, Miki, Monica Anghel, Mona and Liviu Hodor, Morandi, Natalia Barbu, Nico, Nicola, Noni, Ovi, Pasager, Pasha, Paula Seling, Pepe, Proconsul, Răzvan Krivach, RedBlonde, Silvia Ştefănescu, Simona Nae, Smiley, Ştefan Bănică jr., Tabasco, Taxi, Tavi Colen, The Marker, Tica Alexe, Tony Tomas, Tara, Voltaj, Vunk and Zero

Eleanor Cassar - what happened?

In this year's Maltese national selection the biggest surprise for me was Eleanor Cassar missing the final. Her I want to run away was catchy and up tempo, maybe not a winner but certainly a top-5 song. Yet it didn't even make the top-16. Weird. It was her 9th participation and she has to her credit one runner up place, in 2009 with Some day. Also Give me a chance did well, 4th in 2008 but her other songs haven't really bothered the top places: Hypnotized (10th in 2011), Choices (14th in 2010), Tell me (11th in 2006), He (10th in 2005), Through all my life (7th in 2004) and Someday you will see (9th in 2003). But, she's got a voice that have given her victories and awards in various national contests and festivals, and also abroad: Bulgaria, Romania, Kazakhstan... check yourself here. Talented lady with a big voice. I hope she comes back again. I have always had a soft spot for He.

MF: Dead by April turns into Dead by March?

Spotify has screwed it up in Sweden by releasing Dead by April's Mystery. Which is strictly against the Melodifestivalen rules. Their record company Universal blames Spotify and the band seems to be totally unaware of the accident. Let's wait and see how SVT will solve this problem. This accident reminds me of the cd.on affair in Finland where the UMK qualifiers were published way too early.... Can't anyone control those internet shops? I would think it's also record label's etc own interest to make sure they know what they are doing with the release dates and such....  SVT is also very good at blocking the MF videos so no link here.... But the song is great!

Izabo for Israel

We didn't have to wait til tomorrow and it's not Maya Buskila, once again. Izabo is a brilliant, action packed combination of psychadelic rock, disco, punk and Arabic spices it is described. They have been together since 2003 and have released two albums so far with songs like Morning hero, Cook me, Hu, Slow disco and On my way. Their Eurovision 2012 entry will be Time. Definately sems like an alternative choice, in a Ping pong style.

Sanremo 2012 - Guide to the five nights

The 62nd Festiva della canzone italiana aka Sanremo will take place next week in Teatro Ariston. Five nights, two categories, international and national guests, a lot of "entertainment" and endless bla bla bla and in between 22 songs spread over some 15 hrs of show. In the end we will have the winner of the main category, Artisti, and the newcomers of Sanremosocial. And the Italian entry for the Eurovision song contest 2012 in Baku which is not necessarily neither of the winners. How does it all work?

Tuesday, February 14

All the 14 Artisti will present their songs and there's a voting by a demoscopic jury. Two songs will be kicked out to the second chance round.

All the 8 newcomers will be presented as well.

Wednesday, February 15

The remaining 12 Artisti will perform and again a demoscopic jury will drop two to the second chance round.

Four of the newcomers will sing against each other in two duels. For them there is a televote and the two winners will move on, the two losers go home.

Thursday, February 16

Viva l'Italia! The 14 Artisti will present an Italian classic song in duet with a foreign stars to celebrate the Italian music in the world. For this there is also a televote and the best performance will win an award.

The four Artisti that didn't make it to the final the previosu two nights will perform again and for them there is a televote. two most voted once are back in race and go to the final.

For the newcomers there is again two duels and after the televote the two winners will go to the final.

Friday, February 17

The 12 Artisti will sing again. there's a mixed voting by the orchestra in Teatro Ariston and televote. The Artisti will sing their songs with re-arranged versions with foreign stars. The ten most voted will move to the grand final on Saturday.

The four newcomers will perform and they have the same mixed voting with two Golden shares, by the Radio jury and the voters on Facebook. In the end the most voted will be crowned as the winner of Sanremo 2012 newcomers.

Saturday, February 18

The ten Artisti finalists will perform. There is a mixed voting by the orchestra and televote plus the Golden shares: the press present in press center. The three most voted ones go to the superfinal.  They perform again and this time there is only the televote.

The newcomer's winner will also perform during the night.

There will be numerous stars, not only from music world to turn the music show into a talk show time to time, and of course endless jokes and advertising.  But hey, Sanremo è Sanremo! I will do my best to keep you on track next week so stay tuned! Here are the Artisti and here are the newcomers.

Belarus: Eurofest with Eurovision winners and stars

Belarus is planning big for their Eurofest final. There are only five names left to represant Belarus in Baku 2012 - Alena Lanskaya, Gunesh, Viktoria Aleshko, Litesound and Uzari - but the guest list is impressive: Eurovision 1956 winner Lys Assia, 2004 winner Ruslana, 2007 winner Marija Serifovic, 2009 winner Alexander Rybak, 2010 winner Lena and 2011 winners Ell/Nikki along with Koldun, Belarus best placed artist so far (6th in Helsinki 2007), fan favourite Sakis Rouvas and Switzerland's this year's represant Sinplus. The Eurofest final will be held next week, February 14, 2012.

And yet more rumours! Armenia!

This is what you get when you are at home ill and spending time. More rumours. This time from Armenia. Such names as Tata. Eva Rivas, Dorians have been mentioned along with the very first of them all that has been around for months, Lucina Moon. Also, the Austrian Sankil Jones with his Fire is now aiming at Armenia after his song wasn't considered in Austria. The track indeed is a taylor made Eurovision track. In good and in bad. And it is very, very catchy. Watch at your own risk!

Rumours: John Barrowman for the UK?

While we are at the rumour mill here's another: John Barrowman for the UK! This Scottish-American singer, actor, dancer, musical theatre performer, writer and media personality of Torchwood fame would be a great choice, his 2008 single What about us? is a hidden classic. And he has been flirting with Eurovision for years and with his musical + pop experience would fit in just nicely. And did you know he launched his own skin care line, HIM, last year? How gay is that?

Rumours: Maya Buskila for Israel?

IBA is supposed to announce tomorrow the Israeli 2012 represant. Israel went for internal selection when the plans for the national final weren't succesful. Maya Buskila's name is mentioned once again, like every year for ages already. Will she do it finally? Listen some of her songs here, here and here. And here's her duet with Harel Skaat doing some Eurovision songs. Tomorrow we will know...

Goodbye Noel Kelehan

An Eurovision legend, Noel Kelehan, has passed away today. This is sad news to an old fart like me. Hearing "...and the conductor is Noel Kelehan (or Ossi Runne)" was a happy moment every year. A springtime ritual. Something that made you feel good and safe. Something the young folks have no idea of...

Kelehan conducted in all 29 Eurovision entries, 24 of them Irish, 5 of them winners. A huge piece of Eurovision history is gone. And did you know he also worked with U2 in The Unforgettable fire album? Here he is in one of his finest moments.

Lithuania: Beissoul rules the first semifinal

Lithuania started its search for the Eurovision 2012 last Saturday and here are the results. Three very different songs made it to the final. And I'm not sure why?

The second semifinal will take place this Saturday and the final on March 3, 2012.

Beissoul – Why 12 (jury) + 12 (televote) = 24
The Independent – Baby 10 + 8  = 18
Multiks – Star 7 + 10 = 17
The Artrace – Fly LT 8 + 5 = 13
Kamile Kielaite – Try 8 + 4 = 12
Valdas Maksvytis – Dar laiko yra: 3 + 7 = 10
Chill out, have no doubt – Until the end 4 + 6 = 10
Indigo – Sugrizk 6 + 2 = 8
Laisva – Nutolk 5 + 3 = 8

Madonna Super Bowl halftime show 2012

She's still the queen. No doubt about that. Fantastic show here. This was madonna at her very best! And one can only laugh at American reaction for the finger. Not Madonna's this time but M.I.A.'s. Not that I think it was so nice, but who really cares? I'm not so excited about the new single Gimme all your luvin' but can't wait for the whole album!

Ell/Nikki in Sanremo 2012

Things are cooking also in Sanremo and it looks like Tamara Ecclestone is not going to be one of the hostesses due to her demands and unprofessionalism (I never thought a day like this would come! Hooray, there is someone RAI isn't putting up to!), and the two songs breaking the releasing date in one way or the other are both kept in the line up, namely the Loredana Bertè duet with Gigi D'Alessio, and Chiara Civelli. The Latest news is Ell/Nikki would be present in the final on February 18, 2012 and award the one and only that goes to Baku Eurovision 2012. And maybe they get to mime their song one more time? And more. Once again it seems the Italian entrant will be selected amongst the artists of one record label only, juts like Sugar last year. But it's not going to be Sugar this time around.... Confused yet? More news as they happen.... Right here.

Haavisto - see you again in 2018!

The impossible didn't happen in the end. Haavisto couldn't beat Niinistö in the second round who now became Finland's 12th president as of March 1, 2012 for the next six years. But - if someone said a gay candidate, married to a foreign and represanting the Green party would almost become the president just a few months ago, people would have thought him crazy. Yet it has happened. Finland has made a full turn once again after the horrid results of the last parliament elections where the True Finns thriumphed with their narrow minded, racistic and homophobic views. I guess half of their voters already regret they ever voted them.... But, maybe the dream of Pekka & Antonio moving into the presidential residence will realize in 2018?
So, it was 62,9% (or 1.801.665 votes) for Sauli Niinistö and 37,4% (1.076.598) for Pekka Haavisto. Haavisto won in Åland islands (60,0%) and almost in Helsinki (49,8%).

UMK: Yet another scandal?

Next Friday the qualifiers of UMK aka Uuden musiikin kilpailu will have their live gig in DOM Club in Helsinki (that will be shown on TV the week after if I have understood right). It is there were the wildcard also will be announced, or the one that won the internet voting between The Spyro, Martina and Jessica Wolff. Now The Spyro has invited their fans in Facebook to attend the event. So, did they also reveal they have qualified? When Martina was asked her answer was the contractual "No comment". Letting the secret out too early could and should mean disqualification....  Did they accidently teleport themselves out of the qualification?

UPDATE 6.2.: The Spyro is not disqualified as "anyone can invite their fans to the recording of the show" comments YLE.

ESC 2012 - The story so far

Switzerland - Sinplus - Unbreakable - live - video

Albania - Rona Nishliu - Suus - live

Denmark - Soluna Samya - Should've known better - live video

Cyprus - Ivi Adamou - La la love live
France - Anggun - Echo (You and I) video live
Malta - Kurt Calleja - This is the night live
Montenegro - Rambo Amadeus - Euro neuro

FYR Macedonia - Kaliopi - Crno i belo
Israel - Izabo - Time

Belgium - Iris

Serbia - Zeljko Joksimovic

Bosnia & Herzegovina - Maya Sar

Turkey - Can Bonomo

Croatia - Nina Badric
Spain - Pastora Soler

Lenna Kuurmaa for Estonia!

Ok, wrong title, isn't it? But if you read all the huge PR campaign for a new Finnish movie Vuosaari that was premiered yesterday in Helsinki she has been already selected. She is acting in the movie, and in the previere we also learned she has been dating the director Aku Louhimies already for some time. The line presenting Lenna says "Lenna Kuurmaa has taken part in the Estonian national final for the Eurovision song contest several times, and this year she represants her country". The line has been copied to most articles just like that. Does the publicist of the movie know something we don't?

The Estonian selection Eestilaul 2012 will start on February 18. Lenna will take part in the second semifinal on 25th and the final will be on March 3, 2012 and only then we should know if it's Lenna or not. Right?

Kurt Calleja for Malta

In the end it was Kurt Calleja's This is the night that took home the trophy in Malta. The idea did cross my mind but I thought Maltese wouldn't go for Glen Vella part 2 after the failure last year but indeed they did and poor Claudia with her classy Pure still didn't win.... Kurt is as smiley and bubbly as Glen and I suspect will have pretty much the same fate in Eurovision.... But I kinda like the song. Just like I did like Glen's. And I did say when the songs were presented this could go far with a right production....

1. Kurt Calleja - This is the night  84
2. Claudia Faniello - Pure 78
3. Amber - Answer with your eyes 54
4. Gianni Zammit - Petals of a rose 43
5. Richard Edwards - Look at me now 32
6. Fabrizio Faniello - I will fight for you 31
7. Lawrence Gray - In your eyes 29
8. Dorothy Bezzina - Autobiography 27
9. Danica Muscat - Seven days 25
10. Corazon - Mystifying eyes 18
11. Francesca Borg - Take me far 10
11. Wayne Micallef - Time 10
13. Kaya - Firt time 9
14. J Anvil - You are my life 8
15. Deborah C ft Leila James - You make me go uh uh 7
16. Klinsmann - No way back 0

MF: Loreen and Dead by April to the final!

The first Swedish semifinal was all that you could hope for: wind machines, glitter, confetti, flags, masks, balloons, catsuits and surprises. I got it all right if you change The Moniker and that Flinck guy. Sean was fun and happy and very entertaining an gets another chance later to reach the final. Dots were just boring and finished 7th. The Moniker I didn't like last year and he finished 3rd that time. Now I like him and he came last! Afrodite were very energetic, great choreography and fantastic voices. Their problem was the song that wasn't as good as they are. It finished 5th, just like I thought it would. Dead by April were the big surprise. I thought I would hate them but by the end I was fingers crossed and pretty sure they would go straight to the final and indeed they did. Marie Serneholt was maybe the weakest of them all and finished 6th. Flinck must be some local phenomenon I didn't like at all and gave a big Phew when he only reached the second chance as I expected it to be between them and DBA. Save the best for last, Loreen. Stunning performance visually, but there's a good song, too. My favourite.

And the intervall act... Whole Sweden's party (and not only). And most of all, it's not only for fags!

Tonight: Malta - the final

The Maltese final also takes place tonight starting at 20.30 CET and you can watch it on eurovision.tv. Readers of this blog know I am all for Richard Edwards this year (sorry Wayne!) and I believe he has a good chance. If not then Claudia Faniello might finally make it. Or then we will have something surprising in the making. I will be back after the show for comments. All my favourites made the final with the exception of Eleanor Cassar so I can just sit back and see what happens...

Lawrence Gray - In Your Eyes

Deborah C ft Leila James - You Make Me Go Uh Uh

Dorothy Bezzina - Autobiography

Gianni Zammit - Petals On A Rose

Claudia Faniello - Pure

Danica Muscat - 7 Days

Fabrizio Faniello - I Will Fight For You (Papa's Song)

Corazon - Mystifying Eyes

Richard Edwards - Look At Me Now

Kaya - First TIme

Amber - Answer With Your Eyes

Wayne Micallef - TIme

Kurt Calleja - This Is The Night

Janvil - You Are My Life

Klinsmann - No Way Back

Francesca Borg - Take Me Far

Melodifestivalen kicks off tonight

The biggest and propably the most loved by fans national final, also a bit overrated Melodifestivalen, or the Swedish national selection for the Eurovision kicks off tonight with more or less the old well proved formula. Two artists will qualify directly and two more will go to the second chance round between the semifinals and the final. You can listen to the songs here, and the show starts at 20 CET here. For once I have not heard yet one note of any songs so I won't write a thing now. Come back after the semi, that will be visible also in Fiinland on FSTV.

Sean Banan - Sean den förste banan

Abalone Dots - På väg

The Moniker - I want to be Chris Isaak

Afro-Dite - The boy can dance

Dead by April - Mystery

Marie Serneholt - Salt & pepper

Thorsten Flinck & Revolutionsorkestern - Jag reser mig igen

Loreen - Euphoria

Tonight: Second semifinal in Hungary

Hungary completes its finalists tonight when the second semifinal of A Dal takes place. Again ten songs and four of them will go to the final; three by a jury and one more by the televote. All my favourites were in the first semi so I haven't paid that juch attention to this one but the Királys, twins and big sister are pretty nice, so is Renáta Tolvai. And how about the foxy ladies of Sophistic? They wouldn't be out of place in the Swedish or Norwegian selection either. Or is my favourite in the end the quiet charm of Puskás Peti? I guess it is....

Tibi Gyurcsík - Back in place

Gina Kiss - Chasing dreams

Péter Puskás - Csillagok

Monsoon - Dance

Renáta Tolvai - Élek a szemeidben

Anti Fitness Club - Lesz, ami lesz

Juli Fábián & Zoohacker - Like a child

Mónika Veres “Nika” - This love

Királys - Untried

Sophistic - Yeah, ok!

UPDATE: The Jury chose Tibi Gyurcsik, Nika and Királys to the final. The televoters will another name to the finalists list. And that is Juli Fában & Zoohacker.

Tonight: Third semifinal in Norway

What has happened to Norway? Their MGP used to be so great the past few years but this year... I'm not excited. The first semi was good, second less so and now the third... I have hard time picking up my favourites with a quick listening unlike usually. So, Tooji and Lise. But I expected so much more from Norway this year! But as always, one song is all any country needs :-)

1. Tooji - Stay

2. Martha Valle - Si

3. Bobby Bare & Petter Øien - Things change

4. Yaseen & Julia Maria - Sammen

5. Håvard Lotte Band - The greatest day

6. Silya Nymoen - Euphoria

7. The Canoes - It seemed like a good idea at the time

8. Lise Karlsnes - Sailors

UPDATE: Bobby & Petter, Tooji and Yaseen & Julia qualified. Strange....

UMK: Jari & Taika and Kirahvi nimeltä Tuike out!

First of all I have to say I agreed with the judges. Those two songs were the right ones to be kicked out at this point. They said Aamuyön ikuisuus was unreal in surrealistic way, a real Finnish schlager colored with blue and white and indeed it is. But the performance was very stiff with shaky vocals so that's all there was. Kirahvi nimeltä Tuike's song was "exactly what UMK is all about" said the judges. Yet it was out. Unfinished, not ready concept yet and in the end not so original. Add static performance. And were they serious or pulling their leg?

The other four continue to the club gig where their live performance skills are concidered. Mica Ikonen has no need to worry as the judges were already very impressed with his vocals and presence. Aili and Pernilla need to improve a lot as they gave a very amateurish performance even if Aili got one of them crying with emotion. And very nervous, too. Their songs carried them forward but will it be enough? Stig seemed the big favourite by the jurors and they found nothing wrong with it but full of good feelings and pleasant mood without being a joke entry. I guess the foreigners won't feel the same as soon as they see his photo unfortunately. The song is nice laidback feel good summer song but ...

What else can I say? It didn't sound very nice when the head of the jury adviced them beforehand to searc for "not an Eurovision song, but a decent act". Who says Eurovision-esque act can't be a decent one? And also while talking about and with top producer Jukka Immonen they said "the 12 qualified ones went to see Jukka Immonen in November". In November? Did they know already in November who the 12 are? That adds to the general confusion over all this UMK. That explains why the Fanbarometer had no importance at all, even if YLE made us all think so... It was used only for the three ones to pick up ONE wildcard. Why couldn't they just say so in the first place, loud and clear? I don't know...

UMK continues tonight

The second programme of UMK aka Uuden musiikin kilpailu aka Euroviisut 2012 will take place tonight. Apparently six artists will perform, be introduced better and god only knows what and two of them will leave the race. Perhaps. I will tell you after the show as I have no idea! Maybe we will also know who the winner of the wildcard is? During the week we have learned all sort of trivia; Ville Eetvartti, an ex-fireman, plans to take men with a long hose with him on stage. Maybe he's afraid of the land of fire - where he has actually been already some years ago! Jessica Wolff was hurt while surfing in Hawaii or some cool place like that. Got bleeding head and all. Stig is taking singing lessons now that he got this far. Pernilla is a Finnish champion in handball. Lasmatic apparently got a record deal even if they didn't qualify. Freeman said that if he goes to Baku he will propably never be let back in as he plans to raise some human rights issues. And such interesting facts.

Tonight we will have Stig, Pernilla Karlsson, Jari & Taika, Aili, Kirahvi nimeltä Tuike and Mica Ikonen in spotlight performing in YLE's studio in Helsinki. The guest judge is Anna Puu. You can watch it live here. 20.00 CET.

Malta: Semifinal tonight. Are we all looking at Richard?

Malta will have its semifinal tonight. Out of 24 songs 16 will go on to tomorrow night's final where the winner will be decided by a jury and televote. Last year's winner Glen Vella will provide some big smiles and high notes on both nights. Fabrizio Faniello is after his third win while the regulars Eleanor Cassar, Claudia Faniello, J.Anvil, Lawrence Gray and Wayne Micallef, just to name a few are after their first one. Last year's runner ups Richard Edwards and Kurt Calleja both are back at it. If the ten highlighted ones are through, this blogger's happy at this point. You can listen all the songs for example here. The show starts at 20.30 CET.

01. Danica Muscat – Seven Days
02. J. Anvil – You Are My Life
03. Isabelle Zammit – Walk On Water
04. Francesca Borg – Take Me Far
05. Klinsmann – No Way Back
06. Richard Edwards – Look At Me Now
07. Annalise Ellul – Whoop It Up
08. Kurt Calleja – That Is The Night
09. Romina Mamo – DNA
10. Nadine Bartolo – Can’t Get Away
11. Lawrence Gray - In Your Eyes
12. Kaya - First Time
13. Claudia Faniello – Pure
14. Jessica Muscat – Dance Romance
15. Wayne Micallef - Time
16. Dorothy Bezzina – Autobiography
17. Gianni Zammit – Petals On A Rose
18. Fabrizio Faniello – I Will Fight For You (Papa’s Song)
19. Janice Mangion - While Her Eyes Still Glow
20. Eleanor Cassar - I Want To Run Away
21. Corazon – Mystifying Eyes
22. Deborah C ft. Leila James – You Make Me Go Uh Uh
23. Anna Azzopardi – Still Waiting
24. Amber – Anwser With Your Eyes

UPDATE: So all my favourites made it, except Eleanor Cassar! Who saw that coming? AlsoJ.Anvil, Dorothy Bezzina, Amber, Deborah C ft. Leila James, Francesca Borg, Gianni Zammit and Klinsmann did it. I'm sure Eleanor wants to run away tonight...

Irish Eurosong sticks to the formula. With Jedward

The Irish Eurosong 2012 sticks to the same formula that gave us those Jedward twins. Even so much that they are participating this year, too! And once it was announced the twins will give it another try RTÉ apparently found difficulties to find anyone insane enough to try to go against them. Then came Donna McCaul who already did Eurovision, not so well being the very first Irish act not to reach the final, with her brother Joe in 2005, and others followed and finally we have the five entries. We are promised a Celtic song, a couple of pop songs, a classical ballad and a rock song. And yes, there are Swedes amongst the authors...

Maria McCool (mentored by Edele Lynch)
Donna McCaul (mentored by Bill Hughes)
David Shannon & Una Gibney (mentored by Julian Benson) - Language of love
Andrew Mann (mentored by Greg French) - Here I am
Jedward (mentored by Linda Martin)

Kuunkuiskaajat is back. I mean Värttinä!

Värttinä returns! On record that is as they never stopped performing and making music even if Kuunkuiskaajt won Euroviisut and charmed the folks in Oslo in between. Their new album Utu, first since 2006, is released today. The current line up Mari Kaasinen and Kuunkuiskaajat or Susan Aho and Johanna Virtanen. The first radio single is Tuuterin tyttäret.