Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

 

It's been a sad year in the Eurovision family. We lost a great number of Eurovision artists from young Örs to eldest of them all Emil, and Finland particularly was hit hard with three artists and also a legendary songwriter. Another great loss was Franco Battiato, an Italian legend to whom Eurovision is just a minor chapter in his curriculum.  Carlos Do Carmo (21.12.1939-1.1.2021)  Portugal 1976 Uma flor de verde pinho Liam Reilly (29.1.1955-1.1.2021) Ireland 1990 Somewhere in Europe Ireland 1991 Could it be I'm in love (composer) Pave Maijanen (3.9.1050-16.1.2021) Finland 1992 Yamma yamma Örs Siklósi (1992-5.2.2021) Hungary 2018 with AWS - Viszlát nyár Sanja Ilic (27.3.1951-7.3.2021) Serbia 2018 with Balkanika - Nova deca Patrick Juvet (21.8.1950-1.4.2021) Switzerland 1973 Je vais me marier, Marie Shay Healy (29.4.1943-9.4.2021) Ireland 1980 What's another year (composer) Matti " Fredi " Siitonen (23.7.1942-23.4.2021) Finland 1967 Varjoon - suojaan Finland ...

Albania's Festivali i Këngës 60 came to an and last night and crowned Ronela Hajati as its winner with an ethnic banger, as fandom might call it. I call it blast from the past thinking these songs have had their Best before date already many years ago, but what do I know? Ronela and another pre-contest favorite Alban made the top-2 while newcomer Eldis shared the third place with Rezarta. Ronela will revamp, make it partly English and cut down the length and the number of dancers for Turin 2022. Maybe it makes it better as in my honest opinion at the moment it is a mess; bits and parts that occasionally sound kinda nice but in whole it's not going anywhere nor memorable. In short a song that you only hear in the Eurovision created for staging purposes. I would have preferred Eldis or Alban. Or even Gjergi. Ronela (32) is already a seasoned artist as singer and dancer with a lot of experience in various festivals and contests, a string of hit singles and collaborations. She will...

Eurovision host Mikko Leppilampi and Eurovision veterans  Krista Siegfrids and Lasse Piirainen of Norma John fame  wish you merry and white Christmas! And so do I!

Czech Republic's selection has come to an end as well after a mix of Czech fans (25%), international fans (25%) and international jury (50%) We are Domi emerged as a clear winner with their Lights off. The trio is an international mix of Norwegian and Czech and brings their dancefloor experiences of Oslo, London and Prague now to Turin 2022  This said it's looking interesting for Norway as also the Greek entrant can be labeled as Norwegian - Norway will be the Albania of 2018 with multiple artists representing various countries!

Greese has internally chosen Amanda Tenfjord for Eurovision song contest 2022 in Turin. Her name was one of the five names in their shortlist made public earlier so she has beaten good job nicky, Joanna Drigo, Lou is and Eurovision veteran Ilias Kozas. Amanda Georgiadis (24) was born in Greece but moved to Norway, Tennfjord as a kid. She dropped her medical studies when her music career took off a couple of years ago, but she's been up and coming since 2014 with various experiences. Two EPs and 13 singles so far. Her Eurovision entry will be released later. Meanwhile enjoy her hit Then I fell in love below:

Sanremo 2022 kicks off tonight when finally the 12 become 2 and those two join the Sanremo 2022 Big cast. Meanwhile there was a rumor Amadeus might be adding another two Big names in the cast as well to make it 26 in total. Veteran names like Alice (!!!), Ron, Nada, Marcella Bella, Ricchi e Poveri, Riccardo Fogli, Luca Barbarossa and Anna Tatangelo, or newcomers like Ariete and Mara Sattei, or will he add the newcomers winners from past two years Leo Gassman and Gaudiano after all? Or more superpower to the already stellar cast with Francesco Gabbani, Elodie or Diodato? Or Giovanni Caccamo with a song written by late Franco Battiato? Matteo Andrea's son Bocelli? Simona Molinari? Renzo Rubino?  All that proved wrong (so far....) yesterday when he announced that not only Top-2 but Top-3 of the artists tonight will have a ticket to Ariston in February!  He also let us know that 320 submissions didn't make it, among them that of Jalisse who he said he's got nothing personal aga...

Australia has announced now all the ten finalists of Australia decides Eurovision 2022 - with a twist. First of yes, there's a returning Eurovision veteran. Yes, here's a returning artist. And yes, there's rock. And yes, there's someone from talent shows. So they seem to check all the boxes that seem to be this year's trend in national finals. The Eurovision veteran is Isaiah Firebrace from 2017. Jaguar Jonze is the returnee from 2020. Voyager brings in the rock. And Sheldon Riley made himself known in America's Got Talent. Just to name some. The Australia decides final will be on February 26, 2022. Oh the twist? There's a competition on Tiktok to get a wildcard to the line up...... Here they are - click on their names for a previous track from their catalogue!: Andrew Lambrou Charley G-Nation Isaiah Firebrace feat. TBA Jaguar Jonze Jude York - I won't need to dream Paulini Seann Miley Moore - My body Sheldon Riley Voyager

Pabandom iš naujo! is back for 2022 and January sees the start of six shows where 36 become one and travels to Turin 2022 Eurovision. Among the hopefuls we have several familiar names, including four ladies who have already done the honors: Erika Jennings (with SKAMP 2001), Ieva Zasimauskaité (2018), Monika Linkyté (2015 with Vaidas Baumila) and Vilija Matačiūnaitė (2014). All of them have also participated several times in the national selection as well so they are true veterans. But that's not all. There are also other familiar names trying to win it for the first time like last year's runner up Gebrasy, Aldegunda, Cosmic Bride, Titas ir Benas, last year's third Voldemars Petersons and more. Who ever wins has big boots to fill after two years of The Roop and their successful 2020 winner On fire and they won again the national final in 2021 with Discotheque after having not been re-elected internally having huge support by the nation's televoters and fandom.Full l...

After last year's cancellation and many countries just sending the previously chosen artist to Rotterdam 2021 the edition 2022 sees an increase of national selections which is very nice. It also seems already that many previous entrants are after another go, so far Estonia taking the prize with six previous winners trying again compared to one in Spain (Azúcar Moreno), three in Sweden (Anna Bergendahl, John Lundvik, Robin Bengtsson) and four in Lithuania (Erika Jennings, Ieva Zasimauskaité, Monika Linkyté, Vilija Mataciunauté). So far. They are Evelin Samuel (1999), Anna Sahlene (2002), Elina Nechayeva (2018), Lauri Pihlap (2001), Stig Rästa (2015) and Ott Lepland (2012). Estonia's Eesti laul 2022 is already in full swing and after the last quarter final all but Lauri Pihlap (Eurovision 2001 winner as a member of 2XL) made the cut for semi-finals coming up next in February. So many songs in Estonian in the mix! Jaagup Tuisk - Kui vaid Stig Rästa - Interstellar Maian - Meeletu B...

  If Spain has been doing poorly for way too long, Sweden has been an Eurovision power house. Eight times in top-7 since their only non qualification back in 2010. But...  Melodifestivalen has been going down in my book for several years and has been very predictable and therefor rather boring, safe and manufactured for way too long. Somehow they have managed however to produce winners that have made well in the contest, usually helped heavily by the juries. This next edition on paper isn't anything different but same old, same old. In both artists and songwriters. Let's have a look. First of all there are three previous winners taking part: Anna Bergendahl (2010), Robin Bengtsson (2017) and John Lundvik (2019), each of them having other non winning participation in recent years. Then we have Alvaro Estrella, Klara Hammarström, LIAMOO, Lillasyster, Linda Bengtzing, Malou Prytz, Lisa Ajax, Omar Rydberg and Shirley Clamp. Among songwriters the Debs, G:son, Jansson, Boström, Aag...

Spain and Eurovision..... Oh, well. ... 24th. 22nd. 23rd. 26th. 22nd. 21st...... 10th! 25th. 10th! 24th..... It doesn't sound like a success story , does it? It may have taken years but finally RTVE has woken up and decided to do something about it for real and dust off good old Benidorm festival, once modeled after Italy's Sanremo festival - just like the Eurovision itself, as we know - and send its winner to Turin 2022 Eurovision. And it seems the artists have been waiting for this as submissions rolled in and the finalist list is packed with more or less famous and established artists, including Eurovision 1990 legends Azúcar Moreno. Time will tell if Spain will finally aim for the victory and good placements again. I certainly hope so! The songs will be published as an early Xmas gift on December 23.  Azúcar Moreno - Postureo Blanca Paloma - Secreto del agua Chanel - Slo mo Gonzalo Hermida - Quién lo diria Javiera Mena - Culpa Luna Ki - Quiero morir Marta Sango - Sigues en ...

The Netherlands became the fourth country to reveal their artist for the 2022 Eurovision song contest in Turin. Internally selected S10 will be singing in Dutch (Hurray!) but her song will be revealed later. S10 (pronounced "es tien") aka Stien van Hollander (21) got her first record deal at the age of 17, and since released two albums and several EPs. Millions of streams and an award winning album later the singer-rapper is  off to Turin for the Netherlands. Her lyrics often deal with mental issues and she spent six months in psychiatric clinic at the age of 14 and had suicidal thoughts. These days her mental health in uder control but she says she's still not quite there yet to call it a thing from the past. Listen her biggest hit so far, Adem je in below:

Due to more or less leaked and too heavy gossiping my media Amadeus decided to reveal the names tonight during evening news instead of next week's Sanremo Giovani final. A decision that is all wrong in every sense; firstly he just read the names in hurry from a paper and bye, and secondly the Giovani final will lose half of its viewers who would have watched it at least partially just to hear the Big names. Oh well....  What can I say? Great to see Elisa back, she could easily have been the ESC 2001 winner if only.... Mahmood is also a great surprise. A bit surprised for Zanicchi, Morandi and Ranieri, but then again Sanremo doesn't forhet its old glories. Ana Mena just made a fantastic cover of this year's Sanremo favorite and is enjoying a lot of success dueting with Italian stars so why not? Giovanni Truppi, Dargen D'Amico and Highsnub I have no idea who they are, Hu I remember from Sanremo Giovani and she was rather interesting. Anyways, here goes: Elisa (Sanremo 20...

  Kiki - 666 Toivonen - J.Karjalaisen Hän Ressu Redford - Hölmö sydän Lili & Luna - Melanie

Oh yes, he's done it again! A new sound that still sounds exactly like Mengoni and blends beautifully with his back catalogue. Not a single song on the album is a filler in my opinion and I'm just liking them all a lot. There are two featuring, both excellent choices that fit in like a glove. This Terra is the first part of series of three albums, and refers to his musical background, the foundation of his musical style and art.  As for the songs Luce is dedicated to his mom, and Proibito is about love between two men told in first person. He showcased the whole album in a secret private show last night to selected few with a nine member band that brought the soul and blues, r'n'b side of Mengoni alive. Next spring he will do stadiums in Italy for the first time.  Cambia un uomo Una canzone triste Il meno possibile (feat. Gazzelle) In due minuti Mi fiderò (feat. Madame) Ma stasera Proibito Luce Un fiore contro il diluvio

  Antti Tuisku / Erika Vikman - Huonoja ideoita Robin Packalen - Rest in beat AM (EP) Nicholas X -  Herään helvetistä Meiju Suvas - Levi's-kesä

  Ezmi - Paratiisi Räppänä - Neonvalot Frans Harju - Kiitos Samir Kallio - Moka 

 Spotify has published the listening figures for 2021 and Eurovision song contest is present more than ever! Finland's Eurovision entry Dark side by Blind Channel is number one, while Eurovision winners Måneskin are rnner up with I wanna be your slave. And fifth with Eurovision winner Zitti e buoni. And sixth with Beggin'! Måneskin is also the fourth most listened artist! Check below the full lists: The most listened songs on Spotify Finland in 2021: 1. Blind Channel - Dark side 2. Måneskin - I wanna be your slave 3. Haloo Helsinki - Piilotan mun kyyneleet 4. Portion Boys - Vauhti kiihtyy (feat Matti & Teppo) 5. Måneskin - Zitti e buoni 6. Måneskin - Beggin' 7. Lil Nas X - Montero (Call me by your name) 8. BEHM - Frida 9. The Kid Laroi - Stay (feat Justin Bieber) 10. Masked Wolf - Astronaut in the ocean The most listened artists on Spotify Finland in 2021: 1. Haloo Helsinki 2. Cheek 3. JVG 4. Måneskin 5. Eminem 6. BEHM 7. The Weeknd 8. Ed Sheeran 9. Gettomasa 10. Justi...

  Ilta - Taivas maan päällä Neon 2 - Pieninä palasina Niila - Leon on me Viivi - Hyväuskoinen