Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Another year, another sad goodbyes to many Eurovision stars, including the ones below. Carmela Corren (13.2.1938 - 15.1.2022), Austria 1963 Armando Gama (1.4.1954 - 17.1.2022), Portugal 1983 Thierry Mugler (21.12.1948 - 23.1.2022), designer for various ESC hostesses and artists Nora Nova aka Ahinora Kumanova (8.5.1928 - 9.2.2022), West-Germany 1964 Roberto Cogoi (25.10.1939-14.5.2022) Belgium 1964 Kari Salli (1961 - 14.5.2022), composer of Finland 1994 Dani aka Daniele Graule (1.10.1044 -14.6.2022), France 1974 Margot Eskens (12.8.1936 -29.7.2022), Germany 1966 Torgny Söderberg (26.11.1944 - 5.8.2022), composer of ESC 1984 winner Svika Pik (3.10.1949-14.8.2022) Composer of 1998 ESC winner Olivia Newton-John (26.9.1948 - 8.8.2022), United Kingdom 1974 Vesa-Matti Loiri (4.1.1945 -10.8.2022), Finland 1980 Ann-Christine Nyström (26.7.1944-5.10.2022) Finland 1966 Franco Gatti (4.10.1942 -18.10,2022) Of Ricchi e Poveri, Italy 1978 Nicole Josy (21.10.1946 - 4.11.2022) Belgium 1973 Claes-Göra...

It's Greece's time to reveal the chosen ones. Out of 106 submitted songs the jury narrowed the offer to lucky seven (just like Finland's UMK btw) and these finalists will now face a demoscopic jury of 70 persons (25 of age 18-25, 20 of 25-34, 15 of 35-44 and 10 members of 45+ age group). The combination of these two groups will then decide the One. They are: Update 19.1.: Only three are left: Melissa, Victor and Maria & Antonia Update 30.1.: Victor Vernicos is the chosen one. Antonia Kaouri & Maria Maragkou - Shout out! Klavdia (Papadopoulou) - Holy water Konstantina Iosifidou - We're young Leon of Athens (Timoleon Veremis) - Somewhere to go Melissa Mantzoukis - Liar Monika (Christodoulou) - I'm proud Victor Vernicos (Jorgensen) - What they say Enjoy here some of their previous songs:

The four night affair that was Festival i kenges 61 ended up with Elsa Lila's third victory with Evita, but the one going to Euroviison song contest 2023 in Liverpool will be second placed Albina Kelmendi with her family. Third placed was 2 Farm. The new rules were that the jury selected the top-3 as usual, but the Eurovision entrant was the televoting winner, or Albina.  Albina (24) is an Albania-Kosovan singer-song writer and The Voice of Albania runner up back in 2014. She has released over 20 singles since 2015 and her debut album earlier this year. On stage are five of her family members.  And here is Elsa Lila's winning entry:

Also Lithuania has revealed its national final for Eurovision song contest 2023 entrants. Among them, once again and yet to win, Aiste Pilvelytè - for the 13th time. Add veteran Monika Linkyte (ESC 2015) also trying to win again. Add national final veterans Alen Chicco, Gabrelius Vagelis, Gebrasy and Voldemaras Petersonas among others. There will be two heats starting January 21, 2023 followed by two semi-finals and the grand final on February 18. Agnė - New Start  Q  Heat 2 SF2 NQ Aistė Pilvelytė - We’re Not Running   NQ Heat 1 Alen Chicco - Do You  Q  Heat 1,  SF1 NQ Antikvariniai Kašpirovskio dantys - Sėdi ir važiuoji Q Heat 2  SF2 NQ Baiba - When the Lights Go Out   Q Heat 1,  SF1 NQ Beatrich - Like a Movie  Q Heat 2 SF2 finalist Donata - Dreamer   Q Heat 2,  SF1 NQ Gabrielius Vagelis - Šauksmas   Q Heat 1,  SF1 finalist Gebrasy - Saw Your Ghost   Q Heat 2  SF2 NQ Il Senso - Sparnai   Q Heat 1, SF1 ...

Romania has chosen the 12 finalists out of 84 submitted entries. As a new move the Romanian public will alone choose the winner among Selecţia Naţională 2023 finalists. Let's wait and see if this all goes drama free this time around! It also seems the artists are rather unknown and new to the national final. The date is February 11, 2023.  Adriana Moraru - Faralaes Aledaida - Bla Bla Bla AMIA - Puppet Andrada Popa - No time for me Andreea D Folclor Orchestra - Periniţa mea Deiona - Call on me JaxMan (Erin Dăneţ) - Bad & cool Maryliss - Hai Vino Ocean Drive  Take you home Andrei Duțu  - Statues Steven Roho x Gabriella x Formaţia Albatros - Lele Theodor Andrei - D.G.T. (Off and on)

The Ukraininan national final Vidbir for Eurovision song contest 2023 took place in Kiev this afternoon, in the Miadan Nezalezhnosti metro station. The Russian missiles have been flying all over Ukraine even today, and apparently Kiev has been without electricity and light but the show  went apparently without hic ups. Both the jury (chosen by people) and the public vote chose the winner, that is Tvorchi and Heart of steel over fan favorite (once again) Jerry Heil. Here are the results: 1. Tvorchi - Heart of steel (jury 9 + public 10) 19 2. Krutь - Kolyskova (10 + 8) 18 3. Jerry Heil - When God shut the door (8 + 9) 17 4. Fiinka - Dovbush (6 + 7) 13 5. Demchuk - Alive (7 + 4) 11 6. 2Tone - Kvitka (4 + 5) 9 7. Moisei - I'm not alone (1 + 6) 7 8. OY Sound System - Oy, tuzhu (5 + 2) 7 9. Tember Blanche - Ya vdoma (2 + 3) 5 10. Angelina - Stronger (3 + 1) 4

Tonight's the night when twelve become six at Sanremo's Casinò and all of those six get a ticket to Teatro Ariston in February and as a bonus have a chance to fly to Liverpool's Eurovision 2023! Worth noting is these are not the songs but the selection committee knows the song they intend to sing in Sanremo (and eventually Eurovision) and will surely judge that in mind rather than these songs that have been out already for a couple of months. And sadly I have to admit this is maybe the worst line up I recall for ages, in fact I do not a single favorite! Hopefully the chosen ones have better and more interesting songs for the festival! Tonight we will also get the song titles for the 22 Big artists. This said there will be a record breaking 28 entries at the festival! Update: As expected, all the Giovani that I liked best are out. I really do hope their actualu Sanremo songs are a lot better then! Sanremo Giovani: Colla Zio -   Asfalto  ** FIAT131 - Pupille  *** gIANMARIA ...

The 20th Junior Eurovision song contest will take place tomorrow in Yerevan, Armenia. I am first to admit I have never been a fan of this contest nor a keen follower but listening through the songs and seeing the videos this year they didn't seem so awkward as in many previous years but rather enjoyable effort. Still, it's a bit weird with songs that are indeed childlike and then some entries that wouldn't be out of place in the real thing. As apparently they most try to be adult like I judge them as likes.  The contest has struggled through the years with ever changing line ups, withdrawals and returns and this year is no exception: the United Kingdom returns after 16 years while Bulgaria and Germany stay home from last year's participants, along with Russia and Azerbaijan for obvious reasons. We also miss Belarus, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Latvia, Norway, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, Lithuania, Moldova, Israel, San Marino, Montenegro, Slovenia, Austr...

Croatia is next in line to reveal their entries for the national final Dora 2023 for the Eurovision song contest. These 18 were chosen from a total of 196 submissions (with four reserves). Damir Kedzo makes a very welcome comeback after missing out the cancelled 2020 Eurovision, maybe he gets his ticket now? The final takes place on February 11, 2023. Damir Kedžo - Angels and Demons Meri Andraković - Bye Bye Blonde Martha May - Distance Tajana Belina - Dom Đana - Free Fallin' Boris Štok - Grijeh Maja Grgić - I Still Live Patricia Gasparini - I Will Wait Krešo I Kisele Kiše - Kme Kme Eni Jurišić - Kreni Dalje The Splitters - Lost and Found Yogi - Love At First Sight Let 3 - Mama Šč! Detour - Master Blaster Hana Mašić - Nesreća Harmonija Disonance - Nevera (Lei,Lei) Barbara Munjas - Putem Snova Top of the Pops ft. Mario 5reković - Putovanje The reserves are: Lana Mandarić Lanchi - Sama Mirna Škrgati - Odlazi Voice For You - On The Same Train Rosanna Kumerle - Talking To Me

Slovenia placed last in this year's Eurovision in their semi-final so they have decided it is a good moment to drop the national final EMA and go internal instead. They have chosen a popular band Joker Out made of Bojan Cvjetićanin (vocals), Jure Maček (drums), Kris Guštin (guitar), Jan Peteh (guitar) and Nace Jordan (bass guitar). They have been playing together since 2016, have released two albums and a string of singles, been nominated and won several awards and done festivals. So, quite a difference to this year's LPS. They describe their music as shagadelic rock'n roll, whatever that means..... Update 4.2.2023: Their song Carpe diem was premiered: Below are a couple of their previous songs. The Eurovision entry will be release in due time...

After the list of those who made it to the festival the media is announcing the ones who didn't make it this time around, among them Eurovision veterans Jalisse who were not taken for the 26th year in a row! Now that's a record to beat. But they are not alone. The list of excluded ones includes names like Mietta, Paola Turci, Syria, Dolcenera and Marcella Bella, for the zillionth time. But also names like Elettra Lamborghini, Francesca Michielin, Michele Bravi, Annalisa and Eurovision veterans Francesco Gabbani, Raf, Fausto Leali, Ricchi e Poveri, Alan Sorrenti and Albano. Add names like Eiffel 65, that would have filled the nostalgy slot nicely. Without further notes here's the list combined from various sources of names that didn't make it this year: Alan Sorrenti, Albano, Alex Wyse, Andrea Sannino, Annalisa, Antonino, Auroro Boreolo, Baby K, Beba, Bresh, Bugo, Chadia Rodriguez, Clementino, Daniele Silvestri,  Ditonellapiaga, Dolcenera, Drusilla Foer, Eiffel 65, Elett...

Yet another dose of #Finpop before 2022 is a wrap. This time another one from KAIP, and three songs from newbies. Enjoy! KAIP - Tää tulee sattuu Nightstop, Marko Taali - Bring me your night YES YES, Iwaro - This is nightlife Maaria - Kaksoiliekki 

Amadeus did it again. He surprised us with the news that not 2 or 3 but six (6) artists from Newcomers Sanremo Giovani will join the Big at Sanremo 2023 festival next February. He also surprised by actually bringing the big guns many thought pretty impossible, namely Marco Mengoni and Giorgia. He also brought Articolo 31 and Mr.Rain, both famous for stating they would never ever take part in Sanremo and here they are. As are I Cugini di Campagna debuting at the festival, a band that was the soundtrack of Italy in the 1970's with their sound and countless hits. He also brought in the comeback by Paola & Chiara. He brought back Anna Oxa, famously in fight with Rai for years. Add Ultimo, the sour loser to Mahmood in 2019, Tananai who came last year and is the only artist from last year's edition! I mean, you can't make these things up So in sort we have three winners: Giorgia (1995 when she would have a run for their money to Secret Garden had Italy participated), Marco Me...

Sweden has revealed the artists, song titles and songwriters for the 2023 Melodifestivalen. And as usual it's full of familiar names as almost half the artists have participated before including Eurovision winner Loreen along with two other Eurovision veterans, Victor Crone and Loulou. Add fan favorites Mariette, Wiktoria, Jon Henrik and Eva & Ewa, Tone and Theoz from last year and finally Panetoz, Paul Rey, Nordman and Axel and you've got the Mello veterans. But the writers list is even more familiar, and it seems most every song is written by a group of people in various songwriting camps and in the end we have six songs from Jimmy Joker, five from Joy Deb and Anders Wrethov and four from Jimmy Jansson and Linnea Deb and Thomas G:son. Just to name the most obvious. Jon Henrik's song has eight writers.... Uje Brandelius is the only one who has alone written his song.  The cas include also Ucrainian Maria Sur and Norwegian teenage idols Marcus & Martinus, plus Laure...