ITALY EUROVISION: ALL IS READY - THE HOLY WEEK OF SANREMO IS HERE!

It's the holy week for Sanremo fans and yes, it is going to be looong nights from 20.45 to 1.30 from Monday to Friday and even 2.00 on Saturday. Plus all the extra minutes that will be needed as always. After two years of various restrictions Sanremo is back more or less to what it was in 2020, when it was just about the last big thing happening before the pandemic took over Italy and the world closing and cancelling most everything.

Amadeus is in charge for the 4th year in a row and he has done better every year so pressure is on, but judging the list of singers he's got in there's no worries this year again will be a hit factory. And there's plentu on paper for Eurovision on mind, too. Marco Mengoni, maybe the biggest name on list along with Giorgia and Ultimo, has already declared he'd love to do Eurovision again and his song has become the one to beat after rehearsals. Giorgia on the other hand missed her chance to do Eurovision back in 1995 as Italy wasn't taking part. Then we have Ultimo, probably still sour he lost to Mahmood in 2019 and can we forget the big comeback by Paola & Chiara? They'd fit Eurovision like they were made for it, and they seem to think so too delivering a choreographed performance with male dancers! Very Eurovision, very unlike Sanremo indeed. Another fan favorite Elodie is also tipped to reach the top this time.

Sanremo indeed is a success already. Rai has informed us they have reached 50 million revenue from advertising alone, which means one second add costs 9.000 euros. Eat that up Superbowl! All hotels in Sanremo and in all province and region are full, one can find accommodation across the border in Nizza in France or so. The business is flowering.

Last years Sanremo songs have been streamed over 880 million times and most everyone earned a gold and platinum or multiplatinum certificates.

Tonight the Green carpet too place in chilly city of flowers - all artists attended but Anna Oxa who has also refused interviews and all the rest on her 15th festival - after today's final dress rehearsal. All is set. Tomorrow it starts. I just can't wait! Perche Sanremo è Sanremo!

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Sabina Babayeva for Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijani selection show for the represant was as long as the selection process for the five finalists. Kurt Calleja from Malta and Can Bonomo from Turkey were present with Ell/Nikki to see Sabina Babayeva to emerge as the winner after each and every finalist had done about zillion songs amongst other guests. Now the Azeri TV will shop around a suitable song for her.

SONGS OF THE YEAR 2015: #5 KRISTA SIEGFRIDS - ON & OFF

Krista Siegfrids is delivering nice pop tunes one after another and this one is particularly catchy and soon you will be singing along..... Hopefully her Melodifestivalen entry will be equally good!

ESC 2015 NORWAY: LISTEN TO THE FINALISTS

The Norwegian entries are now and there to listen, or here . This time Norway has only one off final with 11 songs and a live orchestra, so it will be interesting to hear how these songs will turn out as most are rather modern sounding and not so Eurovisionesque midtempo numbers. There could have been also only ten if they had dropped that joke entry from the line up. The old veterans Elisabeth and Tor have nothing to be ashamed among this lot. To be honest I didn't get excited by any of these really... Something is wrong in my books if a classic schlager like Heaven sounds almost the best... What's wrong Norway?

ESC 2016 WISH LIST: MARGARET FOR POLAND

Małgorzata Jamroży aka Margaret has also been tipped for Eurovision and apparently she did turn it down but she'd be perfect. She's got a look and persona you can't unnotice nor forget, she's got hit songs, she has been voted or nominated for everything from Trendy artist to the Hope of the Year, Fashion Icon and Glamour Woman of the year besides the usual best video, song, album, debut..... Oh she's also a fashion designer! She's very clever with social medias and would surely use it to her advantage if selected for Stockholm 2016. Her debut album is titled Add the blonde , do we need to say more? Except it includes mostly Swedish written pop tunes like Tell me how are ya , Wasted , Start a fire and Heartbeat . And of course her debut single and internationally noticed Thank you very much that you can enjoy below with all its anti-textil feel. I think she's Eurovision perfection, she's cheeky and fun, can we have her?

FINLAND: LORDI RELEASES SEXORCISM - THEIR 9TH STUDIO ALBUM

Brand new studio album SEXORCISM is released tomorrow, 12 years and 5 days after their monstreous victory in Athens 2006 Eurovision song contest. It is quite possibly the most controversial Lordi album yet and already their 9th stuido album (plus three compilations and one Ep)

THE ABBA REUNION 2016 - WATCH THEM SING TOGETHER AGAIN

The 2016 Eurovision song contest organizers didn't manage it - or any of the previous ones either nor those offering them millions of dollars - but they seem to get together for birthdays, the way the old friends do. Back in 1999 they performed together in a private party for Görel Hansel's 50th birthday, and now to celebrate the first meeting of Björn and Benny 50 years ago. Venue was Stockholm's Bern's Salonger and once again in a private setting but today even they can't stop the cell phone videos and social medias. Enjoy the magic of Frida's and Agnetha's voices again.

GOODBYE, FAREWELL...

The time has come. After all these years, 5,7 million visits, 12.000 articles I guess the time has come. As much as I love and care for Eurovision it just doesn't feel the same. The Corona years took their toll and the past two years and certain decisions have helped me to mature the idea that next year I will hear the songs for the first time in semi-final just like any so called local. The bubble has burst. Add the toxicity in social medias and fandom. The arrogant teenagers who saw their first contest somewhere 2017 or even 2021 who think they know it all and only their opinion matters. Did I mention the toxic atmosphere on social medias? I'm too old for that sh*t. It's been a long ride that took me to various Eurovision on spot as a fan and tourist, as a journalist, as a delegation member. I met some great people, made memories of lifetime. In stressful, sad periods of my life this blog has been my safe place, a place to escape and forget everything else for an hour o...

FINLAND: REMEMBERING KIRKA

ESC 2016 BELARUS: NAKED WITH WOLVES?

Today's funniest Eurovision related story comes from Belarus. Some sources claim Ivan wants to perform on stage naked and with live wolf or wolves. It surely would be a first on Eurovision stage! We have seen some forgotten underwear over the years, and some cardbox animals though..... Is it time to take things a bit further? No, according the rules live animals are not allowed, and Eurovision being a family show nudity won't do either. (It seems to be ok to be half naked if you are a dancer though..... )

Boobs for summer: Samantha vs Sabrina!

The old rivals have put their bras (or the lack of them) in peace and entered the studios together to record Blondie's boombastic Call me . Life could be worse.....

Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

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