Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Sometimes the Eurovision stars don't quite follow up their momentum with releases of new singles and/or albums but this year the Top-4 has been already productive with the exception of the winner Nemo who still goes around singing The Code. The runner up Baby Lasagna from Croatia  third placed Jerry Heil and Alyona Alyona from Ukraine as well as French superstar Slimane all are out with a follow up single already. BABY LASAGNA - AND I JERRY HEIL - VIRGIN MARIA ALYONA ALYONA - Тато SLIMANE - RÉSISTER (WHAT ABOUT PEACE?)

It's no news France Eurovision and Eiffel tour have a long lasting love affair but last night it was taken to another level in the 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony. We all remember poor Tom Leeb who was chosen to represent France in 2020 Eurovision, climbed to Eiffel tower to belt out his song only to see Eurovision being cancelled and even France Television cancelling him for 2021 later on. That has been perhaps the high light of France Eurovision loves Eiffel tower in fandom's collective memory until now. Last night Eurovision 1988 winner Celine Dion returned to the spotlight after four hard years trying to recover and survive her illness and showed she was in top form in her first live performance since 2020. Belting out Edith Piaf's L'Hymne á l'amour like there was no tomorrow she reconquered the world. Well, I must say I do enjoy Tom Leeb's entry quite a lot. After all. 

Slimane recovered from flu just in time to perform in front of Basilique Saint-DenisDenis in Paris just hours before the outstanding opening ceremony of 2024 Olympics. Accompanied by 50 piece symphonic orchestra, gospel choir and dancers and even another Eurovision veteran Lara Fabian (her Eurovision 1988 competitor would be icing on top in the opening ceremony later that night). He sung some of his hits, including a majestic version of Mon amour and his most recent release, Résister (What about peace). Enjoy the show below!

This week superstar Jenni Vartiainen's new single along with already more or less known names AHTI, Averagekidluke, Pihlaja and Jari Uutela, all already featured here previously. Jenni Vartiainen / Etta - Viimeinen pisara AHTI / Averagekidluke - Kissa Pihlaja - Delulu Jari Uutela - Silmät tottuu pimeään 

Four Eurovision song contest icons selected randomly to celebrate Paris Olympic games opening tomorrow - with Slimane giving a free concert as warm up show (and I am hoping he will also perform in the opening ceremonies  as well!) ? Not quite so.  Slimane has dueted with all of them, besides co-writing the songs. Let's have a listen! LA ZARRA / SLIMANE - LES AMANTS DE LA COLLINE PATRICK FIORI / SLIMANE - PROMESSE MADAME MONSIEUR / SLIMANE - DIS-MOI QUE JE SUIS PATRICK FIORI / YCARE /CLAUDIO CAPÈO / SLIMANE -  QU'EST-CE QU'ON ÈTAIT BEAUX Slimane has literally dozens of duets with other singers so it's no wonder he has ended up with these previous Eurovision stars. Maybe they have had a word to convince him to do it, who knows?

As a surprise twist front runner favorite Zurich is out of the race to host Eurovision song contest 2025 and the Swiss team with Ebu announced that Basel and Geneva are the top two bids and of them will get the honor to host the contest in May 2025.  Basel is apparently aiming on St.Jakobshalle that could have been also called Roger Federer Arena to honor the local tennis player but the local council vote blocked that idea. Built in 1976 and completely renovated between 2016-18 adding fro its original 9.000 capacity to 12.400. The complex also has five smaller halls that would nice serve as press center, delegation lounge and all that extra needed for the show under same roof.  The arena has been used mainly for tennis, handball, ice hockey, curling and of course concerts, including Bob Dylan leaving him with life changing experience.  Basel itself is Switzerland's third biggest city by river Rhine with its approx 178.000 inhabitants (541.000 in greater Basel). In multi l...

This week two cover bangers with already familiar Teleks with some nearly symphonic pop and new name Överi. Kaija Koo's iconic anthem has been remixed by Dog Hustlers while BÄMÄ enganged UMK2024 hostess Pilvi Hämäläinen in Kikka's evergreen from the 1990's.  Teleks - Lukot sillankaiteeseen BÄMÄ / Pilvi Hämäläinen - Anna rakas (raju hetki) Dog Hustlers / Kaija Koo - Tinakenkätyttö  Överi - Kyyneliä

The Käärijä hype is going on in Finland for another year and while we still wait for his new album here comes another single: Trafik! This time with another Eurovision legend - for all the wrong reasons - Joost Klein from the Netherlands. 

  Another dose of new fresh #Finpop! Benjamin - Vanha minä vainaa jambo / Mikael Gabriel - Love Jaakko Kulta - Norjalaista puuta Karim B /Ege Zulu - Mi amore