Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Norway is having its Melodi Grand Prix 2020 final this Saturday after five regional semi-finals and five pre-qualified finalists. For the first time (anywhere?) there will be only online voting happening. Raylee is the big fan favorite but Ulrikke has a song and a vocal performance that could win it all in Rotterdam if chosen. There is a risk Norway goes for the nonsense aka Rein Alexander. I would be a bit surprised if anyone else is going to win this, despite Magnus having a song co-written by Alexander Rybak and there's even Tone Damli taking part and such.  Raylee – Wild  *** Didrik & Emil – Out of Air  ** Magnus Bokn – Over The Sea  *** Akuvi – Som du er  ** Kristin Husøy – Pray For Me  *** Rein Alexander – One Last Time  * Tone Damli – Hurts Sometimes  ** Sondrey – Take My Time  * Ulrikke Brandstorp – Attention  ***** Liza Vassilieva – I Am Gay  * Raylee offers a little tun...

NRK introduced us the participants in the first semifinal in Steirnkjer. So far there isn't Thomas G:son among the writers but we have other familiar names, like Carina Dahl and Mimi Blix. And then a Solli-Tangen, but it's Emil instead of Didrik (even if they look so alike). You can listen the songs here . Here they are: Vidar Busk - Paid my way Carina Dahl - Sleepwalking Tom Hugo - Det er du Gromth ft. Emil Solli-Tangen - Alone Julie Bergan - Give a little something back Mimi Blix - Catch me Datarock - Uuderground

Tooji has. When the Swedish magazine QX asked him if he has he answered with a laugh "Who hasn´t?" . He also tells he's very much aware he has a lot of gay fans and thinks it's very cool and he can't wait to perform in some Pride or another gay gathering soon. He says he's very proud to be among this year's gay favorites and why does he think gays like his song Stay ? "Because it's the best!" When asked who's cuter of the ex-Norwegian Eurovision artists Didrik Solli-Tangen or Alexander Rybak he says: "Didrik is hunkier, so I have to answer Didrik. But Alexander is very cute, too! " He also names his eyes as his best feature even if "it would be easier to name the body parts I'm not satisfied with!" But let's leave these gay magazine questions aside as the interview is pretty nice. He says he met his Swedish songwriters through his management and went to Sweden to meet them. They all had a clear idea how ...

Didrik Solli-Tangen's best kept secret is out. Or the second single from the coming debut album and if we were wondering what's it going to be after popopera it's Scandipop! Not sure how much hit potential this has but time will tell if Didrik will stay as the pretty pop singer or will he move on to charm the ladies in the opera houses....

Didrik Solli-Tangen who represanted Norway in Oslo 2010 has signed a record deal with Universal. After My heart is yours he will release a second single on September 4, and the debut album will follow in October. Now let's see what kind of music it will have....

I found this today very boring unfortunately. It all looks fab, classy. He sings well once he gets going. It's all polished and perfect but... also sterile. Surely the wild audience will lift to this to another dimension when the arena is full but until then... we can only admire the pretty scenery I'm afraid. Video .

If it's not broken don't fix it. The Norwegian staging is very similar to the one we already saw in the national final. We have the curtains on stage again giving it a bit more operatic feel, yet it is also Irish. Or Titanic. Or... well, the genre is what it is. Didrik sings well and apparently flirts nicely with the camera but overal feeling is it doesn't have the wow factor. But that will surely come when the arena is filled with screaming Norwegians. I wrote this might win in Oslo if chosen for Norway this year but I rather not believe so anymore. On the other hand, 2010 will be propably very unopredictable with voting as there are the juries, there is no superfavourite, the general standard is rather even and there are many ballads and ethnic songs. Who knows how this will end up with? Maybe a real surprise winner? Video .

May 17 is the national day in Norway and as Kuunkuiskaajat weren't rehearsing today they joined in the celebrations, saw the King and Didrik for example. And hundreds of kids. And were surrounded by the media. All day. Everywhere.

Didrik Solli-Tangen is helping the Norwegian cancer society's youth group by selling postcards. Like the one above. When in Norway, buy one! And the Finnish OGAE just gave 12 points to My heart is yours .

Didrik Solli-Tangen had a special night yesterday as he had a chance to sing with José Carreras! Torna a Sorriento was the classic they performed and judging here he did an excellent job! "Bigger than MGP! Overwhelming experience" he said. I believe. Carreras is my hero, too! (And it's not his first time with Eurovision stars, he sung in one of the Christmas in Vienna concerts with Patricia Kaas...)