Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Four more songs from Eurovision stars of the past Hovi Star released earlier this month self-written Silver spoon , The somewhat angry mid-tempo pop tune showcases a rougher side of his voice. Also Alma offers us anger in T'es pas un homme , a song born out of frustration of men molesting her and other women in metro.  Luisa Sobral has written her Dois namorados herself. Of course. Simple and acoustic love story that lasts for decades.... Polina Gagarina goes up-tempo bubble gum pop in  Меланхолия (Melancholy).  Apparently she tries to beat it with hysteria and anger judging the video....

  Reigning Eurovision champion RTP has chosen the composers for the national selection Festival da Canção 2018. Just like this year, after their relaunched the contest, they have chosen composers to come up with a song, who can choose the artist for the song. This year Luisa Sobral was chosen, she wrote Amar pelos dois and chose her brother Salvador to sing it and the rest is history. This blogger is very excited to see Diogo Piçarra in the list, an Eurovision wish for years already. Now fingers crossed he decides to perform his own song! Other names are from Eurovision veteram Josè Cid to rapper Capicua.  Salvador and Luisa also had a chance to pick up one and chose Janeiro, and Onis was selected through a radio selection amongst new composers without any releases so far, Serrado and Dias were picked among the 346 open submission for any Portuguese or authors living in Portugal. Overall the demand was so high RTP in the end picked up 26 composers instead o...

The charity concert for the forest fire victims in Pedrógão Grande and bordering areas is becoming a huge and heartfelt affair in Portugal. The broadcast from MEO Arena in Lisbon will be live on television as well - in all channels! Yes, RTP, SIC and TVI have all got on same boat for the good cause, and all the Portuguese radio stations will join in as well. The income obtained will be delivered to the Union of Portuguese Misericórdias to help the victims and rebuilding the area. Participating artists are AGIR, Amor Electro, Ana Moura, Aurea, Camané, Carlos do Carmo, Carminho, D.A.M.A, David Fonseca, Diogo Piçarra, Gisela João, Hélder Moutinho, João Gil, Jorge Palma, Luísa Sobral, Luís Represas, Matias Damásio, Miguel Araújo, Paulo Gonzo, Pedro Abrunhosa, Raquel Tavares, Rita Redshoes, Rui Veloso, Salvador Sobral and Sérgio Godinho - a mix of Portuguese music legends and newer artists. 

 Hovig had his cake and ate it too..... Hopefully this pretty blackbird cake didn't end up thrown on the wall last night ... but Hovig got also compared to someone else last night..... ... while the Dutch girls stayed out of the drama and enjoyed a bath. These happy faces could bring Portugal it's first victory. Or at least its best placing to date. Or did they just realize their soul mates Norma John are out?

Portugal is a bit weird to judge as it's not Salvador on stage but his sister Luisa. But let's see the staging. The backdrop is just a non mobing forest it seems and it's beautiful, and the song is performed fromthe small island stage. Looks cue and intimate without the audience but when it's a full arena and flags waving? Maybe they know how to behave? Hopefully. There seem to be close up shoot anyways all the time. I'm hoping and wishing Portugal will make their own new record aka Top-5. 

  Now this is a bit tricky to comment as instead of Salvador Sobral we have his sister and song's author Luisa on stage instead. What we can see that she and eventually he will be singing in a forest. But the song speaks to itself and he certainly won't be dancing around the stage with it so I guess one steady spot and a lot of close up is what it's going to be. And that's all it needs. Maybe Portugal finally betters its best placing so far, 6th. I hope so.