Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Estonia had its semi-finals in January and 20 songs became 10. Wildcard round added to the line up Elysa and Mia and so we have a perfect dozen for the grand final. The voting in final is first 50/50 with televote and jury and Top-3 will get to the superfinal where only televote is used.  Sissi seems to be an early favorite (and Eurovision winner  Dave Benson's daughter) and has got the pimp slot in the line up. And yes, this is the first time I listen to these songs, like most of the reviews I am doing this year. Haven't really followed the semi-finals at all.  Meelik - Tuju * Oh dear what is this? Garage Beach Boys light? Nah.... Inger - Awaiting you * That outfit, autsh. Quite monotonous, uninteresting song I wouldn't pay any attention outside the Eurovision bubble. Not really a great start, Eesti laul what's going on? Janek - House of glass *** Ok, now this is better. Not very original and sounds a bit suspiciously familiar but it doesn't matter. This is onto so...

Estonia is next in line to reveal their acts for Eesti laul 2023. The two semi-finals will be staged January 12 and 14, and the grand final a month later on February 11. As usual five songs will qualify for the final; four of them with 50/50 televote/juryvote and the fifth one by another round of televoting only . An additional televoting was arranged for all the non-qualifiers and two wild cards handed out. In the final the first round 50/50 televote/jury vote will determinate the top-3, who will then have another round only with televote. Among the songwriters Eurovision veterans Stig Rästa (for Elysa) and Norvegian Kjetil Mørland (for Janek) as well as last year's winner Stefan (for M els). Another veteran Robin Juhkental (ESC 2010) has also written his own song. And Sissi is of course Eurovision winner Dave Benton's daughter. Alika - Bridges   Finalist sf2 Andreas Poom - Why do you love me   Finalist sf1 Anett x Fredi - You need to move on   Finalist sf1 Bedwette...

The third episode of AmaSanremo took place last Thursday and with the already familiar formula two more entries made the Sanremo Giovani final in December. Once again the in studio jury didn't quite agree with the televoters as they put the televote winner I Desideri last, and their winner Sissi came last in the televote. This said it was expected as I Desideri already have a devoted fan base.  Malika Ayane was the musical guest of the evening. She came second in the Newcomers 2009 behind Arisa, and the year later got the orchestra in Teatro Ariston protesting and throwing their notes in the air and booing when she didn't make the top-3 thanks to televote. She did place third in 2015.  You can watch the episode here  and the results of the previous episodes here and here . Gaudiano - Polvere da sparo scored 37 from the in studio panel and 39,43% from the televote and won the evening. He was my favourite, too. The song is catchy and a nice mix of many things, a bit Kendj...

While I was holidaying Vienna and its Wiener Stadthalle was confirmed as the host city for the 2015 Eurovision song contest. And indeed it seems like a perfect fit. Vienna itself is more than suitable to host the 60th anniversary edition giving it maybe a bit imperial touch - the historic palaces and all that fabulous bling bling seems to be only 2-3 kms away from the venue. Sissi would approve I'm sure, Conchita for sure does. She thinks it'll be a bit over the top as Vienna is a bit over the top when needed. And with Eurovision over the top fabulousness goes very well!  Wiener Stadhalle was designed by architect Roland Rainer, built in the 1950's and opened in 1958. It was expanded in 1974 with a public swimming pool - time will tell if that will be engaged with the Eurovision activities (foam party anyone?). The contest will take place in the D Hall but the complex includes various other halls of different sizes so it seems the press center (Halle F?) and the rest w...