Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Melodifestivalen in Sweden continues tonight with the third semifinal. Among tonight's entries last year's Robin Bengtsson and Krista Siegfrids (Finland 2013), 87-year-old Owe Thörnqvist making his Mello debut, and The Fooo Conspiracy, who has lost the fourth member and the name for the occasion. Maybe he just didn't like the idea of Eurovision? After the very disappointing first week, a bit better second week this third one really turns into a Melodikatastrophen. The only ones that stand out from the anonymous mass are Owe (for all the wrong reasons) and Bella & Filippa. I'm all for Krista for obvious reasons and if there's any justice she should make it this time, even straight to the final. For the rest I don't even dare to predict. And all this said after the 30 sec rehearsal clips.... Watch here 20.00 CET Semifinal 3: 18 February, Växjö Robin Bengtsson – I can’t go on -> FINAL Krista Siegfrids – Snurra min jord - 7th Anton Hagm...

Lithuania's marathon continues with seventh elimination round already. There's at least one more before we get to the semifinal stage - or whatever comes after that?! I suppose half of these or  four will make it tongiht again and Greta and Aistè should walk this. If the horrendous joke of Gytis still gets through it's time to get frighten for real. Even jury, really? Eurovision veteran Sasha Song is also still hanging on.... Watch here 20.00 CET Ieva Zaminauskaitè - You saved me (7+7=14) E.G.O. - My story (5+4=9) Greta Zazza - Like I love you (10+8=18) Gytis Ivanauskas - Get frighten (3+10=13) Aistè Pilvelyté - I'm like a wolf (10+12=22) Sasha Song - Never felt like this before (12+6=18) Edgaras Lybus - Could it be? (8+5=13) Grazvydas - Paint the sky blue (4+3=7)

Ukraine has it's third and last semifinal tonight. Again only two songs wil make the cut after 50-50 televote-juryvote.  This is such a weird group of songs I don't even try to predict who will make the cut..... Watch here from 18.00 CET Payushchie Trusy - Singing pants O.Torvald - Time Anastasia Prudius - Flow Vitaliy Kozlovskiy - Be your light Kadnay - Freedom in my mind Melovin - Wonder Green Grey - Future is now Vivienne Mort - Iniy

Estonia's Eesti laul 2017 second semifinal takes place tonight. Again five songs will make the final after 50-50 televote-juryvote. This one includes among others fan favorites Koit & Laura and Kerli, something that wouldn't be out of place in Kuunkuiskaajat album(Antsud) and a hippie anti-war anthem (Alvistar) that namedrops every country possible and is so weird it's already quite fantastic! Watch here from 20.35 CET Rasmus Ränvee - This love Angeelia - We ride with our flow Daniel Levi - All I need Antsud - Vihm Koit Toome & Laura - Verona Kerli - Spirit animal Close to Infinity feat. Ian Karell - Sounds like home Liis Lemsalu - Keep running Alvistar Funk Association - Make love, not war Almost Natural - Electric

Slovenia has its second semifinal tonight as just like last night first the televoters will send two songs to the final, and then the jury two additional ones from the leftovers.  Watch here 20.00 CET 1. CLEMENS – “TOK TI SEDE” (Klemen Mramor) 2. RAIVEN – “ZAŽARIM” (Jernej Kržic, Tadej Košir, Sara Briški Cirman) 3. KATAYA & DUNCAN KAMAKANA – “ARE YOU THERE” (Tim Žibrat/Tim Žibrat, Duncan Kamakana, Kataya) 4. BQL – “HEART OF GOLD” (Maraaya/Anej Piletic) 5. INA SHAI – “COLOUR ME” (Martina Šraj) 6. UNITED PANDAZ & ARSELLO FEAT. ALEX VOLASKO – “HEART TO HEART” (Gorazd Hižak (aka Arsello), Alex Volasko/Alex Volasko) 7. TIM KORES – “OPEN FIRE” (Jeff Lewis, Drew Lawrence) 8. NUŠKA DRAŠCEK – “FLOWER IN THE SNOW” (Pele Loriano, Lina Button/Lina Button, Brendan Wade)

Slovenia starts its search for the Eurovision entry that would bring them the very first victory. Eight entries tonight. The televoters will send their two favorites to the final, the jury will choose additional two from the remaining ones.  Previous winner Omar Naber is once again trying to make a bis.  Raay or Maraaya have written four of the 16 semifinalist, three of them in this first semifinal, and one more in tomorrow's.... Watch here 20.00 1. KING FOO – “WILD RIDE” (Raay/Rok Lunacek, Tina Pirš) 2. NIKA ZORJAN – “FSE” (Maraaya/Nika Zorjan) 3. TOSCA BEAT – “FREE WORLD” (Andraž Kržic,Tosca Beat/Andraž Kržic, Peter Penko) 4. LEA SIRK – “FREEDOM” (Lea Sirk, Gaber Radojevic/Lea Sirk) 5. SELL OUT – “NI PANIKE” (Miha Gorše, Uroš Obranovic/Tina Muc) 6. ZALA – “LALALATINO” (Zala) 7. ALYA – “HALO” (Raay/Rok Lunacek and Tina Pirš) 8. OMAR NABER – “ON MY WAY” (Omar Naber) U pdate: I'm glad I didn't even try to predict ...

Sandhja has released the first single off her new album in the making. It features also Gracias and Ekow. She sings it away and goes on with We go on !

Jacques Houdek (35)  finally makes it to Eurovision, after trying six times in national final since 2002,  he has been internally selected by HRT this year.  He has studied in Berklee Collage of music in Califormia before taking part in various festivals and winning awards in native Croatia. Ten albums to his credit (last one from 2012 though). Lately he has been one of The Voice mentors.  His entry will be revealed later. 

News that are dividing the international a- nd not only - public coming from Luca Chiaravalli, the producer and arranger of Francesco Gabbani. Occidentali's Karma 's Eurovision version will include some English, More than "singing in the rain" that is.   "We will add parts in English to make it more understandable for the interntional public, so that they will better understand the meaning of the lyrics. Otherwise the dancing gorille on stage could be taken only as a gimmick " he says. The song also needs to be cut over a 30 seconds to fit Eurovision.  Let's not judge before we hear it, even if it's hard.... ok?

The Eurovision Song Contest has hit a major setback after 21 top level staff organising the event resigned 86 days before the final. Among the team members who resigned were two executive producers of this year's show. "Hereby we, the Eurovision team, for whom this contest has become not only part of our work but also part of our life, officially inform that we are resigning and stopping work on preparations for the organisation of the contest." The Ukrainian Eurovision team say they were stripped of major responsibilities in December, when a new boss  Pavlo Hrytsak (pictured above) was appointed to the organising committee. They said preparations stopped for almost two months after the appointment and the work of their team was completely blocked. They also said a decision to increase the event's budget to 29m euro (£24.5m), up from 22m euro (£18.6m) would deprive Ukraine's state broadcaster of millions in profit. Zurab Alasania, head of Ukraine...

Czech Republic's tv has chosen internally among the 300 songs submitted first five, then one for Martina Bárta (29), who is still working on the song in London she will present in March. Martina is besides a singer also a frech horn player, and sings in a German jazz lounge band 4 to the bar. And that's all we know so far, while waiting for official confirmation....

Mr Lordi turns 43 today. Congratulations! Tomi Putaansuu aka Mr Lordi is not only Lordi's frontman but also a musician, singer-songwriter, businessman, special effect make up artist, painter, comics artists and graphic designer. He has done storyboard for several films and has written songs to other artists.  And of course an Eurovision song contest winner. Lordi has released already ten studio albums, latest one last year, Monstereophonic (Theaterror Vs. Demonarchy) and are still touring the world. 

Anneli Saaristo turns 68 today. Congratulations! Anneli started her career in the 70's through various competitions and in the 80's she picked up awards also in international ones (Best female artist in Knokke 1983, Rostock 1985, Dresden 1987) and finally Eurovision song contest 1989 where she scored 7th place with La dolce vita .  That was like a victory for Finns..... She's also been doing musicals, acted in theater and in films, recorded 11 solo albums (latest one Kissan mieli 2012) and scored countless evergreen classic hits and is known for her a bit more demanding style and sound in the pop scene. 

I mri Ziv has beaten superfavorite Diana Golbi in the national final tonight. As the singers did covers tonight in the last round his emotional Because of you got better of Diana's Purple rain. He watched her with admiration all through the performance and seemed rather shocked she actually didn't manage to better his 75%.... Diana on the other hand looked miserable on stage when she realized what happened.... Julieta came 3rd and Beatbox Element 4th. Imri Ziv – Halo (Beyonce) – 78% & 4 Yes’ – Superfinalist Beatbox Element – Hey Mama (David Guetta) – 49% & 2 Yes’ VS. Julietta – My Number One (Helena Paparizou) – 53% & 3 No’s – Saved Diana Golbi – Euphoria (Loreen) – 85% & 4 Yes’ – Superfinalist Super Final: Julietta – Shikorim me’ahava (Eden Ben-Zaken) – 58% & 4 Yes’ Imri Ziv – Because of you (Kelly Clarkson) -74% & 4 Yes’ – 1st Diana Golbi – Purple rain (Prince) – 66% Imri is no stranger to Eurovision having been backing si...

Tonight it's Israel's turn t choose their entrant for the Eurovision song contets 2017 in Kyiv. Four acts remain in the running, but their songs have not been made known or available as yet so tonight's going to be full of surprises.  Diana Golbi remains the one to beat but Eurovision backing veteran Imri Ziv , national final veteran Julieta and accapella group Beatbox Element will surely try their best to beat her. After all it all depends on the songs they have got for tonight to present..... Watch here from 20.00 CET

Oh wow, this is remarkable. While Italian fans keep arguinging if Europe will see their entry only as a gimmicky joke act - this blogger wonders why? Because of the dancing ape? - and if it really has any chance and at the same time foreigners abroad are already setting it as a strong candidate for the victory, even if 3/4 of the songs are still missing. True. But a strong good entry is a good strong entry no matter what and whenever it is selected, or can someone say some Moldova will end up sending something stronger? No.... But back to Gabbani and Occidentali's Karma. EurofestivalNews have collected some facts of his post-Sanremo truimph: Occidentali's Karma has already entered the iTunes charts in 15 countries : Italy (#1), Malta (#3), Switzerland (#4) and also in Luxembourg, Greece, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Belgium, Germany, Norway, France, Ireland, Austria and Denmark. In Italy he also hits #1 in Spotify. This success also brings back to charts some of his pre...

Romania's Selecția Națională finalists have been announced. Sadly Sergiu Bolota's We were young didn't make the shortlist while MIHAI's another piece of crap did. I haven't dared to listen to it yet but if it include once again some falsetto o-o-o's I'm gonna scream, too. Instinct   is already sporting some 3,6 million views on Youtube, and Maxim over 4,2 million and clearly they are of the better ones but apparently there's some monkey business going and the yodel song will win in the end no matter what happens.  Elizé & No Stress – Fără Bariere Cristina Vasiu – Set the Skies on Fire Tudor Turcu – Limitless Ramona Nerra – Save Me Ana-Maria Mirică – Spune-Mi Tu Instinct – Petale D-lema – Adventure Ilinca ft. Alex Florea – Yodel It! Tavi Colen & Emma – We Own The Night Zanga – Două Sticle Maxim – Adu-ți Aminte Eduard Santha – Wild Child MIHAI – I Won’t Surrender Alexandra Crăescu – Hope Xandra – Walk On By

Francesco Gabbani (35) will be the next Italian entrant in the Eurovision song contest and became over night the big favorite evenif it's still early with only a few songs presented and selected for the contest in May. He went with bookmakers from 1:66 to 1:6 to win it for Italy. the video has nearly 5 million views in less than 3 days, he's iTunes #1.... He was also quick to think all his fans for support in his journey in Sanremo and confirms the song will stay in Italian. And for those who don't understand the very clever lyrics, here's a subtitled video available now .  If you want to read an excellent article about his Sanremo and Eurovision journey in English have a look here And if you want to have some fantasies of his other endowments besides singing, have a look here (in Italian)  .. .  He also made some sort of history in Sanremo becoming the first newcomers artis to come back the year after and win the Big. As the saying goes, there's no...

Before we talk more about Francesco Gabbani's victory let's have a final look on the audience and shares. And it's a real boom: the fianl was watched in average by 12.022.000 viewers or 58,45 share, the second best ever! The one doing better is 2009 with Polo Bonolis and Luca laurenti hosting. The festival's five day average is 50,7% (Conti was hoping for a 45% to be happy), the best share since 2005, with an average of 10.848.000 viewers per night, with over 40 milion contacts.  Conti has also done better every year: 48,6% in 2015, 49,6% in 2016 and now 50,7% in 2017. Sadly he's not returning for 2018.... And to stop the bad mouthing and false rumours about his salary he donated his paycheck (after taxes) 100.000 euro to the earthquake victims. it's worth remembering also Maria De Filippi was borrowed from the enemy television empire Mediaset for free.

Now this is a busy weekend! Selections with heats and semifinals in Hungary, Estonia, Ukraine, Sweden, Lithuania and Latvia, and finals in Spain and Italy. Even if for Italy we may have to wait a few days or weeks for confirmation who goes in the end, and with which song..... And it's not over yet. Monday we will have the Israeli final! I will update the relative posts once they happen - but I will be following Sanremo closely - so this post is for easy access for the results Friday  February10 Hungary - A Dal - semifinal 1 Saturday February 11 Hungary - A Dal - semifinal 2 Estonia - Eesti laul - semifinal 1 Ukraine - semifinal 2 Lithuania - Eurovizijos - heat 6 Sweden - Melodifestivalen - semifinal 2 SPAIN - OBJETIVO EUROVISION - FINAL ITALY - SANREMO - FINAL   Here Sunday  February 12 Latvia - Supernova - Heat 2

Latvia's Supernova continues with second heat and four acts will qualify to the final and join Miks Dukurs, Lauris Valters, Franco Franco and Linda Leen. Two acts will be chosen by jury, and two by televoters. Markus Riva and My Radiant You, who have been close in the recent years are back at it.  Katrine Lukins - Silhouette UP - One by one Laura Lo feat. Chris Oak - Little weird Santa Daņeļeviča - Your breath The Ludvig - I'm in love with you Miks Galvanovskis - Runaway Toms Kalderauskis - We won't back down Markus Riva - Dynamite Triana Park - Line My Radiant You - All I know The HiQ - Taju ot Lyubvi

Oh, what a night! My eye might have been a bit teary like Francesco's. Happy, happy, happy! More about him and his decision over Eurovision tomorrow... 02.04 He just confirmed in press conference he will do it!!!!! With Occidentali's Karma! Now good night! Menwhile read more about him here and here

After a dramatic finish Manel Navarro will represent Spain in the Eurovision song contest 2017 in Kyiv with Do it for your lover . In the case of a tie the jury was to determinate the winner and just that happened. Only that later the question rose of the jury was free of ties with the artists, or rather Manel. The outtraged fans in the audience didn't wait for his winning performance but walked out while a member of parliament has stepped out to question the way tax payer funded RTVE was handling the process and it all may end up in court.... Drama.  1. Manel Navarro (jury 34+ televote 24 = 58) 2. Mirela (22+36=58) 3. LeKlein (22+30=52) 4. Maika (20+21=41) 5. Mario Jefferson (25+14=40) 6. Paula Rojo (21+18=39) PS. Outside Spain no one cares really as later that night Italy chose its entry that is already making waves all over Europe... Manel who?

The 67th Sanremo Festival della canzone Italian comes to an end tonight. The winner will have the chance to be Italy's entrant to the Eurovision song contest, with the entry of tonight or with another song. In case the winner says No, the offer goes to runner up, then to third and so on.... Let's see how this ends... The show starts at 20.30 Scroll down for some live blogging..... Carlo Conti, sadly doing his last festival for now, and the hired co-host from the enemy Maria De Filippi are hosting the show. Various guests from Zucchero to Alvaro Soler. Fiorella Mannoia remains the bookmakers favorite to win, but Ermal Meta and Paola Turci have emerged as possible surprise winners. The Eurovision fans are all for Francesco Gabbani, Ermal Meta or Sergio Sylvestre, not forgetting Elodie. So, it's all a bit open.... After all, Stadio won last year and that wasn't out in the open at all at first... This blogger is all for Francesco Gabbani, but if Paola Turci ...