Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

  Armenia organized the national final Depi Evratesil again after few years but I must wonder why? The show for sounded a Moldovan auditions as there were so many shouty screamy performances, one lady in particular was searching for her notes full three minutes and another lady in white apparently twerked, but it looked like a newborn giraffe trying to stand up. Was it really them or was the sound off in the live show? Ok, this said the stage was pretty and they had put effort in most performances. Yet, when the last one came on stage she was a stand out looking and sounding professional even if the song  itself was missing; it was a stage show with choreography that even borrowed bits from her previous entry plus infamous Mirror mirror on the wall a bit too much. All that made the feeling of a medley half time show even more evident. I'm not a big fan of this kind of Eurovision entries. The other decent ones were Parg and Simon even if any of them need a lot of polishing to d...

The five day and night long marathon of 75th Festival della canzone italiana di Sanremo came to conclusion at 02.05 o'clock. The ranking announcement created quite a reaction when Achille Lauro was called 7th and total chaos when Giorgia 6th. It's worth remembering Mahmood was 6th in 2024 but scored by far the biggest hit, in fact the biggest hit of 2024 in Italy, not only from Sanremo. Had he made the Top-5.... who knows? When she came on stage to pick up the TIM award people were shouting "You have won! You have won!" She was very, very emotional. Brunori Sas picked an award for the best lyrics, Cristichhi for the best music, and critic's awards went to Cristicchi and Lucio Corsi. The artists were asked to sign an agreement if they intent to do Eurovision song contest for Italy shoudl they win. If the winner declines the runner up gets the right, then the third placed etc. Generally the artists stay quite tight lipped about the fact and this year is no exception...

Lithuania's Eurovizija.LT will crowned Katarsis as expected as  the entry for the Eurovision song contest 2025 tonight. The selection was a long one, five semi-finals where two songs made it while seven were kicked out. In the end two of those were added to the final's line up as wildcard; Black Biceps that tied with the two qualifiers in semi-final 3 and Liepa that tied with the second place in semi-final 4, so it was simple mathematics and easy choice.  Katarsis is Lithuanian alternative dark post-punk band. The band consists of Lukas Radzevičius (guitar, vocals), Andrius Gruodis (guitar, backing vocals), Emilija Kandratavičiūtė (bass guitar), and Eivin Laukhammer (drums). They have been together since 2020. They have released eight singles and one EP on Spotify so far.  Enjoy some of their previous songs below: First round (jury + televote): Katarsis - Tavo akys Liepa - Ar myletum  Lion Ceccah - Drobe Black Biceps - Visaip man reik   (5 + 8) 13 Amor...

Norway had its traditional Melodi grand Prix that was a one night affair this year. If Tommy Cash took an easy win in Estonia minutes later Kyle Alessandro did the same in Norway with his Lighter. Kyle Alessandro Helgesen Villalobos or simply Kyle Alessanro (18) is a Spanish-Norwegian singer. His career started already back in 2017 when he at the age of ten took part in Norske Talenter talent show. That lead to  other performances and debut album and string of singles between 2017-2019. In 202 he returned to music and in 2023 he was a part of Umami Tsunami trio that took part in MGP with Geronimo that placed last. In 2023 he released his second album and the steady flow of singles continued.  Below are some of his songs for your enjoyment: Results (jury/televote) 1. Kyle Alessandro - Lighter (118 + 189) 307 2. Nataleen - The Game (86 + 104) 190 3. Bobbysocks - Joyful (29 + 135) 164 4. Wig Wam - Human fire (25 + 68) 93 5. Tone Damli - Last song (24 + 63) 87 6. Nora Jabri - Su...

  Estonia had its traditional Eesti laul tonight and as predicted Tommy Cash - Käärijä next to him, they share producer and co-writer btw - won. No, he WON: 83% of the televotes in the super final after having won also the international jury vote with Caffe macchiato.  Tommy Cash aka Tomas Tammemets (33) is one of the biggest names in the Estonian music scene and well known also in Finland. Indeed he was featured in Käärijä's It's crazy it's party and his entry is co-written and produced by Finnish Johannes Naukkarinen of Cha cha cha fame.  Besides music he has been a graffiti artist and freestyle dancer. His music career started in 2012 and his first release was in 2013. He has released two albums, three EPs and a string of singles both as solo and even more as featuring or other collaborations with before mentioned Käärijä, Little Big, Charli XCX, Kim Patras just to name a few.  He has been names the Estonian rap sensation, new king weirdo for his post-Soviet imagi...

The final night is finally here. Let's see who wins and gets the Italian ticket to the Eurovision song contest 2025 in Basel. As usual the winner does have the right to go and every artist must have signed a paper to agree should they win. If not, nothing to do, Rai will pick up someone else. The change this year is that will indeed go according the final results. If the winner says no the runner up goes. If the runner up says no the third one goes etc. Simple and clear.  Last night was another rating success: 13.187.000 viewers and 70,8% share, The peak was 17.494.000 at 21.47. The best share since ever calculated (or 41 years). As viewing numbers best since 1995 - when Giorgia won the first time btw.  Who is going to win is though wild open as there isn't one or two clear favorites (like Mahmood & Blanco, or Geolier Vs Angelina kind of situation). Considering the first two night's rankings Simone Cristicchi, Achille Lauro, Giorgia, Brunori Sas and Lucio Corsi have mad...

The German selection is being done with collaboration of RTL and Stefan Raab. They have already declared if they don't win this year they will scrap the national final for good, or something. Yawn. Germany indeed has quite a remarkable run in the Eurovision song contest in the past ten years: four times last, three times second to last. Michael Schulte managed 4th in 2018 and last year surprisingly Isaak 12th.  Chefsache ESC 2025 – Wer singt für Deutschland? will have two heats (February 14 and 15), a semifinal (February 22) and the grand final on March 1, 2025. The 24 semi-finalists were chosen among the 3.281 wannabe artists, 1.198 with their own submitted songs, the others with a cover of their choice.  The chosen artists were announced on February 4, 2025: Abor & Tynna, Adina, Benjamin Braatz, Cage, Chase, Clody June, Cosby, Enny.Mae x Paragigm, Equa Tu, Fannie, Feuerschwanz, From Fall to Spring, Jaln, Janine, Jonathan Henrich, Julika, Leonora, Lyza, Moss Kena, NI-KA, ...

Poland's national final for Eurovision song contest 2025, Polskie kwalifikacje took place on Valentine Day's evening in TVP's head quarters in Warzaw. The winner was chosen by televote only. Justyna Steczkowska won and returns to Eurovision after 30 years having represented Poland already back in 1995 with Sama (18th). Justyna (52) has a four-octave vocal range. She started partecipating and winning song contests in early 1990's  and has released so far 15 studio solo albums, has won various awards, has acted in films and television, done musicals. Runner up in Dancing with stars, coach in The Voice of Poland and most of all last year's runner up in the national final with Witch-er Tarahoro .  Read more here Finals results: Justyna Steczkowska - Gaja   39,32 Swada x Niczos - Lusterka    23,69 Dominik Dudek - Hold the light    13,94 Crust - Tempo   5,92 Kuba Szmajkowski - Pray   3,98 Teo - Immortal   3,91 Janusz R...

The fourth night takes a break from the competition as finally (FINALLY!!!) tonight's performances and results has no weight in the final result whatsoever. If not psychological though. The 29 artists have chosen a cover to do, invited guest acts to do it with - or paired up with another artists from this year! Nice touch! In the end of the night tonight's winner will be awarded separately. Tonight's co-hosts are Eurovision and Sanremo double winner and one of last year's most successful Italian artists globally: Mahmood. He is joined by another Sardinian or comedian, actress and presenter Geppy Cucciari. Read more here   It is said Mahmood will give us a show worth of a Super Bowl half time show.... I don't doubt it! Tonight's guest act is Pop duo Benji & Fede.  Add Roberto Benigni, hopefully he's not doing a half an hour long monologue again..... Read more here Rose Villain / Chiello - Fiori rosa fiori di pesco Enter co-co Mahmood Modà / Francesco Reng...