Eurovision 2010

[Jonsii]

Is anyone else getting very excited about Eurovision 2010. Okay it is quite a while away but already some big news. After three dismal failures the Czech Republic have decided to call it a day. I think this is a pity as they provided some great car crash moments.
Also Azerbaijan are being investigated by the EBU over the fact that Azeri police have quizzed 43 of their citizens who voted for Armenia. One of the men investigated by the authorities claimed that he has been accused of being unpatriotic by giving his support to the neighbouring nation. Good to see Eurovision is as political as ever.
The EBU are apparently also going to try more to get Austria, Monaco and Italy back. No word on San Marino but Liechtenstein are trying to join the EBU with an eye to joining next year. Roll on May 2010[:-))]

[Captain Ass]

Are you serious!

[Jonsii]

[:-d]

[handsy]

Would really love to get over to Eurovision next year! It would be just such a fun atmosphere!

Actually dunno if any of you would be interested but there is a Eurovision Party in Dublin in November for all the fanatics!

Info here..

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=87754499503&ref=ts

Seems fun :-)

[Jonsii]

I actually got to Moscow last year and it was one of the best weeks of my life. Being in the arena and waving your country flag is just fantastic. Plus there is parties every night where you get to meet all the artists. My favourites were definitely the Swiss as they knew how to party [:-D]

[amnesiac]

I'm definitely going to Oslo! Hope to drag Shiva and Admin along with me (in Swedish T-shirts)!

Tarkan is tipped to represent Turkey!

[DJ3vin]

Altho I love the Eurovision I actually find the Swedish heats more excting - depending on whose competing . . Still amazed Alcazar havent won it yet!

Im hoping for another 'Shady Lady' stomper this year![:-))]

[amnesiac]

I'm going to BEG Dermot to screen Melodifestivalen on Saturday evenings in Chambers next year!

[earlstvincent]

Shiva will be devastated he didn't start this thread. Unless he has one started already somewhere...

[amnesiac]

Shiva will be devastated he didn't start this thread. Unless he has one started already somewhere...

If Shiva started a Eurovision thread he would spell Eurovision correctly in the title!

[Captain Ass]

If Shiva started a Eurovision thread he would spell Eurovision correctly in the title!

[:-P]

you little trouble-maker you! [;-)]

[Alcofrollic]

Hasnt Eurovision only just been and gone? :P

[Captain Ass]

Hasnt Eurovision only just been and gone? :P

YES!
ehhh

[Breanoh]

I'll join yis in Oslo, on one condition.... I get a **PRIVATE** audience with Alexander Rybak.... ***drool*** I'll sing him a song he'll never forget! ;)

Anyone feel like entering a song for the Eurovision? I'd love to sing it! :D :D :D

[Shiva]

Well at ESV my plan was to start one in September, giving ye at least 3 months free of Eurovision on the forum [;-)]

Thanks Jonsii for starting one [:-D]

Been a busy few months for the ESC.

The Czech republic have indeed pulled out citing a lack of interest in the the general public and just some pretty poor result, failing to qualify after 3 years of entry.

Liechtenstein

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/2577209583_649e7c4823.jpg?v=0

It looks like Liechtenstein has joined EBU and is rumored to be ready and willing to participate in Eurovision 2010 in Oslo. Local TV has announced they will do a show based on the German "Deutschland sucht den Superstar" formula and the winner will go to Oslo under the tiny flag. Now let's see what happens when the summer rumors settle down and the time for doing it for real comes... Another possibility is Alexander Walser-Rothschild Aka Al Walser, a Grammy voting and nominating member, singer and songwriter from Liechtenstein. He is rumored to be interested in Eurovision 2010 as well. As the second family name suggests he's not sort of cash either. He's also a radio personality, proudly smiling next to people like Michael Jackson, Barak Obama, Paula Abdul and Mariah Carey, just to name a few, in photos. Ex-member of group Fun Factory and Liechtenstein's first biracial citizen!
ALfocbPRBxM

Turkey: Tarkan denied by everyone but himself

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/So6AbUby1kI/AAAAAAAAI3U/HBA64hO3dEQ/s1600-h/tarkan+2009+turkey.bmp
TRT had denied. Tarkan's manager had strongly denied while apparently Tarkan himself has said he will do it. Well, isn't it the same story every year? Just remember the cat and mouse game we had with Patricia Kaas this year? So, at this point my bet is he will do it. His latest album wasn't such a mega success was it? And his album in English didn't do that well either so I guess he needs some extra promotion and hysteria and what can provide that better and faster than Eurovision?

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Finland

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/SoZ6j7CMviI/AAAAAAAAI10/-EnpJLMnzpY/s400/juttuamadeushuume1JOB_410_vi.jpg
The reigning Tango King in Finland (think dancing with the stars), Amadeus Lundberg is the first confirmed entrant to Euroviisut 2010, the Finish pre-selection. YLE announced at the start of the Tango King competition that the winner would be a guaranteed qualifier to the contest.
He is expected to release his debut album in December.

Russia Panaiotov aiming for Oslo 2010?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/SoW1DxxgIZI/AAAAAAAAI1s/CnCswjnWByE/s400/aleksandr+panayatov.bmp

Alexandr Panaiotov of Russian Idols fame, who has participated in both Russian (in 2005 with Balalaika with Alexey Chumakov and again 2008 Crescent and cross) and Ukrainian (with Superhero in 2009) national selections already seems to be aiming for Eurovision 2010 in Oslo as well. At least if you believe his MySpace. Will he be third time solo lucky? And for which country? Watch his previous entries here:

9Yswjp-8RlYpwINgOKQo6MNSM_a9_hQ4g

San Marino: Little Tony missed Eurovision 2009

Sammarinese newspaper Tribuna wrote about Eurovision on August 5 revealing they had already chosen Little Tony to follow Miodio's footsteps. Little Tony was the chairman of the committee that chose Miodio to be the country's first represent in Eurovision in 2008 in Belgrade. Despite the lack of success in contest itself Miodio has managed to keep going and become rather popular. The government of San Marino was happy for the visibility ESC gave them. So, they were to be in Moscow initially and government decided to skip the selection process (apparently around 30 acts did apply to represent San Marino in 2008, amongst them Jalisse and L'Aura) and send Little Tony - who is not so little anymore at the tender age of 68 - instead of giving a chance to some new talent. Change of government and lack of funds put end to this little farsa italiana and San Marino did not return to the contest in Moscow 2009. Maybe it was a good thing....

Little Tony's hits include Cuore matto and Figli di pitagora with Gabry Ponte.
beWSGbQ6SRoJUGfR1M4iHI

Sweden

The rules around Melodifestivalen, Swedens biggest music happening and also the Swedish national final to the Eurovision Song Contest, are currently being reviewed by SVT. Big changes are expected. One of the changes that might be implemented is the rule that forbids foreign writers to participate.

Christer Björkman, the show's producer told Expressen: "This might be the way to get new influences in to the contest".

SVT's hotlist.

Arash, resident of Malmö in the south of Sweden, managed to reach a third placing for Azerbaijan this year and is now prepared to do the same for Sweden in Oslo next year. He is one of the 40 names published by Expressen with artists that seem to be interested (or interesting) in getting a ticket to Melodifestivalen.

SVT seem to be very interested to get Idols participant Darin to take part, but also September, the old rock legend Jerry Williams and hip hop-artist Timbuktu are on their wish list. Among the other names mentioned we also see Ace of Base, Europe, Lena Ph, Shirley Clamp and Sofia Jannok, who performed a Sami version of Waterloo at the final of Melodifestivalen, earlier this year.

"In the end it is all about the songs. We are looking for a mix of big names and funny songs. I am now discussing things with all the record companies, to find out which artists might have songs available in time" Christer Björkman, responsible for Melodifestivalen, told Expressen.

The entire list:

Arash
Darin
Sofia Jannok
September
Ace of Base
Danny Saucedo - solo
Europe
Lena Philipsson
Orup
Johan Palm
Jerry Williams
Martin Svensson - "Yeah yeah, wow wow"
Olle Ljungström
Timbuktu
"Dunka mig"- Frida
Dan Hylander
Linda Bengtzing
Drängarna
Brolle Jr
Jessica Andersson
CC & Lee
Linus Wahlgren
Refreshments
Niclas Andersson
Peter Johansson
Sara Löfgren
Pernilla Wahlgren
Sven Ingvars
Freddie Wadling
Thorsten Flinck
Shirley Clamp
Black Ingvars
Anna Bergendahl - "Idols"
Lars Vegas Trio
Mojje
Anders Glenmark

God kväll Örnsköldsvik & Sandviken!

SVT, the Swedish broadcaster responsible for the participation in the annual Eurovision Song Contest (Melodifestivalen), has announced the hosting cities for 2010. Örnsköldsvik, Sandviken, Gothenburg, Malmö, Örebro and Stockholm are all going to be fit in the schedule of semis and finals for next year's Swedish national final.

Ever since the start of the current Melodifestivalen format, Gothenburg has been part of the MF Tour, and for the nineth year in a row the final is going to be held in the Globen arena in Stockholm. Malmö and Örebro are going to be host for the second time, and for the Other two cities, Örnsköldsvik and Sandviken it will be the first time to be part of the tour.

The Melodifestivalen final will take place on 13 March in Stockholm.

Melodifestivalen is Sweden's biggest annual musical event. Last year the final as well as the second chance round and the semifinals were among the top 10 of best watched TV-programs in the country. Source: SVT.se

Albania: Festival i Këngës will be Albanian national final again.

The Albanese broadcaster has started to find candidates for the 48th Festivali i Këngës, which once again will also be the Albanese national final. The number of candidates to perform and the exact format of the show will be announced later. The festival traditionally takes place in December.

[louislestat]

Well at ESV my plan was to start one in September, giving ye at least 3 months free of Eurovision on the forum [;-)]


That would have being great Shiva but your cunning plan failed [:-(] here we go again[:-|]

Best of luck with it though - I admire your dedication/obsession[;-)]

[Piney]

Oh dear , that's QUITE a lot of Eurovision info there Shiva! Would I be crucified to say I forgot to watch it this year....?

[Shiva]

Would I be crucified to say I forgot to watch it this year....?

To each their own, if you don't watch it thats fair enough :)

[amnesiac]

I'll join yis in Oslo, on one condition.... I get a **PRIVATE** audience with Alexander Rybak.... ***drool*** I'll sing him a song he'll never forget! ;)



http://itnurk.com/files/upload/urod/2009/05/1242803387-230_01.jpg

[Shiva]

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs151.snc1/5615_1209571317677_1180554290_636587_4134972_n.jpg

[earlstvincent]

Oh dear , that's QUITE a lot of Eurovision info there Shiva! Would I be crucified to say I forgot to watch it this year....?

I would have happily missed it too this year but was invited to a great eurovision party where I stood in the corner chatting with friends eating the snacks and drinking kindly provided at chez shivas and admins lol [:-D]

[Shiva]

Norway: Song submissions doubled from last year

The winner broadcaster of the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, NRK of Norway has passed the deadline of song submissions to be the country's entry on the home arena in Oslo in May 2010. Alexander Rybak's landslide victory in Moscow has inspired Norwegian songwriters in droves, as the broadcaster reveals to have received around 1000 songs, almost double the usual amount.

Project manager for the Melodi Grand Prix national final, Leif-Åge Reme, has had his office almost buried under a mountain of letters and packages containing submitted songs that are intended for the Norwegian preselection. Never before has NRK received so many songs for their Eurovision Song Contest heats.

This week will see the work start on cataloguing the entries and a first round of listening through the entries to get an idea of the standard. The project manager says submissions have come from all over the country and he is very excited to find out who all have sent in songs. He does not think it impossible to find another Rybak amongst the entries. Why not? With so many songs submitted it is even statistically a strong possibility to find another Alexander, Mr Reme tells the NRK website.

The host for the national finals, Per Sundnes is also very satisfied in the renewed interest in the contest. He can keep his focus completely on the Melodi Grand Prix: The international Eurovision Song Contest is already in good hands and is treated as a separate project from the national finals. He says he has a long wish list that includes loads of different styles, like cool electronica from Tromsø or the hardest of hard rock.

Only Norwegian songwriters have been allowed to submit entries, but there can be foreign co-writers when they do not exceed 50% of the whole team. A total of 21 songs will take part in the Norwegian heats to find the country’s home entry in a series of shows produced by NRK and Dinamo.

Swedish public to select final Melodifestivalen song

Expressen yesterday broke the news that SVT will allow the Swedish public to select one song for Melodifestivalen 2010, the show that determines Sweden's Eurovision Song Contest entry. SVT have confirmed the news to esctoday.com but as yet, no further details about how the process will work has been released.

For 2010, the Melodifestivalen selection jury will choose only 27 songs instead of the usual 28. SVT will then select four wildcars as in previous years. But SVT will allow the public to select one additional song through their website.

SVT will announce more details in the near future, but Expressen has reported that the final slot will be open to anyone without a current record deal and hoping to make a career breakthrough with a ticket to the most popular television competition in Sweden. Submissions are expected to be open between 21st September - 4th October 2009, but SVT have yet to confirm the exact dates or process.

For the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest, both Spain and Portugal used online promotion and the national (and international) public to help select the songs that would compete in their Eurovision Song Contest national finals. Greece allowed international fans to vote in their national final through esctoday.com's live voting poll as part of their jury result.

Finland: Jury withdraws to decide over demos for open selection

The Finnish broadcaster YLE has now stopped receiving demos via the open selection. A yet unannounced number of these 267 songs received will be placed on the YLE website between the 1st and 15th November 2009. The 3 songs receiving most SMS votes will get a chance to take part in the Finnish national selection for the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest in January 2010. The songs going through will be revealed on 30 September, as well as the names of the 12 invited artists.

The number of received demos is smaller than the previous times YLE has had an open selection for the Eurovision Song Contest finals. According to YLE Executive Producer Ms. Merete Manninen this is part owing to the fact, that only two demos were accepted from any songwriter this time. Also, we had quite high demands on the technical quality of the demos, Ms. Manninen adds. We are very happy with the amount of demos, as the aim for this new rule was to get more high-quality demos and I think we have succeeded in this, she concludes.

A jury appointed by YLE will now listen to all the songs sent in. The selected songs will all be announced on September 30th. The amount that will face the public SMS vote on the YLE website will depend amongst other things on the quality of the demos. The songs will be on the YLE website for two weeks, from 1 to 15 November, and the three receiving most SMS votes will get a chance to try for the Finnish entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, held in Oslo in May 2010.

In addition to these three songs, YLE will invite 12 artists to the heats in January. The names will also be revealed on 30 September. Their songs will then be selected in co-operation with YLE and the record companies and will be revealed on 30 November. One of the 12 positions has already been reserved for the winner of Tangomarkkinat 2009, Amadeus Lundberg. He will still have a chance to say no to this offer. All the songs can commercially available already on 7 December 2009.

In January YLE TV 2 will televise 3 heats on Fridays, starting on 8 January. 3 songs will qualify to the final from each heat, and the 10th song for the final will be selected by a jury, possibly an international one.

No possible names for this open selection has been leaked yet, but Johanna Tukiainen, a glamour model rarely away from the Finnish tabloid headlines has already told she did not manage to finish her entry in time. She told MTV3.fi she wanted to call her song romantically Love, whereas her composer Esko Koivumies wanted to name it Sexx.

Luxembourg considers return to the Eurovision Song Contest

According to media reports, Steve Schmit, manager of RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg, considers Luxembourg's return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2010. The country has not been taking part in the competition since 1993.

Smitt told the website wort.lu that after a very long time, they had a meeting with the EBU and the broadcaster considers submitting an entry in 2010, although any decision has yet to be made. The biggest issue appear to be the expenses considering the small budget of the broadcaster. The final decision has to be taken until December.

Luxembourg was one of the seven countries to take part in the first Eurovision Song Contest in 1956. Over the years, the small country won the contest on five occassions and produced international hit songs like Poupée de cire, poupée de son by France Gall (1965) and Après toi by Vicky Leandros (1972), Parlez-vous français by Baccara (1978) and L'amour est bleu (1967). Based on victories, Luxembourg is the second most successful country in the contest following Ireland and sharing its position with France and the United Kingdom (although the latter both had to share one of their victories). After a series of low results, Luxembourg did not return to the contest after the 1993 edition. Their last entry to date was Donne-moi une chance by Modern Times, which finished 20th in a field of 25 contestants:

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Definitely no Monte Carlo 2011.

Monaco is not going to attend the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo. The Monegasque broadcaster TMC shared this news with Oikotimes.com. After not having participated for some decades, Monaco was back in Eurovision land from 2004 to 2006. Source: Oikotimes, Songvestival.web-log.nl

Malta: Talent search will be part of national selection

Clare Thake Vassallo, chair person of PBS, the Maltese broadcaster responsible for selecting the country's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest has given out information regarding the national selection for the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest. The national final will be connected with the new show L-Isfida.

L-Isfida is a popular talent search. The show is hosted by Claudette Pace, who represented Malta in the 2000 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm and finished 8th with her entry Desire. It is not the first time that a talent seach will be included in the Maltese national selection: in 2007, the show Opportunity 2 selected two entrants for the semi final. None of them made it to the final.

In 2009, Malta was represented by Chiara with the song What if we. She finished 6th in the first semi final and 22nd (4th last) in the final. It was the fourth low result in a row for Malta following a last place in the final in 2006 and eliminations after the semi finals in 2007 and 2008.

Hadise for Belgium 2010?

Nothing confirmed but one source did say that Hadise was interested in representing her home country next year, treat with caution.

EBU: "Breach of voting privacy is unacceptable"

The Director General of the European Broadcasting Union has issued an official statement regarding the investigation of whether Azeri citizens were questioned by the Ministry of the Interior in Azerbaijan over their decision to vote for Armenia at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest. Azeri broadcaster Ictimai has also responded to the EBU investigation.

The official statement on the EBU website tonight says:

The European Broadcasting Union has received responses from Azerbaijan regarding allegations that telephone voters in Azerbaijan who voted for the Armenian song in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest were interrogated by security police.

Ictimai, the EBU’s Azeri Member which broadcast this year’s Song Contest from Moscow in May, has confirmed its commitment to free and fair voting. While two individuals had been invited to the Ministry of National Security, Ictimai said, the Ministry of National Security had given assurances that nobody had been questioned, either officially or unofficially, on voting in the competition itself. [this is an official statement by Public Television and Radio Broadcasting Company of Azerbaijan on the controversial issue related to the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest].

The EBU’s Director General, Jean Réveillon, said he took note of the statements. However, he stressed that the freedom to vote for any song except the one of the country where you are watching is one of the cornerstones of the contest. “Any breach of privacy regarding voting, or interrogation of individuals, is totally unacceptable,” he added.

The EBU committee responsible for running the Song Contest will examine the matter at a meeting in Oslo on 11 September 2009.

[Shiva]

Germany: Aiming for Top-10 with a casting show and Stefan Raab

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/SqjdprIAcII/AAAAAAAAJFk/w9H0qrQIkbQ/s200/germany.jpg

Germany has announced their plans for Oslo 2010. Stefan Raab will be in charge and the first casting will be held already September 18 in Brainpool TV in Köln. There's no limitation so soul ladys, disco kings and rockers are all welcome if only they have turned 18 years of age by the casting time. ProSieben will air the four selections and the quarterfinals, while ARD will air the semifinal and the final. in February and March 2010. In the final there will be only two artists left out of 20. Stefan Raab will be the head of the jury and that's only for the singer. The song will be selected separately it seems....

On a separate note

Carola and Paul Potts together

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/SqfmkYH5ueI/AAAAAAAAJE8/gFle9k4Qlo8/s400/carola+paul+potts.jpg

Carola has recorded new songs with Paul Potts to be released in her Jul i Betlehem release. They did at least O holy night and Come all ye faithfull. Paul Potts is the winner of Britain's got talent where he turned from a cellphone sales assistant to million seller in one night with his performance of Nessun dorma in 2007. Meanwhile Carola just had her 43rd birthday and has signed a contract with X5 Music Group, Europe's leading digital music company.

[amnesiac]

Meanwhile Carola just had her 43rd birthday

*giggle*

[Invincible]

Carola has recorded new songs with Paul Potts to be released in her Jul i Betlehem release.

Oh dear....

[Shiva]

Austria returns - or will they not. Andorra stays home - or is the country inbetween France and Spain coming to Oslo anyway? San Marino returns - well, most likely but not surely. EBU expects Italy back in 2011…. Well rumours or not, there is enough to talk about again, now that the start of the Eurovision season is approaching.

Luxembourg should make a come back - or then maybe not. Liechtenstein is still in the running - or has it ever been for real? Has the local TV ever confirmed anything? Is it just wishful thinking by the fans? Poland on the other hand has confirmed they will be in Oslo.

And apparently there will be no ban or such for Azerbaijan nor Spain for the irregularities in and after the 2009 edition. EBU had to change the text in the rules to make it sure nothing like that what happened in Azerbaijan could happen again. Or if it will they have means and rules to back up a ban or sanction....

Katerina Avgoustakis has been rumored to be in Oslo 2010 but for Greece? Or Poland? Or Belgium? Isn't it nice you have so much to choose from? Aleksa Jelic in Serbia has showed interest to enter the national selection again, so has Dima Bilan but in Russia the fans talk about Sergey Lazarev. Time will tell, it's only 7 months to go....

[Shiva]

It seems that Luxembourg is not returning after all, and Austria will not return claiming "the contest is ruined by the rules" and they rather use the 400.000 euros needed for something else. Oh well, whatever.

[amnesiac]

Belgium could be completely fabulous in Oslo!

Belgian TV have issued a list of criteria (http://www.belgovision.com/en/index_f.php?id=5735) that songwriters should try to fulfil when sending in their entries to represent Belgium next year...

Looks like they've been paying attention to the Schlagerboys in saying that... "the song should have a strong intro and go to a final crescendo and all existing clichés should be used in a surprising way." We're taking this as meaning that they want surprise key-changes just like Linda Bengtzing's "Alla Flickor", (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7mKXevMXo8) i.e. just when you've given up hope of a key-change and the moment seems to have passed then it finally arrives out of the blue! Although clearly if you're going to do that you need someone who can actually do key-changes and not Linda...

And what's more the song should "sound over the top to Flemish ears..." If that's not an invite for Fredrik Kempe to send a camptastic, disco-opera stomper just like this track (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9vliLLeuQ0) from Malena's Ernman's album we don't know what is...

Belgium have had some fab entries over the years!


My Belgian Top 5

1986 - Sandra Kim - J'aime la Vie
1996 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Del_Bo) - Lisa Del Bo - Liefde est ein kaartspiel
2006 - Kate Ryan - Je t'Adore
1980 - Telex - Euro-vision
2003 - Urban Trad - Sanomi

[Shiva]

1980 - Telex - Euro-vision
God that song annoys me

[curley]

Well, this is slightly Eurovision related, anyone know where I can download a copy of Verka Serduchka - Do Re Me? Can't find it anywhere!

[Shiva]

http://www.esctoday.com/images/flags/andorraflg.JPG

Following the Andorran broadcaster announcement to cut down expenses for next year's budget and the possibility for the country to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest, the director of ATV, Mr. Enric Castellet, has tried to relieve the controversy stating that no final decision has yet been taken. He went on saying that he regards himself as a "defender" of the Eurovision project.

Mr. Castellet believes that there has been much fuss around his declarations a few weeks ago when, in the presentation of ATV's new programme schedule for the 2009-2010 season, he said that the broadcaster's budget would be narrowed down due to the management's policy of cutting down expenses, and this could result in a withdrawal of the country from the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest. For the ATV head, the optimal budget to invest in the Eurovision Song Contest would be "€ 300,000 or more", when this year the broadcaster devoted € 140,000.

That announcement had immediate consequences on the Internet, with a group on Facebook aiming to persuade ATV to stay in Eurovision. The initiative has gathered the support from more than 800 members to date.

Now, the director of ATV has softened his words, saying that the final decision on the matter has not been taken yet: "shareholders have the last word" on the participation of Andorra in the European competition, Mr. Castellet explained. However, he regards himself as a "defender" of the Andorran Eurovision project: "It creates enthusiasm", but he believes that it would be better to carry it out with "people from the country" with enough quality.

Mr. Oriol Villela, vice president of the Andorran Musicians Association, also had their say on the matter. In his opinion, ATV should change the plans of their Eurovision quest: "Projects should be more realistic and representative of the Andorran music", he stated, and went on criticising the system developed in the past years: "Projects have been too commercial, intending to follow the trend of promoting divas". Anyway, withdrawing from Eurovision would be "a step backwards", Mr. Villela concluded as a personal thought.

Andorra debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest back in 2004, having participated in the competition ever since. Despite its efforts, the country has never managed to reach the final, only placing 12th in the 2007 semifinal.

And who could forget one of our favorite euro songs Cassanova!

t32IK0T3aXk

[Shiva]

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Today sees Finland reveal the 12 confirmed artists that they have joining Euroviisut this year, as well as that in a novel twist tomorrow will see YKE reveal the invited artists YLE has invited this year for the Finnish selection with the collaboration of the Finnish record companies. We will know the song titles and artists, how many there are and how the selection will happen.

Three out of these internet selection will be voted to join the semifinals in January and who knows if this open contest will produce the winner in 2010?

[Shiva]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/SsNPrf_K-fI/AAAAAAAAJP4/exRkeYBdz_k/s1600/suomenkarsinta2010logo480.jpg

YLE has just revealed the names of 12 artists that were selected to certainly take part in the national finals to compete for a place to represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo in May 2010. Another 3 songs will be selected by the public from the 30 that will be published from tomorrow on the YLE website and decided by an SMS vote. Read more of the invited artists after this post.

Amadeus Lundberg

The 20-year old winner of the Tangomarkkinat song contest, now also a YLE TV show, was the first person to be announced to have received an invitation to take part. Amadeus expressed some doubts about taking part talking to Esctoday.com in August, but has since been convinced to take part. Both his father and his aunt have previously taken part in the Finnish national finals.

Amadeus Lundberg is signed to Edel/Mediamusiikki and has so far released one single.

Antti Kleemola

Antti Kleemola (b. 1972) has written songs for several artists, and has also written three musicals. He has so far released two albums and five singles. The singer-songwriter also plays the piano.

Website:

www.anttikleemola.fi

Antti's record label is Poko Records.

Boys of the Band

Boys of the Band is a young and previously unknown band playing energetic melodic rock. The band members are Kimmo Blom: vocals; Pekka Rautio: guitar; Janne Antikainen: bass; Teijo Jämsä: drums.

Website:
www.boysoftheband.com

BOB is on Texicalli Records Oy

Eläkeläiset

Eläkeläiset is probably the highest profile act in this year’s Finnish selection. The band, whose name translates as The Pensioners, is known mostly for their very unique covers in what they call “humppa” (oompah) style. After 13 albums and numerous singles and EP’s, this band has gathered a cult following not only in Finland but also in countries like Sweden and Germany. Many would classify Eläkeläiset as a novelty act, but as the band has been active since 1993 the joke has obviously not worn thin with the audiences yet. Eläkeläiset will release a greatest hits album Humppabingo in December.

Website: www.humppa.com

Heli Kajo

Heli Kajo is a 25-year old singer-songwriter from Helsinki. She is completely unknown to the larger audience. She has studied music and plays several instruments and is also a music teacher herself. She says on her website that there has been “a lot of crying, a lot of laughter, too much drinking and wondering why” for every song she has written.

Website:

www.helikajo.fi

Heli Kajo is unsigned.

Kuunkuiskaajat

Kuunkuiskaajat (Moonwhispers) is a duo consisting of two girls, who have already been singing together in world music act Värttinä. Susan Aho and Johanna Virtanen sing music accompanied by an accordion and a harmonium. Their music is described to have influences of gypsy music and Argentinian tango.

Website:

duokuunkuiskaajat.com

Kuunkuiskaajat is signed to Magnum Music Oy.

Maria Lund

Maria Lund (Maria Alexandra Aspasia Rantaniva née Lund-Ionitza, b. 1983 in Munich) is a musician and actress. Her mother Tamara Lund was a well-known opera singer and actress. She also took part in the Finnish Eurovision Song Contest selections in the 1960s. Maria has mostly performed jazz-inspired music, but got signed by Universal Music Finland after winning the Finnish edition of Strictly Come Dancing in 2008. Her second pop album will be released today.

Website:

www.marialund.fi

Maria is with Universal Music Finland.

Monday

Monday is a relatively new band playing melodic hard pop rock. The guitarist Tuomas “Gary” Keskinen is already previously known from reasonably well-known bands Technicolour and Negative. Other members are Salla Lehtinen in vocals, Jussi Savola in bass, Pete Eskola in keyboards and Henkka Mannio in drums The band has already released two singles and an album called 24 Hours In Pictures and have already announced some gigs in Slovakia and Czech Republic in 2010.

Website:

www.mondayband.com

Monday's record label is Scandal Music Company Oy.

Nina Lassander

Nina Lassander is the lead singer for the band Iris Mae, but enters the Eurovision Song Contest selections as a solo artist. Nina hails from the Ostrobothnia region and is mostly unknown to the wider audience. She has participated in some music shows on YLE’s Swedish language channel FST.

Iris Mae Website:

www.irismae.com

Nina is recording for Sugar House Publishing.

Osmo Ikonen

Osmo Ikonen (b. 1980) took already part last year in the Finnish Eurovision Song Contest selections by performing the main vocals on Signmark’s entry Speakerbox. Osmo has worked with several acts with varying musical styles and has released one single and album so far.

Osmo's label is Van Gogh Music.

Pentti Hietanen

The tenor Pentti Hietanen (b. 1958) celebrated 25 years as an artist last year. He has performed in operas and musicals and has recorded both classical and pop/rock.

Pentti Hietanen has released 9 albums, including a 25 anniversary compilation Minun tieni 1998-2008.

Website:

www.penttihietanen.fi

Pertti is representing Sony Music Entertainment Finland.

Veeti Kallio

Veeti Kallio, (b. 1966) is a cobbler by trade, but is mostly know from his a cappella group Veevi and the Velvets from the late 80s. He has since performed in several theatre productions and films. He has released one solo album in 2002.

Veeti's label is Universal Music Finland oy.

[Shiva]

A few familiar names are amongst the artists and songwriters that were revealed today to take part in the open selection for the Eurovision Song Contest heats for Finland. Geir Rönning is the Norwegian-born singer that already represented Finland in Kyiv in 2005. Sonja Biskop and Jukka Kuoppamäki have previously tried for the Finnish national finals. Two acts were Finland's two first entries in the MGP Nordic contest for children in 2007.

One notable name is Jussi Hakulinen of the hugely popular band Yö, who has given his song in the open selection to Janne Raappana. Also featured is British-born Paul Oxley, who had a very successful band called Paul Oxley’s Unit in Finland in the 80s.

The 30 songs can be heard on the YLE website yle.fi/euroviisut from tomorrow. Voting is by SMS only until 12 noon Finnish time on 15th October and can only be done within Finland.

Executive producer Merete Manninen says she is very happy with the standard of the over 260 songs that were submitted for the open selection. It is probable that more songs will be selected by this method in the coming years, she predicts.

The result of the online vote will be revealed in a special TV2 show on Friday the 16th October at 6.45 pm local time.

SAARA AALTO: Meant to be

MARKUS AHOLA: Kadotaan

AIA: Ruma

HENRIK ANTTILA & KRISTER ANTTILA: Yhtä juhlaa

SONJA BISHOP: Why don’t you

BLACKBIRD: Did I say that I loved you

BLACKSTREAM: Divine

SAGA BLOOM: Love like this

BÄÄBS: You don’t know tomorrow

CAMILLA PETRA: Your world is still waiting for me

CAPTAIN COUGAR: Too late

DAISY JACK: Fridays

MARCUS GRANFORS: Always

JANNE HURME: Not even on Sundays

SOFIA JÄRNSTRÖM: Miss Magic

PAULIINA KUMPULAINEN: Niin kävi taas

JUKKA KUOPPAMÄKI: Ystävät!

NETTA: Stronger

LINN NYGÅRD: Fatal moment

PAUL OXLEY: Hope

JANNE RAAPPANA: Elina

ROCK’N ROLL SENSATION: Listen to the radio

GEIR RÖNNING: I hate myself for loving you

LAURA SIPPOLA &TUKI: Morse for nature

SISTER TWISTER: Love at the first sight

JUHANA SUNINEN: Vastaa!

SANNA-MARI TITOV: Tunnustuksen tapaisia sanoja

RONI TRAN: Star power

U.O.M.A.: Kaupunki

VILLIELÄIN: Ei minua

[Shiva]

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/dansk-melodi-grand-prix.jpg562 will be 6!

Danish broadcaster DR can choose between 562 submitted songs. That's quite a few less than last year when there was a record number of 684 submitted songs. The deadline was today at noon. A jury is going to select six songs out of these. DR is going to complete this with 4 more songs from invited composers/writers.

In January the finalists will be revealed. The finals are to be held on 6 February.

UK: James Fox (UK'04) for Oslo?

James Fox is bidding for Oslo 2010. He is planning on submitting a song to the BBC

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/logo_junior_eurovision_2009.jpgReady for Kyiv.

This weekend the final two countries picked their song for Kyiv. After the Dutch and Cypriote national finals, the complete line up for this year's Junior Eurovision Song Contest is known. On 21 November 13 countries will be present in the Ukrainian capital. On 12 and 13 October the running order will be decided by the heads of delegation.

Among the contestants this year we see the return of Sweden. Mimmi Sandén will represent her country, like two of her sisters already did before. Belgium and the Netherlands are sending gimmicks to the contest. For Belgium that is a yodeling girl, for the Netherlands a tap dancing guy.
Most attention so far has gone to Belarus; Yuriy Demidovich combines rock and opera in his song.

Contestants JESC 21 november: Rusia: Katja Rabova - Malenkiy Prints Ukraine Andranik Alexanyan - Tri topoli, tri surmy Armenia: Loara Hayrapetyan - Barcelona Belarus: Yuriy Demidovich - Volshebniy krolik Malta: Francesca Sciberras & Mikaela Bajjada - Double Trouble Serbia: Ništa lično - Onaj pravi Romania: Ioana Bianca Anuţa - Ai Puterea În Mana Ta Sweden: Mimmi Sandén - Du Georgia: Princesses - Lurji prinveli Belgium: Laura - Zo verliefd FYR Macedonia: Sara Markovska - Za Ljubovta Netherlands: Ralf - Click Clack Cyprus: Rafaella Costa - Thalassa, Ilios, Aeras, Fotia

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXlbsb64iZE/SsGo3th4eAI/AAAAAAAAEPs/k86mcZ6RHcM/s400/Christer+Envelopes.jpgSweden's Sista Chansen!

Christer Björkman is busy sorting through all the schlager stompathons that have been submitted to Melodifestivalen 2010...

And there are all sorts of rumors going round about who is going to be giving it a go for Sweden in Oslo next year, but most exciting of all is that Elisabeth Andreassen could be back, back! BACK! Hurrah! It'll probably be a bit confusing for her because she's never quite decided whether she's actually Swedish or Norwegian... And NRK even did a tribute to Bettan during this year's Sista Chansen Melodi Grand Prix round using "Dag Efter Dag"... Still at least Sweden would be guaranteed douze points from Norway...

6nN9VlODL20

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXlbsb64iZE/SrMj9pSONYI/AAAAAAAAEPU/ZvvV4npHMZ4/s200/Belgium.jpgAll Existing Clichés Should Be Used!

Belgian TV have issued a list of criteria that songwriters should try to fulfil when sending in their entries to represent Belgium next year...

Looks like they've been paying attention to the Schlagerboys in saying that... "the song should have a strong intro and go to a final crescendo and all existing clichés should be used in a surprising way." We're taking this as meaning that they want surprise key-changes just like Linda Bengtzing's "Alla Flickor" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7mKXevMXo8), i.e. just when you've given up hope of a key-change and the moment seems to have passed then it finally arrives out of the blue! Although clearly if you're going to do that you need someone who can actually do key-changes and not Linda...

And what's more the song should "sound over the top to Flemish ears..." If that's not an invite for Fredrik Kempe to send a camptastic, disco-opera stomper just like this track from Malena's Ernman's album (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9vliLLeuQ0) we don't know what is...

Criteria for the Belgian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010:

1. The song is an instant hit: simple, but powerful and moving.

2. The song should have a strong intro and go to a final crescendo and "all existing clichés should be used in a surprising way".

3. The chorus should stick like glue and "leave a lasting impression" (e.g. a powerful ballad).

4. A ballad should be hopeful, so positive, and "cause strong emotions". An up-tempo song should be especially spectacular and "sound over the top to Flemish ears".

5. A text with a link to Belgium would be an "extra value".

6. The song may take only three minutes or should be reduced to three minutes.

7. The song should never be interpreted or recorded before.

[Shiva]

http://esctoday.com/images/2009_esc/1z5p3y0.jpg The Eurovision Song Contest's Reference Group of the EBU (the governing body of the contest) has decided that the professional jury in each country will not just decide on 50% of the votes in the Final, but also in the two Semifinal's, in next year's contest in Oslo, Norway.

Last year, EBU members, journalists and fans, saw the introduction of the juries to the final in a positive way. The Reference Group, who meets four to five times a year, developes the future format of the Contest. They decided to introduce the juries in the Semifinals too, and not just in the final: The juries will decide upon 50% of the Semifinal votes and the televotes and SMS-votes will make up the other 50%. The top ten countries in the combined results, will qualify to the final, where they will meet the Big 4 countries (Spain, United Kingdom, France and Germany) and this year's host, Norway.

The two semifinals will be held in Telenor Arena in Oslo, the capital city of Nor

[louislestat]

This especially for Shiva (dont know if you have seen it before)

The Great Garlic Girls - Norwegian Drag act with their tribute to UK Eurovision entries

Really well done. Enjoy

TYsLW1HVuzI

[amnesiac]

http://esctoday.com/images/2009_esc/1z5p3y0.jpg The Eurovision Song Contest's Reference Group of the EBU (the governing body of the contest) has decided that the professional jury in each country will not just decide on 50% of the votes in the Final, but also in the two Semifinal's, in next year's contest in Oslo, Norway.

Last year, EBU members, journalists and fans, saw the introduction of the juries to the final in a positive way. The Reference Group, who meets four to five times a year, developes the future format of the Contest. They decided to introduce the juries in the Semifinals too, and not just in the final: The juries will decide upon 50% of the Semifinal votes and the televotes and SMS-votes will make up the other 50%. The top ten countries in the combined results, will qualify to the final, where they will meet the Big 4 countries (Spain, United Kingdom, France and Germany) and this year's host, Norway.

The two semifinals will be held in Telenor Arena in Oslo, the capital city of Nor


Huzzah! I thought this decision was inevitable after the success of 50/50 in the final this year but I'm still delighted to see it confirmed. Now to push for a live orchestra for countries to utilise if they wish in Oslo!

[Shiva]

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/EE-flag.jpgOslo too expensive for Estonia?

According to the head of the Estonian broadcaster ERR, Margus Allikma, it is possible that Estonia will not participate in next year's Eurovision Song Context because of budget reasons. The broadcaster, like many others, has to cut costs due to the crisis.

Many European broadcasters are trying to survive the crisis and since the cost of participating or organizing the Eurovision Song Contest has risen quite a lot these recent years, it is a save option for ERR to not participate so they do not run the risk of having to organise the event in 2011. "Personally I think canceling Eurovision participation is the easiest option, Mr Allikmaa says. We know that it is a very popular show in Estonia, and the ratings we get are good, but staying at home for one year would not change anything."

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/melodifestivalen.jpgSweden: 246 try to win a web wildcard

The song submissions for the Swedish national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010, Melodifestivalen, ran out on Sunday. For the first time the Swedish broadcaster has added an option for a web wildcard to be selected by the public. After first inspection about 175 of the 246 songs submitted are now left to be placed online on 14 October. The number of songs submitted has gone down a little from previous years: including the songs submitted as web wildcards the total number received by SVT is 2860.

The ca 175 songs will be placed on the SVT Melodifestivalen website svt.se/melodifestivalen from 14 October until 12 November, when the winner of the SMS vote will be announced. Songs submitted for the web vote could not include works by established songwriters, or anybody connected with a publisher or who has previous published material, and such entries have been eliminated. Also some technically inadequate of inappropriate entries have been removed.

The number of regular songs submitted was 2614, making the total to 2860.

The number of songs received for Melodifestivalen:

1995 600 entries
1996 1475 entries
1997 1223 entries
1998 1126 entries
1999 1315 entries
2000 1394 entries
2001 1567 entries
2002 1830 entries
2003 2630 entries
2004 3228 entries
2005 3131 entries
2006 3326 entries
2007 3234 entries
2008 3434 entries
2009 3440 entries
2010 2860 entries

http://www.mcgilles.com/sandrakim.jpgBelgium: Comeback for Sandra Kim in 2010?

Belgian Sandra Kim is planning a come back next year. The 1986 winner of the Eurovision Song Contest seemed to be almost forgotten, but will return with the upcoming poprock album.

"I'll come with an album, where I finally can be myself. I even see it as my debut album,

I'm working with people who I previously even didn't dare to ask, because they didn't take me seriously as a Eurosong singer. Now everything is going to be different. I'm choosing a completely different way. Poprock with guitar, bass and drums. You can't believe how much I have longed for this", Sandra explains. In recent years she has been touring together with Micha Marah (BE'79) and Afi (Eurosong'06), in a trio called the Souldivaz. (Source: Songfestival.web-log.nl)

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/malta_heart.jpgPreparing for Oslo

Like we have been used to in recent years, Malta is going to hold a long procedure again to find their song for the Eurovision Song Contest. As of 25 november, a maximum of 36 songs is going to be presented weekly shows that are going to go on untill the end of this year. Twenty of them are going to end up in the final.

Through a jury, sms and teletvoting the 20 songs for the EuroSong 2010 final are going to be selected. During the final, in February, the candidate and song for Oslo are going to be picked. Both the artists, composers and song writers have to be Maltese this year. This is a change in the rules. Chiara's song last year, for instance, was written by Belgian Marc Paelinck and Gregory Bilsen.

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/bulgaria_flag.jpgBulgaria: Further details on selection procedure.

One artist, five songs.

Bulgaria is going to choose among five songs this spring. Last week the national broadcaster BNT already revealed they were going to change the selection method, this week further details were revealed. As we already reported one artists is going to be selected. In a final this artist is going to sing five songs.

The winning song will be decided by televoting and sms.

The artist will be selected through a questionnaire that will be filled out by 51 people from the Bulgarian music industry. The winning artist will be offered the chance to represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo. If the selected artist is not interested, number two will be approached. The winner will be presented in a TV show.

BNT will have five songs written for the selected artist. If this singer refuses than the number two will be approached. It will aslo be decided what music style the entry has to be.


http://esctoday.com/images/2009_esc_national/logn.jpg"They're like headless chickens"
Johnny Logan unhappy with Irish Eurovision team

Johnny Logan, the three time Eurovision Song Contest winner and more recently a vocal competition critic, has once again given a piece of his mind to the media. He has today spoken out about those behind attempts to bring the Eurovision Song Contest back to Ireland. At the same time, he hints that if he is to write another Eurovision Song Contest entry, it will once again be for the country he has already claimed three victories for.

In an interview with the Irish Times, Johnny Logan, who won the Eurovision Song Contest as a singer in 1980 with What's another year, 1987 as a singer songwriter with Hold me now and 1992 as a songwriter for Linda Martin's Why me?, has spoken about Ireland's chances of winning the competition again. His comments will raise eyebrows at national broadcaster RTE, who were believed to be seeking Johnny's songwriting skills earlier this year before announcing a national final to select the country's 2009 Eurovision Song Contest entry.

Johnny Logan comments on the team behind Ireland's Eurovision Song Contest bid, saying: “They’re like headless chickens – they know what result they want, but they don’t know how to get there. Successive Irish attempts at putting together the winning structure have put it into such a bad state that we’ve become a joke.

“The best chance Ireland has of winning it again is to take it seriously, and that means putting something into the Eurovision that has a chance of winning. And that requires the country being involved. What the Irish entry in the Eurovision has become is the property of a small group of people. It doesn’t belong to the country anymore, and that, ultimately, is the problem. In order for it to get back to some semblance of respectability, the song has to be representative of Ireland. We have to prove ourselves again, and we can’t presume that just because we’re Irish that everybody loves us. Those days are gone.”

Talking about three offers to write a Eurovision Song Contest song for other countries (which esctoday.com believes to be from France, Montenegro and Germany), Johnny Logan says it “would be very hard to write a song for any other country except Ireland.”

To read the Irish Times interview go here. (http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2009/0808/1224252212186.html?via=mr)

[Shiva]

http://www.csmtelevision.com/img/melodifestivalen.jpg

Melodifestivalen 2010

Just like last year, a maximum of eight people will be allowed on stage, while only persons of 16 years or over can compete on stage. However, in accordance with Eurovision rules, only six people will be allowed on stage for the Swedish entry at Eurovision. The main singer(s) must perform live on stage, however other backing vocals can be pre-recorded onto the backing track, along with the song's backing track.

The selection

The 2010 edition of Melodifestivalen will be like last years' arrangement, with four semi-finals, a second-chance round and a grand final. The four semi-finals will be held in Örnsköldsvik (6 February), Sandviken (13 February), Gothenburg (20 February) and Malmö (27 February). The second chance round will be held in Örebro on 6 March and the final in Stockholm on 13 March. There were plans that the 2010 final would been held in Gothenburg, however as hockey matches clashed with the date of the final it was necessary to hold the final in Stockholm for the ninth consecutive year. SVT will present the songs that will compete over late 2009 and early 2010.

Changes

* It is now allowable to send multiple language versions of the same track as separate entries.
* Non-Swedish nationals may now submit entries to the wildcard selection of the contest.
* The international jury will still be in the contest, but they will have a different task during the contest, however this new role has not yet been elaborated.
* Viewers will be using SVT's website to vote until the last wildcard in the contest.

Entries & wildcards

32 songs will compete in the contest. 27 of the songs will are from a public call for songs, in which public songwriters and artists could send in songs to SVT, until the 22 September, 2009. The remaining four songs will come from specially invited composers and artists, invited by SVT to compete in the contest. However, the fifth wildcard will be chosen by a web vote. Songwriter/s who are not linked to any record companies will have two weeks to publish contributions on Melodifestivalen website whereupon the Swedish public will be able to vote by SMS. The song which receives the most votes by 12 November, 2009 will become the fifth wildcard.

Schedule

Date City Venue Heat
6 February Örnsköldsvik Swedbank Arena Heat 1
13 February Sandviken Göransson Arena Heat 2
21 February Gothenburg Scandinavium Heat 3
27 February Malmö Malmö Arena Heat 4
6 March Örebro Conventum Arena Second Chance
13 March Stockholm Globen Final

[amnesiac]

I still find it very odd that Melodifestivalen continue this experiement with different peformance rules to the Eurovision proper!

[Shiva]

I still find it very odd that Melodifestivalen continue this experiement with different peformance rules to the Eurovision proper!

To be honest where do you think the Eurovision committee take their inspiration from.

Anyways onto the better news [:-D]

The first 27 artists and songs for Melodifestivalen have been announced.

http://www.csmtelevision.com/img/melodifestivalen.jpg

The Swedish broadcaster SVT has just finished a webcast of the opening of the 27 envelopes that have made it to the country's selection for Eurovision Song Contest 2010, Melodifestivalen. 175 songs competing in the open web wildcard selection have also been posted online. Four invited wildcards will be revealed later, making the total number of competing songs in the competition up to 32.

The 27 songs selected by the jury to participate in Melodifestivalen 2010 are (in alphabetical order):
(m = music composer, l = lyricist)

1. A Place To Stay, m & l: Torben Hedlund
2. Doctor Doctor m & l: Tony Nilsson, Mirja Breitholtz
3. Headlines, m & l: Tony Nilsson, Peter Boström
4. Heaven And Hell,m & l: Håkan Larsson, Jörgen Svensson, Björn Lönnroos
5. Hippare Hoppare, m & l: Vlatko Ancevski, Vlatko Gicarevski, Mats Nilsson, Teddy Paunkoski, Otis Sandsjö, Stevan Tomulevski, Douglas Leon
6. Human Frontier, m & l: Tobias Jonsson, Anneli Axelsson
7. Hur kan jag tro på kärleken? l: Kenneth Gärdestad, m: Tony Malm, Niclas Lundin
8. I Did It For Love, m: Lars ”Dille” Diedricson, t: Kristian Wejshag
9. Idiot, m & l : Niklas Jarl, Per Aldeheim
10. Innan alla ljusen brunnit ut, m: Stefan Moody, l: Danne Attlerud
11. Jag vill om du vågar, m & l: Pontus Assarsson, Jörgen Ringqvist, l: Daniel Barkman
12. Magisk stjärna, m: Micke Wennborn, m & l: Py Bäckman
13. Manboy, m & l: Fredrik Kempe, m: Peter Boström
14. Manipulated, m & l: Sarah Lundbäck, Iggy Strange-Dahl, Hayden Bell, Erik Lewander
15. Never Heard Of Him, m & l: Figge Boström, Anna Engh
16. Road Salt, m & l: Daniel Gildenlöw
17. Run, m & l: Niclas Arn, Karl Eurén, Gustav Eurén
18. Singel, m: Hamed K-One Pirouzpanah, l: Håkan Bäckman
19. Stop, m & l: Mikaela Stenström, Dimitri Stassos
20. This Is My Life, l: Kristian Lagerström, m: Bobby Ljunggren
21. Thursdays, m: Thomas G:son , Peter Boström, l: Sharon Vaughn
22. Tonight, m & l: Sharon Vaughn, Anders Hansson
23. Underbart, l: Lina Eriksson, m: Johan Moraeus
24. Unstopable, m & l: Dimitri Stassos, Alexander Kronlund, Hanif Sabzevari,Ola Svensson
25. We Can Work It Out, m: Bobby Ljunggren, Marcos Ubeda, l: Andreas Johnsson
26. Yeba, l: Getty Domein Mpanzu, m: Tuomas (Tiny) Pyhäjärvi
27. Åt helvete för sent, m & l: Lina Eriksson, Mårten Eriksson, Susie Päivärinta LILLI AND SUSIE!!!!!!!!!!

The jury responsible for selecting the songs this year was made up of:

* Chairman Martin Österdahl, 36, Entertainment, Music and Sport at SVT
* Barry Viniker, 30, Manager, esctoday.com
* Alex Panayi, 39, Producer
* Niklas Alicki, 25, Journalist
* Lina Thomsgård, 31, PR consultant
* Anna Nilsson, 34, Artist
* Rita Jernquist, 46, Music Editor for P4
* Ella Benno, 19, student
* Edward af Sillén, 27 Scriptwriter
* Jonna Bergh Wahlström, 35, Eeditor
* Thomas Lundin, 35, Broadcaster, musical artist and former Eurovision Song Contest commentator for Finland
* Susanne Tellinger, 51, Radio presenter/DJ on P4
* Daniela Miteska, 29, Singer
* Nathalie Rosenberg, 28 Choreograph and dancer
* Pär Björkdahl, 26, Student
* Michael Cederberg, 45, Radio host and DJ on P3.

Update

The song Never heard of him that qualified as one of the 27 songs picked by a jury in Sweden this week has been disqualified from the competition. The song by Figge Boström and Anna Engh was previously available to listen to on Figge Boström's MySpace page. The song that will replace it will be announced shortly.

Never heard of him was selected by the SVT Jury to participate in Melodifestivalen 2010 earlier this week. The song was one of 27 picked for the competition. SVT however was made aware that the song had appeared briefly on songwriter Figge Boström's MySpace page, and therefore had no alternative but to disqualify the entry.

The song becomes the first song to be disqualifed from Melodifestivalen since 2007, when Agnes Carlsson's entry was disqualified after she announced that she would perform in the competition before the official announcement. Her entry was replaced by Cara Mia, which went on to reach third place in the final.

Christer Björkman, the competition producer said "It's very sad to have to disqualify a song, but now I have to find a fitting replacement from within the reserve songs."

The competition rules state (in accordance with the EBU rules for the Eurovision Song Contest that: Only songs never before published or made available to the public either through live performance, pubicity or online are allowed into the competititon. It cannot be made available by television, radio, online or mobile phone.

Below is the list that Expressen guesses to be the artists to each of the songs. Please not that all the names are still pure speculation, and the Swedish broadcaster SVT will publish the artist list in due course.

Song: Yeba
Artist: Getty Domein
Song: Stop
Artist: Sibel
Song: Thursdays
Artist: Lovestoned
Song: We can work it out
Artist: Andreas Johnson
Song: Headlines
Artist: Galaxy one
Song: Doctor doctor
Artist: Elin Lanto
Song: Road Salt
Artist: Daniel Gildenlöw from Pain of Salvation
Song: Jag vill om du vågar
Artist: Pernilla Wahlgren
Song: Åt helvete för sent
Artist: SVT wants Thorsten Flinck or Olle Ljungström
Song: Innan alla ljusen brunnit ut
Artist: SVT is looking for an artist, Lisa Ekdahl is on the list for this song.
Song: Hippare hoppare
Artist: Dogge Doggelito and Andra generationen
Song: Run
Artist: Erika Selin from Idol sings on the demo. Sofia Jannok is also a name SVT has on the list for this song.
Song: Singel
Artist: Frispråkar'n - Håkan Bäckman
Song: Human Frontier
Artist: Anneli Axelsson
Song: Idiot
Artist: SVT are looking for an artist.
Song: Manboy
Artist: Eric Saade
Song: I did it for love
Artist: Jessica Andersson
Song: Unstopable
Artist: Ola Svensson
Song: Underbart
Artist: Orsa spelmän
Song: This is my life
Artist: Anna Bergendahl from Idol 2008
Song: Hur kan jag tro på kärleken?
Artist: Erik Linder from tv-show Talang
Song: A place to stay
Artist: Jenny Silver sings on the demo
Song: Heaven and hell
Artist: Linda Pritchard
Song: Magisk stjärna
Artist: according to information received it's a song for Jan Johansen
Song: Manipulated
Artist: Sarah Lundbäck
Song: Tonight
Artist: Speculations that this is a song for a new project from Alexander Bard, the man behind BWO.

[amnesiac]

Thoomas G:son, YAY! Fredericke Kempe, YAY! Lilli och Susie, YAY!

But, but, but who are all these supposed artists? No Agnes? No Nanne? No BWO? No Linda? No Mans? No Helena? No Carola?

For shame SVT, for shame!

[Shiva]

Don't forget the 4 wildcards, they are usually the 4 big hitters [;-)]

[amnesiac]

Like a power duet between Rickard Engfors and the gorgeous Magnus Carlsson?

pt4FDWn4Vi0

[Shiva]

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/3638/mirofront3193012gq6.jpghttp://www.the-bulgarian-insider.com/bulgaria/Portals/3/interesting%20info/music/miro%20photo.gif

The first artist to be announced for the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest comes from Bulgaria this year. Today, during the BNT morning show V nedelia s, it was announced that the Bulgarian hope for 2010 is Miroslav Kostandinov aka Miro, chosen internally by a panel of experts.

For next year, Bulgaria decided to leave the multi heat selection system of the past years and select their artist internally. A panel comprising 51 music experts voted for a number of candidates and Miro was the winner with 10 votes followed Poli Genova with 7 and Nora in third place with 3. Other artists in the running were Slavi Trifonov, Maria Ilieva, Lili Ivanova and Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan Yankulov, the 2007 Bulgarian representatives.

A national final will be organised now, where Miro will perform five songs, written especially for him in five different music genders ranging from ethno to rock. It has not been announced yet whether the winning song will be selected by televote, jury vote or a mixture of those.

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Miro (Miroslav Kostandinov), born in 1976, is one of the leading artists in Bulgaria currently. A part of the duet Karizma together with Galia from 2002 to 2007 he made himself a name in the Bulgarian music scene and made his first attempt for the Eurovision Song Contest with Fool for you which ended up second after Elitsa and Stoyan’s Voda in 2007. After that, the duo broke up and Miro pursued a solo career very successfully achieving many smash hits, among them Gubia kontrol kogato, Avgust e septemvri and Zavinagi.

See more here: eurovision-bg.com

[amnesiac]

Could one of the mods PLEASE correct the typo in the title of this thread? It upsets me so much!

[Chicane]

Done [:-D]

[amnesiac]

Merci Chicane!

[Invincible]

Merci Chicane!

What used it say??

[Shiva]

http://i-love.bwo-fanclub.com/resources/Melodifestivalen.png

The song titles and composers of the first lot of Melodifestivalen 2010 entries have been published! It’s the first 27 of the 32 – leaving room for the four wildcards and the one space for the controversial ‘web joker’ entry (don’t get us started on that one). Below we’ve highlighted the entries that we’re most intrigued by – based on the composers and what they’ve worked on before.

1. “A place to stay”, text och musik Torben Hedelund.

2. “Doctor, doctor”, text och musik Tony Nilsson och Mirja Breitholtz. Tony has had writing credits on Velvet’s ‘The Queen’, Marie Serneholt’s ‘Disconnect Me’, and Elin Lanto’s ‘Discotheque’.

3. “Headlines”, text och musik Tony Nilsson och Peter Boström. It’s Tony again! And the fact he’s written this one with Peter Bostrom (Da Buzz, Marie Seneholt, Victoria Silvstedt, E-Type, Bosson) excited us a lot!

4. “Heaven or hell”, text och musik Håkan Larsson med flera.

5. “Hippare hoppare”, text och musik Mats Nilsson, Douglas Leon med flera.

6. “Human frontier”, text och musik Tobias Johnsson och Annelie Axelsson. All we know of Annelie is that she sang backing vocals on Afro-Dite’s album! But that’s enough to give us hope!

7. “Hur kan jag tro på kärlek” text Kenneth Gärdestad, musik Tony Malm och Niklas Lundin. This one looks hopeful. Tony Malm has credits on Sandra Oxenryd, Monrose, Emma Andersson, and Lutricia McNeal to his name.

8. “I did it for love”, text, “Dille” Didriksson och musik Christian Wejskog.

9. “Idiot”, text och musik Niklas Jarl och Per Aldeheim. Niklas Jarl has worked on A*Teens, Elin Lanto and Sandra Oxenryd. And Per has been responsible for a lot of Lambretta and Vanilla Ninja.

10. “Innan alla ljusen brunnit ut”, musik Stefan Woddie, text Danne Attlerud. ‘Live Forever’ by Magnus Carlsson was co-written by Danne Attlerud!

11. “Jag vill om du vågar”, Pontus Assarsson, Jörgen Ringkvist med flera. Pontus has an attractive back catalogue of credits – Magnus Carlsson, Friends, Pernilla Wahlgren, and Jessica Folcker!

12. “Magisk stjärna” musik Micke Wennborn och text och musik Py Bäckman. Urgh – Nordman!

13. “Manboy”, Fredrik Kempe, text och musik, Peter Boström, musik. Fredrik Kempe really needs no introduction, his list of pop gems is endless! And it’s Peter Bostrom again. Looking forward to seeing what these two can come up with.

14. “Manipulated”, text och musik Sara Lundbäck, Erik Levander med flera.

15. “Never heard of him”, Figge Boström och Anna Eng text och musik. Wow, Figge – Da Buzz, Jessica Andersson, Marie Serneholt, Lena Philpsson! This has since been disqualified.

16. “Roadsalt”, text och musik Daniel Gildenlöv.

17. “Run”, text och musik Niklas Arn, Gustav Eurén med flera. Niklas – Miio and Markoolio! But the last time these two came together resulted in Brandur City Slickers – not so promising!

18. “Singel”, text och musik Håkan Bäckman med flera.

19. “Stopp”, text och musik Mikaela Stenström och Dimitri Stassos. Dimitri Stassos has been responsible for Sofia in the past.

20. “This is my life”, text och musik Christian Lagerström och Bobby Ljunggren. Bobby is a legend, and his inclusion will almost definitely result in something amazing!

21. “Thursdays”, text och musik Thomas G:son, Peter Boström med flera. *scream* Thomas G:Son!!!! Paired with Peter Bostrom!

22. “Tonight”, text och musik Sharon Vaughn och Anders Hansson. *scream* the last time these two got together was for ‘Release Me’ by Agnes!!!

23. “Underbart”, text och musik Lina Eriksson och Johan Moréus. Lina Eriksson has credits on songs by Marie Picasso and Jessica Andersson, as well as ‘Sweet Kissin In The Moonlight’ by Thorleifs!

24. “Unstoppable”, text och musik Dimitri Stassos, Alexander Kronlund, Ola Svensson med flera. This is obviously an Ola track. But we’re very excited about the inclusion of Alexander Kronlund, who co-wrote ‘Lucky’ by Britney Spears, as well as tracks by *NSync and Robyn!

25. “We can work it out”, text och musik Bobby Ljunggren, Marcos Ubeda och Andreas Johnson. And this is clearly an Andreas Johnson. But we’re heartened by the involvement of Bobby, and also Marcos who’s worked on Magnus Carlsson and Afro-Dite.

26. “Yeba”, text och musik Thomas “Tiny” med flera.

27. “Åt helvete för sent”, text och musik Nina Eriksson, Mårten Eriksson och Susie Päivärinta. *GASP* LILI & SUSIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More than enough there to keep us happy! But we’re disappointed by the lack of Henrik Wikstrom and Ingela Forsman. Not to mention the lack of star names. Still, there’s always the four wildcards. In any case, we’re very happy to be back in Melodifestivalen obsession season again.

Update

This morning, Christer Bjorkman, Competition Producer of Melodifestivalen 2010 announced that the song You're making me hot hot hot will replace the disqualified entry Never heard of him in next year's race for the Swedish Eurovision Song Contest ticket.

You're making me hot hot hot is written by Tobias Lundgren, Johan Fransson and Tim Larsson, who teamed up to write the 2005 Melodifestivalen winning song, Las Vegas performed by Martin Stenmarck. The song was selected from the reserve list of songs selected by the SVT special Jury last week.

The entry replaced the song Never heard of him by Figge Boström and Anna Engh after it had earlier appeared on MySpace.

[Shiva]

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/no-flag.jpg
Ørland kicks off on 8 January

Five cities are going to be host for Norways MGP this year, starting of with a hangar on the airport of Ørland, on 8 January. On 23 January the second semifinal will be arranged in Skien, the third location is not yet known. Each of these three semis will present 7 songs. Two of them will go directly to the final in Oslo (Spektrum).

Two of them will have to go through the last chance round, which will be hosted in Sarpsborg on 30 January. The national final, where the Norwegian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest will be determined will be held on 6 February. All shows will be broadcasted live on Norwegian television by NRK.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/St8fqo8uhCI/AAAAAAAAJag/JpakuumjtSs/s400/melodifestivalen+webbjoker.jpg

Melodifestivalen webjoker cuts to 60

The first cut has been done in the Melodifestivalen web joker voting. 181 songs became 60 and also the top-20 of those has been revelead in alphabetical order. As for my one listening only - except Stai stai that went straight to my play list - I shortlisted 60/181 out fo which 40 made the top-60 and 10 of the top-20. I guess it's pretty good percentage. Or is it? Listen the songs that made the cut here (http://svt.se/2.117344/bidragen_a-o).

Ola confirms he will be in Melodifestivalen

When the first 27 songs for Melodifestivalen were revealed last week, we discovered some artists among the writers. One of the was Ola Svensson, who was one of the people behind Unstopable. This week Ola confirmed to Swedish fansite Gylleneskor.se that he most likely will be in the contest as a singer too.

"It is me, who recorded the demo, and I really would like to participate once more.", he told Gylleneskor.

Ola's debut in Melodifestivalen, two years ago, didn't bring him any further than Andrachancen, the second chance round. But now it's time for revenge, because this year the song Unstopable is among the MF entries, and Ola has contributed to that song both as a writer and as an artist. Melodifestivalen is the Swedish national final to the Eurovision Song Contest.

The song is described by Ola as an energetic upbeat song with a harder sound than his previous hits. It's still pop, Ola-style, but more updated.

http://esctoday.com/images/logos/slo-EMA10.jpgSlovenian Eurovision Song in own language

Dijana Štraus Svetlik has spoken out about the changes to the EMA voting and national selection process that Slovenia will use to choose its 2010 Eurovision Song Contest entry. Two major changes for 2010 are that the public will determine the winner by 100% televoting, and the song will be performed at the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo in Slovenian.

The date for EMA 2010 has not yet been set because they have to match the program with the broadcast of the Olympic Games. She also explained the reason for 100% televoting being introduced for the first time.

The major change being introduced to EMA 2010 is that the voting will consist of televoting 100%. There will only be a back-up jury in case anything goes wrong technically. This is the first time that Slovenia's Eurovision Song Contest selection will be a fully public selection:

"Over the past few years we have tried virtually all evaluation and voting options, both in combination with a jury and voting in multiple rounds. This time we decided that the decision for the winner is left to the viewers which of course gives additional responsibilities to the jury responsible for the selection of the songs in the competition. Special number and letter codes rather than the authors' names will be the way for the jury to identify the songs. We hope that with these two amendments we will be able to refute the concerns of the public regarding the winner of the selection" explains Dijana.

Inviting a few established authors from Slovenia remains a part of the selection process. RTV Slovenia will invite up to seven established authors to join the race for Oslo 2010. "The authors will be chosen by a jury on the basis of a broader survey conducted among musical and Eurovision Song Contest experts."

There is, however, one more novelty regarding the selection: The winner of EMA 2010 will have to perform the song in Oslo in Slovenian language. Dijana Štraus Svetlik explains:

"During the years when we decided differently about the language we encountered some legal regulations that establish certain limits (restrictions) to RTV Slovenija as a public institution. Those decisions caused controversy among professional and public audiences. Legal regulations, although having several interpretations for different occasions, are still valid despite debates about the authors' artistic rights and promotion of Slovenian culture in foreign languages. We therefore decided to respect them and take them full into account."

[Shiva]

http://esctoday.com/images/flags/28_big.jpg
Hungarian public broadcaster, MTV, have announced that Hungary will not participate at the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest, to be held in Oslo. Budget limitations are said to be the reason for this decision.

Hungarian broadcaster explained that financial difficulties are behind the country's withdrawal from the competition next year. MTV’s budget is expected be cut down by more than fifty percent in 2010, therefore the company's management has already taken several radical steps, for instance, they have reduced their programs, and fired many of their employees.

Hungary was represented by Ádok Zoli this year in Moscow with the song Dance with me, not reaching the final stage of the competition.

[Shiva]

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/ebu_logo.jpgFrom the first song.

The EBU has announced a change in the televoting of the semifinals and final of the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo. The famous sentence "Europe, start voting now!" will be shouted out a bit earlier, as you will be able to cast your votes by telephone and/or SMS during the entire show, instead of for just 15 minutes.

From the start of the first song until 15 minutes after the end of the last song performed, votes can be cast. The Reference Group of the contest decided that. "It is more logic to pick up the telephone and cast your vote while hearing and seeing a song, rather than at the end the performances. Experiences from several national selections also show that this extended voting window is beind used with success," Svante Stockselius, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of the EBU, said to Eurovision.tv.

The total impact of the televoting will be higher due to extended possibilities to cast votes, and reduces the possibility of telecom providers' systems reaching their capacity limits. Research by the EBU's televoting partner Digame clearly shows that the first songs, that have a longer voting exposure, will not unfairly benefit from this. The same research in fact shows that the tendency is that people vote while their favourite song is being performed, no matter where it is performed in the running order.

The experience from the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, where the extended voting window was introduced three years ago, also supports this fact, as songs with a late starting number in fact won the contest. The voting procedure is one of the most strictly monitored elements of the Eurovision Song Contest, to assure a fair result. Since 2004, the EBU works with the German-based company Digame to coordinate the voting procedure. A significant part of the televoting revenues is being distributed back to the participating public broadcasters.
Source: Eurovision.tv

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/no-flag.jpgOslo 2010: Designers for ESC 2010 known

It is still a secret what the Eurovision Song Contest is going to look like when it will appear on the TV screen of 122 million people in May next year. But it has been decided that design studio Handverk, together with Snøhetta and Gosu Design will be responsible for the logo and design.

Eivind Stoud Platou from Hantverk totld DT.no: "We will be responsible for all design, from shields and flags to TV logo's and business cards." He is not willing to give any hint about what the design will look like "NRK is going to present it, in due time.".

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/SuQtWswm1mI/AAAAAAAAJck/bzv3dX0027I/s400/a+sandrine+francois+natasha+st+pier+jonathan+cerra da+patrick+fiori.jpgFrance: A Come Back?

Patrick Fiori once more?

One of the many Eurovision rumours on the internet the past few days has been that France would sent to Oslo 2010 someone who has already done the honors previously, an Eurovision comeback. The names of Sandrine Francois, Natasha St Pier and Patricia Kaas have been mentioned.

Natasha would be quite logical and possible choise whereas Sandrine... what has she done since 2002? But how about Jonathan Cerrada? Or even better: Patrick Fiori. My guess is he could give it another go! He has gone a long way since 1993 and would follow nicely La Kaas's megastar footsteps.
Source: Ilkar.blogspot.com

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/2010se_lena_ph_sofia_jannok.jpgSweden: Lena Ph & other ladies as jokers?

Swedish newspaper Expressen writes that Lena Philipsson, Sofia Jannok and two more female artists will be the jokers, as at the moment out of the 27 songs in Melodifestivalen 17 are sung by male vocalists and only 10 by female. On the other hand some singers on demos can be changed still.

Style, a Melodifestivalen veteran band hoping for a comeback have instead decided to release their entry Långsamt within two weeks and therefor be out of the competition and possible joker place. Sofia was the girl singing Waterloo in Sami, at last year's final of Melodifestivalen. Lena Ph probably does not need any introduction.

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/flag_croatia.jpgCroatia: HRT calls for songs

Final on 6 March?

Croatian national broadcaster opens the competition for the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest and searches for songs. This is how the 18th national final, called Dora will take place according to the website www.eurosong.hr: 24 songs will participate. 8 of them will be decided by professional jury.

16 of them will be decided by the submitted songs. Submission begin on 2 November and end on 15 December. Some fans claim that as the previous years happend, Croatian final is expected on 6 March, one day prior to the Bosnian song presentation.
Source:HRT, Eurosong.hr, Oikotimes.com

Emre Aydin for Turkey?
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/SuFsC5hkRBI/AAAAAAAAJbY/XDt3uJ1482Q/s400/emre+aydin.jpg

The latest internet rumour is Emre Aydin has been selected for Turkey 2010, as the neverending saga of possible Turkish participants. He is an award winning rock singer-songwriter and released six hit singles from his debut solo album 3 years ago. He also won the MTV Music Award ast year. After winning a talent show in 2002 he got a record deal for his band 6.Cadde that was formed already in 1999. They broke up and Emre released his first solo album in 2006, Afili Yalnizlik with hit singles like Afili yalnizlik, Kim dokunguysa sana ona git and Git that all made it to #1 in Turkey.

[amnesiac]

OMG! I was in love with Patrick Fiori in 1993!
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I even went to Millstreet to try and meet him!

Instead I bumped into this Greek slapper.
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[Shiva]

http://esctoday.com/images/2006/kate.jpgSoraya and Kate, joint bid for Eurovision?

A few days ago, Soraya, the 2009 Eurovision representative for Spain, declared on her Facebook personal profile that she has decided to give Eurovision another go. The Spanish singer has taken the bait from Kate Ryan, who some weeks ago stated that a joint candidature of both of them would "no doubt win Eurovision".

The singer who represented Spain this year not very successfully according to her final placing seems to be ready for another Eurovision adventure. Soraya clearly asserted that a few days ago: "I would not mind to give Eurovision another go with her [Kate Ryan]. Can you imagine it? Soraya and Kate to Eurovision, she wasn't wrong at all when she said it".

As this project is still in its very, very early stages -it is just a wish for the moment-, there is no indication whether they would represent Spain, Belgium or another country. Anyway, it would not be strange to see them together on the Eurovision stage one day, since they share the same record label and have become close friends. They have already performed together on tv, as you can see below:

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http://esctoday.com/images/logos/iceland_ruv_broadcaster.jpgIceland sets national selection on February 6th

RÚV, the national broadcaster of Iceland, announced today the official date of their national selection, February 6th.

Iceland, last year's runner-up, is preparing for another fabulous result at the Eurovision Song Contest, despite the tough financial problems that the Northern European country had to go through. Their national broadcaster, RUV, set the official date of the national selection on February 6th with the preliminary rounds taking place on January 9th, 6th, 23rd and 30th.

A total number of 150 songs were submitted and it is said that Oskar Pall Sveinsson, the co-composer of Is It True? made a comeback in order to conclude his mission to bring the contest on Icelandic ground. Gudmann Albert Jonsson, Jóhann Birgir Birgisson, Bryndis Sunna Valdimarsdóttir & Dadi Georgsson, Gretar Sigurbergsson, Halldor Gudjonsson, Harold G. Asmundsson, Haraldur V. Asmundsson, Harold V. Sveinbjörnsson, Hera Björk Þórhallsdóttir & Örlygur Smari, Jóhannes Kári Kristinsson, Matthias Stefánsson, Rögnvaldur Rögnvaldsson, Sigurjón Brink & Steinarr Logi Nesheim also sent their Eurovision bids to the national broadcaster.

Being severely affected by the financial crisis, the northern European nation represents a positive example for the other Eurovision countries, as they continue to participate and also willing to win.

Last year, Iceland was represented by Yohanna with her song Is Is True?, and ranked on a proud 2nd place after winning the first semi final.

In related news:

http://esctoday.com/images/various/hera.jpgWill it be Hera Björk for Iceland?

Hera Björk will be back on the Eurovision scene again this year. One of her compositions has been shorlisted among the competing songs in the Icelandic Eurovision national final. Hera nearly represented Denmark last year with the song Someday, which narrowly missed out going to Moscow. Eventhough she didn't make it as a candidate to Moscow, she was one of the backing vocalists for the Icelandic entry. She accompanied Yohanna on stage along with Fridrik Omar.

Hera Björk will be back this year and might try to represent Iceland at the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest. One of her songs has made it to the Icelandic semifinals. First and foremost she has to win the Icelandic national final in order to represent Iceland.

She is considered to be among Iceland's most well-known singers. Hera is not a new face on the Eurovision scene as she has appeared twice already on the Eurovision stage as backing vocalist for 2 Icelandic entries. She was a backing vocalist for Euroband in 2008 and for Yohanna in 2009 She gained much fame and recognition early this year when she was the runner up at the Danish Eurovision national final with the song Someday and narrowly missed out on representing Denmark at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest.

Below you can see Hera performing Someday at the 2009 Danish Melodi Grand Prix:

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Watch the 2009 Icelandic entry Is it true?, performed by Yohanna with Hera as one of her backing vocalists:

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http://esctoday.com/images/flags/27_big.jpgFYR Macedonia confirms Eurovision participation

MKRTV, the public broadcaster of FYR Macedonia, has confirmed that they will participate at the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest, to be held in Oslo. A national final comprising three shows will be held, where 28 songs will compete to become the 2010 entry for the country.

Over the last few months, rumours arose claiming that the FYR Macedonia would not be able to make it to the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest due to financial difficulties involving the country's national broadcaster MKRTV. Now, the station has confirmed that FYR Macedonia will not miss the Oslo edition.

A national selection process will be held in the second half of February featuring a total of three shows, two semifinals and a final, where 28 songs will fight it out for the honour to represent the Balkan country. 14 songs will be performed in each semifinal, and a total of 8 will make it to the final. The winner entry will be decided by a mix of televote and 6-member jury vote at a 50/50 split. Televoting changes introduced to the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest will be implemented to the FYR Macedonian selection as well, opening the voting window in the beginning of the shows and closing 15 minutes after the last performance.

FYR Macedonian broadcaster has called for songs and has invited artists to submit their contributions from November 10th until December 20th.

http://esctoday.com/images/logos/err.jpgEstonia: "Quitting Eurovision the most possible scenario"

Estonia may not take part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010, despite the fact that they succeded last year for the first time since the introducion of the semi finals to qualify for the big final of the contest. It seems that the main cause of this possibility is the 7% cut in the budget.

As esctoday.com reported earlier this month, the participation of Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 is in serious danger. The Baltic country, winner of the 2001 competition, may be the third Eurovision nation to officially announce their withdrawal (after the Czech Republic and Hungary did so).

The ERR media relations manager, Mrs. Anneli Tõevere-Kaur, stated that the final decision has not yet been made, but the most possible scenario is quitting Eurovision participation in order to face the financial difficulties. "Giving up Eurovision participation in 2010 is being discussed because of the 28-million kroons budget cut of ERR but the final decision has not yet been made", she said.

Estonia debuted in Europe's most loved show in 1994 when Silvi Vrait finished second last. Since then, they succeeded 7 rankings in the top 10, including a victory at the Eurovision Song Contest 2001 and a joint 3rd place at the edition they hosted in 2002. Last year, Urban Symphony finished on the 6th spot with their song Randajad.

http://esctoday.com/images/flags/24_big.jpgBosnia & Herzegovina confirm participation

Following the bad news reaching the Eurovision world about countries withdrawing or considering withdrawal from the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest some good news can also be announced as Bosnia & Herzegovina now confirm that they will be flying their flag in Oslo.

BHRT have officially announced that Bosnia & Herzegovina will be participating in the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest. The country's rules for the kind of preselection they will have for next year will be announced shortly.

B & H have been regular contributors to the Eurovision Song Contest since 1993. They are known for their diverse entries and they achieved their best placing in 2006 when Hari Mata Hari came 3rd with Lejla. In 2009, Regina not only managed to qualify third in their semi final but also managed a respectable ninth placing with Bistra Voda.

FODW0X04oUs

http://esctoday.com/images/flags/25_big.jpgDora 2010 under way

HRT, the national broadcaster of Croatia, launched the call for the 2010 edition of their national selection for Eurovision, Dora. This is the 18th participation of the Blalkan country in the competition.

Although no official date for the final stage of the national selection was announced, it is expected to take place on March 6th likewise it happened last year. Dora 2010 will gather a total number of 24 songs participating in the final phase of the selection, 8 of them will be elected by a professional jury and the other 16 will be chosen from the submitted songs. The submission starts on November 2nd and ends on December 15th.

Last year, Croatia was represented by Igor Cukrov and Andrea Šušnjara with their song Lijepa Tena. Although they qualified from the second semi final as jury's choice, in the final, they ranked 18th out of 25 with a total of 45 points.

http://esctoday.com/images/logos/swe-mf-2010.jpg50 songs remain in webjoker competition

The race to get a web joker for the 2010 Melodifestivalen becomes tighter. The Swedish public broadcaster has allowed 50 entries to go through the next stage of the web competition, all of which can be listened to on the Melodifestivalen website.

A total of 246 entries were submitted to SVT to take part in the new online contest opened by the broadcaster this year. Those songs have been shortlisted and now only 50 are still in the race. Next week the number of candidates will be lower, 10, and the winner of the first ever web joker competition for Melodifestivalen will be announced on November 12th. The winning entry will be added to those to be performed live at the Swedish national selection for Eurovision 2010.

SVT received a total of 72,881 votes and also registered 655,442 song plays to determine the 50 songs now remaining, which are available to listen to here (http://svt.se/2.116749/melodifestivalens_webbjoker?lid=puff_1715247&lpos=lasMer).

A few more songs have been disqualified since last Wednesday, when it appeared that they had already been played or performed previously, which is contrary to webjoker rules.

Also the first joker wildcard will be announced next Tuesday.

Swedish broadcaster SVT will announce the first wild card for Melodifestivalen 2010 on Tuesday according to a press release. This is the first time SVT presents any wild card before the artists of the acts selected by jury are confirmed.

Since 2004 a jury have selected 28 acts out of the thousands of songs submitted for the competition. After that SVT have chosen four wild cards to complement, not necessarily from the originally submitted.

In the past the wild cards have performed very well with three wins in the past six years: 2004 (Lena Philipsson - Det gör ont), 2007 (The Ark - The worrying kind) and 2009 (Malena Ernman - La voix). 15 of the total of 24 previous wild cards have reached the final. Among the wild cards who did not make it through are Andreas Johnson & Carola Häggkvist, Eskobar, Niklas Strömstedt and former A-teens member Marie Serneholt. There have been speculations in the press that SVT might choose only female wild cards this year because of the expected domination of male artists, but they have not been specific on likely artists.

http://esctoday.com/images/logos/IrelandRTE.jpgIreland: RTÉ confirms participation in Eurovision 2010

The Irish broadcaster RTÉ has confirmed to esctoday.com that it will particpate in the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest in 2010.

Speculation had arisen that RTÉ may withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 given the current economic financial climate in Ireland as too other countries. With numerous countries' broadcasters having withdrawn or facing a consideration to withdraw due to financial strain, esctoday.com contacted RTÉ for an update.

RTÉ have confirmed to esctoday.com that, this week that it has just submitted its' application to the EBU for its participation in next May's contest to be held in Oslo, Norway.

With regarding a format for selecting a song, RTÉ are looking at a set of possible options and hope to reach a final decision shortly.

[Shiva]

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/flag_Netherlands.jpgA case of sour grapes?

Dutch newspaper AD reports that a Dutch boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest is in the air; according to a poll by a commercial TV station, a majority is in favour of boycotting the contest. Has Eurovision gotten too big or is this a case of sour grapes because the Netherlands has failed to make it to the final for the past years?

There is actually no reason to believe the Netherlands are going to withdraw. Public broadcaster TROS, who is responsible for the Dutch Eurovision participation has no intention to do so.

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/ebu_logo.jpgEBU: 54 countries invited

Several European broadcasters are struggling with financial problems. Hungary and the Czech Republic have already announced their withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. More cancellations could be expected from the Baltic states. 54 countries received an invitation for Oslo this week.

"They have not yet officially reported it to us, but countries come and go," says Svante Stockselius on behalf of the EBU. "Earlier this week we have send out invitations for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 to 54 countries. They have the time until mid-December to respond. However, there is a maximum number of 45 participating countries."

According to Ola Sand, project leader of the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 for Norwegian broadcaster NRK, the situation is dramatized every year. "This happens every year," Sand said, referring to the withdrawal of Georgia this year. "At the same time, countries such as Monaco and Luxembourg declared that they want to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in Norway next year."

[Shiva]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/Su8mCA8zG-I/AAAAAAAAJg8/y7Sbc-eRDoc/s400/melodifestivalen+2010.jpg

... from your reliable Expressen! According to them Elin Lanto, Galaxy one, Dogge Doggelito and Andra generationen, Neo Erik Linder, Jessica Andersson, Sibel, Pernilla Wahlgren, Eric Saade, Sarah Lundbäck, Linda Pritchard, Lovestoned, Anna-Maria Espinosa, Anna Bergendahl, Daniel Gildenlöw/Pain of Salvation, Frispråkar'n, aka Håkan Bäckman, Orsa spelmän, Ola Svensson, Andreas Johnson and Getty Domein are 19 confirmed names for the 27 songs chosen by SVT. Time will tell....

The first Melodifestivalen joker revealed tomorrow

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/Su8a3vhFX6I/AAAAAAAAJg0/ccFfA3WqCio/s400/melodifestivalen+jokers+2010.jpg

The guessing and wishing for the Melodifestivalen jokers is going on at the moment while SVT prepares to reveal the first one tomorrow. Expressen claims today they will be Lena Philipsson, Sofia Jannok, veteran Jerry Williams and maybe Martin Stenmarck who would do a Melodifestivalen come-back. Meanwhile the internet voting for the web joker is going on and 50 songs are still in the running, and the rumors about who is going to sing which of the 27 already chosen songs....

[amnesiac]

Fingers crossed for Lena Ph!

-k1KUzxsAzw

[Shiva]

http://esctoday.com/images/various/darinwildcard.jpgFirst wildcard revealed - Darin enters Melodifestivalen

He came second place in the Swedish Idol final behind winner Agnes Carlsson, in 2004. He has released four successful albums to date and has had several hits on the Swedish charts. Now, he is ready to enter Melodifestivalen 2010 as the first wildcard.

The speculations had arisen in the Swedish tabloids during the last few days. Names like Jerry Williams, Martin Stenmark, Lena Philipsson and Sofia Jannok have all been mentioned in the newspapers as possible wildcards.

Today, SVT revealed the first wildcard of four. Former Idol participant Darin enters Melodifestivalen for the first time. He has been around the competition before, this year as interval act, performing Jan Johansen's Se på mig, and a couple of years ago he performed Lena Philipsson's Det gör ont at the show that celebrated 50 years of Melodifestivalen.

When he was 14 years old hee send in a song to Melodifestivalen, but i dident make the cut. "It is really fun to be in the competition, but i am already feeling butterflies in my belly", Darin says to Expressen.

"Darin have been on my wish list since 2005, when he knocked out the whole Swedish artist elite under the 50 years anniversary of Melodifestivalen, when he did his own version of Det gör ont", says Melodifestival producer Christer Björkman.

The song is called Out of my life and is written by Tony Nilsson and Henrik Jansson. Tony has been in Melodifestivalen in 2008 with Love in stereo and in 2009 with Disconnect me and The Queen. He has also been involved with next year's songs Doctor Doctor and Too late to say I'm sorry, the latter together with Henrik Janson.

Darin is currently number one in the Swedish singles chart with a cover of Coldplay's Viva la vida. Last year's big chart success was the R&B song Breathing your love, a duet with Kat De Luna. The song is going to be released in the UK later this year.

DVqdGJ-FCa4

Darin & Kat De Luna - Breathing your love

M9l8TYdJHyA

Darin - Det gör ont (Lena Philipsson cover)

mDa1duytyXA

[Shiva]

http://www.vg.no/uploaded/image/bilderigg/2009/11/03/1257229696783_710.jpg

Norway: Boyband A1 to MGP 2010

Norwegian magazine Seher and newspaper VG report that boyband A1 will participate in Melodi Grand Prix, the Norwegian national final to the Eurovision Song Contest. In August the three guys in A1 already announced that they were planning a comeback in December, now it seems they are ready for MGP too.

Christian Ingebrigtsen (32) and his English mates Ben Adams (27) and Mark Read (30) are the three members of A1. Between 1999 and 2002 they were quite popular in Europe and Asia. Their singles Take on Me and Same Old Brand New You made it to the first position in the Norwegian and British charts.

http://www.famousmales.org.uk/images/bena/bena-90121.jpg

[amnesiac]

Queentastic for the Homecoming Eurovision please and thank you very much Norwegian MGP televoting public!

[amnesiac]

Especially for Shiva... (http://www.gaycork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24&highlight=Eurovision)

[Shiva]

Especially for Shiva... (http://www.gaycork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24&highlight=Eurovision)

Hehe, birds of a feather :)

[amnesiac]

Hehe, birds of a feather :)
When are we going to split our 2010 thread? I think we need seperate threads for:

Irish Selection
UK Selection
Swedish Selection
Rest of Scandinavia Selection
Western Selection
Eastern Selection
Returning Heroes
Getting To Oslo
2010: New Show, New Rules, Discussion

[jellybaby]

When are we going to split our 2010 thread? I think we need seperate threads for:

Irish Selection
UK Selection
Swedish Selection
Rest of Scandinavia Selection
Western Selection
Eastern Selection
Returning Heroes
Getting To Oslo
2010: New Show, New Rules, Discussion


Oh good lord[:-O ]

[Shiva]

Well we do have a mini forum. [;-)]Thanks to my spamming last year [:-))]

Can we make a compromise and have the vast majority of selections in one thread? In fact just leaving them on this thread?

Having Sweden, UK and Ireland with their own separate ones. I did start a Melodifestivalen (http://www.gaycork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7806&highlight=melodifestivalen) from last year that can be reused, even an MGP (http://www.gaycork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7728&highlight=melodifestivalen) thread.

Getting To Oslo is essential as they is apparantly a large number of us going.

[Shiva]

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/melodifestivalen.jpg
Sweden: Only ten jokers left!
From ten to one next week….

The quest for the webjoker or wildcard in Swedish Melodifestivalen is coming to an end. Now there are only 10 songs left, from the original 178 candidates for a position in one of the semifinals in teh Swedish selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. During the coming week one candidate will have to go each day.

When there are only three left by next week, the winner will be announced on thursday 12 November. Candidates without a contract with a record company and without previously released singles / albums were entitled to participate in the web quest.

These are the remaining songs (in ranking order):

1. Ingela Hemming - Love for People
2. Jörgen Frinell - My Kind of Love
3. Jessica Friberg - Break Free
4. Adam Sandahl - Kärleken Vänder Allt
5. Mark Woznicki - I'll Make You Want Me
6. Mia Terngård - Come And Get Me Now
7. Alrik Paulsson - Lite Sex Och Lite Spex
8. Halla Viljhalmsdottir - How
9. Johan Skoog - När Vi Har Landet
10. Peter Månsson - Hot For Tonight

In more Webjoker news

Do you see what I see? Melodifestivalen gets naked

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/SvF_56vNAcI/AAAAAAAAJh8/3rBZNBhIT_s/s400/mf+adam.jpg

Kärleken vänder allt or love changes everything but it also makes you to drop your clothes it seems. Watch the video of Adam Sandahl and the Man in the mirror here. (http://3minutes.me/news/selections-10-news/1183-sweden-is-nudity-really-allowed-in-melodifestivalen)

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/1956ch_Lys_Assia.jpgSwitzerland: Lys Assia attacked by a washing machine

Two nights in hospital.

Lys Assia (85), the first ever winner of the Eurovision Song contest, almost got killed by her washing machine this weekend. It happened last Sunday when she returned to her apartment in Zürich after a stay in Greece, where she had attended two galas."My maid was not there, so I decided to wash the clothes myself".

The grand lady tried to pick one last item from the machine when a strong electric shock went through her. She was in a big shock, and her first concern was her weak heart and wether she would find somebody to help her. Fortunately she managed to pull herself up and get to a phone, where she called her doctor. "It was no small thing, I had to stay in hospital for two days", she told Swiss newspaper Blick.
It turned out that a cable was broken, that had been patched before, that now caused the electric shock. Fortunately Mrs. Assia is doing fine again.

In other news both Malta and Romania have confirmed they will be attending the contest next year.

[earlstvincent]

Getting To Oslo is essential as they is apparantly a large number of us going.

I won't actually need a Eurovision ticket. Quite happy to go and experience the city... LOL! [:-P]

[Shiva]

I won't actually need a Eurovision ticket. Quite happy to go and experience the city... LOL! [:-P]

With your Earls :)

[Shiva]

Melodifestivalen 2010 - The Hosts!

The hosts for Melodifestivalen 2010 have been announced. And we’re getting an eighties film star, a comedienne, and a twice Melodifestivalen entering popstar!

From left to right below we have Dolph Lundgren, Christine Meltzer, and yes that’s right – one Mans Zelmerlow!

http://svt.se/content/1/c8/01/76/31/37/programledarna.jpg

All Swedish fans will be familiar with Mans. He’s released two stellar pop albums, reached the final of Melodifestivalen twice, never shies away from schlager, and is currently courting the lovely Marie Serneholt of A*Teens! Younger readers might not know Dolph though. His career as a bona-fide Hollywood film star spanned 1985 – 1995, and was mostly confined to action films. He even played He-Man! He’s now mostly a director, but is going back to starring in one last action film next year – alongside fellow alumni, Sylvester Stallone, Mickey Rourke, Jet Li, and Jason Statham. Finally, Christine is a Petra Mede type, who will hopefully bring along the dry humour next to Mans’ innocent professionalism and Dolph’s (and we’re admittedly judging a book by its cover and prologue here!) cheesy dialogue!

Three very different hosts – this one will be interesting!

In other news Estonia and Serbia will be in Oslo 2010.

Some good news for a change: Estonia has confirmed after all its participation in Oslo 2010 (well, I for one never doubted it in the first place) as they've got a sponsor, Enterprise Estonia that promotes Estonia abroad. Finally some organisations put the money where they are noticed! Serbia will be also in Oslo 2010 hoping to keep the record straight with their successes after the drop this year but both broadcasters have announced a smaller scale national final. Which makes me think that some countries may have lost the plot. Cut the expenses and drop the national finals if that's what it takes you to participate; just invite an artist and send him/her off!

[Shiva]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/SvslK1NqYEI/AAAAAAAAJmo/bZs4PAHEQRM/s400/norway+2010.jpg

More rumours: Is this the list of semifinalist in the Norwegian semifinals?
A1, Alexander Stenerud, Bazooka Boppers, Blackroom, Donkeyboy, Elisabeth Carew, New Violators, Frost, Gaute Ormåsen, Håken Njoten, Heine Totland, Julian Berntzen, Laila Samuelsen, Lene Alexandra, Marte Wulff, Maria Arredondo & Aleksander With, Maria Haukaas Storeng (Curleys favourite [;-)]), Mira Craig, Surferosa, Tomine Harket and Venke Knutson. Time and NRK will tell in due time!

Greece is ready?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/SvqdG7e1xNI/AAAAAAAAJmY/pVuNvpyO3RE/s400/greece+2010.jpg

Oikotimes.com claims ERT has come to a final decision and Katerina Avgoustakis, Despina Ricci and either (or both) Kokkina Halia and Professional Sinnerz are the 3 or 4 chosen ones. The official announcement should come today. Maybe

And someone who looks like Doodle Dandy [:-?]

We have a web joker for Melodifestivalen

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/SvvNnIRV63I/AAAAAAAAJm4/3siyCeBq3sI/s400/melodifestivalen+webbjoker.jpg

Mia it is!

Come and get me now by Mia Terngård won the Swedish Webbjoker competition! After yesterday, only three songs remained in the race for this ticket to Melodifestivalen. Christer Björkman revealed the winner this morning in a live show on Swedish television.

They will go onto Melodifestivalen hosted by this man

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXlbsb64iZE/SvmzKPUKKUI/AAAAAAAAESM/tFVUlkviKJw/s400/Dolph+Lundgren.jpg

[Shiva]

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/JESC_NL.jpgClick Clack!

For the first time the Netherlands has won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. 13 year old Ralf won with the song Click Clack. The result of the voting was very thrilling because the last jury gave the deciding points to the Netherlands, placing Armenia second together with Russia.

The complete result: 01. Netherlands: Ralf - Click Clack 121
02. Armenia: Loara Hayrapetyan - Barcelona 116
03. Russia: Katja Rabova - Malenkiy Prints 116
04. Belgium: Laura - Zo verliefd 113
05. Ukraine: Andranik Alexanyan - Tri topoli, tri surmy 89
06. Sweden: Mimmi Sandén - Du 68
06. Georgia: Princesses - Lurji prinveli 68
08. Malta: Francesca & Mikaela - Double Trouble 55
09. Belarus: Yuriy Demidovich - Volshebniy krolik 48
10. Serbia: Ništa lično - Onaj pravi 34
11. Cyprus: Rafaella Costa - Thalassa, Ilios, Aeras, Fotia 32
12. FYR Macedonië: Sara Markovska - Za Ljubovta 31
13. Romenia:Ioana Bianca Anuţa - Ai Puterea În Mana Ta 19

Malta: details about the selection procedure
http://3minutes.me/images/stories/PBS_Malta.jpgMalta Eurosong 2010.

The Maltese national broadcaster, PBS, has revealed that the national final will be held on the 20th February 2010. The next Maltese Eurovision entry will be chosen via a 50% televoting and 50% jury-vote system. 20 entries will reach the final. It has also been revealed that 123 songs were submitted for the Malta Eurosong 2010. Singers could not submit more than one entry each.

All 123 entries will be performed infront of an international jury during the first selection phase which will be held on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th December. Thirty-six entries will be promoted to the next phase. The 36 semifinalists will be performed once again infront of a separate jury. This round will be held on the 7th December. Additionally, L-ISFIDA will host six entries each for six consecutive weeks aired every Wednesday night. The juries together with televoting will select the 20 finalists out of the 36 semifinalists.
(source: ogaemalta.com)

Portugal: details about the selection for 2010
http://3minutes.me/images/stories/PT-flag.jpgFestival da Canção 2010.
Portugese broadcaster RTP has revealed some details about the selection for the Eurovision Song Contest next year. The Festival da Canção will be held in March 2010 and songs can be submitted until January, even foreigners can submit their work. A jury will select 35 songs to be put online at the RTP site.

From this selection the public can choose 24 songs through online voting that will compete in two semi finals. 12 of these will be chosen for the final in Lisbon where the winner will be selected by means of a 50/50 jury-televoting system. More details will be published on the RTP site next week.
(source: oikotimes.com)

Montenegro will not participate in Oslo 2010
http://3minutes.me/images/stories/montenegro_flag.jpgFinancial reasons for withdrawal.

Montenegrin broadcaster RTCG has announced that it withdraws from the Eurovision Song Contest next year, due to financial reasons. The broadcaster told the local press that the decision had been taken in order to reach financial consolidation after three years as independent state.

Montenegro debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest as an independent country in 2007. It has never reached the final. Before their independance they were participating with Serbia as Serbia & Montenegro.

Sweden: Second wildcard announced!
http://3minutes.me/images/stories/2010se_salem_al_fakir-platta.jpgSalem Al Fakir!

Last week the second joker or wildcard for Melodifestivalen 2010 has been announced. Salem Al Fakir is the lucky one, and just like the first Joker, Darin, it is his first time in Sweden's most popular music show: melodifestivalen. His song is called Keep On Walking, and is written by himself.

Lars "Salem" al Fakir, born on 27 October 1981, is a Swedish soul/pop musician and singer. His father Nabil al Fakir originated from Damascus, Syria and his mother, Inger, from Sweden. Salem learned to play violin at the age of four and subsequently toured Russia as a solo violinist at the age of fourteen, but returned to Sweden to study jazz piano.
During his career he has worked with artists including Robyn, Wille Crafoord and Snook. Along with elder brother Nassim he is a member of the FakirKarlsson trio which teamed up with fellow jazz musicians the Örjan Hultén Trio and have released two albums as H3FK, most recently "Nubiska Nätter" released in 2008.

In the autumn of 2006 Salem released his first single, the "Dream Girl" EP, and his debut album was released in January 2007 to commercial success and critical acclaim. The album was recorded in Salem's basement and bedroom, and he was solely responsible for writing, mixing and producing the album. Salem also played all instruments on the album himself apart from horns played by his brother Sami and drums on "Dream Girl" and "Bright Side Of Life" played by Tim Lundblad.

"Good Song" and "This Is Who I Am" were also released as singles. Dance producers Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso have also released their own remix of "It's True".

His re-recording of "It's Only You", a track from his debut album - now titled "It's Only You (Part II)" - is featured in a commercial for the Volvo XC60 car. An EP featuring "It's Only You Part II", "Twelve Fingers", "Dream Girl" and "It's True" was released in several European countries in November 2008.

Salem released his single "Astronaut" in Sweden on 4 March 2009. This was followed by the album of the same name on 18 March 2009.

"Roxy" is the next single to be released from the album "Astronaut".
Source: SVT;

San Marino + Paola & Chiara = true?
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/SwbxS3imoEI/AAAAAAAAJsg/m0ODGlaxGvk/s400/la-perla-paola-chiara.jpg

Insisting rumours want that the dream of San Marino sending Iezzi sisters Paola and Chiara is still in the books and could be happening. They have released six albums so far plus a greatest hits between 1997 and 2007 and both have also released solo material, Chiara Nothing at all and Paola Alone for example. Their biggest hits include European wide hit Vamos a bailar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7zYnOM8Iqk), Festival, A modo mio, Second life (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZL0w2G8i6s) and Cambiare pagina. If they will eventually do Eurovision Oslo that is like an Eurovision wet dream to many. Or for me it is at least!

[Shiva]

Sweden: Thirteen artists announced
http://3minutes.me/images/stories/2010se_Jessica_Andersson.jpg

Today SVT has announced 13 artists to perform in the first two Melodifestivalen semifinals. Among them some names we've already seen in MF before, like Jessica Andersson, Ola, Andreas Johnson and Andra generationen.

Semifinal 1: Örnsköldsvik, 6 February
- Ola - Unstoppable
- Frispråkarn - Singel
- Jenny Silver - A Place To Stay
- Jessica Andersson - I Did It For Love
- Linda Pritchard - You're Making Me Hot Hot Hot
- Pain Of Salvation - Road Salt
- Salem al Fakir - Keep on Walking
- Anders Ekborg - The Saviour (replaces Åt Helvete För Sent)

Semifinal 2: Sandviken, 13 February
- Andra Generationen & Dogge - Hippare Hoppare
- Kalle Moraeus & Orsa Spelmän - Underbart
- Anna-Maria Espinosa - Innan alla ljusen brunnit ut
- Eric Saade - Manboy
- Andreas Johnson - We Can Work It Out
- Hanna Lindblad - Manipulated
- MiSt - Come and get me now (internet wildcard)

Source: SVT

Finland: All songs online now!

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/2010fi_amadeus_lundberg.jpgWill it be Amadeus, the Tango King?

Listen to them all here (http://euroviisut.yle.fi/euroviisut/2009-11-30/kappaleet)

The first Finnish semifinal (out of a total of three) will be held on 8 January. The final will be on 30 January.

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/2010be_tom_dice.jpgBelgium: Artist selected for Oslo
Tom Dice!

At a press conference in Brussels Tom Dice was presented as the Belgian representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. Cake and champagne were there not just to celebrate his internal selection for Oslo. Tom Dice also celebrated his 20th birthday today. Watch Eurovision.tv's report. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkBuXsX2Khs)

On his way to the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Oslo, Belgian representative Tom Dice will be surrounded by a team of professionals. Maurice Engelen - coach of Tom in X-Factor and his musical partner - will accompany Tom musically. Stylist Jani Kazaltzis will be responsible for the styling of Tom Dice.
"Maurice and I have created a label together and we are partners in this label, with Eurosong as a result now," said Tom Dice about his collaboration with Maurice Engelen, the man behind the Belgian acts Praga Khan and Lords of Acid. In consultation with VRT and eventually with other song writers, they will work on one or more song for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Oslo in the coming weeks.

Jani Kazaltzis will be responsible for the styling of Tom Dice. Tom already appeared in an outfit chosen by Jani at the press presentation in Brussels Wednesday afternoon. "We will see what is fashionable and what I like," said Tom about his clothes for Oslo. "No feathers in my hair. For the rest I'm open for anything." Tom is aware that he ended up in the gay scene now. "Are you gay or straight?" asked Ann Reymen on MNM. "I'm totally hetero. I know where I ended up, but I stay myself."

Source: Belgovision.com

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/gary-barlow.jpgUnited Kingdom: Gary Barlow to write entry?

According to Brittish newspaper The Sun Gary Barlow, lead singer of Take That, is going to compose the UK's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest next year. The song should be performed by Duncan James, lead singer of pop group Blue.

It is said that the BBC is hoping that someone with the pop writing skills like Gary barlow would help the UK to get a better result than last year.
(source: rte.ie)

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/2010nl_vaderabraham.jpgNetherlands: Composer Smurf Song writes Dutch entry

Father Abraham for Oslo

According to newspaper Telegraaf, Dutch broadcaster TROS has is going to let Pierre Kartner write the Dutch Eurovision entry for Oslo. Kartner, better known as Father Abraham, is the best selling Dutch composer ever. His biggest international achievment is the Smurf Song that sold over 30 million times, worldwide.

A second international succes is his song Het kleine café aan de haven, that has been covered over 250 times and is known in English as The Red Rose Café
Kartner is also the man behind the Dutch eurovision entry in 1973, De oude muzikant, by Ben Cramer. So this is not going to be his first Eurovision experience.

It is not known yet who Kartner is going to write his song for.
Source: Telegraaf, Wikipedia

[Shiva]

http://www.eurovisionary.com/files/images/27_big.jpgMacedonia Confirmes Participation for Oslo 2010

Macedonia, who compete in the contest as FYR Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) has officially announced that it will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Oslo, Norway. The country will chose its winner on Skopje Fest in February, which will consist of two semi-finals and a final, organised by MKRTV

At the national final in February, 16 songs will fight to win Skopje Fest and become a winner of the national selection for Macedonian entry. The selection process consists of two ways of voting. Fift per cent will be televoting and 50% will be by juries. There will be two semi-finals, each containing 14 songs. Eight songs will qualify for the final

So Macedonia, as FYR Macedonia, will compete in one of two semi-finals of the contest in Oslo, on 25th or 27th May 2010.

http://www.eurovisionary.com/files/images/moldovaaa.thumbnail.jpgMoldova Will Participate in Eurovision 2010

Moldova has confirmed its participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Oslo, Norway, adding another country to the list.

Moldova will chose it's participant at the end of January next year. A new rule has been introduced stating that the winner must be from Moldova, of Moldovan nationality, or if a band wins, then one of the members must be Moldovan.

Moldova has participated in the contest five times, debuting in 2005. The best result was in 2005, when it achieved 6th position, and the worst was 2008. in 11th position.

Below is the Moldovan entry from 2009 in Moscow.

4GF22HWRF_w

http://www.eurovisionary.com/files/images/albania%20flag_0.thumbnail.gifAlbania to Select 2010 Eurovision Song Over 4 Days From 24 December

Albania is always one of the first countries to select their Eurovision song. This year the national final, known as the Festival i Kenges, will take part over four days from 24 December 2009. The final will be on 27 December.



Nineteen acts will go straight to the final and they will perform their entries over 2 nights on 25 and 26 December in different versions. Anjeza Shahini (Istanbul 2004) and Kejsi Tola (Moscow 2009) will once again try to participate for their country. 19 new acts will perform on the first night on 24 December. Dorina Toci, who will sing Një Fjalë Të Ngrohtë, was a backing singer with Kejsi Tola in Moscow this year.

A jury will select one of these acts to take part in the final on 27 December. The winning act will be selected by an expert jury and therefore be the Albanian representative at the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest.

Here are the 19 acts and songs that will go directly to the final on 27 December -

Anjeza Shahini - Pasqyra E Vetës
Teuta Kurti - Mall I Pashuar
Claudio La Regina - Ave Maria
Kamela Islami - Kalimtar
Bojken Lako & Banda Adriatica - Love Love Love
Besa Kokëdhima - Kalorës I Dashurisë
Dorina Garuci - Sekreti I Dashurisë Juliana Pasha - Nuk Di Përse
Denisa Macaj - (Song title yet to be announced)
Erga Halilaj - Party Era Rusi - U Dashuruam
Eliza Hoxha - Në Mes
Flaka Krelani - Lë Të Bëhet
Mariza Ikonomi - Vazhdoj Këndoj
Erti Hizmo & Lindita Halimi - Nuk Të Dorezohem
Stefi & Endrri Prifti - Still Not Sure
Guximtar Rushani - Gëzuar
Rovena Dilo - Përtej Kohës
Kejsi Tola - Pse Ekzistojmë

Here are the 19 new acts who will sing on 24 December -

Stefan Marena - Retë S'Na Ndajnë
Brikena Asa - Sa Dua Unë
Onanta Spahiu - Dashurisë I Erdhi Vjeshta
Jona Koleci - Stinë Dashurie
Nazmie Selimi - Beso Akoma
Goldi Halili - Tirana Broadway
Iris Hoxha - Zërin Tim Ta Ndjesh
Supernova - Gabimi
Ardita Tusha - Je Larg
Selina Prelaj - Të Dy E Dimë
Vitmar Basha - Një Tjetër Jetë
Jorida Zaimaj - Për Ty
Lutus - Botë Pa Sy
Kelly - Ajo
Dorina Toçi - Një Fjalë Të Ngrohtë
Borana Kalemi - Ti
Amanda Ujkaj & Violeta Lulgjuraj - Vitet Më Të Bukura
Yje Të Panjohur - Si Dy Të Huaj
Çlirim Leka - Nëna Ime

snRkon429vA

http://www.eurovisionary.com/files/images/spain-flag.thumbnail.gifSpain Invites Entries for 2010

The Spanish national broadcaster, TVE, has begun its search for the act to represent Spain at the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest.

The early part of the selection will be through the internet. In recent years, this has been through MySpace.

At the moment TVE are inviting acts and songs and prepare an introductory video. Artists must have been resident in Spain for at least two years. Songs can be submitted to the dedicated Eurovision website until January. After the date for entries has passed, TVE will open the internet voting, with the public being able to access not only the song, but details about the artists as well.

Anyone with an e-mail account can vote up to five times a day. In order to avoid the type of tactical voting that this type of system is vulnerable to, the organisers will check each vote and reserve the right to invalidate any votes if it is deemed necessary. The songs were put into categories last year, but this year, everyone is in it together.

http://www.eurovisionary.com/files/images/31_big.jpgMALTA 2010 EUROSONG SELECTION TO CONTINUE

Following the recent court injunction against the PBS and the Malta Eurosong selection committee a court in Malta has ruled the PBC can prohibit foreign composers and songwriters from participating in the process to choose Malta's Eurosong entries for 2010.

This means that the process of selecting the Malta Eurovision songs can now proceed. The date for the Maltese Eurosong final is 20 February 2010.

123 songs were submitted for the national selection. The individual acts will perform to an international jury on the 2, 3 and 4 December. 36 songs will be selected for the 2nd phase and will be performed to a different jury on 7 December.

The TV show 'L-Isfida' will showcase 6 songs each week starting very shortly. A mixture of televoting and expert jury will select the 20 songs for the national final on 20 February 2010.

http://www.eurovisionary.com/files/images/untitled.thumbnail.JPGSpeculation Increases in Turkey About Successor to Hadise

After four years without any national final in Turkey, TRT has announced that they will continue this new trend for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2010. Here are some of the possibilities under consideration

As in the past, TRT will declare the Turkish representative for the Eurovision Song Contest without holding a national final. We are almost at the end of November and TRT are so late announcing the names as they have been for the past four years. That situation raises the speculation in Turkey that those under consideration are reaching the peak of their careers so far. Şebnem Ferah, Emre Aydın, Murat Boz and Manga are staying on top of the list.

Şebnem Ferah is called 'The Diva of Turkish Rock' in Turkey. She has sold millions of albums up to now. She is well known as the creator of new generation rock in Turkey with her songs, which are made with the group Apocalyptica. She also had an excellent performance concert tour with the Turkish Symphony Orchestra.

Emre Aydın is one of the rock & pop newbies in Turkey, although he has sold millions of albums up to now. He won the MTV EMA Best European Act award in 2008. It is possible that he has lots of fans.

Murat Boz began his career as a backing vocalist of Tarkan. It is obvious that being a student of Tarkan has made him a better artist. He is known as 'Second Tarkan' in Turkey with three succesful albums.

Manga, who is still one of the most important groups in Turkish rock music, is one of the ambitious names for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. They have just had the highlight of their career so far, receiving MTV EMA Best European Act Award last month when they beat the strong names from the Eurovision Song Contest such as Dima Bilan and Helena Paparizou.

TRT has declared that they will announce the name very soon and probably that one of the four names will be participating at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2010 which will be held in Oslo.

To know them better, you can watch their latest videoclips below:

* Manga - Gün Beni Benimle Bırak
* Emre Aydın - Falling Down
* Şebnem Ferah & Symphony - Çakıl Taşları
* Murat Boz - Aşkı Bulamam Ben

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http://www.eurovisionary.com/files/images/Slovak%20heart.thumbnail.JPGSlovakia Announces Details for Oslo
Slovakia has announced details of its preparations for Oslo.

Slovak national broadcaster STV has announced further plans for its selection process for Oslo 2010. Back in September, they announced a deadline of 31 October for submission of songs. Now that deadline has passed, a jury will narrow down the field. The best songs will undergo three preliminary rounds, followed by a semi-final and final.

The televised shows will start in mid-January 2010. STV’s rules for the songs included a restriction on writers having Slovak citizenship, although other people involved could come from abroad. Each writer will have no more than one song in the televised stages. Songs can also be in any language, although it is thought either Slovak or English will be those of choice.

Slovakia was represented in Moscow by Kamil Mikulčík & Nela Pocisková, who finished 18th in the second semi-final with the duet ‘Leť tmou’, which you can see below.
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http://www.eurovisionary.com/files/images/9bf3.jpgSerbia confirmed participation for Oslo 2010

Serbia has confirmed its participation for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Oslo.

PR manager of RTS, Duska Vucinic-Lucic, said that RTS, the national broadcaster of Serbia, has some financial problems. Beovizija, the festival in Belgrade where they will choose their participant, will suffer because of these problems. Also, they are looking forward to trying to find a cheaper way of promoting the winner to neighbouring countries. People hope that Beovizija will take the best performer this year to represent Serbia in Norway, and are hoping for a high placing.

[fair_bad]

Christ that's a lot of reading... So who's Ireland sending? Lol... Me and my friends are convinced we could win it! We wrote the lyrics to our song and all! They were oddly like tik tok by kesha!

[Shiva]

Christ that's a lot of reading... So who's Ireland sending? Lol... Me and my friends are convinced we could win it! We wrote the lyrics to our song and all! They were oddly like tik tok by kesha!

Nothing has been confirmed by Ireland yet apart from the fact that we will enter, that has been confirmed. They usually make a call for songs mid December and the competition is held mid Feb. There are talks that they might choose the band/performer this year and let people choose the song, but we all saw how that turned out last time...

[fair_bad]

I vote joanna ryde!

[JoannaRyde]

I dont think I can enter! Maybe next year!!

[Shiva]

I dont think I can enter! Maybe next year!!

You'd join a long list of drag queens in the Eurovision :)

[amnesiac]

Niamh Kavanagh 5/2 (javascript:void(0)) Podge & Rodge 20/1 (javascript:void(0)) Linda Martin 66/1 (javascript:void(0)) John & Edward Grimes 6/1 (javascript:void(0)) Jennifer Ward (2009 Irish Karaoke Champion) 20/1 (javascript:void(0)) Sinead O'Connor 66/1 (javascript:void(0)) Imelda May 10/1 (javascript:void(0)) B*Witched 22/1 (javascript:void(0)) The Carter Twins 80/1 (javascript:void(0)) Leanne Moore 16/1 (javascript:void(0)) Glen Hansard 33/1 (javascript:void(0)) Daniel O'Donnell 80/1 (javascript:void(0)) Johnny Logan 16/1 (javascript:void(0)) Damien Rice 33/1 (javascript:void(0)) Mary Black 100/1 (javascript:void(0)) Industry 16/1 (javascript:void(0)) Nadine Coyle 40/1 (javascript:void(0)) The Cranberries 100/1 (javascript:void(0)) Adrian Kenny (2009 Irish & World Karaoke Champion) 18/1 (javascript:void(0)) Bosco 50/1 (javascript:void(0)) Enya 250/1 (javascript:void(0)) Kandy Rain 20/1 (javascript:void(0)) Andrew Strong 50/1 (javascript:void(0)) U2 500/1 (javascript:void(0)) Brian McFadden 20/1 (javascript:void(0)) Westlife 50/1 (javascript:void(0)) Liam Neeson 500/1 (javascript:void(0)) Boyzone 20/1 (javascript:void(0)) The Corrs 50/1 (javascript:void(0)) Bertie Ahern 1000/1 (javascript:void(0))

[amnesiac]

I'd love to see Imelda May take to the stage in Oslo. She's a great live peformer and a strong song and the further role of juries next year could see her do well. I'd also love if Industry did a big schlager number but I don't know what they're like live. I wonder why the odds on Niamh making a return are so short?

[JoannaRyde]

I'm not on it! haha

Eh what about Samantha Mumba???

[Shiva]

Here is a review of the Finnish pre-selection songs

Finnish broadcaster YLE have unveiled the full line up of 15 artists that will compete next year to represent Finland at the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest. Not only that, but they’ve also uploaded all of them so that you can have a listen to each one! Naturally we’ve ploughed our way through them, made judgements on each, and can present our review of the 15 songs below.

They all have a tough job following Finland’s Eurovision entry from last year; the amazing ‘Lose Control’ by Waldo’s People!

http://www.eurovision.tv/save-files/img/upload/news/2010/Finland/suomenkarsinta2010logo480-RESIZE-s925-s450-fit.jpg

Amadeus - Anastacia (Risto Asikainen / Ilkka Vainio)

We quite like this one. It’s got an oh so subtle dance beat going on in the background, ethnic strings, a chant like chorus, and it flows really well. This one to win please – it’s the best out of what turned out to be a very bad bunch.

Boys Of The Band (BOB) - America (I think I love you) (Kimmo Blom)

DIRE! A song about other rock songs.

Bääbs - You don’t know tomorrow (Riku Kärkkäinen / Tommi Forsström)

This is an interesting one. It sounds like it’d be a grower. It’s got a good string riff throughout, but musically it’s all over the place. And melodically it’s just not there. But it’s got a key change and a dramatic finish, both of which earn it an extra point or two from us!

Eläkeläiset - Hulluna humpasta (Kristian Voutilainen / Onni Waris)

It sounds like a poor man’s version of Israel’s Eurovision entry from 2007. Which was awful enough in itself.

Pentti Hietanen - Il mondo è quì (Lasse Heikkilä / Petri Kaivanto / Stefano De Sando)

A bit of opera here sung in Italian. Not that bad either. But again, just nowhere near as strong as it needs to be. Latvia did something similar at Eurovision in 2007 but it was roughly about 47.5 million times better.

Osmo Ikonen - Heaven or hell (Osmo Ikonen)

A really poor attempt at trying to recreate Maroon 5’s ‘This Love’.

Heli Kajo - Annankadun kulmassa (Heli Kajo)

A pleasant enough retrospective jaunt through music. But ultimately rather bland.

Veeti Kallio - Kerro mulle rakkaudesta (Veeti Kallio/ Pekka Ruuska)

Dull dull dull.

Antti Kleemola - Sun puolella (Antti Kleemola / Mikko Karjalainen)

A bit of a sweeping, almost epic ballad. Lots of piano. This was one of the few that we managed to listen to until the very end. And actually, probably wouldn’t object too much if we had to listen to again. But that’s hardly a glowing review is it?! And he left a key change out where there was ample room for it.

Kuunkuiskaajat - Työlki ellää (Timo Kiiskinen)

These girls looked like they were gonna be fun! And they are. Just not the sort of fun we were hoping for. It’s silly, yet traditional. It sounds vaguely schlager, but not enough for us to like it. The best comparison is that it sounds like a more upbeat version of ‘Femme Fatale’ – the Cypriot entry of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2008.

Nina Lassander - Cider Hill (Janne Hyöty / Paul Oxley)

A nice ballad.

Linn - Fatal moment (Sebastian Holmgård /Linn Nygård)

This is all a bit Evanescence/Within Temptation. The chorus is frightfully weak though and lets the song down completely.

Maria Lund - Sydän ymmärtää (Valtteri Tynkkynen / Maria Lund / Heikki Salo)

A sort of throwback to fifties music. We can imagine it looking great on stage, given the upbeat tempo of the track and especially Maria’s striking prettiness. But on record it doesn’t appeal to us at all.

Monday - Play (Tuomas ”Gary” Keskinen / Salla Lehtinen)

The chorus is ok. But nothing else about this is in any way good whatsoever.

Sister Twister - Love at first sight (Elin Blom, Jonas Olsson)

A likeable enough pop/rock number. The chorus is quite catchy. It’s all very Sinead Mulvey and Black Daisy!

What a truly terrible bunch of songs! It was like wading through treacle. Very disappointing for Finland. There are only about three that we actually like. It needs to be either Amadeus or Sister Twister that go to Eurovision. That would be very good.

You can listen to the songs (at your peril) here (http://euroviisut.yle.fi/euroviisut/2009-11-30/kappaleet)

[Shiva]

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/2009se-alcazar.jpgHeadlines

Nothing confirmed yet, but according to 'sources', Alcazar will be one of the remaining artists to be presented by SVT next monday as contestants in melodifestivalen 2010, the Swedish national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. The song Headlines is said to be their MF entry.

Alcazar already participated three times in MF, without ever winning. This spring they were very succesfull with their entry in the contest this year, Stay The Night. That song made it to the fifth position in Melodifestivalen 2009.
Headlines is written by Tony Nilsson and Peter Boström. On Monday we will know if this rumour is true...

Sweden: Peter Jöback third Swedish wildcard
http://3minutes.me/images/stories/2010se_jback.jpg

Only one more joker to go….

Tonight SVT has revealed the third joker, being Peter Jöback. He will sing Hollow in Melodifestivalen 2010, written by Anders Hansson and Fredrik Kempe. Already in 1990 Jöback participated in Melodifestivalen, with En sensation.

Peter Jöback - Stockholm inatt "Peter is the artist I've been trying to convince to participate, the longest. he is very professional, always delivering a high international level. I'm very proud he finally will show how big an artist he is in melodifestivalen", Christer Björkman responds.

With this song 16 out of 32 songs are known.
Source: SVT

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/unserstar.jpgGermany: More details on 'Unser Star Für Oslo'

Twenty artists selected.

The Germans are going to select their candidate for Oslo on 12 March. The first preselection starts at 2 February. A total of 4500 people auditioned during the castings. Twenty of them have been selected for the preselections. In the first two shows 10 candidates each will be presented. Half of them will make it to the next round.

Eventually in the final only two artists will be left. The candidates are being judged by a jury, but the final decision will be made by televoting.
Source: NDR, Songfestival.web-log.nl

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/flag_israel.jpgIsrael: Member of Knesset wants douze points

Eurovision and politics….

Alex Miller, member of the Yisrael Beiteinu party in the Israeli parliament Knesset believes that the Knesset must be fully involved in the process of selecting the song that will represent Israel in the song contest, in view of the "importance of the Eurovision contest," a special parliamentary debate should be held.

Miller asked the Knesset Speaker's Office yesterday for such a debate to be held; its focus will be the preparations for the upcoming Eurovision contest in Norway next year.

"Many countries from all over Europe participate in the event, and it allows Israel to present its artistic and cultural face to millions of people in every continent," Miller explained. "Preparations for the competition should not include only the selection of the song and the performers, but also the preparation of a public relations structure that would stand up to the media covering the event and which at times drags it into political issues," he added.

Miller said yesterday that "the contest will take place in a number of months and it seems that this year the preparations are [going] slow, if at all, and therefore it is appropriate for the Knesset to discuss the matter, since a significant amount of money is invested in it. A good performance and public relations will serve not only Israeli creativity but will also offer a golden opportunity for enormous tourist exposure."

Miller would like to invite to the discussion representatives from the Israel Broadcasting Authority, from the Ministry of Information and Diaspora, as well as artists and figures from Israel's cultural scene.

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/2010dk_hosts.jpgDenmark: Hosts MGP announced

We'll send a song that can win!

The fab four for Denmark, that is to say the presenters for Danish Melodi Grand Prix have been announced by DR. TV host Felix Smith and singer Julie Berthelsen are backed by guardian angels Jørgen de Mylius and Keld Heick. Their mission is to find a winning song for Denmark on 6 February in Aalborg's Gigantium.

A very great show is promissed by the hosts, where only the best will be good enough. Last year 1.7 million people watched the Danish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest.
Tickets for the final are still available through billetnet.dk

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/jordi_cubino.jpgPortugal: Jordi Cubino to compete with two songs

Deadline on 15 January

Oikotimes.com reports that Jordi Cubino is the first composer to announce the submission of songs to Portuguese national selection to the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. Jordi is Spanish; he’s the man who was behind David Bisbal's ‘Corazon Latino’ which narrowly lost out to Rosa in the 2002 Spanish Eurovision finals.

In his Curriculum he worked already with several others singers and groups, such as Luis Fonsi, Ainhoa, Marta Sanchez and Il Divo, with the label “Sony/ATV”. In 2008 he was “Cazanova” composer and lyricist, the song that represented Andorra in the Eurovision Song Contest, but failed to qualify to the final. Jordi told oikotimes.com that he will submit two songs to “Festival da Canção” – “a Ballad and a Pop-Latin entry”. Presently, he’s searching for singers; according to RTP’s rules, the song must be performed in Portuguese by a Portuguese singer or group.

January 15 is the deadline to submit songs. Many others foreign and national composers are expected to send songs to RTP.
Source: Oikotimes.com

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/yolanthe_cabau.jpgNetherlands: Yolanthe Cabau van Kasbergen will be Dutch host

More details about NSF.

Yolanthe Cabau van Kasbergen is going to host the Nationaal Songfestival 2010, Tros confirmed today to our partner site songfestival.web-log.nl. Yolanthe: "The Eurovision Song Contest is the biigext musical event in the world. I feel honoured to be able to presen the Nationaal Songfestival live for TROS this year."

In 2009 Yolanthe presented the Dutch votes on behalf of the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest
In the first NSF show on 31 january 6 coaches will present an artist. The week after that they all get to sing their song, composed and written by Pierre Kartner. No artist names can be confirmed yet.

[amnesiac]

Sometimes I honestly think that Alcazar are the greatest band to have ever recorded music.

[amnesiac]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gXlbsb64iZE/SxlLm4PQ98I/AAAAAAAAEUE/XV7K5s71l54/s1600/Eurovision%2B2010.jpg

The EBU and Norwegian state broadcaster NRK today launched the theme and sublogo for next year's Eurovision Song Contest. It's pinker than an Alcazar v2009 album sleeve and has bubbles! Huzzah!

[amnesiac]

Admin favourite Maria Haukass Storeng is wearing a rather fabulous pair of massive flairs in NRK's promo shot for Melodi Grand Prix 2010.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gXlbsb64iZE/SxpNO5F4GuI/AAAAAAAAEUU/dPvw6JaYYec/s400/Maria+Haukaas+Storeng.jpg

[fair_bad]

Ugh flairs aren't back are they? *runs for the hills*

[amnesiac]

OMG, how fabulous are Lene Alexandra's blue marigolds?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gXlbsb64iZE/SxpNoAHKSmI/AAAAAAAAEUk/OIEyWiZQLyw/s400/Lene+Alexandra.jpg

MGP is the place to be in 2010 for quality schlager.

[Shiva]

MGP is the place to be in 2010 for quality schlager.

I have to agree with you on tthis, a distinct lack of it from Sweden this year. I'm thinking they want to send in a guy for some reason, last time that happened got them their worst result this decade.

[amnesiac]

There are men I would like to see represent Sweden...

http://www.kulturhuset.com/festival/festival06/magnus_carlsson.jpg

The lovely Magnus would be at the top of my wishlist.

http://themostwanted.blogg.se/images/rickard_engfors_1163758130.jpg

The fabulous Rickard Engfors

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/143/402674474_5915f9ef28.jpg

Christer Lindarw

http://www.mp3lyrics.org/d/darin-zanyar/darin-zanyar_9.Jpg

Dishy Darin

http://c.wrzuta.pl/wi19384/2194c09d0029e7e8476d6f7e/0/fotka%20mans

If Mans is in Oslo I'll have no problem convincing the other half to join us!

[amnesiac]

Top British comedian and TV personality Justin Lee Collins is attempting to participate in 2010 Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo. Rather than singing for the United Kingdom, Justin has taken the challenge of representing another country in the contest. In his search to find a suitable country Justin is considering a number of different possibilities and has this week visited Estonia, Andorra and Spain to explore the possibility of taking in part in their national finals. A camera crew from Tiger Aspect are currently recording Justin's effort for a special documentary to be shown on Channel FIVE in the UK in 2010.


As well searching for a country to represent, Justin has placed an advertisement in this weeks The Stage publication to find a song for his Eurovision campaign. All songs submitted must be in English and must not have had a public performance or have been made publicly available in any format. Composers are invited send a CD, lyric sheet, contact details and brief explanation describing what the song is about. All composers must state their nationality, as this will affect which county the song can be submitted to. Submissions are to be made to Corinne Brown, 5, Soho Square, London, W1D 3QA by 18 December 2009.



Justin is a self-confessed Eurovision Song Contest fan, having watched the contest since an early age. For this Eurovision campaign he has consulted and received support from music experts including EBU officials, journalists, past Eurovision performers, OGAE UK, esctoday.com and fans of the contest.

Over the last few years Justin has established himself to become one of most loved and popular TV performers in the UK with appearances on numerous shows including The Sunday Night Project, alongside fellow comedian Alan Carr. He has hosted a number of Bring Back... shows in which he reunites groups, normally associated with TV shows, or music bands.



Most recently he has appeared on a successful six-part series on Sky1 that showed the comedian taking on challenges to become a mexican wrestler, a surfer, a ballroom dancer, a ten pin bowler, a high diver and a West End star. In these shows Justin would typically show a positive attitude towards the subject matter alongside a gritty determination to succeed in the task at hand. Evidence of Justin’s vocal talent can be seen in the West End episode of Justin’s show in which he takes a starring role in the musical Chicago.


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[Shiva]

http://c.wrzuta.pl/wi19384/2194c09d0029e7e8476d6f7e/0/fotka%20mans

If Mans is in Oslo I'll have no problem convincing the other half to join us!

He is one of the 3 hosts this year, no performing for him [;-)]

[amnesiac]

He is one of the 3 hosts this year, no performing for him [;-)]

It was my boyhood dream to win Eurovision one year and host it the next a la Toto. Well with a bit more success than Toto!

[Shiva]

http://esctoday.com/images/logos/swe-mf-2010.jpg31 of 32 artists revealed
Sweden reveals more artists for Melodifestivalen

The Swedish broadcaster SVT has today revealed the rest of the names taking part in the country's selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. There is only one more wildcard left before the line-up is complete.

Today's list includes new names and artist that has competed before. Pernilla Wahlgren has been in Melodifestivalen 1985 the first time with the song Piccadilly Circus. She came fourth. The second time she performed Tvillingsjälv in 1991, a song by her colleague Lena Philipsson. The song didn't make it all the way. In 2003 Pernilla made a comeback in a duet with Jan Johansen performing Let the spirit fly, which made it to a third place. In 2010 she is back with the song Jag vill om du vågar.

Another group that has been in the competion three times before is Alcazar. All their songs have reached the final. Those were Not a sinner nor a saint in 2003 (third place), Alcastar in 2005 (third place) and Stay the night in 2009 (fifth place). Their 2010 song is called Headlines.

Elin Lanto reached Second chance round in 2007 with the song Money, in 2010 she is back with the song Doctor Doctor. One of the debut artists in Melodifestivalen is Anna Bergendahl, known from Swedish Idol 2008.

The last wilcard will be announced by SVT later.

Heat 1, Örnsköldsvik 6 February 2010:

* Jenny Silver - A place to stay
* Jessica Andersson - I did it for loveSalem - Keep on walking
* Ola - Unstoppable
* Pain of Salvation - Road salt
* Frispråkarn - Singel
* Anders Ekborg - The saviour
* Linda Pritchard - You're making me hot-hot-hot


Heat 2, Sandviken 13 February 2010:

* Highlights & MiSt - Come and get me now
* Andra Generationen & Dogge - Hippare Hoppare
* Anna-Maria Espinosa - Innan alla ljusen brunnit ut
* Hanna Lindblad - Manipulated
* Kalle Moraeus & Orsa Spelmän - Underbart
* Eric Saade - Manboy
* Andreas Johnson - We can work it out
* plus one more wild card



Heat 3, Göteborg 20 Febuary 2010:

* Elin Lanto - Doctor Doctor
* Erik Linder - Hur kan jag tro på kärleken?
* Timotej - Kom
* Johannes Bah Kuhnke - Tonight
* Getty - Yeba
* Alcazar - Headlines
* Crucified Barbara - Heaven or hell
* Darin Zanyar - Out of my life



Heat 4, Malmö, 27 February 2010:

* Peter Jöback - Hollow
* Neo - Human frontier
* Nån disciplin - Idiot
* Pernilla Wahlgren - Jag vill om du vågar
* Py Bäckman - Magisk stjärna
* Sibel - Stop
* Anna Bergendahl - This is my life
* Lovestoned - Thursdays

[amnesiac]

:-(

Not much schlager royalty in Melodifestivalen this year. Could it finally be Alcastar's year? What am amazing pedigree they have!

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And just to show they don't always get it right... their original performance of Alcastar which only scraped it through the final via Andra Chansen...

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The costumes!
Being miles off-key!
Annikafiore's horrendous key-change!

Thank God Tess made them all some new costumes and they went to Carola for some singing lessons before the final.

[amnesiac]

Oh my God! Nine out of thirty-six songs in this year's Song for Europe competition in Malta come from the schlagertastic pen of Gerard James Borg. Gerard has given us:



Desire (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desire_%28Eurovision_song%29) by Claudette Pace (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudette_Pace) (Stockholm 2000 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_Song_Contest_2000))
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7th Wonder (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7th_Wonder) by Ira Losco (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ira_Losco) (Tallinn 2002 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_Song_Contest_2002))
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On Again... Off Again (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Again..._Off_Again) by Julie & Ludwig (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julie_%26_Ludwig) (Istanbul 2004 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_Song_Contest_2004))
jOeCUkE0cUI
Vertigo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertigo_%28Eurovision_song%29) by Olivia Lewis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olivia_Lewis) (Helsinki 2007 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_Song_Contest_2007))
YeNevJOWt-o
Vodka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vodka_%28song%29) by Morena (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morena_Camilleri) (Belgrade 2008 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_Song_Contest_2008))
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As you can see Gerard is one of the finest schlager composers in the world! Hurrah for Mediterranean Schlager!

[Shiva]

http://escmalta.com/home/images/stories/Malta_Eurosong_2010_SF1_Fixed.jpgFirst six songs!

ESCMalta.com reports: The first heat of the upcoming national selection for the annual Eurovision Song Contest will be commencing this evening through the program "L-Isfida" which in turn is hosted by former representative Claudette Pace. The songs are set to start in the latter stages of the program.

The draw for the running order which determined the way in which each participant will be presenting his entry was conducted on Monday evening. All of this happened right after the second phase in which another set of musically inclined personnel made their choices behind closed doors with the results now sealed in an envelope within the possession of the broadcaster PBS. Below you can view the first list of participants.
The line-up for tonight:
01. Raquela - Here I Am (Philip Vella / Gerard James Borg)

Even though quite new to the music scene, Raquela has created a lot of hype after her appearance at last years' Eurosong competition where she sang the song "Crossroads" also composed by successful duo of Vella and Borg who have went to the Eurovision Song Contest a record five times all of them being within this part decade.

02. Ally - Curiosity (Elton Zarb / Gerard James Borg)

Pop singer Ally is not new to either the local music scene or the Eurovision scene having participated in previous Maltese national finals finishing in 14th place back in 1999 and 8th place last year as a solo artist whilst also placing in three consecutive top 8 finishes between 2004 and 2006 along with her sister Annalise. With regards to the team behind the entry, the combination is new but Gerard is known for both local and foreign entries whilst Elton Zarb is well-known for his song "Streetcar of Desire" performed by Petra Zammit back in 2008.

03. Richard Edwards - Change (Richard Micallef)

One third of the trio "The Mics" returns to the Eurosong competition as a solo artist for a very first time under the stage name Edwards. He writes his own music and lyrics and therefore no one really knows what to expect out of this particular entry.

04. Foxy Federation - Fired Up (Philip Vella / Gerard James Borg)

Everyone's head was rattled in trying to learn who this group consists of but we finally found out that it is made up of television host Stephanie Chircop, singer Andreana who competed in the 2001,2002,2004 and 2006 editions of the national selection as well as Claudia Dalli, the Maltese equivalent to tyra banks. The song is written by none other than Vella and Borg responsible for most of the Maltese entries this decade looking to start the next one on a high as well.

05. Klinsmann - Her Name Was Anne (Jonathan Spiteri & Klinsmann / Aldo Spiteri)

The Maltese hearthrob Klinsmann has decided to part ways with all of his former songwriters and work with a fresh team. Having participated in the national final a total of three times up till now finishing in various placings he has the experience to make it through yet another time.

06. J.Anvil - Mirage (Andrew Zahra / Deo Grech)

The well known singer, dancer and television presenter Ian James Vella otherwise known by his stage name as J.Anvil has participated in the national selection a total of three times up till now namely in 2005 finishing in third place, 2006 finishing in fourth place and in 2009 finishing in tenth place. He also co-hosted the event with Stephanie Spiteri back in 2007. With regards to the team behind the entry, Andrew Zahra and Deo Grech are not new to the scene with the latter returning after a four year absence.


The Malta Eurosong semi-finalists are expected to start performing at 22:15 CET. One can follow the show via the webcast. In the meantime, ESCMALTA.com will be carrying out a live report along with guest commentating by Irish editor Keith Mills.
Watch it live here (mms://live.di-ve.com/encoder_tvm)
Source: ESCMALTA.com

[Shiva]

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/Malta_Eurosong_2010_Logo.jpgMalta Eurosong 2010 - 1st semi

Malta was the first country to officially kick of its Eurovision Selection, this year. In a show hosted by former Malteste representative Claudette Pace, the first six songs of Eurosong 2010 were presented. Televoters have all week to pick the songs that are proceeding to the final

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/food/mt.png 09.12.2010
PBS | L-Isfida _Eurosong
Hosted by Claudette Pace
1 Raquela - Here I Am (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW7UA3-mlq4)
2 Ally - Curiosity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SIUqgeoH7E)
3 Richard Edwards - Change (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omx1oaK1LBc)
4 Foxy Federation - Fired Up (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT8-fA73N7M)
5 Klinsmann - Her Name Was Anne (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avDNnIeG0Os)
6 J.Anvil - Mirage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oqJHYgRI9o)

My favourite was Foxy Federation.

- The posing and pouting at the start in front of a group of bored-looking school children.

- The dramatic flinging of the shiny raincoats on the floor.

- The multitude of strutting with the fabulous heels.

- The head flicking with hair going all over one of the Foxes faces.

- The "break it down!" bit in the middle, complete with shoulder shrug dance.

- The hand flicking and "Hot! Hot!" bit.

But where's the key-change girls? Can't you get Sir Gerard to shove on in just after the break it down, shoulder shrugging bit in time for the finals..?

What a fabulous start to the 2010 schlager season!

[amnesiac]

Shiva, you know I am one of Gerard James Borg's biggest fans but I hope there's a lot better to come in his next eight entries! Foxy Federation resemble a tone deaf Sheeba tribute act. ''Fired Up'' would have sounded tired and cliched on stage in Oslo in 1996.

[Shiva]

Shiva, you know I am one of Gerard James Borg's biggest fans but I hope there's a lot better to come in his next eight entries! Foxy Federation resemble a tone deaf Sheeba tribute act. ''Fired Up'' would have sounded tired and cliched on stage in Oslo in 1996.

It was my favourite out of the 6 [;-)]

[Shiva]

http://dynimg.rte.ie/0002d3b3-288.jpg

As reported by esctoday.com earlier this week, Irish broadcaster RTÉ today has launched its' call for songs for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 to be staged in Oslo, Norway.

This year the selection process is called Eurosong 2010. The process is based on last year's selection format with a few modifications. It will be a Late Late Show special on a date to be confirmed in early March, where five songs will compete to decide Ireland's Eurovision entry.

RTÉ has decided to re-appoint the same five members to the judging panel as last year, chaired by Linda Martin. All five reflect different expertise both in the music industry and the Eurovision Song Contest itself. The other four members are: Julian Benson, choreographer; Mark Crossingham, MD Universal Music Ireland; Larry Gogan, Irish radio broadcaster and Diarmuid Furlong, Eurovision Song Contest expert and fan.

The Irish broadcaster has also decided, in response to the panel's observations, to give them more flexibility in relation to the selection of songs and the pairing of songs with performers. They believe that for an improved performance by Ireland in this highly competitive event, serious and detailed deliberation is required by the judging panel on all the possible options.

RTÉ is inviting entries that include the song, the proposed performer(s) and any proposed performance/staging details, for consideration by the judging panel. The judging panel and RTÉ will have the final decision on the performer of any song selected by the judging panel for Eurosong 2010 final and the judging panel will be entitled to engage in discussions with any songwriter or performer or combination of these in respect of any entry, with a view to selecting the strongest possible combination of song and performer for the Eurosong 2010 selection and the Eurovision Song Contest itself. This includes the possibility of matching a song entry with a performer selected by the judging panel who is different to the performer that performs on the recording submitted with the song entry and also the possibility of matching a performer of a song entry with another song entry.

Ireland's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 will be selected from the five finalists by a combination of regional jury and public televote to be held on the night of Eurosong 2010, the winning entry to be the one that gets the highest number of combined votes on the night.

The closing date for entries will be at noon on Monday, the 01st of February, 2010. Entries should be submitted to:

Eurosong 2010,
RTÉ Entertainment,
Donnybrook,
Dublin 4,
Ireland.

Further information including the rules can be found on the RTÉ Eurovision Song Contest website here (http://www.rte.ie/tv/eurovision/).

[amnesiac]

I'm disappointed that the same judging panel is being used again this year to select the songs for the final. I think the whole Dustin thing spooked a lot of talented people who were starting to consider Eurovision as a realistic platform to showcase their musical talents. I'd love to see experienced and talented performers and songwriters get involved in Eurosong but I don't think that's very likely.

However, Shiva and I are working on an absolutely fabulous Schlager stomper called ''Tongue Twister'' that we are thinking of submitting.

Why did I even post that? I presume it's just you and me who still read this thread?

[:-D]

[amnesiac]

Af5wOAnGiuo

This is possibly the biggest argument both for and against the introduction of live music at the Eurovision Song Contest!

[Shiva]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/SyPyLmU9REI/AAAAAAAAJyY/ZYaxrRzSWt8/s200/andorra.jpg

So it's finally clear, Andorra is not taking part in Oslo 2010 for financial reasons. Such a shame as the Andorran songs haven't been as bad the result list might suggest: they debuted in 2004 with Marta Roure's Jugarem a estimar-nos and scored only 18th place in the semifinal. The year after Marian van de Wal's La mirada interior came 23rd in the semifinal, just like Jenny's Sense tu in 2006. In Helsinki 2007 the boyband Anonymous and their Salvem el món was considered a sure qualifier but no, 12th place in semifinal wasn't enough for a final and what an injustuce that was! In 2008 Gisela took Casanova 16th in semifinal and won the Barbara Dex award for the worst outfit. Last year Susanne Georgi's La teva desició (Get a life) also deserved a final place but no, 15th place only in the semifinal. Well, hopefully Andorra will return in 2011 and finally get to the final!

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/SyIAQxsBuCI/AAAAAAAAJyA/Q27NYUEBdqE/s400/mgp+nor.jpgNorway: Artists for the 2nd semifinal revealed

The second Norwegian semifinal sees the return as Rolf Lovland as composer for Maria Arredondo - will he beat Johnny Logan and score his third ESC victory? - and debut of a-ha's Morten Harket's daughter Tomine. Also Alexander Stenerud is back:

Venke Knutson - Jealous couse I love you
Heine Totland - The best of me is you
Skanksters - Life is here today
Tomine Harket - Be good to me
Maria Arredondo - The touch
Alexander Stenerud - Give it to me
Hanne Haugsand - Don't stop

[Invincible]

Shame about Andorra. I really love their 2009 song. 7 months on and i could still listen to it over and over again.

[amnesiac]

The numbers are starting to noticeably drop for Oslo 2010...

[Shiva]

The numbers are starting to noticeably drop for Oslo 2010...

We have 38 confirmed entrants, remember they sent out 53 invites for 45 spaces this year.

Albania · Azerbaijan · Belarus · Belgium · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus · Denmark · Estonia · Finland · France · Germany · Iceland · Ireland · Macedonia · Malta · Moldova · Netherlands · Norway · Poland · Portugal · Romania · Russia · Serbia · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Sweden · Switzerland · Turkey

Countries like Georgia haven't confirmed but want to enter, they still have a few days left. Oh the countries that normally enter Hungary, Andorra, Lithuania and the Czech Republic have confirmed they won't this year with the Czech Republic pulling out completely.

[amnesiac]

We have 38 confirmed entrants, remember they sent out 53 invites for 45 spaces this year.

Albania · Azerbaijan · Belarus · Belgium · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus · Denmark · Estonia · Finland · France · Germany · Iceland · Ireland · Macedonia · Malta · Moldova · Netherlands · Norway · Poland · Portugal · Romania · Russia · Serbia · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Sweden · Switzerland · Turkey

Countries like Georgia haven't confirmed but want to enter, they still have a few days left. Oh the countries that normally enter Hungary, Andorra, Lithuania and the Czech Republic have confirmed they won't this year with the Czech Republic pulling out completely.

We should jet out to Luxembourg and convince them they could make a spectacular return with Tongue Twister!

[amnesiac]

d3DJZ25OzFY

Ik Ben Verliefd, Shalalie (I Am In Love, Shalalie) is next year's Dutch entry for the Eurovision Song Contest and the the first song known for the upcoming contest in Oslo, Norway. It's a complete pile of piss. Six up and coming Dutch artists are going to compete on Dutch TV to make the song their own and take it to Oslo. If I was an up and coming Dutch singer I wouldn't go near this rot with a ten foot barge poll.

Let's remember a great Dutch winner from 1975 instead.

jF7f38-5pp8

[amnesiac]

And hot on the heels of the Dutch anouncement, Swiss TV SF have confirmed the not very attractive Michael von der Heide will be singing Il Pleut de l'Or in Oslo.

http://www.eurovision.tv/save-files/img/upload/news/2010/Switzerland/bild1_news_article_main_element-RESIZE-250-.jpg

And again, let's remember a great Swiss winner. The year is 1988, Dublin is celebrating it's millenium year and a little known Canadian girl called Celine comes to the RDS with a big chanson.

8pEYw8PcBas

[Invincible]

Ahm, i kinda like the Dutch song[:'']. It reminds me of 'Shalala Lala' by the Vengaboys.

And [:-))]@the "not very attractive" Swiss singer.

[amnesiac]

Ahm, i kinda like the Dutch song[:'']. It reminds me of 'Shalala Lala' by the Vengaboys.

And [:-))]@the "not very attractive" Swiss singer.

He looks like a cross between Stephen Gately and Jimmy Krankie.

[Shiva]

He looks like a cross between Stephen Gately and Jimmy Krankie.

He looks like a cross between Noddy and a pedophile!

[Invincible]

He looks like a cross between Noddy and a pedophile!

HAHAHAHA!!!! He actually does!! "Come here to me little children..."

[amnesiac]

http://www.lugaluda.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/boyzone-singer-stephen-gately.jpeg+http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/01/08/article-1110069-01EB3B220000044D-119_235x202.jpg=http://www.eurovision.tv/save-files/img/upload/news/2010/Switzerland/bild1_news_article_main_element-RESIZE-250-.jpg

[Invincible]

I was wondering who Jimmy Krankie was. I'm still not certain, but the face is vaguely familiar!

[Shiva]

I was wondering who Jimmy Krankie was. I'm still not certain, but the face is vaguely familiar!

An old tiny English woman who plays a cranky schoolboy

[Shiva]

The last 7 participants of MGP 2010 have been announced. A few interesting names, but nothing is up there with Lene Alexandra and Venke Knutson for us!

1: Mira Craig - I’ll take you high (Mira Craig)
2: Fred Endresen - Barracs on the hill (Fred Endresen, Olaf Owre)
3: Belinda Braza - Million Dollar Baby (Robin Nordahl, Frode Andersen & Gerard James Borg)
4: Didrik Solli-Tangen - My heart is yours (Hanne Sorvaag & Fredrik Kempe)
5: The Diamond - European girl (Matias Tellez, Hakon Njoten & Axel Vindenes)
6: Karoline Garfjell - Tokyo night (Aggie Peterson)
7: A1 - Don’t want to lose you again (Ben Adams, Mark Read, Christian Ingebrigtsen, David Eriksen)

http://gfx.nrk.no/N5uA_6CUcVBqGk3ymhWxzgpGljby09t98Mr1NOO2lXOA.jpg

British boyband a1 (oh Christian!) are in there with a song called ‘Don’t Wanna Lose You Again’. We’re hopeful that it’s gonna be a catchy sort but are resigned to the fact that it’ll probably be more ‘Caught In The Middle’ than ‘Be The First To Believe’! Mira Craig enters as an artist, two years after winning MGP as a songwriter – she composed Maria Haukaas Storeng’s ‘Hold On Be Strong’. Mira has composed her own song this time around. And with Maria taking part in the competition too, it’ll be interesting if they come face to face in the final!

http://gfx.nrk.no/t1FLzWkNVYyRJ6OQp3HctAfIfZkqoUSUs-a_INGeb-Ow.jpg

Didrik Solli-Tangen is taking part with a ballad composed by Fredrik Kempe and Hannah Sorvaag – two of our favourite songwriters. Didrik is an opera singer, and the last time Fredrik composed a track for an opera singer, we got ‘La Voix’ by Malena Ernman! Karoline Garfjell seems interesting – she is an Idol graduate gone electro, which of course is the same path that brought us Margaret Berger. And she does look quite ‘pop’ doesn’t she?!

http://gfx.nrk.no/KX3MmcZuyDOJC_D3lirNGQGIvwZ-yaOmaarH-EVuZcrQ.jpg

Belinda Braza looks like fun too!

http://gfx.nrk.no/2Vd3CSN5tLilZxKwwu1gfw6suGF7do9d5Lm-hzfukOVA.jpg

All the fun of MGP kicks off on Saturday January 9th. And the artists above will compete in Heat 3 on Saturday January 23rd.

Here is the full list:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/SxkVgH29LiI/AAAAAAAAJwQ/nugMArY-K3w/s1600/norway%2Bmgp%2B2010%2Bsf%2B1.bmp

1st semi final, 8 January
- Gaute Ormåsen - Synk eller svøm (Gaute Ormåsen, Laila Samuelsen & Kim Bergseth)
- Lene Alexandra - Prima Donna (Lene Alexandra Øien, Jarl Aanestad & Simon Walker)
- Johnny Hide - Rewind Love (Julian Berntzen)
- Bjørn Johan Muri - Yes Man (Simone Larsen, Simen Eriksrud & Bjørn Johan Muri)
- Elisabeth Carew - Rocketfuel (Elisabeth Carew & Thomas Eriksen)
- Maria Haukaas Storeng - Make My Day (Merethe LaVerdi)
- Keep Of Kalessin - The Dragontower (Arnt Obsidian Grønbech, Torbjørn Schei, Vegar Larsen & Robin Isaksen

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/SyIAQxsBuCI/AAAAAAAAJyA/Q27NYUEBdqE/s1600/mgp%2Bnor.jpg

2nd semi final, 16 January
- Venke Knutson - Jealous couse I love you (Laila Samuelsen, Alexander Kronlund, Lucas Hilbert)
- Heine Totland - The best of me is you (Heine Totland, Hans Petter Aaserud & Arne Hovda)
- Skanksters - Life is here today (Arne Hovda)
- Tomine Harket - Be good to me (Tommy LaVerdi & Peter Ställmark)
- Maria Arredondo - The touch (Rolf Løvland)
- Alexander Stenerud - Give it to me (Alexander Stenerud)
- Hanne Haugsand - Don't stop (Mariann Thomassen & Lars Erik Westby)

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/SyqDc7b5spI/AAAAAAAAJzw/lKzqsRzfs7w/s1600/no%2Bmgp%2Bsf%2B3.jpg
3rd semi final, 23 January
- Mira Craig - I'll take you high (Mira Craig)
- Fred Endresen - Barracs on the hill (Fred Endresen, Olaf Øwre)
- Belinda Braza - Million Dollar Baby (Robin Nordahl, Frode Andersen & Gerard James Borg)
- Didrik Solli-Tangen - My heart is yours (Hanne Sørvaag & Fredrik Kempe)
- The Diamond - European girl (Matias Tellez, Håkon Njøten & Axel Vindenes)
- Karoline Garfjell - Tokyo night (Aggie Peterson)
- A1 - Don't want to lose you again (Ben Adams, Mark Read, Christian Ingebrigtsen, David Eriksen)

[Shiva]

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/flag_albania.jpgTirana calling…..

After two presentation nights and one semi final, Albania will decide today who will represent the country in Oslo at the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest. See the list of participants below. The running order is unknown and will be revealed in tonight's show.

- Anjeza Shahini - Në pasqyrë (Sokol Marsi, Sokol Marsi & Jorgo Papingji, Shpetim Saraçi)
- Teuta Kurti - Mall i pashuar (Faton Dolaku, Pleurat Kurti, Faton Dolaku)
- Claudio La Regina - Ave Maria (Scaravglione, Scaravglione, Scaravglione)
- Kamela Islami - Gjëra të thjeshta (Kristi Popa, Florion Zyko)
- Bojken Lako & Banda Adriatica - Love love love (Bojken Lako, Bojken Lako & Banda Adriatica, Bojken Lako & Banda Adriatica)
- Pirro Çako - Një tjetër jetë (Pirro Çako, Ardit Gjebrea, Adrian Hila)
- Dorina Garuci - Sekreti i dashurisë (Klodian Qafoku, Arben Duka, Klodian Qafoku)
- Juliana Pasha - Nuk mundem pa ty (Ardit Gjebrea, Ardit Gjebrea & Pirro Çako, Shpetim Saraçi)
- Denisa Macaj - Aria (Adrian Hila, Pandi Laço, Adrian Hila)
- Erga Halilaj - Party (Dorian Nini, Adrian Nini, Gent Myftaraj)
- Era Rusi - Fjalë dhe gjunjë (Arsen Nasi, Alina Laço, Bledar Skenderi)
- Flaka Krelani - Lë të bëhet çfare te doje (Edmond Zhulali, Jorgo Papingji, Edmond Zhulali)
- Mariza Ikonomi - Vazhdoj këndoj (Mariza Ikonomi, Mariza Ikonomi, Kristi Popa)
- Erti Hizmo & Lindita Halimi - Nuk të dorezohem (Gent Myftaraj, Pandi Laço, Gent Myftaraj)
- Stefi & Endrri Prifti - U dogja mrekullisht (Stefi Prifti, Marina Prifti, Shpetim Saraçi)
- Guximtar Rushani - Gëzuar (Agim Poshka, Olsa Maze, Agim Poshka)
- Rovena Dilo - Përtej kohës (Rovena Dilo, Rovena Dilo, Endri Sina)
- Kejsi Tola - Ndonjëherë (Voltan Prodani, Timo Flloko, Voltan Prodani)
- Goldi Halili - Tirana Brodway (Agim Krajka, Goldi Halili, Agim Krajka)
- Iris Hoxha - Zërin tim ta ndjesh (Edmond Rrapi, Ledi Shqiponja, Edmond Rrapi)

Isreali entrant?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXlbsb64iZE/SzN8ZS-fYSI/AAAAAAAAEWk/JKFFCZX35kI/s320/Harel+Skaat3.jpg

Esctoday are reporting that Harel Ska'at might represent Israel in Oslo. He was rumoured to be taking part in 2009 but we got those two boring women instead. Perhaps Harel will give us a lick of his lolly...

[Shiva]

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/flag_albania.jpg

0eyfdIsVuZk

Maybe if Juliana finds a tune and shoves in a key-change "Nuk mundem pa ty" might just about be OK. Borrowing Kejsi's dancer's glittery green gimp suit would certainly liven it up anyway.

[amnesiac]

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/flag_albania.jpg

0eyfdIsVuZk

Maybe if Juliana finds a tune and shoves in a key-change "Nuk mundem pa ty" might just about be OK. Borrowing Kejsi's dancer's glittery green gimp suit would certainly liven it up anyway.

Doesn't look like Tirana 2011 does it?

Alabanian entries have a funny habit of improving quite a bit between the national final and the Eurovision proper.

[Shiva]

Thanks to Spiller for this one.

http://www.esctoday.com/images/logos/share.jpgThe final list of participants for the 2010 running of the Eurovision Song Contest is out. A total of 39 countries will be represented in Oslo, 3 less than in 2009. The Lithuanian broadcaster, LRT, who earlier announced their withdrawal, will finally send a representative to Norway.

* Albania (RTVSH)
* Armenia (AMPTV)
* Azerbaijan (Ictimai TV)
* Belarus (BTRC)
* Belgium (VRT)
* Bosnia & Herzegovina (BHRT)
* Bulgaria (BNT)
* Croatia (HRT)
* Cyprus (CyBC)
* Denmark (DR)
* Estonia (ERR)
* Finland (YLE)
* France (FT3)
* FYR Macedonia (MKRTV)
* Georgia (GEGT)
* Germany (NDR/ARD)
* Greece (ERT)
* Iceland (RÚV)
* Ireland (RTÉ)
* Israel (IBA)
* Latvia (LTV)
* Lithuania (LRT)
* Malta (PBS)
* Moldova (TRM)
* The Netherlands (TROS)
* Norway (NRK)
* Poland (TVP)
* Portugal (RTP)
* Romania (TVR)
* Russia (RTR)
* Serbia (RTS)
* Slovakia (STV)
* Slovenia (RTVSLO)
* Spain (TVE)
* Sweden (SVT)
* Switzerland (SRG / SSR)
* Turkey (TRT)
* Ukraine (NTU)
* United Kingdom (BBC)

Georgia returns to the competition after sitting out last year. Andorra, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Montenegro all sit it out this year.

As there are 39 entries, the big 4 (France, Germany, Spain and the UK) plus last years winners, Norway, are automatically in the final on May 29th. Each semi final will have 17 entries. These will take place on the 25th and 27th May.

The 2010 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will hence see 39 countries on stage, 3 less than this year, when 42 broadcasters sent a representative to Moscow. The withdrawals of Andorra, Montenegro, Hungary and the Czech Republic are now confirmed by the list released by the EBU, unlike that of Lithuania. The country's broadcaster LRT announced weeks ago that they had formally withdrawn from the competition, but they still were hoping for additional funding to make it to Oslo next year. They finally got it thanks to a partnership agreement signed with the company Teo LT. Georgia also returns to Eurovision after its absence last year.

As usual, the big-4 countries plus the host nation Norway have already secured a spot in the final. The rest of the countries, 34, will be allocated into one of the two semifinals - 17 in each - to be held on the 25th and 27th of May. Per Semi-Final, 10 countries will qualify for the final, bringing the total amount of finalists to 25. The Semi-Final allocation draw, to determine which country will take place in which Semi-Final, is scheduled to take place in early February. The draw for the running order will take place on 22 March. The outcome of the three shows will be decided via a combination of jury vote and televote at a 50/50 split.

Svante Stockselius, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of the EBU, said to Eurovision.tv: "Despite the tough economic situation, 39 broadcasters signed up for the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest, proving that it is still Europe's favourite TV-show. We are also happy to have Georgia back in the competition." About the upcoming contest he said: "I am confident we can expect an extraordinary event in Oslo, full of surprises. It's going to be exciting for sure, and we are looking forward to bring Europe and the world some great new songs!" .

[amnesiac]

I think shorter semi finals of 17 entries will make for more enjoyable broadcasts. Not that I'll be watching them on TV ;-)

[Shiva]

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/flag_iceland.jpgThis Saturday also Iceland will start its quest for a song for Oslo. Today national broadcaster RÚV released the first five songs from a total of fifteen. Two of them will proceed to the final on 6 February. Click on the links to listen to the songs.

http://dagskra.ruv.is/ruv_media/photologue/photos/cache/songvakeppni--12_medium.jpgYou Are The One - Kolbrún Eva Viktorsdóttir (http://http.ruv.straumar.is/static.ruv.is/dagskrarvefur/myndskeid/01_You_Are_The_One.mp3)

http://dagskra.ruv.is/ruv_media/photologue/photos/cache/songvakeppni--2_medium.jpgThe One - Íris Hólm (http://http.ruv.straumar.is/static.ruv.is/dagskrarvefur/myndskeid/01_The_One.mp3)

http://dagskra.ruv.is/ruv_media/photologue/photos/cache/songvakeppni--11_medium.jpgOut Of Sight - Matti Matt (http://http.ruv.straumar.is/static.ruv.is/dagskrarvefur/myndskeid/01_Out_Of_Sight.mp3)

http://dagskra.ruv.is/ruv_media/photologue/photos/cache/songvakeppni--8_medium.jpgYou Knocked Upon My Door - Sjonni Brink (http://http.ruv.straumar.is/static.ruv.is/dagskrarvefur/myndskeid/You_knocked_upon_my_door_mix_final.mp3)

http://dagskra.ruv.is/ruv_media/photologue/photos/cache/songvakeppni--18_medium.jpgIn The Future - Karen Pálsdóttir (http://http.ruv.straumar.is/static.ruv.is/dagskrarvefur/myndskeid/01_In_The_Future.mp3)

[Invincible]

Oh sweet divine mother of jesus, but look at matti matt!! LOOK AT HIM!!!

[:-))]

[Shiva]

Oh sweet divine mother of jesus, but look at matti matt!! LOOK AT HIM!!!

[:-))]

He looks like an alien from Dr Who [:-))]

[Carraigrock]

Oh sweet divine mother of jesus, but look at matti matt!! LOOK AT HIM!!!

[:-))]
thought you'd fancy him alright.....[;-)]

[amnesiac]

Oh sweet divine mother of jesus, but look at matti matt!! LOOK AT HIM!!!

[:-))]

He looks exactly like a guy who used freak the hell out of me every Saturday night when I worked in The Other Place.

[amnesiac]

Many thanks to Shiva for sharing this FAB SVT Melodifestivalen preview (http://svtplay.se/v/1835417/melodifestivalen_2010/melodifestivalen_2010_-_vagen_till_oslo) programme with me!

Min karlek! Oh Shirley how we miss thee!

[Shiva]

Carola, Shirley, Abba, Charlotte, BWO, Alcazar et al, this has everything all in one hour :)

[amnesiac]

Carola, Shirley, Abba, Charlotte, BWO, Alcazar et al, this has everything all in one hour :)

And Linda! And Agnes! Even Maria FFS!

[amnesiac]

Afro-dite!

Screeeeeeeeeeam.

[Shiva]

And Lena back in the 80's, with THAT hair!

[Shiva]

http://esctoday.com/images/2009_esc/pauline.jpgPauline, fourth and last Melodifestivalen wildcard

The fourth and last Swedish wildcard for the 2010 Melodifestivalen has been announced a moments ago. Pauline, Malmö-based soul and R&B artist, will compete to represent Sweden in Eurovision with the song Sucker for love.

The song was composed by Fredrik "Fredro" Ödesjö, Andreas Levander, Johan "Jones" Wetterberg and penned by Pauline Kamusewu herself. Pauline will compete in the second Melodifestivalen semifinal, scheduled to take place in Sandviken, on the 13th of February.

"Pauline stands for a genre and an artistry that we rarely see in the Eurovision Song Contest, making her participation especially exciting", said Christer Björkman, producer of Melodifestivalen 2010.

After Pauline's announcement, all 32 competitors at this year's Melodifestivalen are already known. The running order for each of the semifinals will be held at a later date.

Below you can see a couple of videos from Pauline:
qjQ3RWpGVmY

fPHqzSTe37Y

[Shiva]

http://escmalta.com/home/images/stories/Finland_Selection_2009_Logo.jpgFinland: Tonight 1st Heat of Euroviisut 2010

The Finnish broadcaster YLE who were the hosts of the Eurovision Song Contest back in 2007 will be initiated their official selection procedure this evening when the first semi-final is set to take place. Expectations are running high for a good result to be achieved following last years' unflattering 24th position.

The selection bearing the name "Euroviisut 2010" will be taking place within the city of Tampere where the Exhibition Centre is being used as a concert hall as from 20:00 CET which translated in 21:00 in their local time. The hosts for the evening will be Mikko Peltola and Jaana Pelkonen and the broadcast will be taking place through YLE 2. Five entries are set to be presented this evening whilst the top three from the tele-voting session will be moving forward into the final round whilst the other two will be fighing it out in order to obtain the illustrious jury wildcard.

This evenings' line-up:

1. Amadeus Lundberg - Anastacia
(Risto Asikainen, Ilkka Vainio)

2. Bääbs - You don't know tomorrow
(Tommi Forsström, Riku Kärkkäinen/Riku Kärkkäine)

3. BOB - America (I think I love you)
(Kimmo Blom)

4. Nina Lassander - Cider Hill
(Janne Hyöty, Paul Oxley)

5. Pentti Hietanen - Il mondo è qui
(Lasse Heikkilä, Petri Kaivanto, Stefano de Sando)

Unfortunately the show will not be transmitted internationally as the only webcast available will be for Finnish residents only and therefore only the Finns can notify us on what is actually going about.

Estonia: Record Number of Submissions Received

The broadcaster which almost withdrew from the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest set to be held in one of their neighbouring countries being Norway, announced that the Eesti Laul competition received the highest number of applications in it's lengthy history and therefore are quite happy with the high interesting which is mostly due to the sixth place achieved in Moscow, Russia last year.

The Head of Entertainment within the broadcasting company, Mart Normet stated "It shows that Eesti Laul competition lives, breathes and rocks! It will be very hard for the jury to pick the best ten songs". Therefore one should not that 144 songs will be declined fromsuch an opportunity. An eleven member jury will be convening next Monday in order to listen to all of the entries submitted and making their choice with the finalists set to be announced through the daily televisionprogram Ringvaade broadcasted on the station itself.

In the meantime, it seems that interest in participation has come from all forms of singers in the Estonian music industry including former representative Koit Toome who took to the stage in Birmingham finishing in 12th place. Other people who are trying to represent the nation include former Pop Idol winners and finalists namely Birgit Oigemaal who finishing third in Eesti Laul 2008, Jana Kask, Ott Lepland, Taavi Petersen, Kristina Piperal, Marten Kuningas and Birgit Varjun.

[Shiva]

It's been a busy weekend with a few previews and Scandanavia starting most of their processes.

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/flag_iceland.jpgIceland Söngvakeppni 1st semi

Five songs competed Saturday for two places in the Icelandic National Final. Matthias and Íris are the ones that managed to reach the final. Yohanna provided the interval, first talking about her glorious year, then joined by last year's runner up Ingo they performed some songs together.

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/food/is.png09.01.2010
RÚV | Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins
First Semi Final

1 Íris Hólm - The One (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xG6o_zxzWY&feature=player_embedded) to final
2 Karen Pálsdóttir - In The Future (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpdSd3N09hU&feature=player_embedded)
3 Kolbrún Eva Viktorsdóttir - You Are The One (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLCwS8xZmzI&feature=player_embedded)
4 Sigurjon Brink - You Knocked On My Door (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fY1T5iHZiQ&feature=player_embedded)
5 Matthias Matthiasson - Out Of Sight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lROOqsX_RMQ&feature=player_embedded) to final

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/2010ch_MichaelVonDerHeide.jpgSwitzerland: Song presented

Il pleut de l'or
4i4T03Odc8U

We're loving Michael Von Der Heide's gold lamé jacket made out of the spare material that was left over from the curtains at the back of the stage. And he's even got a Swedish "Invincible-esque" key-change.

Hurrah for Switzerland!

Slovenia: Nusa Derenda is back at it!
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/S0jjL9T6hvI/AAAAAAAAJ_I/TGC4vs9WIpI/s400/nusa+derenda+ema+2010.jpg

The semifinalists in Slovenia are already known for some time (read more here) (http://ilkar.blogspot.com/2009/12/samuel-and-sebastian-back-in-slovenia.html) and now we know also the seven direct finalists, amongst them Nusa Derenda who scored a 7th place back in 2001 with Energy, a big fan favourite. But she has been trying to win the national final also in 1999, 2003 and 2005, so this is her 5th attempt. Also Stereotipi (2008) and Lea Sirk (2009) have previous national final experience. Here are the chosen seven:

02. Nusa Derenda - Sanjajva
04. Tangels - Kaj in kam
06. Anastazija Juvan - Nezna
08. Hamo & Gal - Crni konji cez nebo
10. Stereotipi - Daj mi en znak
12. Vlado Pilja - Tudi fantje jocejo
14. Lea Sirk - Vampir je moj poet

Franka and the other Croatian hopefuls
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/S0joKZCXB1I/AAAAAAAAJ_Q/zC8lT3eowMQ/s400/franka+batelic+dora+2010.jpg

Like Slovenia, Croatia has also announced it's direct finalists following the list of the semifinalists. OGAE Song contest winner Franka Batelic is there. She also took part in Dora 2009, as did Marta Kulis. Also Sabrina, Viva and Dani Stipanicev have previous national final experience. Here are the direct finalists:

Alibi - Prvi pogled
Franca Batelic - Na tvojim rukama
Marta Kulis - Preporodema
Tihomir Kozima - Za koga si se cuvala
Ziga & Bandisti - Blagdani
Sabrina - Golu si me skinuo
Viva - Zadjna kap zivota
Dani Stipanicev - Nek nam bude lijepo

http://esctoday.com/images/logos/esp10.jpg240 songs submitted to RTVE so far

As the deadline to submit songs in Spain comes closer, the country's public broadcasting corporation RTVE has disclosed today that "around 240 entries" have been submitted so far in order to take part in the Spanish national selection for Eurovision 2010. Several names have already been reported to have sent in their songs to the competition.

Next Tuesday, January 12th, the deadline to submit songs for the Spanish national selection Tu país te necesita expires. The country's broadcaster, RTVE, has revealed today that the number of submissions so far is "around 240". Last year, 978 songs were submitted and 455 of them were allowed to go through the preliminary online stage of the preselection.

After the submissions period closes, RTVE will publish the list with all the candidates that comply with the regulations and are therefore eligible to compete at the national selection. The voting will then start, running through three weeks. Every user will be granted 5 votes per day and valid e-mail account. RTVE will foresee the whole voting process to avoid fraudulent ballots.

Among those artists who wish to represent Spain in Oslo, several names have already been reported, such as José Galisteo (finalist at Operación Triunfo 2006), Ainhoa (winner of Operación Triunfo 2003), Virginia (2009 national final) or Bizarre (2008 and 2009 national finals), to name a few.

From next week, and once the official list of candidates in the running to represent Spain this year in Eurovision is announced.

http://esctoday.com/images/logos/ompe.jpg[UPD] Moldova: 80 songs submitted for national selection

A total of 80 entries have been submitted to TRM, although as of today 29 songs are available to listen to on the national broadcaster's website (http://trm.md/index.php?module=proiect_int&proiect_id=30&sub_proiect_id=43). In a week, TRM will announce the 24 finalists. Yesterday was the deadline to submit songs for the Moldovan national selection. Many big names already submitted songs while others are missing.

Unlike in previous editions of the competition, some big names in the Moldovan music industry are missing, such as Dan Balan, Natalia Barbu, Natalia Gordienko, Nelly Ciobanu, Zdob si Zdub, Arsenium and many others. Several names are already known from past editions such as Olia Tira, Leylla, and Catalina Rusu. There are also several newcomers, like Dyma.

Many artists submitted their song yesterday and this is the reason why they are not yet on TRM's official site. The total number of submissions is 80, but as of today, the Moldovan television has published 29 songs. The announcement of the 24 finalists is expected to take place in a week.

Last year, Moldova participated in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Hora din Moldova, performed by Nelly Ciobanu, which ended up 14th in the final in Moscow.

http://esctoday.com/images/2009_esc_national/finland2010black.jpgFinland Euroviisut 1st semi

The so called granny mafia has struck again in Finland and let Pentti through. Amadeus and Nina were well deserved qualifiers.

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/food/fi.png08.01.2010
YLE | Euroviisut
First Semi Final
1 Amadeus - Anastacia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6clePOIm7Y&feature=player_embedded) winner
2 Nina Lassander - Cider hill (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFh7wPtl7AU&feature=player_embedded) winner
3 Bääbs - We don't know tomorrow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIgsHm6j07Y&feature=player_embedded)
4 BOB - America (I think I love you) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmux8Hi28ag&feature=player_embedded)
5 Pentti Hietanen - Il mondo é qui (The world is here) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4xRsMLgLPI&feature=player_embedded) winner

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/2005gr_HelenaPaparizou.jpgSweden: Opa Opa

And the best for last, the real reason why it took SVT so long to announce their last act for Melodifestivalen, Pauline was only as back up. The real artist who was supposed to be the final wildcard was Helena Paparizou!

According to the interview of Mr Melodifestivalen, Christer Björkman to Expressen, the 4th joker for Melodifestivalen was Helena Paparizou. She thanked the broadcaster and she indeed recorded the song in the studio but due to time limitations she decided not to go through with the project this year.

Damm! She would have livened up what appears to be a dull year in Sweden.

[amnesiac]

4i4T03Odc8U

But surely Lena Ph will be suing for copyright infringement?

[Shiva]

4i4T03Odc8U

But surely Lena Ph will be suing for copyright infringement?



In fairness it's more like French 80's pop, but it does have a distinctive schlager feel to it, Swiss Schlager Hah!

[amnesiac]

In fairness it's more like French 80's pop, but it does have a distinctive schlager feel to it, Swiss Schlager Hah!

The opening bars are "Hurts, oh it hurts, really hurts, in the middle of the night, in the light of the day"!!!

[Shiva]

The opening bars are "Hurts, oh it hurts, really hurts, in the middle of the night, in the light of the day"!!!
We'll let the courts decide that, I think it's just a good song.

[amnesiac]

We'll let the courts decide that, I think it's just a good song.

Are you switching allegiance from Sweden to Switzerland, Shiva?

They may have given us this:

8pEYw8PcBas

and this...

1MHBvTqMneQ

these fab girls...

B9k1w56YzR0

and this moment of comic relief...

FhrEHniwqqQ

but beware the wrath of a Queen of Schlager scorned!

59jcoymbI1k

[Shiva]

I just said I liked the Swiss entry, over reaction much?

[amnesiac]

I just said I liked the Swiss entry, over reaction much?

I'm very protective of my Lena! I think it's fab that people are plagiarising the schlager genius that is Det Gor Ont/It Hurts!!! The more schlager in this world, the better! Just don't need another Liefde Ist Ein Kartspiel/Listen To Your Heartbeat drama!

lBwRSrOuegI
xR4BFQYFzMU

Remember, this is Lena's world. We merely live in it! (Apparently she sings that in the Lena Ph Medley; how fabulous!)

[Shiva]

http://esctoday.com/images/2009_esc/mirocopy.jpgBulgaria: Five songs presented on 7th February

Miro, who was chosen to represent Bulgaria in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010, will present five songs during a show on 7th February. Those five songs will then go on heavy rotation on radio and television for three weeks before the national final will be held on 28th February.

The first show will last 55 minutes and it will be broadcast from Hall 2 at the National Congress Centre. The host will be Drago Draganov. The songs will go on heavy rotation on Bulgarian radio and television to make sure that the voters in the national final will have already chosen their favourite song. The actual national final will be held on 28th February and the show will last 60 minutes this time. The song to represent Bulgaria will be chosen by SMS voting alone.

In 2009, Bulgaria was repsented was Krassimir Avramov with the song Illusion, which finished 16th in the first semi final thus not qualifying for the final. Bulgaria has been taking part since 2005 but only reached the final once so far: Elitsa & Stoyan came fifth in 2007 with Water.

http://esctoday.com/images/broadcasters/MPT.jpgFYR Macedonia: Singers announced for Skopje 2010

Today, FYR Macedonian broadcaster, MKRTV, announced the singers for each of the twenty-eight songs in this year's 'Skopje' festival to choose their entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010.

This year 126 songs were entered for this year's Skopje 2010 Festival. Out of these, a jury of six people picked 28 songs to be performed at the event. Earlier a list of all songtitles as too their respective authors had already been published on December 30th, 2009 (see here). Today the performers were announced.

The singers with their songs are:

1. Kerber - Čorbadžija
2. Gorjan Stojanovski - Najmila
3. Suzana Spasovska & Darko Nešovski - Bog Go Ima Sekoj Ključ
4. Esma's Band - Džipsi Dens
5. Nataša Malinkova - Sever I Jug
6. Viktorija Apostolova - Zaboravi Na Se
7. Jova Radevska - Se Što Čekame
8. Duo Slide - Mrazam
9. Treta Dimenzija - Bolest Zaraza
10. Parketi - Ti Si Kisi Fenomen
11. Verica Pandilovska - Bravo
12. Vlatko Ilievski - Denes Kako Si
13. Nade Talevska - Nemoj Da Si Sebičen
14. Kristijan Jovanovski - Nikoj Na Ovoj Svet
15. Igor Mitrović - Malečka
16. Vodolija - Solza
17. Maja Vukičević - Fama
18. Daniel Stojmanovski - Akcija Reakcija
19. Boyan Aleksovski - Beli Konji
20. Dimitar Andonovski - Angeli
21. Pampers - Sni
22. Darko Ilievski - Lagi
23. Vlatko Lozanoski - Letam Kon Tebe
24. Teodora Trajkovska - Ljubovna Pesna
25. Gjoko Taneski - Jas Ja Imam Silata
26. Angela Zdravkova - Zaboravaš
27. Bravo Band - Taa Ima Se
28. Aleksandar Belov - Ostani

The national selection process Skopje 2010 will feature a total of three shows, two semifinals and a final, where these 28 songs will fight it out for the honour to represent the Balkan country. The semi finals will take place on February 18th and 19th, while the national final of Skopje 2010 will take place on February 20th. 14 songs will be performed in each semifinal, and a total of 8 will make it to the final. The winning entry will be decided by a mix of televote and 6-member jury vote at a 50/50 split.

The draw for the running order will be done in early February during a special tv show.

http://esctoday.com/images/various/manga.jpgMaNga to represent Turkey in Oslo

The rumours that for several weeks have been claiming that the band MaNga would represent Turkey at the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest have finally been confirmed by the country's broadcaster TRT. An agreement between TRT and the group has been finally reached.

After this agreement, MaNga become the Turkish representatives in Oslo 2010 and thus the 7th male act to perform in the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest.

The band won the MTV Europe Award to the best European act last year, and since then they have been expressing their wish to represent Turkey in Eurovision.

MaNga have been crowned after Sebnem Ferah and Emre Aydin, the other two candidates in the race to represent the country in Oslo, dismissed this possibility owing to their respective schedules and plans.

http://esctoday.com/images/flags/19_big.jpgGreece: Despina Ricci withdraws from Greek final

Despina Ricci, the Greek French artist who was one of ERT's choices for the country's final, announced today that she is withdrawing her participation as she does not have enough time to present her song the way she wants to.

Despina Ricci spoke today to Yannis Poulopoulos, one of Greece's top Eurovision reporters during the daily talk show Fotis Maria Live. She explained that she has to withdraw her bid because she will be unable to present her song exactly the way she wants to in the time frame given by the Greek broadcaster given the fact that she is also busy working on her new album to be released in France later this year.

It now remains to be seen whether the Greek broascaster will replace Despina in the final with another artist or if we will see a nine act lineup in the Greek final which will take place on 10th March in Athens

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/2005ro_luminita.jpgRomania: Luminita Anghel (RO'05) in Romanian national final!

Let me try again!

Luminita Anghel will join the national Romanian selection for Eurovision 2010 and is optimistic about it! In Romanian press she says: "It is a fantastic feeling to be live on a big stage in front of so many thousands of people shouting and waving flags." Source: Ziare.com

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/2010ba_vukasin_brajic_big.jpgBosnia & Hercegovina: Vukašin Brajić it is!

The 25 year old singer Vukašin Brajić is going to represent Bosnia & Herzegovina at the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo. He was selected internally, and will be singing a song called Munja i Grom. The song is written by Dino Saran and will be presented in a special TV show on 7 March.

Brajić has been active in the music business for some years, but he really had his break through last year when he ended up second in Operacija Trijumf. With some other candidates from that show, he then took part in the Serbian national final, where they reached a second position as well.

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/estonia_flag.jpgEstonia: names of finalists announced

Estonian broadcaster ERR announced the names of the finalists of Eesti Laul 2010 today. The list includes several former participants of the Estonian selection and the Eurovision Song Contest. From 155 entries a jury selected these 10 participants who will compete on 12th march for the ticket to Oslo.

* Iiris Vesik - Astronaut - Written by Iiris Vesik, Ago Teppand
* Disko 4000 - Ei Usu - Piret Järvis, Sander Loite, Paul Oja, Kallervo Karu
* Violina feat Rolf Junior - Maagiline Päev - Mihkel Mattisen, Timo Vendt, Rolf Roosalu, Liis Lass
* Nikita Bogdanov - Made Me Cry - Nikita Bogdanov
* Mimicry - New - Timmo Linnas, Kaspar Ehlvest, Ivar Kaine, Kene Vernik, Paul Lepasson
* Marten Kuningas - Oota Mind Veel - Marten Kuningas - Heini Vaikmaa, Oskar Ove
* 3 Pead - Poolel Teel - Janek Murd, Erkki Tero
* Lenna Kuurmaa - Rapuntzel - Vaiko Eplik
* Groundhog Day - Teiste Seest Kõigile - Tõnn Tobreluts, Tauno Tamm, Keio Münti, Indrek Mällo
* Tiiu Kiik - The One And Only Love - Tiiu Kiik

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/flag_denmark.jpgDenmark: Songs selected!

Ronan Keating back

Danish broadcaster DR has announced the songs for Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2010. There will only be a final, with 10 artists. 7 songs were selected among 562 submitted songs and three artists were invited to participate (Bryan Rice, Kaya Bruël & Sukkerchock).

Thomas G:son and Ronan Keating are among the composers that are selected. Ronan Keating was also responsible for last year's Danish entry to the Eurovision Song Contest.

The songs:
- Bryan Rice - Breathing
- Joachim Tranberg - All about a Girl (Lars Halvor Jensen, Martin Michael Larsson & Ronan Keating)
- MariaMatilde Band - Panik! (Maria Sejer, Matilde Kühl, Mads Haugaard, Marcus Winther-John)
- Simone - How will I know (Andreas Mørck)
- Jens Marni - Gloria (Svend Gudiksen, Johannes Jørgensen & Noam Halby)
- Chanée & N'Evergreen - In a moment like this (Thomas G:son & Henrik Sethsson)
- Kaya Brüel - Only Tonight (Kaya Brüel)
- Thomas Barso - Just like rain (Patrick Jonsson, Joakim Övrenius & Thomas Karlsson)
- Sukkerchok - Kæmper for kærlighed (Lasse Lindorff, Martin Michael Larsson & Lise Cabble)
- Silas & Kat - Come come run away (Lise Cabble & Simon Munk)

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/flag_iceland.jpgIceland: Songs second heat online

This Saturday Iceland will have its second semi final. Today all songs from this second heat can be found on the RÚV website. Next week the last five songs will be presented, with hera Björks song among them. Listen to the songs here. (http://dagskra.ruv.is/songvakeppnin/)

Line up:
http://dagskra.ruv.is/ruv_media/photologue/photos/cache/flytjendur4_medium.jpg- Edgar Smári Atlason - Now And Forever
http://dagskra.ruv.is/ruv_media/photologue/photos/cache/flytjendur11_medium.jpg- Sigrún Vala Baldursdóttir - I Believe In Angels
http://dagskra.ruv.is/ruv_media/photologue/photos/cache/flytjendur23_medium.jpg- Menn Ársins - Gefst ekki upp
http://dagskra.ruv.is/ruv_media/photologue/photos/cache/flytjendur20_medium.jpg- Jógvan Hansen - One More Day
http://dagskra.ruv.is/ruv_media/photologue/photos/cache/flytjendur19_medium.jpg- Hvanndalsbræður - Gleði og glens
Source: RÚV

[amnesiac]

I wonder will Luminita bring back the angle-grinders?

I was never her biggest fan; her 2005 success really surprised me!

[Invincible]

I wonder will Luminita bring back the angle-grinders?

I was never her biggest fan; her 2005 success really surprised me!

Not me! I love that song.

Aside: Miro for Bulgaria looks hot[;-)].

[Shiva]

Not me! I love that song.

That was a fantastic year, I adore her song, it was Latvia I was surprised that got so high. Macedonia, Bosnia, Romania, Greece, Israel, Hungary, Norway, Switzerland, Moldova and a guilty pleasure of mine Spain [:-D]

http://esctoday.com/images/profile_images/UKESClogo_6.jpgUnited Kingdom: Your Country Needs You 2010?

This year, there is alot of speculation over the choosing of a representative for the United Kingdom. British broadcaster, the BBC, is remaining tight lipped over their national selection format for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010.

Last year the BBC, chose the format for their national selection as 'Your Country Needs You.' That format had Andrew Lloyd Webber and Diane Warren, as the song writers while the public chose Jade Ewen to sing 'My Time' at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. The outcome was a success as the United Kingdom finished in a respectable 5th place in Moscow.

The BBC have yet to announce their national selection format for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. Various leaks have been posted on the internet to this years format including some by the BBC itself.

Today the BBC official website posted this picture:

http://stashbox.org/766786/2010_speculation.jpg

Also the BBC have been posting tweets on their official Eurovision Twitter site saying an announcement is due in 'the next week or two" and that "Graham (Norton) is still involved. The date and format of "Your Country Needs You" is yet to be announced! :)"

The casting organisation, Jayne Collins Casting, which found last years entrant, Jade Ewen, is also believed to be involved with the UK search this year but that has yet to be confirmed.

A confirmation of the selection format for the UK is expected shortly, so stay tuned for the latest developments.

http://esctoday.com/images/2009_esc/lazarovich.jpgUkraine: NTU officially calls for songs

Ukrainian broadcaster, NTU, has formally called for songs for their Eurovision Song Contest 2010 representative Vasiliy Lazarovich.

The broadcaster announced that 28-year-old Vasiliy Lazarovich as its' choice for Eurovision 2010 late December last.

According to the official NTU eurovision website, you can submit your song by post to: 04119, Kyiv, Melnikov, 42, National Television of Ukraine, Ukraine; marked "Entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010" or by e-mail to music@ntu.ua

No deadline has been published on NTU's website or rules regarding the nationality of composers at the time of print. But according to various unconfirmed reports from Ukraine, suggests that the 7th of February 2010 as the deadline and that there are no restrictions on the nationality of composers.

http://esctoday.com/images/2009_esc/Sashaartpic.jpgLithuania: Sasha Son and Ramunas Difartas submitted songs

Two more acts that have submitted songs for the Lithuanian national final have been revealed. One of them is Sasha Son, who already represented the country in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow. The other one is Ramunas Difartas, who took part as part of the group Dreams in the Lithuanian selections in 2002 and 2004.

Sasha Son's song is called Panele but will most likely be performed in an English version called Europe, wake up!. Already when it was not clear whether Lithuania would take part in the Eurovision Song Contest, the singer has stated that he would like to submit his song describing it as "more happy and energetic" than his 2009 Eurovision Song Contest entry Love. With the latter song, he finished ninth in the second semi final and 23rd in the final having been the opening act of the show. He had already taken part in the 2008 national final as a soloist and finished third with Miss kiss. In 2007, he had taken part as part of the group U-Soul not making it to the final with At your door.

Sasha Son had previously stated that he would perform the song to his fans on 31st December to ask them if he should submit this song or rather choose another one. Meanwhile, English lyrics have been posted on zebra.lt and the singer explains that they are supposed to show some humor: "The song [...] is about the fact that many people in Europe do not even know where Lithuania is". The lyrics that were published even refer to his participation in the 2009 contest: "Last year, I traveled down to the Moscow city/Yes, It was nice, but what a pity, they said/You did great, mate, but we're sorry, you're late/Whatever.../Miss Kaas, our dialog was a little bit soggy, it's a shame I didn't meet your doggy/Dima you didn't fake it, girls and boys wanna see you naked/Alexander you were even hotter, I guess that's why they comparing you to Harry Potter." You can read the complete lyrics

You can listen to the Lithuanian version of Europe, wake up! below:

YzGmwWN-x4Q

Ramunas Difartas took part as part of the group Dreams twice in the Lithuanian national final. In 2002, they finished sixth with the song You'll be waiting while two years later, they did not make it past the fifth semi final finishing sixth with Taste of love. He is also known from the TV show Iššūkis žvaigždėms. Lietuvos dainų dešimtukas..

[Shiva]

http://esctoday.com/images/flags/Aze.jpg100% jury vote to decide Azerbaijani representative

Azeri Press Agency APA recently held an interview with the Azerbaijani Head of Delegation, Adil Karimli. The Ictimai TV official stated that the country's representative for Eurovision 2010 will be decided by 100% jury vote. As already reported, the country will hold its Eurovision semifinal on February 2nd at the Buta Palace, in Baku.

“To show that we attach great importance to the Eurovision Song Contest, we have decided to hold a grand semifinal. The jury will again select the representative; there will be no televoting or internet poll. There are no commercial interests, our only aim is to select a decent singer to represent Azerbaijan", Adil Karimli said.

Azerbaijan's Head of Delegation also commented on the "big creative effort" that the Ictimai TV staff are putting in: “The creative staff are doing their best for February 2nd. I think this concert will not lag behind the Eurovision 2010. It would not be right to repeat the last year’s performance", Karimli assured.

The Azerbaijani jury will comprise once again of ITV Director, General Ismayil Omarov; rector of Baku Music Academy named after Uzeyir Hajibayli, Farhad Badalbayli; executive director of Friends of Azerbaijan Culture Foundation, Ibrahim Guliyev; president of Azerbaijan national music committee of the International Music Council,Lala Kazimova; director of Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Society, Murad Adigozalzadeh; representative of Culture and Tourism Ministry, Manzar Nuraliyeva; and representative of Youth and Sport Ministry Farhad Hajiyev. The same jury members chose the 2008 and 2009 Azerbaijani representatives.

It is also planned to sell tickets for the semifinal, where a total of 6 candidates will compete for the honour of representing Azerbaijan in Oslo: Safura Alizadeh, Maryam Shabanova, Milk&Kisses group, Azad Shabanov, Elli and Ulviyya Rahimova.

http://esctoday.com/images/history/mihai.jpg[UPD] Mihai Trastariu found the right song?

The submission deadline in Romania expires tomorrow. It seems that Mihai Traistariu is still undecided about his participation at the national selection, although he might have found an appropriate song to sing in duet with Biondo.

Several days ago, Mihai Traistariu received an offer from Biondo to apply jointly for the Romanian selection. Biondo participated in the 2008 Romanian final ending up 2nd after Nico and Vlad Mirita.

"I have received this song from Biondo. It is exactly their style. I listen to it everyday and i don't know what to do. I will think about what to do. I really want to overtake Tornero. Do you know how our voices really get along? You don't even have a clue. It is perfect. I am not afraid about Romania, but about Oslo, I don't wanna have the same fate Elena had last year. She sung perfectly but ended up almost last" declared Mihai Traistariu.

We will shortly know if Mihai finally made up his mind and will be in the Romanian selection.

UPDATE. According to bestmusic.ro, who talked via telephone to Mihai Traistariu, the singer stated the following: "I have not applied. The song is beautiful and I would make a video for it anyway, but I am not so convinced. I looked in international forums and the public wants me to attend the contest once. The song is beautiful, but not like I put so much in value. I do not like the show, I am the voice. That's all I expected, to have a good track. I do exactly as we did with Tornero, to enter the studio together with composers until the piece comes out as I want".

http://esctoday.com/images/2009_esc_national/ROAndreeaCrepciacopy.jpgRomania: Andreea Crepcia bids for Eurovision

Andreea Crepcia, finalist of the first edition of the Romanian Idol, has recently submitted two songs for the Romanian preselection for the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest together with her brand new project Sweet Lemon.

Andreea has already had some success on home ground with Boca del Inferno, a song of Sistem, the well-known Romanian band who accompanied Luminita Anghel on stage at the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest. This time, Andreea appears with a different project called Sweet Lemon and a new image with an attitude. The electro pop Sweet Lemon band comprises Andreea (vocal), Bogdan (guitar) and Felix (percussion).

The two electro-pop songs submitted for the Romanina selection, are composed by Andreea Crepcia herself and Bogdan Ionescu, one of the band members. The production of the songs was made in collaboration with Narcotic Sound, two young Romanian producers and Christian D, an ex member of Refflex band.

"About Oslo, I understood that it's cold this time of year so I must pack warm clothes for when I arrive there", said Andreea confident and eager to represent her country in the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest.

[Shiva]

Fans protest against sha la li

Quite a lot of fans as well as people from the Dutch music industry have already negatively commented on the Dutch song for Oslo. A group of concerned fans have now taken action and started an online petition in order to call TROS to order. Ik ben verliefd (sha la li) is generally described as being to old fashioned.

"Tros fails to aim for a 5th Dutch victory, a positive, modern, energetic and financially serious approach is needed to get a good Dutch entry", they say on their site. The petition is meant for Tros and the Dutch minister of culture.

They also believe that Tros is not taking fans and fans' proposals seriously. The broadcaster is believed to only contribute to the overall decline of the popularity of the Eurovision Song Contest. Tros has not commented the petition yet

If you agree you can sign the petition here (http://www.axci.nl/axci/index.php?ln=ned&show=petitie&petitieID=18512) (in Dutch).

[amnesiac]

Fans protest against sha la li

Quite a lot of fans as well as people from the Dutch music industry have already negatively commented on the Dutch song for Oslo. A group of concerned fans have now taken action and started an online petition in order to call TROS to order. Ik ben verliefd (sha la li) is generally described as being to old fashioned.

"Tros fails to aim for a 5th Dutch victory, a positive, modern, energetic and financially serious approach is needed to get a good Dutch entry", they say on their site. The petition is meant for Tros and the Dutch minister of culture.

They also believe that Tros is not taking fans and fans' proposals seriously. The broadcaster is believed to only contribute to the overall decline of the popularity of the Eurovision Song Contest. Tros has not commented the petition yet

If you agree you can sign the petition here (http://www.axci.nl/axci/index.php?ln=ned&show=petitie&petitieID=18512) (in Dutch).

Thank God, that proposed entry is a pile of rot!

[amnesiac]

Moldova to enter LADY GAGA at Eurovision 2010?

http://allkindsofeverything.ie/images/akord.jpg
Moldova has managed to reach the Eurovision final on four occasions, since making their debut in Kyiv in 2005. Their year TRM is having a rather unusual selection process, where as well as having a regular open call for entries, they are also inviting songwriters from Europe to submit songs, which they then put on the internet for local artists to hear and potentially record and enter the selection. At the end of the process, it is hoped to have one of the biggest Eurovision selections of the year, with 25 entries competing in a national final, in the middle of February.
While American singer Lady Gaga may be a lot of people's ideal Eurovision act, it is unlikely we will see her in person in Oslo. Nonetheless, we could have a song dedicated to her, competing in the competition. Boyband Akord are made up of 25 year old Igor Stribiţchi, 23 year old Igor Sârbu and 26 year old Victor Răilean and are already gaining a lot of interest in Moldova. The trio say they are influed by American groups like the Backstreet Boys and Russian Eurovision stalwart Filip Kirkorov and their well produced pop song "Lady Gaga" is an early favourite to fly the Moldovan flag in Oslo. The finalists will be confirmed next week.

[amnesiac]

There's a total ride called Edu del Prado who is keen to represent Spain this year!

http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/7224405/Edu+Del+Prado+Edu.jpg

[Shiva]

http://www.rtve.es/imagenes/vota-tu-candidato-favorito-a-eurovision-2010/1263825390498.jpg313 songs in the race to represent Spain in Oslo

The final list of candidates in the race to represent Spain this year in Oslo has just been released. A total of 313 entries have made it to the preliminary online stage of Tu pais te necesita out of the 480 submitted to TVE. The voting has started as well.

Several known faces have applied this year: Anabel Conde (runner-up at the 1995 Eurovision Song Contest), Edu del Prado, Rebeca, Toñi Salazar (1990 Spanish representative as part of Azúcar Moreno), as well as former Operación Triunfo contestants -José Galisteo, Ainhoa Cantalapiedra, Lorena, Samuel y Patricia...- and participants at Spanish selections for Eurovision -Coral, Bizarre, Isi, Yanira Figueroa...-. Interestingly, the joke entry Yo soy un tsunami, by Karmele Marchante aka Popstar Queen, promoted by the commercial channel Tele5, has been allowed to make it to the public selection.

The online stage of Tu país te necesita will span nearly 3 weeks. The voting will remain open until Friday, February 5th at 23:59 CET. Every user will be able to vote up to 5 times per day and valid e-mail account. Like last year, there will be a section on the RTVE website where the most voted acts will appear. The ranking will be updated several times per day, but not in real time. The votes will be shown once thay are validated.

The 10 acts with the highest scores as of the end of the voting will qualify for the televised national final, where the Spanish entrant for Eurovision 2010 will be chosen by a combination of jury vote and televote at a 50/50 split.

You can see the list of Spanish candidates and vote for your favourites here (http://www.rtve.es/television/eurovision/).

http://esctoday.com/images/2009_esc_national/malta.jpgMalta: The running order for the final

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/S1I2PqDy0vI/AAAAAAAAKFI/c2zlmZ8pkbA/s400/malta+2010.jpg

Yesterday, the 20 finalists for Malta Eurosong 2010, the Maltese national selection for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest have been revealed. Today, it was time to determine the running order during a draw held in the morning.

This is the running order for the national final on 20th February:

1. Dorothy Bezzina - Moments
(Chan Vella/Alexia Schembri)
2. Foxy Federation - Fired up
(Philip Vella/Gerard James Borg)
3. Lawrence Gray - Stories
(Ray Agius/Godwin Sant)
4. Eleanor Spiteri - Velvet ocean
(Paul Abela/Joe Julian Farrugia)
5. Claudia Faniello - Samsara
(Philip Vella/Gerard James Borg)
6. Thea Garrett - My dream
(Jason Paul Cassar/Sunny Aquilina)
7. Priscilla & Kurt - Waterfall
(Mark Debono/Rita Pace)
8. Nadine Axisa & Clifford Galea - Once in a lifetime
(Jason Paul Cassar/Mario Farrugia)
9. Glen Vella - Just a little more love
(Paul Giordimaina/Fleur Balzan)
10. Audrey Marie Bartolo - Good intentions
(Miriam Christine/Rita Pace)
11. Klinsmann - Her name was Anne
(Jonathan Spiteri & Klinsmann/Aldo Spiteri)
12. Claire Galea - Ole Satchmo blues
(Claire Galea/Claire Galea, Erin Tanti)
13. Wayne Micallef - Save a life
(Wayne Micallef)
14. Petra Zammit - All I need
(Andrew Zammit/Keith Zammit)
15. Ryan Dale & Duminika - One for you
(Ryan Dale/Jon Lukas)
16. Eleanor Cassar - Choices
(Paul Giordimaina/Fleur Balzan)
17. Silver Clash - Broken
(Robert Parde)
18. Tiziana Calleja - Words are not enough
(John David Zammit/Paul Callus)
19. Ruth Portelli - Three little words
(Philip Vella/Gerard James Borg)
20. Pamela Bezzina - Hold on
(Paul Giordimaina/Fleur Balzan)

Furthermore, it has been announced that the complete semi final results will be published after the winner has been chosen.

It's such a bland selection for Malta this year, hopefully one of the songs can evolve into something decent. In the meantime my hopes lie with the schlagertastic Foxy Federation, they are so bad it's good.

XT8-fA73N7M

http://esctoday.com/images/various/manga_0.jpgMaNga will choose the possible songs next week

MaNga, The Turkish representatives at Eurovision 2010, will choose the candidate songs for Eurovision Song Contest among the songs they have been preparing after the MTV Awards ceremony, where they were awarded the trophy to the best European act. The band explained it during the selection for the Rock'n Dark contest in the stage of Çanakkale City.

Ferman Akgül, who is the soloist of the band, explained that they won't care about elements such as competition and the political situations in several countries.

"This is a competition to embark in on the hoof and we aim to do our best" said Akgul. "We will go to Eurovision and make people share the moment. Our song for Eurovision Song Contest is not yet decided, but after receiving the MTV award, we started to make preparations. Next week we will make our choice", Akgul concluded.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/S1HdXFtOXFI/AAAAAAAAKEg/puxAIVAx5to/s400/sofie+georgia+2010.jpgGeorgia: Name artist revealed today
Sofia Nizharadze or ეტიკეტი (soon 24) has been internally selected to represant Georgia in its return to Eurovision. The country debuted with Sopho in Helsinki 2007 placing 12th. The year after Diana Gurtskaya made it even better, 11th. Last year Georgia was banned or disqualified/withdrew depending who you ask. She released her debut album in 2008 and has been participating in various festivals in Italy, France, Russia, Turkey, Latvia etc since she was 11. She has also startted in various musicals. Warch her belt out the Dreamgirls show stopper And I'm telling you (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irhKVp2ai4k).

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/flag_iceland.jpgIceland Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2nd semi

Watch the songs from the second Icelandic semi final below. Jógvan Hansen and Hvanndalsbraedur will proceed to the final.

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/food/is.png16.01.2010
RÚV | Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins
Second Semi Final
1 Edgar Smári Atlason - Now and forever (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOeHxqMwGEs&feature=player_embedded)
2 Sigrún Vala Baldursdóttir - I believe in angels (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghbPlPs3r6I&feature=player_embedded)
3 Menn Ársins - Gefst ekki upp (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA_-GWGfyPs&feature=player_embedded)
4 Jógvan Hansen - One more day (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jkek77Mscz0&feature=player_embedded)
5 Hvanndalsbræður - Gleði og glens (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztT8XJG49mQ&feature=player_embedded)

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XZ0GJO5OkIU/S1IOEOBvMXI/AAAAAAAAKEw/zN8jIs_WjCg/s400/moldova+2010.jpgIn march the Moldovans

TRM has announced the finalist chosen from 87 songs. I don't totally agree with the list as some of my favourites are missing but Dyma, Eugen, Akord, Gloria are there, as are Sunstroke Project and Olia Tira but I preferred their other songs, as well as Ionel Istrati. (Update: after qualifying with all 3 songs Olia apparently withdraw my favourite One life. Shame.)

1. Dyma - Manipulate
2. Akord - Lady Gaga
3. Pasha- You should like
4. Boris Covali - No name
5. Sunstroke Project & Olia Tira - Run away
6. Olia Tira - Goodbye
7. Alexandru Manciu - Ramii linga mine
8. Cristy Rouge - Don't break my heart
9. Gloria - I'm not alone
10. Mihai Teodor - Ai ai ai
11. Millenium - Before you go
12. Mariana Mihaila - Say I'm sorry
13. Mariana Mihaila - I know you can
14. Priectul Monkey mind & Daniela - Smile
15. Ionel Istrati - Wait
16. Cristina Croitoriu - My heart
17. Marcel Rosca - If love is a thing
18. Vica Mahu - Padure verde padure
19. Valeria Tarsova - See you soon
20. Corina Cuniuc & Denis Latisev - Forver
21. Gicu Simbir - Cine sunt eu
22. Eugen Doibani - Love sweet love
23. Gorun Carolina - Addicted
24. Alex White - Towards the sky
25. Irina Tarasiuc - Like a star

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/fi_flag.jpgFinland Euroviisut 2nd semi

The second Finnish semi final on Friday. Fan favourite Heli Kajo managed to reach the final, together with Antti Kleemola and Twister Sister. Listen to the songs below and watch the performances.

http://3minutes.me/images/stories/food/fi.png15.01.2010
YLE | Euroviisut
Second Semi Final
1 Antti Kleemola - Sun puolella (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNZispsquyw&feature=player_embedded) to final
2 Heli Kajo - Annankadun kulmassa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu075Irj05I&feature=player_embedded) to final
3 Monday - Play (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO5BqNnm06A&feature=player_embedded)
4 Sister Twister - Love at the first sight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zCLrUwwe5U&feature=player_embedded) to final
5 Veeti Kallio - Kerro mulle rakkaudesta (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMWLTe6zVGQ&feature=player_embedded)

[Shiva]

Stop the presses!

_IWAYmNcENk

It's another anthem from Iceland, is it a winner? I hope so. We will have to wait and see do the Icelandic public vote her through on Saturday.

[amnesiac]

Stop the presses!

_IWAYmNcENk

It's another anthem from Iceland, is it a winner? I hope so. We will have to wait and see do the Icelandic public vote her through on Saturday.

Shiva that's the first SCHLAGERTASTIC ANTHEM of 2010 and it's from Hera!

OH!
MY!
CAROLA!!!!

[Shiva]

Shiva that's the first SCHLAGERTASTIC ANTHEM of 2010 and it's from Hera!

OH!
MY!
CAROLA!!!!

I've been playing it non stop for the last few hours... Reykjavik 2011!

[amnesiac]

Jedward Tribute Act SISTER TWISTER are in with a chance in Finland! (consistently the least schlagertastic of the Scandinavian national finals!)

cc0z7RZiVoA

[amnesiac]

Forget the hunk, I want to see Soy Un Tsunami (http://www.escireland.com/2010/01/could-spain-opt-for-parody-again/)representing Spain in Oslo!

[Shiva]

Been a busy few days with an even busier weekend ahead.

With more than 5 million votes cast in the Spanish web selection TVE will announce the top 10 next Monday who will go to play in the national final. This comes after 2 rounds of disqualifications.

The ongoing saga of the Smurf song in The Netherlands where 2 singing coaches have pulled out and then it turns out that Johnny Logan will be one of the judges in this Sundays final.

RTE will more than likely announce the 5 artists who got through later on today. It's looking good this year with Niamh Kavanagh, Justin Lee Collins, Mikey Graham, Alexander Bard, Ralph Siegel and Ronan Keating sending in entries.

Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Cyprus also gear up for their national finals. Things look good for Hera Bjork in Iceland. Sukker'chok or Bryan Rice will take Denmark and a hotly contested Norwegian final sees Didrik, Keep of Kassellian and A1 vie for the golden ticket to represent the home country this year, or will Maria pull a surprise victory to win again? And controversy in Cyprus as one of the favourites was disqualified after someone stole their song from the national carrier and aired it ahead of time on the radio.

Find out all this and more at ESCIreland.com (http://www.escireland.com)

[Shiva]

Watch the Scandinavian finals and that start of Melodifestivalen tonight.

More here (http://www.escireland.com/2010/02/scandanavia-can-we-have-your-votes-please/)

[Shiva]

Norway has chosen
XSY-GsjNbSk

Denmark has too, and it works really well live, really really well
TDIR1Vbxtq8

And as for Iceland, well we all Love Her :)
5gZC1n5xV38

It's going to be a good year people!

[falcon]

I like the hippo in the bin bag..je ne sais quoi...the rest where average

[Carraigrock]

I like the hippo in the bin bag...
Priceless...[:-))]


I really, really like the air of the Norwegian entry...
The other two are useless.
Denmark would get further if they lost yer man.

[Shiva]

Which artisit is making a welcome return to compete for Ireland this year?

Find out here (http://www.escireland.com/2010/02/niamh-kavanagh-eurosong-2010/)

[Invincible]

Which artisit is making a welcome return to compete for Ireland this year?

Find out here (http://www.escireland.com/2010/02/niamh-kavanagh-eurosong-2010/)

And no Justin Lee Collins? Huzzah!!

[Carraigrock]

Jesus Christ...Mikey Graham. Rotten.
I hope Leanne Moore got a good song. She's cool.

Good luck to everyone........

[Carraigrock]

Shiva was right....this stands a chance.....
z5QsCzhE8wE

[Shiva]

We have entered the realm of the surreal. After innumerate quarter finals Slovakia is starting to whittle down their artists and after the first semi one act stands out. And people, it pulls all the cliches. Ribbons, ethic clothes, ethnic drums, lifting up the singer, bad background dancers oh people I have a new favourite. This is just pure gold and an easy winner in Slovakia methinks.

4E0VOsdRB8s

[Shiva]

France has chosen an artist (http://www.escireland.com/2010/02/france-artisit-announced/), but they only want him to have a popular football song and not to win the competition.

The Maltese went on strike (http://www.escireland.com/2010/02/maltas-on-strike-or-was-or-is-or/) just during the rehearsals (http://www.escireland.com/2010/02/the-maltease-rehearsals/) for tomorrow nights final.

A familiar face (http://www.escireland.com/2010/02/12-confirmed-for-russia-so-far/)in Russia is back for a third go? This time he has some Shady Lady backing.

Germany is down to 8 artisits with another round of eliminations on Tuesday.

Find out these stories and more at escIreland.com

[Shiva]

Simon Cowell in the Eurovision? (http://www.escireland.com/2010/02/cowell-eyes-eurovision/)

[Shiva]

Georgia songs now online.

I am impressed with the song selection they are giving to Sophia.

http://www.escireland.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/sophia.jpg You can listen to all 6 here (http://www.eurovision-georgia.ge/Default.aspx?LanguageID=2&Location=)

I think they will do best with 1 or 3.

Georgia will decide this weekend

[Shiva]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/eurovision/images/2010/homepage/billboard_acts_reveal.jpg
With just one week left the UK have announced the artists who will vie for Pete Waterman's song.

Read all about it here (http://www.escireland.com/2010/03/uk-meet-the-artists/)

[Invincible]

It's hard to tell but there might be talent there - guy on far left and guy in white in the middle back. Priorities, priorities!

[JoannaRyde]

I see Liechtenstein have thrown their hand into the ring!!

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7p9pMMCcRCU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7p9pMMCcRCU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[Shiva]

http://escdaily.com/wp-content/themes/comfy_old/scripts/phpThumb/phpThumb.php?src=/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/hosts.jpg&w=250&h=200&zc=T&q=75


Today, the Norwegian broadcaster NRK revealed the three suckers who will be hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Oslo, Norway.

Nadia Hasnaoui
Petter Solbakken
Haddy N’jie

[Shiva]

Don't forget tonight the UK chooses the artist/group to represent them with one of Pete Waterman's finest.

Also on the bill tonight we have the Greek, German and Estonian finals.

[louislestat]

I'm watching the UK song for Europe thingy. Oh dear oh dear oh dear. So far its awful. Alexis Gerard is very handsome though - best so far

[Shiva]

I'm watching the UK song for Europe thingy. Oh dear oh dear oh dear. So far its awful. Alexis Gerard is very handsome though - best so far

It is a load of old shit. Pete Waterman hang your head in shame.

[Sheila Fits]

It is a load of old shit. Pete Waterman hang your head in shame.

Agree 100 %

What a sham................am actually scarlet for the UK.

Now dont get me wrong the guy who won was the best .....At least he sang in tune some of the time and didnt forget his words.......But overall a token effore from the BBC.Which is a pity after last year......Was not a fan of the song but liked the singer and the efffort they put in......Back to the bottom this year methinks.......And that is saying something in the not so great Eurovision field this year.....

Did ye hear Greece........me likee

[amnesiac]

I like Opa a lot... one of the strongest entries we've heard so far! Athens 2011 is not something I would bet against right now!

The BBC should be ashamed of themselves; this is worse than Jemini for God's sake!

[Invincible]

I had high hopes for the UK this year! But what a disappointment. The start of the song has potential but once the chorus kicks in it's downhill from there. Alexis was divine but the winner (Josh) had the best voice and biggest nose so he was a deserved winner. It won't do well though. The UK has missed a great opportunity to build on last years success.

Swedish final tonight: *excitement*!!

[louislestat]

The guy who won has a good voice but he's BORING.

I quiet like the song but it would have being so much better if Kylie or Sinitta recorded it 'back in the day'. Now they would have done a good job of it. It will be lost in Oslo

[Shiva]

Sweden has gone all Norweigen. The interval act in Melodifestivalen is as follows:

Afrodite
Charmed
Shirley Clamp
Maria Haukaas Storeng
Marie Rosenmir (Nocturne)
Den Vilda
Lars-Ante Kuhmunen
Roger Pontare
Wig Wam
Jakob Samuelsson (Poodles)
Towa Carlsson
Hanne Krogh
Kikki Danielsson
Bobbysocks
Chips
Kikki, Lotta & Bettan

[louislestat]

How the hell will they all fit on stage???? LOL It sounds like a good show though. Enjoy!!!

P.S. are ye coming out later after the Melodyathingymajiggy, Madonnadion is home and we'll be on the tear?

[Shiva]

How the hell will they all fit on stage???? LOL It sounds like a good show though. Enjoy!!!

P.S. are ye coming out later after the Melodyathingymajiggy, Madonnadion is home and we'll be on the tear?

It's finished at 9.30 :) of course we will be out

[louislestat]

Silly Louis asking silly questions.....bare with me I'm excited[:-D]

[An Bó Bhándearg]

The UK song, particulary towards the start and just before he gets into the chorus, really reminds me of some other song, from the 80s probably? Can anyone place it???

[louislestat]

The UK song, particulary towards the start and just before he gets into the chorus, really reminds me of some other song, from the 80s probably? Can anyone place it???

Its an amalgamation of everything produced by Pete Waterman (S.A.W.) Bó - Jason, Kylie, Sinitta, Steps, Princess, etc etc
It is typical 80's Stock Aitken and Waterman
NhYFuLtVJU8

[amnesiac]

Its an amalgamation of everything produced by Pete Waterman (S.A.W.) Bó - Jason, Kylie, Sinitta, Steps, Princess, etc etc
It is typical 80's Stock Aitken and Waterman
NhYFuLtVJU8

And in amalgamating all their hits they've completely lost the fun, charm and catchyness of their back-catalogue.

Shame on the BBC for such a terrible selection process!

[louislestat]

And in amalgamating all their hits they've completely lost the fun, charm and catchyness of their back-catalogue.

Shame on the BBC for such a terrible selection process!

Totally agree Amnesiac they have lost the charm of the classic back catalogue. Such a pity. Wait for the usual UK back lash of - oh it's political they all hate us........ No my dear you song is just crap

[Invincible]

Shame on the BBC for such a terrible selection process!

Absolutely. What a narrow and limited selection it was. I think the six acts ranged in age from 17 to 24? What about seasoned and more professional performers? At least the Irish final 5 were varied. The BBC seem to be more interested in making a one-off show aimed at tweens than actually finding a genuine hope for Oslo.

[Shiva]

HURRAH!!!!!!!!! Bye bye boring ballad!

The head of Ukrainian broadcaster NTU has resigned and along with him many other heads. This means a whole new competition in the Ukraine as that sham of a song is now gone. They are rushing for a new final this weekend.

So now we go from bad crappy boring Ukraine.

http://www.eurovision-austria.com/2010/national_finals/ukraine/images/vasilij.jpg

To Happy bouncy brilliant Ukraine
http://www.brama.com/news/press/2005/thumbs/050510_ruslana-unicef300450.jpghttp://www.virginmedia.com/images/eurovision08-gal-ukraine.jpg

[Shiva]

Mike Stock, co-composer of the United Kingdom’s 2010 entry has announced that the song will be remixed and a new version released in the near future.

After much criticism by the public of the quality of the Pete Waterman and Mike Stock composed song, Mike Stock has announced on his website that the song will be remixed and a new, better version released soon.

In a reaction to the criticism and comments received about the song That Sounds Good To Me, Stock said, “what I found most frustrating was having to record six different versions of That Sounds Good To Me incomplete and unfinished. Obviously until you know who has won you can’t deliver the final version. This is what has made this year slightly unusual”

This appeared to be a criticism of the BBC’s national selection format where each of the six acts rehearsed to perform their own version of the song with only three being presented on the night.

He then went on to say that he is busy preparing a new and final version of the song, which he expects to pleasantly surprise people.

Your country needs you, the show in which Josh Dubovie was selected to represent the United Kingdom in Oslo, was viewed by 2.9 million people, which is 4 million less than the 6.9 million viewers that the 2009 edition of Your country needs you achieved.

On the subject of whether or not the United Kingdom can take home victory in Oslo on the 29th of May, Stock said, “I don’t ask myself the question ‘can we win Eurovision?’, I just want only to do a great job and, believe me, it isn’t easy because so many things are out of your control. But anything is possible to do”.

[Shiva]

While the Irish entry is still undergoing editing for the final video the first few pictures have started to emerge, and all I can say is wow, she looks amazing. Click here to see more (http://www.escireland.com/2010/03/niamh-kavanaghs-preview-shots-from-the-video/)

[amnesiac]

The draw for the running order in both semi finals was held in Oslo today. The Norwegians took it so seriously, they even had the local police on hand to endure it was fair! Niamh drew position 12 of 17 in semi final 2. Assuming there will probably be two commerical breaks in each semi I think Niamh will perform just before or just after a commercial! Let’s hope it’s before; performing straight after a commercial would not be ideal! Performing after Slovenia would be great; good contrast between the two genres!

[Shiva]

I now declare this years Albanian entry to be the new Shady Lady, I am loving the Gaga-esque video.

qgeklMIc6_k

Juliana Pasha "It's all about you"

[amnesiac]

I now declare this years Albanian entry to be the new Shady Lady, I am loving the Gaga-esque video.

qgeklMIc6_k

Juliana Pasha "It's all about you"

It's Gaga meets Kate Bush meets Eurovision!

I'm in love!

[Shiva]

The Current Betting Odds:

Azerbaijan 5/2

Germany/ Israel 11/2

Denmark 10/1

Croatia 12/1

Norway /Armenia 14/1

Sweden 20/1

Greece 22/1

Belgium /Iceland /Ireland 33/1

Albania /Turkey 40/1

Slovakia /France /United Kingdom/ Spain 50/1

Belarus/ Ukraine /Romania 66/1

Moldova /Georgia 80/1

Bosnia & Herzogovina /Russia /Malta /Serbia /Lithuania Cyprus 100/1

Estonia 125/1

Finland/ Latvia/ Portugal 150/1

Switzerland /Bulgaria /Holland 200/1

FYR Macedonia /Poland /Slovenia 250/1

[handsy]

This was a Swedish Semi Finalist - Love it! And he is beautiful!

"Man Boy, Man Boy, You Can Call me Man Boy"

Xfr7fuQ7ORg

[amnesiac]

This was a Swedish Semi Finalist - Love it! And he is beautiful!

"Man Boy, Man Boy, You Can Call me Man Boy"

Xfr7fuQ7ORg

Unfortunate song title though...

The North American Man/Boy Love Association (NAMBLA) is a New York City (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City) and San Francisco (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco)-based unincorporated organization in the United States (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States) that advocates (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_consent_reform) the liberalization of laws against sexual relations between adult and minor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_consent) males - resolving to "end the oppression of men and boys who have freely chosen mutually consenting relationships". NAMBLA also calls for "the adoption of laws that both protect children from unwanted sexual experiences and at the same time leave them free to determine the content of their own sexual experiences."[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Man/Boy_Love_Association#cite_note-1) NAMBLA's webpage claims that: "NAMBLA does not provide encouragement, referrals or assistance for people seeking sexual contacts" and that it does not "engage in any activities that violate the law [or] advocate that anyone else should [violate the law]."[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Man/Boy_Love_Association#cite_note-whoweare-2)

[Carraigrock]

My top 5 of 2010...

eWruRPXHkEc
kghCqyMLPFA
K8iALS6-l7c
5P1neQKN-1k
qgeklMIc6_k

[admin]

My top 5 of 2010...

There's no Germany [:-((][:-((][:-((]

But its my fav [:-D]

8QSgNM9yNjo

[Shiva]

Don't forget to vote for your top 3 songs from this year here (http://www.escireland.com/2010/04/vote-now-in-the-esc-ireland-eurovision-2010-poll/). Currently Ireland is running away with the vote, followed by Iceland, Israel and Germany in second place.

In other news Greece (http://www.escireland.com/2010/04/ohhh-new-greece/) has slightly revamped their song.

And in case you haven't seen or heard any of the entrants then this is the place to go to (http://www.escireland.com/2010-entrants/).

[Shiva]

Romania has released their official video, really liking this song.

xqDnxKGFK1Q

[Shiva]

Admin has done a review (http://www.escireland.com/2010/04/can-we-have-the-votes-of-the-cork-jury-please/), as has Carrigrock (Part 1 (http://www.escireland.com/2010/04/can-we-have-the-votes-of-the-limerick-jury-please/) and 2 (http://www.escireland.com/2010/04/can-we-have-the-votes-of-the-limerick-jury-please-part-2/)) and Candlemansa (part 1 (http://www.escireland.com/2010/03/thats-how-stephen-cs-it-semi-final-round-up/)and 2 (http://www.escireland.com/2010/04/thats-how-stephen-cs-it-second-semi-final-round-up/)).

Coming soon, Invincible and Joanna Rhyde review the songs.

Vote for your top 3 songs of this year here. (http://www.escireland.com/vote-now/)

Don't forget if you want to contribute then simply either PM myself or contact us here (http://www.escireland.com/follow-us/).

[Shiva]

This is really growing on me

ECyeUYsU14E

It'sa pity she sounds like a spayed cat live

[Albaboy]

I now declare this years Albanian entry to be the new Shady Lady, I am loving the Gaga-esque video.

qgeklMIc6_k

Juliana Pasha "It's all about you"

I love it too [:-X]

[Shiva]

I love it too [:-X]

It is simply amazing :)

[louislestat]

I love Ireland but I think Germany is brilliant too.

@ Shiva do you have the lyrics for Germany by any chance? She has an unusual accent

[Shiva]

I love Ireland but I think Germany is brilliant too.

@ Shiva do you have the lyrics for Germany by any chance? She has an unusual accent

Satellite

I went everywhere for you
I even did my hair for you
I bought new underwear, they're blue
And I wore 'em just the other day

Love, you know I'll fight for you
I left on the porch light for you
Whether you are sweet or cool
I'm gonna love you either way

Love, oh love, I gotta tell you how I feel about you
'Cause I, oh I, can't go a minute without your love
Like a satellite, I'm in orbit all the way around you
And I would fall out into the night
Can't go a minute without your love

Love, I got it bad for you
I saved the best I have for you
You sometimes make me sad and blue
Wouldn't have it any other way

Love, my aim is straight and true
Cupid's arrow is just for you
I even painted my toenails for you
I did it just the other day

Love, oh love, I gotta tell you how I feel about you
'Cause I, oh I, can't go a minute without your love
Like a satellite, I'm in orbit all the way around you
And I would fall out into the night
Can't go a minute without your...
Love, oh love, I gotta tell you how I feel about you
'Cause I, oh I, can't go a minute without your love

Where you go, I follow
You set the pace, we'll take it fast and slow
I'll follow in your way
You got me, you got me
A force more powerful than gravity
It's physics, there's no escape

Love, my aim is straight and true
Cupid's arrow is just for you
I even painted my toenails for you
I did it just the other day

Love, oh love, I gotta tell you how I feel about you
'Cause I, oh I, can't go a minute without your love
Like a satellite, I'm in orbit all the way around you
And I would fall out into the night
Can't go a minute without your...
Love, oh love, I gotta tell you how I feel about you
'Cause I, oh I, can't go a minute without your love
Love, love, love, love, love

8QSgNM9yNjo

[louislestat]

Awwwww thanks Shiva thats fab. I thought thats what she was saying alright. It's so catchy and the lyrics different and quirky. Loves it I do. Cheers

[Shiva]

Awwwww thanks Shiva thats fab. I thought thats what she was saying alright. It's so catchy and the lyrics different and quirky. Loves it I do. Cheers

She will do well alright, but I think she will win.

[louislestat]

She will do well alright, but I think she will win.

I'd be delighted if she won but would prefer if Niamh wins.

''I Bought new underwear they're blue''[:-))][:-))][:-))] Funny

[Madguy]

Have a few more songs to listen too before I decide on my top 5. Just watched the the Irish Entry again. Niamh is very good. I am looking forward to the end of May now... just over a month to go.... Let the count down begin!!! :) [:-))]

[Shiva]

Have a few more songs to listen too before I decide on my top 5. Just watched the the Irish Entry again. Niamh is very good. I am looking forward to the end of May now... just over a month to go.... Let the count down begin!!! :) [:-))]

I cannot wait, that damn volcano had better stop erupting before we fly to Norway :)

While I have my top 5 I just don't see a clear winner this year.

[amnesiac]

My favourites are changing all the time.

Currently:

Denmark
Norway
Ireland
Albania
Sweden
Romania
Iceland
Switzerland
Germany
Croatia

[Madguy]

I cannot wait, that damn volcano had better stop erupting before we fly to Norway :)



I am with you there... I am heading over to Newcastle to watch it with mates. We stayed up a night in Sydney last year to see it.. So we are gonna somewhat relive the experience in this part of the world!!! :P

[Invincible]

Apparently RTÉ and NRK (Norwegian host broadcaster) will be filming the Irish postcard today to use before Niamh performs in May.

Annoyingly they are only using locations in Dublin[X-(].

[Shiva]

Apparently RTÉ and NRK (Norwegian host broadcaster) will be filming the Irish postcard today to use before Niamh performs in May.

Annoyingly they are only using locations in Dublin[X-(].

Right now in fact, they only wanted 30 people there

[Shiva]

We have pictures of the filming of the Irish postcard up on http://www.escireland.com/

[louislestat]

The website www.ESCIreland.com is AMAZING. Well done!

I can't stop listening to Germany so catchy and Ireland. Loooove them. Am I repeating myself??

[Shiva]

Dirty flirt :)

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs073.snc3/14103_382210272733_549082733_4046091_1235075_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs073.snc3/14103_382210267733_549082733_4046090_440512_n.jpg

[louislestat]

[QUOTE=Shiva;185907]Dirty flirt :)

Hey you......is that because of my website comment or my choice of songs?[:-))][:-))]

[Shiva]

[QUOTE=Shiva;185907]Dirty flirt :)

Hey you......is that because of my website comment or my choice of songs?[:-))][:-))]

Little bit of a, little bit of b

[queenofdamned]

Z3nxhVyB5OM

hey georgian representative Sofia reminds me of Monica Belluci and her voice sounds like celine dion! give a chance to her and listen her beautiful voice and song.

[Shiva]

Swedish TV has gone and done a set of 4 preview programs on it. The first one can be seen here (http://svtplay.se/v/1979558/melodifestivalen/infor_esc_2010_-_del_1_av_4), don't let the Swedish put you off as the panel is amazin Lena Ph amongest others :)

[Shiva]

RTÉ Television


EUROVISION SONG CONTEST WANTS PARTICIPANTS TO TAKE PART IN A FLASH MOB

Do you love to dance? Would you like to take part in a unique event which will be aired on television during this year’s Eurovision Song Contest? Then listen up!

Next Thursday May 6th at 8:30pm RTÉ, Dance Ireland and the Norwegian broadcaster NRK will be staging a flashmob event in Meeting House Square, Temple Bar.

This years Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) interval act is a ‘flashmob’, where people from across the continent will do a dance routine to the same track. The motto for the ESC this year is Share the Moment! We want to share it with you and get the Irish public involved.

The dance will be led by the cast of RTÉ series Fame The Musical and professional dancers from Dance Ireland. Behind them members of the public are invited to join in. Dance instructions will be given by a Norwegian choreographer. You don’t need to be an amazing dancer – if you can move a leg or an arm- or even just your head – you’re welcome to come along!

Fame the Musical judge and star of the original Fame tv series Erica Gimpel says, “Whether you’re young or old, whatever your level of fitness or coordination we’d love to see you down at Meeting House Square next Thursday night. Get a gang of friends together or bring your family or work colleagues along. The 10 remaining contestants from Fame the Musical will be on hand to help you perfect the dance moves in the routine. We want to see you twist, turn, shake, jump and clap – it promises to be a fun filled night with lots of laughs.”

Events are being recorded in London, Ljubljana, Dusseldorf and Dublin (plus a few more cities yet to be revealed), and will be used as part of the spectacular centrepiece of the Song Contest Final on the 29th of May in front of an audience of over 120 million people.

Meeting time: 20.30, rehearsals for the dance will begin at 20.30

Shooting: 21.30 – 22.45

Remember: Please wear colourful clothes, comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water with you. Any signs or explicit branding will not be accepted in the images (excluding normal design/logos on t-shirt and clothes that people ordinarily would wear) Come share this extraordinary event with us.

[Shiva]

If you want a ticket then they have released a number of extra ones gogo

[amnesiac]

And I have a spare for semi 1, semi 2 and the final!

[Shiva]

3jMHxJ4DYt0
Iceland's Official video for this year, loving it!

[amnesiac]

Love, love, LOVE Hera!

Shiva is kind of dead to me.

[Shiva]

A preview look at the stage!
_thH6w3yFEs

[Shiva]

10 days left People, the official countdown show has been aired, and we are doing our own special one on ESCIreland.

Episode 2

b5bJxDss9QI

[Captain Ass]

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!

<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QOv8voxmlYY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QOv8voxmlYY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

[Shiva]

So they are finishing the 3rd day of rehearsals, with the second half of the second semi to go tomorrow.

Things are looking good for Albania, Iceland and Armenia. The real surprise is greece who have turned theirs around to what many now believe to be a top 5. Disappointing everyone was Denmark where the male lead Nev'ergreen was completely off form both on performance and singing, as someone put it if he doesn't cop on there will be a very quiet flight back to Copenhagen Friday morning.

[amnesiac]

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!

<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QOv8voxmlYY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QOv8voxmlYY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

Well if the ash cloud prevents me flying to Oslo I now know where I will be on the 29th!

[JoannaRyde]

How come Niamhs Odds have halved since Wednesday?

[louislestat]

How come Niamhs Odds have halved since Wednesday?


Really? Shit I looooooove that song so much. She HAS to do well!!!!

[Sheila Fits]

How come Niamhs Odds have halved since Wednesday?


It seems that Miss Kavanagh's rehearsals and the way she has the media eating out of her hand has helped her in the betting stakes.........Weel worth a flutter me thinks ...............I backed her a few weeks ago at 33/1 so me very happy.

xx

[louislestat]

I really do hope Niamh wins, I am supposrting her 150% at this stage. I think she deserves it. I bloody love that song and her voice is fantastic

When she won in Mill Street in 1993 I was just ''coming out'', God it seems like a life time ago. It was the same year Homosexuality was decriminalised in Ireland. Awwwww the memories

Come on Niamh sing us out of the recession again!

[Shiva]

24 hours to go!!!

[Sheila Fits]

24 hours to go!!!


am fit to shit with excitement !!!!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[louislestat]

There was a 'blonde' strange creature screaming from Serbia - very disturbing

Poland were just singing at Apples.......yes singing at Apples and now he is choking one of his backing singers.

''No voting for viewers in Ireland'' keeps appearing on the screen. Whom can I thank for that gift?

Roll on Thursday. If Niamh doesnt win this I'll be so angry I will spit

[dannii]

I LOVED me and my guitar!

Great song and sexy singer!! Loved it [:-P]

[louislestat]

Giorgos Alkaios and Friends from Greece. Feck right off Giorgos and Helloooooooo Giorgios friends.
Jesus, Mary and Holy St Joseph. All of Louis's dreams come true there - 5 times over. YUM

Again, again, again I want to see it again

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j33/mgos/GiorgosAlkaiosFriends.jpg

[louislestat]

Now Iceland have a Blood Clot on the stage.......I have to stop watching.......it's hurting me

[dannii]

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j33/mgos/GiorgosAlkaiosFriends.jpg

Id do em all bar the lead singer lol[:-O ]

[+saidin+]

I LOVED Iceland!! All is forgiven for Eyjafjallajokull

Second fave was Albania, followed by Malta.

Serbia and Latvia were dire!