Tag Archives: Vienna

HERA BJORK GETS A SECOND CHANCE TO COME TO EUROVISION FOR ICELAND AS THE MAIN ARTIST

Last night ICELAND picked their 2024 Eurovision entry. Continue reading HERA BJORK GETS A SECOND CHANCE TO COME TO EUROVISION FOR ICELAND AS THE MAIN ARTIST

USB STICKS AT EUROVISION OVER THE YEARS – NORTH MACEDONIA – 2015

Roy van der Merwe of ESC Covers received several USB sticks at the Eurovision song contest over the years and some of them are really special. He will highlight some of these over the next number of weeks. Continue reading USB STICKS AT EUROVISION OVER THE YEARS – NORTH MACEDONIA – 2015

OGAE FAN STAND – KYIV, UKRAINE

OGAE Finland was very active at the OGAE fan stand in Kyiv during the Eurovision song contest and ESCCovers met up with Petteri Hilska and his sister Karoliina from Finland. They were doing a shift at the fan stand and we rewarded them with some CD’s. We already published a photo of Petteri and now it is the turn of Karoliina. She asked Roy from South Africa about the South African boy band HI 5 as she knew they covered several euro songs in Afrikaans. Karoliina got some of the special CD’s we made for Vienna when Eurovision celebrated 60 years. On these CD’s are a lot of Afrikaans covers of Eurovision songs.

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Måns brings the Heroes Tour to London

 

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As the winners tour concluded last night in Copenhagen.  Let’s have a look at some of the great moments that Måns gave us.  Back on the London leg of the tour, just outside London’s West End at the gay venue, Heaven, Måns delivered a very intimate concert to a massive crowd.  Performing most of his new album, Perfectly Damaged, but also some amazing favourites of the past.

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He pleased the crowd by performing the Melodifestivalen 2009 finalist classic, Hope & Glory but it was the Mirrors Tung Version, which was a funk rock version of the song that still had an infectious beat.

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He then sang the ever popular Cara Mia from Melodifestivalen 2007, which in my eyes still should of won of that year.

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And of course no evening would be complete without the 2015 Eurovision winner, Heroes.  Annouced by Conchita and replaying that winning moment back in Vienna.

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Overall, it was a night to remember and can’t wait for the next time that Måns stops off in London.  He is welcome back anytime.

 

LETTER TO TURKEY – EMILY SMITH (Australia)

An open letter to TRT

 

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to you about Turkey’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, imploring you to reconsider your decision to not attend in 2016.

As a great fan of Eurovision, and of Turkish entries in particular, it deeply saddens me that you have withdrawn from the contest indefinitely. It is particularly disappointing that you have cited moral objections, as Eurovision is inherently about inclusion and diversity. The contest is a celebration of differences, with no one being unwelcome: even Australia attended this year! What makes Eurovision so great is the manifestation of diverse cultures, attitudes and beliefs all coming together in one event. While your government may have objections to certain events that have occurred within the contest, it is a great shame for you to remove yourself entirely.

The theme of inclusivity is extremely relevant now, with Turkey playing such a pivotal role in the current Syrian refugee crisis. Participating in Eurovision again would be a wonderful gesture of Turkey’s willingness to be a part of the European community, with a view to improving diplomatic relations with the rest of Europe. The political implications of Eurovision participation cannot be lost on you, with you yourselves initially withdrawing for political reasons. While the contest was initially established as a tool to unify Europe after World War II, it continues to foster harmony amongst European nations. In the face of a global humanitarian crisis, continental unity is critical and Eurovision holds the key.

Politics aside, it is worth noting that Turkey has had great Eurovision success in recent years. Reaching the top ten seven times in ten years is a remarkable feat, and one of which you must be proud. Your bold stage presentations and Mediterranean/oriental flavoured pop music products are a winning combination; the voting population cannot get enough. And just think, Eurovision 2017 held in Istanbul could even further strengthen Turkey’s relationship with the rest of Europe. This could be a key opportunity for you to use the recent popularity of Turkish music and culture to your advantage.

Looking closer to home, Eurovision is very popular within Turkey itself. This year, hotel searches for Vienna increased by 91% in Turkey, higher than in any other country in the world. Clearly there is still huge support for Eurovision within Turkey. It is a great shame that Turkish fans can no longer enjoy the broadcast from within their own country, in addition to not being represented on the stage.

Let’s not forget that there are approximately 150,000 Turkish people living in Sweden. They must also be very disappointed that a representative from their homeland will not be joining them in Stockholm. There are millions of Turkish people living across Europe who are actively involved with Eurovision, as displayed in Eurovision voting. Turkey has historically received the most points from Germany, which has the largest Turkish population in the world outside of Turkey, estimated at four million people. The second and third most points received have come from France and the Netherlands, who have the second and third largest Turkish populations in Europe. Vast numbers of Turkish people at home and abroad support Eurovision and they are being let down by your non-participation.

There are a multitude of reasons why Turkey should reconsider their position, but in the end it boils down to this: a Eurovision without Turkey does not feel complete. Something is missing. Your absence is felt deeply by all the fans, Turkish and otherwise, and we urge you to rejoin us.

Kind regards,

Huge Eurovision fan

Melodifestivalen Final 2015 – Sweden Decides Tonight

In Stockholm tonight at the Friends Arena the Swedish public and international juries will choose this year’s Swedish entry for the 60th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna.  With a special performance by last year’s winner, Conchita Wurst.

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Twelve songs will be competing for the title this year as four, instead of two, songs proceeded to the final from last week’s Andra Chansen (Second Chance) round.  The standard of songs this year and the lack of a clear front runner are making the prediction element a difficult one but I’ll give it a go.

Watch it live at SVT Play at 20:00 CET Click Here!

Who will win?

1) Samir & Viktor “Groupie” – Predict 10th place

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This song joined the final by winning its duel against Behrang Miri in the Second Chance.  This song is still a novelty one and they have added a falling into bed scene at the end but that doesn’t change the song.  The public do like this song especially the teens and will do well in the televoting but most of the juries will shun this song.

2) JTR “Building it Up” – Predict 12th Place

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This boyband won their place by directly qualifying from the fourth semi-final and are popular with the masses of children screaming for them but the song and performance are still a bit luke warm. Without that showstopper edge and a bad draw in the running order this song will fail to finish well.  The juries will have too many songs to choose from which will make some of the entries unmemorable. I believe this will be one of them.

3) Dinah Nah “Make Me (La La La)” – Predict 9th Place

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Dinah Nah won her place by beating Dolly Style in her Andra Chansen duel. This typical Europop club hit is popular across many of the international fans of the contest but unfortunately they can’t vote.  The voting public won’t back this song as much as some of the others as Loreen has still cast a shadow on all subsequent dance hits from Sweden.  It will take awhile for this to pass and believe it is still too early for the Swedish public buy in.  The juries will like it but like isn’t good enough to place well.

4) Jon Henrik Fjällgren “Jag är Fri (Manne Leam Frijje)” I am Free – Predict 2nd Place

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Jon Henrik won his place in the third semi-final and has been one of the hot favourites.  The song hasn’t changed apart Jon Henrik’s wardrobe but it doesn’t matter the atmospheric song will do extremely well with the Swedish public having recently won Sweden’s Got Talent.  The main area of contention is the international juries, will they or won’t they go for it?  I believe it will do very well and if the juries get behind it will win.  I believe it is a two horse race at this point between John Henrik and Måns Zelmerlöw.

5) Jessica Andersson “Can’t Hurt Me Now” – Predict 8th Place

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Jessica won her place in the very first semi-final and has been forgotten mostly since then.  The song and performance haven’t changed but it is still missing that dramatic build or climatic edge.  It is a shame as the song and performance are beautiful but simply forgettable.  Ballads always do well but this year with so many songs competing for points it will leave many in the dust and unfortunately this song will fall in that category.

6) Måns Zelmerlöw “Heroes” – Predict Winner

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Måns qualified directly to the final from the fourth semi-final and is the odds on favourite to win.  The innovative performance and sheer popularity of the song will make the public pick up their phones to vote.  The juries will fall for this as well as the feast for the eyes is also met with its Guetta-like styling which stands against club based hits like “Europhia” as something entirely different. It is a refreshing performance that you won’t forget and believe he can only be beaten if the juries fall for Jon Henrik.

7) Linus Svenning “Forever Starts Today” – Predict 7th Place

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Linus beat Andreas Weise in the second chance to win his place in the final.  His performance and song are solid and a change of direction in styling to last year’s “Bröder”.  His main issue again are that there are too many songs competing for those all-important points.  The ethnic feel to the song will get the juries backing it and his sincere performance will get the public voting.

8) ISA “Don’t Stop” – Predict 5th Place

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ISA won her place in the third semi-final and gained many children followers.  Her song is mainstream pop and is very well written.  I believe she will pick up votes from the juries and she will certainly have the backing of most children out there.  The only issue she will face is that there is crossover appeal from Eric Saade’s entry which means they both could lose out on points to each other.  ISA is definitely one to watch and if she participates again she could take the crown.

9) Magnus Carlsson “Möt Mig I Gamla Stan” – Predict 11th Place

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Magnus achieved his place in the final directly from the second semi-final and his absolute Schlager hit is extremely popular with the gay audience.  This is the type of song that could of won ten years ago but time has moved on since then.  The song has lots of appeal but the juries and public will opt for his more contemporary counterparts.  This is the sort of song I love and so glad that this style is represented in the final as it means that Schlager isn’t dead just not as mainstream as it once was.

10) Eric Saade “Sting” – Predict 4th Place

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Eric qualified for his place way back in the first semi-final and showed that his “Popular” fan base hasn’t diminished.  Honestly Saade could enter and do well with almost any type of song due to his popularity.  The song is a grower and I have grown to like but for the majority of viewers and juries this will be the first time listening to it which lies part of the problem.  The stylised performance with dancing shadows, rising platforms, pyrotechnics and glitter will be hard to forget but will the voters like it enough to pick up the phone to vote, I don’t think so.  The majority of his points will come from his dedicated fan base.

11) Mariette “Don’t Stop Believing” – Predict 3rd Place

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Mariette won her place in the second semi-final with her atmospheric and mesmerising performance.  Nothing has changed here but it also didn’t need to as promotes its dark side feeling very well.  The international juries will love the song and performance.  The Swedish public who don’t care for the mainstream pop style of Måns, Eric and ISA will go for this and in a big way.  With her debut performance in Melodifestivalen, I believe Marietta will be pleased with her placing and in a less competitive year this could win.

12) Hasse Andersson “Guld och Gröna Skogar” Gold and Green Forests – Predict 6th Place

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Hasse beat Kristin Amparo in the Second Chance to win his place in the final.  His sheer likability of a happy song in the sight of Spring approaching just makes people smile.  It is very Swedish and the public love this and will go for it in a big way.  The juries will overlook this as filler because it isn’t a style of music that many countries listen to as mainstream.  All his points will come from the televote but just how many will decide on his overall placing.

Do you agree?