Author Archives: Samantha Ross
News from Bulgaria: Elitsa and Stoyan Return!
Few nations have had luck as rough as Bulgaria has in Eurovision. Since their debut in 2005, they have only qualified for the Finals once, when Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan Yankoulov stormed to a 5th-place finish with “Water” (Or “Voda”, if you want to be all Bulgarian about it). The ethnic-infused techno number, with its heavy drumming and hypnotic vocals, has been the nation’s highest result so far. Since then, broadcaster BNT has sent popera, house, pop-rock, and chalga, all trying to duplicate what Elitsa and Stoyan accomplished in 2007, and all failing to hit that high-water mark. Read the rest of this entry
Norway has decided: it’s Margaret Berger!
Norwegian broadcaster NRK once again played host to Melodi Grand Prix, the nation’s selection process for Eurovision since their debut in 1960. After three Semifinals, a total of ten songs went up to the plate on Saturday, with four eventually proceeding to a “Golden Final”. After a second round of performances, a blend of public televoting and a jury vote led to the overwhelming selection of Margaret Berger’s dark electronic number “I Feed You My Love”. Read the rest of this entry
Finland has Decided: it’s Krista Siegfrids!
For the second year running, Finland has selected its entrant for Eurovision via the Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu. This year, eight finalists took the stage, all hoping for the ticket to Sweden. After a closely-fought final, where three entrants were deadlocked after the jury weighed in, it took the Finnish public to decide a winner. Read the rest of this entry
Preview: Finland’s Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu Final
Saturday’s Nordic extravaganza continues with the Final of Finland’s Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu, or “New Music Competition”. YLE has shown a number of introductory programs, semifinals, and a “second chance” round, which narrowed twelve songs down to eight. Seems a bit inefficient in terms of winnowing down the list of finalists, but it really helped to familiarize the public with the songs that could potentially represent Finland in Malmö this spring. Read the rest of this entry
Preview: Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix Final
No country has hit Eurovision’s heights and valleys quite in the way that Norway has. They’ve won three times, including the most resounding victory in ESC history (with 2009’s “Fairytale”), but they’ve also come in last place a staggering eleven times, including last year’s “Stay”. After a trio of 7-song Semifinals gave us three songs apiece, and the jury over at NRK picked a wildcard qualifier, we’ll see ten acts taking the stage in Oslo’s Spektrum Arena this Saturday.
The acts range in style from rockabilly to folk to party rock to a metal/opera mashup, with a pair of Norwegian Idol runners-up in the mix. Let’s take a look at the contenders, shall we?
More Internal Picks: Hannah and Despina for Slovenia and Cyprus
As all eyes were seemingly on the National Finals in Malta and Iceland or one of the Semifinals in Norway, Hungary, and Sweden, two other nations unveiled their representatives for Malmö. In Cyprus, veteran performer Despina Olympiou was selected by broadcaster CyBC, while in Slovenia, American-born Hannah Mancini will pick up the mantle of her adopted country. Read the rest of this entry
Malta has Decided: it’s Gianluca Bezzina!
Well, it was a long night in Ta’ Qali, but after sixteen performances and a dramatic vote-tally, we have a winner! Taking top points with the jury and second place with the public vote, 23-year-old Qrendi native Gianluca Bezzina will represent the island nation with his sunny pop number “Tomorrow”. Read the rest of this entry
Iceland has chosen: Eyþór Ingi Gunnlaugsson
Another Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins has come and gone, and some of Iceland’s most popular performers gave it their all tonight on the stage of the Harpa. After seven performances, followed by a two-song Superfinal, we have a winner. Representing Iceland in Malmö this May will be Eyþór Ingi Gunnlaugsson with “Ég á Lif (I Have Life)”, who just beat out Unnur Eggertsdóttir’s “Ég Syng!” for the win.
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Preview: National Final in Malta
Happening at just about the same time as Iceland’s Söngvakeppni 2013 is the larger-fielded (and much easier to pronounce) Malta Eurovision Song Contest. Starting at 20:40 CET and being streamed both on Malta’s TVM site as well as Eurovision.tv, you can expect this program to last at least four hours. Get the popcorn and booze ready…it’s going to be a long haul. Read the rest of this entry
Preview: Iceland’s Söngvakeppnin Final
Iceland, the only Nordic nation that is yet to win a Eurovision title, will select their representative on Saturday as the finals of Söngvakeppnin 2013 commence at the Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavík. After a pair of Semifinals held last weekend whittled the 12 competitors down (and shockingly eliminated previous ESC runner-up Yohanna as well as fan favorite Erna Hrönn), we’ll see the nation’s seven remaining hopefuls battle it out for the coveted ticket to Sweden. Read the rest of this entry
The ESC Insider 