Category Archives: 2013
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
News from San Marino: The Return of Valentina Monetta
(Warning: the following post may cause slight nausea in some readers, heart palpitations in others, and general feelings of déjà vu in most. Please consult your doctor before reading. Or at least post a status on Facebook.)
Well, San Marino, we meet again. You think you could fool us by refusing to deny the various rumors spreading about the blogosphere about the return of Lys Assia. You thought you could confuse us by posting calendars in Chinese on your Facebook page and not stopping the significant number of tweets sent out to Eurovision fans by a pair of (now disappointed) singers from Hong Kong. But uh oh, uh oh oh, it appears that you had the last laugh in the end. Read the rest of this entry
A Winner in Denmark: Emmelie de Forest
Ten songs went to bat tonight in Herning, but, as is the custom, only one could win the ticket to Malmö. After being winnowed down to a three-song Superfinal, one song stood head-and-shoulders above the rest and join the pantheon of Eurovision 2013 performers.
The ESC Insider 