Blog Archives
X-Factor, Sanremo, and now Eurovision…Marco Mengoni for Italy
This weekend marked the culmination of the 63rd annual Sanremo Music Festival, one of the most enduring traditions in Italian pop music (and generally accepted to be the inspiration for Eurovision as we know it today). For five nights, fourteen established artists (with two songs apiece) and eight fresh faces took the stage at the Ariston Theatre, all hoping to strike it big with the Italian public. And, for one, a special jury would award the chance to move on to Eurovision. Read the rest of this entry
Slovenia: Hannah Mancini’s “Straight Into Love” released
Contributing to the maelstrom of Eurovision news released on Valentine’s Day, Slovenia released their highly-anticipated song for Sweden, the dubstep-influenced house number “Straight Into Love“, performed by American-born Hannah Mancini. Even though Slovenia has been competing at Eurovision since 1993, this is the country’s very first purely internal selection. Let’s see what they came up with: 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
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: 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 