Anja Kroeze

In the spotlight: Iceland-Daði & Gagnamagnið

Tonight is the night… the 2nd semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest. 17 countries compete for a place in the final, including Iceland with Daði & Gagnamagnið. But who are they actually? (It was announced yesterday( May 19th 2021) that one of the members, Jóhann Sigurður Jóhannsson, has tested positive for Covid-19. The entire band is in quarantine, and at least they will not be performing live at Ahoy tonight. footage from their rehearsals on May 13) Daði (full name: Daði Freyr Pétursson) was born on June 30, 1992 in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. Shortly after his birth, he moved to Denmark, only to return to Iceland, Ásahreppur, at the age of 9, where he spent his childhood. From an early age he has been involved in music, playing drums, piano and bass guitar. In 2012 he founded the band RetRoBot, with which he won Músíktilraunir, a national competition for emerging talent. The band disbanded in 2014, after which Daði left for Berlin, where he still lives, for musical training. In 2017 he founded Gagnamagnið (Meaning: Amount of Dates), together with his sister Sigrún Birna Pétursdóttir and his wife Árný Fjóla Ásmundsdóttir, and childhood friends Hulda Kristín Kolbrúnardóttir (backing vocalist), Stefán Hannóðursson (dancer), and Jóðóðursson (dancer), and Jóðursson . Árný and Daði have 1 daughter together, Áróra Björg, and are expecting their second child at the end of 2021. In 2017 they participate with Söngvakeppn in the Icelandic preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest, and become 2nd. They were already performing in what would become their trademark; the signature green sweaters, on which an avatar of themselves is printed, inspired by Daði’s greatest hobby; Lego. In 2020 they will give it another try and they win. The 2020 Eurovision Song Contest was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but Iceland was declared the unofficial winner of the festival. In October 2020, Icelandic public broadcaster Ríkisútvarpið, confirmed that Daði & Gagnamagnið was chosen internally to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021, in which they will participate with the song “Ten Years”. Anyone who thinks that tonight’s act is a gathering of accidentally awkward dance steps will be disappointed. Nothing at all has been left to chance. Everything, but everything is thought out, practiced and executed in detail. The costumes were devised and made by themselves, including the rings, which were designed by sister Sigrún (student goldsmith). They are also high in the polls this year. They will certainly make it to the final. Despite the dire circumstances, we wish Daði & Gagnamagnið a lot of success. In Cooperation with Eurovision Artists Photo-Video Credits: EBU

Press conference Hosts Eurovision

Today we followed the press conference of Edsilia, Nikkie, Jan and Chantal, the hosts of this years Eurovision Song Contest. After last night’s first live show, the quartet was highly praised. They themselves experienced, especially the opening as emotional and wonderful: “When the doors opened, (and we had rehearsed it so many times), there was suddenly the real audience, the applause. It was fantastic. “ The four presenters with completely different backgrounds tell that each with their own talent completes the total picture of the qualities of the quartet. As Nikkie says: “When I need a moment of reassurance, I look at Jan, he has no nerves, Chantal teaches me: This is our house, with our rules, WE do this, and when I need the laugh of the day, then I look at Edsilia. ” She also says that in every dress she wears, the colors of the rain bloom flag have been incorporated, as an expression of support to the LGBTQI+ community. Jan told us that he was somewhat insecure in terms of language. He is used to speaking in Dutch and German, English is a bit more difficult for him. Often he wants to be too quick not to be left behind. He realizes that he must maintain his calm and his own pace in this, so as not to stumble over his own words. When asked whether he would like to participate again as an artist in the Festival, he replies in the negative: “I once had that ambition, but I left a number of years behind me. The Eurovision Song Contest is for young people, and I think I’m too old now ” To our question to Edsilla: You participated twice as an artist (she participated at eurovision in 1998 and 2007). What’s more exciting: Participate as a host, or as a singer? she replied: “My heart is with the artists. When I see them backstage I know how they feel. In my heart I am a singer, but this, I have never done anything as big as this, is really great ” Chantal picked up the moments with technical problems during the jury rehearsal and live show flawlessly. As a presenter of various live shows, she did not panic, but made the best of it. She confirms that she is the right person to handle these kinds of moments. She jokes: “In addition to “In de maneschijn ”I have rehearsed 80 songs for moments like this” The quartet comes across as relaxed and relaxed, and they look forward to the next live shows… Just like us.

Qualifiers 1st Semi Final

After tonight’s show, the 10 qualifiers (in random order) are: Lithuania. The Roop – Discotheque Belgium. Hooverphonic – The wrong place Russia. Manizha – Russian Woman Sweden. Tusse – Voices Cyprus – Elena – El Diablo Azerbaijan – Efendi – Mata Hari Ukraine – Go_A – Shum Malta – Destiny – Je me casse Israel – Eden – Set me free Norway – TIX – Fallen Angel We will see them back in the grand Final on Saturday.

Highlighted: Russia – Manizha

Tonight is the night… the first semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest. 16 countries compete for a place in the grand final, including Russia, with singer Manizha. But who is Manizha?

Live Blog. 2nd Rehearsals The big 5 & The Netherlands

Today we follow the second rehearsals of the big 5 and the Netherlands in Ahoy Rotterdam. We keep you live updated. In Cooperation with Eurovision Artists. Photo & Videocredits: EBU 12.35 – Spain The last in the league today is Spain. He starts acapella again, which sounds promising. Unfortunately the song ripples on a bit after that, and Blas Cantó is unable to convince. The vocals are not very good either, especially when the singing is more powerful.The expression last but not least does not apply in this case. Spain rank 37th in the polls, which does not bode well for the final ranking. 12.10 – United Kingdom In the same setting, James Newman puts on a similar rehearsal as in the first. The song is cheerful and dynamic, James is full of enthusiasm, and yet it all comes across as a bit artificial. Vocally, it is often just on, just over the edge. With a 22nd place in the polls, it will be quite a job for James to finish in the left row. 11.45 – France Barbara Pravi also puts on a fantastic rehearsal today, in the same setting as during the 1st rehearsal. A small point of attention is her tank top, which fell off during the first run. It would be a shame if a nipplegate were created around Barbara which will get a lot of attention, instead of focusing on the act and vocals that are powerful and beautiful in all its simplicity. A high quotation and perhaps winning the festival is absolutely possible for Barbara. 11.20 – The Netherlands Today Jeangu Macrooy also puts on a great rehearsal. The act is dynamic and well thought out. The maximum is achieved. Singing and dancing are rock solid. With a 31st place in the polls, it is hoped that professional jury and televoters will be able to show a little more appreciation for the Dutch entry after seeing the live performance. 10.55 – Germany Jendrik puts on a great rehearsal again. He bounces and runs across the stage, occasionally making him a little breathless. It is a cheerful, fun act, which he ends in Dutch : “Tot Snel”. The question is how the professional jury will rate this. The Televoters will certainly appreciate it. With a 29th place in the polls, it seems almost impossible for Germany to end up in the left row. 10.30 – Italy The setting is the same as during the first rehearsal. The outfits are different. The lady and gentlemen from Måneskin are dressed in dark red today. Singer Damiano David again bare-chested, except for suspenders. Just like during the first rehearsal, they rock their way through the 3 minutes. With a 2nd place in the polls, a big top 10, possibly even 5, is certainly possible.

Liveblog 2nd Rehearsals Semi Final 2

Also today we follow the second rehearsals in Ahoy Rotterdam. We keep you live updated. In Cooperation with Eurovision Artists. Photo & Videocredits: EBU 13:55 – Denmark The guys from Fyr og Flamme perform a cozysong in Danish, which would have done well in the 80s. The gentlemen are not lacking in enthusiasm. Vocally, there could still be some finishing touches. With a 27th place in the polls it will be a just yes/ just no qualification for the final. 13.30 – Switzerland Gjon’s Tears once again puts on a rehearsal that is rock solid. Although opinions about the staging (busy, messy) are very divided, we see a total picture that suits Gjon and his song. Final? Without any doubt. Top 5? Most likely yes. Winner? Who knows. 13.05 – Latvia Samanta Tina is dressed in green, just like her background singers (with mudguards). With a song like this you expect a bit more spectacle in terms of dance and visuals. Actually, that doesn’t happen at any time. Samanta has a strong voice, nothing wrong there. Whether it is all enough for a place in the final is doubtful. 11.40 – Finland Everything you can expect from a rock act passes in review … x 10. Blind Channel rocks with devotion, and with red-colored middle fingers through the three minutes. With an 11th place in the polls, we will certainly see them back in the big Final. 11.15 – Bulgaria In a beautiful setting (Victoria is standing on a platform in the water) she sings her powerful ballad. Quiet, modest and full of conviction. With a 6th place in the polls, we will certainly see Bulgaria in the final 10.50 – Portugal The Black Mamba starts again in a black and white setting. And as during the 1st rehearsal, Pedro Tatanka sings as if it is all very easy. A calm, restrained act and staging, relaxed and full of conviction. Will Portugal provide a surprise? Who knows. In any case, they allready have a scoop , since it is the first time that a Portuguese participant sings in English. A place in the final is certainly possible . 10.25 Albania Anxhela is alone on the stage. Just like during the first rehearsal, vocals are fine. The graphics in the background are more organized. Anxhela is one of the few who sings in her own language. In a nutshell, her song is about how she used to laugh when someone was in trouble, and now that she’s in trouble herself, another laughs. She certainly has problems in terms of ranking in the polls; 37th place. We will most likely not see Albania in the final either. 10.00 – Georgia Tornike is alone on stage in jeans and a white shirt. The setting is sober. The lyrics of his song are projected in the background and on his head when he is seated. Vocals are very okay, and yet it does not get through. He looks rather angry, but that may have to do with his ranking in the polls; very last. We suspect that the Eurovision adventure for Georgia will end after Thursday.

Recap 1st Rehearsals Big 5 and The Netherlands

Today we have watched the first rehearsals of Italy, Germany, The Netherlands, France, United Kingdom and Spain. In our opinion the most impressive rehearsal was from Barbara Pravi from France, closely followed by Italy and the Netherlands. United Kingdom and Germany both had an okay first rehearsal. Spain still has some work to be done.

1st Rehearsal Spain.

Blas Cantó starts his act, dressed in black, without music. He is alone on stage with a starry sky and moon in the background. Blas does not impress. Appears insecure, and this does not benefit his voice. There is work to be done for Spain. In Cooperation with Eurovision Artists Photo Credits: EBU

1st Rehearsal United Kingdom

James Newman stands on a platform between two huge trumpets. He is dressed in black and wearing a long leather jacket. He is assisted on stage by 4 dancers in white. The act is cheerful and dynamic. Vocally, James is not completely stable in the bass. In Cooperation with Eurovision Artists Photo Credits: EBU

1st Rehearsal France. Barbara owns the stage!

Barbara Pravi is alone on stage in black pants and tank top, in a sober setting. Only 1 spotlight is on her. Not much is happening in the background, visual birds just fly through the image for a moment. The action and chemistry comes from Barbara herself. Her singing is amazing. She radiates dynamism and self-confidence. For the 2nd time today we asked ourselves: Did we just look at the winner of the festival? In Cooperation with Eurovision Artists Photo Credits: EBU