Martijn

Participation of Iceland unsure

Participation of Iceland in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest remains unsure. Due to the Israel-Hamas war, Icelandic broadcaster RÚV will let the possibility of withdrawal open. In an earlier stage, the Icelandic Association of Composers and Lyricists (FTT) has asked RÚV to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest. Stefán Eiriksson, director-general of RÚV, made a statement today. The Icelandic national final, Söngvakeppnin, will be held as planned. After the winner is known, RÚV and the winning artist will make the decision together. “They apply with the goal of becoming Iceland’s representative at Eurovision. They are concerned about the situation just like we are. This has been our preparation for Eurovision and we have announced that we intend to participate in Eurovision without any changes, but we do not know what the future holds”, says Eiriksson.

🇱🇹 Lithuania: results Eurovizija LT are in!

And also in Lithuania we have results. Jury and televoters have decided and these are the results: Zalvarinis, “Gaudė vėjai”, 22 Aistè, “Hero”, 22 Eley, “Rock my body”, 16 Thomas G, “Us”, 13 Deividas Valma, “Blood on your hands”, 11 Paula Urbana, “It is what it is”, 11 Multiks, “Vėjas galvoje”, 9 Andrius Pojavis, “Sing me a hug”, 6 That means Zalvarinis and Aistè are through to the final, and former Eurovision participant Andrius Pojavis became… last.

🇪🇪 Estonia: finalists are known

Estonia made a decision: 5 songs out of the 15 you have heard will go to the final. Here are the full results: Completed with 5 other songs, they will compete in the Eesti Laul final on February 17.

🇳🇴 Norway made a choice

Six songs became three, Norwegian results are in. Televoters chose these songs: Farida sings “Heartache” Mileo sings “You’re mine” Eli Kristin sings “Touch of Venus” Super Rob & Erika Norwich sing “My AI” Dag Erik Oksvold & Anne Fagerno sing “Judge tenderly of me” Gåte sings “Ulveham” That means Farida, who took part before, is out of competition. Good luck to the finalist!

🇸🇮 Slovenia: This is “Veronika”, Raiven’s song

Tonight, between three semifinals, Slovenia also decided to present their entry. We already knew the title, “Veronika”. The song is a self-penned song by Raiven. We know how it sounds now and this is the song: “Veronika” is the 30th entry for Slovenia. The country has never won before. Two times, in 1995 and 2001, the country reached a 7th place. Last year, Joker Out reached the final and was 21st there. However, the band reached great popularity all over Europe after the contest.

🇱🇹 Lithuania: 2nd episode of Eurovizija LT

Tonight is the night: the first episode of the Lithuanian preselection Eurovizija LT will be held. The show will exist of 5 semifinals, each with 8 songs. Two songs will head to the final. The show will start at 20.00 CET and you can watch it here or at the LRT app. These are the 8 competing songs of tonight: Andrius Pojavis, “Sing me a hug” Eley, “Rock my body” Deividas Valma, “Blood on your hands” Aistè, “Hero” Zalvarinis, “Gaudė vėjai” Paula Urbana, “It is what it is” Thomas G, “Us” Multiks, “Vėjas galvoje” With the song “Something”, Andrius Pojavis represented Lithuania in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest.Eley took part in 2011 (semifinal), 2013 (heats), 2016 (heats), 2018 (heats).Multiks participated in 2012 (14th), 2013 (heats) and 2023 (quarter final). Andrius Pojavis sings “Something” in 2013.

🇳🇴 Melodi Grand Prix continues

The Norwegian national final Melodi Grand Prix continues with a second semifinal. We will be able to watch three heats with 6 songs each. Half of the songs will go through to the final. The show starts at 19.50 CET and you can watch it here. These are the six entries of tonight: Farida sings “Heartache” Mileo sings “You’re mine” Eli Kristin sings “Touch of Venus” Super Rob & Erika Norwich sing “My AI” Dag Erik Oksvold & Anne Fagerno sing “Judge tenderly of me” Gåte sings “Ulveham” In 2022 Farida reached the final of Melodi Grand Prix.

🇪🇪 Estonia starts with the semifinal

Tonight the semifinal of Eesti Laul, the Estonian national final, will be held. Out of 15 songs, 5 will head to the final after two rounds of voting. The first round is 50% jury 50% televoting, the second round is televoting only. The show starts at 18.15 CET and you can watch it here. The 15 entries are: 5miinust &Jak sing “(Nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi” Inga sings “No dog no leash” Ollie sings “My friend” Yonna sings “I don’t know about you” Peter Põder sings “Korra veel” Cartoon & Ewert Sundja sing “Oblivion” Traffic sings “Wunderbar” Ingmar sings “Dreaming” Anet Vaikmaa sings “Serotoniin” Laura sings “Here’s where I draw the line” Sofia Rubina sings “Be good” Antsud sings “Velevaim” Silver Jusilo sings “Lately” Cecilia sings “FOMO” Ewert and the two Dragons sing “Hold me now” Inga took part in 2019 (5th), 2020 (semifinal), 2022 (as a member of DeLulu, semifinal)Ollie was runner up in 2023.Yonna took part in 2019 and reached the 2nd chance round.Peter Põder participated in 2022 (semifinal).Cartoon was 3rd in 2016.Ewert Sundja was present in 2004.Traffic took part in 2008 (6th), 2009 (2nd), 2012 (3rd), 2014 (3rd), 2020 (5th) and 2022 (semifinal).Laura represented Estonia in 2005 with Suntribe and the song “Let’s get loud”, and in 2017 together with Koit Toome with “Verona”. Besides she took part in the national selection in 2007 (3rd), 2009 (3rd), 2016 (2nd), 2020 (11th).Sofia Rubina was present in 2006 (7th), 2011 (7th), 2019 (2nd chance round). Antsud reached the 2nd chance round in (2017).Silver Jusilo performed in the 2022 semifinal. Suntribe (2005) with Laura Põldvere. Laura with Koit Toome in 2017.

🇮🇱 Israel: Update on HaKokhav Haba

The travel around HaKokhav Haba, the Israeli national selection, continues. The Top14 rounds have had new episodes the last two weeks. 10 January Or Cohen, 93%Mika Moshe, 86%Mika Kertis, 59% – eliminatedOrel Ravid, 96%Lian Biran, 95%Eden Golan, 96% 14 January Jonathan Bitton, 92%Dor Shimon, 80%Shai Tamino, 66%Moria Angel, 82%Ido Bartal, 75% – eliminatedArik Sinai, 87% 17 January, duets Mika Moshe & Orel Ravid, 73,58%Dor Shimon & Jonathan Bitton, 73,71%Eden Golan & Or Cohen, 93%Lian Biran & Moria Angel, 29% – eliminatedArik Sinai & Shai Tamino, 77% Lian Biran was saved and can continue her journey. Note that Arik Sinai took part in the national selection in 1985 and was 4th.

🇦🇹 Kaleen represents Austria

29-year old Kaleen will represent Austria in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. Austrian broadcaster ORF announced that news this morning. The song and its title will be announced later. Extremely proud Kaleen herself commented on her election: ‘I think I haven’t fully grasped the fact yet, that I’ll be standing on that stage as an artist myself. I am in love with this world of lights and cameras and believe it’s a privilege to take the audience on a journey. I worked hard for this, and I am extremely proud. I am very looking forward to showing the world what I can do!’ Dancing career Kaleen (real name Marie-Sophie Kreissl, born in 1994) is an Austrian dancer, choreographer, and singer. Her passion for performing arts blossomed at a tender age. As a toddler, she was captivated by music shows on TV, often dancing in her living room. Her formal journey in dance commenced with ballet lessons. She rapidly diversified into various genres including commercial, tap, jazz, musical, modern, Latin, and standard dances. Kaleen’s talent shone early. She won her first national championship at seven. Kaleen subsequently clinched over 100 national and European championships, along with five world championships. Music Kaleen is also skilled in music. She released her first self-produced single in September 2021 under Wifi Records, followed by her debut album “Stripping Feelings” in September 2023. Eurovision Kaleen’s influence extended to the Eurovision Song Contest starting in 2018, initially participating as a stand-in lead artist and choreographer. By 2021, she escalated to the role of creative director for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest for Spain and Bulgaria. She took over as the stage director for the 2022 contest in Spain. Her expertise was further sought in 2023. She aided Austria, Armenia, Germany, and Georgia with their stage performances at the contest in Liverpool. And now she will be in Malmö in 2024.