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2017

Jimmie Wilson

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts Name Jimmie Wilson Born 07 February 1981 Nationality 🇺🇸 American National Selection Internal selection 2017 In Eurovision 2017 Kyiv Song Spirit Of The night (2017, with Valentina Monetta) Biography Jimmie Wilson is an American singer, born in Detroit, Michigan.  As a child, Jimmie was already singing in a gospel choir. Later, he studied acting in Hollywood. When he was 16, he had a role in the musical Sisterella, produced by Michael Jackson. He also worked with stars such as Seal, Lionel Richie, The Wheather Girls and DJ Bobo. After the European tour with Sisterella, Jimmie decided to stay in Frankfurt, Germany. He played the role of Barack Obama in the musical Hope! – Das Obama Musical. This musical premiered at 17 January 2010 in Frankfurt. He also participated in Tylko Muzyka, the Polish version of the British show Must be the Music. In 2014, Jimmie featured in several singles: “Summer time” with Burak Yeter, “No more” with Divided Souls, Le Alen and Samuri and “We can touch the Sky” with DJ Andi. A year later, he released the song “You’re the one (Miss Model of the world)”. He recorded “The color red” in 2016. One year later, he was asked by Sammarinese TV to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest. The song, “Spirit in the Sky”, was a duet with Valentina Monetta. The two did not reach the final of the contest. In the same month, Jimmie’s first solo album “So damn beautiful” was released. For the promotion of the album, Jimmie was able to perform in Stockholm. The single “Give me 5” brought him to Bucharest.  In July 2018, Jimmie teamed up with FXMO, in whose song “Taxi ride” he featured. In 2018 and 2019, Jimmie also performed in and outside Germany, in Poland, Turkey and Romania.  In March 2020, a video of the song “So damn beautiful” was released. In August 2021 he teamed up with Russian DJ Lev Kitkin, soon followed by his solo single “Respect”. Jimmy performed in the Belgrade Fashion Week. Entries Spirit Of The Night (with Valentina Monetta) Country 🇸🇲 San Marino Year 2023 Language English Lyrics Steven Barnacle Jutta Staudenmayer Music Ralph Siegel Backings Erin Perry Spiller Meredith Murray Mezzulo Giuseppe Tirolean Results Semi Points: 1 Position: 18 Running order: 10 Results Finals Points: – Position: – Running order: –

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Alex Florea

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameAlexandru Ionuț Florea Born15 September 1991 Nationality???????? Romanian National SelectionSelecția Națională 2018Selecția Națională 2017 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongYodel It1 (2017, with Ilinca) Biography Alexandru Ionuț “Alex” Florea (b. September 15, 1991, Constanța[2][3]) is a Romanian singer. He was born in Constanța and studied journalism, but interrupted it and studied acting at “Ovidiu” University in Constanța. In March 2015, he took part in The X-Factor, together with his brother Cristian Goaie.  In the same year, he was in Vocea României (The Voice of Romania) and managed to reach the semi-finals. In 2017, he took part in Selecția Națională 2017, the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, together with Ilinca. With the song “Yodel it!”, they were able to win, so that they could represent Romania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. In the Grand Final they ended up in 7th place. A year later, Florea took part in Selecția Națională again, with a song called “Nobody told me it would hurt”. The song didn’t manage to survive the semifinals. In the same year, Florea took part in another talent show, The Four – Cei 4!.  As an actor, Florea played the role of Quasimodo in the musical Cocosatul de la Notre Dame. The play was premiered on June 22, 2018 and he did the tour in 2018 and 2019. In January 2021, Alex teamed up with Masymeno and released the song “Soare”. Entries Yodel It! (with Ilinca) Country???????? Romania Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsAlexa Niculae MusicMihai Alexandru BackingsCristian Goaie Results Semi Points: 174Position: 6Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: 282Position: 7Running order: 20 https://youtu.be/ZSHc7iDuBCQ

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Ilinca Băcilă

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameMaria Ilinca Băcilă Born17 August 1998 Nationality???????? Romanian National SelectionSelecția Națională 2017 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongYodel it! (with Alex Florea) Biography Ilinca Băcilă is a Romanian singer and Yodeler. She was born in Târgu Mureș, but currently lives lives in Cluj-Napoca. She has been studying music since she was 7 years old. In 2012, she took part in Românii au talent at age 13. She went on to the semifinals. A year later she participated in The X Factor as a member of a girl band, managing to reach the live galas. In 2014, she took part in Vocea României (The Voice of Romania), where she was part of Loredana Groza’s team and where she reaches the semi-finals. After getting noticed on The X Factor and Vocea României, Ilinca began collaborating with several cultural institutions in the country, such as the Iași Philharmonic, the Cluj Romanian Opera and the Brașov Dramatic Theatre. At the beginning of 2017, Ilinca Băcilă collaborated with Alex Florea and presents the song “Yodel it”, the song entered in the Selecția Națională, the Romanian selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. The song won the competition, and Ilinca and Alex represent Romania at Eurovision 2017, reaching the final. Romania reached the 7th place with the song. After Eurovision, Ilinca released a solo song, “Amici”. In 2018, another one called “Nu acum” was released. Since May 2022, Ilinca is the lead singer of a band called Gadjo Dilo. Their music is based on the gipsy culture. Entries Yodel It! (with Alex Florea) Country???????? Romania Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsAlexa Niculae MusicMihai Alexandru BackingsCristian Goaie Results Semi Points: 174Position: 6Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: 282Position: 7Running order: 20 https://youtu.be/ZSHc7iDuBCQ

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Koit Toome

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameKoit Toome Born03 January 1979 Nationality🇪🇪 Estonian National SelectionEesti Laul 2021Eesti Laul 2017Eurolaul 2007Eurolaul 2003Eurolaul 1998Eurolaul 1997 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv1998 Birmingham Song2017 Verona (with Laura)1998 Mere lapsed Biography Koit Toome is an Estonian singer and actor. He was born in the Estonian capital Tallinn in 1979. Koit was discovered by music producer Mikk Targo in 1994. Targo was initially planning to launch a solo career for Koit. However, in the end it became a duo with Sirli Hiius: Code One.  They had a lot of hits in Estonia, and also took part in Eurolaul 1997, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Tantsupalavik”. The duo became 3rd. As a solo singer, Koit started a career in 1998. He took part again in Eurolaul and managed to win it with the song “Mere lapsed”. He represented Estonia in th 1998 Eurovision Song Contest. The song reached a 12th place. The same year he recorded his debut solo album of mostly self-penned material on it, under the name of “Puudutus”. A second album, “Koit Toome”, was released a year later. Koit Toome became professionally active in musical theatre. His debut, Alfred in Tanz der Vampire (2000) was shortly followed by Marius of Les Misérables (2001), Chris in Miss Saigon (2002). In 2003, he took part in Eurolaul again. In 2005 he played Tony in West Side Story.  In 2007, Koit Toome won Tantsud tähtedega (the Estonian version of Dancing with the Stars) with his partner on floor, Kertu Tänav. In the same year, he took part in Eurolaul again, this time with the song “Veidi veel”. The song became 10th. A new album, “Allikas”, came out. In 2010, again a new album was released, “Kaugele siit”. The song with the same name had already been released in 2009, more songs followed, among others “Põgenen”, a duet with Birgit Õigemeel. In 2011, he teamed up with Getter Jaani for a duet, “Valged ööd”. The collaboration with Getter Jaani had some follow ups. In 2012 the two released a single “Talveööl” together with Karl Madisega. In 2014 a new duet, “Rannamaja”, came out. Koit Toome has also embarked on a voice acting career, dubbing animated films. He provided the Estonian voice for Lightning McQueen in the Disney movie Cars. In 2017, Koit Toome and Laura Põldvere won Eesti Laul with the duet “Verona.” They represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017.  In 2019, a new song called “2020” was released. It was a collaboration with the band Black Velvet. He teamed up with Laura Põldvere again in the same year for the song “Segamini maailm”.  Toome attempted to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 by participating in Eesti Laul 2021 with his song “We Could Have Been Beautiful”. He placed fourth in the national final.  Koit Toome was a member of the jury in “Eesti Otsib Superstaari”, the Estonian version of Idols. A new single, “Vastu tuult”, was released in November 2021. A tour in december of the same year with Uku Suviste and Jaagup Tuisk followed. Two new singles, “Stop” and “Hääletuu”, were released in 2022. Entries Verona (with Laura) Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsSven Lõhmus MusicSven Lõhmus BackingsKaire VilgatsDagmar OjaRolf Roosalu Results Semi Points: 85Position: 14Running order: 17 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/NxqPpzWYN1c Mere Lapsed Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year1998 LanguageEstonian LyricsPeeter Pruuli MusicMaria RahulaTomi Rahula ConductorHeiki Vahar BackingsMikko MaltisAin VartsJüri Mazurtšak Results Points: 36Position: 12Running order: 23 https://youtu.be/-YQCi5azRho

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Valentina Monetta

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameValentina Monetta Born01 March 1975 Nationality🇸🇲 Sammarinese National SelectionInternal selection 2017Internal selection 2014Internal selection 2013Internal selection 2012 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv2014 Copenhagen2013 Malmö2012 Baku SongSpirit of the night (2017, with Jimmie Wilson)Maybe (2014)Crisalide (Vola) (2013)The Social Network Song (oh oh – uh – oh oh) (2012) Biography Valentina Monetta is a Sammarinese singer. She was born in the city of San Marino in 1975 of a Sammarinese mother and an Italian father. She went to highschool in Rimini. Valentina Monetta began her career in 1995. She became the lead singer of the band Tiberio. She also sung in other bands like Parafunky. She organized shows around San Marino and Romagna.  In 2001 Valentina took part in the talent show Popstars. In 2002 she joined the project Charme, with which she released the single “Sharp”. In 2006 she joined 2Black with whom she released the single “Vai” in 2007, in collaboration with Papa Winnie. In 2008 she was a candidate for the internal selection to represent San Marino at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. However, the song “Se non ci sei tu” was not selected for the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2011 she released her first mini-album “Il mio gioco preferito” with the trio My funky Valentine. After being noticed in a club in Riccione by the then general manager of San Marino RTV Carmen Lasorella, in 2012 she was chosen by the state TV to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with the song “Facebook (oh oh – uh – oh oh). The lyrics had to be changed. On March 22, 2012 the definitive version of the song entitled The Social Network Song (Oh Oh-Uh-Oh Oh) was revealed. Unfortunately, Valentina did not make it to the final. On 30 January 2013 the return of Valentina Monetta was announced for the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with the song “Crisalide (Vola)”. Dspite given among the favourites, the song failed to reach the final. In May 2013, SMTv director Carlo Romeo asked her to represent San Marino at the ESC for the third consecutive time. On 6 June 2013 the second album of the Sammarinese singer, entitled “La storia di Valentina Monetta” was officially released, including her past hits and special versions of the song Crisalide (Vola). Two weeks later she was officially reconfirmed for the third time in a row at the Eurovision Song Contest. With the song “Maybe”, she conquered the final. Meanwhile, she also teamed up with Joshua de Cadenéx and the Corale San Marino in the song “A kiss”. With a post published on her Instagram profile, the Sammarinese singer announced that she had no intention of participating in the event for the fourth time. However, she was present in 2015 as a spokesperson for the San Marino votes.  On March 12, 2017, San Marino TV announced that Valentina would return for the fourth time in the European event, this time together with Jimmie Wilson, with the song “Spirit Of The Night”. Unfortunately, they didn’t make it to the final. In 2021, Valentina Monetta started performing with the Cocomanhattan Trio.  Entries Spirit Of The Night (with Jimmie Wilson) Country🇸🇲 Country Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsSteven BarnacleJutta Staudenmayer MusicRalph Siegel BackingsErin Perry SpillerMeredith Murray MezzuloGiuseppe Tirolean Results Semi Points: 1Position: 18Running order: 10 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/UC7QzXPnt6k Maybe Country🇸🇲 Country Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsMauro Balestri MusicRalph Siegel BackingsGiovanna NaberGiacomo Di BenedettoSandrina SedonaPaulo Alves Results Semi Points: 40Position: 10Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: 14Position: 24Running order: 25 https://youtu.be/_eZNTBJ-Hyc Crisalide (Vola) Country🇸🇲 Country Year2013 LanguageItalian LyricsMauro Balestri MusicRalph Siegel BackingsIlaria ErcolaniAlessia Eva Mangano Results Semi Points: 47Position: 11Running order: 2 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/YirZIBi2vnY The Social Network Song (Oh oh – uh – oh oh) Country🇸🇲 Country Year2012 LanguageEnglish LyricsTimothy TouchtonJosé Juan Santana Rodriguez MusicRalph Siegel BackingsVera KlimaAlexandra SieberGiovanna NaberGiacomo Di BenedettoPeter Bischof Results Semi Points: 31Position: 14Running order: 11 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/y7IoR_5HPQ0

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Laura Põldvere

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameLaura Põldvere Born30 August 1988 Nationality🇪🇪 Estonian National SelectionUuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2021 (Finland)Eesti Laul 2020Eesti Laul 2017Eesti Laul 2016Eesti Laul 2009Eurolaul 2007Eurolaul 2005 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv2005 Kyiv SongVerona (2017, with Koit Toome)Let’s get loud (2005, Suntribe) Biography Laura Põldvere is an Estonian singer. She was born in the Estonian city of Tartu. Laura’s career started in 2005, when she took part in Eurolaul, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. As a solo singer, she sang “Moonwalk”. The song became 2nd and reached the #1 spot in the Estonian charts. However, she also participated as a member of the girlband Suntribe. The group won and represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Let’s get loud”. The band had previously recorded a song in Estonian, “Ei tunne mind”. After 2005, the group split up and Laura went for a solo career. In 2007, Laura was back in Eurolaul, this time with the song “Sunflower”. She reached the 3rd place. Again, Laura’s song reached the #1 spot in the Estonian charts. In the same year, on 1 September, her debut album “Muusa” was released. Laura took a break from her singing career to study at Berklee College in Boston, USA.In 2009, Laura made a comeback at Eesti Laul, now the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. Her song “Destiny” reached a 3rd place. Another album followed, “Ultra”, which was released on 8 December 2009. In November 2011 the album was followed by a compilation album with the title “Sädemeid taivast”. After a few years of silence, Laura made a comeback in 2016, and her stage again was Eesti Laul. The song “Supersonic” became 2nd and again was good for a #1 in the Estonian charts. The follow up song “94-95” had the same success. Together with Koit Toome, Laura took part in Eesti Laul 2017. The song “Verona” won and took part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. “Verona” did not reach the final. On 12 May 2017 however, a “Greatest hits” album appeared with “Verona” on it. In 2018, Laura released a few non-album singles: “Waterfall”, “Tõusulained” and “Lennujaamas”. A new album, “9 Elu” found it’s release on 3 December 2019. On this album a.o. another duet with Koit Toome. In 2020, Laura took part in Eesti Laul again. The song this time was called “Break me”. Laura reached the 11th place in the final this time. The song was followed by one in Estonian, “On meie aeg”. In 2021, Laura participated in Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu, the Finnish national selection for the Eurovision song contest. Unfortunately, her song “Play” became last in the final. After this, she released two new singles and went on to perform in Poland and Italy. In 2022, on 11 March, a new single was released: “Gameboy”, which was a collaboration with Jyrise. The band Tabloided invited her to record a song together, which was titled “Zeitgeist”. In May of that year, the new song “Prayers to you” came out. In the summer, Laura organized a music camp, Make Music Until You Drop.  It was in March 2023 that Laura released a song called „Lilled jäävadki Sulle“. With that song, she participated in the show Uus Laul II. She and her team reached the final of the contest. In August she opened for Bonnie Tyler. A new single, “Pahupidi”, was released in September. Laura took part in Eesti Laul 2024, where she sang “Here’s Where I Draw The Line”. Unfortunately, she didn’t make it to the final. Entries Verona (with Koit Toome) Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsSven Lõhmus MusicSven Lõhmus BackingsKaire VilgatsDagmar OjaRolf Roosalu Results Semi Points: 85Position: 14Running order: 17 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/NxqPpzWYN1c Let’s get loud (Suntribe) Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year2005 LanguageEnglish LyricsSven Lõhmus MusicSven Lõhmus Backings– Results Semi Points: 31Position: 20Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/mqvOUfdwQtw

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Fusedmarc

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts MembersViktoria IvanovskajaDenis Zujev Founded2004 Nationality🇱🇹 Lithuanian National SelectionEurovizijos dainų konkurso nacionalinė atranka 2017 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongRain of Revolution (2017) Biography Fusedmarc is a musical duo from Lithuania. They came together in 2004. Viktoria was the singer of the band Saulės kliošas from 2000 to 2003. With this band she took part in the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest twice.  Viktoria teamed up with Denis Zujev. Viktoria nicknamed Cilia, Denis as DJ Vakx, and with Nurasho, Norberth and Stasas Žakas alias VJ Szrtha. In 2005, they released their debut EP, “Contraction”. Released videos in 2006 were “Urban”, “Underplatoe”, “Easier” and “Contraction”. In 2007, Fusedmarc was awarded Best Experimental Music Band, while in 2008 they received an award for Best Lithuanian Electronic Band. They released a new song, “Napper”, in the same year.In 2009, Fusedmarc teamed up with Andrius Mamontovas, who featured on their song “Sign”. A year later they released the song “Tear & Ty” with 5 different remixes of the song. In 2011 they recorded “Waft” with Trys Keturiose. The single “Climb” was released in 2012. In 2013 Fusedmarc took a year break. When they came together again in 2014, Fusedmarc was a duet with DJ Vakx and Cilia as the only members left. With “Rain of revolution”, Fusedmarc won the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2017. They represented Lithuania in the contest but unfortunately did not make it to the final. In 2020 the band released a new album, “Show of life”. In 2022 Viktoria recorded a song with Michail Levin, “Easy way”.   Entries Rain Of Revolution Country🇱🇹 Lithuania Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsViktoria IvanovskajaDenis ZujevMichail Levin MusicViktoria IvanovskajaDenis ZujevMichail Levin BackingsVaiva AdomaitytėKristina ŽaldokaitėLaura RakauskaitėJekaterina Pranevič Results Semi Points: 42Position: 17Running order: 16 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/-7WpnSMEPjc

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Timebelle

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts MembersMiruna ManescuSamuel ForsterEmanuel Daniel Andriescu Founded2014 Nationality🇨🇭 Swiss (Samuel)🇷🇴 Romanian (Miruna and Emanuel) National SelectionESC 2017 – Die EntscheidungsshowESC 2015 – Die Entscheidungsshow In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongApollo (2017) Biography Timebelle started as a 6 man band. Miruna Manescu was the lead vocalist. Other members were Christoph Siegrist (guitar), Sandor Törok (bass-guitar), Samuel Forster (drums), Rade Mijatovic (accordion) and Emanuel Daniel Andriescu (saxophone, clarinet, piano). The men were students in Bern. They formed the band Imports Ltd. first. Later, they started Timebelle, with Miruna as the singer. The band took part in the 2015 national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. They played the song “Singing about love” and reached the 2nd place. The song was followed by two singles: “Desperado” and “Are you ready?”. On 10 October 2015, the band released an EP called “Desperado”. In December 2016 the band announced they were going to take part in ESC 2017 – Die Entscheidungsshow. The band was now reduced to a trio, with Rade, Sandor and Christoph having left the band. Their song, “Apollo”, won the national selection and represented Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest, where they did not reach the final. In November of the same year, the band featured in the Soundland track “Come around”. In 2018, the band kept working together with Sounland in a new song, “Heartache”. On 16 November, a video “Tocame” was released, which was a collaboration with Sunstroke Project. A year later, they teamed up with Soundland again for a new song, “Movin’ on”. In May 2019, they were able to perform in the Euroclub in Tel Aviv, where the Eurovision Song Contest was held that year. They also performed at the summer fest in Chisinau, Moldova. A new song, “Black sea”, was released in September. The band teamed up with Alizé Oswald for a new song, “Beautiful people”, which was released in January 2020. In collaboration with Alejandro Reyes, who took part in ESC 2018 – Die Entscheidungsshow, Timebelle released the song “Rapido” in September 2020. A second song with Alejandro, “Barba”, came out a year later. “Dopamina” was a new song by the band in 2021, followed by “About us”, “No se puede” and “No te vayas de aqui”. With Runa and Nosfe they released “Palatul de crom” and “Garsoniera din obor”, a Romanian production. It brought them performances in Romania. Meanwhile, Samuel Forster had left the band, which means that Timebelle was a duo from then on. On 18 March, 2022, Timebelle came up with a new song and video, ” ’96”, followed by “$1” in 2022.         Entries Apollo Country🇨🇭 Switzerland Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsElias NäslinNicolas GünthardtAlessandra Günthardt MusicElias NäslinNicolas GünthardtAlessandra Günthardt BackingsTanja DanknerNyssina SwerissenNori Rickenbacher Results Semi Points: 97Position: 12Running order: 13 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/OrNPRfS9Sbg

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Brendan Murray

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameBrendan John Francis Murray Born16 November 1996 Nationality🇮🇪 Irish National SelectionEurosong 2022Internal selection 2017 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongDying to try Biography Brendan Murray is an Irish singer. He was born in 1996 in Tuam, County Galway.When he was 18 years old, in 2014, Brendan became a member of the band Home Town. Their debut single “Where I belong” reached the first place in the Irish charts. The follow up “Cry for help” did the same in 2015. In the same year, “The night we met” also reached the charts, but their single “Roses” in 2016 did not. The band announced to take a break to concentrate on other projects. One of the projects was Brendan Murray’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, with the song “Dying to try”. Unfortunately, Brendan didn’t manage to reach the final. In June 2018, the follow up of his Eurovision song, “Way too fast” was released. Later in 2018, Brendan took part in the X-Factor UK. He managed to reach the semifinals there. It resulted in a tour he could do through Ireland and the United Kingdom in June 2019. But before that, in April, he released a new single, “If I’m honest”. In 2019 and 2020, Brendan uploaded videos of several cover songs, a.o. “Nothing compares 2U” and “You are the reason”. On 21 February, 2020, Brendan released a new original song, “Teardrops”. Another cover, “Falling”, became the new single in May 2020. On 24 July of the same year, a new single called “Let go” came out, followed in September by “500 days”. A Christmas song, “Wishing you here for Christmas”, came out too. Brendan traveled to the Maldives to perform there at and around New Years Eve at a special Moonlight Concert. In March 2021 a new single called “Here To Stay” was released, followed in June by “Deep Fake” and in October by “Little Island”. In February 2022, Brendan Murray took part in Eurosong 2022, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. He sang the song “Real love”. The song didn’t win but was released on single right after the contest.   Entries Dying To Try Country🇮🇪 Ireland Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsJames NewmanJörgen Elofsson MusicJames NewmanJörgen Elofsson BackingsAlison Vard MillerMargot DalyShane McDaidJules EdwardGraham Kelly Results Semi Points: 86Position: 13Running order: 9 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/EOpZikqrfOA

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Claudia Faniello

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameClaudia Faniello Born25 February 1988 Nationality🇲🇹 Maltese National SelectionMalta Eurovision Song Contest 2017Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2013Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2012Malta Eurosong 2011GO Malta Eurosong 2010GO Malta Eurosong 2009Malta Song For Europe 2008Malta Song For Europe 2007 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongBreathlessly (2017) Biography Claudia Faniello is a Maltese singer. Together with her siblings Fabrizio and Miriana, Claudia was born and raised in the Maltese town of Qawra. Her dad is from Italy. When she was twelve years old, Claudia started appearing on a variety of television programs. She also took part in numerous festivals and won the first place.  In 2001, she took first place in the Talentissimi Juniors competition held at the Phoenicia Hotel in Malta. She performed live with Malta’s National Orchestra a year later at the University of Malta to raise money for underprivileged kids.  Claudia performed in concert with her brother Fabrizio Faniello at the Mediterranean Conference Festival in 2003, and a year later she performed once more with the National Orchestra alongside Philippa, Nadine Axisa, and Fabrizio. She placed fourth on the 2005 season of the Net TV program Hotspot. With the song “High Alert!” written by Ray Agius, she began her involvement in the Malta Music For Europe Festival in the year 2006. She took up the prize for best newcomer in the same competition. Claudia won the 2006 Festival Kanzunetta Indipendenza with Ray Agius’ song “Ma Nafx,”. She sang “L-Imabba Gamja” (Love is Blind), which earned her a spot in the Malta Song for Europe 2007 Semi-Final. It was the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. She didn’t make it to the final round. In the summer of 2007, Claudia recorded the song “Wild Flower. With the songs “Caravaggio” and “Sunrise,” she qualified for the Go Malta Song for Europe  in 2008. Both tracks made it into the top eight. “Caravaggio,” placed second, while with the song “Sunrise,” she became third. She returned for a third time to the Maltese Eurovision final the following year, but she was still excluded from the final three songs competing for a spot in Moscow 2009. With her song “Blue Sonata,” which Ray Agius wrote and arranged, she reached the 4th place. With the song “Samsara,” written by Gerard James Borg and arranged by Philip Vella, she advanced to the Go Malta Eurosong 2010 final. She reached the 8th place. In August 2010, she issued her debut album, “Convincingly Better”. Faniello’s song “Cinema in my Thoughts” placed 9th in the Malta Eurosong 2011 final. With her song “Pure,” Faniello finished second in the Malta Eurosong 2012 competition. A year later, the song “When it’s time” reached the 7th place. Faniello won the national final for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Breathlessly,” represented Malta. Unfortunately she didn’t manage to reach the final with her song. After the contest, she performed at the Eurovision Weekend in Berlin and at the Amsterdam Pride. She became the brand ambassador for NIVEA. She also hosted Miss Malta 2017. In 2019 Claudia sang in the Faces of Friends Festival in Moldova, which Malta won. On 30 August of that year Claudia release a new song called “Fallin”. The song reached the Swedish I-Tunes pop chart. In the Malta Top10 she reached the 6th place. Claudia released another song titled “Say” in June 2020. She dropped a brand-new track titled “When is it” on 1 October 2021. In 2022 she took part in the festival Muzika Muzika with a song in Maltese, “Ġmielek”. Entries Breathlessly Country🇲🇹 Malta Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsGerard James Borg MusicPhilip VellaSean VellaGerard James Borg BackingsChantal HartmannJeannette MarchewkaHanna KöpfJanina Krömer Results Semi Points: 55Position: 16Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXn-Ettr7yk

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Jimmie Wilson

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts Name Jimmie Wilson Born 07 February 1981 Nationality 🇺🇸 American National Selection Internal selection 2017 In Eurovision 2017 Kyiv Song Spirit Of The night (2017, with Valentina Monetta) Biography Jimmie Wilson is an American singer, born in Detroit, Michigan.  As a child, Jimmie was already singing in a gospel choir. Later, he studied acting in Hollywood. When he was 16, he had a role in the musical Sisterella, produced by Michael Jackson. He also worked with stars such as Seal, Lionel Richie, The Wheather Girls and DJ Bobo. After the European tour with Sisterella, Jimmie decided to stay in Frankfurt, Germany. He played the role of Barack Obama in the musical Hope! – Das Obama Musical. This musical premiered at 17 January 2010 in Frankfurt. He also participated in Tylko Muzyka, the Polish version of the British show Must be the Music. In 2014, Jimmie featured in several singles: “Summer time” with Burak Yeter, “No more” with Divided Souls, Le Alen and Samuri and “We can touch the Sky” with DJ Andi. A year later, he released the song “You’re the one (Miss Model of the world)”. He recorded “The color red” in 2016. One year later, he was asked by Sammarinese TV to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest. The song, “Spirit in the Sky”, was a duet with Valentina Monetta. The two did not reach the final of the contest. In the same month, Jimmie’s first solo album “So damn beautiful” was released. For the promotion of the album, Jimmie was able to perform in Stockholm. The single “Give me 5” brought him to Bucharest.  In July 2018, Jimmie teamed up with FXMO, in whose song “Taxi ride” he featured. In 2018 and 2019, Jimmie also performed in and outside Germany, in Poland, Turkey and Romania.  In March 2020, a video of the song “So damn beautiful” was released. In August 2021 he teamed up with Russian DJ Lev Kitkin, soon followed by his solo single “Respect”. Jimmy performed in the Belgrade Fashion Week. Entries Spirit Of The Night (with Valentina Monetta) Country 🇸🇲 San Marino Year 2023 Language English Lyrics Steven Barnacle Jutta Staudenmayer Music Ralph Siegel Backings Erin Perry Spiller Meredith Murray Mezzulo Giuseppe Tirolean Results Semi Points: 1 Position: 18 Running order: 10 Results Finals Points: – Position: – Running order: –

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Alex Florea

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameAlexandru Ionuț Florea Born15 September 1991 Nationality???????? Romanian National SelectionSelecția Națională 2018Selecția Națională 2017 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongYodel It1 (2017, with Ilinca) Biography Alexandru Ionuț “Alex” Florea (b. September 15, 1991, Constanța[2][3]) is a Romanian singer. He was born in Constanța and studied journalism, but interrupted it and studied acting at “Ovidiu” University in Constanța. In March 2015, he took part in The X-Factor, together with his brother Cristian Goaie.  In the same year, he was in Vocea României (The Voice of Romania) and managed to reach the semi-finals. In 2017, he took part in Selecția Națională 2017, the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, together with Ilinca. With the song “Yodel it!”, they were able to win, so that they could represent Romania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. In the Grand Final they ended up in 7th place. A year later, Florea took part in Selecția Națională again, with a song called “Nobody told me it would hurt”. The song didn’t manage to survive the semifinals. In the same year, Florea took part in another talent show, The Four – Cei 4!.  As an actor, Florea played the role of Quasimodo in the musical Cocosatul de la Notre Dame. The play was premiered on June 22, 2018 and he did the tour in 2018 and 2019. In January 2021, Alex teamed up with Masymeno and released the song “Soare”. Entries Yodel It! (with Ilinca) Country???????? Romania Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsAlexa Niculae MusicMihai Alexandru BackingsCristian Goaie Results Semi Points: 174Position: 6Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: 282Position: 7Running order: 20 https://youtu.be/ZSHc7iDuBCQ

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Ilinca Băcilă

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameMaria Ilinca Băcilă Born17 August 1998 Nationality???????? Romanian National SelectionSelecția Națională 2017 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongYodel it! (with Alex Florea) Biography Ilinca Băcilă is a Romanian singer and Yodeler. She was born in Târgu Mureș, but currently lives lives in Cluj-Napoca. She has been studying music since she was 7 years old. In 2012, she took part in Românii au talent at age 13. She went on to the semifinals. A year later she participated in The X Factor as a member of a girl band, managing to reach the live galas. In 2014, she took part in Vocea României (The Voice of Romania), where she was part of Loredana Groza’s team and where she reaches the semi-finals. After getting noticed on The X Factor and Vocea României, Ilinca began collaborating with several cultural institutions in the country, such as the Iași Philharmonic, the Cluj Romanian Opera and the Brașov Dramatic Theatre. At the beginning of 2017, Ilinca Băcilă collaborated with Alex Florea and presents the song “Yodel it”, the song entered in the Selecția Națională, the Romanian selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. The song won the competition, and Ilinca and Alex represent Romania at Eurovision 2017, reaching the final. Romania reached the 7th place with the song. After Eurovision, Ilinca released a solo song, “Amici”. In 2018, another one called “Nu acum” was released. Since May 2022, Ilinca is the lead singer of a band called Gadjo Dilo. Their music is based on the gipsy culture. Entries Yodel It! (with Alex Florea) Country???????? Romania Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsAlexa Niculae MusicMihai Alexandru BackingsCristian Goaie Results Semi Points: 174Position: 6Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: 282Position: 7Running order: 20 https://youtu.be/ZSHc7iDuBCQ

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Koit Toome

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameKoit Toome Born03 January 1979 Nationality🇪🇪 Estonian National SelectionEesti Laul 2021Eesti Laul 2017Eurolaul 2007Eurolaul 2003Eurolaul 1998Eurolaul 1997 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv1998 Birmingham Song2017 Verona (with Laura)1998 Mere lapsed Biography Koit Toome is an Estonian singer and actor. He was born in the Estonian capital Tallinn in 1979. Koit was discovered by music producer Mikk Targo in 1994. Targo was initially planning to launch a solo career for Koit. However, in the end it became a duo with Sirli Hiius: Code One.  They had a lot of hits in Estonia, and also took part in Eurolaul 1997, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Tantsupalavik”. The duo became 3rd. As a solo singer, Koit started a career in 1998. He took part again in Eurolaul and managed to win it with the song “Mere lapsed”. He represented Estonia in th 1998 Eurovision Song Contest. The song reached a 12th place. The same year he recorded his debut solo album of mostly self-penned material on it, under the name of “Puudutus”. A second album, “Koit Toome”, was released a year later. Koit Toome became professionally active in musical theatre. His debut, Alfred in Tanz der Vampire (2000) was shortly followed by Marius of Les Misérables (2001), Chris in Miss Saigon (2002). In 2003, he took part in Eurolaul again. In 2005 he played Tony in West Side Story.  In 2007, Koit Toome won Tantsud tähtedega (the Estonian version of Dancing with the Stars) with his partner on floor, Kertu Tänav. In the same year, he took part in Eurolaul again, this time with the song “Veidi veel”. The song became 10th. A new album, “Allikas”, came out. In 2010, again a new album was released, “Kaugele siit”. The song with the same name had already been released in 2009, more songs followed, among others “Põgenen”, a duet with Birgit Õigemeel. In 2011, he teamed up with Getter Jaani for a duet, “Valged ööd”. The collaboration with Getter Jaani had some follow ups. In 2012 the two released a single “Talveööl” together with Karl Madisega. In 2014 a new duet, “Rannamaja”, came out. Koit Toome has also embarked on a voice acting career, dubbing animated films. He provided the Estonian voice for Lightning McQueen in the Disney movie Cars. In 2017, Koit Toome and Laura Põldvere won Eesti Laul with the duet “Verona.” They represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017.  In 2019, a new song called “2020” was released. It was a collaboration with the band Black Velvet. He teamed up with Laura Põldvere again in the same year for the song “Segamini maailm”.  Toome attempted to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 by participating in Eesti Laul 2021 with his song “We Could Have Been Beautiful”. He placed fourth in the national final.  Koit Toome was a member of the jury in “Eesti Otsib Superstaari”, the Estonian version of Idols. A new single, “Vastu tuult”, was released in November 2021. A tour in december of the same year with Uku Suviste and Jaagup Tuisk followed. Two new singles, “Stop” and “Hääletuu”, were released in 2022. Entries Verona (with Laura) Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsSven Lõhmus MusicSven Lõhmus BackingsKaire VilgatsDagmar OjaRolf Roosalu Results Semi Points: 85Position: 14Running order: 17 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/NxqPpzWYN1c Mere Lapsed Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year1998 LanguageEstonian LyricsPeeter Pruuli MusicMaria RahulaTomi Rahula ConductorHeiki Vahar BackingsMikko MaltisAin VartsJüri Mazurtšak Results Points: 36Position: 12Running order: 23 https://youtu.be/-YQCi5azRho

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Valentina Monetta

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameValentina Monetta Born01 March 1975 Nationality🇸🇲 Sammarinese National SelectionInternal selection 2017Internal selection 2014Internal selection 2013Internal selection 2012 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv2014 Copenhagen2013 Malmö2012 Baku SongSpirit of the night (2017, with Jimmie Wilson)Maybe (2014)Crisalide (Vola) (2013)The Social Network Song (oh oh – uh – oh oh) (2012) Biography Valentina Monetta is a Sammarinese singer. She was born in the city of San Marino in 1975 of a Sammarinese mother and an Italian father. She went to highschool in Rimini. Valentina Monetta began her career in 1995. She became the lead singer of the band Tiberio. She also sung in other bands like Parafunky. She organized shows around San Marino and Romagna.  In 2001 Valentina took part in the talent show Popstars. In 2002 she joined the project Charme, with which she released the single “Sharp”. In 2006 she joined 2Black with whom she released the single “Vai” in 2007, in collaboration with Papa Winnie. In 2008 she was a candidate for the internal selection to represent San Marino at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. However, the song “Se non ci sei tu” was not selected for the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2011 she released her first mini-album “Il mio gioco preferito” with the trio My funky Valentine. After being noticed in a club in Riccione by the then general manager of San Marino RTV Carmen Lasorella, in 2012 she was chosen by the state TV to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with the song “Facebook (oh oh – uh – oh oh). The lyrics had to be changed. On March 22, 2012 the definitive version of the song entitled The Social Network Song (Oh Oh-Uh-Oh Oh) was revealed. Unfortunately, Valentina did not make it to the final. On 30 January 2013 the return of Valentina Monetta was announced for the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with the song “Crisalide (Vola)”. Dspite given among the favourites, the song failed to reach the final. In May 2013, SMTv director Carlo Romeo asked her to represent San Marino at the ESC for the third consecutive time. On 6 June 2013 the second album of the Sammarinese singer, entitled “La storia di Valentina Monetta” was officially released, including her past hits and special versions of the song Crisalide (Vola). Two weeks later she was officially reconfirmed for the third time in a row at the Eurovision Song Contest. With the song “Maybe”, she conquered the final. Meanwhile, she also teamed up with Joshua de Cadenéx and the Corale San Marino in the song “A kiss”. With a post published on her Instagram profile, the Sammarinese singer announced that she had no intention of participating in the event for the fourth time. However, she was present in 2015 as a spokesperson for the San Marino votes.  On March 12, 2017, San Marino TV announced that Valentina would return for the fourth time in the European event, this time together with Jimmie Wilson, with the song “Spirit Of The Night”. Unfortunately, they didn’t make it to the final. In 2021, Valentina Monetta started performing with the Cocomanhattan Trio.  Entries Spirit Of The Night (with Jimmie Wilson) Country🇸🇲 Country Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsSteven BarnacleJutta Staudenmayer MusicRalph Siegel BackingsErin Perry SpillerMeredith Murray MezzuloGiuseppe Tirolean Results Semi Points: 1Position: 18Running order: 10 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/UC7QzXPnt6k Maybe Country🇸🇲 Country Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsMauro Balestri MusicRalph Siegel BackingsGiovanna NaberGiacomo Di BenedettoSandrina SedonaPaulo Alves Results Semi Points: 40Position: 10Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: 14Position: 24Running order: 25 https://youtu.be/_eZNTBJ-Hyc Crisalide (Vola) Country🇸🇲 Country Year2013 LanguageItalian LyricsMauro Balestri MusicRalph Siegel BackingsIlaria ErcolaniAlessia Eva Mangano Results Semi Points: 47Position: 11Running order: 2 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/YirZIBi2vnY The Social Network Song (Oh oh – uh – oh oh) Country🇸🇲 Country Year2012 LanguageEnglish LyricsTimothy TouchtonJosé Juan Santana Rodriguez MusicRalph Siegel BackingsVera KlimaAlexandra SieberGiovanna NaberGiacomo Di BenedettoPeter Bischof Results Semi Points: 31Position: 14Running order: 11 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/y7IoR_5HPQ0

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Laura Põldvere

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameLaura Põldvere Born30 August 1988 Nationality🇪🇪 Estonian National SelectionUuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2021 (Finland)Eesti Laul 2020Eesti Laul 2017Eesti Laul 2016Eesti Laul 2009Eurolaul 2007Eurolaul 2005 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv2005 Kyiv SongVerona (2017, with Koit Toome)Let’s get loud (2005, Suntribe) Biography Laura Põldvere is an Estonian singer. She was born in the Estonian city of Tartu. Laura’s career started in 2005, when she took part in Eurolaul, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. As a solo singer, she sang “Moonwalk”. The song became 2nd and reached the #1 spot in the Estonian charts. However, she also participated as a member of the girlband Suntribe. The group won and represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Let’s get loud”. The band had previously recorded a song in Estonian, “Ei tunne mind”. After 2005, the group split up and Laura went for a solo career. In 2007, Laura was back in Eurolaul, this time with the song “Sunflower”. She reached the 3rd place. Again, Laura’s song reached the #1 spot in the Estonian charts. In the same year, on 1 September, her debut album “Muusa” was released. Laura took a break from her singing career to study at Berklee College in Boston, USA.In 2009, Laura made a comeback at Eesti Laul, now the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. Her song “Destiny” reached a 3rd place. Another album followed, “Ultra”, which was released on 8 December 2009. In November 2011 the album was followed by a compilation album with the title “Sädemeid taivast”. After a few years of silence, Laura made a comeback in 2016, and her stage again was Eesti Laul. The song “Supersonic” became 2nd and again was good for a #1 in the Estonian charts. The follow up song “94-95” had the same success. Together with Koit Toome, Laura took part in Eesti Laul 2017. The song “Verona” won and took part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. “Verona” did not reach the final. On 12 May 2017 however, a “Greatest hits” album appeared with “Verona” on it. In 2018, Laura released a few non-album singles: “Waterfall”, “Tõusulained” and “Lennujaamas”. A new album, “9 Elu” found it’s release on 3 December 2019. On this album a.o. another duet with Koit Toome. In 2020, Laura took part in Eesti Laul again. The song this time was called “Break me”. Laura reached the 11th place in the final this time. The song was followed by one in Estonian, “On meie aeg”. In 2021, Laura participated in Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu, the Finnish national selection for the Eurovision song contest. Unfortunately, her song “Play” became last in the final. After this, she released two new singles and went on to perform in Poland and Italy. In 2022, on 11 March, a new single was released: “Gameboy”, which was a collaboration with Jyrise. The band Tabloided invited her to record a song together, which was titled “Zeitgeist”. In May of that year, the new song “Prayers to you” came out. In the summer, Laura organized a music camp, Make Music Until You Drop.  It was in March 2023 that Laura released a song called „Lilled jäävadki Sulle“. With that song, she participated in the show Uus Laul II. She and her team reached the final of the contest. In August she opened for Bonnie Tyler. A new single, “Pahupidi”, was released in September. Laura took part in Eesti Laul 2024, where she sang “Here’s Where I Draw The Line”. Unfortunately, she didn’t make it to the final. Entries Verona (with Koit Toome) Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsSven Lõhmus MusicSven Lõhmus BackingsKaire VilgatsDagmar OjaRolf Roosalu Results Semi Points: 85Position: 14Running order: 17 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/NxqPpzWYN1c Let’s get loud (Suntribe) Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year2005 LanguageEnglish LyricsSven Lõhmus MusicSven Lõhmus Backings– Results Semi Points: 31Position: 20Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/mqvOUfdwQtw

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Fusedmarc

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts MembersViktoria IvanovskajaDenis Zujev Founded2004 Nationality🇱🇹 Lithuanian National SelectionEurovizijos dainų konkurso nacionalinė atranka 2017 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongRain of Revolution (2017) Biography Fusedmarc is a musical duo from Lithuania. They came together in 2004. Viktoria was the singer of the band Saulės kliošas from 2000 to 2003. With this band she took part in the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest twice.  Viktoria teamed up with Denis Zujev. Viktoria nicknamed Cilia, Denis as DJ Vakx, and with Nurasho, Norberth and Stasas Žakas alias VJ Szrtha. In 2005, they released their debut EP, “Contraction”. Released videos in 2006 were “Urban”, “Underplatoe”, “Easier” and “Contraction”. In 2007, Fusedmarc was awarded Best Experimental Music Band, while in 2008 they received an award for Best Lithuanian Electronic Band. They released a new song, “Napper”, in the same year.In 2009, Fusedmarc teamed up with Andrius Mamontovas, who featured on their song “Sign”. A year later they released the song “Tear & Ty” with 5 different remixes of the song. In 2011 they recorded “Waft” with Trys Keturiose. The single “Climb” was released in 2012. In 2013 Fusedmarc took a year break. When they came together again in 2014, Fusedmarc was a duet with DJ Vakx and Cilia as the only members left. With “Rain of revolution”, Fusedmarc won the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2017. They represented Lithuania in the contest but unfortunately did not make it to the final. In 2020 the band released a new album, “Show of life”. In 2022 Viktoria recorded a song with Michail Levin, “Easy way”.   Entries Rain Of Revolution Country🇱🇹 Lithuania Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsViktoria IvanovskajaDenis ZujevMichail Levin MusicViktoria IvanovskajaDenis ZujevMichail Levin BackingsVaiva AdomaitytėKristina ŽaldokaitėLaura RakauskaitėJekaterina Pranevič Results Semi Points: 42Position: 17Running order: 16 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/-7WpnSMEPjc

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Timebelle

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts MembersMiruna ManescuSamuel ForsterEmanuel Daniel Andriescu Founded2014 Nationality🇨🇭 Swiss (Samuel)🇷🇴 Romanian (Miruna and Emanuel) National SelectionESC 2017 – Die EntscheidungsshowESC 2015 – Die Entscheidungsshow In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongApollo (2017) Biography Timebelle started as a 6 man band. Miruna Manescu was the lead vocalist. Other members were Christoph Siegrist (guitar), Sandor Törok (bass-guitar), Samuel Forster (drums), Rade Mijatovic (accordion) and Emanuel Daniel Andriescu (saxophone, clarinet, piano). The men were students in Bern. They formed the band Imports Ltd. first. Later, they started Timebelle, with Miruna as the singer. The band took part in the 2015 national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. They played the song “Singing about love” and reached the 2nd place. The song was followed by two singles: “Desperado” and “Are you ready?”. On 10 October 2015, the band released an EP called “Desperado”. In December 2016 the band announced they were going to take part in ESC 2017 – Die Entscheidungsshow. The band was now reduced to a trio, with Rade, Sandor and Christoph having left the band. Their song, “Apollo”, won the national selection and represented Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest, where they did not reach the final. In November of the same year, the band featured in the Soundland track “Come around”. In 2018, the band kept working together with Sounland in a new song, “Heartache”. On 16 November, a video “Tocame” was released, which was a collaboration with Sunstroke Project. A year later, they teamed up with Soundland again for a new song, “Movin’ on”. In May 2019, they were able to perform in the Euroclub in Tel Aviv, where the Eurovision Song Contest was held that year. They also performed at the summer fest in Chisinau, Moldova. A new song, “Black sea”, was released in September. The band teamed up with Alizé Oswald for a new song, “Beautiful people”, which was released in January 2020. In collaboration with Alejandro Reyes, who took part in ESC 2018 – Die Entscheidungsshow, Timebelle released the song “Rapido” in September 2020. A second song with Alejandro, “Barba”, came out a year later. “Dopamina” was a new song by the band in 2021, followed by “About us”, “No se puede” and “No te vayas de aqui”. With Runa and Nosfe they released “Palatul de crom” and “Garsoniera din obor”, a Romanian production. It brought them performances in Romania. Meanwhile, Samuel Forster had left the band, which means that Timebelle was a duo from then on. On 18 March, 2022, Timebelle came up with a new song and video, ” ’96”, followed by “$1” in 2022.         Entries Apollo Country🇨🇭 Switzerland Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsElias NäslinNicolas GünthardtAlessandra Günthardt MusicElias NäslinNicolas GünthardtAlessandra Günthardt BackingsTanja DanknerNyssina SwerissenNori Rickenbacher Results Semi Points: 97Position: 12Running order: 13 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/OrNPRfS9Sbg

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Brendan Murray

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameBrendan John Francis Murray Born16 November 1996 Nationality🇮🇪 Irish National SelectionEurosong 2022Internal selection 2017 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongDying to try Biography Brendan Murray is an Irish singer. He was born in 1996 in Tuam, County Galway.When he was 18 years old, in 2014, Brendan became a member of the band Home Town. Their debut single “Where I belong” reached the first place in the Irish charts. The follow up “Cry for help” did the same in 2015. In the same year, “The night we met” also reached the charts, but their single “Roses” in 2016 did not. The band announced to take a break to concentrate on other projects. One of the projects was Brendan Murray’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, with the song “Dying to try”. Unfortunately, Brendan didn’t manage to reach the final. In June 2018, the follow up of his Eurovision song, “Way too fast” was released. Later in 2018, Brendan took part in the X-Factor UK. He managed to reach the semifinals there. It resulted in a tour he could do through Ireland and the United Kingdom in June 2019. But before that, in April, he released a new single, “If I’m honest”. In 2019 and 2020, Brendan uploaded videos of several cover songs, a.o. “Nothing compares 2U” and “You are the reason”. On 21 February, 2020, Brendan released a new original song, “Teardrops”. Another cover, “Falling”, became the new single in May 2020. On 24 July of the same year, a new single called “Let go” came out, followed in September by “500 days”. A Christmas song, “Wishing you here for Christmas”, came out too. Brendan traveled to the Maldives to perform there at and around New Years Eve at a special Moonlight Concert. In March 2021 a new single called “Here To Stay” was released, followed in June by “Deep Fake” and in October by “Little Island”. In February 2022, Brendan Murray took part in Eurosong 2022, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. He sang the song “Real love”. The song didn’t win but was released on single right after the contest.   Entries Dying To Try Country🇮🇪 Ireland Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsJames NewmanJörgen Elofsson MusicJames NewmanJörgen Elofsson BackingsAlison Vard MillerMargot DalyShane McDaidJules EdwardGraham Kelly Results Semi Points: 86Position: 13Running order: 9 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/EOpZikqrfOA

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Claudia Faniello

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameClaudia Faniello Born25 February 1988 Nationality🇲🇹 Maltese National SelectionMalta Eurovision Song Contest 2017Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2013Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2012Malta Eurosong 2011GO Malta Eurosong 2010GO Malta Eurosong 2009Malta Song For Europe 2008Malta Song For Europe 2007 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongBreathlessly (2017) Biography Claudia Faniello is a Maltese singer. Together with her siblings Fabrizio and Miriana, Claudia was born and raised in the Maltese town of Qawra. Her dad is from Italy. When she was twelve years old, Claudia started appearing on a variety of television programs. She also took part in numerous festivals and won the first place.  In 2001, she took first place in the Talentissimi Juniors competition held at the Phoenicia Hotel in Malta. She performed live with Malta’s National Orchestra a year later at the University of Malta to raise money for underprivileged kids.  Claudia performed in concert with her brother Fabrizio Faniello at the Mediterranean Conference Festival in 2003, and a year later she performed once more with the National Orchestra alongside Philippa, Nadine Axisa, and Fabrizio. She placed fourth on the 2005 season of the Net TV program Hotspot. With the song “High Alert!” written by Ray Agius, she began her involvement in the Malta Music For Europe Festival in the year 2006. She took up the prize for best newcomer in the same competition. Claudia won the 2006 Festival Kanzunetta Indipendenza with Ray Agius’ song “Ma Nafx,”. She sang “L-Imabba Gamja” (Love is Blind), which earned her a spot in the Malta Song for Europe 2007 Semi-Final. It was the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. She didn’t make it to the final round. In the summer of 2007, Claudia recorded the song “Wild Flower. With the songs “Caravaggio” and “Sunrise,” she qualified for the Go Malta Song for Europe  in 2008. Both tracks made it into the top eight. “Caravaggio,” placed second, while with the song “Sunrise,” she became third. She returned for a third time to the Maltese Eurovision final the following year, but she was still excluded from the final three songs competing for a spot in Moscow 2009. With her song “Blue Sonata,” which Ray Agius wrote and arranged, she reached the 4th place. With the song “Samsara,” written by Gerard James Borg and arranged by Philip Vella, she advanced to the Go Malta Eurosong 2010 final. She reached the 8th place. In August 2010, she issued her debut album, “Convincingly Better”. Faniello’s song “Cinema in my Thoughts” placed 9th in the Malta Eurosong 2011 final. With her song “Pure,” Faniello finished second in the Malta Eurosong 2012 competition. A year later, the song “When it’s time” reached the 7th place. Faniello won the national final for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Breathlessly,” represented Malta. Unfortunately she didn’t manage to reach the final with her song. After the contest, she performed at the Eurovision Weekend in Berlin and at the Amsterdam Pride. She became the brand ambassador for NIVEA. She also hosted Miss Malta 2017. In 2019 Claudia sang in the Faces of Friends Festival in Moldova, which Malta won. On 30 August of that year Claudia release a new song called “Fallin”. The song reached the Swedish I-Tunes pop chart. In the Malta Top10 she reached the 6th place. Claudia released another song titled “Say” in June 2020. She dropped a brand-new track titled “When is it” on 1 October 2021. In 2022 she took part in the festival Muzika Muzika with a song in Maltese, “Ġmielek”. Entries Breathlessly Country🇲🇹 Malta Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsGerard James Borg MusicPhilip VellaSean VellaGerard James Borg BackingsChantal HartmannJeannette MarchewkaHanna KöpfJanina Krömer Results Semi Points: 55Position: 16Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXn-Ettr7yk

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Jimmie Wilson

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts Name Jimmie Wilson Born 07 February 1981 Nationality 🇺🇸 American National Selection Internal selection 2017 In Eurovision 2017 Kyiv Song Spirit Of The night (2017, with Valentina Monetta) Biography Jimmie Wilson is an American singer, born in Detroit, Michigan.  As a child, Jimmie was already singing in a gospel choir. Later, he studied acting in Hollywood. When he was 16, he had a role in the musical Sisterella, produced by Michael Jackson. He also worked with stars such as Seal, Lionel Richie, The Wheather Girls and DJ Bobo. After the European tour with Sisterella, Jimmie decided to stay in Frankfurt, Germany. He played the role of Barack Obama in the musical Hope! – Das Obama Musical. This musical premiered at 17 January 2010 in Frankfurt. He also participated in Tylko Muzyka, the Polish version of the British show Must be the Music. In 2014, Jimmie featured in several singles: “Summer time” with Burak Yeter, “No more” with Divided Souls, Le Alen and Samuri and “We can touch the Sky” with DJ Andi. A year later, he released the song “You’re the one (Miss Model of the world)”. He recorded “The color red” in 2016. One year later, he was asked by Sammarinese TV to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest. The song, “Spirit in the Sky”, was a duet with Valentina Monetta. The two did not reach the final of the contest. In the same month, Jimmie’s first solo album “So damn beautiful” was released. For the promotion of the album, Jimmie was able to perform in Stockholm. The single “Give me 5” brought him to Bucharest.  In July 2018, Jimmie teamed up with FXMO, in whose song “Taxi ride” he featured. In 2018 and 2019, Jimmie also performed in and outside Germany, in Poland, Turkey and Romania.  In March 2020, a video of the song “So damn beautiful” was released. In August 2021 he teamed up with Russian DJ Lev Kitkin, soon followed by his solo single “Respect”. Jimmy performed in the Belgrade Fashion Week. Entries Spirit Of The Night (with Valentina Monetta) Country 🇸🇲 San Marino Year 2023 Language English Lyrics Steven Barnacle Jutta Staudenmayer Music Ralph Siegel Backings Erin Perry Spiller Meredith Murray Mezzulo Giuseppe Tirolean Results Semi Points: 1 Position: 18 Running order: 10 Results Finals Points: – Position: – Running order: –

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Alex Florea

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameAlexandru Ionuț Florea Born15 September 1991 Nationality???????? Romanian National SelectionSelecția Națională 2018Selecția Națională 2017 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongYodel It1 (2017, with Ilinca) Biography Alexandru Ionuț “Alex” Florea (b. September 15, 1991, Constanța[2][3]) is a Romanian singer. He was born in Constanța and studied journalism, but interrupted it and studied acting at “Ovidiu” University in Constanța. In March 2015, he took part in The X-Factor, together with his brother Cristian Goaie.  In the same year, he was in Vocea României (The Voice of Romania) and managed to reach the semi-finals. In 2017, he took part in Selecția Națională 2017, the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, together with Ilinca. With the song “Yodel it!”, they were able to win, so that they could represent Romania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. In the Grand Final they ended up in 7th place. A year later, Florea took part in Selecția Națională again, with a song called “Nobody told me it would hurt”. The song didn’t manage to survive the semifinals. In the same year, Florea took part in another talent show, The Four – Cei 4!.  As an actor, Florea played the role of Quasimodo in the musical Cocosatul de la Notre Dame. The play was premiered on June 22, 2018 and he did the tour in 2018 and 2019. In January 2021, Alex teamed up with Masymeno and released the song “Soare”. Entries Yodel It! (with Ilinca) Country???????? Romania Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsAlexa Niculae MusicMihai Alexandru BackingsCristian Goaie Results Semi Points: 174Position: 6Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: 282Position: 7Running order: 20 https://youtu.be/ZSHc7iDuBCQ

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Ilinca Băcilă

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameMaria Ilinca Băcilă Born17 August 1998 Nationality???????? Romanian National SelectionSelecția Națională 2017 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongYodel it! (with Alex Florea) Biography Ilinca Băcilă is a Romanian singer and Yodeler. She was born in Târgu Mureș, but currently lives lives in Cluj-Napoca. She has been studying music since she was 7 years old. In 2012, she took part in Românii au talent at age 13. She went on to the semifinals. A year later she participated in The X Factor as a member of a girl band, managing to reach the live galas. In 2014, she took part in Vocea României (The Voice of Romania), where she was part of Loredana Groza’s team and where she reaches the semi-finals. After getting noticed on The X Factor and Vocea României, Ilinca began collaborating with several cultural institutions in the country, such as the Iași Philharmonic, the Cluj Romanian Opera and the Brașov Dramatic Theatre. At the beginning of 2017, Ilinca Băcilă collaborated with Alex Florea and presents the song “Yodel it”, the song entered in the Selecția Națională, the Romanian selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. The song won the competition, and Ilinca and Alex represent Romania at Eurovision 2017, reaching the final. Romania reached the 7th place with the song. After Eurovision, Ilinca released a solo song, “Amici”. In 2018, another one called “Nu acum” was released. Since May 2022, Ilinca is the lead singer of a band called Gadjo Dilo. Their music is based on the gipsy culture. Entries Yodel It! (with Alex Florea) Country???????? Romania Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsAlexa Niculae MusicMihai Alexandru BackingsCristian Goaie Results Semi Points: 174Position: 6Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: 282Position: 7Running order: 20 https://youtu.be/ZSHc7iDuBCQ

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Koit Toome

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameKoit Toome Born03 January 1979 Nationality🇪🇪 Estonian National SelectionEesti Laul 2021Eesti Laul 2017Eurolaul 2007Eurolaul 2003Eurolaul 1998Eurolaul 1997 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv1998 Birmingham Song2017 Verona (with Laura)1998 Mere lapsed Biography Koit Toome is an Estonian singer and actor. He was born in the Estonian capital Tallinn in 1979. Koit was discovered by music producer Mikk Targo in 1994. Targo was initially planning to launch a solo career for Koit. However, in the end it became a duo with Sirli Hiius: Code One.  They had a lot of hits in Estonia, and also took part in Eurolaul 1997, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Tantsupalavik”. The duo became 3rd. As a solo singer, Koit started a career in 1998. He took part again in Eurolaul and managed to win it with the song “Mere lapsed”. He represented Estonia in th 1998 Eurovision Song Contest. The song reached a 12th place. The same year he recorded his debut solo album of mostly self-penned material on it, under the name of “Puudutus”. A second album, “Koit Toome”, was released a year later. Koit Toome became professionally active in musical theatre. His debut, Alfred in Tanz der Vampire (2000) was shortly followed by Marius of Les Misérables (2001), Chris in Miss Saigon (2002). In 2003, he took part in Eurolaul again. In 2005 he played Tony in West Side Story.  In 2007, Koit Toome won Tantsud tähtedega (the Estonian version of Dancing with the Stars) with his partner on floor, Kertu Tänav. In the same year, he took part in Eurolaul again, this time with the song “Veidi veel”. The song became 10th. A new album, “Allikas”, came out. In 2010, again a new album was released, “Kaugele siit”. The song with the same name had already been released in 2009, more songs followed, among others “Põgenen”, a duet with Birgit Õigemeel. In 2011, he teamed up with Getter Jaani for a duet, “Valged ööd”. The collaboration with Getter Jaani had some follow ups. In 2012 the two released a single “Talveööl” together with Karl Madisega. In 2014 a new duet, “Rannamaja”, came out. Koit Toome has also embarked on a voice acting career, dubbing animated films. He provided the Estonian voice for Lightning McQueen in the Disney movie Cars. In 2017, Koit Toome and Laura Põldvere won Eesti Laul with the duet “Verona.” They represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017.  In 2019, a new song called “2020” was released. It was a collaboration with the band Black Velvet. He teamed up with Laura Põldvere again in the same year for the song “Segamini maailm”.  Toome attempted to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 by participating in Eesti Laul 2021 with his song “We Could Have Been Beautiful”. He placed fourth in the national final.  Koit Toome was a member of the jury in “Eesti Otsib Superstaari”, the Estonian version of Idols. A new single, “Vastu tuult”, was released in November 2021. A tour in december of the same year with Uku Suviste and Jaagup Tuisk followed. Two new singles, “Stop” and “Hääletuu”, were released in 2022. Entries Verona (with Laura) Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsSven Lõhmus MusicSven Lõhmus BackingsKaire VilgatsDagmar OjaRolf Roosalu Results Semi Points: 85Position: 14Running order: 17 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/NxqPpzWYN1c Mere Lapsed Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year1998 LanguageEstonian LyricsPeeter Pruuli MusicMaria RahulaTomi Rahula ConductorHeiki Vahar BackingsMikko MaltisAin VartsJüri Mazurtšak Results Points: 36Position: 12Running order: 23 https://youtu.be/-YQCi5azRho

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Valentina Monetta

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameValentina Monetta Born01 March 1975 Nationality🇸🇲 Sammarinese National SelectionInternal selection 2017Internal selection 2014Internal selection 2013Internal selection 2012 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv2014 Copenhagen2013 Malmö2012 Baku SongSpirit of the night (2017, with Jimmie Wilson)Maybe (2014)Crisalide (Vola) (2013)The Social Network Song (oh oh – uh – oh oh) (2012) Biography Valentina Monetta is a Sammarinese singer. She was born in the city of San Marino in 1975 of a Sammarinese mother and an Italian father. She went to highschool in Rimini. Valentina Monetta began her career in 1995. She became the lead singer of the band Tiberio. She also sung in other bands like Parafunky. She organized shows around San Marino and Romagna.  In 2001 Valentina took part in the talent show Popstars. In 2002 she joined the project Charme, with which she released the single “Sharp”. In 2006 she joined 2Black with whom she released the single “Vai” in 2007, in collaboration with Papa Winnie. In 2008 she was a candidate for the internal selection to represent San Marino at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. However, the song “Se non ci sei tu” was not selected for the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2011 she released her first mini-album “Il mio gioco preferito” with the trio My funky Valentine. After being noticed in a club in Riccione by the then general manager of San Marino RTV Carmen Lasorella, in 2012 she was chosen by the state TV to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with the song “Facebook (oh oh – uh – oh oh). The lyrics had to be changed. On March 22, 2012 the definitive version of the song entitled The Social Network Song (Oh Oh-Uh-Oh Oh) was revealed. Unfortunately, Valentina did not make it to the final. On 30 January 2013 the return of Valentina Monetta was announced for the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with the song “Crisalide (Vola)”. Dspite given among the favourites, the song failed to reach the final. In May 2013, SMTv director Carlo Romeo asked her to represent San Marino at the ESC for the third consecutive time. On 6 June 2013 the second album of the Sammarinese singer, entitled “La storia di Valentina Monetta” was officially released, including her past hits and special versions of the song Crisalide (Vola). Two weeks later she was officially reconfirmed for the third time in a row at the Eurovision Song Contest. With the song “Maybe”, she conquered the final. Meanwhile, she also teamed up with Joshua de Cadenéx and the Corale San Marino in the song “A kiss”. With a post published on her Instagram profile, the Sammarinese singer announced that she had no intention of participating in the event for the fourth time. However, she was present in 2015 as a spokesperson for the San Marino votes.  On March 12, 2017, San Marino TV announced that Valentina would return for the fourth time in the European event, this time together with Jimmie Wilson, with the song “Spirit Of The Night”. Unfortunately, they didn’t make it to the final. In 2021, Valentina Monetta started performing with the Cocomanhattan Trio.  Entries Spirit Of The Night (with Jimmie Wilson) Country🇸🇲 Country Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsSteven BarnacleJutta Staudenmayer MusicRalph Siegel BackingsErin Perry SpillerMeredith Murray MezzuloGiuseppe Tirolean Results Semi Points: 1Position: 18Running order: 10 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/UC7QzXPnt6k Maybe Country🇸🇲 Country Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsMauro Balestri MusicRalph Siegel BackingsGiovanna NaberGiacomo Di BenedettoSandrina SedonaPaulo Alves Results Semi Points: 40Position: 10Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: 14Position: 24Running order: 25 https://youtu.be/_eZNTBJ-Hyc Crisalide (Vola) Country🇸🇲 Country Year2013 LanguageItalian LyricsMauro Balestri MusicRalph Siegel BackingsIlaria ErcolaniAlessia Eva Mangano Results Semi Points: 47Position: 11Running order: 2 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/YirZIBi2vnY The Social Network Song (Oh oh – uh – oh oh) Country🇸🇲 Country Year2012 LanguageEnglish LyricsTimothy TouchtonJosé Juan Santana Rodriguez MusicRalph Siegel BackingsVera KlimaAlexandra SieberGiovanna NaberGiacomo Di BenedettoPeter Bischof Results Semi Points: 31Position: 14Running order: 11 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/y7IoR_5HPQ0

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Laura Põldvere

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameLaura Põldvere Born30 August 1988 Nationality🇪🇪 Estonian National SelectionUuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2021 (Finland)Eesti Laul 2020Eesti Laul 2017Eesti Laul 2016Eesti Laul 2009Eurolaul 2007Eurolaul 2005 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv2005 Kyiv SongVerona (2017, with Koit Toome)Let’s get loud (2005, Suntribe) Biography Laura Põldvere is an Estonian singer. She was born in the Estonian city of Tartu. Laura’s career started in 2005, when she took part in Eurolaul, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. As a solo singer, she sang “Moonwalk”. The song became 2nd and reached the #1 spot in the Estonian charts. However, she also participated as a member of the girlband Suntribe. The group won and represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Let’s get loud”. The band had previously recorded a song in Estonian, “Ei tunne mind”. After 2005, the group split up and Laura went for a solo career. In 2007, Laura was back in Eurolaul, this time with the song “Sunflower”. She reached the 3rd place. Again, Laura’s song reached the #1 spot in the Estonian charts. In the same year, on 1 September, her debut album “Muusa” was released. Laura took a break from her singing career to study at Berklee College in Boston, USA.In 2009, Laura made a comeback at Eesti Laul, now the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. Her song “Destiny” reached a 3rd place. Another album followed, “Ultra”, which was released on 8 December 2009. In November 2011 the album was followed by a compilation album with the title “Sädemeid taivast”. After a few years of silence, Laura made a comeback in 2016, and her stage again was Eesti Laul. The song “Supersonic” became 2nd and again was good for a #1 in the Estonian charts. The follow up song “94-95” had the same success. Together with Koit Toome, Laura took part in Eesti Laul 2017. The song “Verona” won and took part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. “Verona” did not reach the final. On 12 May 2017 however, a “Greatest hits” album appeared with “Verona” on it. In 2018, Laura released a few non-album singles: “Waterfall”, “Tõusulained” and “Lennujaamas”. A new album, “9 Elu” found it’s release on 3 December 2019. On this album a.o. another duet with Koit Toome. In 2020, Laura took part in Eesti Laul again. The song this time was called “Break me”. Laura reached the 11th place in the final this time. The song was followed by one in Estonian, “On meie aeg”. In 2021, Laura participated in Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu, the Finnish national selection for the Eurovision song contest. Unfortunately, her song “Play” became last in the final. After this, she released two new singles and went on to perform in Poland and Italy. In 2022, on 11 March, a new single was released: “Gameboy”, which was a collaboration with Jyrise. The band Tabloided invited her to record a song together, which was titled “Zeitgeist”. In May of that year, the new song “Prayers to you” came out. In the summer, Laura organized a music camp, Make Music Until You Drop.  It was in March 2023 that Laura released a song called „Lilled jäävadki Sulle“. With that song, she participated in the show Uus Laul II. She and her team reached the final of the contest. In August she opened for Bonnie Tyler. A new single, “Pahupidi”, was released in September. Laura took part in Eesti Laul 2024, where she sang “Here’s Where I Draw The Line”. Unfortunately, she didn’t make it to the final. Entries Verona (with Koit Toome) Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsSven Lõhmus MusicSven Lõhmus BackingsKaire VilgatsDagmar OjaRolf Roosalu Results Semi Points: 85Position: 14Running order: 17 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/NxqPpzWYN1c Let’s get loud (Suntribe) Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year2005 LanguageEnglish LyricsSven Lõhmus MusicSven Lõhmus Backings– Results Semi Points: 31Position: 20Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/mqvOUfdwQtw

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Fusedmarc

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts MembersViktoria IvanovskajaDenis Zujev Founded2004 Nationality🇱🇹 Lithuanian National SelectionEurovizijos dainų konkurso nacionalinė atranka 2017 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongRain of Revolution (2017) Biography Fusedmarc is a musical duo from Lithuania. They came together in 2004. Viktoria was the singer of the band Saulės kliošas from 2000 to 2003. With this band she took part in the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest twice.  Viktoria teamed up with Denis Zujev. Viktoria nicknamed Cilia, Denis as DJ Vakx, and with Nurasho, Norberth and Stasas Žakas alias VJ Szrtha. In 2005, they released their debut EP, “Contraction”. Released videos in 2006 were “Urban”, “Underplatoe”, “Easier” and “Contraction”. In 2007, Fusedmarc was awarded Best Experimental Music Band, while in 2008 they received an award for Best Lithuanian Electronic Band. They released a new song, “Napper”, in the same year.In 2009, Fusedmarc teamed up with Andrius Mamontovas, who featured on their song “Sign”. A year later they released the song “Tear & Ty” with 5 different remixes of the song. In 2011 they recorded “Waft” with Trys Keturiose. The single “Climb” was released in 2012. In 2013 Fusedmarc took a year break. When they came together again in 2014, Fusedmarc was a duet with DJ Vakx and Cilia as the only members left. With “Rain of revolution”, Fusedmarc won the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2017. They represented Lithuania in the contest but unfortunately did not make it to the final. In 2020 the band released a new album, “Show of life”. In 2022 Viktoria recorded a song with Michail Levin, “Easy way”.   Entries Rain Of Revolution Country🇱🇹 Lithuania Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsViktoria IvanovskajaDenis ZujevMichail Levin MusicViktoria IvanovskajaDenis ZujevMichail Levin BackingsVaiva AdomaitytėKristina ŽaldokaitėLaura RakauskaitėJekaterina Pranevič Results Semi Points: 42Position: 17Running order: 16 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/-7WpnSMEPjc

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Timebelle

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts MembersMiruna ManescuSamuel ForsterEmanuel Daniel Andriescu Founded2014 Nationality🇨🇭 Swiss (Samuel)🇷🇴 Romanian (Miruna and Emanuel) National SelectionESC 2017 – Die EntscheidungsshowESC 2015 – Die Entscheidungsshow In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongApollo (2017) Biography Timebelle started as a 6 man band. Miruna Manescu was the lead vocalist. Other members were Christoph Siegrist (guitar), Sandor Törok (bass-guitar), Samuel Forster (drums), Rade Mijatovic (accordion) and Emanuel Daniel Andriescu (saxophone, clarinet, piano). The men were students in Bern. They formed the band Imports Ltd. first. Later, they started Timebelle, with Miruna as the singer. The band took part in the 2015 national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. They played the song “Singing about love” and reached the 2nd place. The song was followed by two singles: “Desperado” and “Are you ready?”. On 10 October 2015, the band released an EP called “Desperado”. In December 2016 the band announced they were going to take part in ESC 2017 – Die Entscheidungsshow. The band was now reduced to a trio, with Rade, Sandor and Christoph having left the band. Their song, “Apollo”, won the national selection and represented Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest, where they did not reach the final. In November of the same year, the band featured in the Soundland track “Come around”. In 2018, the band kept working together with Sounland in a new song, “Heartache”. On 16 November, a video “Tocame” was released, which was a collaboration with Sunstroke Project. A year later, they teamed up with Soundland again for a new song, “Movin’ on”. In May 2019, they were able to perform in the Euroclub in Tel Aviv, where the Eurovision Song Contest was held that year. They also performed at the summer fest in Chisinau, Moldova. A new song, “Black sea”, was released in September. The band teamed up with Alizé Oswald for a new song, “Beautiful people”, which was released in January 2020. In collaboration with Alejandro Reyes, who took part in ESC 2018 – Die Entscheidungsshow, Timebelle released the song “Rapido” in September 2020. A second song with Alejandro, “Barba”, came out a year later. “Dopamina” was a new song by the band in 2021, followed by “About us”, “No se puede” and “No te vayas de aqui”. With Runa and Nosfe they released “Palatul de crom” and “Garsoniera din obor”, a Romanian production. It brought them performances in Romania. Meanwhile, Samuel Forster had left the band, which means that Timebelle was a duo from then on. On 18 March, 2022, Timebelle came up with a new song and video, ” ’96”, followed by “$1” in 2022.         Entries Apollo Country🇨🇭 Switzerland Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsElias NäslinNicolas GünthardtAlessandra Günthardt MusicElias NäslinNicolas GünthardtAlessandra Günthardt BackingsTanja DanknerNyssina SwerissenNori Rickenbacher Results Semi Points: 97Position: 12Running order: 13 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/OrNPRfS9Sbg

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Brendan Murray

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameBrendan John Francis Murray Born16 November 1996 Nationality🇮🇪 Irish National SelectionEurosong 2022Internal selection 2017 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongDying to try Biography Brendan Murray is an Irish singer. He was born in 1996 in Tuam, County Galway.When he was 18 years old, in 2014, Brendan became a member of the band Home Town. Their debut single “Where I belong” reached the first place in the Irish charts. The follow up “Cry for help” did the same in 2015. In the same year, “The night we met” also reached the charts, but their single “Roses” in 2016 did not. The band announced to take a break to concentrate on other projects. One of the projects was Brendan Murray’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, with the song “Dying to try”. Unfortunately, Brendan didn’t manage to reach the final. In June 2018, the follow up of his Eurovision song, “Way too fast” was released. Later in 2018, Brendan took part in the X-Factor UK. He managed to reach the semifinals there. It resulted in a tour he could do through Ireland and the United Kingdom in June 2019. But before that, in April, he released a new single, “If I’m honest”. In 2019 and 2020, Brendan uploaded videos of several cover songs, a.o. “Nothing compares 2U” and “You are the reason”. On 21 February, 2020, Brendan released a new original song, “Teardrops”. Another cover, “Falling”, became the new single in May 2020. On 24 July of the same year, a new single called “Let go” came out, followed in September by “500 days”. A Christmas song, “Wishing you here for Christmas”, came out too. Brendan traveled to the Maldives to perform there at and around New Years Eve at a special Moonlight Concert. In March 2021 a new single called “Here To Stay” was released, followed in June by “Deep Fake” and in October by “Little Island”. In February 2022, Brendan Murray took part in Eurosong 2022, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. He sang the song “Real love”. The song didn’t win but was released on single right after the contest.   Entries Dying To Try Country🇮🇪 Ireland Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsJames NewmanJörgen Elofsson MusicJames NewmanJörgen Elofsson BackingsAlison Vard MillerMargot DalyShane McDaidJules EdwardGraham Kelly Results Semi Points: 86Position: 13Running order: 9 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/EOpZikqrfOA

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Claudia Faniello

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameClaudia Faniello Born25 February 1988 Nationality🇲🇹 Maltese National SelectionMalta Eurovision Song Contest 2017Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2013Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2012Malta Eurosong 2011GO Malta Eurosong 2010GO Malta Eurosong 2009Malta Song For Europe 2008Malta Song For Europe 2007 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongBreathlessly (2017) Biography Claudia Faniello is a Maltese singer. Together with her siblings Fabrizio and Miriana, Claudia was born and raised in the Maltese town of Qawra. Her dad is from Italy. When she was twelve years old, Claudia started appearing on a variety of television programs. She also took part in numerous festivals and won the first place.  In 2001, she took first place in the Talentissimi Juniors competition held at the Phoenicia Hotel in Malta. She performed live with Malta’s National Orchestra a year later at the University of Malta to raise money for underprivileged kids.  Claudia performed in concert with her brother Fabrizio Faniello at the Mediterranean Conference Festival in 2003, and a year later she performed once more with the National Orchestra alongside Philippa, Nadine Axisa, and Fabrizio. She placed fourth on the 2005 season of the Net TV program Hotspot. With the song “High Alert!” written by Ray Agius, she began her involvement in the Malta Music For Europe Festival in the year 2006. She took up the prize for best newcomer in the same competition. Claudia won the 2006 Festival Kanzunetta Indipendenza with Ray Agius’ song “Ma Nafx,”. She sang “L-Imabba Gamja” (Love is Blind), which earned her a spot in the Malta Song for Europe 2007 Semi-Final. It was the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. She didn’t make it to the final round. In the summer of 2007, Claudia recorded the song “Wild Flower. With the songs “Caravaggio” and “Sunrise,” she qualified for the Go Malta Song for Europe  in 2008. Both tracks made it into the top eight. “Caravaggio,” placed second, while with the song “Sunrise,” she became third. She returned for a third time to the Maltese Eurovision final the following year, but she was still excluded from the final three songs competing for a spot in Moscow 2009. With her song “Blue Sonata,” which Ray Agius wrote and arranged, she reached the 4th place. With the song “Samsara,” written by Gerard James Borg and arranged by Philip Vella, she advanced to the Go Malta Eurosong 2010 final. She reached the 8th place. In August 2010, she issued her debut album, “Convincingly Better”. Faniello’s song “Cinema in my Thoughts” placed 9th in the Malta Eurosong 2011 final. With her song “Pure,” Faniello finished second in the Malta Eurosong 2012 competition. A year later, the song “When it’s time” reached the 7th place. Faniello won the national final for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Breathlessly,” represented Malta. Unfortunately she didn’t manage to reach the final with her song. After the contest, she performed at the Eurovision Weekend in Berlin and at the Amsterdam Pride. She became the brand ambassador for NIVEA. She also hosted Miss Malta 2017. In 2019 Claudia sang in the Faces of Friends Festival in Moldova, which Malta won. On 30 August of that year Claudia release a new song called “Fallin”. The song reached the Swedish I-Tunes pop chart. In the Malta Top10 she reached the 6th place. Claudia released another song titled “Say” in June 2020. She dropped a brand-new track titled “When is it” on 1 October 2021. In 2022 she took part in the festival Muzika Muzika with a song in Maltese, “Ġmielek”. Entries Breathlessly Country🇲🇹 Malta Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsGerard James Borg MusicPhilip VellaSean VellaGerard James Borg BackingsChantal HartmannJeannette MarchewkaHanna KöpfJanina Krömer Results Semi Points: 55Position: 16Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXn-Ettr7yk

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Jimmie Wilson

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts Name Jimmie Wilson Born 07 February 1981 Nationality 🇺🇸 American National Selection Internal selection 2017 In Eurovision 2017 Kyiv Song Spirit Of The night (2017, with Valentina Monetta) Biography Jimmie Wilson is an American singer, born in Detroit, Michigan.  As a child, Jimmie was already singing in a gospel choir. Later, he studied acting in Hollywood. When he was 16, he had a role in the musical Sisterella, produced by Michael Jackson. He also worked with stars such as Seal, Lionel Richie, The Wheather Girls and DJ Bobo. After the European tour with Sisterella, Jimmie

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Alex Florea

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameAlexandru Ionuț Florea Born15 September 1991 Nationality???????? Romanian National SelectionSelecția Națională 2018Selecția Națională 2017 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongYodel It1 (2017, with Ilinca) Biography Alexandru Ionuț “Alex” Florea (b. September 15, 1991, Constanța[2][3]) is a Romanian singer. He was born in Constanța and studied journalism, but interrupted it and studied acting at “Ovidiu” University in Constanța. In March 2015, he took part in The X-Factor, together with his brother Cristian Goaie.  In the same year, he was in Vocea României (The Voice of Romania) and managed to reach the semi-finals. In 2017, he took part in

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Ilinca Băcilă

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameMaria Ilinca Băcilă Born17 August 1998 Nationality???????? Romanian National SelectionSelecția Națională 2017 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongYodel it! (with Alex Florea) Biography Ilinca Băcilă is a Romanian singer and Yodeler. She was born in Târgu Mureș, but currently lives lives in Cluj-Napoca. She has been studying music since she was 7 years old. In 2012, she took part in Românii au talent at age 13. She went on to the semifinals. A year later she participated in The X Factor as a member of a girl band, managing to reach the live galas. In 2014, she

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Koit Toome

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameKoit Toome Born03 January 1979 Nationality🇪🇪 Estonian National SelectionEesti Laul 2021Eesti Laul 2017Eurolaul 2007Eurolaul 2003Eurolaul 1998Eurolaul 1997 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv1998 Birmingham Song2017 Verona (with Laura)1998 Mere lapsed Biography Koit Toome is an Estonian singer and actor. He was born in the Estonian capital Tallinn in 1979. Koit was discovered by music producer Mikk Targo in 1994. Targo was initially planning to launch a solo career for Koit. However, in the end it became a duo with Sirli Hiius: Code One.  They had a lot of hits in Estonia, and also took part in Eurolaul 1997,

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Valentina Monetta

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameValentina Monetta Born01 March 1975 Nationality🇸🇲 Sammarinese National SelectionInternal selection 2017Internal selection 2014Internal selection 2013Internal selection 2012 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv2014 Copenhagen2013 Malmö2012 Baku SongSpirit of the night (2017, with Jimmie Wilson)Maybe (2014)Crisalide (Vola) (2013)The Social Network Song (oh oh – uh – oh oh) (2012) Biography Valentina Monetta is a Sammarinese singer. She was born in the city of San Marino in 1975 of a Sammarinese mother and an Italian father. She went to highschool in Rimini. Valentina Monetta began her career in 1995. She became the lead singer of the band Tiberio. She also

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Laura Põldvere

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameLaura Põldvere Born30 August 1988 Nationality🇪🇪 Estonian National SelectionUuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2021 (Finland)Eesti Laul 2020Eesti Laul 2017Eesti Laul 2016Eesti Laul 2009Eurolaul 2007Eurolaul 2005 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv2005 Kyiv SongVerona (2017, with Koit Toome)Let’s get loud (2005, Suntribe) Biography Laura Põldvere is an Estonian singer. She was born in the Estonian city of Tartu. Laura’s career started in 2005, when she took part in Eurolaul, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. As a solo singer, she sang “Moonwalk”. The song became 2nd and reached the #1 spot in the Estonian charts. However, she also participated as

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Fusedmarc

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts MembersViktoria IvanovskajaDenis Zujev Founded2004 Nationality🇱🇹 Lithuanian National SelectionEurovizijos dainų konkurso nacionalinė atranka 2017 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongRain of Revolution (2017) Biography Fusedmarc is a musical duo from Lithuania. They came together in 2004. Viktoria was the singer of the band Saulės kliošas from 2000 to 2003. With this band she took part in the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest twice.  Viktoria teamed up with Denis Zujev. Viktoria nicknamed Cilia, Denis as DJ Vakx, and with Nurasho, Norberth and Stasas Žakas alias VJ Szrtha. In 2005, they released their debut EP, “Contraction”. Released videos in

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Timebelle

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts MembersMiruna ManescuSamuel ForsterEmanuel Daniel Andriescu Founded2014 Nationality🇨🇭 Swiss (Samuel)🇷🇴 Romanian (Miruna and Emanuel) National SelectionESC 2017 – Die EntscheidungsshowESC 2015 – Die Entscheidungsshow In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongApollo (2017) Biography Timebelle started as a 6 man band. Miruna Manescu was the lead vocalist. Other members were Christoph Siegrist (guitar), Sandor Törok (bass-guitar), Samuel Forster (drums), Rade Mijatovic (accordion) and Emanuel Daniel Andriescu (saxophone, clarinet, piano). The men were students in Bern. They formed the band Imports Ltd. first. Later, they started Timebelle, with Miruna as the singer. The band took part in the 2015 national selection for

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Brendan Murray

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameBrendan John Francis Murray Born16 November 1996 Nationality🇮🇪 Irish National SelectionEurosong 2022Internal selection 2017 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongDying to try Biography Brendan Murray is an Irish singer. He was born in 1996 in Tuam, County Galway.When he was 18 years old, in 2014, Brendan became a member of the band Home Town. Their debut single “Where I belong” reached the first place in the Irish charts. The follow up “Cry for help” did the same in 2015. In the same year, “The night we met” also reached the charts, but their single “Roses” in 2016

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Claudia Faniello

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameClaudia Faniello Born25 February 1988 Nationality🇲🇹 Maltese National SelectionMalta Eurovision Song Contest 2017Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2013Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2012Malta Eurosong 2011GO Malta Eurosong 2010GO Malta Eurosong 2009Malta Song For Europe 2008Malta Song For Europe 2007 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongBreathlessly (2017) Biography Claudia Faniello is a Maltese singer. Together with her siblings Fabrizio and Miriana, Claudia was born and raised in the Maltese town of Qawra. Her dad is from Italy. When she was twelve years old, Claudia started appearing on a variety of television programs. She also took part in numerous festivals and won

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