2021

Road to Rotterdam: Italy

It’s not as strange as you might think it is: a Danish name for an Italian band. Bassist Victoria De Angelis is half Danish.Måneskin has been active since 2016. The Italian rock band has made two albums so far, both of which reached number 1 in the Italian charts. It was therefore no surprise when the group was asked to participate in the famous festival of San Remo. And it was no big surprise that the song “Zitti e buoni” was immediately one of the favorites. Much praised was the fact that they were accompanied by the live orchestra as a rock band.Måneskin won in San Remo. That made them the first candidates for the Eurovision Song Contest. They were immediately enthusiastic, which is why we will see them again in the final in Rotterdam.

Lithuania opens Eurovision Song Contest

Today, the EBU announced the Eurovision Song Contest running order for the first and second semifinal. Lithuania will open the first semifinal, while it will be closed by Malta. The second one will be opened by San Marino, while Denmark closes it. Here are the full running orders: 1st semifinal 2nd semifinal The running order of the final will be known only, when all the finalists are known. There is one exception: Jeangu Macrooy, the Dutch participant, will perform 23rd.

Manizha

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameManizha Dalerovna Khamraeva Born8 July 1991 Nationality 🇷🇺 Russian National SelectionYevrovidenie 2021 In EurovisionRotterdam 2021 SongRussian woman (2021) Biography Manizha is a Russian singer, born in Tajikistan. When she was 2 years old, Manizha and her family moved to Moscow, where she later studied piano and singing. Meanwhile she graduated from the Faculty of Psychology at the Russian State University for the Humanities in Moscow. Since the age of 12, Manizha has been participating in various competitions and festivals. In 2005, Manizha recorded several songs in both Tajik and Russian. The songs were actively played on radio stations in Tajikistan. At the age of 15, from the beginning of 2007, she began performing under the pseudonym Ru.Kola.In February she recorded her first song – “Prenebregayt”. The song received a lot of airplay. It reached the top of the Russian charts. In 2007, Manizha became a finalist of the All-Russian Pyat’zvozd competition in Sochi. In the spring of 2008, the debut album “Prenebregayt” was released. After this, she left the Ru.kola project. In 2011 she met the soloist Alexei Kosov, she received an offer to sing at a concert of the band Assai. She was supposed to perform one song, but in the end she sang the entire concert. Then Alexey convinced Manizhi’s mother to allow her to go to St. Petersburg in May to record the album “OM”. She also sang in the band Krip de Shi. In the summer of 2012, she recorded an EP with the group. The group performed at the Stereoleto festival in St. Petersburg , in September – at the Red Rocks Tour festival in Ryazan, but then, due to different views on creativity, Manizha left the band. She studied vocals at gospel schools in London and New York. In 2012, Manizha participated in a soundtrack. She also worked with musician Mikhail Mishchenko. The album “Core” was the result of their creativity in 2014. In March 2018 Manizha joined a project of the French music service Deezer, “Deezer Next” 2018 (a global program created to discover new talent around the world – along with George Smith (UK), Lewis Capaldi (UK) and other independent artists).As a solo singer, Manizha released two albums: “Manuscript” in 2017 and “ЯIAM” in 2018.In March 2021, Manizha won the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. Not everybody in Russia appeared to be fan of Manizha’s song “Russian woman”; traditional Russian women claimed they didn’t recognize themselves in the song. Even threaths followed. However, Manizha was successfull and reached the Eurovision final. On February 24, 2022, Manizha stated on her Instagram account that she did not agree with the Russian invasian in Ukraine, mentioning the Ukrainian background of her husband. Entries Russian Woman Country🇷🇺 Russia Year2021 LanguageEnglish/Russian LyricsManizha Sanghin MusicOri AvniOri KaplanManizha Sanghin BackingsAlexandr KudinovArtemiy CheersVasilisa SavoskinaIyulina Popova Results Semi Points: 225Position: 3Running order: 3 Results Finals Points: 204Position: 9Running order: 5 https://youtu.be/V-Di9A28e5E

Rafal

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameRafał Brzozowski Born8 june 1981 Nationality🇵🇱 Poland National SelectionKrajowe Eliminacje 2017 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam SongThe Ride (2021) Biography Rafał Brzozowski, born in Warshaw, is a Polish singer, TV presenter and former wrestler. During his studies at the Academy of Physical Education, he was educated as a sports teacher. He won the bronze medal of the Polish Academic Championships in wrestling in 2006. Due to a spine injury, he ended his sports career . He began his musical career in 2002 with the participation in the television program Szansa na sukces, in which he won a distinction . Previously, he performed with Marcin Kiljan in the K.Martin band. In 2003 he became a member of the band Emigranci. He was also a member of the group Mono. In autumn 2011, he took part in The Voice of Poland. His coach was Andrzej Piaseczny. Rafał was eliminated just before the final. In the same year, he released two singles: “Nie mam nic” and “Na dobre masz zawsze mnie”. In 2012, he released the single “Tak blisko”, for which he received the TV audience award at the Eska Music Awards 2012 gala. The song took the second place on the AirPlay charts . He also won a prize at the Russian Song Festival. On August 7, 2012, he released his debut studio album, entitled “Tak blisko”. In September 2014, he released his second studio album entitled “Mój czas”. In the same year, he took part in the released a Christmas album. In 2017, he became 2nd in the Polish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Sky over Europe”. In 2020, with the song he qualified for the “Premier” concert at the 57th KFPP in Opole with the song “Gentleman”. In May 2021, he represented Poland in the 65th Eurovision Song Contest with the song “The Ride”. In the summer of 2021 he performed during the TVP2 Summer, Music, Fun tour. Summer tour. In July, the single “Głośniej” was released. At the beginning of 2022, he co-hosted the third edition of The Voice Senior. Entries The Ride Country🇵🇱 Poland Year2021 LanguageEnglish LyricsJoakim ÖvreniusThomas KarlssonClara RubenssonJohan Mauritszon ComposersJoakim ÖvreniusThomas KarlssonClara RubenssonJohan Mauritszon BackingsPaweł Skiba DancersBartosz KołeckiDaniel BorzewskiMaciej MiśkiewiczMiłosz Kuterasiński Results Semi Points: 35Position: 14Rank: 6 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Rank: – https://youtu.be/Uy6TeDNvSGo

Tusse

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameTousin Chiza Born01 january 2001 Nationality🇸🇪 Swedish National SelectionMelodifestivalen 2021 In EurovisionRotterdam 2021 SongVoices (2021) Biography Tusse is a Swedish/Congolese singer, born in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As a child, he fled to Sweden and applied for asylum there. Chiza participated in Talang 2018 where he reached one of the semifinals. The following year, he took part in Idol 2019. Tusse won the contest and released the song “Rain”. He thus became the youngest male participant, the first dark-skinned participant and the first participant born in the 2000s in Swedish Idol’s history to win the competition. In November 2019, Chiza’s version of Whitney Houston’s song “How Will I Know” was released. Tusse’s first single after Idol, “Innan du går”, which was also his first song in Swedish, was released. In 2021, Tusse participated in Melodifestivalen, the Swedish preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest. His song “Voices” was the clear favourite from day 1 and won. The logical next step was representing Sweden in the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam. In december 2021, Tusse presented his new single “Grow”. Entries Voices Country🇸🇪 Country Year2021 LanguageEnglish Lyrics & MusicJoy DebLinnea DebAnderz WrethovJimmy Thörnfeldt BackingsLars Säfsund DancersLamin HolménKeisha von ArnoldFatou BahTimothy Kakeeto Results Semi Points: 142Position: 7Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: 109Position: 14Running order: 25 https://youtu.be/NyJRyif6_kk

Måneskin

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts MembersDamiano DavidVictoria De AngelisThomas RaggiEthan Torchio Established2016 Nationality🇮🇹 Italian National SelectionFestival di Sanremo 2021 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam SongZitti e buoni (2021) Biography In November 2015, a few years after their first meeting, David contacted bassist Victoria De Angelis with the aim of forming a group; guitarist Thomas Raggi, a friend of De Angelis, and drummer Ethan Torchio joined the group through an ad posted on a Facebook group. In 2016 the group took part in the Pulse – High School Band Contest and won it. For the first time they used the name Måneskin, a Danish word (translated into Italian as Moonlight). Danish is Victoria’s mother language. In the same year they debuted with the first official concert.In 2017 they took part in the X Factor talent show. They ranked in second place. Soon, their first EP was released.Their first studio album “Il ballo della vita” was released, accompanied by a documentary “This is Måneskin”, which was played in several cinemas. They opened on a concert of Imagine Dragons. Their single “Torna a casa” became a great success. The album was followed by a European tour in November 2018. In october 2020, their single “Vent’anni” from the new album was released. In March 2021 they took part in the Festival of Sanremo with the song “Zitti e buoni” and won it. In may 2021 they won the 65th Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam. After the contest, “Zitti e buoni” became a worldwide hit.”Zitti e buoni” and “I Wanna Be Your Slave” also entered the top ten of the Billboard top 100 in the USA. Their 2017 cover of “Beggin’” also became a worldwide hit. It even reached the no. 13 spot in the Billboard list. The band went on a European promotional tour between June and July. The band’s eleventh single “Supermodel” was released on 13 May 2022, and was performed at the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 held in Turin. Entries Zitti e buoni Country🇮🇹 Italy Year2021 LanguageItalian Lyrics & MusicDamiano DavidVictoria De AngelisThomas RaggiEthan Torchio Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 524Position: 1Running order: 24 https://youtu.be/RVH5dn1cxAQ

Blind Channel

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts Group membersJoel HokkaNiko VilhelmJoonas PorkoOlli MatelaTommi LalliAleksi Kaunisvesi Established2013 Nationality🇫🇮 Finnish National SelectionUMK 2021 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam SongDark side (2021) Biography Blind Channel is a five-, now six-man rock band founded in Oulu in 2013. The band itself defines its music with the term “violent pop,” which the band has used since its inception. After two self-published releases, Blind Channel participated in the 2014 Wacken Metal Battle. They won, and the prize was a performance in the festival Wacken Open Air. In the same year, the band signed their record deal with the Finnish company Ranka Kustannus.Their debut album Revolutions was released on October 1, 2016. In June 2016, Blind Channel was chosen to open for the Canadian band Simple Plan in Finland and all Baltic countries. In 2017, the band also opened for Royal Republic. Their second album Blood Brothers was released in April 2018, while in February, Blind Channel opened for Hollywood Undead, who played at the Helsinki Ice Rink. It resulted in the band opening for Hollywood Undead at four other European concerts as well. In May, Blind Channel played at Tavastiafor the first time as the main performer. Following the release of the album, the band went on a tour in June that included performances in Finland and abroad. In December 2018, Blind Channel toured the UK with All That Remains and Sevendust. After the tour, Blood Brothers was nominated for the Emma Gala in the category Rock Album of the Year. In November 2018, Blind Channel released their first single from their third album, “Over My Dead Body”. In March 2019, the band released a song called “Timebomb” in which Alex Mattson (Aleksi Kaunisvesi) was a visiting artist. With the collaboration, Blind Channel also ended up playing a joint gig later that year with him. The third studio album Violent Pop was released in April 2020. In October 2020, the band announced Alex Mattson would join the band as its sixth member. He plays samples, synthesizers and percussion in the band and produces the band’s music. In february 2021 the band won UMK, the Finnish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Dark side”, and thus represented Finland in Eurovision. In May 2021, Blind Channel signed an international record deal with Century Media Records, a record company focused on metal music under Sony Music. In August 2021, the band released the single “Balboa.” In November 2021, the Blind Channel released the single “We Are No Saints,” which, according to band members, reflects how they were pressured to become role models. At the end of 2021, the band was awarded the Kaleva Publicity of the Year award. Entries Dark side Country🇫🇮 Finland Year2021 LanguageEnglish Lyrics & MusicAleksi KaunisvesiJoonas PorkoJoel HokkaNiko Vilhelm MoilainenOlli Matela Backings– Results Semi Points: 234Position: 5Running order: 14 Results Finals Points: 301Position: 6Running order: 16 https://youtu.be/fOPGxQ4fgVw

Albina

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameAlbina Grčić Born6 february 1999 Nationality🇭🇷 Croatia National SelectionDora 2021 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam SongTick-tock (2021) Biography Albina is a Croatian pop singer. She began her career by participating in the third season of The Voice Croatia. Albina chose Vanna as her mentor. Albina became 3rd in The Voice. Immediately after the end of The Voice, Grčić signed a contract with Universal Music Croatia. In 2020, she released her debut single “Imuna na strah”. She took part in DORA, the Croatian national selection for the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest, and she won. That means she represented Croatia in the contest with her song “Tick-Tock”. Although she did not reach the final, Albina was able to prolong the success. Two singles followed: “La, la, love” and “Plači mila”. Both became huge hits in Croatia. In 2022 she presented her new single “Noću” during Dora 2022. Again, chart success was there! Entries Tick-Tock Country🇭🇷 Croatia Year2021 LanguageEnglish LyricsMax CinnamonTihana Buklijaš Bakić MusicBranimir Mihaljević DancersLuciano PlazibatMarko MarićDevin JurajStjepan Cutvarić Results Semi Points: 110Position: 11Running order: 10 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/vKdxjoNluzY

Elena Tsagrinou

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameElena Tsagrinou Born16 november 1994 Nationality🇬🇷 Greek National SelectionInternal Selection In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam SongEl Diablo (2021) Biography Greek singer Elena Tsagrinou was born in Athens. She started her career as a member of the band Otherview in 2013. They released their first record “What you want” in january 2014. Otherview released many records and performed with artists like Melisses and Josephine. In 2017, they switched from Record Company Feelgood Records to Panik Records. Elena left the band in 2018 to start a solo career.In july 2018, Elena released her first solo track “Páme ap’ tin arhi”, which was later translated into an English version “Summer romance”. So far, she made four solo tracks and several collaborations. Elena has had numerous television performances.On November 25, 2020, it was announced that Elena Tsagrinou would represent Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest. In february 2021 her Eurovision song “El diablo” was released. She reached the final in the contest. Entries El Diablo Country🇨🇾 Cyprus Year2021 Language🇬🇧 English LyricsJimmy ThornfeldtLaurell BarkerOxaThomas Stengaard MusicJimmy ThornfeldtLaurell BarkerOxaThomas Stengaard BackingsLaurell Barker DancersChali JenningsLiolia KerogliMariia SharafetdinovaPara Karat Results Semi Points: 170Position: 6Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: 94Position: 16Running order: 1 https://youtu.be/MgGc1F_cOE8

Fyr og flamme

March 14, 2021 No Comments

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts MembersLaurits EmanuelJesper Groth Founded2017 Nationality🇩🇰 Danish National SelectionDansk Melodi Grand Prix 2021 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam SongØve os på hinanden (2021) Biography Fyr og Flamme is a Danish pop duo consisting of actor Jesper Groth and songwriter and guitarist Laurits Emanuel. Jesper Groth became known in Denmark for his role in the tv series Sygeplejeskolen (The Nursing School). He studied at the National College of Performing Arts for four years until 2015. Laurits Emanuel has been the lead singer of the band The Grenadines for years. The two met at a “Friday bar” – a bar where people start the weekend in Denmark. They have been making music together since 2017. In August 2020 they released their first song “Menneskeforbruger”, with which they were number one on the P3 radio charts for two weeks. Because of the success, the two got a record deal. The second single “Kamæleon” followed in December 2020. At the final of the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2021, they narrowly prevailed with their song “Øve os på hinanden”. This also made them one of the Danish participants in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021. Unfortunately they did not qualify for the final. In August of the same year, the duo released the single “Hemmelighed”, followd in March 2022 by “Hvem tror du egentlig du er”. Meanwhile, their debut album “Fyr og Flamme” reached the first place in the Danish album charts. In April and May 2022 they are having a tour throughout Denmark. Entries Øve os på hinanden Country🇩🇰 Denmark Year2022 LanguageDanish LyricsLaurits Emanuel MusicLaurits Emanuel BackingsLine KrogholmTilde VintherMarcel Gbekle Results Semi Points: 89Position: 11Running order: 17 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/w2ytONrRyww

Blind Channel

February 28, 2021 No Comments

Albina

February 28, 2021 No Comments

February 28, 2021 No Comments