2022

Turin is the host city!!

The 2022 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Turin. The EBU announced this news today. The contest will be held at 10, 12 and 14 may in PalaOlimpico. Marcus Österdahl (Eurovision’s Executive Producer) said: “Turin is the perfect Host City for the 66th Eurovision Song Contest. As we saw during the 2006 Winter Olympics, PalaOlimpico exceeds all the requirements needed to stage a global event of this scale and we have been very impressed with the enthusiasm and commitment from the City of Turin who will welcome thousands of fans next May. This will be the first Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Italy in 30 years and, together with our Host broadcaster Rai, we are determined to make it a special one.” The host city was announced by this video today: Italy hosted the Eurovision Song Contest twice before: in Napoli in 1965, in Rome in 1991. 

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Everything you need to know about Pesaro

The bidding war between potential host cities in Italy is in full swing. A few weeks ago we told you all about making the most of your Eurovision trip to Rome. We would like to tell you a little more about one of the other contenders to host the Eurovision Song Contest 022. In this article you’ll read all about the must sees in Pesaro, Italy.

Read More »

Turkey: TRT director talks with EBU

İbrahim Eren, director of the Turkish broadcaster TRT, talks with the EBU about Eurovision. Mr. Eren confirms this news in the Turkish newspaper Miliyet. Turkey wanted to withdraw already after the contest of 2011, when they did not reach the final. They only participated in 2012 because the contest was held in Azerbaijan, a country Turkey has strong bounds with. The reason of their withdrawal was the expert jury. The former jury system, with 100% televoting, was quite positive for Turkey. As many people with Turkish roots automatically voted for Turkey every year, the country got the 12 points from several Western European countries year by year. The new 50/50 system made an end to it. In 2015, Turkey added another reason when Austrian Conchita Wurst won the contest. ““As a public broadcaster, we also cannot broadcast live at 9 p.m. — when children are still awake — someone like the bearded Austrian who wore a skirt, do not believe in genders and says that he is both a man and a woman.”, mister İbrahim Eren stated back then. But now that does not seem to count anymore. Mr. Eren stated that the 2021 contest was a wonderful show. He is now in talk with mr. Marcus Österdahl, the new executive producer of the contest. Whether it’s going to lead to a renewed Turkish participation or not, is of course not known yet. But we keep you updated. Can Bonomo, the last Turkish representant so far in 2012.

Read More »

Zdob și Zdub

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts MembersRoman Iagupov (05-11-22)Mihai Gîncu (05-11-22)Valeriu Mazîlu (05-11)Pugaci Anatol (2005)Igor Buzurniuc (2005)Victor Dandeș (2011)Sveatoslav Starus (11-22)Andrei Cebotari (11-22) Established1994 Nationality🇲🇩 Moldovan National SelectionO melodie pentru Europa 2005, 2011, 2022 In Eurovision2022 Turin2011 Düsseldorf2005 Kiev SongTrenulețul (2022, with Fraţii Advahov)So lucky (2011)Boonika bate doba (2005) Biography Zdob şi Zdub is a rock band from the Republic of Moldova. The band was founded in 1994 by a group of friends from the city of Straseni, Moldova. When the band was formed in 1994, they still performed in various formations. Their initial sound was more like hardcore punk, the lyrics of their songs were mostly in Russian. The group made their debut at an event called “10 Years After Chernobyl” in Chisinau. In November 1994 they recorded their first demo tape and played at a festival in Moscow, where they performed for the first time under the name “Zdob și Zdub”. In July 1996 they opened for Rage Against the Machine at the same festival with songs in Russian and Romanian. The song “Hardcore Moldovenesc” became a hit. In the same year Zdob și Zdub signed a contract with the Russian record company FeeLee and released their debut album “Hardcore Moldovenesc”. Around 1998 their sound began to change, the songs were provided with elements of local folklore, the lyrics were mainly in Romanian. In May 1999 their second album was released with the title “Tabăra Noastră” In august of the same year, Zdob și Zdub played at the Russian MTV party held on Red Square in Moscow, along with Russian bands such as Gorky Park and I.F.K and the American Red Hot Chili Peppers. In October 2000, the group recorded a cover version of the song “Videli still” by the Russian band Kino. With this song they took part in the tribute album “Kinoproby” for the late poet, actor and frontman of the band Kino, Viktor Tsoi. The cover became a hit across the Commonwealth of Independent States and topped the charts in many CIS countries throughout the year. About half a million of the tribute albums have been sold. The band was awarded the best live band of the year 2000 in Russia by the St. Petersburg music magazine Fuzz. The band has toured extensively and continues to do so, mainly in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Romania, but also in Germany (1998), the Netherlands (2000) and more recently Serbia, Hungary and Italy. In 2001, the album “Agroromantica”, which roughly means “country romance”, was presented.  The following year, the group won the equivalent MTV Romania Video Music Award. In 2003, her song “Everybody in the Casa Mare” was played in the opening and closing credits of the short film Călătorie la oraș (A Trip to the City). In November of the same year, a new album  was released. The album reached number 12 in the World Music Charts Europe. In October 2004, the group was working on a new album in their studio, which would be dedicated to the band’s 10th anniversary. The album included the 10 best songs of the last 10 years, according to Zdob și Zdub, and 5 new tracks. In 2005, Zdob și Zdub was chosen to be the very first representatives of Moldova in the Eurovision Song Contest. The band reached a 7th place. In 2007, the band appeared in the BBC travel documentary series Michael Palin’s New Europe. Also in 2007, a mashup music video called “Black Eyed Peace ft Zdob şi Zdub – Don’t Mess with Inima Mea” surfaced on the internet, featuring a mix of the Black Eyed Peas’ song “Don’t Phunk with My Heart”.  In 2009, the group released the song “Na rechke, na rechke”, for the project “Solj” on Russian Radio. In December 2009, Zdob și Zdub recorded the track “Telega” for the tribute album “Maschinopisj”, dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the Russian band Maschina Vremeni. In February 2011, the band was again chosen to represent Moldova at the Eurovision Song Contest, this time  with the song “So Lucky”. They reached a 10th place. In 2012 the album Basta Mafia!, partly produced in Germany, was released, followed by a tour. For the 20th anniversary in 2015 an album with songs accompanied by an orchestra was released. In 2018 they released the single “Balkana Mama” together with singer Loredana Groza and in 2019 the new album Bestiarium. In 2022 the band again represented Moldova in the 66th Eurovision Song Contest, this time with the duo Frații Advahov and the song “Trenulețul”. For their participation they received a special reward from the Moldovan president. In March 2023 the band performed in Brussels and London. Zdob și Zdub was awarded the Gavriil Muzicescu Culture Award. In July they performed in Barcelona. In November they teamed up with the Romanian band Voltaj to record the song “Fraz”. Entries Trenulețul (with Fraţii Advahov) Country🇲🇩 Moldova Year2022 LanguageRomanian LyricsMihai GîncuRoman IagupovSviatoslav StaruşAndrei CebotariVitalie AdvahovVasile Advahov MusicMihai GîncuRoman IagupovSviatoslav StaruşAndrei CebotariVitalie AdvahovVasile Advahov Backings– Results Semi Points: 154Position: 8Running order: 9 Results Finals Points: 253Position: 7Running order: 19 https://youtu.be/DUqf_zO2QaI So lucky Country🇲🇩 Moldova Year2011 LanguageEnglish LyricsAndy ShumanMarc Elsner MusicRoman IagupovMihai GincuMarc Elsner DancersTatjana Ilescu (circus artist) Results Semi Points: 54Position: 10Running order: 7 Results Finals Points: 97Position: 12Running order: 15 https://youtu.be/nHAY_OVN_gY Boonika bate doba Country🇲🇩 Moldova Year2005 LanguageRomanianEnglish LyricsRoman Iagupov MusicMihai Gincu Backings– Results Semi Points: 207Position: 2Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: 148Position: 6Running order: 7 https://youtu.be/mVhtWfC7RF4

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Mahmood

About Quick Facts NameAlessandro Mahmoud Born12 september 1992 Nationality🇮🇹 Italian National SelectionFestival di San Remo 2019Festival di San Remo 2022 In Eurovision2019 Tel Aviv2022 Turin SongBrividi (with Blanco, 2022)Soldi (2019) Biography Mahmood is an Italian singer-songwriter from Milan. He was born to a Sardinian mother and an Egyptian father. His stage name Mahmood is a play on words between the surname (Mahmoud) and the English expression my mood (my mood). After graduating from high school, he studied at the CPM Music Institute-Centro Professione Musica in Milan, where he met Andrea Rodini, his teacher and first manager, and Francesco Fugazza, Elia Pastori and Marcello Grilli, members of his band and first producers. In 2012 he took part in the talent show X Factor. After the X Factor, he begins to write and produce his songs. In 2013 he published the EP Fallin ‘Rain, containing five versions of the song. In 2015 he took part in Area Sanremo, winning the first prize and the right to participate in the Sanremo Festival 2016 in the Nuove Proposti category with the song “Dimentica”. Meanwhile, he published an English-language single, “The Chair”, in collaboration with Martha. In 2017 he published the single “Pesos”, with which he participated in the Summer Festival 2017. In the same year, he collaborated with Michele Bravi,  writing and singing a duet “Presi Male”. He also wrote songs for other artists. In September 2018 his EP “Gioventù bruciata” was released.  A victory in Sanremo Giovani allows Mahmood to participate in the Sanremo Festival 2019 with the song “Soldi”. He was the surprise winner of the festival. Following the victory, the song reached the top of the Italian charts, where it remained for six weeks. Because of his victory in Sanremo, Mahmood became first choice to represent Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest. He said yes, but later started to doubt about it. After a Twitterstorm, he decided to do it, and became 2nd in Tel Aviv with “Soldi”. In 2020, Mahmood wrote a song for Elodie, which she sang at the Sanremo festival. A year later, he wrote songs for Francesca Michelin and for Fedez. Also in 2021, he was finally able to release his second album “Ghettolimpo”. In 2022 he participated in the festival of Sanremo again, now in duet with Blanco. They won the prize. They represented Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest with their song “Brividi”. Entries Brividi (with Blanco) Country Italy Year2022 LanguageItalian LyricsAlessandro MahmoodRiccardo ‘Blanco’ FabbriconiMichele ‘Michelangelo’ Zocca MusicAlessandro MahmoodRiccardo ‘Blanco’ FabbriconiMichele ‘Michelangelo’ Zocca BackingsMichelangelo Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 268Position: 6 Running order: 9 https://youtu.be/blEy4xHuMbY Soldi Country Italy Year2019 LanguageItalian LyricsAlessandro Mahmoud MusicCharlie CharlesDario ‘Dardust’ FainiAlessandro Mahmoud Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 472Position: 2Running order: 22 https://youtu.be/M-aoyPa41Ic

Read More »

Turin is the host city!!

The 2022 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Turin. The EBU announced this news today. The contest will be held at 10, 12 and 14 may in PalaOlimpico. Marcus Österdahl (Eurovision’s Executive Producer) said: “Turin is the perfect Host City for the 66th Eurovision Song Contest. As we saw during the 2006 Winter Olympics, PalaOlimpico exceeds all the requirements needed to stage a global event of this scale and we have been very impressed with the enthusiasm and commitment from the City of Turin who will welcome thousands of fans next May. This will be the first Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Italy in 30 years and, together with our Host broadcaster Rai, we are determined to make it a special one.” The host city was announced by this video today: Italy hosted the Eurovision Song Contest twice before: in Napoli in 1965, in Rome in 1991. 

Read More »

Everything you need to know about Pesaro

The bidding war between potential host cities in Italy is in full swing. A few weeks ago we told you all about making the most of your Eurovision trip to Rome. We would like to tell you a little more about one of the other contenders to host the Eurovision Song Contest 022. In this article you’ll read all about the must sees in Pesaro, Italy.

Read More »

Turkey: TRT director talks with EBU

İbrahim Eren, director of the Turkish broadcaster TRT, talks with the EBU about Eurovision. Mr. Eren confirms this news in the Turkish newspaper Miliyet. Turkey wanted to withdraw already after the contest of 2011, when they did not reach the final. They only participated in 2012 because the contest was held in Azerbaijan, a country Turkey has strong bounds with. The reason of their withdrawal was the expert jury. The former jury system, with 100% televoting, was quite positive for Turkey. As many people with Turkish roots automatically voted for Turkey every year, the country got the 12 points from several Western European countries year by year. The new 50/50 system made an end to it. In 2015, Turkey added another reason when Austrian Conchita Wurst won the contest. ““As a public broadcaster, we also cannot broadcast live at 9 p.m. — when children are still awake — someone like the bearded Austrian who wore a skirt, do not believe in genders and says that he is both a man and a woman.”, mister İbrahim Eren stated back then. But now that does not seem to count anymore. Mr. Eren stated that the 2021 contest was a wonderful show. He is now in talk with mr. Marcus Österdahl, the new executive producer of the contest. Whether it’s going to lead to a renewed Turkish participation or not, is of course not known yet. But we keep you updated. Can Bonomo, the last Turkish representant so far in 2012.

Read More »

Zdob și Zdub

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts MembersRoman Iagupov (05-11-22)Mihai Gîncu (05-11-22)Valeriu Mazîlu (05-11)Pugaci Anatol (2005)Igor Buzurniuc (2005)Victor Dandeș (2011)Sveatoslav Starus (11-22)Andrei Cebotari (11-22) Established1994 Nationality🇲🇩 Moldovan National SelectionO melodie pentru Europa 2005, 2011, 2022 In Eurovision2022 Turin2011 Düsseldorf2005 Kiev SongTrenulețul (2022, with Fraţii Advahov)So lucky (2011)Boonika bate doba (2005) Biography Zdob şi Zdub is a rock band from the Republic of Moldova. The band was founded in 1994 by a group of friends from the city of Straseni, Moldova. When the band was formed in 1994, they still performed in various formations. Their initial sound was more like hardcore punk, the lyrics of their songs were mostly in Russian. The group made their debut at an event called “10 Years After Chernobyl” in Chisinau. In November 1994 they recorded their first demo tape and played at a festival in Moscow, where they performed for the first time under the name “Zdob și Zdub”. In July 1996 they opened for Rage Against the Machine at the same festival with songs in Russian and Romanian. The song “Hardcore Moldovenesc” became a hit. In the same year Zdob și Zdub signed a contract with the Russian record company FeeLee and released their debut album “Hardcore Moldovenesc”. Around 1998 their sound began to change, the songs were provided with elements of local folklore, the lyrics were mainly in Romanian. In May 1999 their second album was released with the title “Tabăra Noastră” In august of the same year, Zdob și Zdub played at the Russian MTV party held on Red Square in Moscow, along with Russian bands such as Gorky Park and I.F.K and the American Red Hot Chili Peppers. In October 2000, the group recorded a cover version of the song “Videli still” by the Russian band Kino. With this song they took part in the tribute album “Kinoproby” for the late poet, actor and frontman of the band Kino, Viktor Tsoi. The cover became a hit across the Commonwealth of Independent States and topped the charts in many CIS countries throughout the year. About half a million of the tribute albums have been sold. The band was awarded the best live band of the year 2000 in Russia by the St. Petersburg music magazine Fuzz. The band has toured extensively and continues to do so, mainly in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Romania, but also in Germany (1998), the Netherlands (2000) and more recently Serbia, Hungary and Italy. In 2001, the album “Agroromantica”, which roughly means “country romance”, was presented.  The following year, the group won the equivalent MTV Romania Video Music Award. In 2003, her song “Everybody in the Casa Mare” was played in the opening and closing credits of the short film Călătorie la oraș (A Trip to the City). In November of the same year, a new album  was released. The album reached number 12 in the World Music Charts Europe. In October 2004, the group was working on a new album in their studio, which would be dedicated to the band’s 10th anniversary. The album included the 10 best songs of the last 10 years, according to Zdob și Zdub, and 5 new tracks. In 2005, Zdob și Zdub was chosen to be the very first representatives of Moldova in the Eurovision Song Contest. The band reached a 7th place. In 2007, the band appeared in the BBC travel documentary series Michael Palin’s New Europe. Also in 2007, a mashup music video called “Black Eyed Peace ft Zdob şi Zdub – Don’t Mess with Inima Mea” surfaced on the internet, featuring a mix of the Black Eyed Peas’ song “Don’t Phunk with My Heart”.  In 2009, the group released the song “Na rechke, na rechke”, for the project “Solj” on Russian Radio. In December 2009, Zdob și Zdub recorded the track “Telega” for the tribute album “Maschinopisj”, dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the Russian band Maschina Vremeni. In February 2011, the band was again chosen to represent Moldova at the Eurovision Song Contest, this time  with the song “So Lucky”. They reached a 10th place. In 2012 the album Basta Mafia!, partly produced in Germany, was released, followed by a tour. For the 20th anniversary in 2015 an album with songs accompanied by an orchestra was released. In 2018 they released the single “Balkana Mama” together with singer Loredana Groza and in 2019 the new album Bestiarium. In 2022 the band again represented Moldova in the 66th Eurovision Song Contest, this time with the duo Frații Advahov and the song “Trenulețul”. For their participation they received a special reward from the Moldovan president. In March 2023 the band performed in Brussels and London. Zdob și Zdub was awarded the Gavriil Muzicescu Culture Award. In July they performed in Barcelona. In November they teamed up with the Romanian band Voltaj to record the song “Fraz”. Entries Trenulețul (with Fraţii Advahov) Country🇲🇩 Moldova Year2022 LanguageRomanian LyricsMihai GîncuRoman IagupovSviatoslav StaruşAndrei CebotariVitalie AdvahovVasile Advahov MusicMihai GîncuRoman IagupovSviatoslav StaruşAndrei CebotariVitalie AdvahovVasile Advahov Backings– Results Semi Points: 154Position: 8Running order: 9 Results Finals Points: 253Position: 7Running order: 19 https://youtu.be/DUqf_zO2QaI So lucky Country🇲🇩 Moldova Year2011 LanguageEnglish LyricsAndy ShumanMarc Elsner MusicRoman IagupovMihai GincuMarc Elsner DancersTatjana Ilescu (circus artist) Results Semi Points: 54Position: 10Running order: 7 Results Finals Points: 97Position: 12Running order: 15 https://youtu.be/nHAY_OVN_gY Boonika bate doba Country🇲🇩 Moldova Year2005 LanguageRomanianEnglish LyricsRoman Iagupov MusicMihai Gincu Backings– Results Semi Points: 207Position: 2Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: 148Position: 6Running order: 7 https://youtu.be/mVhtWfC7RF4

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Mahmood

About Quick Facts NameAlessandro Mahmoud Born12 september 1992 Nationality🇮🇹 Italian National SelectionFestival di San Remo 2019Festival di San Remo 2022 In Eurovision2019 Tel Aviv2022 Turin SongBrividi (with Blanco, 2022)Soldi (2019) Biography Mahmood is an Italian singer-songwriter from Milan. He was born to a Sardinian mother and an Egyptian father. His stage name Mahmood is a play on words between the surname (Mahmoud) and the English expression my mood (my mood). After graduating from high school, he studied at the CPM Music Institute-Centro Professione Musica in Milan, where he met Andrea Rodini, his teacher and first manager, and Francesco Fugazza, Elia Pastori and Marcello Grilli, members of his band and first producers. In 2012 he took part in the talent show X Factor. After the X Factor, he begins to write and produce his songs. In 2013 he published the EP Fallin ‘Rain, containing five versions of the song. In 2015 he took part in Area Sanremo, winning the first prize and the right to participate in the Sanremo Festival 2016 in the Nuove Proposti category with the song “Dimentica”. Meanwhile, he published an English-language single, “The Chair”, in collaboration with Martha. In 2017 he published the single “Pesos”, with which he participated in the Summer Festival 2017. In the same year, he collaborated with Michele Bravi,  writing and singing a duet “Presi Male”. He also wrote songs for other artists. In September 2018 his EP “Gioventù bruciata” was released.  A victory in Sanremo Giovani allows Mahmood to participate in the Sanremo Festival 2019 with the song “Soldi”. He was the surprise winner of the festival. Following the victory, the song reached the top of the Italian charts, where it remained for six weeks. Because of his victory in Sanremo, Mahmood became first choice to represent Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest. He said yes, but later started to doubt about it. After a Twitterstorm, he decided to do it, and became 2nd in Tel Aviv with “Soldi”. In 2020, Mahmood wrote a song for Elodie, which she sang at the Sanremo festival. A year later, he wrote songs for Francesca Michelin and for Fedez. Also in 2021, he was finally able to release his second album “Ghettolimpo”. In 2022 he participated in the festival of Sanremo again, now in duet with Blanco. They won the prize. They represented Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest with their song “Brividi”. Entries Brividi (with Blanco) Country Italy Year2022 LanguageItalian LyricsAlessandro MahmoodRiccardo ‘Blanco’ FabbriconiMichele ‘Michelangelo’ Zocca MusicAlessandro MahmoodRiccardo ‘Blanco’ FabbriconiMichele ‘Michelangelo’ Zocca BackingsMichelangelo Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 268Position: 6 Running order: 9 https://youtu.be/blEy4xHuMbY Soldi Country Italy Year2019 LanguageItalian LyricsAlessandro Mahmoud MusicCharlie CharlesDario ‘Dardust’ FainiAlessandro Mahmoud Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 472Position: 2Running order: 22 https://youtu.be/M-aoyPa41Ic

Read More »

Turin is the host city!!

The 2022 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Turin. The EBU announced this news today. The contest will be held at 10, 12 and 14 may in PalaOlimpico. Marcus Österdahl (Eurovision’s Executive Producer) said: “Turin is the perfect Host City for the 66th Eurovision Song Contest. As we saw during the 2006 Winter Olympics, PalaOlimpico exceeds all the requirements needed to stage a global event of this scale and we have been very impressed with the enthusiasm and commitment from the City of Turin who will welcome thousands of fans next May. This will be the first Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Italy in 30 years and, together with our Host broadcaster Rai, we are determined to make it a special one.” The host city was announced by this video today: Italy hosted the Eurovision Song Contest twice before: in Napoli in 1965, in Rome in 1991. 

Read More »

Everything you need to know about Pesaro

The bidding war between potential host cities in Italy is in full swing. A few weeks ago we told you all about making the most of your Eurovision trip to Rome. We would like to tell you a little more about one of the other contenders to host the Eurovision Song Contest 022. In this article you’ll read all about the must sees in Pesaro, Italy.

Read More »

Turkey: TRT director talks with EBU

İbrahim Eren, director of the Turkish broadcaster TRT, talks with the EBU about Eurovision. Mr. Eren confirms this news in the Turkish newspaper Miliyet. Turkey wanted to withdraw already after the contest of 2011, when they did not reach the final. They only participated in 2012 because the contest was held in Azerbaijan, a country Turkey has strong bounds with. The reason of their withdrawal was the expert jury. The former jury system, with 100% televoting, was quite positive for Turkey. As many people with Turkish roots automatically voted for Turkey every year, the country got the 12 points from several Western European countries year by year. The new 50/50 system made an end to it. In 2015, Turkey added another reason when Austrian Conchita Wurst won the contest. ““As a public broadcaster, we also cannot broadcast live at 9 p.m. — when children are still awake — someone like the bearded Austrian who wore a skirt, do not believe in genders and says that he is both a man and a woman.”, mister İbrahim Eren stated back then. But now that does not seem to count anymore. Mr. Eren stated that the 2021 contest was a wonderful show. He is now in talk with mr. Marcus Österdahl, the new executive producer of the contest. Whether it’s going to lead to a renewed Turkish participation or not, is of course not known yet. But we keep you updated. Can Bonomo, the last Turkish representant so far in 2012.

Read More »

Zdob și Zdub

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts MembersRoman Iagupov (05-11-22)Mihai Gîncu (05-11-22)Valeriu Mazîlu (05-11)Pugaci Anatol (2005)Igor Buzurniuc (2005)Victor Dandeș (2011)Sveatoslav Starus (11-22)Andrei Cebotari (11-22) Established1994 Nationality🇲🇩 Moldovan National SelectionO melodie pentru Europa 2005, 2011, 2022 In Eurovision2022 Turin2011 Düsseldorf2005 Kiev SongTrenulețul (2022, with Fraţii Advahov)So lucky (2011)Boonika bate doba (2005) Biography Zdob şi Zdub is a rock band from the Republic of Moldova. The band was founded in 1994 by a group of friends from the city of Straseni, Moldova. When the band was formed in 1994, they still performed in various formations. Their initial sound was more like hardcore punk, the lyrics of their songs were mostly in Russian. The group made their debut at an event called “10 Years After Chernobyl” in Chisinau. In November 1994 they recorded their first demo tape and played at a festival in Moscow, where they performed for the first time under the name “Zdob și Zdub”. In July 1996 they opened for Rage Against the Machine at the same festival with songs in Russian and Romanian. The song “Hardcore Moldovenesc” became a hit. In the same year Zdob și Zdub signed a contract with the Russian record company FeeLee and released their debut album “Hardcore Moldovenesc”. Around 1998 their sound began to change, the songs were provided with elements of local folklore, the lyrics were mainly in Romanian. In May 1999 their second album was released with the title “Tabăra Noastră” In august of the same year, Zdob și Zdub played at the Russian MTV party held on Red Square in Moscow, along with Russian bands such as Gorky Park and I.F.K and the American Red Hot Chili Peppers. In October 2000, the group recorded a cover version of the song “Videli still” by the Russian band Kino. With this song they took part in the tribute album “Kinoproby” for the late poet, actor and frontman of the band Kino, Viktor Tsoi. The cover became a hit across the Commonwealth of Independent States and topped the charts in many CIS countries throughout the year. About half a million of the tribute albums have been sold. The band was awarded the best live band of the year 2000 in Russia by the St. Petersburg music magazine Fuzz. The band has toured extensively and continues to do so, mainly in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Romania, but also in Germany (1998), the Netherlands (2000) and more recently Serbia, Hungary and Italy. In 2001, the album “Agroromantica”, which roughly means “country romance”, was presented.  The following year, the group won the equivalent MTV Romania Video Music Award. In 2003, her song “Everybody in the Casa Mare” was played in the opening and closing credits of the short film Călătorie la oraș (A Trip to the City). In November of the same year, a new album  was released. The album reached number 12 in the World Music Charts Europe. In October 2004, the group was working on a new album in their studio, which would be dedicated to the band’s 10th anniversary. The album included the 10 best songs of the last 10 years, according to Zdob și Zdub, and 5 new tracks. In 2005, Zdob și Zdub was chosen to be the very first representatives of Moldova in the Eurovision Song Contest. The band reached a 7th place. In 2007, the band appeared in the BBC travel documentary series Michael Palin’s New Europe. Also in 2007, a mashup music video called “Black Eyed Peace ft Zdob şi Zdub – Don’t Mess with Inima Mea” surfaced on the internet, featuring a mix of the Black Eyed Peas’ song “Don’t Phunk with My Heart”.  In 2009, the group released the song “Na rechke, na rechke”, for the project “Solj” on Russian Radio. In December 2009, Zdob și Zdub recorded the track “Telega” for the tribute album “Maschinopisj”, dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the Russian band Maschina Vremeni. In February 2011, the band was again chosen to represent Moldova at the Eurovision Song Contest, this time  with the song “So Lucky”. They reached a 10th place. In 2012 the album Basta Mafia!, partly produced in Germany, was released, followed by a tour. For the 20th anniversary in 2015 an album with songs accompanied by an orchestra was released. In 2018 they released the single “Balkana Mama” together with singer Loredana Groza and in 2019 the new album Bestiarium. In 2022 the band again represented Moldova in the 66th Eurovision Song Contest, this time with the duo Frații Advahov and the song “Trenulețul”. For their participation they received a special reward from the Moldovan president. In March 2023 the band performed in Brussels and London. Zdob și Zdub was awarded the Gavriil Muzicescu Culture Award. In July they performed in Barcelona. In November they teamed up with the Romanian band Voltaj to record the song “Fraz”. Entries Trenulețul (with Fraţii Advahov) Country🇲🇩 Moldova Year2022 LanguageRomanian LyricsMihai GîncuRoman IagupovSviatoslav StaruşAndrei CebotariVitalie AdvahovVasile Advahov MusicMihai GîncuRoman IagupovSviatoslav StaruşAndrei CebotariVitalie AdvahovVasile Advahov Backings– Results Semi Points: 154Position: 8Running order: 9 Results Finals Points: 253Position: 7Running order: 19 https://youtu.be/DUqf_zO2QaI So lucky Country🇲🇩 Moldova Year2011 LanguageEnglish LyricsAndy ShumanMarc Elsner MusicRoman IagupovMihai GincuMarc Elsner DancersTatjana Ilescu (circus artist) Results Semi Points: 54Position: 10Running order: 7 Results Finals Points: 97Position: 12Running order: 15 https://youtu.be/nHAY_OVN_gY Boonika bate doba Country🇲🇩 Moldova Year2005 LanguageRomanianEnglish LyricsRoman Iagupov MusicMihai Gincu Backings– Results Semi Points: 207Position: 2Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: 148Position: 6Running order: 7 https://youtu.be/mVhtWfC7RF4

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Mahmood

About Quick Facts NameAlessandro Mahmoud Born12 september 1992 Nationality🇮🇹 Italian National SelectionFestival di San Remo 2019Festival di San Remo 2022 In Eurovision2019 Tel Aviv2022 Turin SongBrividi (with Blanco, 2022)Soldi (2019) Biography Mahmood is an Italian singer-songwriter from Milan. He was born to a Sardinian mother and an Egyptian father. His stage name Mahmood is a play on words between the surname (Mahmoud) and the English expression my mood (my mood). After graduating from high school, he studied at the CPM Music Institute-Centro Professione Musica in Milan, where he met Andrea Rodini, his teacher and first manager, and Francesco Fugazza, Elia Pastori and Marcello Grilli, members of his band and first producers. In 2012 he took part in the talent show X Factor. After the X Factor, he begins to write and produce his songs. In 2013 he published the EP Fallin ‘Rain, containing five versions of the song. In 2015 he took part in Area Sanremo, winning the first prize and the right to participate in the Sanremo Festival 2016 in the Nuove Proposti category with the song “Dimentica”. Meanwhile, he published an English-language single, “The Chair”, in collaboration with Martha. In 2017 he published the single “Pesos”, with which he participated in the Summer Festival 2017. In the same year, he collaborated with Michele Bravi,  writing and singing a duet “Presi Male”. He also wrote songs for other artists. In September 2018 his EP “Gioventù bruciata” was released.  A victory in Sanremo Giovani allows Mahmood to participate in the Sanremo Festival 2019 with the song “Soldi”. He was the surprise winner of the festival. Following the victory, the song reached the top of the Italian charts, where it remained for six weeks. Because of his victory in Sanremo, Mahmood became first choice to represent Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest. He said yes, but later started to doubt about it. After a Twitterstorm, he decided to do it, and became 2nd in Tel Aviv with “Soldi”. In 2020, Mahmood wrote a song for Elodie, which she sang at the Sanremo festival. A year later, he wrote songs for Francesca Michelin and for Fedez. Also in 2021, he was finally able to release his second album “Ghettolimpo”. In 2022 he participated in the festival of Sanremo again, now in duet with Blanco. They won the prize. They represented Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest with their song “Brividi”. Entries Brividi (with Blanco) Country Italy Year2022 LanguageItalian LyricsAlessandro MahmoodRiccardo ‘Blanco’ FabbriconiMichele ‘Michelangelo’ Zocca MusicAlessandro MahmoodRiccardo ‘Blanco’ FabbriconiMichele ‘Michelangelo’ Zocca BackingsMichelangelo Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 268Position: 6 Running order: 9 https://youtu.be/blEy4xHuMbY Soldi Country Italy Year2019 LanguageItalian LyricsAlessandro Mahmoud MusicCharlie CharlesDario ‘Dardust’ FainiAlessandro Mahmoud Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 472Position: 2Running order: 22 https://youtu.be/M-aoyPa41Ic

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Turin is the host city!!

The 2022 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Turin. The EBU announced this news today. The contest will be held at 10, 12 and 14 may in PalaOlimpico. Marcus Österdahl (Eurovision’s Executive Producer) said: “Turin is the perfect Host City for the 66th Eurovision Song Contest. As we saw during the 2006 Winter Olympics, PalaOlimpico exceeds all the requirements needed to stage a global event of this scale and we have been very impressed with the enthusiasm and commitment from the City of Turin who will welcome thousands of fans next May. This will be the first Eurovision Song Contest

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Everything you need to know about Pesaro

The bidding war between potential host cities in Italy is in full swing. A few weeks ago we told you all about making the most of your Eurovision trip to Rome. We would like to tell you a little more about one of the other contenders to host the Eurovision Song Contest 022. In this article you’ll read all about the must sees in Pesaro, Italy.

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Turkey: TRT director talks with EBU

İbrahim Eren, director of the Turkish broadcaster TRT, talks with the EBU about Eurovision. Mr. Eren confirms this news in the Turkish newspaper Miliyet. Turkey wanted to withdraw already after the contest of 2011, when they did not reach the final. They only participated in 2012 because the contest was held in Azerbaijan, a country Turkey has strong bounds with. The reason of their withdrawal was the expert jury. The former jury system, with 100% televoting, was quite positive for Turkey. As many people with Turkish roots automatically voted for Turkey every year, the country got the 12 points from several

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Zdob și Zdub

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts MembersRoman Iagupov (05-11-22)Mihai Gîncu (05-11-22)Valeriu Mazîlu (05-11)Pugaci Anatol (2005)Igor Buzurniuc (2005)Victor Dandeș (2011)Sveatoslav Starus (11-22)Andrei Cebotari (11-22) Established1994 Nationality🇲🇩 Moldovan National SelectionO melodie pentru Europa 2005, 2011, 2022 In Eurovision2022 Turin2011 Düsseldorf2005 Kiev SongTrenulețul (2022, with Fraţii Advahov)So lucky (2011)Boonika bate doba (2005) Biography Zdob şi Zdub is a rock band from the Republic of Moldova. The band was founded in 1994 by a group of friends from the city of Straseni, Moldova. When the band was formed in 1994, they still performed in various formations. Their initial sound was more like hardcore punk, the

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Mahmood

About Quick Facts NameAlessandro Mahmoud Born12 september 1992 Nationality🇮🇹 Italian National SelectionFestival di San Remo 2019Festival di San Remo 2022 In Eurovision2019 Tel Aviv2022 Turin SongBrividi (with Blanco, 2022)Soldi (2019) Biography Mahmood is an Italian singer-songwriter from Milan. He was born to a Sardinian mother and an Egyptian father. His stage name Mahmood is a play on words between the surname (Mahmoud) and the English expression my mood (my mood). After graduating from high school, he studied at the CPM Music Institute-Centro Professione Musica in Milan, where he met Andrea Rodini, his teacher and first manager, and Francesco Fugazza, Elia Pastori and

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