2023

Israel: this is how “Unicorn” sounds

Tonight, Israel’s Noa Kirel presented her Eurovision Song “Unicorn”. Already in August last year, we knew that Noa is going to represent her country in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. The title of the song, “Unicorn”, has been announced already in January. Finally, we can also listen to the song. The song is written and composed by by Doron Medalie, Yinon Yahel and May Sfadia. Israel will perform in the 2nd half of the 1st semifinal. What do you think? Do you like the song? You can listen to it here:

Diljá

© EBU/Chloe Hashemi About Quick Facts NameDiljá Pétursdóttir Born15 December 2001 Nationality🇮🇸 Icelandic National SelectionSöngvakeppnin 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongPower (2023) Biography Diljá Pétursdóttir is an Icelandic singer. Diljá has been singing for many years. In 2015 she took part in Ísland’s Got Talent when she was only twelve years old. Diljá attended the Iceland School of Commerce and sang many songs in the Rjóminn video group. She participated in the singing competition Vælið. In 2020, she moved to Copenhagen, where she combined her studies psychologie with singing lessons. In 2023, she took part in Söngvakeppnin, the Icelandic final for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Lifandi inni i mer” (live inside me). Diljá won the competition with the English version of the song, “Power”, and competed in Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool. Unfortunately she didn’t manage to reach the final in the contest. Entries Power Country🇮🇸 Iceland Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsDiljá PétursdóttirPálmi Ragnar Ásgeirsson MusicDiljá PétursdóttirPálmi Ragnar Ásgeirsson Backings– Results Semi Points: 44Position: 11Running order: 7 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/lzlTcA0OC5s

Switzerland: Remo Forrer to sing “Watergun”

(Photo by Lukas Mäder/SRF) It was already revealed that Remo Forrer was going to represent Switzerland. Today, at 12:00 CET, the song was revealed. Remo is especially known as the winner of The Voice Of Switzerland 2020. On 20 February of this year, it was announced that he will represent Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest. Now we know that the song is titled “Watergun”. Switzerland will perform in the 2nd half of the 1st semifinal. Do you like the song? You can watch the video here.

Luke Black

© EBU/Chloe Hashemi About Quick Facts NameLuka Ivanović Born18 May 1992 Nationality🇷🇸 Serbian National SelectionPesma za Evroviziju 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongSamo mi ne spava (2023) Biography Luka Ivanović , better known by his stage name Luke Black, is a Serbian singer-songwriter. Luka Ivanović was born in Čačak, in Serbia. He has been making original music since 2005. Luka started writing lyrics at the age of 12, and composing music and writing arrangements at the age of 16. In that period, he recorded six albums that only his closest friends had the opportunity to hear. Two years later, he moved to Belgrade to study English language and literature. Luka presented himself to the public for the first time in May 2014, at the Groveland Festival, when he premiered the single “D-Generation”. The representatives of Universal Music noticed him and invited him to their office in Belgrade, in order to start cooperation. He is the first solo performer from Serbia with an exclusive contract for Universal Music. In addition to his own music, he also produces audio and directs his own performances and music videos. Looking for his artistic expression, he experiments and tries out new and unexpected forms and styles. In November 2014, before the start of the official collaboration with Universal Music, Luke Black independently released the single “Nebula Lullaby”, on the digital service Spinnup. The song was recorded via the Internet service Skype. His debut single, “D-Generation”, was released on 24 February 2015. The music video for this song premiered on MTV Adrija, and a few hours later on his official Vevo channel. Luke wrote “D-Generation” himself. At the end of 2014, Radio B92 included this song in their first shortlist for single of the year. Together with the young artist Vasilij Vujović (VASSO), Luke Black created the concept for the video of this single, which was recorded in Subotica in 2014. With the premiere of the video on February 24, 2015 on the global Vevo service, the collaboration with Universal Music was officially announced and the first studio EP release was announced. On the same day, a digital reissue of the D-Generation single appeared worldwide (except in the USA) For the American market, the single was released on 10 March 2015. The single debuted at number 9 on the MTV Adria top list of artists from the region and among the top 50 on the Deezer streaming service in Serbia. Also, the single was on the 10th place on the Gradski Radio singles list – Your hit on the first place. The song “Holding On To Love” was created at the end of 2014 and was published by Universal Music Group. It premiered on 29 May 2015. The song was also released in the US, Canada and Mexico on June 2, 2015. Luke Black’s first EP release — “Thorns” was on 18 September 2015. Soon after that, Luka performed in Belgrade, Vienna and Zagreb, where he was the opening for Lust For Youth. A few days before Christmas, on 18 December 2015, Luke Black released “Jingle Bell Rock / Nebula Lullaby”. In February 2016, as reported by Blic, Luka was one of the contenders to represent Serbia at the Eurovision Song Contest by Radio-Television of Serbia. Sanja Vučić won the selection. After the release of the single “Demons”, Luke confirmed that he was shortlisted by RTS to represent Serbia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with this song. After the release of the single, he went on tour to China. At the end of March 2017, Luka gave a performance in the famous Berlin club Berghain at the fashion show of designer Ivana Pilje, in which he premiered the single “Walpurgis Night”. The single was officially released in April 2017. In October of the same year, he premiered the single “Olive Tree”. This was also his first song (partially) in the Serbian language. The song was later translated into Mandarin and performed by Chi Yu. In July 2018, he released the “Neoslavic” EP, which contained the singles “Demons”, “Walpurgis Night” and “Olive Tree” with two remixes. In January 2023, Luke releases the EP “F23.8”, which contained four singles that he released during 2021 and 2022: “A House on the Hill”, “Amsterdam”, “Heartless” and “238”. On March 4th, 2023, Luke Black won the final of Pesma Za Evorviziju, the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. And thus he represented his country in the contest with the song “Samo mi se spava”. The song reached the final and became 24th there. Entries Samo mi se spava Country🇷🇸 Serbia Year2023 LanguageEnglishSerbian LyricsLuka Ivanović MusicLuka Ivanović DancersLea VaupotićŽiga JanškovecEva MauricioKostja Komel Nardin Results Semi Points: 37Position: 10Running order: 3 Results Finals Points: 30Position: 24Running order: 5 https://youtu.be/gPRfg9wzbpw

Blanca Paloma

© EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts NameBlanca Paloma Ramos Baeza Born09 June 1989 Nationality🇪🇸 Spanish National SelectionBenidorm Fest 2023Benidorm Fest 2022 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongEaea (2023) Biography Blanca Paloma Ramos Baeza (Born in Elche, Valencian County, 1989), known as Blanca Paloma, is a Spanish singer and set designer. Blanca Paloma studied Fine Arts at the Miguel Hernández University of Elche. After having her degree, she went to Madrid to have a career in theate. She was a member of the musical bands De mar a mar and Alfakay. She is the composer of the music for the television series Lucía en la web. In 2022 she performed at the first edition of the Benidorm Fest, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Secreto de agua”. She obtained fifth place. In that same year she released the single “Niña de fuego”, that promoted the Valencian Community. The following year, in 2023, she resubmitted her candidacy. Se performed the song “Eaea” and managed to win the contest. That resulted in her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool. Spain reached the 17th place in the contest. Entries Eaea Country🇪🇸 Spain Year2023 LanguageSpanish LyricsBlanca PalomaJosé Pablo PoloAlvaro Tato MusicBlanca PalomaJosé Pablo PoloAlvaro Tato DancersAngélica MoyanoPaula Valbuena RiveraPaloma ScharfhausenDesire ParedesSaray Frutos Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 100Position: 17Running order: 8 https://youtu.be/Vw6qPWhjevk

Lord Of The Lost

© EBU/Corinne Cumming About Quick Facts MembersChris “Lord” HarmsClass GrenaydeGared DirgePiNiklas Kahl Founded2007 Nationality🇩🇪 German National SelectionUnser Lied für Liverpool 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongBlood and glitter (2023) Biography Lord of the Lost is a German dark rock band from Hamburg led by singer and frontman Chris Harms. Lord of the Lost was founded by Chris Harms in mid-2007. Harms was previously active as a singer and guitarist in the rock band Philiae from 1999 to 2004 and from 2004 as a guitarist and second singer in the glam metal band The Pleasures. Originally he just called himself Lord. Musician friends quickly joined and a band developed from the planned solo project. To avoid possible name disputes with Lordi and The Lords, the band renamed themselves Lord of the Lost. After a single, “Dry the Rain”, the debut album “Fears” was released in spring 2010. During the recordings of the second album, Lord of the Lost went on an extensive tour in 2010. In spring 2011, the first single from the second album “Antagony” was released, titled “Sex on Legs”. In addition, the band opened for Mono Inc. on their first part of their tour. In summer 2012 the third album, “Die Tomorrow”, was released. Shortly before the release, the band already started working on the fourth album. In October 2012, Lord of the Lost opened for The Last Instance on their Ewig tour. In spring 2013 the co-headlining tour Darkness Kills (along with Unzucht) took place, followed in September by the We Are the Lost tour together with Lost Area. In February 2014, drummer Christian Schellhorn left the band. Tobias Mertens took his place. In March 2014, the band embarked on their first crowdfunded tour of the United States. In two months, fans and sponsors raised $12,775, surpassing the previous goal of $10,000. In March 2015, Lord of the Lost released a new album: “Swan Songs”. In 2015 Lord of the Lost released the EP “Full Metal Whore”. The tour for the album was themed Make Love Make War. In December 2015, “A Night to Remember – Live Acoustic in Hamburg”, the DVD and live CD for the spring acoustic tour, was released. The first single from the album “Empyrean” was titled “The Love of God”. It was released in May 2016. This was followed by the band’s first major European tour, Make Europe Great Again (M.E.G.A.). “Empyrean” was released in late July 2016 and is the second concept album after “Antagony”. Various festival appearances followed In December 2016, guitarist Bo Six announced his departure from the band for professional and personal reasons. At the beginning of January 2017 the band presented their new guitarist with π (Pi). In July 2017, Mertens announced that he would be taking a break from Lord of the Lost for personal and professional reasons. Since then, Niklas Kahl has represented him at live performances. At Christmas 2017, the line-up change was complete and Kahl was officially presented as the new drummer. In March 2020, a ZDF documentary was released, which accompanied the band and the senior choir Heaven Can Wait from Hamburg while recording a song together. After Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris praised the band in the British version of the magazine Metal Hammer, Lord of the Lost should appear as a support act for some shows of their tour in summer 2020. Due to COVID19, the tour had to be postponed repeatedly. In 2022 it was realized and resulted in 18 support shows in 16 countries. With the song “Blood and Glitter”, Lord of the won Unser Lied für Liverpool, the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. As the German representatives, they were able to meet the British king Charles III and queen Camilla. Unfortunately, they ended up in last place in the Grand Final of Eurovision. Entries Blood & Glitter Country🇩🇪 Germany Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsAnthony James BrownChris “Lord” HarmsRupert KeplingerPi Stoffers MusicAnthony James BrownChris “Lord” HarmsRupert KeplingerPi Stoffers Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 18Position: 26Running order: 21 https://youtu.be/dyGR4YWlPEs

Piqued Jacks

© EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts MembersE-KingMajic-olittleladieHolyHargot Founded2006 Nationality🇮🇹 Italian National SelectionUna Voce Per San Marino 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongLike An Animal (2023) Biography The Piqued Jacks are an Italian musical group formed in 2006 in Buggiano and composed by E-King (vocals, piano, synthesizer), Majic-o (guitar), littleladle (bass) and HolyHargot (drums). The Piqued Jacks were formed in 2006 in Buggiano, in the province of Pistoia. In 2010 and 2011 they released their first two EPs. They then worked with producer Brian Lanese on their third EP, “Just a Machine”, released in January 2013. In March 2014 they worked with Matt Noveskey of Blue October on the singles “Upturned Perspectives” and “No Bazooka”. Their first album “Climb like Ivy Does” came out in 2015, and in 2016 the acoustic version was released, titled “Aerial Roots”. In 2016 drummer ThEd0g was replaced by Damiano Beritelli, who was in turn replaced in 2017 by HolyHargot. In June 2018 the single “Wildly Shine” was released, produced by Michael Beinhorn. Four months later “The Living Past” followd, the band’s second studio album. In April 2019 guitarist Penguinsane left the group and was replaced by Majic-o. In the same year the Piqued Jacks won the prize in the rock category at the Sanremo Rock festival. In 2020 they were selected by MTV for the New Generation platform. In September of the same year the single “Safety Distance” was released, which anticipated the third album “Synchronizer” in March 2021. In 2023 they participated in the second edition of Una voce per San Marino, where they presented the song “Like an Animal”. They won the contest and thus represented San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool. However, they did not make it to the Grand Final. Entries Like An Animal Country🇸🇲 San Marino Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsPiqued Jacks MusicPiqued Jacks Backings– Results Semi Points: 0Position: 15Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/pIdHjcqyLfo

Blanka

© EBU/Chloe Hashemi About Quick Facts NameBlanka Stajkow Born23 May 1999 Nationality🇵🇱 Polish National SelectionTu bije serce Europy! 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongSolo (2023) Biography Blanka Stajkow (born in Szczecin in the North West of Poland) is a Polish singer, songwriter and photomodel of Bulgarian origin. She is the daughter of a Polish mother and a Bulgarian father. At the age of 13, she wrote her first song, “Strong Enough”. Then, during her four-year stay in the United States, she performed at Open Mic sessions in restaurants and pubs in Los Angeles and New York, as well as, among others, in the club The Bitter End(eng.). In 2021, Blanka took part in Top Model, the Polish version of America’s next Top Model. She also released her debut single, “Better”. In the summer of 2022, she signed a contract with Warner Music Poland and starred in the music video for Smolasty’s song “Piujemy for a better time”. In fall she released a music video for the song “Solo”, with which she reached the #4 spot in the AirPlay charts. On February 26, 2023, she won Tu bije serce Europy! 2023, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, with the song “Solo”, and thus represented Poland at the contest in Liverpool. She reached the final and became 19th. Entries Solo Country🇵🇱 Poland Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsBlanka StajkowMaria BrobergJulia Sundberg MusicBlanka StajkowMaciej PuchalskiMikołaj TrybulecBartłomiej RzeczyckiMarcin Górecki BackingsMaria Broberg DancersBruno DuartePaulina MaciejewskaOliwier KondratMaja Rolewska Results Semi Points: 124Position: 3Running order: 9 Results Finals Points: 93Position: 19Running order: 4 https://youtu.be/SEgF1aP-U1o

Portugal: results Festival da Canção are in

The results of the 2nd Festival da Canção semifinal are in. Another six songs head to the final, five chosen by the public and one by a jury. You will find the winning songs below in bold: Edmundo Inácio, “A festa” The Happy Mess, “O impossível” Teresinha Landeiro, “Equanto é tempo” Bandua, “Bandeiras” Bárbara Tinoco, “Goodnight” Inês Apenas, “Fim do mundo” Ivandro, “Povo” Dapunksportif, “World needs therapy” Lara Li, “Funâmbula” Voodoo Marmalade, “Tormento”

Luke Black represents Serbia

Luke Black is going to represent Serbia in Liverpool. The song is called “Samo mi se spava” and it is written and composed by the singer himself. Expectations where and are high after the success of Konstrakta (5th place) last year. Serbia will perform in the first half of the first semifinal. Below you’ll find the full result of the national selection: Luke Black, “Samo mi se spava”, 20 pts. Princ, “Cvet sa istoka”, 18 pts. Nađa, “Moj prvi ožiljak na duši”, 18 pts. Filip Baloš, “Novi plan, drugi san”, 15 pts. Dzipsii, “Greh”, 13 pts. Stefan Shy, “Od jastuka do jastuka”, 11 pts. Zejna, “Rumba”, 6 pts. Nadia, “Devojka tvog dečka”, 4 pts. Gift, “Liberta”, 4 pts. Chegi & Braća Bluz Band, “Svadba ili kagba”, 3 pts. Empathy Soul Project, “Indigo”, 3 pts. Hurricane, “Zumi, zimi, zami”, 1 pt. Boris Subotić, “Nedostupan”, 0 pts. Duo Grand, “Viva la vida”, 0 pts. Frajile, “Neka, neka”, 0 pts. Filarri, “Posle mene”, 0 pts. And this is the song: