2023

Iceland: Söngvakeppnin continues

Tonight the Icelandic national final Söngvakeppnin will continue. You are able to watch the second of two semifinals. Two more songs will be selected. In the end, probably later this week, a wildcard will be given to a 5th song. The show will start at 20:45 CET and you can watch it here. The songs in tonight show will all be sung in Icelandic. For the final, however, artists have the right to sing their song in English. These are tonights titles: Kristin Sesselja sings “Óbyggðir” Langi Seli & Skuggarnir sing “OK” Silja Rós & Kjalar sing “Ég styð þína braut” Úlfar sings “Betri maður” Sigga Ozk sings “Gleyma þér og dansa” None of the participating artists took part in Söngvakeppnin in the past.

Sweden: Melodifestivalen heat 4 is on

The very popular Swedish national selection Melodifestivalen will have it’s 4th and last heat tonight. Seven songs will compete, two will head directly to the final while two other songs will go to the semifinal. The show starts at 20:00 and you can watch it here. The participating songs are: Kiana sings “Where did you go?” Signe & Hjördis sing “Edelweiss” Smash Into Pieces sings “Six feet under” Mariette sings “One day” Emil Henrohn sings “Mera mera mera” Axel Schylström sings “Gorgeous” Loreen sings “Tattoo” Mariette became 3rd in 2015, 4th in 2017, 5th in 2018 and 10th in 2020.Axel Schylström reached Andra Chancen in 2017.Loreen reached Andra Chancen in 2011, won Melodifestivalen 2012 and reached Andra Chancen in 2017. Loreen won the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with the legendary song “Euphoria”!

The Busker

© EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts MembersDavid ‘Dav Jr.’ GrechJean Paul BorgSean Meachen Founded2012 Nationality🇲🇹 Maltese National SelectionMalta Eurovision Song Contest 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongDance (Our own party) (2023) Biography The Busker is a Maltese indie pop band. The band was formed in October 2012 by singer and guitarist Dario Genovese and percussionist Jean Paul Borg. In 2014, bassist/keyboardist David Grech (aka Dav Jr.) and saxophonist Sean Meachen joined the band. The Busker was inspired by 1960s pop bands. They published their first song, “The ballad of John Brown”, on YouTube in 2013. The Busker started publishing songs on YouTube; both covers and original songs. Their debut album, “Telegram”, was released in 2017, followed by “Ladies and Gentlemen” om 2018. Dario Genovese left the group in august 2020. The band continued as a trio.The band teamed up with Matthew James for the song “Just a little bit more”. The song became no. 1 in the Maltese Top-10. In January 2021 the band teamed up with Raquella for the song “Don’t you tell me what you feel”. After these collaborations, Dav Jr. became the frontman of the band. The first single with the new line up was “Loose” in august 2021, followed in December of the same year by “Nothing more”. Both songs were released on the group’s EP “X”. On September 12, 2022, a new song “Miracle” was released. On February 11th, 2023, their song “Dance (Our own Party)” was chosen to represent Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool. Unfortunately, they didn’t make it to the final. Entries Dance (Our own Party) Country🇲🇹 Malta Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsDavid Meilak MusicDavid MeilakJean Paul BorgMatthew James BorgMichael Joe CiniSean Meachen Backings– Results Semi Points: 3Position: 15Running order: 2 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/zVmVt9qmg9g

Sudden Lights

© EBU/Chloe Hashemi About Quick Facts MembersAndrejs Reinis ZitmanisKārlis Matīss ZitmanisMārtiņš Matīss ZemītisKārlis Vārtiņš Founded2012 Nationality🇱🇻 Latvian National SelectionSupernova 2018Supernova 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongAijā (2023) Biography Sudden Lights is a Latvian alternative rock band. The band consists of Kārlis Vārtiņš (bass guitar), Mārtis Matīss Zemītis (percussion), Andrejs Reinis Zitmanis (voice) and Kārlis Matīss Zitmanis (guitar). The group was created in 2012 by Andrejs Reinis Zitmanis and Mārtiņš Matīss Zemītis, who studied at the Pāvuls Jurjānas music school at the time. In 2014, Kārlis Matīss Zitmanis and Kārlis Vārtiņš joined the group. The first step on the way to growth for the group was the victory in the Riga State 1st Gymnasium’s young musicians competition Pirmā Plate in 2015. They reached the first place. It gave them the opportunity to record their song “Tik Savādi”. It became the first song released by Sudden Lights. Soon, the group’s debut album was created, with the singles “Suburban Waltz”, “Laikmets” and “Šājā sētas pāše” being released. The songs were immediately included in the rotations of Latvian radio stations. They released video clips for “Suburban Waltz” and “Šājā sētas pāše”. On September 22, 2017, the group presented their debut album “Priekšpilsētas”. It contained 10 songs in both Latvian and English. The first self-organized concert, in which the songs of the album were played, took place at the Music House “Daile” on April 12, 2018. In 2018, the band took part in Supernova, the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. They reached the final and became the runner up there with the song “Just fine”. Along with the presentation of the album “Par to zēnu ks sit skārdas bungas”, They were going to open for Brainstorm. For the first time in the history of Sudden Lights, the group performed in front of thousands of listeners. With the singles “Negribu pizezemētis” and “Dzīvnieks” the group has announced a new album. It was released on October 11, 2019 and is the band’s second studio album “Vislabāk ir tur, kur manis nav”. At the end of February 2020, the group went on its first Latvian concert tour with the same name. Due to measures to limit the spread of the virus “Covid 19”, the tour could not be finished. In 2023, the group participated in the Supernova 2023 contest with the song “Aijā”. The group won the competition and got the right to represent Latvia in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. Unfortunately they didn’t manage to reach the final. Entries Aijā Country🇱🇻 Latvia Year2023 LanguageEnglishLatvian LyricsAndrejs Reinis ZitmanisKārlis Matīss ZitmanisMārtiņš Matīss ZemītisKārlis Vārtiņš MusicAndrejs Reinis ZitmanisKārlis Matīss ZitmanisMārtiņš Matīss ZemītisKārlis Vārtiņš Backings– Results Semi Points: 34Position: 11Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/SEykwl9X9SY

Voyager to sing “Promise” for Australia

photo: SBS The band Voyager will represent Australia in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. They will sing a song called “Promise”. That is what Australian broadcaster SBS announced tonight. The band was the runner up in last year’s national final with the song “Dreamer”. Singer Daniel Estrin commented on the event: ““As a long-time Eurovision fan, this is the pinnacle – Voyager gets to play the greatest show on earth! Our song Promise is made for the Eurovision stage and collectively we feel it’s one of our best yet. We filmed the music video in both the city of Perth and beautiful parts of Western Australia to showcase the majestic beauty of our home state. Eurovisionation, we are coming!!!” SBS head of entertainment Emily Griggs said: “Voyager bring together my love for the ’80s and catchy lyrics that you can’t stop singing. I can’t wait to see Eurovision fans the world over embrace them as much as Aussie crowds have. Voyager have been determined to get centre stage for the biggest song contest in the world and SBS know they will bring that grit with them along with a whole lot of fun. Look out Europe, the Aussies are coming!” Australia will perform in the 2nd half of the 2nd semifinal. source: eurovision.tv

Wild Youth

© EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts MembersDavid WhelanConor O’DonohoeEd PorterCallum McAdam Founded2016 Nationality🇮🇪 Irish National SelectionEurosong 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongWe are one (2023) Biography Wild Youth is an Irish pop rock band formed in Dublin in 2016. The band consists of lead vocalist David Whelan, guitarist Conor O’Donohoe, bassist Ed Porter, and drummer Callum McAdam. They first gained attention with their debut single, “All or Nothing”, which was released 19 June 2017 and quickly became a viral hit. Since their formation, Wild Youth has released several successful singles and EPs. They released a song called “Lose control” in September 2017. On 11 June 2018, another video was released: “Can’t move on”. The song became their first hit in the Irish musical charts. In the summer of 2018, the band was able to open for The Script. They have performed at several major music festivals, including Electric Picnic and Sea Sessions. In January 2019, Wild Youth released their debut album, “The Last Goodbye”. The first single of that album, “Close”, was released in March, followed by “Long time no see” in July. The band returned to Electric Picnic and also performed at the Indiependence Festival. In October, November and December the band had a live tour throughout Ireland and the United Kingdom. After a year, on 11 September 2020, the song “Next to you” was released, followed two months later by “Through the phone”. In February and March 2022 the band toured throughout Ireland again, and they performed in London. On 3 March, they released the single “Seventeen”. In June and July of the same year, the band opened for Lewis Capaldi. Meanwhile, they released a new song, “Live without you”, followed by “Modern colosseum” in October. The song came together with another tour.T On 3 February 2023, the band won Eurosong, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “We are one”. They went on to represent their country. Unfortunately they didn’t make it to the final. Entries We Are One Country🇮🇪 Ireland Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsConor O’DonohoeEd PorterJörgen Elofsson MusicConor O’DonohoeEd PorterJörgen Elofsson Backings– Results Semi Points: 10Position: 12Running order: 6 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/80-4_rjW10U

Let3

© EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts Members Damir MartinovićZoran ProdanovićIvan BojčićDražen BaljakMatej Zec Founded1987 Nationality🇭🇷 Croatian National SelectionDora 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongMama ŠČ! (2023) Biography Let 3 is a Croatian rock band that was formed in 1987 in the city of Rijeka. The band is known for their unique and provocative style, incorporating elements of punk, metal, and electronic music, as well as their extravagant stage performances and controversial lyrics. The band’s original lineup consisted of Damir “Mrle” Martinović, Zoran “Prlja” Prodanović, and Igor “Ico” Perković. They released their first album, “Two Dogs Fuckin’”, in 1989, which quickly gained them a cult status in Croatia. Let 3’s early music was characterized by its aggressive punk rock sound and lyrics that often dealt with taboo subjects such as sex and politics. In the early 1990s, the band began experimenting with electronic music, incorporating elements of techno and industrial into their sound. This culminated in their breakthrough album, “Peace”, released in 1996. The album featured the hit single “Dnevnik jedne ljubavi”, which became a massive hit in Croatia and established Let 3 as one of the country’s most popular bands. Throughout their career, Let 3 has remained a highly controversial band due to their provocative stage shows and lyrics, which often feature explicit sexual themes and political commentary. They have been banned from performing in certain venues and festivals due to the controversial nature of their performances. Despite this, Let 3 has remained a highly influential band in Croatia and has continued to release critically acclaimed albums, including “Jedina” in 2000, “Bombardiranje Srbije i Čačka” in 2005 , “Živa pička (uživo)” in 2008. In 2013, after a 5 year break, they released a new album: “Kurcem do vjere/Thank you lord”. Their most recent album came out in 2016: “Angela Merkel sere”. On the 11th of february 2023, they won DORA, the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Mama ŠČ!”. In the final of the Eurovision Song Contest they reached a 13th place. Entries Mama ŠČ! Country🇭🇷 Croatia Year2023 LanguageCroatian LyricsDamir Martinović MusicDamir MartinovićZoran Prodanović DancersŽanil Tataj – Žak Results Semi Points: 76Position: 8Running order: 7 Results Finals Points: 123Position: 13Running order: 25 https://youtu.be/hGuGfdEJ5Pw

La Zarra will sing “Évidemment”

It’s La Zarra who is going to represent France in the Eurovision Song Contest. That was announced by French television on January 12th this year. Tonight, her Eurovision song “Évidemment” has been revealed. The song is written and composed by herself, her producer Ben Adam and KNY Factory, the same team that wrote her big hit “Tu t’en iras”. France will automatically perform in the final. You can listen to the song here:

Iceland: two finalists known

Iceland has had it’s first semifinal. Out of five songs, two finalists were chosen. Note that it’s not all over for the other three, as the jury will provide a wildcard for the final to one of the non qualifiers. You will find the titles of the winning songs in bold letters: Benedikt sings “Þora” Diljá sings “Lifandi inni í mér” Celebs sing “Dómsdagsdans” Bragi sings “Stundum snýst heimurinn þér” Móa sings “Glötuð ást”

It’s Monika Linkytė for Lithuania

Monika Linkytė won the Lithuanian national final Pabandom iš naujo tonight. She will sing the song “Stay” which is written and composed by Monika herself with Chris Noah. Monika took part before in Eurovision in 2015. Together with Vaidis Baumila she sang “This time”. The duo reached the final back in those days and became 18th there. Lithuania will perform in the half of the semifinal. Here are the full results of the Lithuanian final: Monika Linkytė, “Stay”, 22 pts. Rūta Mur, “So low”, 22 pts. Beatrich, “Like a movie”, 16 pts. Petunija, “Love of my life”, 11 pts. Paulina Paukštaitytė, “Let me think about me”, 11 pts. Gabrielus Vagelis, “Sauksmas”, 10 pts. MoonBee, “Rumor”, 8 pts. Justė Kraujelytė, “Need more fun”, 6 pts. Mario Junes, “Do what you do”, 5 pts. Il senso, “Sparnai”, 5 pts.