COVID19

🇺🇦 Blast from the past: Ukraine 2020

We know a lot about Eurovision and we want to share this knowledge with you! Therefore we’d like to bring you a blast from the past. Today: Go_A, who were supposed to represent Ukraine in the 2020 contest but did so a year later. We keep an eye on the, lesser known, 2020 entry. Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest Ukraine is one of the most succesful countries in the Eurovision Song Contest so far. With three victories since it’s debut in 2003, three more top-3 positions and not a single failure to qualify, this country holds a special record. Already in 2004, it was Ruslana who managed to get the first place in the contest. In 2016, Jamala brought the victory home again. It was in 2022 when Kalush Orchestra broke all the Eurovision records existing. And who does not remember Verka Serduchka, Ani Lorak, Svetlana Loboda and the group we are talking about today, Go_A? photo: UA:PBS Vidbir The Ukrainian national final is called Vidbir. There had been a lot of controversy about Vidbir in 2019: the winner, Maruv, had performed on Crimea after it had been occupied by Russia in 2014. Also, Maruv had planned several performances in Russia. In the end, for this reason Ukraine withdrew. A new rule in the 2020 is that only artists who had not performed in Russia after 2014 were allowed. Also, artists who had traveled to Crimea after that year without permission from the Ukrainian authorities, were not accepted. 16 songs entered two semifinals. Six songs were allowed to the final, where televoters and a jury chose the winner. The jury members were Andriy Danilko (Verka Serduchka!), Tina Karol and producer Vitaliy Drozdov. These were the songs, entering the final: “99“, sung by Krutь, 9 pts, 3rd “Vegan“, sung by Jerry Heil, 2 pts, 6th “Solovey“, sung by Go_A, 12 pts, 1st “Horizon“, sung by David Axelrod, 5 pts, 5th “Call for love“, sung by Khayat, 9 pts, 2nd “Bonfire“, sung by Tvorchi, 5 pts, 4th Go_A Go_A is a Ukrainian folktronica band formed in 2012. The band’s name fuses the English term “Go” with the Greek letter “Alpha”, representing the start of all things. Thus, their name signifies a “return to origins.” The ensemble features Kateryna Pavlenko on vocals from Nizhyn, Taras Shevchenko [uk] handling keyboards and percussion from Kyiv, Ihor Didenchuk [uk] of Lutsk (who is also part of the rap group Kalush), and Ivan Hryhoriak from Bukovyna. Their songs are performed solely in Ukrainian. Formed from a serendipitous 2012 meeting between Taras Shevchenko, a skilled keyboardist (unrelated to the renowned poet), and folk singer Kateryna Pavlenko, Go_A has swiftly become an emblem of contemporary Ukrainian music. Their initial offering, “Koliada” (Коляда), was soon overshadowed by the nationwide success of “Vesnianka” (Веснянка). This track ruled Ukraine’s 10Dance chart for six weeks and earned them the “Discovery of the Year” title by Kiss FM radio. Their debut album, “Idy na zvuk” (Follow the Tune), launched in 2016, fortified their reputation, incorporating the hit “Vesnjanka”. A special Christmas collaboration with Katya Chilly, “Shchedryi vechir”, marked the end of the year. Eurovision 2020 beckoned next. Chosen to represent Ukraine with “Solovey”, the pandemic’s shadow caused a cancellation. Undeterred, Go_A returned in 2021 with “Shum”, clinching fifth place overall, but a noteworthy second in public votes[9]. Adding to their laurels, band member Ihor Didenchuk, with rap group Kalush, triumphed in Eurovision the next year. In 2023, post their European tour, Go_A graced Eurovision again, performing “Shum” alongside Ukrainian musical legends during the flag parade. They further joined Duncan Laurence’s emotive “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. From traditional roots to global acclaim, Go_A epitomizes the spirit of modern Ukraine, harmonizing history with today. photo: EBU Solovey “Solovey” is the song by the Ukrainian band Go_A. Selected as Ukraine’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2020, the track became synonymous with Go_A’s unique fusion of electronic music with traditional Ukrainian sound. The title “Solovey” translates to “Nightingale” in English, and lyrically, the song tells the tale of a young woman’s complex feelings towards a man, using the metaphor of the nightingale’s song to express deep emotions. Musically, “Solovey” incorporates the band’s signature blend of powerful vocal techniques, inspired by Ukrainian folklore, with contemporary beats and rhythms. Kateryna Pavlenko’s voice, with its distinctive timbre, rings out clear and strong, capturing the listener’s attention from the outset. COVID19 Due to the COVID19 pandemic, EBU, host organizers NOS/NPO/AVROTROS and the city of Rotterdam had to decide to a cancellation of the contest. That also meant that Go_A could not represent Ukraine in the 2020 contest. On the evening of the Grand Final, 16 May 2020, a show from a studio in Hilversum, Netherlands, was broadcast: Europe Shine A Light. Go_A was part of this show. Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC however supported Go_A to be the 2021 representants in the contest. Their song “Shum” reached a 5th place in the Eurovision Song Contest. Go_A at a home session during the pandemic.

Duncan Laurence recovering

Duncan Laurence has been quite ill due to the corona virus, but it’s now getting better. That’s what he told on Dutch radio today. It was the first time that the singer spoke in public after the Eurovision Song Contest. “I am now fully on my feet, we are going back into the studio today to see what I can do,” the singer told. His voice was still a little hoarse. “I was very sick, we know it can be an awful disease. But we have faced worse things.” The winner of the Eurovision song contest 2019 was watching the Grand Final at home on the couch, he said. “I got a lot of messages, of course it’s not the same as when you’re there. I was awaiting this for two years, and not just me, but the whole country did. So it felt bad. But I was happy with the recording and what my team has made of it.” Duncan also addressed the rumors that he would not suffer from the corona virus, but was absent on the final night due to fear of failure. “If I had had a fear of failure, I would not have gone to the rehearsals either,” he said emphatically. “If I had suffered from fear of failure, I would have been honest about it. Look at my documentary: I think it is very important to talk about mental health. I wouldn’t hold it back. But people are always talking.” source: nu.nl

Icelandic broadcaster: COVID infection among Daði og Gagnamagnið (UPDATE)

One of the members of the Icelandic group Daði og Gagnamagnið, Jóhann Sigurður Jóhannsson, has been tested positive on COVID19. Icelandic head of press Rúnar Freyr Gíslason stated this on the website of Icelandic broadcaster RÚV. The positive test makes it unlikely that the Icelandic team will perform today at the rehearsals. It is also unlikely that the group will perform in the live show tomorrow. It is, according to Gíslasson, not sure whether Daði og Gagnamagnið will perform on Saturday if they reach the final. It is likely that one of the recordings of previous rehearsals will be used for the live broadcasts where the group can’t take the stage in person. A statement by EBU has not been made yet. To be continued…. UPDATE: A statement from the EBU says the following: “In close collaboration with the EBU and the host broadcaster, Daði og Gagnamagnið have taken the difficult decision to withdraw from performing in this year’s live Eurovision Song Contest shows, as they only want to perform together as a group. Their song will remain in the competition and we will broadcast their rehearsal performance, recorded on the stage on 13 May.” photo credits: EBU

News about Poland, Iceland, Malta and Romania

Today, the EBU came up with a new statement about the four delegations that couldn’t attend the Turquoise Carpet Event yesterday. “Following the positive COVID-19 test in the Polish delegation on Saturday 15 May all other members of the delegation undertook a PCR test, in accordance with the health and safety protocol of the Eurovision Song Contest 2021, and we’re pleased to report that all these PCR tests returned negative results. As a precaution the Polish delegation will remain in quarantine until being retested ahead of dress rehearsals for Semi Final 2, in which Poland perform, on Wednesday. Following a positive COVID-19 test within the Icelandic delegation yesterday (Sunday 16 May), they too have had PCR tests for which we are awaiting the results today and will remain in quarantine. They will also have further testing ahead of the same dress rehearsals in which they are also due to perform. All accredited individuals, including artists, have to test negative for COVID-19 before they can re-join the production. The delegations from Malta and Romania have not tested positive for COVID-19 and are not quarantining but, due to the fact they are staying in the same hotel as Poland and Iceland, did not take part in the Turquoise Carpet event and were also PCR tested as a safety precaution. Both these delegations will be welcomed to the arena today for rehearsals following negative results from the routine test this morning, as is normal procedure. Throughout the whole process, all decisions taken by the organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest are based on the expert medical advice of the event’s medical team and the Erasmus Medical Centre.” In cooperation with Eurovision Artists

Eurovision with audience? We will know more tomorrow!

According to the website of entertainment show RTL Boulevard, the decision whether the Eurovision Song Contest will take place with an audience is postponed until Thursday. Ministers Slob and Van Engelshoven (Education, Culture & Science), De Jonge (Public Health), Grapperhaus (Justice and Security) may discuss this tomorrow.The Eurovision Song Contest with an audience would be an experiment by the Fieldlab organization, which investigates how events can still take place despite COVID19. However, the government has decided that when the number of IC beds in uses in the Netherlands exceeds 900, the Fieldlab events will be canceled. Currently 812 IC beds are in use.In an interview with RTL Boulevard, presenter Chantal Janzen says that safety and health comes first as far as she is concerned. “For those 3500 people, for the fans, I hope it continues. But not for us, the presenters. We will make a great show anyway.” source: RTL Boulevard

Australia: not on site in Rotterdam

This morning, EBU announced that the Australian delegation will not be able to fly to Rotterdam for the Eurovision Song Contest. Due to the situation around COVID19, Australian participant Montaigne can not perform her song “Technicolour” live on stage in Ahoy. Instead, the live-on-tape recording of the song will be shown during the first semifinal, and depending on the results maybe again in the final. In an earlier stage, Sietse Bakker, executive producer of the Eurovision Song Contest, already stated that it would be difficult to get the Australian participant in Rotterdam. In an interview with eurovision.tv, Montaigne expressed that this does not make her very sad. “I have the preternatural ability to let go of opportunities that don’t come through. Like water off a duck’s back.” She will, however, keep on campaigning for the song. The fact that she will not travel to Rotterdam gives her the opportunity to follow the voting with her dearest friends and family.

Diodato

About Quick Facts NameAntonio Diodato Born30 augustus 1981 Nationality Italian National SelectionFestival of Sanremo 2018Festival of Sanremo 2020 In Eurovision2020 Rotterdam (Cancelled) SongFai Rumore (2020) Biography Antonio Diodato, stage name Diodato, is an Italian singer/songwriter, born in Aosta. His first works were made in Stockholm, where he performed the song Libiri with the Swedish DJs Sebastian Ingrosso and Steve Angello. Back in Italy, he graduated from the Roma Tre University DAMS in Cinema, Television and New Media. In 2007 the singer published his first, self-produced EP. In 2010 he recorded the single “Ancora un brivido”. His first album, “E forse sono pazzo”, was released in April 2013. He performed in Taranto for the May 1st concert in support of environmental remediation and participated in the soundtrack of the film “Anni felici”. He was selected to participate in the Sanremo Festival 2014 in the “Nuove proposti” section with the song “Babylon”. He reached a second place. After the Festival, a re-release of “E forse sono pazzo” was published. In December 2013, he won the Deezer prize for best artist of the year. In June 2014 he won the MTV Italia Award in the “Best Newcomer” category. In the same year he won the De André prize for his version of “Amore che vieni, Amore che vai”. Diodato’s second album “A ritrovar bellezza” was released in 2014. It contained covers of songs from the 1960s. On 30 December 2016, the single “Mi si scioglie la boccia” was released, followed by the album “Cosa siamo diventati”.In 2018 he participated in the Festival of San Remo with the song “Ora”, played together with trumpeter Roy Paci, ranking in eighth place. In 2019 Diodato made his debut as an actor in the film “Un’avventura”. In 2020 he took part in the festival of San Remo and won it with the song “Fai rumore”. As winner of the festival, Diodato was designated as Italy’s representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen due to the cancellation of the contest. During the first lockdown in Italy, “Fai rumore” became thé anthem, sung by people from their houses to make contact with other people. Diodato won the David di Donatello and the Silver Ribbon for the best original song with “Che vita meravigliosa”, used as the soundtrack of the film “La dea fortuna”. He also won the Soundtrack Stars Award at the Venice Film Festival for the same song. On November 8, Diodato won the MTV Europe Music Awards in the category of best Italian artist and the day after “Fai rumore” was certified double platinum in Italy for more than 140,000 copies sold. In 2022, he performed “Fai rumore” as an entre act in the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin. Entries Fai rumore Country🇮🇹 Italy Year2020 LanguageItalian LyricsAntonio Diodato MusicAntonio DiodatoEdwyn Roberts Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/TA57rugucwk

Montaigne

© EBU/Jess Gleeson About Quick Facts NameJessica Alyssa Cerro Born14 august 1995 Nationality🇦🇺 Australian National SelectionInternal selection 2021Australia Decides 2020 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam2020 Rotterdam (Cancelled) SongTechnicolour (2021)Don’t break me (2020) Biography Montaigne, real name Jessica Cerro, is an Australian singer, songwriter and musician, born in Sydney. Although th won a contest at radio station Triple J in 2012, she decided to finish school first before starting a career in music. Later that year, she signed a record contract and in 2013, she adopted the name Montaigne. It took another year before she released her debut single “Anyone but me”, which got quite a lot of airplay and entered the charts. It was soon followed by a second single and in the same year, she opened for the Australian band San Cisco. In the beginning of 2015, she received the “Next Big Thing” award of FBI radio. In the same year, she did her first own tour and released her debut album “Glorious heights”.In 2018, she released a new album, “Complex”. In 2020 she took part in Australia Decides and was supposed to represent Australia in the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Don’t break me”. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen due to the cancellation of the contest. Australian tv decided that Montaigne will be their representative in the 2021 contest. For that occasion, she came up with the song “Technicolour”. Unfortunately, she couldn’t travel to Rotterdam for the contest due to COVID19. Her prerecorded performance was shown on screen. After Eurovision, Montaigne released a new single called “Now (in space)”. It was a harbinger of her new studio album. In February 2022 she collaborated with Talking Heads’ David Byrne in the song “Always be you”. In May of the same year, Montaigne released a new song, “Make me feel so…”, that featured another Eurovision participant: Icelandic Daði Freyr. Entries Technicolour Country🇦🇺 Australia Year2021 LanguageEnglish LyricsMontaigneDave Hammer ComposersMontaigneDave Hammer BackingsChristine MuscatReigan Derry DancersParis CavanaghChrystal RussellShivawn Jade Joubert Results Semi Points: 28Position: 14Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/CoUTzNXQud0 Don’t break me Country🇦🇺 Australia Year2020 LanguageEnglish LyricsMontaigneAnthony EgiziiDavid Musumeci ComposersMontaigneAnthony EgiziiDavid Musumeci Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: – Position: –Running order: – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr-wWxu4974