Georgia

Did six countries make a mutual deal?

Six countries have mutually agreed on the voting in this years Eurovision Song Contest. That’s what Jean Philip De Tender of the EBU said to Belgian newspaper “Het Laatste Nieuws“. Earlier it was announced that the points of the aforementioned six countries were annulled. The EBU announced that there were irregularities during the broadcast. A new points list has been compiled for these countries. The EBU then looks at the voting behavior of comparable countries.This situation would concern Azerbaijan, San Marino, Romania, Montenegro, Georgia and Poland, but the EBU does not want to confirm that. It seems that the EBU had not informed the countries about the nullification of the points. Georgia and Romania were not amused. Georgia is said to have given the twelve to Ukraine and now saw them go to the United Kingdom. Romania had awarded twelve points to Moldova, which went to Ukraine.

Day 6: Bananas, raincoats, a circus and a rodeo rider

The storm around the still sun finally seems to have subsided a bit. This is not a weather forecast, but it is all about the Eurovision Song Contest. Now that everyone knows what really matters with the non-spinning sun, we can move on. And so we do. With ten countries from the 1st and 2nd semi, as well as the Big Five (more about that later), there is certainly something to look forward to. ICELAND: It is no surprise that the foursome (the girls’ brother is also there) can sing. The clothing and the setting are slightly reminiscent of “Little House on the Prairie”, for those who still know what that is. However, the whole thing seems a bit static. It’s not a done deal for the Icelanders. NORWAY: It ís a done deal for the Norwegians. They will make it to the final. Subwoolfer puts on a dazzling act. It is one of the kind that you either love or hate. Eurovision.tv notes that there is no change to the costumes. To be honest, we would also have been surprised if the gentlemen would suddenly wear something different. ARMENIA: She is the last one in the first semifinal. While she may not be the festival’s best singer, Rosa Linn does a good job. She walks around a bedroom covered with Post-Its. When she pulls it off the wall, for example, the title of the song appears, but also, yes, a Eurovision heart! FINLAND: The 2nd semifinal opens with the festival’s biggest stars: The Rasmus. The raincoats are now appropriate: the weather is not good. It also rains in Turin. Although the act is solid, there is something to be said for the vocals of Lauri Ylönen. We have heard better singing in the last few days…. ISRAEL: If we’re talking about song and dance, the Israelis do put down something. Michael Ben David never gets out of breath from all the dancing. He reaches the high notes effortlessly. The bookmakers’ expectations when it comes to Israel are not too high, but they could be completely wrong this time. SERBIA: No changes in the act of Serbia, which by the way is partially subtitled. The hands that are washed are also reflected in the graphics. Whether it is all sung very well, you can question that. Fun fact: for the second time in Eurovision history, someone from the British royal family is being sung: after Princess Diana in 1986 (“Européennes”, for France) it is now Megan Markle’s turn. AZERBAIJAN: Do you remember “Hold me”, Azerbaijan’s 2013 entry? It certainly wasn’t the strongest song that year, but thanks to the act it became second. We now see a similar act, but with a grandstand instead of a glass box. Big difference: Nadir is a very good singer. Because of the act and the good vocals this could end up higher than we all might expect. GEORGIA: “Lock me in” the members of Circus Mircus sing. And a circus it is, with flying goggles and a decorated beard. You may wonder whether the song is something that the televoter or the jury is going for. It just might become the least understood entry of 2022. MALTA: Few changes in the act. What we had not learned during the first rehearsals is that Emma not only sits behind the piano, but also stands on it. The moving and dancing seems to have an effect on Emma’s voice. SAN MARINO: The extravagant Achille Lauro jumps, dances, runs, rides rodeo: it won’t be three quiet minutes. Behind him are two musicians in cages. In addition, there are three guitarists. Achille Lauro’s agility does not benefit the vocals at all. It was all so wild that the rodeo seems to be broken by now. Hey wait…. I hear you thinking: and what about the Big 5!? Well, they will have their first rehearsals, without any press allowed. However, we will keep you updated about them later today.

Day 3: start of the 2nd semi rehearsals

Day three of rehearsals: the second semifinal has started. Nobody knows about the stage anymore. We try to keep you informed. For the time being, we’ll stick to the nine countries that rehearsed. FINLAND: Expectations were obviously high with a big name like The Rasmus in da’ house. In black and yellow rain gear, the stars stood on stage between huge black balloons. Eurovision.tv praises the professionalism of the band members. ISRAEL: It was quite exciting whether Israel would participate or not. However, the security issues died down. And so Michael Ben David stood on stage in white, surrounded by his dancers. Remarkable: eurovision.tv reports that there is good singing. That has not been done so far. SERBIA: Konstrakta’s act is little different from what we saw during the national final. She has the healthy hair of Megan Markle, which she also sings about. She washes her hands regularly. The dancers around her carry towels. Everything to stay “In corpore sano”, in a healthy body. AZERBAIJAN: It was to be expected: Azerbaijan has a standout act. Nadir Rustamli sings from a sort of staircase that looks like a grandstand. There is also a dancer in that stand. Halfway through the act, the stand is split in two and the dancer and singer can see each other. GEORGIA: Circus Mircus represents Georgia. And clowns belong to a circus. A singer in a leather jacket and flying goggles, a man with an eye patch and a belly organ and a bassist who seems to have borrowed the hat from the Ukrainians. That last man has a beard of flowers. Many colors can be seen on stage. Surreal is how even the official site describes it. MALTA: Emma Muscat performs in a dress covered with silver. She is flanked by four dancers. Later during the act, she sits behind a huge piano. She also uses the so-called B-stage, just in front of the green room. The sun springs into action and gives off its golden light during this act. SAN MARINO: You can expect a striking act from Achille Lauro. He wears body stocking, cowboy boots and hat, a black boa and he is at a red rodeo. While you’d expect that with the title “Stripper,” the clothes don’t come off. Where there is smoke there is fire: that certainly applies to this act, which ends with a lot of pyro technics. AUSTRALIA: Of course Sheldon Reily wears his jeweled mask. Surprising is the huge white suit he is also wearing. At the bottom of the suit is a huge tow. Eurovision.tv compares it to a wedding dress that drags on the floor. It almost seems as if Sheldon is staying in the clouds. CYPRUS: Andromache is singing in a purple dress with what looks like a huge fan behind her. The dancers move around that fan. The fan is also used to display the graphics. Different colors are visible.

Circus Mircus to represent Georgia in Turin

Today, eurovision.tv announced Circus Mircus to be the Georgian representatives in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest. They did this by stating that they received an e-mail with the following text: “Dear Earthlings, This is a message from Circus Mircus. We would like to inform you that according to the decision made by the Georgian Public Broadcaster, at the international song contest Eurovision, Georgia will be represented by Circus Mircus. You ask, what is Circus Mircus? It is a movement that brings together dozens of professionals from different fields to create an unprecedented audio-visual experience. The cornerstone of their philosophy lies in the complete neglect of musical frameworks. To talk to ‘Circus Mircus’ members and for further information, please email us.” The band also added the message on YouTube: In fact, Circus Mircus is a 3 man band. They were drop outs from the local Circus Academy in Tbilisi. If you want to get an idea of what you can expect from the group, go to their YouTube channel or watch this clip: photo credits: eurovision.tv

Tornike Kipiani

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameTornike Kipiani Born11 December 1987 Nationality???????? Georgian National SelectionGeorgian national final 2017Georgian Idol 2020Internal selection 2021 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam2020 Rotterdam (canceled) SongYou (2021)Take me as I am (2020) Biography Tornike Kipiani is a Georgian singer, born in Tiblisi. At the age of 19 he formed his own musical group, “Circle Corner”, where he played guitar and sang. His first appearance on tv as a solo singer was in 2012, when he was a finalist in the show Magtifani. In 2016, he rose to fame in Georgia by winning the X-Factor. In 2017, he took part in the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest in a duet with Giorgi Bolotashvili, “You are my sunshine”. At December 31, 2019, Tornike won Georgian Idol, which gave him the ticket to represent Georgia in the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest. Due to the corona crisis, he was not able to take part. Georgian television decided to ask him again to do the job, now for the 2021 contest. His song, “You”, unfortunately didn’t reach the final. Entries You Country???????? Georgia Year2021 LanguageEnglish LyricsTornike Kipiani MusicTornike Kipiani Backings– Results Semi Points: 16Position: 16Running order: 10 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/5qnogt74_F8 Take me as I am Country???????? Georgia Year2020 LanguageEnglish LyricsTornike Kipiani MusicTornike Kipiani Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/LjNK4Xywjc4

Georgian Idol finalists known!

Tonight the four finalist of Georgian Idol were chosen. One of these four will, on december 31, be chosen as the winner of Georgian Idol 2019 and….. represent Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest. There is, however, a difference compared to this year’s national selection. During the final of last year’s Georgian Idol, Oto Nemsadze already presented his Eurovision Song “Sul tsin iare”. For 2020, the song will be chosen internally. So the 31st of december, we know the singer, not the song. The participants in the Georgian Idol final will be: Barbara Samkharadze Tornike Kipiani Mariam Gogiberidze Tamar Kakalashvili Tornike Kipiani is the favourite to win this competition. He became first in almost all the shows so far. Tornike is also the only experienced one on the task. In 2017, he also took part in the national selection. However, he was less successful in that year with a 23rd place.

Anri Jokhadze

About Quick Facts NameAnri Jokhadze Born06 November 1980 Nationality🇬🇪 Georgian National SelectionGeorgian national final 2012Georgian national final 2009 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongI’m A Joker (2012) Biography Anri Jokhadze, born on November 6, 1980, in Tbilisi, Georgia, is a multifaceted artist known for his contributions as a pop singer, composer, music video director, and TV presenter. He has carved a unique niche in the Georgian music scene with his remarkable talent and creative versatility. Jokhadze’s musical journey began at the tender age of four. From this early age, he demonstrated a natural flair for singing, which led him to participate in various contests and concerts, both in Georgia and internationally. His passion for music extended beyond just performance; he is also the author of many songs and has served as a screenwriter for video clips. This wide array of talents has made Anri a significant figure in the Georgian music industry. In 1998, Jokhadze embarked on his professional music career, marking the beginning of a journey filled with achievements and accolades. Over the years, he has won an impressive thirteen music awards, earning him the title of “The Georgian Golden Voice”. His discography, reflecting his artistic evolution, includes albums such as “Me Maints Moval” (2005), “I Appear on the Stage Again” (2006), and “New Songs” (2011). Each album showcases his ability to blend traditional Georgian music with contemporary sounds, creating a unique and appealing style. Anri’s international recognition soared when he represented Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with his dynamic performance of “I’m a Joker”. However, his Eurovision journey began earlier, as he was a backing vocalist for Diana Gurtskaya’s “Peace Will Come” in the 2008 contest. In 2009, he participated in the national selection with the song “I (Want You Back)”. His involvement with Eurovision continued beyond his performance in 2012, as he composed the Georgian entry “Keep the Faith,” performed by Tamara Gachechiladze in the 2017 contest. These participations not only highlighted his talents but also brought Georgian music to an international audience. Aside from his own singing career, Anri has played a pivotal role in nurturing new talent. He has worked as a producer for many newcomer singers, guiding them in their artistic development and helping them navigate the complex music industry. His commitment to fostering new talent speaks volumes about his dedication to the growth and sustainability of Georgian music. Entries I’m A Joker Country🇬🇪 Georgia Year2012 LanguageEnglish LyricsBibi Kvachadze MusicRusudan Chkhaidze BackingsNino DzotsenidzeVeriko TurashviliNini ShermadiniMagdalena Jokhadze DancerSalomé Chachua Results Semi Points: 36Position: 14Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/xfpKnMBjdrU?si=lhAOQiPbMvYXR9S8

Eldrine

About Quick Facts MembersSopho ToroshelidzeTamar ShekiladzeMikheil ChelidzeIrakli BibilashviliDavid ChangoshviliBeso Tsikhelashvili Active2007-2017 Nationality🇬🇪 Georgian National SelectionGeorgian National Final 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongOne More Day (2011) Biography Eldrine, a dynamic band from Georgia, has made a significant mark in the music scene since its inception in 2007. Initially founded as ‘Bios’ by a trio of friends, the group underwent a transformation in 2010 with the introduction of vocalist Tamar Eldrine Wadachkoria. This period marked a new chapter for the band, leading to their participation in the Tibilisi-Altervision Festival in 2010, where they performed the song “Haunting.” The year 2011 proved to be a pivotal one for Eldrine, as they represented Georgia at the 56th Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf. Their entry, “One More Day,” demonstrated their unique sound and energetic stage presence. Competing in the first semi-final on May 10, 2011, Eldrine successfully advanced to the final, held four days later. Their performance captivated the audience and judges alike, earning them a respectable ninth place. This achievement was a significant milestone for the band, showcasing their talent on an international platform. Eldrine’s album, “Fake Reality,” released in 2011, became a sensation in Georgia, maintaining a strong presence on the Georgian Album Charts for 52 weeks, peaking at third place. This album solidified their status in the Georgian music industry and resonated with a wide audience, showcasing their ability to blend various musical styles into a cohesive and engaging sound. However, the journey wasn’t without its challenges. Intense discussions about the vocal capabilities of Tamar Eldrine Wadachkoria led to a sudden and critical change. She was replaced by the classically trained singer Sophio Toroschelidse, a decision that marked a new direction for the band’s vocal dynamics. Despite this change, Eldrine continued to thrive and evolve, showcasing their adaptability and commitment to their art. Eldrine’s discography reflects their musical journey and evolution. Their albums include “Fake Reality” (2011) and “Till The End” (2014), while their singles feature “Haunting” (2010) and the Eurovision entry “One More Day” (2011). Each release encapsulates different facets of their musical identity, from haunting melodies to energetic anthems. Apart from their studio successes, Eldrine also made their presence felt through live performances. They performed at the European Union days in Georgia, in 2016, an event that celebrates the union’s culture and values. After 2017, it remained silent around the band. Entries One More Day Country🇬🇪 Country Year2011 LanguageEnglish LyricsDJ RockMicheil Chelidze MusicBeso Tsikhelashvili Backings– Results Semi Points: 74Position: 6Running order: 9 Results Finals Points: 110Position: 9Running order: 25 https://youtu.be/s2EwiTBiEDU?si=DmNWFeJrUzZ73Dw8

Nika Kocharov & Young Georgian Lolitaz

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameNika KocharovGiorgi MarrLevan ShanshiashviliDima Oganesian Founded2000 Nationality🇬🇪 Georgian National SelectionEvrovizia 2016 – Airchie Sheni Simgera! In Eurovision2016 Stockholm SongMidnight gold (2016) Biography Nika Kocharov was born in Tbilisi, Georgia, in 1980. He began his musical career at the age of 15 when he formed his first band called Nadzvis Khe. Later, at 19, he started another band called Nebo CCCR, together with Kote Kalandadze. In 2001, he formed Young Georgian Lolitaz. In 2006, he relocated to London after signing with 4 Real Records. Throughout his career, he has composed music for three films and one television series, and he has also acted in three films. Nika Kocharov & Young Georgian Lolitaz is a Georgian music group known for their alternative rock and indie rock sound. They are a four-member band hailing from Tbilisi, Georgia, that was established in 2000. The founding members of the band were Nika Kocharov, Levan Shanshiashvili, Giorgi Gobejishvili on bass, and Guram Makalatia (also known as Goofy) on drums. The band’s name, Young Georgian Lolitaz, was chosen as a playful parody of various erotic websites. Interestingly, after its formation, the band went through frequent name changes, often altering their name almost every week. Giorgi Gobejishvili was soon replaced by David Svanidze as a member of the band. From 2000 to 2006, the band actively participated in various festivals, including “Mziuri” in Tbilisi, Georgia, which was an annual rock festival held from 2000 to 2005. The band frequently played gigs in Tbilisi. Their debut album, titled “Lemonjuice,” was released in 2004. The Young Georgian Lolitaz gained significant recognition with their song “Star,” which became the track of the year and amassed approximately 30,000 downloads on a popular unsigned MP3 artist website. In 2004, they also took part in the Aerials Rock music exchange project in Groningen, The Netherlands. The band signed a contract with the Georgian independent label Step Records in 2005, and in July of the same year, they released a CD named “Radio Live.” In 2006, Nika Kocharov made the decision to move to London in pursuit of launching his music career there. This led to some changes in the band’s lineup, with George Sikharulidze joining on bass and Ben Crook on drums. The band’s efforts in London resulted in a record deal with 4REAL Records in 2010, and they released an EP called “Lava” which was recorded in Rob Quickenden’s studio. However, shortly after the release, the band went on a hiatus. In early 2015, the band made a comeback, this time with a new and experienced drummer named Dima Oganesian. They resumed actively performing at various venues and festivals throughout Georgia. The band introduced new hits such as “Gay Swimmer” and “ID” to their repertoire. Additionally, they became regular guests on programming by the Georgian Public Broadcaster, further increasing their exposure. In 2016, the band was chosen to represent Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm. Out of five songs, “Midnight gold” was chosen. The song reached the final and reached a 20th place there. In 2017, the band made a comeback with the release of a new single called ‘Dark Device’. In interviews, Kocharov has mentioned that his musical influences include iconic bands like The Beatles, Blur, and Pulp, while Marr’s inspiration comes from Oasis. Entries Song Title Country🇬🇪 Georgia Year2016 LanguageEnglish LyricsKote Kalandadze MusicKote KalandadzeThomas G:son BackingsLars Säfsund Results Semi Points: 123Position: 9Running order: 16 Results Finals Points: 104Position: 20Running order: 23 https://youtu.be/rviE2-9eiTI

Tamara Gachechiladze

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameTamara Gachechiladze Born17 March 1983 Nationality🇬🇪 Georgian National SelectionEvroviizis erovnul konkurss 2023Georgian national final 2009Georgian national final 2008 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongKeep the faith (2017) Biography Tamara ‘Tako’ Gachechiladze is a Georgian singer, songwriter, and actress. She was born in Tbilisi, in 1983 when it was part of the USSR. Tamara took part in the Georgian national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, with the song “Me and My Funky”, coming in tenth place. As a member of the quartet Stephane & 3G, she also placed fourth in the same national final with the song “I’m Free”, but another one of their songs won: they were going to represent Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with the song “We Don’t Wanna Put In”, until the group’s entry was disqualified for political content. Also in 2011, Tamara was supposed to participate in the Georgian national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, however, due to health problems she had to withdraw. In 2017, Tamara Gachechiladze was chosen to represent Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Keep the faith”. However, she did not reach the final in the contest in Kyiv. In 2019, Tamara represented Georgia at the Golden Stag Festival in Romania. In 2020, she released a song called “Where did your love go”, followed in 2020 by “At last”. Entries Keep The Faith Country🇬🇪 Georgia Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsTamara Gachechiladze MusicAnri Jokhadze BackingsMariam AkobiaMariam JomardidzeNatia OqruashviliGiorgi TskhvariashviliGuri Pasikashvili Results Semi Points: 99Position: 11Running order: 2 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/agSS_a3ccgA