Groups

Pollapönk

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts MembersHeiðar Örn KristjánssonHaraldur Freyr GíslasonGuðni Þórarinn FinnssonArnar Þór Gíslason Founded2006 Nationality🇮🇸 Icelandic National SelectionSöngvakeppnin 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongNo Prejudice (2014) Biography Pollapönk is an Icelandic pop-rock band that has delighted audiences with their unique musical style and captivating performances since their inception in 2006. The band was initially formed by two preschool teachers, Heiðar Örn Kristjánsson and Haraldur Freyr Gíslason, with the aim of creating music that children and adults alike could enjoy. The band’s name, which translates to “Puddle Punk,” exemplifies their quirky and fun-loving character, as well as their appeal to a diverse range of listeners. Their colorful outfits and eccentric performances are hallmarks of their image. The duo soon expanded to a four-piece band with the inclusion of Guðni Finnsson and Arnar Þór Gíslason, further broadening their musical capabilities. They sing in both Icelandic and English, making their music accessible to a global audience. In 2014, Pollapönk represented Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest with the track “No Prejudice.” The song, an upbeat pop-rock number with an encouraging message about breaking down barriers and eradicating prejudice, made it to the final round of the competition. This performance significantly raised the band’s international profile and served as a testament to their talent and dedication. So far, Pollapönk released four albums. Their greatest hits, apart from “Enga fordóma/No prejudice” were “Litli ljótu ljónið” (2008), “Punkabillybræðraband” (2009). Despite their initial focus on children’s music, their broad appeal has transcended these boundaries, captivating listeners of all ages. As of mid-2023, Pollapönk continues to write, record, and perform, bringing their music. In May 2023, Pollapönk released a new version of “Enga fordóma/No prejudice” for Unicef, together with @Tag, a choir of deaf children. Entries No Prejudice Country🇮🇸 Iceland Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsHeiðar Örn KristjánssonHaraldur F. GíslasonJohn Grant MusicHeiðar Örn Kristjánsson BackingsÓttar ProppéSnæbjörn Ragnarsson Results Semi Points: 61Position: 8Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: 58Position: 15Running order: 4 https://youtu.be/U2qAvGsiCmc

Mandinga

About Quick Facts MembersElena IonescuAlexandru BurceaMarius Cristian CiupituValentin ZacharOmar Secada DihigoAlexander Himely Benavides Not on stageAntonio Segui Rolando Founded2002 Nationality🇷🇴 Romanian🇨🇺 Cuban (Omar, Alexander and Antonio) National SelectionSelecția Națională 2012Selecția Națională 2005 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongZaleilah (2012) Biography Mandinga is a Romanian pop band. They play latin influenced music. Mandinga burst onto the scene in December 2002, captivating audiences throughout Romania and even earning invitations to showcase their talent in countries like Bulgaria, Germany, Serbia, Poland, and Cuba. With songs in Romanian, Spanish, and English, their music is a melting pot of cultures. Their unique sound draws from Latin and Balkan folklore, seamlessly weaving in influences from diverse styles including salsa, La Guajira, hip-hop, Guajira funk, bolero, cha-cha, reggaeton, R&B, Latin house, calypso, Latin hip-hop, and even acid jazz. The original members of Mandinga were Alex (trumpet and vocals), Bazooka (timbales and percussion), Florin (bass and vocals), Chup (drums, percussion, and vocals), Omar Secada (keyboard), Ella (vocals), Zach (saxophone), Tony (trombone), Alejandro (vocals), and El Nino (percussion). Enhancing their performances, Mandinga is accompanied by professional dancers Elena and Simona. In 2005, Mandinga did their first attempt to reach the Eurovision Song Contest. Their song “Soarele meu” reached a 4th place in the national finals. In 2006, Elena became the lead singer. In 2007, the group achieved an impressive milestone, performing in around 300 concerts. They’ve made a mark on Romanian media, being regular guests on major TV shows, including the highly popular Danutz Ltd. Mandinga’s distinct style has led them to launch Salsa Fest, their own event brand, and Salsaphoria, their signature dance style. The Mandinga brand resonates with the public, symbolizing good vibes, dance, and the Latin spirit. In 2012, Mandinga won the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Zaleilah”. The song thus represented Romania in the contest. Reaching the final, Romania made it to a 12th place in the Grand Final of the contest. “Zaleilah” became an international hit. The follow up song of “Zaleilah” was called “Papichulo”. In 2013 they released “The Mac Mac Song”, “La Vita É Bella” and “Cinéma”. They teamed up with Ahmed Chawki and Pitbull for the single “Habibi I love you”. In March 2014 the band teamed up with Fly Project. Their single was called “Hello”. In the same year, the band took part in the show Te Cunosc De Undeva (Your Face Sounds Familiar). On 11 May 2015, a new single was released: “Adrenalina”. It was in 2016 that Elena left the band. The new lead vocalist of Mandinga was and is Bárbara Isasi. Mandinga gave it’s first concert with the new singer on March 26 of that year. The band teamed up with Erik Ikote to release a single “Aventura” in May 2016. In 2017 the band released a salsa version of the Charlie Puth song “We don’t talk anymore”. In May the song is followed by a brand new single, “Besame”. The group teamed up with Tito Nieves, Jay Lugo and Surbana for the song, “Una noche mas”. In 2018 the band released the singles “Mayores”, “Arquitectura” and “Soy de Cuba”. Barbara took part in Te Cunosc De Undeva, in some shows accompanied by the other members of the band. Barbara won the contest. In 2019 the band released the single “Provocador”. Meanwhile, “Soy de Cuba” had over a million views on YouTube. Both videos were recorded in Cuba. The band went to perform at the Sazon Festival in Switzerland. In September they released the single “Niña Sincera”. The band was awarded European Tropical Act Of The Year at the Lukas Awards in London. The band teamed up with Olivia Addams for the song “B.A.N.D.I.D.A.”. Entries Zaleilah Country🇷🇴 Romania Year2012 LanguageEnglishSpanish LyricsElena IonescuOmar Secada DihigoCosti Ioniţă MusicCosti Ioniţă Backings– Results Semi Points: 120Position: 3Running order: 6 Results Finals Points: 71Position: 12Running order: 14 https://youtu.be/K3ruy639kTQ?si=CVxurzJ5a-ECnXtx

Buranovskiye Babushki

© About Quick Facts MembersNatalya PugachevaEkaterina Semenovna ShklyaevaValentina PyatchenkoGalina KonevaGrania BaysarovaOlga TuktarevaYelizaveta Zarbatova (not on stage)Zoya Dorodova (not on stage)Olga Tuktareva (not on stage) Founded1970 Nationality🇷🇺 Russian National SelectionEvrovidenie 2012Evrovidenie 2010 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongParty For Everybody (2012) Biography Buranovskiye Babushki is a Russian folk music group from the village of Buranovo in the Malopurginsky district of Udmurtia. They gained popularity by performing hits of famous Russian and foreign artists in their native Udmurt language.The folk ensemble “Buranovskie Babushki” (Buranovo Grannies) was founded in the village of Buranovo in Udmurtia over 45 years ago. By 2010, the average age of the ensemble’s members was 70 years old. The core of their repertoire consists of ancient folk songs in their native Udmurt language. For the first time, the ensemble began performing covers of famous artists in the Udmurt languag in 2008. Since then, they have repeatedly attracted the attention of the press and television. The ensemble participated in the Russian national final for the Eurovision song contest in 2010 with the song “Dlinnaya-dlinnaya beresta i kak sdelat’ iz neyo aishon” (they took third place), as well as in the national final for Eurovision 2012 with the song “Party for Everybody.” As a result of the latter selection, Buranovskie Babushki won and earned the right to represent Russia at the international Eurovision song contest 2012, where they finished in second place in the final. By the decree of the President of the Udmurt Republic, A. A. Volkov, No. 97 of May 24, 2012, eight members of the ensemble (Grania, Alevtina, Zoya, Galina, Natalya, Valentina, Olga Tuktareva, and Ekaterina) were awarded the honorary title “People’s Artist of the Udmurt Republic” for their significant contribution to the development of art and high performing skills. In early November 2012, the premiere of a joint song by Buranovskie Babushki and the well-known ethno-pop singer Varvara titled “A ne poydu zamuzh ya” was released. In April 2012, the”Buranovskie Babushki appeared in commercials for the popular carbonated drink Sprite. On August 24, 2013, the Buranovskie Babushki headlined the third multi-festival of Finno-Ugric culture Ybitsa in the village of Yb, Syktyvkar district, Republic of Komi. On January 2, 2014, a 75-year-old member of the ensemble “Buranovskie Babushki”, Galina Koneva, became one of the torchbearers of the Olympic flame relay for the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. The Buranovskie Babushki have repeatedly stated that they plan to spend the money earned during their concert performances on restoring the village shrine – The Holy Trinity Church, built in their native village of Buranovo in 1895 and destroyed in the late 1930s. On May 24, 2012, foundation work began in the village for the future church. On May 30, 2012, the day the ensemble members returned from Baku, it was planned to consecrate the future church. Alexander Volkov, the head of the Udmurt Republic, promised to allocate 1 million rubles for the construction of the church and also assured that he would help solve the problems with road quality and water supply in the village of Buranovo. In June 2016, the church was opened and consecrated. Entries Party For Everybody Country🇷🇺 Russia Year2012 LanguageEnglishUdmurt LyricsOlga TuktarevaMary Susan Applegate MusicViktor DrobyshTimofei Leontiev Backings– Results Semi Points: 152Position: 1Running order: 14 Results Finals Points: 259Position: 2Running order: 6 https://youtu.be/BgUstrmJzyc?si=OloPLHYfmM2Muo86

Compact Disco

About Quick Facts MembersLotfi BehnamGábor PálCsaba Walkó Founded2008 Nationality🇭🇺 Hungarian National SelectionA Dal 2012 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongSound Of Our Hearts (2012) Biography Compact Disco is a Hungarian electronic music band and music producer group. Lotfi, Pál, and Walkó first met in 2005 when Lotfi Behnam’s techno producer duo, Collins and Behnam, planned to cover Adamski and Seal’s song titled “Killer” and were looking for a singer. They saw Walkó Csaba singing on television and invited him to sing the cover. At that time, Walkó was singing in a funk-pop band called Brownfield and asked some of his musician friends to accompany him to the recording. One of them was Pál Gábor, who was also a founder of a nu-jazz band called Toy Division. In the summer of 2008, Lotfi proposed the idea of a vocal electronic pop music ensemble to Walkó, who then asked his keyboardist, Pál, to join them. By March 2009, they were writing and arranging songs. By the time their first album was ready, the band members agreed that the band’s name would be Compact Disco and the album title would be “Stereoid”. They signed a contract with CLS Music in September 2009, and the album was released in December. The band started performing live from January 2010. They shot their first music video for their song “I’m in Love”, which soon gained notable popularity, ranking in the top ten on many Hungarian hit lists. The band decided to produce another video clip, an “image clip” that would introduce the band in May 2010 for the song “Without You”. For the festival concerts in the summer of 2010, Pál and Walkó invited bassist Attila Sándor, to join them. He officially became a member of the band in November. In the same month the band shot their third music video for the song “Fly or Dive”. The song topped the Hungarian dance hit list, the VIVA Club Chart. On November 15, 2010 the band won the MTV brand:new election. They got assistance from their viral video series “Help Antos!”, starring actor Gémes Antos, which caught the attention of the advertising industry. A second album, “II” was released on May 14, 2011. The first single from the album was “Feel the Rain”, which reached 2nd place on the MR2 Petőfi Radio Top 30 list. The band won the Fonogram award in the “Domestic Electronic Music Production of the Year” category on March 2, 2011. On April 24, Compact Disco won the 2011 Antropos.hu Award in the “Best Album of 2010” category. The British record label Age Media signed a contract to release the first three singles from “Stereoid” worldwide, just as Universal Music Group did for Romania and Bulgaria during 2011. In the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest’s Hungarian national final called “A Dal”, they won with their song “Sound of Our Hearts”. Therefore, they represented Hungary in the Eurovision Song Contest, where they reached the final and earned a 24th place there. In the same year, their third album “Two Point Five” was released. However, the singles following were from “II”: “Leave It Up To Me” and “Fly With You” both became hits. In 2013, Compact Disco released yet another album: “The Storm”. The songs “We Will Not Go Down” and “The Storm” also entered the charts. The song “Mrs. Right” did not hit the charts. A new single in Hungarian, “Csak a szó”, was released in May 2015. Also their fourth album, “Csak a szó”, came out. In September 2016, the band performed in Portugal. In May 2017 a new single, “Veled” was released, including a video. The song became a hit for the band. In December, the song “Lazul A Város” was released. Behnam Lotfi left the band after this, so Gábor and Csaba went on as a duo. On March 3, 2018, they released their album titled “4”, which consists entirely of songs in Hungarian and includes their previously released singles. On October 26, 2018, they released their song titled “Közel” (Close), followed by “Világom” (My World) on October 1, 2019. This was followed in 2020 by “Maradj otthon” (Stay Home), and in 2021, they released the single “Minden rendben” (Everything’s Alright), which also features the band Hősök (Heroes). The song reached the #1 spot in the Hungarian charts. Entries Sound Of Our Hearts Country🇭🇺 Hungary Year2012 LanguageEnglish LyricsLotfi BehnamGábor PálAttila SándorCsaba Walkó MusicLotfi BehnamGábor PálAttila SándorCsaba Walkó BackingsHelga WéberAttila SándorKrisztián Szakos (guitar) Results Semi Points: 52Position: 10Running order: 15 Results Finals Points: 19Position: 24Running order: 2 https://youtu.be/sw85G2AlU2c?si=9X4gvU3Bw_-m087q

Lighthouse X

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts MembersSøren BregendalJohannes NymarkMartin Skriver Active2012 – 2016 Nationality🇩🇰 Danish National SelectionDansk Melodi Grand Prix 2016 In Eurovision2016 Stockholm SongSoldiers Of Love (2016) Biography Founded in 2012, Lighthouse X (pronounced as Lighthouse Ten) was a Danish pop group consisting of Søren Bregendal, Martin Skriver, and Johannes Nymark, who were not only singers but also actors. The main objective of the group was to provide support to children and young people facing difficult circumstances. They achieved this by establishing close collaborations with organizations such as “Børnehjertefonden” (Children’s Heart Foundation), “Julemærkefonden” (Christmas Seal Foundation), and “Børn, Unge og Sorg” (Children, Youth, and Grief). In February 2015, the band released their EP titled “Lighthouse X” and followed up with the English-language single “It’s A Brand New Day” in August of the same year. Lighthouse X participated in the Danish Melodi Grand Prix 2016 and emerged as the winners with their song “Soldiers of Love.” They secured 42% of the votes in the final, surpassing Anja Nissen and Simone. Consequently, they represented Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 held in Stockholm. However, they did not manage to qualify for the final stage of the competition. On August 15, 2016, the group announced their decision to disband. Their final performance took place on August 17 during Copenhagen Pride. Entries Soldiers Of Love Country🇩🇰 Denmark Year2016 LanguageEnglish LyricsSebastian F. OvensDaniel Lund JørgensenKatrine Klith AndersenLighthouse X MusicSebastian F. OvensDaniel Lund JørgensenKatrine Klith AndersenLighthouse X BackingsChristoffer BrodersenSøren OkholmAnders Ørsager Results Semi Points: 34Position: 17Running order: 13 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/jGz12i-wGd0

Witloof Bay

About Quick Facts MembersSenjka Danhieux (RoxorLoops)Etienne DebaisieuxBenoît GiauxNicolas DorianFlorence HubyAlexia Saffery Active2005- Nationality🇧🇪 Belgium National SelectionEurovision 2011: Qui? A vous de choisir! In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongWith Love Baby (2011) Biography Witloof Bay is a Belgian a cappella group. In 2005, a group of six friends united by their passion for jazz, pop, a cappella, and beatboxing formed a musical ensemble. Drawing inspiration from influential groups like The Real Group, Take 6, The Swingle Singers, and The Singers Unlimited, they began performing together. The band showcases versatility by singing in both English and French, appealing to a diverse audience. The members of the band hail from various regions across Belgium – Wallonia, Flanders, and Brussels – embodying a true representation of the country’s rich cultural tapestry. One of the members, RoxorLoops, was also a member of Beatoxic, who took part in the Belgian national final for the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest. Their debut, self-titled album was released in 2008, marking their official entry into the music scene. A significant milestone for the group came on February 12, 2011, when Witloof Bay was chosen to represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011. Despite their unique performance, the group narrowly missed a spot in the final, falling short by just one point. Their song, “With love baby” reached the Wallon Ultratop. The group was also able to perform in Germany, Finland, Argentina, Luxembourg, Estonia and France. In 2012, the band was nominated for an award for best live performance at D6Bels. Performances continued, of course in Belgium but also in The Netherlands, Italy, France and Germany. In March 2013, the band was able to perform in Bogota, Bolivia. In June of that year, they released the video of a new song, “Elle s’en va”, written and composed by Nicolas Dorian. A month later, they performed in Canada and Taiwan. In October, they started a new show called “Show B”. It was in January 2015 when Witloof Bay made its debut in Poland. In May, Nicolas Dorian was a backing vocal in the Eurovision Song Contest with Loïc Nottet. After a 6 months break, they started performing again in January 2016, although just occasionally. The members of Witloof Bay started their own projects. RoxorLoops took part in Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2020, the Danish national final for Eurovision, in collaboration with Jasmine Rose. They performed the song “Human”. Entries With Love Baby Country🇧🇪 Belgium Year2011 LanguageEnglish LyricsRoxorLoopsBenoît Giaux MusicRoxorLoopsBenoît Giaux Backings– Results Semi Points: 53Position: 11Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/22xexkRESXw?si=SeZEhVX3FihaQRBr

3JS

About Quick Facts MembersJan DullesJaap KwakmanJan de Witte Founded2002 Nationality🇳🇱 Dutch National SelectionNationaal Songfestival 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongNever Alone (2011) Biography Formed in 2002 in Volendam, Netherlands, 3JS is a Dutch band known for its melodious fusion of pop and rock with Dutch lyrics. The band originally consisted of Jan Dulles (vocals), Jaap Kwakman (guitar), and Jaap de Witte (guitar). The name ‘3JS’ was derived from the first initials of the three founding members. The journey of 3JS began in the bustling music scene of Volendam, a town with a rich musical heritage. Initially, they gained recognition for their live performances in local venues, where their combination of poetic lyrics and melodious music won them a dedicated following. Their music, deeply rooted in Dutch culture and language, resonated with a wide audience, contributing to their growing popularity. In 2007, the band signed a record deal with Warner Music Benelux, marking the beginning of their professional recording career. Their debut album, “Watermensen,” was released in the same year and received critical acclaim. The album’s honest and heartfelt lyrics, combined with the band’s distinct sound, established 3JS as a significant act in the Dutch music industry. Following their successful debut, 3JS continued to release a series of albums that cemented their status in the Dutch music scene. Albums like “Kamers van m’n Hart” (2008) and “Dromers en Dwazen” (2010) showcased the band’s versatility and ability to evolve their sound while staying true to their roots. A significant milestone in their career was representing the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2011 with the song “Je Vecht Nooit Alleen.” Although they did not win, their participation brought them international exposure and showcased their talent on a larger stage. The band underwent a significant change in 2013 when Jaap de Witte had to step down due to health issues. He was replaced by his son, Jan de Witte, marking a new chapter in the band’s history. This transition was seamless, and the band continued to produce music and perform with the same passion and energy. 3JS experimented with an acoustic sound for their album “7.” Preparations included a creative trip to Los Angeles, resulting in several new songs and significant musical inspiration. Most of the album was recorded in Volendam at Studio Arnold Mühren, featuring a live setting with producer Attie Bauw. Notable singles from “7” include “Grenzeloos,” “Samen door,” and “Pas dan laat ik je gaan.” The 2018 album “NU” marked a shift in sound and production, realized in collaboration with producer Oscar Holleman. The band embraced external influences, evidenced by the collaboration with Diggy Dex on the opening track “Misschien niet nu.” “NU” also featured the poignant “De betere jaren,” reflecting on Jan Dulles’ father’s battle with Alzheimer’s. This album was the last to feature Jan de Witte before his departure for a solo project. “De Aard Van Het Beest,” released in 2020, introduced the influence of new band member Robin Küller. The album, presenting an Americana sound, was uniquely launched via a live stream due to the pandemic. It included hits like “Dansen tot het over is” and “Het kind in mij,” and a collaboration on “De brug” with co-founder Jaap de Witte. 2021 saw a deluxe edition of the album, featuring new compositions like “Vreemde leegte,” a tribute to Dulles’ late daughter Donna-Maria. In 2023, 3JS fulfilled a dream with “Mooie Tijden,” recording in an American studio with local musicians and producer Bob Clearmountain. The album, enriched with Americana influences, featured session musicians like Sean Hurley and Victor Indrizzo, encapsulating the band’s evolving musical journey. Entries Never Alone Country🇳🇱 The Netherlands Year2011 LanguageEnglish LyricsJaap KwakmanJan DullesJaap de Witte MusicJaap KwakmanJan DullesJaap de Witte BackingsBrian ZalmijnLesley van der AaMichèle van der Aa Results Semi Points: 13Position: 19Running order: 3 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/m5uiD4BIcNk?si=lm2sTxfX1rDmMoZJ

Homens da luta

About Quick Facts MembersVasco DuarteNuno ‘Jel’ DuarteCelina da PiedadeTânia LopesRui RechenaHugo Osga Active2010 – 2013 Nationality🇵🇹 Portuguese National SelectionFestival RTP da Canção 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongA luta é alegria (2011) Biography Homens da Luta, a dynamic duo comprising brothers Vasco Duarte (Falâncio) and Nuno Duarte “Jel” (Neto), is a well-known Portuguese group blending improvisational comedy with musical street performances. Their creative works humorously mimic songs from the era following the 1974 Carnation Revolution. They skillfully craft their characters as exaggerated versions of revolutionary singers from that period, including Zeca Afonso and José Mário Branco. The term “struggle” frequently surfaces in their performances, echoing slogans popularized during the revolutionary times, such as “A Luta Continua” (The Struggle Goes On). In 2010, they released an mp3 album titled “A Canção é uma arma” (The song is a weapon), which features 14 tracks. Among these, “E o povo, pá?” (What about the people, man?) stands out as one of their most celebrated songs. Regarding the Eurovision Song Contest, Homens da Luta first participated in the RTP Song Festival 2010 with their song “Luta assim não dá” (The struggle can’t go on like this), but were disqualified for previously performing it, violating contest rules. They made a comeback in 2011 with “A luta é alegria” (The struggle is joy), a song penned by Nuno Duarte “Jel” and composed by Vasco Duarte. Initially in sixth place, public voting surged them to first place, earning them a spot in Düsseldorf. Representing Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Germany, they did not secure enough international votes to advance to the final. Notably, as the group primarily consists of comedians rather than traditional singers, and given their win was more a result of public favor than jury selection, their victory stirred some controversy within the contest community. Homens da Luta kept on performing and making protest songs in 2011 and 2012. After that, the group returned to a duo again. Mid 2013 the men went their own way. Entries Luta è alegria Country🇵🇹 Portugal Year2011 LanguagePortuguese LyricsNuno ‘Jel’ Duarte MusicVasco Duarte Backings– Results Semi Points: 22Position: 18Running order: 16 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/KIzdiAYd9IA?si=ezOx9OSmLpM4XdGJ

Highway

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts MembersPetar TošićMarko PešićLuka VojdovićBojan Jovović Founded2015 Nationality🇲🇪 Montenegrin National SelectionInternal selection 2016 In Eurovision2016 Stockholm SongThe Real Thing (2016) Biography Highway is a Montenegrin band. They were founded in 2013 by Petar Tošić, Marko Pešić and Luka Vojdović. They enjoyed listening to pop, rock, blues and jazz, and their Idol was Ed Sheeran. The band rose to fame when they participated in the 2nd season of X Factor Adria and ended in 4th place. Their audition song in The X Factor, “Bar na kratko”, also became their first hit. They participated in another contest, Sunčane Skale, with that song. They reached the 3rd place in the newcomer section of the contest. In October 2015, it was announced that they would represent Montenegro in the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest. On 23 November they presented their first song, “Sam”. A month later, Bojan Jovović, former member of No Name, joined the group. The song they brought in Eurovision, entitled “The real thing”, was presented in March 2016. At the Eurovision Song Contest itself, the band unfortunately didn’t manage to reach the final. The follow up of the Eurovision song, “Lud”, was released in October of 2016. On July 28, 2017, their video of the song “Što dalje” was published. In 2018, the band signed with Croatia Records. Their first successes were “Navika” and “Salt Lake City”. In 2019, they performed at the Miss Montenegro ceremony. In 2020, the journal CDM declared that the music video for the song “Navika” is one of the most beautiful Montenegrin music videos. In 2021, they were nominated at the Adria Muzzik Video Awards 2020 in the category of Best Rock Music Video for the song “Svijetlija Strana Ulice”. They lost to the music video for the song “Ti Si Taj” by the Serbian band Goblini. Also in 2021, they released their first album, “Skica Za Portret,” which includes 10 tracks, including 2 unreleased songs. Entries The Real Thing Country🇲🇪 Montenegro Year2016 LanguageEnglish LyricsSrđan Sekulović Skansi MusicSrđan Sekulović SkansiMaro MarketLuka Vojvodić BackingsNikola MarjanovićMarija Lazić Results Semi Points: 60Position: 13Running order: 15 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/FgKehisElQI

Yüksek Sadakat

About Quick Facts NameKenan VuralSerkan ÖzgenKutlu ÖzmakinacıUğur OnatkutAlpay Şalt Founded1997 Nationality🇹🇷 Turkish National SelectionInternal selection 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongLive It Up (2011) Biography Yüksek Sadakat, founded in 2004, is a Turkish rock band initially formed by bass guitarist Kutlu Özmakinacı in Istanbul in 1997. Kutlu Özmakinacı, born in 1966 in İzmir, started his law education at Istanbul University in the 1980s. During his university years, he began playing the electric guitar and started his first musical endeavors with amateur university bands. After graduating, Özmakinacı played in various bars in Istanbul from 1986 to 1988. In 1988, he took a break from music to start a career in journalism with Sokak magazine in 1989. During his journalism career, Özmakinacı met members of the disbanded Turkish rock band Aqua. In 1991, he restarted his music career with these members, marking his first significant foray into the music industry. In 1997, after leaving Aqua members in 1995 and spending two years searching for a new group, Özmakinacı formed the band Filinta. This band is considered an early version of Yüksek Sadakat. However, the songs from this period are largely inaccessible, with some later released under Yüksek Sadakat. Following the disbandment of Filinta, Özmakinacı continued his pursuit of music. He began songwriting with Mutlu Çağlayan and reconnected with former Filinta members Uğur Onakut and Deniz Alemdar in 2003. Serkan Özgen, a veteran of the 1990s band Bulutsuzluk Özlemi, joined the group in 2003. In 2004, Özmakinacı officially formed Yüksek Sadakat. The band’s name translates to “High Fidelity.” The band’s debut album, “Yüksek Sadakat,” was released in January 2005. It featured Sufi-inspired lyrics and themes of love and spirituality. The band received significant attention for their music videos and won the 33rd Golden Butterfly Award for “Best Newcomer” alongside Grup Seksendört. After the success of their first album, the band faced member changes. Vocalist Cemil Demirbakan and drummer Deniz Alemdar left and were replaced by Kenan Vural and Alpay Şalt. Their second album, “Katil & Maktûl,” released in March 2008, continued to explore themes of love and Sufism. Yüksek Sadakat represented Turkey at the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Live It Up.” They did not advance to the finals, marking a significant moment in the band’s history. The “Renk Körü” album, released during this period, marked a significant evolution in the band’s style, featuring themes and sounds distinct from their previous albums. More lineup changes occurred in 2013, with the departure of Kenan Vural and Alpay Şalt. They were replaced by Selçuk Sami Cingi and former drummer Deniz Alemdar. The album “IV” represented another evolution in their music style, with a distinctly different sound from their previous albums. The band planned a new album in 2020, delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The album “Rengarenk” was announced for release on September 24, 2021. Throughout their career, Yüksek Sadakat has been known for their frequent changes in vocalists and drummers, and their music has evolved significantly over the years, reflecting changes in lineup and artistic direction. Entries Live It Up Country🇹🇷 Turkey Year2011 LanguageEnglish LyricsErgün Arsal MusicKutlu Özmakinacı DancersLeilani Franco Results Semi Points: 47Position: 13Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/-6Ew5qYzo9k?si=oX4M2hpTXr6FhhlM