Spain

Spain: Benidorm Fest semifinal 2

Tonight is the night: Benidorm Fest will have it’s second and last semifinal. Benidorm Fest is the Spanish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. The show starts at 22.50 and can be seen here. Out of 9 songs, 4 will qualify for the final. The songs are: Alfred García sings “Desde que tú estás” Blanca Paloma sings “Eaea” E’Femme sings “Uff!!” Famous Oberogo sings “La lola” José Otero sings “Inviemos en Marte” Karmento sings “Quiero y duelo” Rakky Ripper sings “Traccíon” Siderland sings “Que esclati tot” Vicco sings “Nonchentera” Alfred García represented Spain in 2018 with the song “Tu cancíon”, in duet with Amaia.Blanca Paloma took part in Benidorm Fest 2022 and became 5th.Famous Oberogo took part in Operacíon Triunfo 2019 and became 7th in the Eurovision final.

Benidorm Fest Semi Final 1 results

It’s been a long night in Benidrom, but the spanish people and jury have voted! Agoney has won tonight’s Semi Final with 161 points! He got the maximal amount of points that you can get from the televote, which is 40. Wil he get the Benidorm trophy this Saturday? Not only Agoney went through, but Alice Wonder, Fusa Nocta & Megara qualified for the final aswell. It’s also notable that fan favorite Aritz Aren barely missed out on the final, with a shortage of 4 points.

Spain: Benidorm Fest starts

Tonight is the night: Benidorm Fest will start. Benidorm Fest is the Spanish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. The show starts at 22.50 and can be seen here. Out of 9 songs, 4 will qualify for the final. The songs are: Agoney sings “Quiero ardar” Alice Wonder sings “Yo quisiera” Aritz Aren sings “Flamenco” Fusa Nocta sings “Mi familia” Megara sings “Arcadia” Meler sings “No nos moverán” Sharonne sings “Aire” Sofia Martín sings “Tuki” Twin Melody sings “Sayonara” Agoney took part in Operación Triunfo 2017. He became 5th.

Alfred García

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameAlfred García Castillo Born14 March 1997 Nationality???????? Spanish National SelectionOperación Triunfo 2017/18 In Eurovision2018 Tel Aviv SongTu cancíon (2018, with Amaia Romero) Biography Alfred García Castillo, born in El Prat de Llobregat, Barcelona, , known as Alfred or Alfred García, is a Spanish singer, songwriter, producer and performer. He began singing in musical bars in the summer of 2011 at the age of just 14. A year later, he released his first self produced album produced by him, entitled “Beginning” and at 17, thanks to the project musical and cultural La Capsa, recorded his first single, “She looks so beautiful”. With that song, he won the audience award at the Cara B festival. In 2016, Alfred participated in the blind auditions of La Voz (The Voice). However he was not selected by any coach, so he could not continue. That same year, he self-published INBLACK (Volume One), an acoustic tribute album. In 2017, Alfred appeared at Operación Triunfo. He made it to the final of the contest. As a finalist, he was also candidate to represent Spain in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest with two songs: a solo song called “Que nos sigan las Luces” and a duet with his girlfriend Amaia called “Tu canción”. Alfred and Amaia’s song won and became 23rd in the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon. In April 2018, Alfred was the winner of the Ciudad del Prat Award as an artist and singer. During his time at the Operación Triunfo academy he composed new songs in order to include these songs in his first record. On May 9, 2018, the singer-songwriter announced a “test tour”, where he would show the public some of the candidate songs to be included in his debut album. In June 2018, five months after the Eurovision Gala, the solo song presented by Alfred (“Que nos sigan las luces”) was number one in downloads on iTunes and exceeded 6 million listeners on Spotify. The song earned a gold disc, making it Alfred’s first solo gold record. The first studio album after living the Operación Triunfo experience, entitled “1016”, making a nod to the number that they put in the casting of the talent show, was recorded during October 2018. The album was released on December 14, 2018. Alfred became the first Spanish male artist to record streaming on Spotify on its first day on the market and the first Spanish artist with 16 songs in the top 200 of Spotify Spain, 15 of them in the top 100, the first day of release. The album “1016” was certified gold in its fourth week on the market. Also obtaining the gold record certificate on February 12 for his first single De la tierra hasta Marte”. His new tour, “1016”, started in February 2019. After finishing this tour, the singer continued and went on tour at the biggest festivals in the country, such as Holika or Mediterránea. In July 2019 he has returned to the Share Festival, a solidarity festival in which he has collaborated with Nil Moliner in “Que nos sigan las Luces”, with Carlos Sadness in a more summery and festival version of soul “Don’t count on me” and with the rapper Rayden, in a song called “Comunicado oficial”. In August, 2019, he gave his first concert for in Latin America, in Buenos Aires. In March 2020 he created and lead his first management company, “Salvar a los penguins, S.L.” On December 21, 2020, he announced on his social networks that he would return to music after a period of time without musical activity. On January 15, 2021, the song “”Los Espabilados was published. Entries Tu Canción (Amaia & Alfred) Country???????? Spain Year2018 LanguageSpanish LyricsRaúl GómezSylvia Santoro MusicRaúl GómezSylvia Santoro Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 61Position: 23Running order: 2 https://youtu.be/28oMEFgSoyk

Amaia Romero

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameAmaia Romero Arbizu Born03 January 1999 Nationality???????? Spanish National SelectionOperación Triunfo 2017/18 In Eurovision2018 Lisbon SongTu cancíon (2018, with Alfred García) Biography Amaia Romero Arbizu, born in Pamplona, known simply as Amaia, is a Spanish singer and songwriter. In 2010, at the age of 11, she participated in the children’s talent show Cántame una canción. A year later In 2011, she was one of the two winners Rock Camp 2011. In 2012 she participated in the first edition of El numero uno, managing to stay in the competition for 6 weeks. After a few years of training, Amaia collaborated with the Navarrese group Lemon y Tal on the song “Cicatrices de mi reality”. In 2017, she auditioned for Operación Triunfo and was selected. On February 5 2018, she was proclaimed the winner of the edition with 46% of the votes. On March 16, Universal Music Spain released the singer’s first compilation album in the form of a magazine in its physical edition, entitled “Amaia Romero”, her songs, which included the singer’s performances during her time with Operación Triunfo, including “City of stars» in duet with Alfred García, «Con las gana» in a duet with Aitana and «Shake it out», reached the top 3 of the list of sales and digital platforms. Due to her participation in Operación Triunfo, she was a candidate to represent Spain in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest. In this way, she was assigned the songs “Al cancanta”, and “Tu cancion”, the latter sung with her partner and boyfriend Alfred García. In the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon The Spanish representatives Amaia and Alfred reached the 23rd place. On September 3, the promotional short for the Temporada Alta 2018 theater festival titled “La Voz de España” was published, starring Amaia. In this short film set in a television program from the 1970s, Amaia performs the song “I’m a rebel” by Jeanette. During a U2 concert in September of that year, Amaia sang a duet with Bono. On November 23, a new version of “Al Cantar” was published, the latter in a duet with Rozalén. In addition she worked together with Carolina Durante, in a song called “Perdona (Now Sí Que Sí)” . A new song with Alfred was also released, “ On December 14, her collaboration with the artist Alfred García was published, a Jazz song in Catalan entitled «Et vulle veure”. Shortly after, the releationship with Alfred García ended. In May 2019, she released her first single, entitled “El Relámpago”, followed by “Nadie podría hacerlo” in June. In August of the same year, she published her third single “Quedará en nos mente” as a preview of her first album. That album, “Pero no pasa nada” was published in September. In 2020, Amaia participated in the Goya Awards during its 34th edition. She performed the song ‘Canción de Marisol’ that appears in the film “Ha Llegado Un Ángel”. On May 1, 2020, the documentary : Una Vuelta al sol” directed by Marc Pujolar premiered on Amazon Prime Video. The documentary shows the process of creating the album ‘Pero no pasa nada’ as well as some of her concerts. In October 2020, Amaia launches a collaboration, together with the singer and producer Alizzz, called “El Encuentro”. In February 2021, Amaia launches a collaboration, together with Los Hermanos Cubero, called «Efímera». Amaia also participated in the documentary ‘Pongamos que hablo de Camela’. On April 8, she released a duet with the singer Mikel Erentxun called “Esos ojos negros”. This song would form part of Erentxun’s next album. In September 2021, Amaia starred in the spot for the new Mahou campaign together with both her grandmothers. On October 1, 2021, Amaia releases “Yo Invito”, the the first song of the second album that would be released at the end of the year. On November 24, Amaia premiered “Quiero Pero No”, her second single from her second studio album. The song is a collaboration with the fashionable rapper, Rojuu. On May 13 2022, she released her second studio album “Cuando no sé quién soy”. Obtaining the No. 2 of the most listened to albums in Spain and the No. 1 in the best-selling vinyl. Entries Tu cancíon (Amaia & Alfred) Country???????? Spain Year2018 LanguageSpanish LyricsRaúl GómezSylvia Santoro MusicRaúl GómezSylvia Santoro Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 61Position: 23Running order: 2 https://youtu.be/28oMEFgSoyk

Chanel

© EBU, Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameChanel Terrero Martinez Born28 july 1991 Nationality Spanish National SelectionBenidorm Fest 2022 In Eurovision2022 Turin SongSloMo (2022) Biography Chanel Terrero, also known as Chanel, is a Spanish actress, singer and dancer. Chanel was born in Havannah. At the age of three her family moved to Spain, settling in Olesa de Montserrat (Barcelona). From the age of nine, she received singing and acting classes, and ballet classes according to the Royal Academy system. In 2010 Chanel moved to Madrid to start her acting career. She became known throughout the 2010s participating in different musicals, highlighting some well-known ones such as “Mamma Mia!”, “Flashdance”, “The Bodyguard” and “The Lion King”. Her career knows numerous performances on the small and big screen nationally and internationally. In 2015 she participated in “El rey de La Habana” by Agustí Villaronga. As a dancer she has collaborated with different artists. In 2010, she danced with Shakira at the singer’s performance at the MTV Europe Music Awards. She was part of the dance corps of the program “Your face sounds to me” on Antena 3. She appeared at the castings for the musical West Side Story in Spain, being among the three finalists for the character of Anita. She was also among the five finalists for the same character in the new film version of West Side Story, directed by Steven Spielberg. , for which she went to New York. She participated in the Benidorm Fest 2022, the Spanish final for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “SloMo”. She managed to win the contest and thus represented Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest. She became third. Entries SloMo Country Spain Year2022 Language English, Spanish LyricsIberê FortesLeroy SánchezMaggie Szabo MusicArjen ThonenIberê FortesKeith HarrisLeroy SánchezMaggie Szabo DancersPol SotoExon NarcosMaría PérezJosh HuertaRaquel Caurín Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 459Position: 3Running order: 10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSQYTt4xg3I

And this is what we know about the following order

Tonight, during the winners’ press conference, every artist had to draw a ballot for the final. Will they perform in the 1st or in the 2nd half? Last week, the Big 5 already had their draw. However, there is one exception. The organizing country, in this case Italy, had already drawn for the 9th place on an earlier stage. As you notice, most of the countries drew a place in the first half. That means, next Thursday there will be a lot of places available in the 2nd half. 1st half: Armenia France Germany Italy (9th place) Norway Portugal Spain Switzerland The Netherlands Ukraine 2nd half: Iceland Lithuania Moldova United Kingdom

Day 8: Of good voices and proper acts from the Big Five!

It’s the end of the individual rehearsals every year: those of the Big Five. And every year it is the disappointment of a group of countries that seem to be unable to bring anything good to the stage. Last year there was already a noticeable change in this, but this year the countries really surprise! Rehearsals Big Five FRANCE: For the first time since 1996, the Breton language can be heard at the Eurovision Song Contest. Back then France finished at the bottom. That won’t happen now, but the act made quite a messy impression during rehearsals. The points will really have to come in thanks to the song and enthusiasm of Alvan and Ahez. ITALY: The performance of Italy, now that Blanco is around, is rather disappointing. This is mainly due to the poor vocals of both. Mahmood is dressed in black, Blanco in white and there is a lot of light. But that doesn’t help much if the vocals remain as bad as they are now. However, our friends from songfestivalweblog.nl remember that Mahmood did not excel during the rehearsals in 2019 either, but when it came to the jury final and the final, he really showed his best. Perhaps that will happen again three years later. UNITED KINGDOM: Sam Ryder stands amid scaffolding singing his song. And that is all he needs for this song. His strong voice seems to be enough for a very high score, something for which the British have to go way back. The British will also finally experience that you can end up high with a good song. SPAIN: We remember the act, in which singing and dancing are combined, from the Spanish national final. This usually has an effect on the singer’s voice. Not so with Chanel. Because with this performance she proves that she is more, much more than an average pop singer. Like the British, the Spaniards can look forward to the festival with confidence. GERMANY: With guitar and drum machine Malik Harris manages to show an act that is not bad at all. As far as vocals go, Malik continues to do well. The act is not directly in the top-5 with the bookmakers, and the song is perhaps just a bit too anonymous for that. One thing is certain: Germany is also out of the lower regions this year. Conclusion: unlike in previous years, the Big Five seem to be doing reasonably well this year and there is even a potential winner. Has Måneskin’s win brought new impetus to these five countries? Who’ knows…?

Day 6: The Big Five

And then we have the Big Five; we hadn’t heard or seen anything about it until now. So today that has changed. FRANCE: Lots of green on stage with Alvan and Ahez’s French entry. The group members are dressed in black and gold. Eurovision.tv reports very solid bass. Lots of flashes of light and, to the beat of the song, Pyrotechnics can be seen coming from two pots on either side of the stage. ITALY: We see Mahmood, but instead of Blanco there is a stand-in. The grand piano plays a part in the act. Mahmood is dressed in a long black coat. He wears white sunglasses. Mahmood and hist stand-in (Blanco in the next rehearsal) are standing face to face. UNITED KINGDOM: Sam Ryder performs in a huge scaffold that appears to be made of steel. Lots of flashing light on Sam, who is wearing a black jumpsuit. Eurovision.tv praises the strong vocals of the sympathetic singer. SPAIN: Chanel wears a matador outfit, but entirely in silver. The song requires a lot of dancing and there is. Three men and two women, dressed in black, complete the dance act. GERMANY: Malik Harris is featured separately with just his guitar. He wears black pants and a white shirt. Only when the rap part can be heard, everything looks slightly different: according to eurovision.tv there is a big contrast with the rest of the act.

UEFA 2020: 1st Semifinal

UEFA 2020, the European Soccer Championship, begins to look a little bit like Eurovision. Today is the first semifinal. However, there will be no 10 finalists, only one country gets through. This match is between two Southern European countries: Italy and Spain. And again we chose for duets; both are love songs. In 1989, Ana Oxa and Fausto Leali sang “Avrei voluto” (I would have wanted….) for Italy. In 2018 Amaya and Alfred sang “Tu canción” (Your song). One song about someone who doesn’t get the one he wants, the other one about someone who got wat he/she wants.