Traditional music

Ansambel Žlindra

About Quick Facts MembersRok ŽlindraBarbara OgrincNejc DrobničRok Modic Founded2005 Nationality🇸🇮 Slovenian National SelectionEMA 2010 In Eurovision2010 Oslo SongNarodnozabavni Rock (& Kalamari, 2010) Biography Ansambel Roka Žlindre, also known as Ansambel Žlindra, is a folk music group that started in 2005. They are from Sodražica. The group has three musicians and two singers. In 2010, they performed at the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo with the group Kalamari. The Roka Žlindre Ensemble includes Rok Žlindra, who plays the accordion and leads the group, Boštjan Merhar on guitar, Rok Modic on bass, and singers Barbara Ogrinc and Kristjan Oven. Before Merhar, Toni Tomas Lovšin played guitar, and before Oven, Tadej Osvald was a singer. The group has been active since 2005. In the next two years, they joined the Graška Gora festival and won the Silver Shepherd award twice. After two years, they did well at a festival in Dolenjske Toplice, winning awards from both the audience and the judges. In 2008, they performed in Škofja Loka and Graška Gora, winning audience awards and other prizes. Their most successful years were 2009 and 2010. They won awards at top festivals like Slovenska polka in valček and in Ptuj. They are best known for winning EMA and performing at Eurovision in Oslo in 2010 with the song “Narodnozabavni rock.” They did not make it to the final round. In 2011, the group toured western Canada, hosted by Slovenian clubs. They spent most of their time in Vancouver and Calgary, and also visited Kelowna. During the tour, they saw sights like Myra Canyon and watched a hockey game. They even visited the USA for a day. The tour lasted one month. In 2015, to celebrate their 10th anniversary, they held a concert called “Mi ga pa žlindramo” in Ribnica’s Sports Hall. Television Slovenia recorded the concert and showed it in two parts the next year. At this concert, they introduced a new song “Nasmehni se,” recorded with their idols, the Franc Mihelič Ensemble, who are also from Sodražica. In February 2016, they released a single “Le tvoj parfum”. In June, it was followed by “Mi ga pa žlindramo”. Also in 2016, bass singer Tadej Oswald left the band. He was succeeded by Kristian Oven. The first record with the new bass singer was called “Pogrešam te” and was released in March 2017. The song immediately reached the Slovenian charts, and reached the #1 spot on the domestic charts. In December, the song “Neumen in mlad” came out. At the Pesem prepostih Ljudi concert the band received the award for best ensemble by the jury in February 2018. In the summer, they did a lot of performances. In September, Boštjan Merhar left the band. The last song including him was called “Ko se ženi ribnčan”. Matic Padaršič was the new group member. In December 2018 the band came up with two Christmas songs, “Srečno novo leto” and “Srečno novo leto”. The new song “Veliko je želja” was premiered at the Slovenska Polka in Valček Festival in 2019. For the festival they teamed up with the group Amabile. They reached the final with their song. In September of the same year they released the song “Kaj pa vidva”. In February 2020 the band started a concert tour along with Amabile, the Iskreno tour. Unfortunately, some of the concerts had to be cancelled. Due to COVID19 they could not be held on another time. In September 2020, the new single “V tvojem objemu se pomirim” came out. After a long time of silence, in January 2022 the news came that Rok Modic, Matic and Kristian left the band. Only Rok Žlindra and Barbara continued, together with new members Blaž Žnidaršič (guitar and drums) and Jernej Oblak (tuba, accordion, trumpet, baritone, and bass). In March 2024 they released a new polka, “Nočem bit ujet”. Entries Narodnozabavni Rock (& Kalamari) Country🇸🇮 Slovenia Year2010 LanguageSlovenian LyricsLeon Oblak MusicMarino Legovič Backings– Results Semi Points: 6Position: 16Running order: 11 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/2faHkE1JZwc?si=QcJWZx4srVTPW_yJ

Lozano

About Quick Facts NameVlatko Lozanoski Born27 June 1985 Nationality🇲🇰 North Macedonian National SelectionInternal selection 2013Skopje Fest 2010Skopje Fest 2009 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongPred Da Se Razdeni (with Esma Redžepova) Biography Vlatko Lozanoski, popularly known as Lozano, is a prominent Macedonian singer born on June 27, 1985. Lozano made his debut on the music scene during the talent show Mak Dzvezdi which ran from September 2007 to May 2008. Not long after, he clinched the top spot at Macedonia’s first Radio Festival, Svezdena Nok , with his song “Vrati Me” – which was also his first single. He soon released another single titled “Obicen Bez Tebe”. In 2008, he showcased “Vremeto Da Zastane” at MakFest, North Macedonia’s premier music festival. This performance earned him the Debut Prize. Just two days later, he achieved another accolade: the MakFest Grand Prix, determined by audience votes. His subsequent single was “Sonce Ne Me Gree”. In 2009, Lozano sought to represent North Macedonia in the Eurovision Song Contest. Singing “Blisku Do Mene,” he secured fourth place in the national selection Skopje Fest. That same year, Lozano made his presence felt internationally, securing the second prize at both the Pjesma Mediterana Festival in Budva, Montenegro, and the Slavianski Bazar Festival in Vitebsk, Belarus. Another significant achievement that year was his duet “I’m Your Angel” with Magdalena Cvetkoska at the Golden Wings Festival in Moldova, where they clinched the second prize and Lozano was acknowledged as the Best Male Voice. The year 2010 marked another milestone in his career with the release of his debut album, aptly titled “Lozano”. In the same year, he vied for a spot in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Letam kon tebe”, finishing fourth in the national selection. The end of 2012 brought exciting news for Lozano’s fans. On December 28th, Macedonian Radio-Television (MRT) confirmed that Lozano, in collaboration with the legendary Esma Redžepova, would represent North Macedonia in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden. They performed “Pred da se razdeni”. Despite their combined talents, they were unable to progress beyond the second semi-final. For the second year in a row however, Lozano was voted Best Singer by pop magazine Backstage. In May 2014, Lozano did an Australian tour. A month later, he released a new single, “Mandarina”. The song reached the #1 spot at the Mac Hit list. At the Mars Awards the song won prizes for Song Of The Year and the public vote. The follow up of the song, “Kako Tebe Nema Druga” came in June 2015. A video of the song “Zena Kako Ti” was released in June 2016, followed by “Bonbona” a month later. That song won a prize at Mars 2016. It was awarded Radio Pop Hit of 2016. A year later, it was in summer again, in July, that new music was released: a single and a video titled “Ova leto ke se pamti”. The song won no less than 3 awards at Mars 2017: Absolute Radio Hit, Best Song of 2017 and Best Lyrics. His new song “Kilometri” was released in March 2018. Within 2 months, the song had 1.000.000 views on YouTube. The song was followed by “Jako Jako” in July, a song that even reached 3 million views in a short time. The song was voted song of the Year 2018, while Lozano was voted Singer Of The Year. In November, the song “Nadez” was released. In January 2019, a new album appeared: “Deset”, Lozano’s 3rd album. For the song “Kilometri”, Lozano won an Oskar Popularnosti in Bosnia and Herzegovina. “Deset” was awarded Album of the Year by magazine Story. In March 2019, a new song, “Majko” was released, including video. Among his performances, shows in Bern, Switzerland were included. Also, on 23 March 2019, Lozano was able to perform in the VIP Arena in Skopje. In August, “Ne te vadem op pamet” was his new song and video. In November, he was voted Man Of The Year by Maz Na Godinata. The song “Majko” was awarded a Mac Music Award. Unfortunately, a planned tour through the USA and Canada had to be cancelled due to COVID19. In January 2021 Lozano released a song, “Adugar”, for the children’s tv show Dajte Muzika. In April, he released an own new single called “Vardare”. A year later, “Posle ponokj” was released, followed in June by “Me nervinas”. Entries Pred Da Se Razdeni (& Esma Redžepova) Country🇲🇰 North Macedonia Year2013 LanguageMacedonianRomani LyricsMagdalena Cvetkovska MusicDarko DimitrovLazar CvetkovskiSimeon Atanasov BackingsEleonora MustafovskaNina Yaneva Results Semi Points: 28Position: 16Running order: 13 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/Vi1VYsOUCsY?si=tto_8mYl1b0Z2-4o

Esma Redžepova

About Quick Facts NameEsma Redžepova-Teodosievska Born08 August 1943 Deceased11 December 2016 Nationality🇲🇰 North Macedonian National SelectionInternal selection 2013Specialen Evroviziski Den 2006Jugovizija 1971 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongPred Da Se Razdeni (2013, with Lozano) Biography Early Life and Introduction to Music Born on August 8, 1943, in the heart of Skopje, North Macedonia, Esma hailed from the vibrant Romani district of Čair. The youngest in a family of six, Esma’s early years were deeply influenced by the rich tapestry of Romani culture. Her initiation into the world of music began at local events and ceremonies where, even as a child, her melodious voice made her a favorite. In a fortuitous twist of fate, 13-year-old Esma’s talent caught the attention of Stevo Teodosievski, a prominent Macedonian composer and bandleader. Seeing potential in the young songbird, Teodosievski not only mentored her in music but also adopted her, ensuring she received both formal education and intensive musical training. Embarking on a Musical Journey Under Teodosievski’s guidance, Esma’s repertoire expanded to include various genres: from Macedonian folk to Romani ballads, Turkish classics, and even modern pop. By 1961, she was ready to record her first song. “Čaje Šukarije”, with its catchy rhythm and Esma’s unique voice, became an instant success, marking the beginning of her ascendancy as the “Queen of Romani Songs”. Esma’s distinct sound stemmed from her ability to seamlessly blend traditional Romani music with other genres. This adaptability made her music universally appealing, allowing her to transcend national borders. Throughout the 60s and 70s, her fame skyrocketed, leading to performances across Europe, Asia, and even Africa. In 1971 she took part in Jugovizija, the Yugoslav national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. Her song “Malo Malo” earned a 3rd place. Career Milestones and International Acclaim Across her illustrious career, Esma recorded over 500 songs and produced multiple albums. She performed in over 40 countries and sang in multiple languages, a testament to both her versatility and the universality of her music. Her tunes resonated with a wide audience, from the Balkans to the far reaches of the Middle East and beyond. One of her most memorable moments on the international stage came in 2013 when she represented Macedonia at the Eurovision Song Contest. Alongside singer Lozano, Esma showcased her timeless appeal to a European audience, further cementing her legacy. Beyond Music: A Humanitarian at Heart While music was her first love, Esma’s heart had room for much more. She was deeply moved by the plight of her Romani community, which, despite its rich cultural heritage, often faced prejudice and social exclusion. Together with Teodosievski, who she later married, Esma embarked on numerous humanitarian projects. The couple’s most notable endeavor was their decision to foster 47 destitute children. But for Esma and Teodosievski, fostering wasn’t just about providing shelter; it was about holistic development. The children were given formal education, trained in the arts, and most importantly, taught the values of love and unity. This led to the establishment of their ensemble, where many of their foster children performed, thus ensuring the next generation carried forward the Romani musical tradition. Esma’s relentless efforts towards uplifting the Romani community didn’t go unnoticed. The community lovingly bestowed upon her the title of “Romani Mother Theresa”. Legacy Esma Redžepova’s passing on December 11, 2016, marked the end of an era. Yet, her legacy is far from forgotten. As the voice of the Romani people, she championed their cause, bringing their music and issues to the global forefront. More than just an artist, Esma was an emblem of unity, resilience, and compassion. Entries Pred Da Se Razdeni (with Lozano) Country🇲🇰 North Macedonia Year2013 LanguageMacedonianRomani LyricsMagdalena Cvetkovska MusicDarko DimitrovLazar CvetkovskiSimeon Atanasov BackingsEleonora MustafovskaNina Yaneva Results Semi Points: 28Position: 16Running order: 13 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/Vi1VYsOUCsY?si=mmMG0NSQ1sYLooy0

Koza Mostra

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts MembersIlias KozasAlexis ArchontisStelios SiomosChristos KalaitzopoulosVasilis NalbantisDimitris Christonis (not on stage) Founded2011 Nationality🇬🇷 Greek National SelectionEurosong 2013 – a MAD Show In EurovisionMalmö 2013 SongAlcohol Is Free (2013, with Agathon Iakovidis) Biography Formed by Ilias Kozas in 2011, Koza Mostra is a Greek rock ensemble that seamlessly blends ska, punk, and rock with the distinctive sounds of traditional Greek folk, such as Macedonian Greek rhythms and rebetiko. The band features Ilias Kozas (lead vocals, classical and electric guitar), Dimitris Raptis (drums), Stavros Apostolidis (bouzouki and backing vocals), Giannis Bellos (bass and backing vocals), Tasos Gentzis (saxophone and backing vocals), and Asterios Fragos (electric guitar and backing vocals). In 2013, alongside Agathonas Iakovidis, they took the Eurovision Song Contest by storm with their catchy tune “Alcohol Is Free,” securing a commendable 6th place in the final. That same year, their debut album, “Keep up the Rhythm,” earned a triple Platinum certification from the IFPI, a key authority in the Greek music industry. Four years later, in 2017, they dropped their second album, “Corrida.” The single “Don’t panic, we’re on Titanic” followed. In 2018 they released a Theodorakis cover, “Leventis”. In April 2019, the band teamed up with the band Kultur Shock for several performances. The band did a European tour and performed in Bulgaria, Czechia and Italy and later in Germany. On January 31, 2020, a new single was released: “Requiem”. The song featured Pedro Erazo. It took 2 years, until June 29 2022, when a new song, “Bilio” was released. The song was followed by a tour. They visited Bulgaria again, and in 2023 Germany, Serbia and The Netherlands. Entries Alcohol is Free (With Agathon Iakovidis) Country🇬🇷 Country Year2013 LanguageEnglishGreek LyricsStathis PachidisIlias Kozas MusicIlias Kozas FeaturingAgathonas Iakovidis Results Semi Points: 121Position: 2Running order: 9 Results Finals Points: 152Position: 6Running order: 21 https://youtu.be/LFs9AdNV4Qw

Agathonas Iakovidis

About Quick Facts NameAgathonas Iakovidis Born02 January 1955 Deceased05 August 2020 Nationality🇬🇷 Greek National SelectionEurosong 2013 – A MAD Show In Eurovision2013, Malmö SongAlcohol Is Free (2013, with Koza Mostra) Biography Agathonas Iakovidis was a Greek rebetiko singer and composer. He was born in Evangelismos Lagada Thessaloniki in 1955. His parents were refugees from Anatolia; therefore, the first songs he listened to were melodies from that region. He began to engage with music in 1971 and gradually taught himself to play almost all string instruments of rebetiko songs, namely: guitar, baglama, oud, bouzouki, tzoura, mandola, mandolin. In 1973, he made his first professional appearance in a nightclub in Thessaloniki. He immediately realized that the music that expresses him and suits him is rebetiko and dedicated himself exclusively to it. He owned many rare phonograph records with rebetiko songs and used his collection for radio music shows. In 1977, he created the Rebetiko Group of Thessaloniki, with which he performed in venues, held concerts, and recorded two albums. In 1981, he decided to move to Athens. He collaborated with renowned artists of popular music. He became more famous and performed concerts all over Greece and abroad, in Europe and the USA. Since 1987, he lived and worked in Thessaloniki. His discography was exclusively about rebetiko. He had performed many popular rebetika as well as old, unknown songs that he retrieved from the rich archival material he owned. In 2013, he had accepted the invitation of the band Koza Mostra to participate with them in the Eurovision Festival in Malmö, Sweden, with the song “Alcohol Is Free”, with which they advanced to the final of the event and finished in 6th place. He passed away on August 5, 2020, from a heart attack while sleeping. Entries Alcohol Is Free (with Koza Mostra) Country🇬🇷 Country Year2013 LanguageEnglishGreek LyricsStathis PachidisIlias Kozas MusicIlias Kozas Koza MostraIlias KozasAlexis ArchontisStelios SiomosChristos KalaitzopoulosVasilis NalbantisDimitris Christonis (not on stage) Results Semi Points: 121Position: 2Running order: 9 Results Finals Points: 152Position: 6Running order: 21 https://youtu.be/LFs9AdNV4Qw

Ethno-Jazz Band Iriao

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts MembersBidzina MurguliaLevan AbshilavaShalva GelekvaGeorge AbashidzeMikheil Javakhishvili Founded2013 Nationality???????? Georgian National SelectionInternal selection 2018 In Eurovision2018 Lisbon SongFor you (2018) Biography Iriao is a jazz and ethnic folk music group from Georgia. The band is named after the “Maskulinum” (Iriao-uruao), which is used as onomatopoeia for the Krimanchuli, the Georgian yodel. The group of seven (David Malazonia, Nuzgar Kavtaradze and David Japaridze were not on stage in Eurovision) was founded in 2013 by David Malazonia. It is considered the first group to combine jazz with Georgian ethnic folk. Founder David Malazonia lives in Germany, where he writes music for TV, theater and other projects. The band first appeared internationally at the Borneo Jazz Festival in Malaysia in 2014. The group was selected as the representative of Georgia for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon with the song “For you”. In October 2018, they were able to perform in Moscow. A month later, David Malazonia got very seriously indured by an accident in Beijing. Iriao organized a benefit concert in order to collect money for his treatment. In 2019, Iriao performed at the Baku Summer Jazz Days in Azerbaijan and at the Days Of Georgian Culture in Minsk, Belarus. In November of the same year, they performed at the Münsterland Festival in Germany. Entries For You Country???????? Georgia Year2018 LanguageGeorgian LyricsIrina Sanikidze MusicDavid MalazoniaMikheil Mdinaradze Backings– Results Semi Points: 24Position: 18Running order: 10 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/FvVx5-mzmm0

Klapa s mora

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts MembersMarko ŠkugorAnte GalićNikša AnticaLeon BataljakuIvica VlaićBojan Kavedžija Active2013 Nationality🇭🇷 Croatian National SelectionInternal selection 2013 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongMižerja (2013) Biography Klapa s Mora was a traditional Croatian music ensemble. It was a super klapa group that included six male klapa from five existing klapagroups in Croatia. The group was built up especially for the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest. For the occasion, “Mižerja” was written. Unfortunately, the group did not reach the final in the contest. Originating from Dalmatia, Croatia, Klapa music is a traditional style of a cappella singing. The term “klapa” means “a group of friends,” and the style is deeply connected to coastal church chants. Its themes often revolve around love, the homeland, the sea, and the joys of wine. While harmony and melody dominate Klapa music, rhythm isn’t typically emphasized. In recognition of its cultural significance, UNESCO added Klapa to its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2012. A typical klapa ensemble includes a first tenor, a second tenor, a baritone, and a bass. While all voice parts can be doubled, the first tenor remains singular. These groups usually feature up to twelve male singers. Although female klapa groups have gained popularity recently, groups traditionally remain either all-male or all-female without mixing. While klapa traditionally is a cappella, sometimes a soft guitar or mandolin, which resembles a tamburitza in look and sound, complements the singers. Additionally, synthesizer keyboards mimicking percussion instruments can occasionally accompany the ensemble. Klapa music remains a vibrant tradition with new compositions emerging and dedicated festivals celebrating it. Notably, the Dalmatian Klapas Festival in Omiš stands out as a premier event with deep roots in Klapa music. In recent years, Klapa Šufit has made a mark there, clinching the top spot for three consecutive years from 2006 to 2008. Klapa holds a special place in the hearts of Dalmatian youth who often indulge in this musical tradition during outings for meals or drinks. It’s common to encounter impromptu klapa performances in the evenings, set against a backdrop of food and wine on the streets. Entries Mižerja Country🇭🇷 Croatia Year2013 LanguageCroatian LyricsGoran Topolovac MusicGoran Topolovac Backings– Results Semi Points: 38Position: 13Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/FYm4sGd-qP0?si=jEPyb0lasQaMpTd4

Naviband

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts MembersKsenia ZhukArtem Lukyanenko Founded2013 Nationality???????? Belarusian National SelectionBelarusian National Final 2017Belarusian National Final 2016 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongHistoryja majho žyccia (2017) Biography Naviband is a Belarusian duo, currently living in Poland. The band consists of vocalist and guitarist Artem Lukyanenko and vocalist and keyboardist Ksenia Zhuk. The duo also collaborates with bassist Uladzislaŭ Čaščavik, guitarist Aliaksandr Taboĺski and drummer Uladzimir Biehier. Lukyanenko was born in Glubokoye, graduated in journalism from the Belarusian State University and worked in the radio station Stalica. He was also the guitarist of the band Tim Erna. Zhuk was born in Minsk. She has been dealing with music since childhood, and her vocal talent was noticed when she was 11 years old. She herself teached children to sing in a music school. She was also the vocalist of the band Sonika. They both actively promote the Belarusian language. The two met in 2013 and married on September 5, 2014 in Minsk. In 2014, the Naviband released two studio albums: “Lovi” in January and “Soncam sahretyja in December”. Their song “Abdymi myane” received the Lira award for “the best Belarusian-language song of 2014”. In 2015, they won a competition for young Belarusian-speaking performers. In 2016, they took part in the national qualifiers for the 61st Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Heta ziamlya”. The duo took 4th place. In August of that year, they created the official song of the Belarusian football team. In 2017, they took part in the national Eurovision final again, this time with the song “Historyja majho žyccia”. They won and thus became the representatives of Belarus in the Eurovision Song Contest. It was the first piece in the history of the competition performed in Belarusian. On the day of the Belarusian national final of the Belarusian qualifiers, i.e. January 20, 2017, they released another studio album, entitled “Illuminaciya”, which included, among others, the Eurovision song. At the Eurovision Song Contest, the duo reached the final and became 17th there. In June 2017, they became the ambassadors of the Coca-Cola advertising campaign in Belarus. They created the Belarusian-language text of the song “Taste the Feeling” (used in the company’s advertisements around the world) and their own arrangement of this song. In October 2017, they announced the release of another album by the end of the year, “Adnoj darohaj”, which was released on December 8, 2017. On December 4, they presented a music video for the song “A dzie žyvieš ty?”, in which they announced that they are expecting a child . Their son, Maciej, was born on May 1, 2018. In March 2018, they became ambassadors of the Easter advertising campaign of the Jewroopt chain of stores. In September 2018 they published a song in Ukrainian, “Sumne more” . On December 5, 2019, the band released their fifth album, “Naviband”. In 2020, during protests in Belarus, the duo released two songs to support the protesters, “Inshymi” and “Diewoczka w biełom”, which is dedicated to the protesting women. The first one was sung live during one of the protests. In November of that year, they released another song dedicated to the protesters, “Milyon smutku”. In 2021, on the occasion of Freedom Day, they released the song “Volnyja sny”.together with the band Val . Entries Historya majho žyccia Country???????? Belarus Year2017 LanguageBelarusian LyricsArtem Lukyanenko MusicArtem Lukyanenko BackingsOlga Rozaleon-SashalskayaAnna ChetAlena VerbitskayaMichael Soul Results Semi Points: 110Position: 9Running order: 14 Results Finals Points: 83Position: 17Running order: 3 https://youtu.be/coFfFZvPmRY