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Eurovision 2025 in Geneva or Basel

Swiss broadcaster SRG has announced the final two candidates to host the 69th Eurovision Song Contest: Basel and Geneva. SRG has narrowed down the initial bids to these two cities. One of them will host the contest in Switzerland in May 2025, with the final decision to be made in late August. Cities had until the end of June to submit their bids based on a detailed list of requirements. Important criteria included arena facilities, public transport, sustainability, hotel availability, security, waste management, investment, event experience, and city support. A Eurovision Song Contest working group reviewed the bids from Basel, Geneva, Zurich, and Berne/Biel. This review involved both quantitative and qualitative criteria, as well as the cities’ commitment and creative ideas. The goal is to make Eurovision 2025 an unforgettable event. The accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) supervised the assessment of the bids. Following the recommendations of the working group, the ESC 2025 Steering Committee, led by SRG Director General Gilles Marchand, chose Basel and Geneva as the final candidates. Geneva, Commons.wikimedia.org Basel, Commons.wikimedia.org Switzerland will host the 69th Eurovision Song Contest in 2025 because of Nemo’s win in Malmö with the song “The Code,” which scored 591 points in the Grand Final, marking Switzerland’s third Eurovision victory.

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🇮🇸 Blast from the Past: Iceland 1989

We know a lot about Eurovision and we want to share this knowledge with you! Therefore we’d like to bring you a blast from the past. Today this year’s last one before we fully head over to the national final season: Iceland 1989. Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest Iceland’s journey in the Eurovision Song Contest is a tale of persistence, creativity, and cultural expression. Debuting in 1986, this small island nation has become a Eurovision staple, despite never securing the coveted first place. Iceland’s music scene, known for its distinctiveness and innovation, is reflected in their Eurovision entries, ranging from pop and rock to avant-garde and electronic. Iceland’s near-victories include the uptempo song Selma presented in 1999: “All Out Of Luck” and Yohanna‘s heartfelt ballad “Is It True?” in 2009. Both songs reached a 2nd place. Daði og Gagnamagnið‘s quirky, yet catchy “Think About Things” was the top favourite to win in 2020. Unfortunately it didn’t happen as the contest was cancelled due to COVID19. One Icelandic entry ended up with a zero: “Það sem enginn sér” by Daniel Ágúst Haraldsson. That is the song we talk about today. photo: RUV Söngvakeppnin 1989 The Icelandic national final is called Söngvakeppnin. In 1989 it contained only five songs, being: “Það sem enginn sér“, by Daniel Ágúst Haraldsson, 66 pts, 1st “Þú leiddir mig i ljós“, by Jóhanna Linnet, 30 pts, 5th “Linudans“, by Ellen Kristjánsdóttir & Mannakorn, 58 pts, 2nd “Sóley“, by Björgvin Halldórsson & Katla Maria, 44 pts, 4th “Alpatwist” by Bítlavinafélagið, 58 pts, 2nd When the winner was announced, it was not a happy moment for Daniel. Whoever saw the national final could conclude that the singer didn’t express a single sign of happiness. The entire show can be watched here. Daniel Ágúst Haraldsson Daniel Ágúst Haraldsson, an Icelandic musician with a distinctive artistic vision, has carved a unique niche in the world of music. Born on August 26, 1969, in Reykjavik, Iceland, Daniel Ágúst grew up in a country known for its rich musical heritage and stunning landscapes, both of which have influenced his artistic journey. Daniel Ágúst’s musical career began to take shape in the 1980s when he co-founded the band Nýdönsk, one of Iceland’s most popular bands. Known for their blend of rock and brass, Nýdönsk became a cornerstone of the Icelandic music scene. His tenure with Nýdönsk showcased his versatility as a musician and his ability to blend different genres seamlessly. In 1989, as said, he won Söngvakeppnin and thus represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest. Unfortunately, Daniel didn’t manage to earn any points with his song. In 1994, Daniel Ágúst’s musical direction took a significant turn when he joined GusGus, a collective known for its eclectic mix of electronic, house, and techno music. As one of the founding members, he contributed to the band’s first two albums, notably their self-titled debut and “Polydistortion,” which gained international acclaim. His work with GusGus solidified his reputation as a talented and innovative artist in the electronic music scene. After his stint with GusGus, Daniel Ágúst embarked on a solo career, exploring new musical territories. His solo debut, “Swallowed a Star” (2005), was a critical success, lauded for its experimental approach and emotional depth. The album demonstrated his ability to craft intricate soundscapes that are both haunting and beautiful. Aside from his band and solo work, Daniel Ágúst has been involved in various collaborations and projects, contributing to film soundtracks and working with other artists. Það sem enginn sér “Það sem enginn sér” stands out for its emotive and introspective nature, showcasing Daniel Ágúst’s distinctive vocal style. The song’s lyrical depth, exploring themes of introspection and the unseen struggles of the human experience, resonated with the Icelandic audience, making it a strong choice for Eurovision. The song was written and composed by Valgeir Guðjónsson, who previously wrote the 1987 Icelandic entry for Halla Márgret. However, despite its artistic merit and Daniel Ágúst’s compelling performance, “Það sem enginn sér” faced an unexpected setback at the contest. In a turn of events that stunned both the Icelandic delegation and Eurovision fans, the song received zero points, joining the infamous “nul points” club in Eurovision history.

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Germany decides tonight

Germany will select it’s entry tonight. Out of the 9 entries you’ll find below, one will be selected by international juries (50%) and televoters (online/tele/SMS). The show starts at 22:20 CET and you can watch it here and here. 1 Trong Dare to be different 2 René Miller Concrete heart 3 Anica Russo Once upon a dream 4 Lonely spring Misfit 5 Will Church Hold on 6 Patty Gurdy Melodies of hope 7 Ikke Hüftgold Lied mit gutem Text 8 Frida Gold Alle Frauen in mir sind müde 9 Lord of the Lost Blood & glitter

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Malta: third quarterfinal MESC 2023

Tonight, Malta heads to the third quarter final of MESC (Malta Eurovision Song Contest). The show starts on 21.00 CET and you can watch it here. Four quarter finals will be held. Out of 14 songs, 8 will be chosen to go to the semifinal. The songs are: Andre’ Portelli sings “Broken hill” Bradley Debono sings “Blackout” Cheryl Balzan sings “La la land” Chris Grech sings “Indescribable” Dominic & Anna sing “Whatever wind may blow” Giada sings “I depend on you” Greta Tude sings “Sound of my stillettos” Jake sings “Love you like that” James Louis sings “Dream” Jessika sings “Unapologetic” John Galea sings “Trailblazer” Maria Christina sings “Our flame” Ryan Hili sings “In the silence” Stefan Galea sings “Heartbreaker”   Bradley Debono took part in X-Factor 2019, the auditions.Chris Grech was in MESC 2013 (5th), 2014 (13th), 2015 (4th) and X-Factor 2019 (12th).Dominic Cini took part in 2009 (semifinals), 2010 (semifinals), 2015 (12th), 2016 (13th).Anna Azzopardi was present in 2011 (semifinal), 2012 (semifinal), X-Factor 2019 (last 12).Giada took part in MESC last year and became 13th.Jessika took part in MESC 2008 (semifinal), 2009 (semifinal), 2010 (semifinal), 2011 (15th), 2013 (8th), 2014 (8th), 2015 (8th), 2015 (7th) and 2022 (17th). She represented San Marino in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Who we are”, in duet with Jennifer Brening.Maria Christina took part in X-Factor 2019 (auditions).Stefan Galea took part in MESC 2016 (semifinal) and X-Factor 2019 (bootcamp) Note that Aidan, who participated in the first quarterfinal, is disqualified. However, he will go to court to make his disqualification undone. To be continued….

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Another Summer Night. EU Summer party

Ivi Adamou was born and raised in Agia Napa, Cyprus. She was internally elected to represent Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan.  The song  “La La Love” was the winning song of the National Final. The song was named as a “halfway house between Jennifer Lopez’s “On the Floor” . Critics  described it as an “upbeat entry and does appear quite refreshing” and said that despite the fact that the song has been a fan favorite, it won’t be able to win. They were right about that, but she did very well. The song finished 7th in its semi-final and 16th in the grand final, Cyprus’s best result since Lisa Andreas came 5th in the 2004 grand final with “Stronger Every Minute”  Follow our Eurovision Summer Party on Spotify and YouTube  

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1st Rehearsal Spain.

Blas Cantó starts his act, dressed in black, without music. He is alone on stage with a starry sky and moon in the background. Blas does not impress. Appears insecure, and this does not benefit his voice. There is work to be done for Spain. In Cooperation with Eurovision Artists Photo Credits: EBU

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1st Rehearsal Germany. Wiggeling middlefinger on stage

Jendrik is dressed in a pink jacket and blue pants. He is assisted by 4 musicians / dancers, 1 of which is dressed as a “wiggeling middlefinger”. The background is successively blue, alternated with text blocks. The act is colorful, happy, busy and energetic, just like the song. Vocals are fine. The question is if  this will be very successful. In Cooperation with Eurovision Artists Photo Credits: EBU

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Day 5. Live Blog 2nd Rehearsals

Today we will follow the 2nd rehearsals in Ahoy, and will keep you informed live.                                                 In Cooperation with: Eurovision Artists. Photo & Video Credits: EBU 17.15 – Ukraine Last of the day Go_A, performs with a stand-in (Emmy) for singer Kateryna Pavlenko. Kateryna did not feel quite fit this morning, and in accordance with the security measures, she remains in quarantine pending a Covid-19 test. Whether the stand-in Emmy sings live, or whether the tape recording from the first rehearsal was used, is not entirely clear. Fact is, whether you like this genre or not … the act is rock solid. With a 9th place in the polls, Ukraine will undoubtedly easily qualify for the final. 16.50 – Azerbaijan Also today, Efendi puts down a solid rehearsal. Here and there some minor flaws in song and dance, and a little more conviction than last Sunday. 21st place in the poll. A place in the final is certainly not excluded.   16.25 – Romania Roxen performs in the same comfortable as last Sunday. Although vocally a little bit stronger than during the 1st rehearsal, Roxen comes across as nervous and anxious, which does not help her voice and the strong message of her song. 16th in the polls … Final perhaps , if she manages to recover. 16.00 – Israel During the first rehearsal it became clear that it is sometimes difficult for Eden to combine singing and dancing. The whole act looks energic and modern, but also today, Eden has trouble with the combination of singing and dancing. 17th in the polls, but will Israel make it to the final?   15.35 – Belgium. Hooverphonic still impresses today with their modest, sober and well-thought-out act. A welcome change from all the visual violence. Only a 20th place in the polls, but hopefully thanks to the professional jury we will see Belgium back in the final. 14.45 – Croatia Vocally, this rehearsal sounds a lot better than the first. The act is well put together, Albina herself still seems a bit insecure and nervous. Hopefully she will get over that before Tuesday. Own the stage girl!! With a 19th place in the polls, a final place should certainly be possible. 14.20 – Norway Today TIX puts on a much better rehearsal than last saturday, when the nerves seemed to be playing tricks on him. TIX has a high favor- and sympathy factor, and with a 15th place in the polls, we would like to see him back in the final. 13:55 – Cyprus Elena once again puts on an okay rehearsal, occasionally she sounds a bit out of breath. With seventh place in the polls, Cyprus will reach the final without too much trouble. 1.30 pm – Ireland Hard work has been done in the Irish camp in recent days. The whole thing seemed very messy last Saturday, during the 2nd rehearsal all the graphics come into their own much better, and it seems as if Lesley is running barefoot through a book, turning the pages. Vocally, there is still some gains to be made. With a 24th place in the polls, the question is whether it is all good enough for a final place.   13.05 – North Macedonia While there were some minor flaws in his vocals last Saturday, today Vasil puts down a solid rehearsal, although it seems that, especially at the end during the last blow, he is holding back to spare his voice. North Macedonia ranks 32 in the polls. It is very doubtful whether Vasil will be able to qualify for the final.   11.40 – Australia Just like last Saturday, no rehearsal in Ahoy , since Montaigne is not present in Rotterdam, but an exclusive preview 11.15 – Sweden Tusse had still some problems with his voice last Saturday, this now seems to have recovered completely. On stage there was an apparently self-assured, radiant Tusse, with a well-thought-out, slick act as we are used to from Sweden. Sweden ranks 10th in the polls. We will certainly see Tusse in the final   10.50 – Russia No changes in the act here either. Solid and stable act and vocals. The powerful message / ode to the Russian woman is very clear! Russia is ranked 14th in the polls. Finals should not be a problem. We would not be surprised if Russia managed to get a top ten, perhaps even a 5 position  in the final 10.25 – Slovenia. In the second rehearsal for Slovenia, Ana comes out better than last Saturday. More confident in her singing and movement across the stage, although it seems her shoes are killing her. Slovenia is in 35th place in the polls. A final place will be a challenge. 10.00 am – Lithuania. The Roop shows  a solid,  dynamic act again in the 2nd rehearsal, with little or no changes. The Roop is ranked 8th in the polls. A top ten listing should certainly be possible for the Roop.  

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Recap First Rehearsals Day 3

Today we have watched another 9 first rehearsals at Day 3. In our opinion Greece, Iceland and Austria impressed the most, all  in a completely different way. Greece because of the graphics, Austria because of the vocals, and Iceland because of the typical but outstanding performance. Most dissapointing rehearsals: Estonia and Poland; bad act, bad vocals. San Marino, Czech Republic and Moldova had a steady first rehearsal. And Serbia surprised us…

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1st Rehearsal for Bookmakers Favorite Destiny for Malta

Destiny appears onstage in a pink outfit, just like her dancers. Destiny lives up to all expectations vocally. “Je me casse” is a swinging, dynamic song, but as yet they don’t know how to convey the dynamics. It must now be said that both the favorites of 2018 (Netta) and 2019 (Duncan) did not impress at all during their first rehearsal, and we all know how that ended.  In Cooperation with     Eurovision Artists Photo Credits: EBU

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Eurovision 2025 in Geneva or Basel

Swiss broadcaster SRG has announced the final two candidates to host the 69th Eurovision Song Contest: Basel and Geneva. SRG has narrowed down the initial bids to these two cities. One of them will host the contest in Switzerland in May 2025, with the final decision to be made in late August. Cities had until the end of June to submit their bids based on a detailed list of requirements. Important criteria included arena facilities, public transport, sustainability, hotel availability, security, waste management, investment, event experience, and city support. A Eurovision Song Contest working group reviewed the bids from Basel, Geneva, Zurich, and Berne/Biel. This review involved both quantitative and qualitative criteria, as well as the cities’ commitment and creative ideas. The goal is to make Eurovision 2025 an unforgettable event. The accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) supervised the assessment of the bids. Following the recommendations of the working group, the ESC 2025 Steering Committee, led by SRG Director General Gilles Marchand, chose Basel and Geneva as the final candidates. Geneva, Commons.wikimedia.org Basel, Commons.wikimedia.org Switzerland will host the 69th Eurovision Song Contest in 2025 because of Nemo’s win in Malmö with the song “The Code,” which scored 591 points in the Grand Final, marking Switzerland’s third Eurovision victory.

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🇮🇸 Blast from the Past: Iceland 1989

We know a lot about Eurovision and we want to share this knowledge with you! Therefore we’d like to bring you a blast from the past. Today this year’s last one before we fully head over to the national final season: Iceland 1989. Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest Iceland’s journey in the Eurovision Song Contest is a tale of persistence, creativity, and cultural expression. Debuting in 1986, this small island nation has become a Eurovision staple, despite never securing the coveted first place. Iceland’s music scene, known for its distinctiveness and innovation, is reflected in their Eurovision entries, ranging from pop and rock to avant-garde and electronic. Iceland’s near-victories include the uptempo song Selma presented in 1999: “All Out Of Luck” and Yohanna‘s heartfelt ballad “Is It True?” in 2009. Both songs reached a 2nd place. Daði og Gagnamagnið‘s quirky, yet catchy “Think About Things” was the top favourite to win in 2020. Unfortunately it didn’t happen as the contest was cancelled due to COVID19. One Icelandic entry ended up with a zero: “Það sem enginn sér” by Daniel Ágúst Haraldsson. That is the song we talk about today. photo: RUV Söngvakeppnin 1989 The Icelandic national final is called Söngvakeppnin. In 1989 it contained only five songs, being: “Það sem enginn sér“, by Daniel Ágúst Haraldsson, 66 pts, 1st “Þú leiddir mig i ljós“, by Jóhanna Linnet, 30 pts, 5th “Linudans“, by Ellen Kristjánsdóttir & Mannakorn, 58 pts, 2nd “Sóley“, by Björgvin Halldórsson & Katla Maria, 44 pts, 4th “Alpatwist” by Bítlavinafélagið, 58 pts, 2nd When the winner was announced, it was not a happy moment for Daniel. Whoever saw the national final could conclude that the singer didn’t express a single sign of happiness. The entire show can be watched here. Daniel Ágúst Haraldsson Daniel Ágúst Haraldsson, an Icelandic musician with a distinctive artistic vision, has carved a unique niche in the world of music. Born on August 26, 1969, in Reykjavik, Iceland, Daniel Ágúst grew up in a country known for its rich musical heritage and stunning landscapes, both of which have influenced his artistic journey. Daniel Ágúst’s musical career began to take shape in the 1980s when he co-founded the band Nýdönsk, one of Iceland’s most popular bands. Known for their blend of rock and brass, Nýdönsk became a cornerstone of the Icelandic music scene. His tenure with Nýdönsk showcased his versatility as a musician and his ability to blend different genres seamlessly. In 1989, as said, he won Söngvakeppnin and thus represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest. Unfortunately, Daniel didn’t manage to earn any points with his song. In 1994, Daniel Ágúst’s musical direction took a significant turn when he joined GusGus, a collective known for its eclectic mix of electronic, house, and techno music. As one of the founding members, he contributed to the band’s first two albums, notably their self-titled debut and “Polydistortion,” which gained international acclaim. His work with GusGus solidified his reputation as a talented and innovative artist in the electronic music scene. After his stint with GusGus, Daniel Ágúst embarked on a solo career, exploring new musical territories. His solo debut, “Swallowed a Star” (2005), was a critical success, lauded for its experimental approach and emotional depth. The album demonstrated his ability to craft intricate soundscapes that are both haunting and beautiful. Aside from his band and solo work, Daniel Ágúst has been involved in various collaborations and projects, contributing to film soundtracks and working with other artists. Það sem enginn sér “Það sem enginn sér” stands out for its emotive and introspective nature, showcasing Daniel Ágúst’s distinctive vocal style. The song’s lyrical depth, exploring themes of introspection and the unseen struggles of the human experience, resonated with the Icelandic audience, making it a strong choice for Eurovision. The song was written and composed by Valgeir Guðjónsson, who previously wrote the 1987 Icelandic entry for Halla Márgret. However, despite its artistic merit and Daniel Ágúst’s compelling performance, “Það sem enginn sér” faced an unexpected setback at the contest. In a turn of events that stunned both the Icelandic delegation and Eurovision fans, the song received zero points, joining the infamous “nul points” club in Eurovision history.

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Germany decides tonight

Germany will select it’s entry tonight. Out of the 9 entries you’ll find below, one will be selected by international juries (50%) and televoters (online/tele/SMS). The show starts at 22:20 CET and you can watch it here and here. 1 Trong Dare to be different 2 René Miller Concrete heart 3 Anica Russo Once upon a dream 4 Lonely spring Misfit 5 Will Church Hold on 6 Patty Gurdy Melodies of hope 7 Ikke Hüftgold Lied mit gutem Text 8 Frida Gold Alle Frauen in mir sind müde 9 Lord of the Lost Blood & glitter

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Malta: third quarterfinal MESC 2023

Tonight, Malta heads to the third quarter final of MESC (Malta Eurovision Song Contest). The show starts on 21.00 CET and you can watch it here. Four quarter finals will be held. Out of 14 songs, 8 will be chosen to go to the semifinal. The songs are: Andre’ Portelli sings “Broken hill” Bradley Debono sings “Blackout” Cheryl Balzan sings “La la land” Chris Grech sings “Indescribable” Dominic & Anna sing “Whatever wind may blow” Giada sings “I depend on you” Greta Tude sings “Sound of my stillettos” Jake sings “Love you like that” James Louis sings “Dream” Jessika sings “Unapologetic” John Galea sings “Trailblazer” Maria Christina sings “Our flame” Ryan Hili sings “In the silence” Stefan Galea sings “Heartbreaker”   Bradley Debono took part in X-Factor 2019, the auditions.Chris Grech was in MESC 2013 (5th), 2014 (13th), 2015 (4th) and X-Factor 2019 (12th).Dominic Cini took part in 2009 (semifinals), 2010 (semifinals), 2015 (12th), 2016 (13th).Anna Azzopardi was present in 2011 (semifinal), 2012 (semifinal), X-Factor 2019 (last 12).Giada took part in MESC last year and became 13th.Jessika took part in MESC 2008 (semifinal), 2009 (semifinal), 2010 (semifinal), 2011 (15th), 2013 (8th), 2014 (8th), 2015 (8th), 2015 (7th) and 2022 (17th). She represented San Marino in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Who we are”, in duet with Jennifer Brening.Maria Christina took part in X-Factor 2019 (auditions).Stefan Galea took part in MESC 2016 (semifinal) and X-Factor 2019 (bootcamp) Note that Aidan, who participated in the first quarterfinal, is disqualified. However, he will go to court to make his disqualification undone. To be continued….

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Another Summer Night. EU Summer party

Ivi Adamou was born and raised in Agia Napa, Cyprus. She was internally elected to represent Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan.  The song  “La La Love” was the winning song of the National Final. The song was named as a “halfway house between Jennifer Lopez’s “On the Floor” . Critics  described it as an “upbeat entry and does appear quite refreshing” and said that despite the fact that the song has been a fan favorite, it won’t be able to win. They were right about that, but she did very well. The song finished 7th in its semi-final and 16th in the grand final, Cyprus’s best result since Lisa Andreas came 5th in the 2004 grand final with “Stronger Every Minute”  Follow our Eurovision Summer Party on Spotify and YouTube  

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1st Rehearsal Spain.

Blas Cantó starts his act, dressed in black, without music. He is alone on stage with a starry sky and moon in the background. Blas does not impress. Appears insecure, and this does not benefit his voice. There is work to be done for Spain. In Cooperation with Eurovision Artists Photo Credits: EBU

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1st Rehearsal Germany. Wiggeling middlefinger on stage

Jendrik is dressed in a pink jacket and blue pants. He is assisted by 4 musicians / dancers, 1 of which is dressed as a “wiggeling middlefinger”. The background is successively blue, alternated with text blocks. The act is colorful, happy, busy and energetic, just like the song. Vocals are fine. The question is if  this will be very successful. In Cooperation with Eurovision Artists Photo Credits: EBU

Read More »

Day 5. Live Blog 2nd Rehearsals

Today we will follow the 2nd rehearsals in Ahoy, and will keep you informed live.                                                 In Cooperation with: Eurovision Artists. Photo & Video Credits: EBU 17.15 – Ukraine Last of the day Go_A, performs with a stand-in (Emmy) for singer Kateryna Pavlenko. Kateryna did not feel quite fit this morning, and in accordance with the security measures, she remains in quarantine pending a Covid-19 test. Whether the stand-in Emmy sings live, or whether the tape recording from the first rehearsal was used, is not entirely clear. Fact is, whether you like this genre or not … the act is rock solid. With a 9th place in the polls, Ukraine will undoubtedly easily qualify for the final. 16.50 – Azerbaijan Also today, Efendi puts down a solid rehearsal. Here and there some minor flaws in song and dance, and a little more conviction than last Sunday. 21st place in the poll. A place in the final is certainly not excluded.   16.25 – Romania Roxen performs in the same comfortable as last Sunday. Although vocally a little bit stronger than during the 1st rehearsal, Roxen comes across as nervous and anxious, which does not help her voice and the strong message of her song. 16th in the polls … Final perhaps , if she manages to recover. 16.00 – Israel During the first rehearsal it became clear that it is sometimes difficult for Eden to combine singing and dancing. The whole act looks energic and modern, but also today, Eden has trouble with the combination of singing and dancing. 17th in the polls, but will Israel make it to the final?   15.35 – Belgium. Hooverphonic still impresses today with their modest, sober and well-thought-out act. A welcome change from all the visual violence. Only a 20th place in the polls, but hopefully thanks to the professional jury we will see Belgium back in the final. 14.45 – Croatia Vocally, this rehearsal sounds a lot better than the first. The act is well put together, Albina herself still seems a bit insecure and nervous. Hopefully she will get over that before Tuesday. Own the stage girl!! With a 19th place in the polls, a final place should certainly be possible. 14.20 – Norway Today TIX puts on a much better rehearsal than last saturday, when the nerves seemed to be playing tricks on him. TIX has a high favor- and sympathy factor, and with a 15th place in the polls, we would like to see him back in the final. 13:55 – Cyprus Elena once again puts on an okay rehearsal, occasionally she sounds a bit out of breath. With seventh place in the polls, Cyprus will reach the final without too much trouble. 1.30 pm – Ireland Hard work has been done in the Irish camp in recent days. The whole thing seemed very messy last Saturday, during the 2nd rehearsal all the graphics come into their own much better, and it seems as if Lesley is running barefoot through a book, turning the pages. Vocally, there is still some gains to be made. With a 24th place in the polls, the question is whether it is all good enough for a final place.   13.05 – North Macedonia While there were some minor flaws in his vocals last Saturday, today Vasil puts down a solid rehearsal, although it seems that, especially at the end during the last blow, he is holding back to spare his voice. North Macedonia ranks 32 in the polls. It is very doubtful whether Vasil will be able to qualify for the final.   11.40 – Australia Just like last Saturday, no rehearsal in Ahoy , since Montaigne is not present in Rotterdam, but an exclusive preview 11.15 – Sweden Tusse had still some problems with his voice last Saturday, this now seems to have recovered completely. On stage there was an apparently self-assured, radiant Tusse, with a well-thought-out, slick act as we are used to from Sweden. Sweden ranks 10th in the polls. We will certainly see Tusse in the final   10.50 – Russia No changes in the act here either. Solid and stable act and vocals. The powerful message / ode to the Russian woman is very clear! Russia is ranked 14th in the polls. Finals should not be a problem. We would not be surprised if Russia managed to get a top ten, perhaps even a 5 position  in the final 10.25 – Slovenia. In the second rehearsal for Slovenia, Ana comes out better than last Saturday. More confident in her singing and movement across the stage, although it seems her shoes are killing her. Slovenia is in 35th place in the polls. A final place will be a challenge. 10.00 am – Lithuania. The Roop shows  a solid,  dynamic act again in the 2nd rehearsal, with little or no changes. The Roop is ranked 8th in the polls. A top ten listing should certainly be possible for the Roop.  

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Recap First Rehearsals Day 3

Today we have watched another 9 first rehearsals at Day 3. In our opinion Greece, Iceland and Austria impressed the most, all  in a completely different way. Greece because of the graphics, Austria because of the vocals, and Iceland because of the typical but outstanding performance. Most dissapointing rehearsals: Estonia and Poland; bad act, bad vocals. San Marino, Czech Republic and Moldova had a steady first rehearsal. And Serbia surprised us…

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1st Rehearsal for Bookmakers Favorite Destiny for Malta

Destiny appears onstage in a pink outfit, just like her dancers. Destiny lives up to all expectations vocally. “Je me casse” is a swinging, dynamic song, but as yet they don’t know how to convey the dynamics. It must now be said that both the favorites of 2018 (Netta) and 2019 (Duncan) did not impress at all during their first rehearsal, and we all know how that ended.  In Cooperation with     Eurovision Artists Photo Credits: EBU

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Eurovision 2025 in Geneva or Basel

Swiss broadcaster SRG has announced the final two candidates to host the 69th Eurovision Song Contest: Basel and Geneva. SRG has narrowed down the initial bids to these two cities. One of them will host the contest in Switzerland in May 2025, with the final decision to be made in late August. Cities had until the end of June to submit their bids based on a detailed list of requirements. Important criteria included arena facilities, public transport, sustainability, hotel availability, security, waste management, investment, event experience, and city support. A Eurovision Song Contest working group reviewed the bids from Basel, Geneva, Zurich, and Berne/Biel. This review involved both quantitative and qualitative criteria, as well as the cities’ commitment and creative ideas. The goal is to make Eurovision 2025 an unforgettable event. The accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) supervised the assessment of the bids. Following the recommendations of the working group, the ESC 2025 Steering Committee, led by SRG Director General Gilles Marchand, chose Basel and Geneva as the final candidates. Geneva, Commons.wikimedia.org Basel, Commons.wikimedia.org Switzerland will host the 69th Eurovision Song Contest in 2025 because of Nemo’s win in Malmö with the song “The Code,” which scored 591 points in the Grand Final, marking Switzerland’s third Eurovision victory.

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🇮🇸 Blast from the Past: Iceland 1989

We know a lot about Eurovision and we want to share this knowledge with you! Therefore we’d like to bring you a blast from the past. Today this year’s last one before we fully head over to the national final season: Iceland 1989. Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest Iceland’s journey in the Eurovision Song Contest is a tale of persistence, creativity, and cultural expression. Debuting in 1986, this small island nation has become a Eurovision staple, despite never securing the coveted first place. Iceland’s music scene, known for its distinctiveness and innovation, is reflected in their Eurovision entries, ranging from pop and rock to avant-garde and electronic. Iceland’s near-victories include the uptempo song Selma presented in 1999: “All Out Of Luck” and Yohanna‘s heartfelt ballad “Is It True?” in 2009. Both songs reached a 2nd place. Daði og Gagnamagnið‘s quirky, yet catchy “Think About Things” was the top favourite to win in 2020. Unfortunately it didn’t happen as the contest was cancelled due to COVID19. One Icelandic entry ended up with a zero: “Það sem enginn sér” by Daniel Ágúst Haraldsson. That is the song we talk about today. photo: RUV Söngvakeppnin 1989 The Icelandic national final is called Söngvakeppnin. In 1989 it contained only five songs, being: “Það sem enginn sér“, by Daniel Ágúst Haraldsson, 66 pts, 1st “Þú leiddir mig i ljós“, by Jóhanna Linnet, 30 pts, 5th “Linudans“, by Ellen Kristjánsdóttir & Mannakorn, 58 pts, 2nd “Sóley“, by Björgvin Halldórsson & Katla Maria, 44 pts, 4th “Alpatwist” by Bítlavinafélagið, 58 pts, 2nd When the winner was announced, it was not a happy moment for Daniel. Whoever saw the national final could conclude that the singer didn’t express a single sign of happiness. The entire show can be watched here. Daniel Ágúst Haraldsson Daniel Ágúst Haraldsson, an Icelandic musician with a distinctive artistic vision, has carved a unique niche in the world of music. Born on August 26, 1969, in Reykjavik, Iceland, Daniel Ágúst grew up in a country known for its rich musical heritage and stunning landscapes, both of which have influenced his artistic journey. Daniel Ágúst’s musical career began to take shape in the 1980s when he co-founded the band Nýdönsk, one of Iceland’s most popular bands. Known for their blend of rock and brass, Nýdönsk became a cornerstone of the Icelandic music scene. His tenure with Nýdönsk showcased his versatility as a musician and his ability to blend different genres seamlessly. In 1989, as said, he won Söngvakeppnin and thus represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest. Unfortunately, Daniel didn’t manage to earn any points with his song. In 1994, Daniel Ágúst’s musical direction took a significant turn when he joined GusGus, a collective known for its eclectic mix of electronic, house, and techno music. As one of the founding members, he contributed to the band’s first two albums, notably their self-titled debut and “Polydistortion,” which gained international acclaim. His work with GusGus solidified his reputation as a talented and innovative artist in the electronic music scene. After his stint with GusGus, Daniel Ágúst embarked on a solo career, exploring new musical territories. His solo debut, “Swallowed a Star” (2005), was a critical success, lauded for its experimental approach and emotional depth. The album demonstrated his ability to craft intricate soundscapes that are both haunting and beautiful. Aside from his band and solo work, Daniel Ágúst has been involved in various collaborations and projects, contributing to film soundtracks and working with other artists. Það sem enginn sér “Það sem enginn sér” stands out for its emotive and introspective nature, showcasing Daniel Ágúst’s distinctive vocal style. The song’s lyrical depth, exploring themes of introspection and the unseen struggles of the human experience, resonated with the Icelandic audience, making it a strong choice for Eurovision. The song was written and composed by Valgeir Guðjónsson, who previously wrote the 1987 Icelandic entry for Halla Márgret. However, despite its artistic merit and Daniel Ágúst’s compelling performance, “Það sem enginn sér” faced an unexpected setback at the contest. In a turn of events that stunned both the Icelandic delegation and Eurovision fans, the song received zero points, joining the infamous “nul points” club in Eurovision history.

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Germany decides tonight

Germany will select it’s entry tonight. Out of the 9 entries you’ll find below, one will be selected by international juries (50%) and televoters (online/tele/SMS). The show starts at 22:20 CET and you can watch it here and here. 1 Trong Dare to be different 2 René Miller Concrete heart 3 Anica Russo Once upon a dream 4 Lonely spring Misfit 5 Will Church Hold on 6 Patty Gurdy Melodies of hope 7 Ikke Hüftgold Lied mit gutem Text 8 Frida Gold Alle Frauen in mir sind müde 9 Lord of the Lost Blood & glitter

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Malta: third quarterfinal MESC 2023

Tonight, Malta heads to the third quarter final of MESC (Malta Eurovision Song Contest). The show starts on 21.00 CET and you can watch it here. Four quarter finals will be held. Out of 14 songs, 8 will be chosen to go to the semifinal. The songs are: Andre’ Portelli sings “Broken hill” Bradley Debono sings “Blackout” Cheryl Balzan sings “La la land” Chris Grech sings “Indescribable” Dominic & Anna sing “Whatever wind may blow” Giada sings “I depend on you” Greta Tude sings “Sound of my stillettos” Jake sings “Love you like that” James Louis sings “Dream” Jessika sings “Unapologetic” John Galea sings “Trailblazer” Maria Christina sings “Our flame” Ryan Hili sings “In the silence” Stefan Galea sings “Heartbreaker”   Bradley Debono took part in X-Factor 2019, the auditions.Chris Grech was in MESC 2013 (5th), 2014 (13th), 2015 (4th) and X-Factor 2019 (12th).Dominic Cini took part in 2009 (semifinals), 2010 (semifinals), 2015 (12th), 2016 (13th).Anna Azzopardi was present in 2011 (semifinal), 2012 (semifinal), X-Factor 2019 (last 12).Giada took part in MESC last year and became 13th.Jessika took part in MESC 2008 (semifinal), 2009 (semifinal), 2010 (semifinal), 2011 (15th), 2013 (8th), 2014 (8th), 2015 (8th), 2015 (7th) and 2022 (17th). She represented San Marino in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Who we are”, in duet with Jennifer Brening.Maria Christina took part in X-Factor 2019 (auditions).Stefan Galea took part in MESC 2016 (semifinal) and X-Factor 2019 (bootcamp) Note that Aidan, who participated in the first quarterfinal, is disqualified. However, he will go to court to make his disqualification undone. To be continued….

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Another Summer Night. EU Summer party

Ivi Adamou was born and raised in Agia Napa, Cyprus. She was internally elected to represent Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan.  The song  “La La Love” was the winning song of the National Final. The song was named as a “halfway house between Jennifer Lopez’s “On the Floor” . Critics  described it as an “upbeat entry and does appear quite refreshing” and said that despite the fact that the song has been a fan favorite, it won’t be able to win. They were right about that, but she did very well. The song finished 7th in its semi-final and 16th in the grand final, Cyprus’s best result since Lisa Andreas came 5th in the 2004 grand final with “Stronger Every Minute”  Follow our Eurovision Summer Party on Spotify and YouTube  

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1st Rehearsal Spain.

Blas Cantó starts his act, dressed in black, without music. He is alone on stage with a starry sky and moon in the background. Blas does not impress. Appears insecure, and this does not benefit his voice. There is work to be done for Spain. In Cooperation with Eurovision Artists Photo Credits: EBU

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1st Rehearsal Germany. Wiggeling middlefinger on stage

Jendrik is dressed in a pink jacket and blue pants. He is assisted by 4 musicians / dancers, 1 of which is dressed as a “wiggeling middlefinger”. The background is successively blue, alternated with text blocks. The act is colorful, happy, busy and energetic, just like the song. Vocals are fine. The question is if  this will be very successful. In Cooperation with Eurovision Artists Photo Credits: EBU

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Day 5. Live Blog 2nd Rehearsals

Today we will follow the 2nd rehearsals in Ahoy, and will keep you informed live.                                                 In Cooperation with: Eurovision Artists. Photo & Video Credits: EBU 17.15 – Ukraine Last of the day Go_A, performs with a stand-in (Emmy) for singer Kateryna Pavlenko. Kateryna did not feel quite fit this morning, and in accordance with the security measures, she remains in quarantine pending a Covid-19 test. Whether the stand-in Emmy sings live, or whether the tape recording from the first rehearsal was used, is not entirely clear. Fact is, whether you like this genre or not … the act is rock solid. With a 9th place in the polls, Ukraine will undoubtedly easily qualify for the final. 16.50 – Azerbaijan Also today, Efendi puts down a solid rehearsal. Here and there some minor flaws in song and dance, and a little more conviction than last Sunday. 21st place in the poll. A place in the final is certainly not excluded.   16.25 – Romania Roxen performs in the same comfortable as last Sunday. Although vocally a little bit stronger than during the 1st rehearsal, Roxen comes across as nervous and anxious, which does not help her voice and the strong message of her song. 16th in the polls … Final perhaps , if she manages to recover. 16.00 – Israel During the first rehearsal it became clear that it is sometimes difficult for Eden to combine singing and dancing. The whole act looks energic and modern, but also today, Eden has trouble with the combination of singing and dancing. 17th in the polls, but will Israel make it to the final?   15.35 – Belgium. Hooverphonic still impresses today with their modest, sober and well-thought-out act. A welcome change from all the visual violence. Only a 20th place in the polls, but hopefully thanks to the professional jury we will see Belgium back in the final. 14.45 – Croatia Vocally, this rehearsal sounds a lot better than the first. The act is well put together, Albina herself still seems a bit insecure and nervous. Hopefully she will get over that before Tuesday. Own the stage girl!! With a 19th place in the polls, a final place should certainly be possible. 14.20 – Norway Today TIX puts on a much better rehearsal than last saturday, when the nerves seemed to be playing tricks on him. TIX has a high favor- and sympathy factor, and with a 15th place in the polls, we would like to see him back in the final. 13:55 – Cyprus Elena once again puts on an okay rehearsal, occasionally she sounds a bit out of breath. With seventh place in the polls, Cyprus will reach the final without too much trouble. 1.30 pm – Ireland Hard work has been done in the Irish camp in recent days. The whole thing seemed very messy last Saturday, during the 2nd rehearsal all the graphics come into their own much better, and it seems as if Lesley is running barefoot through a book, turning the pages. Vocally, there is still some gains to be made. With a 24th place in the polls, the question is whether it is all good enough for a final place.   13.05 – North Macedonia While there were some minor flaws in his vocals last Saturday, today Vasil puts down a solid rehearsal, although it seems that, especially at the end during the last blow, he is holding back to spare his voice. North Macedonia ranks 32 in the polls. It is very doubtful whether Vasil will be able to qualify for the final.   11.40 – Australia Just like last Saturday, no rehearsal in Ahoy , since Montaigne is not present in Rotterdam, but an exclusive preview 11.15 – Sweden Tusse had still some problems with his voice last Saturday, this now seems to have recovered completely. On stage there was an apparently self-assured, radiant Tusse, with a well-thought-out, slick act as we are used to from Sweden. Sweden ranks 10th in the polls. We will certainly see Tusse in the final   10.50 – Russia No changes in the act here either. Solid and stable act and vocals. The powerful message / ode to the Russian woman is very clear! Russia is ranked 14th in the polls. Finals should not be a problem. We would not be surprised if Russia managed to get a top ten, perhaps even a 5 position  in the final 10.25 – Slovenia. In the second rehearsal for Slovenia, Ana comes out better than last Saturday. More confident in her singing and movement across the stage, although it seems her shoes are killing her. Slovenia is in 35th place in the polls. A final place will be a challenge. 10.00 am – Lithuania. The Roop shows  a solid,  dynamic act again in the 2nd rehearsal, with little or no changes. The Roop is ranked 8th in the polls. A top ten listing should certainly be possible for the Roop.  

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Recap First Rehearsals Day 3

Today we have watched another 9 first rehearsals at Day 3. In our opinion Greece, Iceland and Austria impressed the most, all  in a completely different way. Greece because of the graphics, Austria because of the vocals, and Iceland because of the typical but outstanding performance. Most dissapointing rehearsals: Estonia and Poland; bad act, bad vocals. San Marino, Czech Republic and Moldova had a steady first rehearsal. And Serbia surprised us…

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1st Rehearsal for Bookmakers Favorite Destiny for Malta

Destiny appears onstage in a pink outfit, just like her dancers. Destiny lives up to all expectations vocally. “Je me casse” is a swinging, dynamic song, but as yet they don’t know how to convey the dynamics. It must now be said that both the favorites of 2018 (Netta) and 2019 (Duncan) did not impress at all during their first rehearsal, and we all know how that ended.  In Cooperation with     Eurovision Artists Photo Credits: EBU

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Eurovision 2025 in Geneva or Basel

Swiss broadcaster SRG has announced the final two candidates to host the 69th Eurovision Song Contest: Basel and Geneva. SRG has narrowed down the initial bids to these two cities. One of them will host the contest in Switzerland in May 2025, with the final decision to be made in late August. Cities had until the end of June to submit their bids based on a detailed list of requirements. Important criteria included arena facilities, public transport, sustainability, hotel availability, security, waste management, investment, event experience, and city support. A Eurovision Song Contest working group reviewed the bids from Basel, Geneva,

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🇮🇸 Blast from the Past: Iceland 1989

We know a lot about Eurovision and we want to share this knowledge with you! Therefore we’d like to bring you a blast from the past. Today this year’s last one before we fully head over to the national final season: Iceland 1989. Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest Iceland’s journey in the Eurovision Song Contest is a tale of persistence, creativity, and cultural expression. Debuting in 1986, this small island nation has become a Eurovision staple, despite never securing the coveted first place. Iceland’s music scene, known for its distinctiveness and innovation, is reflected in their Eurovision entries, ranging from

Read More »

Germany decides tonight

Germany will select it’s entry tonight. Out of the 9 entries you’ll find below, one will be selected by international juries (50%) and televoters (online/tele/SMS). The show starts at 22:20 CET and you can watch it here and here. 1 Trong Dare to be different 2 René Miller Concrete heart 3 Anica Russo Once upon a dream 4 Lonely spring Misfit 5 Will Church Hold on 6 Patty Gurdy Melodies of hope 7 Ikke Hüftgold Lied mit gutem Text 8 Frida Gold Alle Frauen in mir sind müde 9 Lord of the Lost Blood & glitter

Read More »

Malta: third quarterfinal MESC 2023

Tonight, Malta heads to the third quarter final of MESC (Malta Eurovision Song Contest). The show starts on 21.00 CET and you can watch it here. Four quarter finals will be held. Out of 14 songs, 8 will be chosen to go to the semifinal. The songs are: Andre’ Portelli sings “Broken hill” Bradley Debono sings “Blackout” Cheryl Balzan sings “La la land” Chris Grech sings “Indescribable” Dominic & Anna sing “Whatever wind may blow” Giada sings “I depend on you” Greta Tude sings “Sound of my stillettos” Jake sings “Love you like that” James Louis sings “Dream” Jessika sings “Unapologetic” John Galea sings

Read More »

Another Summer Night. EU Summer party

Ivi Adamou was born and raised in Agia Napa, Cyprus. She was internally elected to represent Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan.  The song  “La La Love” was the winning song of the National Final. The song was named as a “halfway house between Jennifer Lopez’s “On the Floor” . Critics  described it as an “upbeat entry and does appear quite refreshing” and said that despite the fact that the song has been a fan favorite, it won’t be able to win. They were right about that, but she did very well. The song finished 7th in its semi-final and

Read More »

1st Rehearsal Spain.

Blas Cantó starts his act, dressed in black, without music. He is alone on stage with a starry sky and moon in the background. Blas does not impress. Appears insecure, and this does not benefit his voice. There is work to be done for Spain. In Cooperation with Eurovision Artists Photo Credits: EBU

Read More »

1st Rehearsal Germany. Wiggeling middlefinger on stage

Jendrik is dressed in a pink jacket and blue pants. He is assisted by 4 musicians / dancers, 1 of which is dressed as a “wiggeling middlefinger”. The background is successively blue, alternated with text blocks. The act is colorful, happy, busy and energetic, just like the song. Vocals are fine. The question is if  this will be very successful. In Cooperation with Eurovision Artists Photo Credits: EBU

Read More »

Day 5. Live Blog 2nd Rehearsals

Today we will follow the 2nd rehearsals in Ahoy, and will keep you informed live.                                                 In Cooperation with: Eurovision Artists. Photo & Video Credits: EBU 17.15 – Ukraine Last of the day Go_A, performs with a stand-in (Emmy) for singer Kateryna Pavlenko. Kateryna did not feel quite fit this morning, and in accordance with the security measures, she remains in quarantine pending a Covid-19 test. Whether the stand-in Emmy sings live, or whether the tape recording from

Read More »

Recap First Rehearsals Day 3

Today we have watched another 9 first rehearsals at Day 3. In our opinion Greece, Iceland and Austria impressed the most, all  in a completely different way. Greece because of the graphics, Austria because of the vocals, and Iceland because of the typical but outstanding performance. Most dissapointing rehearsals: Estonia and Poland; bad act, bad vocals. San Marino, Czech Republic and Moldova had a steady first rehearsal. And Serbia surprised us…

Read More »

1st Rehearsal for Bookmakers Favorite Destiny for Malta

Destiny appears onstage in a pink outfit, just like her dancers. Destiny lives up to all expectations vocally. “Je me casse” is a swinging, dynamic song, but as yet they don’t know how to convey the dynamics. It must now be said that both the favorites of 2018 (Netta) and 2019 (Duncan) did not impress at all during their first rehearsal, and we all know how that ended.  In Cooperation with     Eurovision Artists Photo Credits: EBU

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