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Grupa Regina

About Quick Facts MembersDavor EbnerAleksandar ‘Aco’ ĆovićDenis ČabrićBojan Milićević Active1990-2000, 2006- Nationality🇧🇦 Bosnian National SelectionInternal selection 2009 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongBistra voda (2009) Biography In 1989, five members—Aleksandar Čović, Bojan Milicevic, Bojan Milijas, Boris Milijas, and Goran Lucic—started an amateur band in Sarajevo, in those days in Yugoslavia. They had a problem because they didn’t have a singer. Soon, they found Davor Ebner, who gave the band the name Regina. That same year, Regina released their first album, called Regina. Aleksandar Čović wrote the lyrics, and he was inspired by the Irish band U2. The first album had hit songs like “Spavaj,” “Ne pitaj me,” and “Kao nekada ona,” and the band quickly became one of the most popular in the former Yugoslavia. In 1992, they released another album called “Ljubav nije za nas,” but the band stopped working because the war started in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Even though the band stopped performing, Aleksandar Čović continued working in Belgrade between 1992 and 1999, releasing several albums: “Regina,” “Oteto od zaborava,” “Godine lete,” “Ja nisam kao drugi,” “Kad zatvorim oči,” and “Devedesete.” From 2000, the band didn’t work until 2006, when Čović started working again with singer Davor Ebner, and they reformed the band. They soon released another album called “Sve mogu ja.” On January 12, 2009, BHT announced that Regina, with their song “Bistra voda,” would represent Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow. The song was officially presented on March 1, 2009. Theyqualified for the final on May 16, 2009, performing 12th. In the final, they finished in 9th place with 106 points. On June 5, 2009, they released their 10th studio album called “Vrijeme je.” The album included the Eurovision song “Bistra voda,” its English and Russian versions, and 10 new songs. In 2011, the band recorded a duet with Tifa, the former singer of the band Bijelo Dugme, titled “Ptico mala,” which premiered in the summer of 2011, along with a music video. They also announced a new album, “Sarajevo,” with “Ptico mala” as the lead single. Although “Sarajevo” was announced for autumn 2011, the band postponed the album release. In May 2012, it was announced that a new song “Kad poludimo” was recorded. The music video was released on May 8, 2012, and it was announced that the new album would be titled “Kad poludimo,” set to be released by the end of May 2012. On May 18, 2012, Regina announced that the album was on sale. In 2015, Bojan Miličević left the band. On 16 August 2016, the band’s long-time bassist, Denis Čabrić, suddenly died of a heart attack, leaving the band with three members. On Valentine’s Day 2017, Regina, now a trio, released a new studio album called “U srcu,” with the single “Za one stare dane,” the video for which was filmed in Paris. After thirty years of performing and many concerts, Davor Ebner decided to start a new project called “Ebner,” with some well-known Sarajevo musicians.  The idea of the project was for Davor Ebner to try a different style of music compared to Regina. With his lead and the new musicians, Regina entered a new phase, aiming to connect the “Ebner” project with the Regina band by trying to produce and perform music closer to new market trends. Regina’s songs are still performed in their original form but with a more modern and better sound to make the differences between genres smaller along with the “Ebner” project songs. In December 2022, Ebner left Regina, leaving the band as a duo. Entries Bistra voda Country🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina Year2009 LanguageBosnian LyricsAleksandar ‘Ćović MusicAleksandar Ćović BackingsElma SelimovićDanijela Večerinović Results Semi Points: 125Position: 3Running order: 18 Results Finals Points: 106Position: 9Running order: 12 https://youtu.be/TcRWjoEkzMk?si=LzeMNMSO6B_60ZKG

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Feminnem

About Quick Facts MembersNika Antolos (2010)Ivana Marić (2005)Neda ParmaćPamela Ramljak Active2004-2012, 2022- Nationality🇧🇦 Bosnian (Ivana, Pamela)🇭🇷 Croatian (Nika, Neda) National SelectionDora 2010Dora 2009Dora 2007BH Eurosong 2005 In Eurovision2010 Oslo2005 Kyiv SongLako je sve (2010)Call me (2005) Biography Feminnem is a Croatian female pop-dance group made up of Pamela Ramljak, Neda Parmać, and Nika Antolos. The group is known for writing their own songs and for their urban pop-dance music. Their name was inspired by the American rapper Eminem.  Feminnem’s Beginnings In 2004, after participating in the TV show Hrvatski Idol, Pamela, Neda, and Ivana Marić formed Feminnem and released their first hit single, “Volim te, mrzim te.” They quickly became popular and became the leading Croatian girl band after the group Divas broke up. 2004 – 2007: First Eurovision, Feminnem Show, and Ivana Leaves In 2005, they represented Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Call Me” by Andrej Babić, finishing in 14th place. In December 2005, they released their first album, Feminnem Show, named after their TV show on BHT. In 2006, they performed at HRF with the song “Reci nešto, al’ ne šuti više.” In 2007, they competed in Dora with the song “Navika” and placed 9th. Later that year, Ivana left the group to start a solo career. Neda and Pamela began searching for a new member. 2007 – 2009: Nikol Joins and Leaves, Another Try at Dora Neda and Pamela held auditions and chose Nikol Bulat as the new member. They released the single “Chanel 5” and performed at HRF, winning an award for most online votes. In 2009, they competed in Dora with the song “Poljupci u boji,” placing 3rd. That summer, they performed at HRF with “Oye, Oye, Oye” featuring Spanish singer Alex Mungo. However, Nikol didn’t fit well with the group and left in late summer 2009 after many disagreements. 2009 – 2012: Second Eurovision, Lako je sve, Easy to See, and Breakup Neda and Pamela found a new member, Nika Antolos, who started her career on RTL’s Hrvatska traži zvijezdu. They released the hit single “Sve što ostaje.” In 2010, they competed in Dora with “Lako je sve,” winning the most points from the jury and televoters. They released their second album Lako je sve. In May, they competed in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 and placed 13th in the semifinals. They then released their third album Easy to See, with songs from Lako je sve in English and a Spanish song, “Mil Amantes.” They performed at the Mediterranean Song Festival in Budva and released the single “Baš mi je dobro” for the CMC Festival in Vodice. In April 2011, their new single “Sve što ti nisam znala dati” leaked online. In November 2011, they released “Subota bez tebe” with Antonija Šola and Branimir Mihaljević. In February 2012, they confirmed their breakup on Dalibor Petko’s music show. 2022: Return to Music In May 2022, the group announced on social media that they had reunited. Since December, Pamela and Neda had been thinking about bringing Feminnem back while recording a Christmas song. In March, they contacted Nika, who happily joined. They gave an exclusive interview to Story magazine about their comeback. They use the hashtag #FeminnemDokNePreminem to promote their return on social media. In early May, they released the single “Zajedno,” which they performed at the 14th CMC Festival in Vodice. On June 1, they released the official video for “Zajedno,” which received nearly 100,000 views in a week. 2023: Victory at the 70th Zagreb Festival They won the 70th Zagreb Festival with the song “Trending” in a duet with Alejandro Buendija (Saša Antić from TBF). Entries Lako je sve Country🇭🇷 Croatia Year2010 LanguageCroatian LyricsPamela RamljakNeda Parmać MusicBranimir Mihaljević DancersLydia IvekovićIrma Results Semi Points: 33Position: 13Running order: 15 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/JYU37jzeQTo?si=OehMW7HpduBWjFzr Call Me Country🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina Year2005 LanguageEnglish LyricsAndrej Babić MusicAndrej Babić BackingsMija Martina?? Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 79Position: 14Running order: 21 https://youtu.be/Kqof50gLBIo?si=voGepXnKZ8tXruQH

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Flor-de-lis

About Quick Facts MembersPedro MarquesAna Sofia CampeãJorge MarquesJosé CamachoPaulo PereiraDaniela VarelaRolando Amaral (not on stage) Founded2008 Nationality🇵🇹 Portuguese National SelectionFestival RTP da Canção 2009 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongTodas as Ruas do Amor Biography Flor de Lis is a Portuguese musical group that won the Festival RTP da Canção in 2009. História (History) Flor de Lis started in 2008. Their music is based on Portuguese popular and folk music, with influences from around the world, especially Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. In 2009, they joined the Festival RTP da Canção and won with the song “Todas as Ruas do Amor.” This meant they represented Portugal in Moscow at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. They performed in the first semifinal on May 12 and made it to the final on May 16. In the Eurovision final, they finished in 15th place with 57 points. Their album “Signo Solar” came out in April 2010. The main influence was Portuguese popular music and folklore. In the next year, they released a limited edition with extra tracks. Flor de Lis released the single “Cinema Paraíso” in 2013 and the single “Dona Rosa” in 2014. After that, they took a break from making new songs and focused on live performances. In 2020, they came back with a new look and sound. The main band members were still Daniela Varela (vocals), José Camacho (guitars), Vasco Corisco (bass), and Pedro Marques (percussion and drums). They also had guest musicians like Inês Vaz (accordion) and Bruno Vicente (guitars). The band continues to play live concerts and create music regularly. Entries Todas as Ruas do Amor Country🇵🇹 Portugal Year2009 LanguagePortuguese LyricsPedro Marques MusicPaulo PereiraPedro Marques Backings– Results Semi Points: 70Position: 8Running order: 16 Results Finals Points: 57Position: 15Running order: 6 https://youtu.be/ryE2npWRICk?si=tYPlbdAtL2Rmt7_6

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InCulto

© Ane Charlotte Spilde, Wikimedia Commons About Quick Facts MembersJurgis DidžiulisAurelijus MorlencasLaurynas LapėJonas NarbutasJievaras JasinskisŠarūnas Kirdeikis Active2003-2011 Nationality🇱🇹 Lithuanian National Selection“Eurovizijos” dainų konkurso nacionalinė atranka 2010“Eurovizijos” dainų konkurso nacionalinė atranka 2006 In Eurovision2010 Oslo SongEastern European Funk (2010) Biography Formed in 2003, InCulto was a Lithuanian band known for blending unconventional electronic music with diverse musical influences, striving to merge organic and synthetic sounds and juxtaposing aggression with serenity. Their musical journey began ambitiously with the release of “PostSovPop” in 2004, marking their initial steps into the music industry with a mix of electronic and lively beats. That same year, the radio single “Jei labai nori” was released in collaboration with Linas Karalius, followed by the playful track “Suk, suk ratelį.” Their creative momentum continued into 2005 with the energetic “Boogaloo.” In 2006, InCulto made their first attempt to enter the Eurovision Song Contest with “Welcome to Lithuania,” securing a commendable second place in the national selection. The band’s experimentation and collaborative spirit were further showcased in 2007 with the release of “Marijos Žemės Superhitai” and two notable singles, “Reikia bandyt” featuring Erica Jennings and “Pasiilgau namų” alongside Andrius Rimiškis.  In 2010, a pivotal year, they launched the “Eastern European Funk EP” and the album “Closer Than You Think”, capturing attention both locally and internationally. Their song “Eastern European Funk” won unanimous support during the national selection, earning them the honor to represent Lithuania at the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo. Although they did not progress to the Grand Final, this experience was a significant highlight of their career. That year, the band also released “Keep on Dancing,” “Close to Midnight,” and “If Not Me,”. However, despite their success, InCulto announced in early 2011 that they would discontinue their activities. Entries Eastern European Funk Country🇱🇹 Lithuania Year2010 LanguageEnglish LyricsJurgis DidžiulisAurelijus MorlencasLaurynas LapėJonas NarbutasJievaras JasinskisŠarūnas Kirdeikis MusicJurgis DidžiulisAurelijus MorlencasLaurynas LapėJonas NarbutasJievaras JasinskisŠarūnas Kirdeikis Backings– Results Semi Points: 44Position: 12Running order: 1 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/XeOn-GG_eHo?si=Z5noEZ8X2UgeD_HX

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maNga

About Quick Facts MembersCem BahtiyarEfe YılmazFerman AkgülÖzgür Can ÖneyYağmur Sarıgül Founded2001 Nationality🇹🇷 Turkey National SelectionInternal selection 2010 In Eurovision2010 Oslo SongWe Could Be The Same (2010) Biography maNga, an Ankara-based Turkish rock band, delves into Alternative Rock, Nu-Metal, and Rapcore, boasting six studio albums to date. Their story unfolds from late 2001, beginning with Yağmur Sarıgül “Yamyam” (Guitar) merging rock with electronics, alongside Orçun Şekerusta (Bass Guitar), Özgür Can Öney (Drums), Efe Yılmaz (Turntable), and Ferman Akgül (Vocals), embracing Nu-Metal and Hardcore. This blend was spurred by Yamyam’s expulsion from a bar band and fueled by a desire to innovate within rock’s realms. Their ambition took them to the “Sing Your Song” contest in September 2001, marking the start of their album journey, which was further shaped by Orçun’s departure and Cem Bahtiyar’s entry. This pivotal moment led to the birth of maNga, inspired by Japanese comics, uniting diverse musical tastes and narratives. Their initial success was clinched with a second-place win at the “Sing Your Song” contest with “Kal Yanımda,” propelling them to produce hits like “Bitti Rüya,” “Libido,” and “Yalan.” Their endeavors were amplified by Haluk Kurosman’s support, driving them to share their music across Turkey. December 5, 2004, marked their debut album’s release, “maNga,” featuring collaborations with notable artists and achieving over 180,000 sales, earning a Gold Disc. The album’s tracks, including “Bir Kadın Çizeceksin,” found a place in EA Sports’ FIFA 2006 soundtrack, showcasing their growing influence. In June 2006, “maNga” was re-released as “maNga+” with new tracks and a DVD, reflecting the band’s evolving identity post-tours. This was followed by “Şehr-i Hüzün” in 2009, a testament to their refined sound and broader musical scope, resonating with fans and critics alike. A significant highlight was their Eurovision 2010 representation for Turkey with “We Could Be The Same,” achieving second place and marking a historic moment in their career. 2012 saw “E-akustik,” blending electric and acoustic sounds, featuring duets that underscored maNga’s versatility. This album underscored their adaptability and innovative spirit. In 2013, amidst their evolving journey, maNga announced the departure of DJ Efe Yılmaz, continuing as a quartet with unwavering commitment to their music and performances. Transitioning into a Rock-Nu Metal style, “Işıkları Söndürseler Bile” was unveiled in 2014, continuing their tradition of thematic and musical evolution. This period also saw their contribution to the soundtrack of “Hadi İnşallah,” reinterpreting Nilüfer’s “Yeniden Sev.” Post-2014, maNga embarked on cover projects and announced their studio return in 2018 under Demir Demirkan’s production, releasing “maNga X.” This era included summer tours, a 2019 maxi-single “Süper Güçlerimiz Var,” and teased an upcoming German single amidst plans for a new album in 2020, leading to the single “Zor” during COVID-19 quarantine days. The band’s shift towards progressive metal materialized with “Antroposen 001” in 2021, followed by “Antroposen 002” in 2023, marking their first entirely metal and experimental album. Entries We Could Be The Same Country🇹🇷 Turkey Year2010 LanguageEnglish LyricsEvren ÖzdemirCem BahtiyarEfe YılmazFerman AkgülÖzgür Can ÖneyYağmur SarıgülFiona Movery Akıncı MusicCem BahtiyarEfe YılmazFerman AkgülÖzgür Can ÖneyYağmur Sarıgül BackingsNathalie Marrable Results Semi Points: 118Position: 1Running order: 17 Results Finals Points: 170Position: 2Running order: 14 https://youtu.be/HB_GnnhNz-8?si=KmDEflRzgEj_K1Nr

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Firelight

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts MembersMichelle MifsudRichard Edwards MicallefTony PolidanoDaniel MicallefWayne William MicallefLeslie Decesare Founded2013 Nationality🇲🇹 Maltese National SelectionMalta Eurovision Song Contest 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongComing Home (2014) Biography Firelight is a Maltese folk-pop band. Formed in 2013, Firelight consists of siblings Richard Edwards Micallef, Michelle Micallef, and Wayne Micallef, along with their friends Tony Polidano and Daniel Micallef. Richard, Michelle, and Wayne are all accomplished singers and musicians in their own right. The band’s music is a blend of pop, rock, and folk, featuring catchy melodies, rich harmonies, and a variety of instruments, including the guitar, piano, and harmonica. Richard Edwards Micallef, the lead singer and songwriter of the band, has a strong musical pedigree. His father, Paul Micallef, was a well-known Maltese singer in the 1970s and 1980s. Richard himself has a distinguished career in music; he had previously participated in the Malta Eurovision Song Contest in 2011 and 2013 as a solo artist. Their song “Coming Home”, an acoustic ballad that they performed at Eurovision 2014, was written by Richard and is about a soldier returning home from war. The song placed ninth in the semi-final and 23rd in the final. The follow up single was called “Talk dirty”, which reached the #1 spot in the Maltese charts. Their debut album “Backdrop life” was released in September, followed by a tour in Germany and Austria. In December they released a new single, “Christmas Day”. In February 2015, the band donated the appalachian dulcimer used at the Eurovision performance for charity. It was sold for €2250,-. The money went to children’s cancer support group Puttinu Care. A new single, “Backdrop of Life”, was released in March 2015.  Wayne William and Richard Edwards went on with their solo carreers while the band continued performing. In July 2017, a new song “Victor The Hungarian Man” was released. After this, the band did not release any new music, but they continued performing on festivals throughout Malta. Entries Coming Home Country🇲🇹 Malta Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsRichard Edwards Micallef MusicRichard Edwards Micallef Backings– Results Semi Points: 63Position: 9Running order: 1 Results Finals Points: 32Position: 23Running order: 22 https://youtu.be/E_hT08vzHt8

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Softengine

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts MembersTopi LatukkaOssi MäkeläEero KeskinenHenri OskárTuomo Alarinta Active2011 – 2017 Nationality🇫🇮 Finnish National SelectionUuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongSomething Better (2014) Biography Softengine is a Finnish alternative pop-rock band. The story of this band traces back to 2011, in the small city of Seinäjoki, where its foundation was laid in an unlikely setting – a cottage owned by the grandparents of Topi Latukka. Topi Latukka, a key figure in the band’s formation, brought together a group of like-minded musicians. This idyllic retreat became the birthplace of Softengine. After a few years of practice, writing, and performing locally, Softengine achieved a remarkable feat in 2014, representing Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest. Their performance on the grand stage marked an important milestone in the band’s journey, amplifying their name to international audiences.  The momentum continued into 2015 when Softengine released their debut album.  While the journey of Softengine has been a testament to their collective talent and shared passion, it has not been without change. Eero Keskinen and Henri Oskár, both instrumental in the band’s formative years and early success, left the band in 2016. In 2017, the band made a tour throughout Finland. In the same year, the band announced that they were in the studio to write material for a new album. However, no music was released by the band, and no performances took place anymore. Topi Latukka went for a solo career. Entries Something Better Country🇫🇮 Finland Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsNames MusicNames Backings– Results Semi Points: 97Position: 3Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: 72Position: 11Running order: 18 https://youtu.be/3FDWaFfo1CU

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TWIN TWIN

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts MembersLorent IdirFrançois DjemelPatrick Biyik Founded2009 Nationality🇫🇷 French National SelectionLes Chansons d’Abord 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongMoustache (2014) Biography TWIN TWIN is a French electro group, originally from Montreuil, in Seine-Saint-Denis. Composed of Lorent Idir, François Djemel, and Patrick Biyik, the group is characterized by a mix of punk, electro, and rap sounds.  TWIN TWIN began their artistic careers with cinema: they were camera assistants and made a film with Why Not Productions. François later worked as a bassist in various rock and hard-rock bands. Lorent experimented with slam poetry and writing, and he published his first novel “Un nageur en plein ciel” with Rivages/Noir editions. Their encounter with saxophonist François Jeanneau changed the game and inspired a new creative dynamic in the twins, which would later lead to the formation of the group. Twin Twin was formed in 2009, initiated by Lorent and François who were then playing in their band called Chimère in Montreuil. It was during their meeting with beatboxer and drummer Patrick Biyik that Twin Twin was born. The group’s first composition, “Vive la vie”, launched the group to explore the capital and seek popularity. In addition to music, the group adopted a very personal visual style, favoring colorful and vintage stage outfits. That same year, they won several awards: the SFR Young Talent Award and the Lance-toi en live competition, which led them to open the shows for VV Brown and BB Brunes. Over the following years, they supported several artists such as Stromae, Shaka Ponk, and Philippe Katerine. The trio also won the Prix Paris Jeunes Talents 2010 and were invited to perform at Solidays for two consecutive years, during the 2011 and 2012 editions. The group immediately marked by their joy of living and contagious optimism both in their music and in their daily life. The interviews they give for TV or websites are another opportunity for them to express their good mood. Before the release of their first EP entitled “By My Side”, two clips were released: ZXR in February 2010, and “By My Side” in November 2011. The third title of the EP, “Comme toi” involved a collaboration with Lexicon. In April 2013, the group’s first album was released: “Vive la vie”, edited by Warner Music France. On March 2, 2014, the group was announced as the French national final for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2014, with the song “Moustache”. They finished last in the Eurovision Contest with a score of two points. After Eurovision, Twin Twin went to New York to compose their second album. In December 2014 and January 2015, they played in many clubs in the city while writing new songs. It was in New York that they met Jillionaire from Major Lazer, and in 2016, it was with him that they produced the tracks that make up their second opus. They wanted to recapture the energy of their beginnings, punk, saturated guitars (Soundsystem, Die Trying), but also hip-hop (Weed in My Pocket, Beretta Gucci) and ska, dub, reggae influences (Easy Life, Always Say No, Nowhere to Go) that they mix. However, no album was released. Only a hip-hop single, entitled “Maintenant je sais”, was released in 2019. The song was followed by the songs “Paradiso”, “Vomi noir” and “Love song”. They collaborated with Guad for the song “Chez moi”. Entries Moustache Country🇫🇷 France Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsLorent IdirFrançois Ardouvin MusicPierre BeyresKim N’Guyen BackingsUlrich Kwasi DancersCéline BaronJonathan Jenvrin Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 2Position: 26Running order: 14 https://youtu.be/vjkqciwP034

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Elaiza

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts MembersElżbieta SteinmetzNatalie PlögerYvonne Grünwald Founded2013 Nationality🇩🇪 German🇺🇦 Ukrainian National SelectionUnser Song Für Dänemark 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongIs It Right? (2014) Biography Elaiza is a German folk-pop band known for their distinctive neo-folk sound, which blends modern pop elements with traditional Eastern European folk. The band was formed in 2013 and originally consisted of three members: Elżbieta Steinmetz, Yvonne Grünwald, and Natalie Plöger. Elżbieta Steinmetz, who goes by the stage name “Ela,” is a singer and songwriter with Polish roots, a factor that heavily influences the band’s sound. Yvonne Grünwald plays the accordion, and Natalie Plöger is the contrabassist. Later on, Steinmetz and Grünwald continued as a duo, with Plöger departing the band. Elaiza’s breakthrough came in 2014 when they won the German national finals for the Eurovision Song Contest. Their song “Is It Right” represented Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Copenhagen that year. The band’s performance in the international music event significantly increased their profile in Germany and Europe more broadly, leading to a successful debut album, “Gallery,” which was released the same year. Elaiza is recognized for their vibrant and energetic performances, coupled with soulful lyrics and a unique musical style that blends modern pop with traditional influences. The band’s music often explores themes of love, life, and identity, and their work is characterized by Steinmetz’s powerful vocals, Grünwald’s expert accordion work, and a strong folk-pop sound. Elaiza had released two albums, “Gallery” in 2014 and “Restless” in 2016. The 2nd album was followed by a tour through Germany. At the same time, the band released two new singles, “Hurricane” and “Real”. However, before the band went on tour, Yvonne left the band. She was replaced by Laura Zimmermann. The band kept on touring through Germany in 2017. In November of that year they won a German Songwriting Award. In 2018, they did an acoustic tour. They even performed at the German embassy in Kenya and Ethiopia. The acoustic tour continued in 2019. Although the band did not officially split up, they didn’t perform anymore since March 2019. Entries Is It Right? Country🇩🇪 Germany Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsElżbieta SteinmetzAdam Kesselhaut MusicElżbieta SteinmetzFrank Kretschmer Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 39Position: 18Running order: 12 https://youtu.be/BFuGH2Kp9dI

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Litesound

About Quick Facts MembersDmitry KariakinVladimir KariakinJacopo MassaAlex KolchinIgnat Yakovich Founded2005 Nationality🇧🇾 Belarusian🇮🇹 Italian (Jacopo)🇷🇺 Russian (Alex) National SelectionEurofest 2012Eurofest 2009Eurofest 2008Eurofest 2007Eurofest 2006 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongWe Are The Heroes (2012) Biography Litesound is a Belarusian pop rock band formed in 2005 by brothers Dmitry and Vladimir Karyakin. The band’s journey began earlier, in 2002, as an acoustic duo. Their transformation into the quartet Litesound in 2005 marked the start of their notable musical career. With the addition of bassist Mario Gulinsky and drummer Sergey Genko, they won the Maiori International Music Festival in Italy in 2006, which led to a collaboration with Italian singer Jacopo Massa, eventually becoming an official member of the band. Litesound participated in various Eurofest competitions, aiming to represent Belarus in the Eurovision Song Contest. They competed in 2006 with “My Faith,” in 2008 with “Do You Believe,” and in 2009 with “Carry On.” Their debut album, “Going to Hollywood,” was released in 2010. The band’s persistence paid off in 2012 when they were chosen to represent Belarus in Eurovision with the song “We Are the Heroes,” following a voting fraud investigation in the national selection process. Subsequent years saw changes in the band’s lineup. In 2013, Alex Kolchin left, and the Doronkin brothers joined. The band released the Christmas single “Shooting Star” in 2013. In 2016, they collaborated with Moldovan singer Katherine for their fifth Eurovision attempt with the song “Imagine,” but later withdrew. In 2017, Evgeny Balchuys joined as the new bassist, and the band released “The Whole World.” Their second album, also titled “Litesound,” was released in 2018. In 2019, the band released “Champion” as the official song for the European Games in Minsk and “Fight For The Dream” for the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. The band’s outspoken criticism of the Belarusian authorities’ handling of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 led to repercussions, including being denied concert opportunities. The Karyakin brothers and their parents were detained in October 2022 and sentenced in March 2023 for participating in the 2020 protests​​. Entries We Are The Heroes Country🇧🇾 Belarus Year2012 LanguageEnglish LyricsDmitry KariakinVladimir Kariakin MusicNames BackingsAlex Panayi Results Semi Points: 35Position: 16Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/-JWbOKNaIAo?si=nhwOsDC05W1toVNq

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Grupa Regina

About Quick Facts MembersDavor EbnerAleksandar ‘Aco’ ĆovićDenis ČabrićBojan Milićević Active1990-2000, 2006- Nationality🇧🇦 Bosnian National SelectionInternal selection 2009 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongBistra voda (2009) Biography In 1989, five members—Aleksandar Čović, Bojan Milicevic, Bojan Milijas, Boris Milijas, and Goran Lucic—started an amateur band in Sarajevo, in those days in Yugoslavia. They had a problem because they didn’t have a singer. Soon, they found Davor Ebner, who gave the band the name Regina. That same year, Regina released their first album, called Regina. Aleksandar Čović wrote the lyrics, and he was inspired by the Irish band U2. The first album had hit songs like “Spavaj,” “Ne pitaj me,” and “Kao nekada ona,” and the band quickly became one of the most popular in the former Yugoslavia. In 1992, they released another album called “Ljubav nije za nas,” but the band stopped working because the war started in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Even though the band stopped performing, Aleksandar Čović continued working in Belgrade between 1992 and 1999, releasing several albums: “Regina,” “Oteto od zaborava,” “Godine lete,” “Ja nisam kao drugi,” “Kad zatvorim oči,” and “Devedesete.” From 2000, the band didn’t work until 2006, when Čović started working again with singer Davor Ebner, and they reformed the band. They soon released another album called “Sve mogu ja.” On January 12, 2009, BHT announced that Regina, with their song “Bistra voda,” would represent Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow. The song was officially presented on March 1, 2009. Theyqualified for the final on May 16, 2009, performing 12th. In the final, they finished in 9th place with 106 points. On June 5, 2009, they released their 10th studio album called “Vrijeme je.” The album included the Eurovision song “Bistra voda,” its English and Russian versions, and 10 new songs. In 2011, the band recorded a duet with Tifa, the former singer of the band Bijelo Dugme, titled “Ptico mala,” which premiered in the summer of 2011, along with a music video. They also announced a new album, “Sarajevo,” with “Ptico mala” as the lead single. Although “Sarajevo” was announced for autumn 2011, the band postponed the album release. In May 2012, it was announced that a new song “Kad poludimo” was recorded. The music video was released on May 8, 2012, and it was announced that the new album would be titled “Kad poludimo,” set to be released by the end of May 2012. On May 18, 2012, Regina announced that the album was on sale. In 2015, Bojan Miličević left the band. On 16 August 2016, the band’s long-time bassist, Denis Čabrić, suddenly died of a heart attack, leaving the band with three members. On Valentine’s Day 2017, Regina, now a trio, released a new studio album called “U srcu,” with the single “Za one stare dane,” the video for which was filmed in Paris. After thirty years of performing and many concerts, Davor Ebner decided to start a new project called “Ebner,” with some well-known Sarajevo musicians.  The idea of the project was for Davor Ebner to try a different style of music compared to Regina. With his lead and the new musicians, Regina entered a new phase, aiming to connect the “Ebner” project with the Regina band by trying to produce and perform music closer to new market trends. Regina’s songs are still performed in their original form but with a more modern and better sound to make the differences between genres smaller along with the “Ebner” project songs. In December 2022, Ebner left Regina, leaving the band as a duo. Entries Bistra voda Country🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina Year2009 LanguageBosnian LyricsAleksandar ‘Ćović MusicAleksandar Ćović BackingsElma SelimovićDanijela Večerinović Results Semi Points: 125Position: 3Running order: 18 Results Finals Points: 106Position: 9Running order: 12 https://youtu.be/TcRWjoEkzMk?si=LzeMNMSO6B_60ZKG

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Feminnem

About Quick Facts MembersNika Antolos (2010)Ivana Marić (2005)Neda ParmaćPamela Ramljak Active2004-2012, 2022- Nationality🇧🇦 Bosnian (Ivana, Pamela)🇭🇷 Croatian (Nika, Neda) National SelectionDora 2010Dora 2009Dora 2007BH Eurosong 2005 In Eurovision2010 Oslo2005 Kyiv SongLako je sve (2010)Call me (2005) Biography Feminnem is a Croatian female pop-dance group made up of Pamela Ramljak, Neda Parmać, and Nika Antolos. The group is known for writing their own songs and for their urban pop-dance music. Their name was inspired by the American rapper Eminem.  Feminnem’s Beginnings In 2004, after participating in the TV show Hrvatski Idol, Pamela, Neda, and Ivana Marić formed Feminnem and released their first hit single, “Volim te, mrzim te.” They quickly became popular and became the leading Croatian girl band after the group Divas broke up. 2004 – 2007: First Eurovision, Feminnem Show, and Ivana Leaves In 2005, they represented Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Call Me” by Andrej Babić, finishing in 14th place. In December 2005, they released their first album, Feminnem Show, named after their TV show on BHT. In 2006, they performed at HRF with the song “Reci nešto, al’ ne šuti više.” In 2007, they competed in Dora with the song “Navika” and placed 9th. Later that year, Ivana left the group to start a solo career. Neda and Pamela began searching for a new member. 2007 – 2009: Nikol Joins and Leaves, Another Try at Dora Neda and Pamela held auditions and chose Nikol Bulat as the new member. They released the single “Chanel 5” and performed at HRF, winning an award for most online votes. In 2009, they competed in Dora with the song “Poljupci u boji,” placing 3rd. That summer, they performed at HRF with “Oye, Oye, Oye” featuring Spanish singer Alex Mungo. However, Nikol didn’t fit well with the group and left in late summer 2009 after many disagreements. 2009 – 2012: Second Eurovision, Lako je sve, Easy to See, and Breakup Neda and Pamela found a new member, Nika Antolos, who started her career on RTL’s Hrvatska traži zvijezdu. They released the hit single “Sve što ostaje.” In 2010, they competed in Dora with “Lako je sve,” winning the most points from the jury and televoters. They released their second album Lako je sve. In May, they competed in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 and placed 13th in the semifinals. They then released their third album Easy to See, with songs from Lako je sve in English and a Spanish song, “Mil Amantes.” They performed at the Mediterranean Song Festival in Budva and released the single “Baš mi je dobro” for the CMC Festival in Vodice. In April 2011, their new single “Sve što ti nisam znala dati” leaked online. In November 2011, they released “Subota bez tebe” with Antonija Šola and Branimir Mihaljević. In February 2012, they confirmed their breakup on Dalibor Petko’s music show. 2022: Return to Music In May 2022, the group announced on social media that they had reunited. Since December, Pamela and Neda had been thinking about bringing Feminnem back while recording a Christmas song. In March, they contacted Nika, who happily joined. They gave an exclusive interview to Story magazine about their comeback. They use the hashtag #FeminnemDokNePreminem to promote their return on social media. In early May, they released the single “Zajedno,” which they performed at the 14th CMC Festival in Vodice. On June 1, they released the official video for “Zajedno,” which received nearly 100,000 views in a week. 2023: Victory at the 70th Zagreb Festival They won the 70th Zagreb Festival with the song “Trending” in a duet with Alejandro Buendija (Saša Antić from TBF). Entries Lako je sve Country🇭🇷 Croatia Year2010 LanguageCroatian LyricsPamela RamljakNeda Parmać MusicBranimir Mihaljević DancersLydia IvekovićIrma Results Semi Points: 33Position: 13Running order: 15 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/JYU37jzeQTo?si=OehMW7HpduBWjFzr Call Me Country🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina Year2005 LanguageEnglish LyricsAndrej Babić MusicAndrej Babić BackingsMija Martina?? Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 79Position: 14Running order: 21 https://youtu.be/Kqof50gLBIo?si=voGepXnKZ8tXruQH

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Flor-de-lis

About Quick Facts MembersPedro MarquesAna Sofia CampeãJorge MarquesJosé CamachoPaulo PereiraDaniela VarelaRolando Amaral (not on stage) Founded2008 Nationality🇵🇹 Portuguese National SelectionFestival RTP da Canção 2009 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongTodas as Ruas do Amor Biography Flor de Lis is a Portuguese musical group that won the Festival RTP da Canção in 2009. História (History) Flor de Lis started in 2008. Their music is based on Portuguese popular and folk music, with influences from around the world, especially Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. In 2009, they joined the Festival RTP da Canção and won with the song “Todas as Ruas do Amor.” This meant they represented Portugal in Moscow at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. They performed in the first semifinal on May 12 and made it to the final on May 16. In the Eurovision final, they finished in 15th place with 57 points. Their album “Signo Solar” came out in April 2010. The main influence was Portuguese popular music and folklore. In the next year, they released a limited edition with extra tracks. Flor de Lis released the single “Cinema Paraíso” in 2013 and the single “Dona Rosa” in 2014. After that, they took a break from making new songs and focused on live performances. In 2020, they came back with a new look and sound. The main band members were still Daniela Varela (vocals), José Camacho (guitars), Vasco Corisco (bass), and Pedro Marques (percussion and drums). They also had guest musicians like Inês Vaz (accordion) and Bruno Vicente (guitars). The band continues to play live concerts and create music regularly. Entries Todas as Ruas do Amor Country🇵🇹 Portugal Year2009 LanguagePortuguese LyricsPedro Marques MusicPaulo PereiraPedro Marques Backings– Results Semi Points: 70Position: 8Running order: 16 Results Finals Points: 57Position: 15Running order: 6 https://youtu.be/ryE2npWRICk?si=tYPlbdAtL2Rmt7_6

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InCulto

© Ane Charlotte Spilde, Wikimedia Commons About Quick Facts MembersJurgis DidžiulisAurelijus MorlencasLaurynas LapėJonas NarbutasJievaras JasinskisŠarūnas Kirdeikis Active2003-2011 Nationality🇱🇹 Lithuanian National Selection“Eurovizijos” dainų konkurso nacionalinė atranka 2010“Eurovizijos” dainų konkurso nacionalinė atranka 2006 In Eurovision2010 Oslo SongEastern European Funk (2010) Biography Formed in 2003, InCulto was a Lithuanian band known for blending unconventional electronic music with diverse musical influences, striving to merge organic and synthetic sounds and juxtaposing aggression with serenity. Their musical journey began ambitiously with the release of “PostSovPop” in 2004, marking their initial steps into the music industry with a mix of electronic and lively beats. That same year, the radio single “Jei labai nori” was released in collaboration with Linas Karalius, followed by the playful track “Suk, suk ratelį.” Their creative momentum continued into 2005 with the energetic “Boogaloo.” In 2006, InCulto made their first attempt to enter the Eurovision Song Contest with “Welcome to Lithuania,” securing a commendable second place in the national selection. The band’s experimentation and collaborative spirit were further showcased in 2007 with the release of “Marijos Žemės Superhitai” and two notable singles, “Reikia bandyt” featuring Erica Jennings and “Pasiilgau namų” alongside Andrius Rimiškis.  In 2010, a pivotal year, they launched the “Eastern European Funk EP” and the album “Closer Than You Think”, capturing attention both locally and internationally. Their song “Eastern European Funk” won unanimous support during the national selection, earning them the honor to represent Lithuania at the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo. Although they did not progress to the Grand Final, this experience was a significant highlight of their career. That year, the band also released “Keep on Dancing,” “Close to Midnight,” and “If Not Me,”. However, despite their success, InCulto announced in early 2011 that they would discontinue their activities. Entries Eastern European Funk Country🇱🇹 Lithuania Year2010 LanguageEnglish LyricsJurgis DidžiulisAurelijus MorlencasLaurynas LapėJonas NarbutasJievaras JasinskisŠarūnas Kirdeikis MusicJurgis DidžiulisAurelijus MorlencasLaurynas LapėJonas NarbutasJievaras JasinskisŠarūnas Kirdeikis Backings– Results Semi Points: 44Position: 12Running order: 1 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/XeOn-GG_eHo?si=Z5noEZ8X2UgeD_HX

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maNga

About Quick Facts MembersCem BahtiyarEfe YılmazFerman AkgülÖzgür Can ÖneyYağmur Sarıgül Founded2001 Nationality🇹🇷 Turkey National SelectionInternal selection 2010 In Eurovision2010 Oslo SongWe Could Be The Same (2010) Biography maNga, an Ankara-based Turkish rock band, delves into Alternative Rock, Nu-Metal, and Rapcore, boasting six studio albums to date. Their story unfolds from late 2001, beginning with Yağmur Sarıgül “Yamyam” (Guitar) merging rock with electronics, alongside Orçun Şekerusta (Bass Guitar), Özgür Can Öney (Drums), Efe Yılmaz (Turntable), and Ferman Akgül (Vocals), embracing Nu-Metal and Hardcore. This blend was spurred by Yamyam’s expulsion from a bar band and fueled by a desire to innovate within rock’s realms. Their ambition took them to the “Sing Your Song” contest in September 2001, marking the start of their album journey, which was further shaped by Orçun’s departure and Cem Bahtiyar’s entry. This pivotal moment led to the birth of maNga, inspired by Japanese comics, uniting diverse musical tastes and narratives. Their initial success was clinched with a second-place win at the “Sing Your Song” contest with “Kal Yanımda,” propelling them to produce hits like “Bitti Rüya,” “Libido,” and “Yalan.” Their endeavors were amplified by Haluk Kurosman’s support, driving them to share their music across Turkey. December 5, 2004, marked their debut album’s release, “maNga,” featuring collaborations with notable artists and achieving over 180,000 sales, earning a Gold Disc. The album’s tracks, including “Bir Kadın Çizeceksin,” found a place in EA Sports’ FIFA 2006 soundtrack, showcasing their growing influence. In June 2006, “maNga” was re-released as “maNga+” with new tracks and a DVD, reflecting the band’s evolving identity post-tours. This was followed by “Şehr-i Hüzün” in 2009, a testament to their refined sound and broader musical scope, resonating with fans and critics alike. A significant highlight was their Eurovision 2010 representation for Turkey with “We Could Be The Same,” achieving second place and marking a historic moment in their career. 2012 saw “E-akustik,” blending electric and acoustic sounds, featuring duets that underscored maNga’s versatility. This album underscored their adaptability and innovative spirit. In 2013, amidst their evolving journey, maNga announced the departure of DJ Efe Yılmaz, continuing as a quartet with unwavering commitment to their music and performances. Transitioning into a Rock-Nu Metal style, “Işıkları Söndürseler Bile” was unveiled in 2014, continuing their tradition of thematic and musical evolution. This period also saw their contribution to the soundtrack of “Hadi İnşallah,” reinterpreting Nilüfer’s “Yeniden Sev.” Post-2014, maNga embarked on cover projects and announced their studio return in 2018 under Demir Demirkan’s production, releasing “maNga X.” This era included summer tours, a 2019 maxi-single “Süper Güçlerimiz Var,” and teased an upcoming German single amidst plans for a new album in 2020, leading to the single “Zor” during COVID-19 quarantine days. The band’s shift towards progressive metal materialized with “Antroposen 001” in 2021, followed by “Antroposen 002” in 2023, marking their first entirely metal and experimental album. Entries We Could Be The Same Country🇹🇷 Turkey Year2010 LanguageEnglish LyricsEvren ÖzdemirCem BahtiyarEfe YılmazFerman AkgülÖzgür Can ÖneyYağmur SarıgülFiona Movery Akıncı MusicCem BahtiyarEfe YılmazFerman AkgülÖzgür Can ÖneyYağmur Sarıgül BackingsNathalie Marrable Results Semi Points: 118Position: 1Running order: 17 Results Finals Points: 170Position: 2Running order: 14 https://youtu.be/HB_GnnhNz-8?si=KmDEflRzgEj_K1Nr

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Firelight

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts MembersMichelle MifsudRichard Edwards MicallefTony PolidanoDaniel MicallefWayne William MicallefLeslie Decesare Founded2013 Nationality🇲🇹 Maltese National SelectionMalta Eurovision Song Contest 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongComing Home (2014) Biography Firelight is a Maltese folk-pop band. Formed in 2013, Firelight consists of siblings Richard Edwards Micallef, Michelle Micallef, and Wayne Micallef, along with their friends Tony Polidano and Daniel Micallef. Richard, Michelle, and Wayne are all accomplished singers and musicians in their own right. The band’s music is a blend of pop, rock, and folk, featuring catchy melodies, rich harmonies, and a variety of instruments, including the guitar, piano, and harmonica. Richard Edwards Micallef, the lead singer and songwriter of the band, has a strong musical pedigree. His father, Paul Micallef, was a well-known Maltese singer in the 1970s and 1980s. Richard himself has a distinguished career in music; he had previously participated in the Malta Eurovision Song Contest in 2011 and 2013 as a solo artist. Their song “Coming Home”, an acoustic ballad that they performed at Eurovision 2014, was written by Richard and is about a soldier returning home from war. The song placed ninth in the semi-final and 23rd in the final. The follow up single was called “Talk dirty”, which reached the #1 spot in the Maltese charts. Their debut album “Backdrop life” was released in September, followed by a tour in Germany and Austria. In December they released a new single, “Christmas Day”. In February 2015, the band donated the appalachian dulcimer used at the Eurovision performance for charity. It was sold for €2250,-. The money went to children’s cancer support group Puttinu Care. A new single, “Backdrop of Life”, was released in March 2015.  Wayne William and Richard Edwards went on with their solo carreers while the band continued performing. In July 2017, a new song “Victor The Hungarian Man” was released. After this, the band did not release any new music, but they continued performing on festivals throughout Malta. Entries Coming Home Country🇲🇹 Malta Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsRichard Edwards Micallef MusicRichard Edwards Micallef Backings– Results Semi Points: 63Position: 9Running order: 1 Results Finals Points: 32Position: 23Running order: 22 https://youtu.be/E_hT08vzHt8

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Softengine

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts MembersTopi LatukkaOssi MäkeläEero KeskinenHenri OskárTuomo Alarinta Active2011 – 2017 Nationality🇫🇮 Finnish National SelectionUuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongSomething Better (2014) Biography Softengine is a Finnish alternative pop-rock band. The story of this band traces back to 2011, in the small city of Seinäjoki, where its foundation was laid in an unlikely setting – a cottage owned by the grandparents of Topi Latukka. Topi Latukka, a key figure in the band’s formation, brought together a group of like-minded musicians. This idyllic retreat became the birthplace of Softengine. After a few years of practice, writing, and performing locally, Softengine achieved a remarkable feat in 2014, representing Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest. Their performance on the grand stage marked an important milestone in the band’s journey, amplifying their name to international audiences.  The momentum continued into 2015 when Softengine released their debut album.  While the journey of Softengine has been a testament to their collective talent and shared passion, it has not been without change. Eero Keskinen and Henri Oskár, both instrumental in the band’s formative years and early success, left the band in 2016. In 2017, the band made a tour throughout Finland. In the same year, the band announced that they were in the studio to write material for a new album. However, no music was released by the band, and no performances took place anymore. Topi Latukka went for a solo career. Entries Something Better Country🇫🇮 Finland Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsNames MusicNames Backings– Results Semi Points: 97Position: 3Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: 72Position: 11Running order: 18 https://youtu.be/3FDWaFfo1CU

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TWIN TWIN

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts MembersLorent IdirFrançois DjemelPatrick Biyik Founded2009 Nationality🇫🇷 French National SelectionLes Chansons d’Abord 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongMoustache (2014) Biography TWIN TWIN is a French electro group, originally from Montreuil, in Seine-Saint-Denis. Composed of Lorent Idir, François Djemel, and Patrick Biyik, the group is characterized by a mix of punk, electro, and rap sounds.  TWIN TWIN began their artistic careers with cinema: they were camera assistants and made a film with Why Not Productions. François later worked as a bassist in various rock and hard-rock bands. Lorent experimented with slam poetry and writing, and he published his first novel “Un nageur en plein ciel” with Rivages/Noir editions. Their encounter with saxophonist François Jeanneau changed the game and inspired a new creative dynamic in the twins, which would later lead to the formation of the group. Twin Twin was formed in 2009, initiated by Lorent and François who were then playing in their band called Chimère in Montreuil. It was during their meeting with beatboxer and drummer Patrick Biyik that Twin Twin was born. The group’s first composition, “Vive la vie”, launched the group to explore the capital and seek popularity. In addition to music, the group adopted a very personal visual style, favoring colorful and vintage stage outfits. That same year, they won several awards: the SFR Young Talent Award and the Lance-toi en live competition, which led them to open the shows for VV Brown and BB Brunes. Over the following years, they supported several artists such as Stromae, Shaka Ponk, and Philippe Katerine. The trio also won the Prix Paris Jeunes Talents 2010 and were invited to perform at Solidays for two consecutive years, during the 2011 and 2012 editions. The group immediately marked by their joy of living and contagious optimism both in their music and in their daily life. The interviews they give for TV or websites are another opportunity for them to express their good mood. Before the release of their first EP entitled “By My Side”, two clips were released: ZXR in February 2010, and “By My Side” in November 2011. The third title of the EP, “Comme toi” involved a collaboration with Lexicon. In April 2013, the group’s first album was released: “Vive la vie”, edited by Warner Music France. On March 2, 2014, the group was announced as the French national final for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2014, with the song “Moustache”. They finished last in the Eurovision Contest with a score of two points. After Eurovision, Twin Twin went to New York to compose their second album. In December 2014 and January 2015, they played in many clubs in the city while writing new songs. It was in New York that they met Jillionaire from Major Lazer, and in 2016, it was with him that they produced the tracks that make up their second opus. They wanted to recapture the energy of their beginnings, punk, saturated guitars (Soundsystem, Die Trying), but also hip-hop (Weed in My Pocket, Beretta Gucci) and ska, dub, reggae influences (Easy Life, Always Say No, Nowhere to Go) that they mix. However, no album was released. Only a hip-hop single, entitled “Maintenant je sais”, was released in 2019. The song was followed by the songs “Paradiso”, “Vomi noir” and “Love song”. They collaborated with Guad for the song “Chez moi”. Entries Moustache Country🇫🇷 France Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsLorent IdirFrançois Ardouvin MusicPierre BeyresKim N’Guyen BackingsUlrich Kwasi DancersCéline BaronJonathan Jenvrin Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 2Position: 26Running order: 14 https://youtu.be/vjkqciwP034

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Elaiza

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts MembersElżbieta SteinmetzNatalie PlögerYvonne Grünwald Founded2013 Nationality🇩🇪 German🇺🇦 Ukrainian National SelectionUnser Song Für Dänemark 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongIs It Right? (2014) Biography Elaiza is a German folk-pop band known for their distinctive neo-folk sound, which blends modern pop elements with traditional Eastern European folk. The band was formed in 2013 and originally consisted of three members: Elżbieta Steinmetz, Yvonne Grünwald, and Natalie Plöger. Elżbieta Steinmetz, who goes by the stage name “Ela,” is a singer and songwriter with Polish roots, a factor that heavily influences the band’s sound. Yvonne Grünwald plays the accordion, and Natalie Plöger is the contrabassist. Later on, Steinmetz and Grünwald continued as a duo, with Plöger departing the band. Elaiza’s breakthrough came in 2014 when they won the German national finals for the Eurovision Song Contest. Their song “Is It Right” represented Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Copenhagen that year. The band’s performance in the international music event significantly increased their profile in Germany and Europe more broadly, leading to a successful debut album, “Gallery,” which was released the same year. Elaiza is recognized for their vibrant and energetic performances, coupled with soulful lyrics and a unique musical style that blends modern pop with traditional influences. The band’s music often explores themes of love, life, and identity, and their work is characterized by Steinmetz’s powerful vocals, Grünwald’s expert accordion work, and a strong folk-pop sound. Elaiza had released two albums, “Gallery” in 2014 and “Restless” in 2016. The 2nd album was followed by a tour through Germany. At the same time, the band released two new singles, “Hurricane” and “Real”. However, before the band went on tour, Yvonne left the band. She was replaced by Laura Zimmermann. The band kept on touring through Germany in 2017. In November of that year they won a German Songwriting Award. In 2018, they did an acoustic tour. They even performed at the German embassy in Kenya and Ethiopia. The acoustic tour continued in 2019. Although the band did not officially split up, they didn’t perform anymore since March 2019. Entries Is It Right? Country🇩🇪 Germany Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsElżbieta SteinmetzAdam Kesselhaut MusicElżbieta SteinmetzFrank Kretschmer Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 39Position: 18Running order: 12 https://youtu.be/BFuGH2Kp9dI

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Litesound

About Quick Facts MembersDmitry KariakinVladimir KariakinJacopo MassaAlex KolchinIgnat Yakovich Founded2005 Nationality🇧🇾 Belarusian🇮🇹 Italian (Jacopo)🇷🇺 Russian (Alex) National SelectionEurofest 2012Eurofest 2009Eurofest 2008Eurofest 2007Eurofest 2006 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongWe Are The Heroes (2012) Biography Litesound is a Belarusian pop rock band formed in 2005 by brothers Dmitry and Vladimir Karyakin. The band’s journey began earlier, in 2002, as an acoustic duo. Their transformation into the quartet Litesound in 2005 marked the start of their notable musical career. With the addition of bassist Mario Gulinsky and drummer Sergey Genko, they won the Maiori International Music Festival in Italy in 2006, which led to a collaboration with Italian singer Jacopo Massa, eventually becoming an official member of the band. Litesound participated in various Eurofest competitions, aiming to represent Belarus in the Eurovision Song Contest. They competed in 2006 with “My Faith,” in 2008 with “Do You Believe,” and in 2009 with “Carry On.” Their debut album, “Going to Hollywood,” was released in 2010. The band’s persistence paid off in 2012 when they were chosen to represent Belarus in Eurovision with the song “We Are the Heroes,” following a voting fraud investigation in the national selection process. Subsequent years saw changes in the band’s lineup. In 2013, Alex Kolchin left, and the Doronkin brothers joined. The band released the Christmas single “Shooting Star” in 2013. In 2016, they collaborated with Moldovan singer Katherine for their fifth Eurovision attempt with the song “Imagine,” but later withdrew. In 2017, Evgeny Balchuys joined as the new bassist, and the band released “The Whole World.” Their second album, also titled “Litesound,” was released in 2018. In 2019, the band released “Champion” as the official song for the European Games in Minsk and “Fight For The Dream” for the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. The band’s outspoken criticism of the Belarusian authorities’ handling of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 led to repercussions, including being denied concert opportunities. The Karyakin brothers and their parents were detained in October 2022 and sentenced in March 2023 for participating in the 2020 protests​​. Entries We Are The Heroes Country🇧🇾 Belarus Year2012 LanguageEnglish LyricsDmitry KariakinVladimir Kariakin MusicNames BackingsAlex Panayi Results Semi Points: 35Position: 16Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/-JWbOKNaIAo?si=nhwOsDC05W1toVNq

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Grupa Regina

About Quick Facts MembersDavor EbnerAleksandar ‘Aco’ ĆovićDenis ČabrićBojan Milićević Active1990-2000, 2006- Nationality🇧🇦 Bosnian National SelectionInternal selection 2009 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongBistra voda (2009) Biography In 1989, five members—Aleksandar Čović, Bojan Milicevic, Bojan Milijas, Boris Milijas, and Goran Lucic—started an amateur band in Sarajevo, in those days in Yugoslavia. They had a problem because they didn’t have a singer. Soon, they found Davor Ebner, who gave the band the name Regina. That same year, Regina released their first album, called Regina. Aleksandar Čović wrote the lyrics, and he was inspired by the Irish band U2. The first album had hit songs like “Spavaj,” “Ne pitaj me,” and “Kao nekada ona,” and the band quickly became one of the most popular in the former Yugoslavia. In 1992, they released another album called “Ljubav nije za nas,” but the band stopped working because the war started in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Even though the band stopped performing, Aleksandar Čović continued working in Belgrade between 1992 and 1999, releasing several albums: “Regina,” “Oteto od zaborava,” “Godine lete,” “Ja nisam kao drugi,” “Kad zatvorim oči,” and “Devedesete.” From 2000, the band didn’t work until 2006, when Čović started working again with singer Davor Ebner, and they reformed the band. They soon released another album called “Sve mogu ja.” On January 12, 2009, BHT announced that Regina, with their song “Bistra voda,” would represent Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow. The song was officially presented on March 1, 2009. Theyqualified for the final on May 16, 2009, performing 12th. In the final, they finished in 9th place with 106 points. On June 5, 2009, they released their 10th studio album called “Vrijeme je.” The album included the Eurovision song “Bistra voda,” its English and Russian versions, and 10 new songs. In 2011, the band recorded a duet with Tifa, the former singer of the band Bijelo Dugme, titled “Ptico mala,” which premiered in the summer of 2011, along with a music video. They also announced a new album, “Sarajevo,” with “Ptico mala” as the lead single. Although “Sarajevo” was announced for autumn 2011, the band postponed the album release. In May 2012, it was announced that a new song “Kad poludimo” was recorded. The music video was released on May 8, 2012, and it was announced that the new album would be titled “Kad poludimo,” set to be released by the end of May 2012. On May 18, 2012, Regina announced that the album was on sale. In 2015, Bojan Miličević left the band. On 16 August 2016, the band’s long-time bassist, Denis Čabrić, suddenly died of a heart attack, leaving the band with three members. On Valentine’s Day 2017, Regina, now a trio, released a new studio album called “U srcu,” with the single “Za one stare dane,” the video for which was filmed in Paris. After thirty years of performing and many concerts, Davor Ebner decided to start a new project called “Ebner,” with some well-known Sarajevo musicians.  The idea of the project was for Davor Ebner to try a different style of music compared to Regina. With his lead and the new musicians, Regina entered a new phase, aiming to connect the “Ebner” project with the Regina band by trying to produce and perform music closer to new market trends. Regina’s songs are still performed in their original form but with a more modern and better sound to make the differences between genres smaller along with the “Ebner” project songs. In December 2022, Ebner left Regina, leaving the band as a duo. Entries Bistra voda Country🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina Year2009 LanguageBosnian LyricsAleksandar ‘Ćović MusicAleksandar Ćović BackingsElma SelimovićDanijela Večerinović Results Semi Points: 125Position: 3Running order: 18 Results Finals Points: 106Position: 9Running order: 12 https://youtu.be/TcRWjoEkzMk?si=LzeMNMSO6B_60ZKG

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Feminnem

About Quick Facts MembersNika Antolos (2010)Ivana Marić (2005)Neda ParmaćPamela Ramljak Active2004-2012, 2022- Nationality🇧🇦 Bosnian (Ivana, Pamela)🇭🇷 Croatian (Nika, Neda) National SelectionDora 2010Dora 2009Dora 2007BH Eurosong 2005 In Eurovision2010 Oslo2005 Kyiv SongLako je sve (2010)Call me (2005) Biography Feminnem is a Croatian female pop-dance group made up of Pamela Ramljak, Neda Parmać, and Nika Antolos. The group is known for writing their own songs and for their urban pop-dance music. Their name was inspired by the American rapper Eminem.  Feminnem’s Beginnings In 2004, after participating in the TV show Hrvatski Idol, Pamela, Neda, and Ivana Marić formed Feminnem and released their first hit single, “Volim te, mrzim te.” They quickly became popular and became the leading Croatian girl band after the group Divas broke up. 2004 – 2007: First Eurovision, Feminnem Show, and Ivana Leaves In 2005, they represented Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Call Me” by Andrej Babić, finishing in 14th place. In December 2005, they released their first album, Feminnem Show, named after their TV show on BHT. In 2006, they performed at HRF with the song “Reci nešto, al’ ne šuti više.” In 2007, they competed in Dora with the song “Navika” and placed 9th. Later that year, Ivana left the group to start a solo career. Neda and Pamela began searching for a new member. 2007 – 2009: Nikol Joins and Leaves, Another Try at Dora Neda and Pamela held auditions and chose Nikol Bulat as the new member. They released the single “Chanel 5” and performed at HRF, winning an award for most online votes. In 2009, they competed in Dora with the song “Poljupci u boji,” placing 3rd. That summer, they performed at HRF with “Oye, Oye, Oye” featuring Spanish singer Alex Mungo. However, Nikol didn’t fit well with the group and left in late summer 2009 after many disagreements. 2009 – 2012: Second Eurovision, Lako je sve, Easy to See, and Breakup Neda and Pamela found a new member, Nika Antolos, who started her career on RTL’s Hrvatska traži zvijezdu. They released the hit single “Sve što ostaje.” In 2010, they competed in Dora with “Lako je sve,” winning the most points from the jury and televoters. They released their second album Lako je sve. In May, they competed in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 and placed 13th in the semifinals. They then released their third album Easy to See, with songs from Lako je sve in English and a Spanish song, “Mil Amantes.” They performed at the Mediterranean Song Festival in Budva and released the single “Baš mi je dobro” for the CMC Festival in Vodice. In April 2011, their new single “Sve što ti nisam znala dati” leaked online. In November 2011, they released “Subota bez tebe” with Antonija Šola and Branimir Mihaljević. In February 2012, they confirmed their breakup on Dalibor Petko’s music show. 2022: Return to Music In May 2022, the group announced on social media that they had reunited. Since December, Pamela and Neda had been thinking about bringing Feminnem back while recording a Christmas song. In March, they contacted Nika, who happily joined. They gave an exclusive interview to Story magazine about their comeback. They use the hashtag #FeminnemDokNePreminem to promote their return on social media. In early May, they released the single “Zajedno,” which they performed at the 14th CMC Festival in Vodice. On June 1, they released the official video for “Zajedno,” which received nearly 100,000 views in a week. 2023: Victory at the 70th Zagreb Festival They won the 70th Zagreb Festival with the song “Trending” in a duet with Alejandro Buendija (Saša Antić from TBF). Entries Lako je sve Country🇭🇷 Croatia Year2010 LanguageCroatian LyricsPamela RamljakNeda Parmać MusicBranimir Mihaljević DancersLydia IvekovićIrma Results Semi Points: 33Position: 13Running order: 15 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/JYU37jzeQTo?si=OehMW7HpduBWjFzr Call Me Country🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina Year2005 LanguageEnglish LyricsAndrej Babić MusicAndrej Babić BackingsMija Martina?? Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 79Position: 14Running order: 21 https://youtu.be/Kqof50gLBIo?si=voGepXnKZ8tXruQH

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Flor-de-lis

About Quick Facts MembersPedro MarquesAna Sofia CampeãJorge MarquesJosé CamachoPaulo PereiraDaniela VarelaRolando Amaral (not on stage) Founded2008 Nationality🇵🇹 Portuguese National SelectionFestival RTP da Canção 2009 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongTodas as Ruas do Amor Biography Flor de Lis is a Portuguese musical group that won the Festival RTP da Canção in 2009. História (History) Flor de Lis started in 2008. Their music is based on Portuguese popular and folk music, with influences from around the world, especially Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. In 2009, they joined the Festival RTP da Canção and won with the song “Todas as Ruas do Amor.” This meant they represented Portugal in Moscow at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. They performed in the first semifinal on May 12 and made it to the final on May 16. In the Eurovision final, they finished in 15th place with 57 points. Their album “Signo Solar” came out in April 2010. The main influence was Portuguese popular music and folklore. In the next year, they released a limited edition with extra tracks. Flor de Lis released the single “Cinema Paraíso” in 2013 and the single “Dona Rosa” in 2014. After that, they took a break from making new songs and focused on live performances. In 2020, they came back with a new look and sound. The main band members were still Daniela Varela (vocals), José Camacho (guitars), Vasco Corisco (bass), and Pedro Marques (percussion and drums). They also had guest musicians like Inês Vaz (accordion) and Bruno Vicente (guitars). The band continues to play live concerts and create music regularly. Entries Todas as Ruas do Amor Country🇵🇹 Portugal Year2009 LanguagePortuguese LyricsPedro Marques MusicPaulo PereiraPedro Marques Backings– Results Semi Points: 70Position: 8Running order: 16 Results Finals Points: 57Position: 15Running order: 6 https://youtu.be/ryE2npWRICk?si=tYPlbdAtL2Rmt7_6

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InCulto

© Ane Charlotte Spilde, Wikimedia Commons About Quick Facts MembersJurgis DidžiulisAurelijus MorlencasLaurynas LapėJonas NarbutasJievaras JasinskisŠarūnas Kirdeikis Active2003-2011 Nationality🇱🇹 Lithuanian National Selection“Eurovizijos” dainų konkurso nacionalinė atranka 2010“Eurovizijos” dainų konkurso nacionalinė atranka 2006 In Eurovision2010 Oslo SongEastern European Funk (2010) Biography Formed in 2003, InCulto was a Lithuanian band known for blending unconventional electronic music with diverse musical influences, striving to merge organic and synthetic sounds and juxtaposing aggression with serenity. Their musical journey began ambitiously with the release of “PostSovPop” in 2004, marking their initial steps into the music industry with a mix of electronic and lively beats. That same year, the radio single “Jei labai nori” was released in collaboration with Linas Karalius, followed by the playful track “Suk, suk ratelį.” Their creative momentum continued into 2005 with the energetic “Boogaloo.” In 2006, InCulto made their first attempt to enter the Eurovision Song Contest with “Welcome to Lithuania,” securing a commendable second place in the national selection. The band’s experimentation and collaborative spirit were further showcased in 2007 with the release of “Marijos Žemės Superhitai” and two notable singles, “Reikia bandyt” featuring Erica Jennings and “Pasiilgau namų” alongside Andrius Rimiškis.  In 2010, a pivotal year, they launched the “Eastern European Funk EP” and the album “Closer Than You Think”, capturing attention both locally and internationally. Their song “Eastern European Funk” won unanimous support during the national selection, earning them the honor to represent Lithuania at the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo. Although they did not progress to the Grand Final, this experience was a significant highlight of their career. That year, the band also released “Keep on Dancing,” “Close to Midnight,” and “If Not Me,”. However, despite their success, InCulto announced in early 2011 that they would discontinue their activities. Entries Eastern European Funk Country🇱🇹 Lithuania Year2010 LanguageEnglish LyricsJurgis DidžiulisAurelijus MorlencasLaurynas LapėJonas NarbutasJievaras JasinskisŠarūnas Kirdeikis MusicJurgis DidžiulisAurelijus MorlencasLaurynas LapėJonas NarbutasJievaras JasinskisŠarūnas Kirdeikis Backings– Results Semi Points: 44Position: 12Running order: 1 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/XeOn-GG_eHo?si=Z5noEZ8X2UgeD_HX

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maNga

About Quick Facts MembersCem BahtiyarEfe YılmazFerman AkgülÖzgür Can ÖneyYağmur Sarıgül Founded2001 Nationality🇹🇷 Turkey National SelectionInternal selection 2010 In Eurovision2010 Oslo SongWe Could Be The Same (2010) Biography maNga, an Ankara-based Turkish rock band, delves into Alternative Rock, Nu-Metal, and Rapcore, boasting six studio albums to date. Their story unfolds from late 2001, beginning with Yağmur Sarıgül “Yamyam” (Guitar) merging rock with electronics, alongside Orçun Şekerusta (Bass Guitar), Özgür Can Öney (Drums), Efe Yılmaz (Turntable), and Ferman Akgül (Vocals), embracing Nu-Metal and Hardcore. This blend was spurred by Yamyam’s expulsion from a bar band and fueled by a desire to innovate within rock’s realms. Their ambition took them to the “Sing Your Song” contest in September 2001, marking the start of their album journey, which was further shaped by Orçun’s departure and Cem Bahtiyar’s entry. This pivotal moment led to the birth of maNga, inspired by Japanese comics, uniting diverse musical tastes and narratives. Their initial success was clinched with a second-place win at the “Sing Your Song” contest with “Kal Yanımda,” propelling them to produce hits like “Bitti Rüya,” “Libido,” and “Yalan.” Their endeavors were amplified by Haluk Kurosman’s support, driving them to share their music across Turkey. December 5, 2004, marked their debut album’s release, “maNga,” featuring collaborations with notable artists and achieving over 180,000 sales, earning a Gold Disc. The album’s tracks, including “Bir Kadın Çizeceksin,” found a place in EA Sports’ FIFA 2006 soundtrack, showcasing their growing influence. In June 2006, “maNga” was re-released as “maNga+” with new tracks and a DVD, reflecting the band’s evolving identity post-tours. This was followed by “Şehr-i Hüzün” in 2009, a testament to their refined sound and broader musical scope, resonating with fans and critics alike. A significant highlight was their Eurovision 2010 representation for Turkey with “We Could Be The Same,” achieving second place and marking a historic moment in their career. 2012 saw “E-akustik,” blending electric and acoustic sounds, featuring duets that underscored maNga’s versatility. This album underscored their adaptability and innovative spirit. In 2013, amidst their evolving journey, maNga announced the departure of DJ Efe Yılmaz, continuing as a quartet with unwavering commitment to their music and performances. Transitioning into a Rock-Nu Metal style, “Işıkları Söndürseler Bile” was unveiled in 2014, continuing their tradition of thematic and musical evolution. This period also saw their contribution to the soundtrack of “Hadi İnşallah,” reinterpreting Nilüfer’s “Yeniden Sev.” Post-2014, maNga embarked on cover projects and announced their studio return in 2018 under Demir Demirkan’s production, releasing “maNga X.” This era included summer tours, a 2019 maxi-single “Süper Güçlerimiz Var,” and teased an upcoming German single amidst plans for a new album in 2020, leading to the single “Zor” during COVID-19 quarantine days. The band’s shift towards progressive metal materialized with “Antroposen 001” in 2021, followed by “Antroposen 002” in 2023, marking their first entirely metal and experimental album. Entries We Could Be The Same Country🇹🇷 Turkey Year2010 LanguageEnglish LyricsEvren ÖzdemirCem BahtiyarEfe YılmazFerman AkgülÖzgür Can ÖneyYağmur SarıgülFiona Movery Akıncı MusicCem BahtiyarEfe YılmazFerman AkgülÖzgür Can ÖneyYağmur Sarıgül BackingsNathalie Marrable Results Semi Points: 118Position: 1Running order: 17 Results Finals Points: 170Position: 2Running order: 14 https://youtu.be/HB_GnnhNz-8?si=KmDEflRzgEj_K1Nr

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Firelight

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts MembersMichelle MifsudRichard Edwards MicallefTony PolidanoDaniel MicallefWayne William MicallefLeslie Decesare Founded2013 Nationality🇲🇹 Maltese National SelectionMalta Eurovision Song Contest 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongComing Home (2014) Biography Firelight is a Maltese folk-pop band. Formed in 2013, Firelight consists of siblings Richard Edwards Micallef, Michelle Micallef, and Wayne Micallef, along with their friends Tony Polidano and Daniel Micallef. Richard, Michelle, and Wayne are all accomplished singers and musicians in their own right. The band’s music is a blend of pop, rock, and folk, featuring catchy melodies, rich harmonies, and a variety of instruments, including the guitar, piano, and harmonica. Richard Edwards Micallef, the lead singer and songwriter of the band, has a strong musical pedigree. His father, Paul Micallef, was a well-known Maltese singer in the 1970s and 1980s. Richard himself has a distinguished career in music; he had previously participated in the Malta Eurovision Song Contest in 2011 and 2013 as a solo artist. Their song “Coming Home”, an acoustic ballad that they performed at Eurovision 2014, was written by Richard and is about a soldier returning home from war. The song placed ninth in the semi-final and 23rd in the final. The follow up single was called “Talk dirty”, which reached the #1 spot in the Maltese charts. Their debut album “Backdrop life” was released in September, followed by a tour in Germany and Austria. In December they released a new single, “Christmas Day”. In February 2015, the band donated the appalachian dulcimer used at the Eurovision performance for charity. It was sold for €2250,-. The money went to children’s cancer support group Puttinu Care. A new single, “Backdrop of Life”, was released in March 2015.  Wayne William and Richard Edwards went on with their solo carreers while the band continued performing. In July 2017, a new song “Victor The Hungarian Man” was released. After this, the band did not release any new music, but they continued performing on festivals throughout Malta. Entries Coming Home Country🇲🇹 Malta Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsRichard Edwards Micallef MusicRichard Edwards Micallef Backings– Results Semi Points: 63Position: 9Running order: 1 Results Finals Points: 32Position: 23Running order: 22 https://youtu.be/E_hT08vzHt8

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Softengine

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts MembersTopi LatukkaOssi MäkeläEero KeskinenHenri OskárTuomo Alarinta Active2011 – 2017 Nationality🇫🇮 Finnish National SelectionUuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongSomething Better (2014) Biography Softengine is a Finnish alternative pop-rock band. The story of this band traces back to 2011, in the small city of Seinäjoki, where its foundation was laid in an unlikely setting – a cottage owned by the grandparents of Topi Latukka. Topi Latukka, a key figure in the band’s formation, brought together a group of like-minded musicians. This idyllic retreat became the birthplace of Softengine. After a few years of practice, writing, and performing locally, Softengine achieved a remarkable feat in 2014, representing Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest. Their performance on the grand stage marked an important milestone in the band’s journey, amplifying their name to international audiences.  The momentum continued into 2015 when Softengine released their debut album.  While the journey of Softengine has been a testament to their collective talent and shared passion, it has not been without change. Eero Keskinen and Henri Oskár, both instrumental in the band’s formative years and early success, left the band in 2016. In 2017, the band made a tour throughout Finland. In the same year, the band announced that they were in the studio to write material for a new album. However, no music was released by the band, and no performances took place anymore. Topi Latukka went for a solo career. Entries Something Better Country🇫🇮 Finland Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsNames MusicNames Backings– Results Semi Points: 97Position: 3Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: 72Position: 11Running order: 18 https://youtu.be/3FDWaFfo1CU

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TWIN TWIN

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts MembersLorent IdirFrançois DjemelPatrick Biyik Founded2009 Nationality🇫🇷 French National SelectionLes Chansons d’Abord 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongMoustache (2014) Biography TWIN TWIN is a French electro group, originally from Montreuil, in Seine-Saint-Denis. Composed of Lorent Idir, François Djemel, and Patrick Biyik, the group is characterized by a mix of punk, electro, and rap sounds.  TWIN TWIN began their artistic careers with cinema: they were camera assistants and made a film with Why Not Productions. François later worked as a bassist in various rock and hard-rock bands. Lorent experimented with slam poetry and writing, and he published his first novel “Un nageur en plein ciel” with Rivages/Noir editions. Their encounter with saxophonist François Jeanneau changed the game and inspired a new creative dynamic in the twins, which would later lead to the formation of the group. Twin Twin was formed in 2009, initiated by Lorent and François who were then playing in their band called Chimère in Montreuil. It was during their meeting with beatboxer and drummer Patrick Biyik that Twin Twin was born. The group’s first composition, “Vive la vie”, launched the group to explore the capital and seek popularity. In addition to music, the group adopted a very personal visual style, favoring colorful and vintage stage outfits. That same year, they won several awards: the SFR Young Talent Award and the Lance-toi en live competition, which led them to open the shows for VV Brown and BB Brunes. Over the following years, they supported several artists such as Stromae, Shaka Ponk, and Philippe Katerine. The trio also won the Prix Paris Jeunes Talents 2010 and were invited to perform at Solidays for two consecutive years, during the 2011 and 2012 editions. The group immediately marked by their joy of living and contagious optimism both in their music and in their daily life. The interviews they give for TV or websites are another opportunity for them to express their good mood. Before the release of their first EP entitled “By My Side”, two clips were released: ZXR in February 2010, and “By My Side” in November 2011. The third title of the EP, “Comme toi” involved a collaboration with Lexicon. In April 2013, the group’s first album was released: “Vive la vie”, edited by Warner Music France. On March 2, 2014, the group was announced as the French national final for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2014, with the song “Moustache”. They finished last in the Eurovision Contest with a score of two points. After Eurovision, Twin Twin went to New York to compose their second album. In December 2014 and January 2015, they played in many clubs in the city while writing new songs. It was in New York that they met Jillionaire from Major Lazer, and in 2016, it was with him that they produced the tracks that make up their second opus. They wanted to recapture the energy of their beginnings, punk, saturated guitars (Soundsystem, Die Trying), but also hip-hop (Weed in My Pocket, Beretta Gucci) and ska, dub, reggae influences (Easy Life, Always Say No, Nowhere to Go) that they mix. However, no album was released. Only a hip-hop single, entitled “Maintenant je sais”, was released in 2019. The song was followed by the songs “Paradiso”, “Vomi noir” and “Love song”. They collaborated with Guad for the song “Chez moi”. Entries Moustache Country🇫🇷 France Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsLorent IdirFrançois Ardouvin MusicPierre BeyresKim N’Guyen BackingsUlrich Kwasi DancersCéline BaronJonathan Jenvrin Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 2Position: 26Running order: 14 https://youtu.be/vjkqciwP034

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Elaiza

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts MembersElżbieta SteinmetzNatalie PlögerYvonne Grünwald Founded2013 Nationality🇩🇪 German🇺🇦 Ukrainian National SelectionUnser Song Für Dänemark 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongIs It Right? (2014) Biography Elaiza is a German folk-pop band known for their distinctive neo-folk sound, which blends modern pop elements with traditional Eastern European folk. The band was formed in 2013 and originally consisted of three members: Elżbieta Steinmetz, Yvonne Grünwald, and Natalie Plöger. Elżbieta Steinmetz, who goes by the stage name “Ela,” is a singer and songwriter with Polish roots, a factor that heavily influences the band’s sound. Yvonne Grünwald plays the accordion, and Natalie Plöger is the contrabassist. Later on, Steinmetz and Grünwald continued as a duo, with Plöger departing the band. Elaiza’s breakthrough came in 2014 when they won the German national finals for the Eurovision Song Contest. Their song “Is It Right” represented Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Copenhagen that year. The band’s performance in the international music event significantly increased their profile in Germany and Europe more broadly, leading to a successful debut album, “Gallery,” which was released the same year. Elaiza is recognized for their vibrant and energetic performances, coupled with soulful lyrics and a unique musical style that blends modern pop with traditional influences. The band’s music often explores themes of love, life, and identity, and their work is characterized by Steinmetz’s powerful vocals, Grünwald’s expert accordion work, and a strong folk-pop sound. Elaiza had released two albums, “Gallery” in 2014 and “Restless” in 2016. The 2nd album was followed by a tour through Germany. At the same time, the band released two new singles, “Hurricane” and “Real”. However, before the band went on tour, Yvonne left the band. She was replaced by Laura Zimmermann. The band kept on touring through Germany in 2017. In November of that year they won a German Songwriting Award. In 2018, they did an acoustic tour. They even performed at the German embassy in Kenya and Ethiopia. The acoustic tour continued in 2019. Although the band did not officially split up, they didn’t perform anymore since March 2019. Entries Is It Right? Country🇩🇪 Germany Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsElżbieta SteinmetzAdam Kesselhaut MusicElżbieta SteinmetzFrank Kretschmer Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 39Position: 18Running order: 12 https://youtu.be/BFuGH2Kp9dI

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Litesound

About Quick Facts MembersDmitry KariakinVladimir KariakinJacopo MassaAlex KolchinIgnat Yakovich Founded2005 Nationality🇧🇾 Belarusian🇮🇹 Italian (Jacopo)🇷🇺 Russian (Alex) National SelectionEurofest 2012Eurofest 2009Eurofest 2008Eurofest 2007Eurofest 2006 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongWe Are The Heroes (2012) Biography Litesound is a Belarusian pop rock band formed in 2005 by brothers Dmitry and Vladimir Karyakin. The band’s journey began earlier, in 2002, as an acoustic duo. Their transformation into the quartet Litesound in 2005 marked the start of their notable musical career. With the addition of bassist Mario Gulinsky and drummer Sergey Genko, they won the Maiori International Music Festival in Italy in 2006, which led to a collaboration with Italian singer Jacopo Massa, eventually becoming an official member of the band. Litesound participated in various Eurofest competitions, aiming to represent Belarus in the Eurovision Song Contest. They competed in 2006 with “My Faith,” in 2008 with “Do You Believe,” and in 2009 with “Carry On.” Their debut album, “Going to Hollywood,” was released in 2010. The band’s persistence paid off in 2012 when they were chosen to represent Belarus in Eurovision with the song “We Are the Heroes,” following a voting fraud investigation in the national selection process. Subsequent years saw changes in the band’s lineup. In 2013, Alex Kolchin left, and the Doronkin brothers joined. The band released the Christmas single “Shooting Star” in 2013. In 2016, they collaborated with Moldovan singer Katherine for their fifth Eurovision attempt with the song “Imagine,” but later withdrew. In 2017, Evgeny Balchuys joined as the new bassist, and the band released “The Whole World.” Their second album, also titled “Litesound,” was released in 2018. In 2019, the band released “Champion” as the official song for the European Games in Minsk and “Fight For The Dream” for the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. The band’s outspoken criticism of the Belarusian authorities’ handling of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 led to repercussions, including being denied concert opportunities. The Karyakin brothers and their parents were detained in October 2022 and sentenced in March 2023 for participating in the 2020 protests​​. Entries We Are The Heroes Country🇧🇾 Belarus Year2012 LanguageEnglish LyricsDmitry KariakinVladimir Kariakin MusicNames BackingsAlex Panayi Results Semi Points: 35Position: 16Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/-JWbOKNaIAo?si=nhwOsDC05W1toVNq

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Grupa Regina

About Quick Facts MembersDavor EbnerAleksandar ‘Aco’ ĆovićDenis ČabrićBojan Milićević Active1990-2000, 2006- Nationality🇧🇦 Bosnian National SelectionInternal selection 2009 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongBistra voda (2009) Biography In 1989, five members—Aleksandar Čović, Bojan Milicevic, Bojan Milijas, Boris Milijas, and Goran Lucic—started an amateur band in Sarajevo, in those days in Yugoslavia. They had a problem because they didn’t have a singer. Soon, they found Davor Ebner, who gave the band the name Regina. That same year, Regina released their first album, called Regina. Aleksandar Čović wrote the lyrics, and he was inspired by the Irish band U2. The first album had hit songs like

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Feminnem

About Quick Facts MembersNika Antolos (2010)Ivana Marić (2005)Neda ParmaćPamela Ramljak Active2004-2012, 2022- Nationality🇧🇦 Bosnian (Ivana, Pamela)🇭🇷 Croatian (Nika, Neda) National SelectionDora 2010Dora 2009Dora 2007BH Eurosong 2005 In Eurovision2010 Oslo2005 Kyiv SongLako je sve (2010)Call me (2005) Biography Feminnem is a Croatian female pop-dance group made up of Pamela Ramljak, Neda Parmać, and Nika Antolos. The group is known for writing their own songs and for their urban pop-dance music. Their name was inspired by the American rapper Eminem.  Feminnem’s Beginnings In 2004, after participating in the TV show Hrvatski Idol, Pamela, Neda, and Ivana Marić formed Feminnem and released their first

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Flor-de-lis

About Quick Facts MembersPedro MarquesAna Sofia CampeãJorge MarquesJosé CamachoPaulo PereiraDaniela VarelaRolando Amaral (not on stage) Founded2008 Nationality🇵🇹 Portuguese National SelectionFestival RTP da Canção 2009 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongTodas as Ruas do Amor Biography Flor de Lis is a Portuguese musical group that won the Festival RTP da Canção in 2009. História (History) Flor de Lis started in 2008. Their music is based on Portuguese popular and folk music, with influences from around the world, especially Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. In 2009, they joined the Festival RTP da Canção and won with the song “Todas as Ruas do Amor.”

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InCulto

© Ane Charlotte Spilde, Wikimedia Commons About Quick Facts MembersJurgis DidžiulisAurelijus MorlencasLaurynas LapėJonas NarbutasJievaras JasinskisŠarūnas Kirdeikis Active2003-2011 Nationality🇱🇹 Lithuanian National Selection“Eurovizijos” dainų konkurso nacionalinė atranka 2010“Eurovizijos” dainų konkurso nacionalinė atranka 2006 In Eurovision2010 Oslo SongEastern European Funk (2010) Biography Formed in 2003, InCulto was a Lithuanian band known for blending unconventional electronic music with diverse musical influences, striving to merge organic and synthetic sounds and juxtaposing aggression with serenity. Their musical journey began ambitiously with the release of “PostSovPop” in 2004, marking their initial steps into the music industry with a mix of electronic and lively beats. That same year, the

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maNga

About Quick Facts MembersCem BahtiyarEfe YılmazFerman AkgülÖzgür Can ÖneyYağmur Sarıgül Founded2001 Nationality🇹🇷 Turkey National SelectionInternal selection 2010 In Eurovision2010 Oslo SongWe Could Be The Same (2010) Biography maNga, an Ankara-based Turkish rock band, delves into Alternative Rock, Nu-Metal, and Rapcore, boasting six studio albums to date. Their story unfolds from late 2001, beginning with Yağmur Sarıgül “Yamyam” (Guitar) merging rock with electronics, alongside Orçun Şekerusta (Bass Guitar), Özgür Can Öney (Drums), Efe Yılmaz (Turntable), and Ferman Akgül (Vocals), embracing Nu-Metal and Hardcore. This blend was spurred by Yamyam’s expulsion from a bar band and fueled by a desire to innovate within

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Firelight

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts MembersMichelle MifsudRichard Edwards MicallefTony PolidanoDaniel MicallefWayne William MicallefLeslie Decesare Founded2013 Nationality🇲🇹 Maltese National SelectionMalta Eurovision Song Contest 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongComing Home (2014) Biography Firelight is a Maltese folk-pop band. Formed in 2013, Firelight consists of siblings Richard Edwards Micallef, Michelle Micallef, and Wayne Micallef, along with their friends Tony Polidano and Daniel Micallef. Richard, Michelle, and Wayne are all accomplished singers and musicians in their own right. The band’s music is a blend of pop, rock, and folk, featuring catchy melodies, rich harmonies, and a variety of instruments, including the guitar, piano, and

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Softengine

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts MembersTopi LatukkaOssi MäkeläEero KeskinenHenri OskárTuomo Alarinta Active2011 – 2017 Nationality🇫🇮 Finnish National SelectionUuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongSomething Better (2014) Biography Softengine is a Finnish alternative pop-rock band. The story of this band traces back to 2011, in the small city of Seinäjoki, where its foundation was laid in an unlikely setting – a cottage owned by the grandparents of Topi Latukka. Topi Latukka, a key figure in the band’s formation, brought together a group of like-minded musicians. This idyllic retreat became the birthplace of Softengine. After a few years of practice, writing,

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TWIN TWIN

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts MembersLorent IdirFrançois DjemelPatrick Biyik Founded2009 Nationality🇫🇷 French National SelectionLes Chansons d’Abord 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongMoustache (2014) Biography TWIN TWIN is a French electro group, originally from Montreuil, in Seine-Saint-Denis. Composed of Lorent Idir, François Djemel, and Patrick Biyik, the group is characterized by a mix of punk, electro, and rap sounds.  TWIN TWIN began their artistic careers with cinema: they were camera assistants and made a film with Why Not Productions. François later worked as a bassist in various rock and hard-rock bands. Lorent experimented with slam poetry and writing, and he published his

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Elaiza

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts MembersElżbieta SteinmetzNatalie PlögerYvonne Grünwald Founded2013 Nationality🇩🇪 German🇺🇦 Ukrainian National SelectionUnser Song Für Dänemark 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongIs It Right? (2014) Biography Elaiza is a German folk-pop band known for their distinctive neo-folk sound, which blends modern pop elements with traditional Eastern European folk. The band was formed in 2013 and originally consisted of three members: Elżbieta Steinmetz, Yvonne Grünwald, and Natalie Plöger. Elżbieta Steinmetz, who goes by the stage name “Ela,” is a singer and songwriter with Polish roots, a factor that heavily influences the band’s sound. Yvonne Grünwald plays the accordion, and Natalie

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Litesound

About Quick Facts MembersDmitry KariakinVladimir KariakinJacopo MassaAlex KolchinIgnat Yakovich Founded2005 Nationality🇧🇾 Belarusian🇮🇹 Italian (Jacopo)🇷🇺 Russian (Alex) National SelectionEurofest 2012Eurofest 2009Eurofest 2008Eurofest 2007Eurofest 2006 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongWe Are The Heroes (2012) Biography Litesound is a Belarusian pop rock band formed in 2005 by brothers Dmitry and Vladimir Karyakin. The band’s journey began earlier, in 2002, as an acoustic duo. Their transformation into the quartet Litesound in 2005 marked the start of their notable musical career. With the addition of bassist Mario Gulinsky and drummer Sergey Genko, they won the Maiori International Music Festival in Italy in 2006, which led to a collaboration

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