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They will rock you!

  It is often said: Rock music… that doesn’t belong  in the Eurovision Song Contest. But why not? And who decides? That is the counter-question.  The answer is simple; If we look at the rules of the EBU, there are rules about length, publication, originality, but not about the genre.So…. Rock music at Eurovision: Sure thing! The early years For the very first Rock entry, we’re going all the way back to…..1956! An entry in the very first year of Eurovision, which would not be out of place for Elvis (regardless of the language). The Austrian Freddy Quin was one of the German representatives; his song was called was “So geht das jede Nacht”. As with every entry in the Eurovision Song Contest of 1956, apart from the winner, the placement is unknown. Varying degrees of success and the lowest ranking Rock songs were submitted with varying degrees of success in the years that followed. In 1982 a Rock-bottom was reached: Finland’s Kojo with “Nuku pommiin”, took the very last place with 0 points. Was it really that bad, or was Europe not ready for it? Judge for yourself: Rock Win It took quite some time before Rock really made a difference at Eurovision, but in 2006 the time had come: Lordi for Finland with “Hardrock Hallelujah” won the contest with 292 points. Rock is part of it After that, Rock as a type of music at Eurovision was taken a lot more seriously. Bigger successes were achieved, and in 2018 even a Hungarian hard metal band managed to reach the finals. That AWS with “Viszlát Nyár” finished last in the grand final, doesn’t matter… They made it to the finals. The icing on the Rockcake was, of course, Måneskin in 2021. France was the big favorite (Barbara Pravi), but with 524 points, Italy left France behind.  The conclusion may be that Rock definitely belongs at Eurovision, although opinions will always be divided on this. 2024 was a year without Rock. We are curious to see what 2025 will bring.          

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In the Spotlight: Angelina Mango

In the Spotlight: Angelina Mango

Tomorrow, the big final of the Eurovision Song Contest takes place in the Malmö Arena. 26 countries compete for the win. One of them is Angelina Mango, representing Italy But who is Angelina? Let’s give her a spotlight. Angelina was born on April 10, 2001 in Maratea, in the South of Italy. Angelina comes from a musical family. Her mother, Laura Valente, was the singer of Matia Bazar; she joined the band in 1990, after their Eurovision participation (1979) and after their mega hit Ti sento (1985). Her father, Giuseppe Mango (or simply Mango), was a popular singer in Italy. After the early death of her father, the family moves to Milan, her mother’s birthplace, in 2016. Together with her brother she was part of a cover band, which was the start of her musical career. Career On November 13, 2020, Mango released her debut single “Va tutto bendo” (Everything is okay). In 2022, she signed a recording contract with Sony Music. On May 12, 2023, Angelina released the EP “Voglia di vivere” (The will to live). The EP debuted at number two on the Italian charts. On October 6, 2023, she released the single “Che t’o dico a fa” (What do I tell you), which reached the second place on the Italian charts. San Remo Festival Where her father once started, just before his breakthrough in the eighties, Angelina shines this year: in San Remo, the Italian music festival of which the number one goes to the Eurovision Song Contest. She  brings a tribute to Giuseppe; she sings his hit “La rondine” (The Swallow). She wins the festival, and confirms to  represent Italy with the song “La noia” (Boredom). The song The song tells about the difficult time after the early death of her father, but that we must not be afraid of boredom: it must be welcomed, it is important, as are all the feelings that bring us down, deep down.  There is always an upswing.     Will she be able to win the festival? It is absolutely possible. Tomorrow, we will know. Photo: EBU/Alma Bengtsson

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The second semifinal

photo: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett The hosts Petra Mede and Malin Åkerman open the show with their own version of “Tattoo.” Malta In the Maltese act by Sarah Bonnici, there is a lot of movement and dancing. Later during the act, she is blindfolded, as are her dancers. Despite so much movement, Sarah manages to sing remarkably well. Albania Besa wears a turquoise gown with gemstones. The stage also includes several dancers, which might make it look a bit messy. However, many dancers are projected onto LED screens. Besa’s voice sounds a bit sharp here and there. Greece First, we see her purple boots, then the whole Marina Satti. She is also flanked by four dancers, but it looks much more organized. Greece has chosen a sophisticated entry not meant for casual listeners. A lot happens during this entry. Marina continues to sing well. Switzerland Nemo takes the viewer into his story with the song “The Code,” managing to crack the (binary) code. Their clothing says it all. Nemo has so far managed to enhance their narrative through fashion statements. Nemo jumps, skips, shows himself to be a balancing artist… and continues to sing crystal clear. We do not know if this is a winner, but we definitely respect their skills. Czechia You would expect Aiko to be standing on a pedestal during her performance. That’s not the case, but we find that the ceiling (one of the cubes) is very low. Aiko has four… Her nipples are no longer visible. Pay particular attention to the high note that Aiko effortlessly hits. Aiko surprises! During the first semifinal, Nicole (from Hugo) received a tribute, and in this semifinal, Jahn Teigen (ESC 1978, 1982, 1983) is honored. We are treated to a journey through Eurovision history with several participants who did not finish very high. France Slimane, dressed in white, starts singing while lying down, then sits up. Everything is shot in close-up, which makes the song even more intimate. Slimane pulls out all the stops in terms of his singing ability. The song has its distinct fans, but others are completely on the opposite end of the spectrum. Austria It’s interesting to put someone on stage who has held various other roles at the contest. Singing is clearly not Kaleen’s strongest suit. Regardless of how enjoyable the song may be found, the singing is forgotten in Austria. However, the act looks absolutely tight, and Kaleen knows very well what she is doing in terms of dance. Denmark It seems like you only see a singer sprinkling some sand and singing her song. However, we also see a second Saba in the background… A hologram, as it turns out, because at one point she disintegrates into sand. Occasionally, Saba tends to sing too loud, which makes the whole thing seem a bit shouty. Armenia Cheerfulness all over, garnished with typical Armenian sounds. Singer Jaklin Baghdasarian of Ladaniva plays a leading role throughout the act. The other band members and backing band stand behind her, but at one point, the flutist also comes forward. We see all sorts of things in the background: trumpets, chickens, and the artists themselves. Latvia Looking at his Instagram account, he is very cheerful and humorous: the Latvian Dons. But seeing him standing there in his sleeveless leather outfit amid a circle, and hearing his very serious ballad, we notice little of that. There is nothing wrong with this song, but that might also be the problem. Spain Both the singer and the dancers are dressed in black. The singing isn’t fantastic, but Nebulossa certainly knows how to throw a party in the hall. And of course, halfway through the act, the dancers strip off their clothes and continue dancing with bare chests and buttocks. At the end, a keyhole appears behind the singer Mery. The Spaniards really throw a party. San Marino We stick with the Spanish language, as San Marino sends the Spanish group Megara. Singer Kenzy Loevett is briefly flanked by two dancers in scary Easter bunny suits. Everything is pink and black in this act. It’s all rock, and the group tries to match the scariness of Bambie Thug, but it remains rather tame for a horror show. Georgia Nutsa Buzaladze is dressed in gold and stands in a circle of fire, which at one moment looks like a sun, the next a burning hoop. Nutsa is flanked by four dancers, and gives her all in terms of singing, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good. For Georgia, it’s definitely not a done deal. Belgium We had already seen photos of Mustii amid a circle of microphones, but he starts alone on stage. He then stands on a rotating platform. Later, he goes into this circle. Mustii is dressed in white. The singing we hear here is very cautious, with Mustii consciously staying below the high notes. He did not, as we previously reported, take his shirt off. But towards the end, we see the whole hall going wild with the Belgian entry! Estonia 5miinust and Puuluup are having a party on stage. The title of the song is, as previously mentioned, the longest ever. Whether the party really come across with all the “hey hey hey” is still a question. Possibly a finalist position for Estonia, but that is by no means certain. Italy Angelina Mango starts lying down, with roses projected under her. She has a sort of henna-like print depicted. This print also continues with the dancers. There are so many prints all over. There are so many details that you occasionally don’t see Angelina and her dancers at all. The singing is fine where it concerns Angelina. She ends a cappella. That takes skilsl, and Angelina has them. Italy will finish high, but perhaps not win. Israel The Israeli entry is the only ballad in this latter stage of the second semifinal. Just before she starts singing, Eden Golan leans back in a circle with lights. Five dancers flank her,

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Malmö Messages:the Big 5 and Sweden

Malmö Messages: A draw among the Big 5 and Sweden

The big five and Sweden had their second rehearsal today. However, there is more happening: the draw also took place to decide in which part of the show the participants will perform. There is a change happening: half of the countries will draw a ‘producers choice‘. They can be placed anywhere. United Kingdom He might have called it the most homosexual act ever. Olly Alexander has four dancers around him, who seem to be dancing around each other somewhat combatively. The men have bare torsos, except for Olly’s torn shirt. Whether it is indeed the most homosexual act ever or not? No idea, but not much is left to the imagination. He seems to be rising in the bookmakers’ ratings, where he is now in tenth place. Olly Alexander drew the first half of the final. Germany Little has changed since last time for Germany. The act was already so well-defined that there is little left to change. The singing is important in the German entry. But whether Isaak makes enough of an impression to break Germany’s negative streak remains to be seen. The bookmakers give him a 23rd place. Isaak drew in the first half of the final. Sweden The Swedes are number three in line to create a full music video of their performance. It is exactly the same performance as during Melodifestivalen. We see Marcus and Martinus everywhere and nowhere. This afternoon in the press center, someone enthusiastically told of having done five interviews with them. We already knew that Sweden will open the final. France Less is more, the French must have thought. Slimane stands alone on the stage in white clothing while singing his “Mon amour”. He stands, sits, and lies down while singing. The a cappella part makes a deep impression. The bookmakers currently predict just shy of a top-5 spot, placing him sixth. France will perform in the second half of the final. Spain With a lot of gold in the background, a red sofa, and the two members of Nebulossa in black clothing, the act is complete. The lyrics of “Zorra” caused a lot of controversy, but the Spanish audience enthusiastically roars along with the song. The bookmakers have no faith in it. They rank the song in 24th place. Nebulossa drew producers’ choice this afternoon. Italy Fortunately, not everything remains exactly the same as during the previous rehearsal. Angelina Mango has a different dress: a black one, with much fewer flowers on it. That makes the overall busy impression during the performance a bit less intense. “La Noia” is currently fourth with the bookmakers. Angelina Mango drew producers’ choice. As mentioned, except for Italy, there are few changes. The big five and Sweden will be heard and seen for the first time during the semifinals, so there are equal opportunities for everyone. We think: abolish the big five if they really want equal chances. But then, who are we…

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Malmö Messages: The Big Five plus Sweden

We haven’t heard from the big five plus Sweden yet. Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the host Sweden automatically qualify for the final. They had their rehearsal tonight. The United Kingdom was the first to rehearse. If you think you have ended up in the locker room of a boxing match; this is still the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Olly Alexander is wearing red pants and a white shirt. His hands are taped up. Around him are a number of dancers in red shorts and with bare chests. According to eurovision.tv, the camera moves in such a way that it seems as if the room is spinning. It could make you “Dizzy”. Isaak, representing Germany, appears to be in a very luxurious living room while singing his song “Always on the run”. We see a fire pit, lots of flames, and the cube coming down again. Isaak himself is dressed in black and is flanked by four backup singers; live singing matters here too. Marcus and Martinus are performing “Unforgettable” for Sweden. And as usual, the Swedes have the exact same act on stage as they did during Melodifestivalen. The twins are dressed in blue and black. On the LED screens behind them, and on the cube above them, many colors and patterns are visible. Occasionally, the title of the song also appears. The act is the same, but huge. The contestant for France, Slimane, is dressed in white during his “Mon amour”. He starts lying down and sings the first part of the song on his knees. Later, he stands behind the microphone and steps away from it to sing the last piece a cappella. The smoke machine does its job. The Spanish duo Nebulossa rehearsed next. Their song “Zorra” starts from the cube, which is now not hanging but has come all the way down. Mery is wearing pants with wide legs and a blouse with large puff sleeves. The red sofa, which Mery also was standing on during the national final, has come along to Malmö. There is smoke on the floor throughout the performance. Angelina Mango will perform for Italy in a red dress. On her arms and legs, we see some sort of plant images. The four dancers emerge from four large cubes to lift Angelina. She stands among them in front of a large throne made of branches. The whole scene is set against a backdrop of a sort of forest with bare trees. In short, there will be much to see during “La Noia.”

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🇮🇹 Road To Malmö: Italy

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Italy. Angelina Mango Born on April 10, 2001, in Maratea, Italy, Angelina Mango has emerged as a gifted Italian singer-songwriter. Raised in a musically inclined family, her father was the well-known singer Mango, and her mother, Laura Valente, sang for Matia Bazar. Angelina grew up in Lagonegro with her older brother Filippo, absorbing musical influences from the Rolling Stones to Venetian school composers like Giovanni Gabrieli. Angelina’s formal education at a scientific high school was paused due to her father’s sudden death, leading the family to move to Milan in 2016. Here, she continued her studies and explored music alongside her brother. Angelina’s career took a significant turn with the release of her debut single “Va tutto bene” in 2020, soon followed by her first EP “Monolocale.” Her musical journey flourished with performances at Milan Music Week and a collaboration with Sony Music and producer Enrico Brun in 2022. Angelina also made notable appearances on television shows and festivals, excelling in the twenty-second season of “Amici di Maria De Filippi” where she finished second and won in the singing category. Her song “Voglia di vivere” became a summer hit in 2023, reaching triple platinum status. Most recently, Angelina won the 74th Festival Di Sanremo with her performance of “La noia,” continuing her rise as a prominent figure in Italian music. Festival di Sanremo The festival of San Remo (Festival di Sanremo) was first held in 1951. The festival was a blueprint for the Eurovision Song Contest. In all those years, many classics came from the Festival Di Sanremo, as well as many stories. The winner of the festival was, on many occasions, the Italian participant for the Eurovision Song Contest. This year, the winner had the first choice to represent Italy. Angelina Mango said yes rightaway. She won the contest out of 30 contenders. Mahmood, Diodato, Il Volo, Ricchi e Poveri and Emma were among them. Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest Italy debuted at the very first Eurovision Song Contest in 1956. It was in 1964 when they had their first victory with Gigliola Cinquetti’s “Non ho l’eta”. It took until 1990 when this happened again with Toto Cutugno and his “Insieme: 1992”. In 2021 Måneskin won with “Zitti e buoni”. However, many Eurovision classics came from Italy. What to think about Domenico Modugno’s “Volare” and “Piove”? Do you remember Alice & Battiato singing “I treni di Tozeur”, or Tozzi & Raff presenting “Gente di mare”. And let’s not forget, in more recent years, Mahmood’s “Soldi”. Måneskin, photo: EBU The Bookmakers Italy is placed directly for the final. In the betting odds to win this final, Italy is currently 3rd. Will Angelina Mango do the job for Italy for a 4th time? Given the betting odds, it’s not impossible… The song And this is the song:

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In the Spotlight: Angelina Mango

Angelina Mango

© EBU/Alma Bengtsson About Quick Facts NameAngelina Mango Born10 April 2001 Nationality🇮🇹 Italian National SelectionFestival di Sanremo 2024 In Eurovision2024 Malmö SongLa noia (2024) Biography Born in Maratea on April 10, 2001, Angelina Mango has established herself as a prominent Italian singer-songwriter. As the daughter of Pino Mango, notably recognized as Mango, and Laura Valente, the former vocalist for Matia Bazar, Angelina was raised in Lagonegro within the Potenza province alongside her elder brother Filippo, who was born in 1995. Music runs deep in their family, with both siblings passionately embracing their musical heritage. Angelina’s early musical influences include iconic acts such as the Rolling Stones, Nirvana, and Aretha Franklin, alongside a profound respect for the late 16th to early 17th-century compositions, particularly from the Venetian school composers like Giovanni Gabrieli and Carlo Gesualdo, known for their polyphonic sacred music and madrigals. Her academic journey led her to a scientific high school in September 2014, which she later paused due to her father’s untimely demise. The family moved to Milan in 2016, where she not only pursued her education further but also ventured into music, performing in a band with her brother on drums. Angelina’s musical career took a significant leap forward with the release of her debut single “Va tutto bene” on November 13, 2020, setting the stage for her first EP “Monolocale.” The following year saw her opening for Giovanni Caccamo and Michele Placido on the “Parola Tour,” in addition to showcasing her talent during the Milan Music Week in November 2021. Despite participating in the Sanremo Giovani with the track “La tua buona colazione,” she didn’t make it to the final round. Her collaboration with Sony Music and producer Enrico Brun in 2022 marked a new phase in her career, participating in the Concerto del Primo Maggio and winning the Live Award at “Musica da bere.” This period also saw the release of singles like “Formica,” “Walkman” (produced by Tiziano Ferro), and “Rituali” (featuring Nashley). In September 2022, she appeared on the Rai 3 show “Via dei Matti nº0.” Angelina’s talents shone through during her stint on the twenty-second season of “Amici di Maria De Filippi,” broadcast on Canale 5, where she not only secured second place but also dominated the singing category. Her achievements on the show included opening for Elisa and performing at the “Capodanno in musica” concert. She released “Voglia di vivere” and “Mani vuote” during her time on “Amici,” followed by “Ci pensiamo domani” on May 12, 2023, which preluded her EP “Voglia di vivere,” released a week later. The EP quickly rose to second on the FIMI Album Chart, earning a gold record, while the lead single emerged as a summer anthem, achieving triple platinum status. She graced several major festivals in mid-2023, including “Battiti Live” and “TIM Summer Hits.” On October 1, 2023, Angelina previewed “Che t’o dico a fa’” on “Amici di Maria De Filippi,” officially releasing it five days later to platinum acclaim. Her “Voglia di vivere” Tour commenced on October 12, 2023, in Naples, achieving sold-out status across Italy, coinciding with the release of “Fila indiana” for the “Noi siamo leggenda” TV series soundtrack. Her successful entry into the 74th Sanremo Festival was announced on December 3, 2023, where she performed “La noia” from February 6 to 10, 2024. A highlight was her rendition of “La rondine,” a nod to her father’s legacy, performed with the Orchestra of Rome’s string quartet. Angelina clinched the top spot on February 11, 2024, outperforming Geolier and Annalisa with their respective entries. By winning the festival of Sanremo, Angelina became first choice to represent Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest. She accepted the challenge. “La Noia” was one of the favourites in the betting odds. In the end, she ended up in 7th place. Entries La Noia Country🇮🇹 Italy Year2024 LanguageItalian LyricsAngelina MangoFrancesca Calearo MusicAngelina MangoDario FainiFrancesca Calearo DancersArianna ForteFlaminia GenoeseKelly De NigroMartina ToderiValentina Vernia Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 268Position: 7Running order: 15 https://youtu.be/zp1FXHjkjpQ?si=TijGXgQPmk3kdFBB

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🇮🇹 Italy: Angelina Mango confirmed for Eurovision

After winning San Remo, Angelina Mango confirmed that she will represent Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest. She did that in the winners press conference after the contest. It is the procedure: the winner of the Festival di Sanremo gets the first choice to represent Italy. He or she can however chose not to. This is the rule since 2015. Only in 2016, when Stadio won Sanremo, they chose not to go to Eurovision. Francesca Michielin, who reached a 2nd place, went to the contest in Stockholm instead. Angelina Mango will (likely) sing “La noia”, a song she co-wrote with Dario Faini and Francesca Calearo.

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Angelina Mango wins Sanremo 2024

After a full week of artists competing in Sanremo we finally have our winner! Angelina Mango has won the compitition with “La Noia”. It was a tough battle as big artists like Geolier and Annalisa took part. Not only them, but also past Sanremo winners as Mahmood, Il Volo & Diodato.    The last clash was between Geolier & Angelina as they switched places all week in the betting odds.  However Angelina Mango won, and is likely to represent Italy in Malmö with “La Noia”. It is not 100% sure, as it’s not obliged that the winner of Sanremo has to go to Eurovision. 

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🇮🇹 Italy: Festival di Sanremo final

Tonight will be the final night of the famous Festival di Sanremo. 30 songs will compete for the trophy. 5 songs will be selected for a superfinal. The winner will be decided by 33% press jury, 33% radio jury and 34% televote. The winner is the one who got the first choice to go to Eurovision. In the press conference after the show, they will let the public now whether they go to Malmö or not. The show will start 20:45 CET and end deep in the night. You can watch it here. Here are the 30 contestants: nr. Title Artist (s)   1 Fino a qui Alessandra Amoroso 2 Vai! Alfa 3 La noia Angelina Mango 4 Sinceramente Annalisa 5 La rabbia non ti basta BigMama 6 Governo punk Bnkr44 7 Diamanti grezzi Clara 8 Onda alta Dargen D’Amico 9 Ti muovi Diodato 10 Apnea Emma 11 Mariposa Fiorella Mannoia 12 Il cielo non ci vuole Fred De Palma 13 Tutto qui Gazzelle 14 I p’ me tu p’ te Geolier 15 Casa mia Ghali 16 Fragili Il Tre 17 Capolavoro Il Volo 18 Tu no Irama 19 Autodistruttivo La Sad 20 Pazza Loredana Berté 21 Tuta gold Mahmood 22 Spettacolare Maninni 23 Due altalene Mr. Rain 24 Ricominciamo tutto Negramaro 25 Pazzo di te Renga & Nek 26 Ma non tutta la vita Ricchi e Poveri 27 Click boom! Rose Villain 28 Finiscimi Sangiovanni 29 L’amore in bocca Santi Francesci 30 Un ragazzo una ragazza The Kolors Participating in Festival di Sanremo before (in years that the Eurovision song was chosen from the contest): Annalisa in 2013, 2015 (4th), 2016 (11th), 2018 (3rd), 2021 (7th)Dargen D’Amico in 2022 (9th)Diodato in 2018 (8th) and 2020 (1st). He was supposed to represent Italy in the 2020 ESC with “Fai rumore”, which was cancelled due to COVID19.Emma in 2011, 2012, 2022 (6th). She was chosen to represent Italy in the 2014 ESC with “La mia città”.Fiorella Mannoia in 1987 (8th) and 1988 (10th).Il Volo in 2015 (1st), 2019 (3rd). They represented Italy in 2015 with “Grande amore”.Irama in 2019 (7th), 2021 (5th), 2022 (4th).Loredana Bertè in 1987 (16th), 1993 (with Mia Martini, 14th), 1997 (20th), 2019 (4th).Mahmood in 2019 (1st) and 2022 (1st, with Blanco). He represented Italy in both years, in 2019 with “Soldi” and in 2022 with “Brividi”.Mr. Rain in 2023 (3rd).Francesco Renga in 2012, in 2019 (15th), in 2021 (22nd).Nek in 1997 (7th), 2015 (2nd), 2019 (19th).Ricchi e Poveri in Canzonissima 1974, 1987 (7th), 1988 (9th), 1989 (9th), 1990 (17th). They were chosen to represent Italy in the 1978 ESC with “Questo amore”.Sangiovanni in 2022 (5th).The Kolors in 2018 (9th).   Diodato sings “Fai Rumore” in Eurovision Shine A Light in 2020. Emma sings “La mia città” in 2014. Il Volo sing “Grande amore” in 2015. Mahmood sings “Soldi” in 2019. Mahmood (and Blanco) sings “Brividi” in 2022. Ricchi e Poveri sing “Questo amore” in 1978.

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They will rock you!

  It is often said: Rock music… that doesn’t belong  in the Eurovision Song Contest. But why not? And who decides? That is the counter-question.  The answer is simple; If we look at the rules of the EBU, there are rules about length, publication, originality, but not about the genre.So…. Rock music at Eurovision: Sure thing! The early years For the very first Rock entry, we’re going all the way back to…..1956! An entry in the very first year of Eurovision, which would not be out of place for Elvis (regardless of the language). The Austrian Freddy Quin was one of the German representatives; his song was called was “So geht das jede Nacht”. As with every entry in the Eurovision Song Contest of 1956, apart from the winner, the placement is unknown. Varying degrees of success and the lowest ranking Rock songs were submitted with varying degrees of success in the years that followed. In 1982 a Rock-bottom was reached: Finland’s Kojo with “Nuku pommiin”, took the very last place with 0 points. Was it really that bad, or was Europe not ready for it? Judge for yourself: Rock Win It took quite some time before Rock really made a difference at Eurovision, but in 2006 the time had come: Lordi for Finland with “Hardrock Hallelujah” won the contest with 292 points. Rock is part of it After that, Rock as a type of music at Eurovision was taken a lot more seriously. Bigger successes were achieved, and in 2018 even a Hungarian hard metal band managed to reach the finals. That AWS with “Viszlát Nyár” finished last in the grand final, doesn’t matter… They made it to the finals. The icing on the Rockcake was, of course, Måneskin in 2021. France was the big favorite (Barbara Pravi), but with 524 points, Italy left France behind.  The conclusion may be that Rock definitely belongs at Eurovision, although opinions will always be divided on this. 2024 was a year without Rock. We are curious to see what 2025 will bring.          

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In the Spotlight: Angelina Mango

In the Spotlight: Angelina Mango

Tomorrow, the big final of the Eurovision Song Contest takes place in the Malmö Arena. 26 countries compete for the win. One of them is Angelina Mango, representing Italy But who is Angelina? Let’s give her a spotlight. Angelina was born on April 10, 2001 in Maratea, in the South of Italy. Angelina comes from a musical family. Her mother, Laura Valente, was the singer of Matia Bazar; she joined the band in 1990, after their Eurovision participation (1979) and after their mega hit Ti sento (1985). Her father, Giuseppe Mango (or simply Mango), was a popular singer in Italy. After the early death of her father, the family moves to Milan, her mother’s birthplace, in 2016. Together with her brother she was part of a cover band, which was the start of her musical career. Career On November 13, 2020, Mango released her debut single “Va tutto bendo” (Everything is okay). In 2022, she signed a recording contract with Sony Music. On May 12, 2023, Angelina released the EP “Voglia di vivere” (The will to live). The EP debuted at number two on the Italian charts. On October 6, 2023, she released the single “Che t’o dico a fa” (What do I tell you), which reached the second place on the Italian charts. San Remo Festival Where her father once started, just before his breakthrough in the eighties, Angelina shines this year: in San Remo, the Italian music festival of which the number one goes to the Eurovision Song Contest. She  brings a tribute to Giuseppe; she sings his hit “La rondine” (The Swallow). She wins the festival, and confirms to  represent Italy with the song “La noia” (Boredom). The song The song tells about the difficult time after the early death of her father, but that we must not be afraid of boredom: it must be welcomed, it is important, as are all the feelings that bring us down, deep down.  There is always an upswing.     Will she be able to win the festival? It is absolutely possible. Tomorrow, we will know. Photo: EBU/Alma Bengtsson

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The second semifinal

photo: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett The hosts Petra Mede and Malin Åkerman open the show with their own version of “Tattoo.” Malta In the Maltese act by Sarah Bonnici, there is a lot of movement and dancing. Later during the act, she is blindfolded, as are her dancers. Despite so much movement, Sarah manages to sing remarkably well. Albania Besa wears a turquoise gown with gemstones. The stage also includes several dancers, which might make it look a bit messy. However, many dancers are projected onto LED screens. Besa’s voice sounds a bit sharp here and there. Greece First, we see her purple boots, then the whole Marina Satti. She is also flanked by four dancers, but it looks much more organized. Greece has chosen a sophisticated entry not meant for casual listeners. A lot happens during this entry. Marina continues to sing well. Switzerland Nemo takes the viewer into his story with the song “The Code,” managing to crack the (binary) code. Their clothing says it all. Nemo has so far managed to enhance their narrative through fashion statements. Nemo jumps, skips, shows himself to be a balancing artist… and continues to sing crystal clear. We do not know if this is a winner, but we definitely respect their skills. Czechia You would expect Aiko to be standing on a pedestal during her performance. That’s not the case, but we find that the ceiling (one of the cubes) is very low. Aiko has four… Her nipples are no longer visible. Pay particular attention to the high note that Aiko effortlessly hits. Aiko surprises! During the first semifinal, Nicole (from Hugo) received a tribute, and in this semifinal, Jahn Teigen (ESC 1978, 1982, 1983) is honored. We are treated to a journey through Eurovision history with several participants who did not finish very high. France Slimane, dressed in white, starts singing while lying down, then sits up. Everything is shot in close-up, which makes the song even more intimate. Slimane pulls out all the stops in terms of his singing ability. The song has its distinct fans, but others are completely on the opposite end of the spectrum. Austria It’s interesting to put someone on stage who has held various other roles at the contest. Singing is clearly not Kaleen’s strongest suit. Regardless of how enjoyable the song may be found, the singing is forgotten in Austria. However, the act looks absolutely tight, and Kaleen knows very well what she is doing in terms of dance. Denmark It seems like you only see a singer sprinkling some sand and singing her song. However, we also see a second Saba in the background… A hologram, as it turns out, because at one point she disintegrates into sand. Occasionally, Saba tends to sing too loud, which makes the whole thing seem a bit shouty. Armenia Cheerfulness all over, garnished with typical Armenian sounds. Singer Jaklin Baghdasarian of Ladaniva plays a leading role throughout the act. The other band members and backing band stand behind her, but at one point, the flutist also comes forward. We see all sorts of things in the background: trumpets, chickens, and the artists themselves. Latvia Looking at his Instagram account, he is very cheerful and humorous: the Latvian Dons. But seeing him standing there in his sleeveless leather outfit amid a circle, and hearing his very serious ballad, we notice little of that. There is nothing wrong with this song, but that might also be the problem. Spain Both the singer and the dancers are dressed in black. The singing isn’t fantastic, but Nebulossa certainly knows how to throw a party in the hall. And of course, halfway through the act, the dancers strip off their clothes and continue dancing with bare chests and buttocks. At the end, a keyhole appears behind the singer Mery. The Spaniards really throw a party. San Marino We stick with the Spanish language, as San Marino sends the Spanish group Megara. Singer Kenzy Loevett is briefly flanked by two dancers in scary Easter bunny suits. Everything is pink and black in this act. It’s all rock, and the group tries to match the scariness of Bambie Thug, but it remains rather tame for a horror show. Georgia Nutsa Buzaladze is dressed in gold and stands in a circle of fire, which at one moment looks like a sun, the next a burning hoop. Nutsa is flanked by four dancers, and gives her all in terms of singing, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good. For Georgia, it’s definitely not a done deal. Belgium We had already seen photos of Mustii amid a circle of microphones, but he starts alone on stage. He then stands on a rotating platform. Later, he goes into this circle. Mustii is dressed in white. The singing we hear here is very cautious, with Mustii consciously staying below the high notes. He did not, as we previously reported, take his shirt off. But towards the end, we see the whole hall going wild with the Belgian entry! Estonia 5miinust and Puuluup are having a party on stage. The title of the song is, as previously mentioned, the longest ever. Whether the party really come across with all the “hey hey hey” is still a question. Possibly a finalist position for Estonia, but that is by no means certain. Italy Angelina Mango starts lying down, with roses projected under her. She has a sort of henna-like print depicted. This print also continues with the dancers. There are so many prints all over. There are so many details that you occasionally don’t see Angelina and her dancers at all. The singing is fine where it concerns Angelina. She ends a cappella. That takes skilsl, and Angelina has them. Italy will finish high, but perhaps not win. Israel The Israeli entry is the only ballad in this latter stage of the second semifinal. Just before she starts singing, Eden Golan leans back in a circle with lights. Five dancers flank her,

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Malmö Messages:the Big 5 and Sweden

Malmö Messages: A draw among the Big 5 and Sweden

The big five and Sweden had their second rehearsal today. However, there is more happening: the draw also took place to decide in which part of the show the participants will perform. There is a change happening: half of the countries will draw a ‘producers choice‘. They can be placed anywhere. United Kingdom He might have called it the most homosexual act ever. Olly Alexander has four dancers around him, who seem to be dancing around each other somewhat combatively. The men have bare torsos, except for Olly’s torn shirt. Whether it is indeed the most homosexual act ever or not? No idea, but not much is left to the imagination. He seems to be rising in the bookmakers’ ratings, where he is now in tenth place. Olly Alexander drew the first half of the final. Germany Little has changed since last time for Germany. The act was already so well-defined that there is little left to change. The singing is important in the German entry. But whether Isaak makes enough of an impression to break Germany’s negative streak remains to be seen. The bookmakers give him a 23rd place. Isaak drew in the first half of the final. Sweden The Swedes are number three in line to create a full music video of their performance. It is exactly the same performance as during Melodifestivalen. We see Marcus and Martinus everywhere and nowhere. This afternoon in the press center, someone enthusiastically told of having done five interviews with them. We already knew that Sweden will open the final. France Less is more, the French must have thought. Slimane stands alone on the stage in white clothing while singing his “Mon amour”. He stands, sits, and lies down while singing. The a cappella part makes a deep impression. The bookmakers currently predict just shy of a top-5 spot, placing him sixth. France will perform in the second half of the final. Spain With a lot of gold in the background, a red sofa, and the two members of Nebulossa in black clothing, the act is complete. The lyrics of “Zorra” caused a lot of controversy, but the Spanish audience enthusiastically roars along with the song. The bookmakers have no faith in it. They rank the song in 24th place. Nebulossa drew producers’ choice this afternoon. Italy Fortunately, not everything remains exactly the same as during the previous rehearsal. Angelina Mango has a different dress: a black one, with much fewer flowers on it. That makes the overall busy impression during the performance a bit less intense. “La Noia” is currently fourth with the bookmakers. Angelina Mango drew producers’ choice. As mentioned, except for Italy, there are few changes. The big five and Sweden will be heard and seen for the first time during the semifinals, so there are equal opportunities for everyone. We think: abolish the big five if they really want equal chances. But then, who are we…

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Malmö Messages: The Big Five plus Sweden

We haven’t heard from the big five plus Sweden yet. Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the host Sweden automatically qualify for the final. They had their rehearsal tonight. The United Kingdom was the first to rehearse. If you think you have ended up in the locker room of a boxing match; this is still the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Olly Alexander is wearing red pants and a white shirt. His hands are taped up. Around him are a number of dancers in red shorts and with bare chests. According to eurovision.tv, the camera moves in such a way that it seems as if the room is spinning. It could make you “Dizzy”. Isaak, representing Germany, appears to be in a very luxurious living room while singing his song “Always on the run”. We see a fire pit, lots of flames, and the cube coming down again. Isaak himself is dressed in black and is flanked by four backup singers; live singing matters here too. Marcus and Martinus are performing “Unforgettable” for Sweden. And as usual, the Swedes have the exact same act on stage as they did during Melodifestivalen. The twins are dressed in blue and black. On the LED screens behind them, and on the cube above them, many colors and patterns are visible. Occasionally, the title of the song also appears. The act is the same, but huge. The contestant for France, Slimane, is dressed in white during his “Mon amour”. He starts lying down and sings the first part of the song on his knees. Later, he stands behind the microphone and steps away from it to sing the last piece a cappella. The smoke machine does its job. The Spanish duo Nebulossa rehearsed next. Their song “Zorra” starts from the cube, which is now not hanging but has come all the way down. Mery is wearing pants with wide legs and a blouse with large puff sleeves. The red sofa, which Mery also was standing on during the national final, has come along to Malmö. There is smoke on the floor throughout the performance. Angelina Mango will perform for Italy in a red dress. On her arms and legs, we see some sort of plant images. The four dancers emerge from four large cubes to lift Angelina. She stands among them in front of a large throne made of branches. The whole scene is set against a backdrop of a sort of forest with bare trees. In short, there will be much to see during “La Noia.”

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🇮🇹 Road To Malmö: Italy

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Italy. Angelina Mango Born on April 10, 2001, in Maratea, Italy, Angelina Mango has emerged as a gifted Italian singer-songwriter. Raised in a musically inclined family, her father was the well-known singer Mango, and her mother, Laura Valente, sang for Matia Bazar. Angelina grew up in Lagonegro with her older brother Filippo, absorbing musical influences from the Rolling Stones to Venetian school composers like Giovanni Gabrieli. Angelina’s formal education at a scientific high school was paused due to her father’s sudden death, leading the family to move to Milan in 2016. Here, she continued her studies and explored music alongside her brother. Angelina’s career took a significant turn with the release of her debut single “Va tutto bene” in 2020, soon followed by her first EP “Monolocale.” Her musical journey flourished with performances at Milan Music Week and a collaboration with Sony Music and producer Enrico Brun in 2022. Angelina also made notable appearances on television shows and festivals, excelling in the twenty-second season of “Amici di Maria De Filippi” where she finished second and won in the singing category. Her song “Voglia di vivere” became a summer hit in 2023, reaching triple platinum status. Most recently, Angelina won the 74th Festival Di Sanremo with her performance of “La noia,” continuing her rise as a prominent figure in Italian music. Festival di Sanremo The festival of San Remo (Festival di Sanremo) was first held in 1951. The festival was a blueprint for the Eurovision Song Contest. In all those years, many classics came from the Festival Di Sanremo, as well as many stories. The winner of the festival was, on many occasions, the Italian participant for the Eurovision Song Contest. This year, the winner had the first choice to represent Italy. Angelina Mango said yes rightaway. She won the contest out of 30 contenders. Mahmood, Diodato, Il Volo, Ricchi e Poveri and Emma were among them. Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest Italy debuted at the very first Eurovision Song Contest in 1956. It was in 1964 when they had their first victory with Gigliola Cinquetti’s “Non ho l’eta”. It took until 1990 when this happened again with Toto Cutugno and his “Insieme: 1992”. In 2021 Måneskin won with “Zitti e buoni”. However, many Eurovision classics came from Italy. What to think about Domenico Modugno’s “Volare” and “Piove”? Do you remember Alice & Battiato singing “I treni di Tozeur”, or Tozzi & Raff presenting “Gente di mare”. And let’s not forget, in more recent years, Mahmood’s “Soldi”. Måneskin, photo: EBU The Bookmakers Italy is placed directly for the final. In the betting odds to win this final, Italy is currently 3rd. Will Angelina Mango do the job for Italy for a 4th time? Given the betting odds, it’s not impossible… The song And this is the song:

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In the Spotlight: Angelina Mango

Angelina Mango

© EBU/Alma Bengtsson About Quick Facts NameAngelina Mango Born10 April 2001 Nationality🇮🇹 Italian National SelectionFestival di Sanremo 2024 In Eurovision2024 Malmö SongLa noia (2024) Biography Born in Maratea on April 10, 2001, Angelina Mango has established herself as a prominent Italian singer-songwriter. As the daughter of Pino Mango, notably recognized as Mango, and Laura Valente, the former vocalist for Matia Bazar, Angelina was raised in Lagonegro within the Potenza province alongside her elder brother Filippo, who was born in 1995. Music runs deep in their family, with both siblings passionately embracing their musical heritage. Angelina’s early musical influences include iconic acts such as the Rolling Stones, Nirvana, and Aretha Franklin, alongside a profound respect for the late 16th to early 17th-century compositions, particularly from the Venetian school composers like Giovanni Gabrieli and Carlo Gesualdo, known for their polyphonic sacred music and madrigals. Her academic journey led her to a scientific high school in September 2014, which she later paused due to her father’s untimely demise. The family moved to Milan in 2016, where she not only pursued her education further but also ventured into music, performing in a band with her brother on drums. Angelina’s musical career took a significant leap forward with the release of her debut single “Va tutto bene” on November 13, 2020, setting the stage for her first EP “Monolocale.” The following year saw her opening for Giovanni Caccamo and Michele Placido on the “Parola Tour,” in addition to showcasing her talent during the Milan Music Week in November 2021. Despite participating in the Sanremo Giovani with the track “La tua buona colazione,” she didn’t make it to the final round. Her collaboration with Sony Music and producer Enrico Brun in 2022 marked a new phase in her career, participating in the Concerto del Primo Maggio and winning the Live Award at “Musica da bere.” This period also saw the release of singles like “Formica,” “Walkman” (produced by Tiziano Ferro), and “Rituali” (featuring Nashley). In September 2022, she appeared on the Rai 3 show “Via dei Matti nº0.” Angelina’s talents shone through during her stint on the twenty-second season of “Amici di Maria De Filippi,” broadcast on Canale 5, where she not only secured second place but also dominated the singing category. Her achievements on the show included opening for Elisa and performing at the “Capodanno in musica” concert. She released “Voglia di vivere” and “Mani vuote” during her time on “Amici,” followed by “Ci pensiamo domani” on May 12, 2023, which preluded her EP “Voglia di vivere,” released a week later. The EP quickly rose to second on the FIMI Album Chart, earning a gold record, while the lead single emerged as a summer anthem, achieving triple platinum status. She graced several major festivals in mid-2023, including “Battiti Live” and “TIM Summer Hits.” On October 1, 2023, Angelina previewed “Che t’o dico a fa’” on “Amici di Maria De Filippi,” officially releasing it five days later to platinum acclaim. Her “Voglia di vivere” Tour commenced on October 12, 2023, in Naples, achieving sold-out status across Italy, coinciding with the release of “Fila indiana” for the “Noi siamo leggenda” TV series soundtrack. Her successful entry into the 74th Sanremo Festival was announced on December 3, 2023, where she performed “La noia” from February 6 to 10, 2024. A highlight was her rendition of “La rondine,” a nod to her father’s legacy, performed with the Orchestra of Rome’s string quartet. Angelina clinched the top spot on February 11, 2024, outperforming Geolier and Annalisa with their respective entries. By winning the festival of Sanremo, Angelina became first choice to represent Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest. She accepted the challenge. “La Noia” was one of the favourites in the betting odds. In the end, she ended up in 7th place. Entries La Noia Country🇮🇹 Italy Year2024 LanguageItalian LyricsAngelina MangoFrancesca Calearo MusicAngelina MangoDario FainiFrancesca Calearo DancersArianna ForteFlaminia GenoeseKelly De NigroMartina ToderiValentina Vernia Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 268Position: 7Running order: 15 https://youtu.be/zp1FXHjkjpQ?si=TijGXgQPmk3kdFBB

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🇮🇹 Italy: Angelina Mango confirmed for Eurovision

After winning San Remo, Angelina Mango confirmed that she will represent Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest. She did that in the winners press conference after the contest. It is the procedure: the winner of the Festival di Sanremo gets the first choice to represent Italy. He or she can however chose not to. This is the rule since 2015. Only in 2016, when Stadio won Sanremo, they chose not to go to Eurovision. Francesca Michielin, who reached a 2nd place, went to the contest in Stockholm instead. Angelina Mango will (likely) sing “La noia”, a song she co-wrote with Dario Faini and Francesca Calearo.

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Angelina Mango wins Sanremo 2024

After a full week of artists competing in Sanremo we finally have our winner! Angelina Mango has won the compitition with “La Noia”. It was a tough battle as big artists like Geolier and Annalisa took part. Not only them, but also past Sanremo winners as Mahmood, Il Volo & Diodato.    The last clash was between Geolier & Angelina as they switched places all week in the betting odds.  However Angelina Mango won, and is likely to represent Italy in Malmö with “La Noia”. It is not 100% sure, as it’s not obliged that the winner of Sanremo has to go to Eurovision. 

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🇮🇹 Italy: Festival di Sanremo final

Tonight will be the final night of the famous Festival di Sanremo. 30 songs will compete for the trophy. 5 songs will be selected for a superfinal. The winner will be decided by 33% press jury, 33% radio jury and 34% televote. The winner is the one who got the first choice to go to Eurovision. In the press conference after the show, they will let the public now whether they go to Malmö or not. The show will start 20:45 CET and end deep in the night. You can watch it here. Here are the 30 contestants: nr. Title Artist (s)   1 Fino a qui Alessandra Amoroso 2 Vai! Alfa 3 La noia Angelina Mango 4 Sinceramente Annalisa 5 La rabbia non ti basta BigMama 6 Governo punk Bnkr44 7 Diamanti grezzi Clara 8 Onda alta Dargen D’Amico 9 Ti muovi Diodato 10 Apnea Emma 11 Mariposa Fiorella Mannoia 12 Il cielo non ci vuole Fred De Palma 13 Tutto qui Gazzelle 14 I p’ me tu p’ te Geolier 15 Casa mia Ghali 16 Fragili Il Tre 17 Capolavoro Il Volo 18 Tu no Irama 19 Autodistruttivo La Sad 20 Pazza Loredana Berté 21 Tuta gold Mahmood 22 Spettacolare Maninni 23 Due altalene Mr. Rain 24 Ricominciamo tutto Negramaro 25 Pazzo di te Renga & Nek 26 Ma non tutta la vita Ricchi e Poveri 27 Click boom! Rose Villain 28 Finiscimi Sangiovanni 29 L’amore in bocca Santi Francesci 30 Un ragazzo una ragazza The Kolors Participating in Festival di Sanremo before (in years that the Eurovision song was chosen from the contest): Annalisa in 2013, 2015 (4th), 2016 (11th), 2018 (3rd), 2021 (7th)Dargen D’Amico in 2022 (9th)Diodato in 2018 (8th) and 2020 (1st). He was supposed to represent Italy in the 2020 ESC with “Fai rumore”, which was cancelled due to COVID19.Emma in 2011, 2012, 2022 (6th). She was chosen to represent Italy in the 2014 ESC with “La mia città”.Fiorella Mannoia in 1987 (8th) and 1988 (10th).Il Volo in 2015 (1st), 2019 (3rd). They represented Italy in 2015 with “Grande amore”.Irama in 2019 (7th), 2021 (5th), 2022 (4th).Loredana Bertè in 1987 (16th), 1993 (with Mia Martini, 14th), 1997 (20th), 2019 (4th).Mahmood in 2019 (1st) and 2022 (1st, with Blanco). He represented Italy in both years, in 2019 with “Soldi” and in 2022 with “Brividi”.Mr. Rain in 2023 (3rd).Francesco Renga in 2012, in 2019 (15th), in 2021 (22nd).Nek in 1997 (7th), 2015 (2nd), 2019 (19th).Ricchi e Poveri in Canzonissima 1974, 1987 (7th), 1988 (9th), 1989 (9th), 1990 (17th). They were chosen to represent Italy in the 1978 ESC with “Questo amore”.Sangiovanni in 2022 (5th).The Kolors in 2018 (9th).   Diodato sings “Fai Rumore” in Eurovision Shine A Light in 2020. Emma sings “La mia città” in 2014. Il Volo sing “Grande amore” in 2015. Mahmood sings “Soldi” in 2019. Mahmood (and Blanco) sings “Brividi” in 2022. Ricchi e Poveri sing “Questo amore” in 1978.

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They will rock you!

  It is often said: Rock music… that doesn’t belong  in the Eurovision Song Contest. But why not? And who decides? That is the counter-question.  The answer is simple; If we look at the rules of the EBU, there are rules about length, publication, originality, but not about the genre.So…. Rock music at Eurovision: Sure thing! The early years For the very first Rock entry, we’re going all the way back to…..1956! An entry in the very first year of Eurovision, which would not be out of place for Elvis (regardless of the language). The Austrian Freddy Quin was one of the German representatives; his song was called was “So geht das jede Nacht”. As with every entry in the Eurovision Song Contest of 1956, apart from the winner, the placement is unknown. Varying degrees of success and the lowest ranking Rock songs were submitted with varying degrees of success in the years that followed. In 1982 a Rock-bottom was reached: Finland’s Kojo with “Nuku pommiin”, took the very last place with 0 points. Was it really that bad, or was Europe not ready for it? Judge for yourself: Rock Win It took quite some time before Rock really made a difference at Eurovision, but in 2006 the time had come: Lordi for Finland with “Hardrock Hallelujah” won the contest with 292 points. Rock is part of it After that, Rock as a type of music at Eurovision was taken a lot more seriously. Bigger successes were achieved, and in 2018 even a Hungarian hard metal band managed to reach the finals. That AWS with “Viszlát Nyár” finished last in the grand final, doesn’t matter… They made it to the finals. The icing on the Rockcake was, of course, Måneskin in 2021. France was the big favorite (Barbara Pravi), but with 524 points, Italy left France behind.  The conclusion may be that Rock definitely belongs at Eurovision, although opinions will always be divided on this. 2024 was a year without Rock. We are curious to see what 2025 will bring.          

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In the Spotlight: Angelina Mango

In the Spotlight: Angelina Mango

Tomorrow, the big final of the Eurovision Song Contest takes place in the Malmö Arena. 26 countries compete for the win. One of them is Angelina Mango, representing Italy But who is Angelina? Let’s give her a spotlight. Angelina was born on April 10, 2001 in Maratea, in the South of Italy. Angelina comes from a musical family. Her mother, Laura Valente, was the singer of Matia Bazar; she joined the band in 1990, after their Eurovision participation (1979) and after their mega hit Ti sento (1985). Her father, Giuseppe Mango (or simply Mango), was a popular singer in Italy. After the early death of her father, the family moves to Milan, her mother’s birthplace, in 2016. Together with her brother she was part of a cover band, which was the start of her musical career. Career On November 13, 2020, Mango released her debut single “Va tutto bendo” (Everything is okay). In 2022, she signed a recording contract with Sony Music. On May 12, 2023, Angelina released the EP “Voglia di vivere” (The will to live). The EP debuted at number two on the Italian charts. On October 6, 2023, she released the single “Che t’o dico a fa” (What do I tell you), which reached the second place on the Italian charts. San Remo Festival Where her father once started, just before his breakthrough in the eighties, Angelina shines this year: in San Remo, the Italian music festival of which the number one goes to the Eurovision Song Contest. She  brings a tribute to Giuseppe; she sings his hit “La rondine” (The Swallow). She wins the festival, and confirms to  represent Italy with the song “La noia” (Boredom). The song The song tells about the difficult time after the early death of her father, but that we must not be afraid of boredom: it must be welcomed, it is important, as are all the feelings that bring us down, deep down.  There is always an upswing.     Will she be able to win the festival? It is absolutely possible. Tomorrow, we will know. Photo: EBU/Alma Bengtsson

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The second semifinal

photo: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett The hosts Petra Mede and Malin Åkerman open the show with their own version of “Tattoo.” Malta In the Maltese act by Sarah Bonnici, there is a lot of movement and dancing. Later during the act, she is blindfolded, as are her dancers. Despite so much movement, Sarah manages to sing remarkably well. Albania Besa wears a turquoise gown with gemstones. The stage also includes several dancers, which might make it look a bit messy. However, many dancers are projected onto LED screens. Besa’s voice sounds a bit sharp here and there. Greece First, we see her purple boots, then the whole Marina Satti. She is also flanked by four dancers, but it looks much more organized. Greece has chosen a sophisticated entry not meant for casual listeners. A lot happens during this entry. Marina continues to sing well. Switzerland Nemo takes the viewer into his story with the song “The Code,” managing to crack the (binary) code. Their clothing says it all. Nemo has so far managed to enhance their narrative through fashion statements. Nemo jumps, skips, shows himself to be a balancing artist… and continues to sing crystal clear. We do not know if this is a winner, but we definitely respect their skills. Czechia You would expect Aiko to be standing on a pedestal during her performance. That’s not the case, but we find that the ceiling (one of the cubes) is very low. Aiko has four… Her nipples are no longer visible. Pay particular attention to the high note that Aiko effortlessly hits. Aiko surprises! During the first semifinal, Nicole (from Hugo) received a tribute, and in this semifinal, Jahn Teigen (ESC 1978, 1982, 1983) is honored. We are treated to a journey through Eurovision history with several participants who did not finish very high. France Slimane, dressed in white, starts singing while lying down, then sits up. Everything is shot in close-up, which makes the song even more intimate. Slimane pulls out all the stops in terms of his singing ability. The song has its distinct fans, but others are completely on the opposite end of the spectrum. Austria It’s interesting to put someone on stage who has held various other roles at the contest. Singing is clearly not Kaleen’s strongest suit. Regardless of how enjoyable the song may be found, the singing is forgotten in Austria. However, the act looks absolutely tight, and Kaleen knows very well what she is doing in terms of dance. Denmark It seems like you only see a singer sprinkling some sand and singing her song. However, we also see a second Saba in the background… A hologram, as it turns out, because at one point she disintegrates into sand. Occasionally, Saba tends to sing too loud, which makes the whole thing seem a bit shouty. Armenia Cheerfulness all over, garnished with typical Armenian sounds. Singer Jaklin Baghdasarian of Ladaniva plays a leading role throughout the act. The other band members and backing band stand behind her, but at one point, the flutist also comes forward. We see all sorts of things in the background: trumpets, chickens, and the artists themselves. Latvia Looking at his Instagram account, he is very cheerful and humorous: the Latvian Dons. But seeing him standing there in his sleeveless leather outfit amid a circle, and hearing his very serious ballad, we notice little of that. There is nothing wrong with this song, but that might also be the problem. Spain Both the singer and the dancers are dressed in black. The singing isn’t fantastic, but Nebulossa certainly knows how to throw a party in the hall. And of course, halfway through the act, the dancers strip off their clothes and continue dancing with bare chests and buttocks. At the end, a keyhole appears behind the singer Mery. The Spaniards really throw a party. San Marino We stick with the Spanish language, as San Marino sends the Spanish group Megara. Singer Kenzy Loevett is briefly flanked by two dancers in scary Easter bunny suits. Everything is pink and black in this act. It’s all rock, and the group tries to match the scariness of Bambie Thug, but it remains rather tame for a horror show. Georgia Nutsa Buzaladze is dressed in gold and stands in a circle of fire, which at one moment looks like a sun, the next a burning hoop. Nutsa is flanked by four dancers, and gives her all in terms of singing, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good. For Georgia, it’s definitely not a done deal. Belgium We had already seen photos of Mustii amid a circle of microphones, but he starts alone on stage. He then stands on a rotating platform. Later, he goes into this circle. Mustii is dressed in white. The singing we hear here is very cautious, with Mustii consciously staying below the high notes. He did not, as we previously reported, take his shirt off. But towards the end, we see the whole hall going wild with the Belgian entry! Estonia 5miinust and Puuluup are having a party on stage. The title of the song is, as previously mentioned, the longest ever. Whether the party really come across with all the “hey hey hey” is still a question. Possibly a finalist position for Estonia, but that is by no means certain. Italy Angelina Mango starts lying down, with roses projected under her. She has a sort of henna-like print depicted. This print also continues with the dancers. There are so many prints all over. There are so many details that you occasionally don’t see Angelina and her dancers at all. The singing is fine where it concerns Angelina. She ends a cappella. That takes skilsl, and Angelina has them. Italy will finish high, but perhaps not win. Israel The Israeli entry is the only ballad in this latter stage of the second semifinal. Just before she starts singing, Eden Golan leans back in a circle with lights. Five dancers flank her,

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Malmö Messages:the Big 5 and Sweden

Malmö Messages: A draw among the Big 5 and Sweden

The big five and Sweden had their second rehearsal today. However, there is more happening: the draw also took place to decide in which part of the show the participants will perform. There is a change happening: half of the countries will draw a ‘producers choice‘. They can be placed anywhere. United Kingdom He might have called it the most homosexual act ever. Olly Alexander has four dancers around him, who seem to be dancing around each other somewhat combatively. The men have bare torsos, except for Olly’s torn shirt. Whether it is indeed the most homosexual act ever or not? No idea, but not much is left to the imagination. He seems to be rising in the bookmakers’ ratings, where he is now in tenth place. Olly Alexander drew the first half of the final. Germany Little has changed since last time for Germany. The act was already so well-defined that there is little left to change. The singing is important in the German entry. But whether Isaak makes enough of an impression to break Germany’s negative streak remains to be seen. The bookmakers give him a 23rd place. Isaak drew in the first half of the final. Sweden The Swedes are number three in line to create a full music video of their performance. It is exactly the same performance as during Melodifestivalen. We see Marcus and Martinus everywhere and nowhere. This afternoon in the press center, someone enthusiastically told of having done five interviews with them. We already knew that Sweden will open the final. France Less is more, the French must have thought. Slimane stands alone on the stage in white clothing while singing his “Mon amour”. He stands, sits, and lies down while singing. The a cappella part makes a deep impression. The bookmakers currently predict just shy of a top-5 spot, placing him sixth. France will perform in the second half of the final. Spain With a lot of gold in the background, a red sofa, and the two members of Nebulossa in black clothing, the act is complete. The lyrics of “Zorra” caused a lot of controversy, but the Spanish audience enthusiastically roars along with the song. The bookmakers have no faith in it. They rank the song in 24th place. Nebulossa drew producers’ choice this afternoon. Italy Fortunately, not everything remains exactly the same as during the previous rehearsal. Angelina Mango has a different dress: a black one, with much fewer flowers on it. That makes the overall busy impression during the performance a bit less intense. “La Noia” is currently fourth with the bookmakers. Angelina Mango drew producers’ choice. As mentioned, except for Italy, there are few changes. The big five and Sweden will be heard and seen for the first time during the semifinals, so there are equal opportunities for everyone. We think: abolish the big five if they really want equal chances. But then, who are we…

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Malmö Messages: The Big Five plus Sweden

We haven’t heard from the big five plus Sweden yet. Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the host Sweden automatically qualify for the final. They had their rehearsal tonight. The United Kingdom was the first to rehearse. If you think you have ended up in the locker room of a boxing match; this is still the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Olly Alexander is wearing red pants and a white shirt. His hands are taped up. Around him are a number of dancers in red shorts and with bare chests. According to eurovision.tv, the camera moves in such a way that it seems as if the room is spinning. It could make you “Dizzy”. Isaak, representing Germany, appears to be in a very luxurious living room while singing his song “Always on the run”. We see a fire pit, lots of flames, and the cube coming down again. Isaak himself is dressed in black and is flanked by four backup singers; live singing matters here too. Marcus and Martinus are performing “Unforgettable” for Sweden. And as usual, the Swedes have the exact same act on stage as they did during Melodifestivalen. The twins are dressed in blue and black. On the LED screens behind them, and on the cube above them, many colors and patterns are visible. Occasionally, the title of the song also appears. The act is the same, but huge. The contestant for France, Slimane, is dressed in white during his “Mon amour”. He starts lying down and sings the first part of the song on his knees. Later, he stands behind the microphone and steps away from it to sing the last piece a cappella. The smoke machine does its job. The Spanish duo Nebulossa rehearsed next. Their song “Zorra” starts from the cube, which is now not hanging but has come all the way down. Mery is wearing pants with wide legs and a blouse with large puff sleeves. The red sofa, which Mery also was standing on during the national final, has come along to Malmö. There is smoke on the floor throughout the performance. Angelina Mango will perform for Italy in a red dress. On her arms and legs, we see some sort of plant images. The four dancers emerge from four large cubes to lift Angelina. She stands among them in front of a large throne made of branches. The whole scene is set against a backdrop of a sort of forest with bare trees. In short, there will be much to see during “La Noia.”

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🇮🇹 Road To Malmö: Italy

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Italy. Angelina Mango Born on April 10, 2001, in Maratea, Italy, Angelina Mango has emerged as a gifted Italian singer-songwriter. Raised in a musically inclined family, her father was the well-known singer Mango, and her mother, Laura Valente, sang for Matia Bazar. Angelina grew up in Lagonegro with her older brother Filippo, absorbing musical influences from the Rolling Stones to Venetian school composers like Giovanni Gabrieli. Angelina’s formal education at a scientific high school was paused due to her father’s sudden death, leading the family to move to Milan in 2016. Here, she continued her studies and explored music alongside her brother. Angelina’s career took a significant turn with the release of her debut single “Va tutto bene” in 2020, soon followed by her first EP “Monolocale.” Her musical journey flourished with performances at Milan Music Week and a collaboration with Sony Music and producer Enrico Brun in 2022. Angelina also made notable appearances on television shows and festivals, excelling in the twenty-second season of “Amici di Maria De Filippi” where she finished second and won in the singing category. Her song “Voglia di vivere” became a summer hit in 2023, reaching triple platinum status. Most recently, Angelina won the 74th Festival Di Sanremo with her performance of “La noia,” continuing her rise as a prominent figure in Italian music. Festival di Sanremo The festival of San Remo (Festival di Sanremo) was first held in 1951. The festival was a blueprint for the Eurovision Song Contest. In all those years, many classics came from the Festival Di Sanremo, as well as many stories. The winner of the festival was, on many occasions, the Italian participant for the Eurovision Song Contest. This year, the winner had the first choice to represent Italy. Angelina Mango said yes rightaway. She won the contest out of 30 contenders. Mahmood, Diodato, Il Volo, Ricchi e Poveri and Emma were among them. Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest Italy debuted at the very first Eurovision Song Contest in 1956. It was in 1964 when they had their first victory with Gigliola Cinquetti’s “Non ho l’eta”. It took until 1990 when this happened again with Toto Cutugno and his “Insieme: 1992”. In 2021 Måneskin won with “Zitti e buoni”. However, many Eurovision classics came from Italy. What to think about Domenico Modugno’s “Volare” and “Piove”? Do you remember Alice & Battiato singing “I treni di Tozeur”, or Tozzi & Raff presenting “Gente di mare”. And let’s not forget, in more recent years, Mahmood’s “Soldi”. Måneskin, photo: EBU The Bookmakers Italy is placed directly for the final. In the betting odds to win this final, Italy is currently 3rd. Will Angelina Mango do the job for Italy for a 4th time? Given the betting odds, it’s not impossible… The song And this is the song:

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In the Spotlight: Angelina Mango

Angelina Mango

© EBU/Alma Bengtsson About Quick Facts NameAngelina Mango Born10 April 2001 Nationality🇮🇹 Italian National SelectionFestival di Sanremo 2024 In Eurovision2024 Malmö SongLa noia (2024) Biography Born in Maratea on April 10, 2001, Angelina Mango has established herself as a prominent Italian singer-songwriter. As the daughter of Pino Mango, notably recognized as Mango, and Laura Valente, the former vocalist for Matia Bazar, Angelina was raised in Lagonegro within the Potenza province alongside her elder brother Filippo, who was born in 1995. Music runs deep in their family, with both siblings passionately embracing their musical heritage. Angelina’s early musical influences include iconic acts such as the Rolling Stones, Nirvana, and Aretha Franklin, alongside a profound respect for the late 16th to early 17th-century compositions, particularly from the Venetian school composers like Giovanni Gabrieli and Carlo Gesualdo, known for their polyphonic sacred music and madrigals. Her academic journey led her to a scientific high school in September 2014, which she later paused due to her father’s untimely demise. The family moved to Milan in 2016, where she not only pursued her education further but also ventured into music, performing in a band with her brother on drums. Angelina’s musical career took a significant leap forward with the release of her debut single “Va tutto bene” on November 13, 2020, setting the stage for her first EP “Monolocale.” The following year saw her opening for Giovanni Caccamo and Michele Placido on the “Parola Tour,” in addition to showcasing her talent during the Milan Music Week in November 2021. Despite participating in the Sanremo Giovani with the track “La tua buona colazione,” she didn’t make it to the final round. Her collaboration with Sony Music and producer Enrico Brun in 2022 marked a new phase in her career, participating in the Concerto del Primo Maggio and winning the Live Award at “Musica da bere.” This period also saw the release of singles like “Formica,” “Walkman” (produced by Tiziano Ferro), and “Rituali” (featuring Nashley). In September 2022, she appeared on the Rai 3 show “Via dei Matti nº0.” Angelina’s talents shone through during her stint on the twenty-second season of “Amici di Maria De Filippi,” broadcast on Canale 5, where she not only secured second place but also dominated the singing category. Her achievements on the show included opening for Elisa and performing at the “Capodanno in musica” concert. She released “Voglia di vivere” and “Mani vuote” during her time on “Amici,” followed by “Ci pensiamo domani” on May 12, 2023, which preluded her EP “Voglia di vivere,” released a week later. The EP quickly rose to second on the FIMI Album Chart, earning a gold record, while the lead single emerged as a summer anthem, achieving triple platinum status. She graced several major festivals in mid-2023, including “Battiti Live” and “TIM Summer Hits.” On October 1, 2023, Angelina previewed “Che t’o dico a fa’” on “Amici di Maria De Filippi,” officially releasing it five days later to platinum acclaim. Her “Voglia di vivere” Tour commenced on October 12, 2023, in Naples, achieving sold-out status across Italy, coinciding with the release of “Fila indiana” for the “Noi siamo leggenda” TV series soundtrack. Her successful entry into the 74th Sanremo Festival was announced on December 3, 2023, where she performed “La noia” from February 6 to 10, 2024. A highlight was her rendition of “La rondine,” a nod to her father’s legacy, performed with the Orchestra of Rome’s string quartet. Angelina clinched the top spot on February 11, 2024, outperforming Geolier and Annalisa with their respective entries. By winning the festival of Sanremo, Angelina became first choice to represent Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest. She accepted the challenge. “La Noia” was one of the favourites in the betting odds. In the end, she ended up in 7th place. Entries La Noia Country🇮🇹 Italy Year2024 LanguageItalian LyricsAngelina MangoFrancesca Calearo MusicAngelina MangoDario FainiFrancesca Calearo DancersArianna ForteFlaminia GenoeseKelly De NigroMartina ToderiValentina Vernia Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 268Position: 7Running order: 15 https://youtu.be/zp1FXHjkjpQ?si=TijGXgQPmk3kdFBB

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🇮🇹 Italy: Angelina Mango confirmed for Eurovision

After winning San Remo, Angelina Mango confirmed that she will represent Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest. She did that in the winners press conference after the contest. It is the procedure: the winner of the Festival di Sanremo gets the first choice to represent Italy. He or she can however chose not to. This is the rule since 2015. Only in 2016, when Stadio won Sanremo, they chose not to go to Eurovision. Francesca Michielin, who reached a 2nd place, went to the contest in Stockholm instead. Angelina Mango will (likely) sing “La noia”, a song she co-wrote with Dario Faini and Francesca Calearo.

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Angelina Mango wins Sanremo 2024

After a full week of artists competing in Sanremo we finally have our winner! Angelina Mango has won the compitition with “La Noia”. It was a tough battle as big artists like Geolier and Annalisa took part. Not only them, but also past Sanremo winners as Mahmood, Il Volo & Diodato.    The last clash was between Geolier & Angelina as they switched places all week in the betting odds.  However Angelina Mango won, and is likely to represent Italy in Malmö with “La Noia”. It is not 100% sure, as it’s not obliged that the winner of Sanremo has to go to Eurovision. 

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🇮🇹 Italy: Festival di Sanremo final

Tonight will be the final night of the famous Festival di Sanremo. 30 songs will compete for the trophy. 5 songs will be selected for a superfinal. The winner will be decided by 33% press jury, 33% radio jury and 34% televote. The winner is the one who got the first choice to go to Eurovision. In the press conference after the show, they will let the public now whether they go to Malmö or not. The show will start 20:45 CET and end deep in the night. You can watch it here. Here are the 30 contestants: nr. Title Artist (s)   1 Fino a qui Alessandra Amoroso 2 Vai! Alfa 3 La noia Angelina Mango 4 Sinceramente Annalisa 5 La rabbia non ti basta BigMama 6 Governo punk Bnkr44 7 Diamanti grezzi Clara 8 Onda alta Dargen D’Amico 9 Ti muovi Diodato 10 Apnea Emma 11 Mariposa Fiorella Mannoia 12 Il cielo non ci vuole Fred De Palma 13 Tutto qui Gazzelle 14 I p’ me tu p’ te Geolier 15 Casa mia Ghali 16 Fragili Il Tre 17 Capolavoro Il Volo 18 Tu no Irama 19 Autodistruttivo La Sad 20 Pazza Loredana Berté 21 Tuta gold Mahmood 22 Spettacolare Maninni 23 Due altalene Mr. Rain 24 Ricominciamo tutto Negramaro 25 Pazzo di te Renga & Nek 26 Ma non tutta la vita Ricchi e Poveri 27 Click boom! Rose Villain 28 Finiscimi Sangiovanni 29 L’amore in bocca Santi Francesci 30 Un ragazzo una ragazza The Kolors Participating in Festival di Sanremo before (in years that the Eurovision song was chosen from the contest): Annalisa in 2013, 2015 (4th), 2016 (11th), 2018 (3rd), 2021 (7th)Dargen D’Amico in 2022 (9th)Diodato in 2018 (8th) and 2020 (1st). He was supposed to represent Italy in the 2020 ESC with “Fai rumore”, which was cancelled due to COVID19.Emma in 2011, 2012, 2022 (6th). She was chosen to represent Italy in the 2014 ESC with “La mia città”.Fiorella Mannoia in 1987 (8th) and 1988 (10th).Il Volo in 2015 (1st), 2019 (3rd). They represented Italy in 2015 with “Grande amore”.Irama in 2019 (7th), 2021 (5th), 2022 (4th).Loredana Bertè in 1987 (16th), 1993 (with Mia Martini, 14th), 1997 (20th), 2019 (4th).Mahmood in 2019 (1st) and 2022 (1st, with Blanco). He represented Italy in both years, in 2019 with “Soldi” and in 2022 with “Brividi”.Mr. Rain in 2023 (3rd).Francesco Renga in 2012, in 2019 (15th), in 2021 (22nd).Nek in 1997 (7th), 2015 (2nd), 2019 (19th).Ricchi e Poveri in Canzonissima 1974, 1987 (7th), 1988 (9th), 1989 (9th), 1990 (17th). They were chosen to represent Italy in the 1978 ESC with “Questo amore”.Sangiovanni in 2022 (5th).The Kolors in 2018 (9th).   Diodato sings “Fai Rumore” in Eurovision Shine A Light in 2020. Emma sings “La mia città” in 2014. Il Volo sing “Grande amore” in 2015. Mahmood sings “Soldi” in 2019. Mahmood (and Blanco) sings “Brividi” in 2022. Ricchi e Poveri sing “Questo amore” in 1978.

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They will rock you!

  It is often said: Rock music… that doesn’t belong  in the Eurovision Song Contest. But why not? And who decides? That is the counter-question.  The answer is simple; If we look at the rules of the EBU, there are rules about length, publication, originality, but not about the genre.So…. Rock music at Eurovision: Sure thing! The early years For the very first Rock entry, we’re going all the way back to…..1956! An entry in the very first year of Eurovision, which would not be out of place for Elvis (regardless of the language). The Austrian Freddy Quin was one of

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In the Spotlight: Angelina Mango

In the Spotlight: Angelina Mango

Tomorrow, the big final of the Eurovision Song Contest takes place in the Malmö Arena. 26 countries compete for the win. One of them is Angelina Mango, representing Italy But who is Angelina? Let’s give her a spotlight. Angelina was born on April 10, 2001 in Maratea, in the South of Italy. Angelina comes from a musical family. Her mother, Laura Valente, was the singer of Matia Bazar; she joined the band in 1990, after their Eurovision participation (1979) and after their mega hit Ti sento (1985). Her father, Giuseppe Mango (or simply Mango), was a popular singer in Italy. After the early

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The second semifinal

photo: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett The hosts Petra Mede and Malin Åkerman open the show with their own version of “Tattoo.” Malta In the Maltese act by Sarah Bonnici, there is a lot of movement and dancing. Later during the act, she is blindfolded, as are her dancers. Despite so much movement, Sarah manages to sing remarkably well. Albania Besa wears a turquoise gown with gemstones. The stage also includes several dancers, which might make it look a bit messy. However, many dancers are projected onto LED screens. Besa’s voice sounds a bit sharp here and there. Greece First, we see her

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Malmö Messages:the Big 5 and Sweden

Malmö Messages: A draw among the Big 5 and Sweden

The big five and Sweden had their second rehearsal today. However, there is more happening: the draw also took place to decide in which part of the show the participants will perform. There is a change happening: half of the countries will draw a ‘producers choice‘. They can be placed anywhere. United Kingdom He might have called it the most homosexual act ever. Olly Alexander has four dancers around him, who seem to be dancing around each other somewhat combatively. The men have bare torsos, except for Olly’s torn shirt. Whether it is indeed the most homosexual act ever or not?

Read More »

Malmö Messages: The Big Five plus Sweden

We haven’t heard from the big five plus Sweden yet. Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the host Sweden automatically qualify for the final. They had their rehearsal tonight. The United Kingdom was the first to rehearse. If you think you have ended up in the locker room of a boxing match; this is still the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Olly Alexander is wearing red pants and a white shirt. His hands are taped up. Around him are a number of dancers in red shorts and with bare chests. According to eurovision.tv, the camera moves in such a

Read More »

🇮🇹 Road To Malmö: Italy

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Italy. Angelina Mango Born on April 10, 2001, in Maratea, Italy, Angelina Mango has emerged as a gifted Italian singer-songwriter. Raised in a musically inclined family, her father was the well-known singer Mango, and her mother, Laura Valente, sang for Matia Bazar. Angelina grew up in Lagonegro with her older brother Filippo, absorbing musical influences from the Rolling Stones to Venetian school composers like Giovanni Gabrieli. Angelina’s formal education at a scientific high school was paused

Read More »
In the Spotlight: Angelina Mango

Angelina Mango

© EBU/Alma Bengtsson About Quick Facts NameAngelina Mango Born10 April 2001 Nationality🇮🇹 Italian National SelectionFestival di Sanremo 2024 In Eurovision2024 Malmö SongLa noia (2024) Biography Born in Maratea on April 10, 2001, Angelina Mango has established herself as a prominent Italian singer-songwriter. As the daughter of Pino Mango, notably recognized as Mango, and Laura Valente, the former vocalist for Matia Bazar, Angelina was raised in Lagonegro within the Potenza province alongside her elder brother Filippo, who was born in 1995. Music runs deep in their family, with both siblings passionately embracing their musical heritage. Angelina’s early musical influences include iconic acts

Read More »

🇮🇹 Italy: Angelina Mango confirmed for Eurovision

After winning San Remo, Angelina Mango confirmed that she will represent Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest. She did that in the winners press conference after the contest. It is the procedure: the winner of the Festival di Sanremo gets the first choice to represent Italy. He or she can however chose not to. This is the rule since 2015. Only in 2016, when Stadio won Sanremo, they chose not to go to Eurovision. Francesca Michielin, who reached a 2nd place, went to the contest in Stockholm instead. Angelina Mango will (likely) sing “La noia”, a song she co-wrote with Dario

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Angelina Mango wins Sanremo 2024

After a full week of artists competing in Sanremo we finally have our winner! Angelina Mango has won the compitition with “La Noia”. It was a tough battle as big artists like Geolier and Annalisa took part. Not only them, but also past Sanremo winners as Mahmood, Il Volo & Diodato.    The last clash was between Geolier & Angelina as they switched places all week in the betting odds.  However Angelina Mango won, and is likely to represent Italy in Malmö with “La Noia”. It is not 100% sure, as it’s not obliged that the winner of Sanremo has to

Read More »

🇮🇹 Italy: Festival di Sanremo final

Tonight will be the final night of the famous Festival di Sanremo. 30 songs will compete for the trophy. 5 songs will be selected for a superfinal. The winner will be decided by 33% press jury, 33% radio jury and 34% televote. The winner is the one who got the first choice to go to Eurovision. In the press conference after the show, they will let the public now whether they go to Malmö or not. The show will start 20:45 CET and end deep in the night. You can watch it here. Here are the 30 contestants: nr. Title Artist

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