Sweden: The betting odds, just a few moments before the Third Melodifestivalen 2023 Heat results!

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Melodifestivalen 2023 Third Heat show will begin in a few moments, with the new competition and voting format in place and will be aired on SVT and SVT Play. Seven contestants will have to compete against each other tonight, in order to secure one of the direct finalist places, or if not directly qualifying to the finals, claiming their ticket for the fifth semi-final, as their last chance in the hopes of competing at the finals.

Tonight’s contestants

  1. Paul Rey – Royals
  2. Casanovas – Så kommer känslorna tillbaka
  3. Melanie Wehbe – For The Show
  4. Nordman – Släpp alla sorger
  5. Laurell – Sober
  6. Ida-Lova – Låt hela stan se på
  7. Marcus & Martinus – Air

The odds

The betting odds depend on many factors and as these factors are subject to changes anytime, the odds can still fluctuate, even last minute. Currently there seem to be two clear direct finalists and these are Marcus & Martinus and Paul Rey.

As for the two semi-final qualifiers, we might have quite a close combat between some of the artists. Currently, in the third and fourth place of the betting odds we have Nordman and Ida-Lova respectively.

Let’s see what is going to happen, we will get the chance to watch the actual heat live, on SVT and SVT Play and of course at EurovisionFun you will get the chance to be informed about the results as soon as they are announced on TV!

Which two of today’s competing artists do you think will be the direct finalists, that will be competing on the 11th of March, hoping to represent Sweden in Liverpool, this year?

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun, for all the latest developments regarding Melodifestivalen 2023 and the Swedish entry for Eurovision 2023!

Source: Eurovision World

Malta: Eurovisionfun Reacts to Eurovision 2023 Entry ”Dance (Our Own Party)”

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A few days ago the MESC 2023 was completed, the process of Malta‘s national selection for Eurovision 2023. After voting by the public and the committees, “The Busker” with the song “Dance (Our own Party)“, who won the ticket to Liverpool.

The Eurovisionfun team once again watched and reacted to the live performance for the country’s participation in the upcoming Eurovision contest! Enjoy Paschalis, Apostolis and Elefterium in a delightful and highly comical Reaction video with detailed commentary on Malta’s participation in 2023!

(edit of the video by Elefterium)

Here you can see again the entry of Malta in Eurovision 2023:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfcKnD_mnyo&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE&feature=emb_title

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel to be the first to enjoy interviews, reaction videos and Live streams for our favorite contest!

What do you think about the entry of Malta for Eurovision 2023? Tell us in the comments!

Lxandra: “My perfomance will be huge, dramatic with dancers!” | Exclusive Interview

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Lxandra gave an interview to EurovisionFun and Giorgos Zefteridis talking about the participation in UMK 2023, her song “Something to lose” and her upcoming perfomance next week!

Lxandra, tell us some things about you as an artist.

“I am a songwritter, singer and I love all the aspects of being an artist. I like writing songs, perform and I love doing my visuals! The most important thing for me is the emotion and I want to touch the people listening to my music, just like how music helps me and my emotions.”

How did you write “Something to loose” and what does the song mean to you?

“I had some basic lyrics on my phone, I usually write while I am on the road, like walking or in the metro so it started like that. It is a very personal song and it talks about how important is to have real communication with people because loneliness is very common nowadays. Having something to loose means you have something to fight for.”

How were the reactions for your participation?

“It has been great! I usually don’t live in Finland, more people know me in the USA because that’s where I make shows and publish song, so many people here in Finland don’t know me. It is very cool seeing the Eurovision community react to my song.”

Have you thought of participating in Eurovision before?

“I used to watch Eurovision when I was a child, everyone knows Eurovision! I always liked dramatic perfomances and ballads. I had talked before with UMK to participate in the past but I was not sure. UMK now has been updated, the perfomances, the video- clips so I decided to do it. Also, at that stage of my career, I don’t have the chance to perform on such big shows like Eurovision so it is a great oppurtinity and honour for me. I thought that if i find the right song, I would do it! We wrote “Something to loose” in Los Angeles and it’s not the biggest ballad I’ve written before but the meaning and the feeling of the song is very important because the perfomance will be authentic and so me, so I chose this song. I had written more “Eurovision” tracks before, but I just went with the flow and my heart.

Could you tell us something things about your UMK perfomance?

“On the video- clip there is some dancing, so I’m preparing myself for the perfomance that will have a lot of movement, five dancers and will be very dramatic. It will start slowly and then it will end up in something huge. I am very excited about the perfomance cause it will be huge, from the movement, to the visuals, the sound, the dramatic direction, those are all things that inspire me a lot and I am very excited. It will be theatrical!”

Is there any other song that stand out to you in UMK 2023?

“I like them all, they are all huge hits! Many different tracks, pop ones, crazy ones and also my ballad. I think it will be an awesome year, I have no idea who will win. Most people in Finland expect Kaarija to win UMK but we do not know until the perfomances!”

At the end she mentioned that she is doing a lot of vocal practice because she will sing the song in a different more dramatic way and that her favourite Finnish entry is Blind Channel (2021). Of course, she sang to us a small part of “Something to loose“! You can watch the full interview below:

Belgium: The Starlings would like to go to Eurovision if internally selected!

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The Starlings would like to represent Belgium in Eurovision.  However, it seems that after their experience in the Belgium national selection they would only do it if they are internally selected.

The Starlings ended in second place at Eurosong 2023, only one point behind the winner, Gustaf.  The Starlings were the favourites of the public.  However, the jury placed “Rollercoaster” in fifth place ending their chances to represent Belgium.

The couple seemed particularly unhappy with the choice of the jury and Alexander Rybak ‘s remark about the alleged similarity of their song to a well-known Ed Sheeran song.

In an interview with radio station MNM, the duo talked about their experience at Eurosong 2023.  They also commented on the possibility of representing Belgium in the competition, only if they are internally selected.

“The disappointment is better now. It was a very stressful period in which we worked hard.  It’s very bitter if you lose by just one point. On the one hand we wanted to participate, but on the other hand we didn’t. Not with a national selection anyway. As a household name you have everything to lose in such a qualifying round. That would stop me now. We say no to a national final, but a yes to an internal selection.” The Starlings

Rollercoaster may not be heading to Liverpool.  However, the song has been positively received in the radios.  The Starlings ended their interview mentioning that, although they did not make it, they support Belgium candidate Gustaph.

Source: songfestival.be

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates regarding Belgium’s participation in Eurovision 2023, in Liverpool!

Slovenia: Joker Out filmed the first postcard for Eurovision 2023!

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The first postcard of Eurovision 2023 has officially been flimed and it’s not other than Slovenia’s.

RTVSLO, the public broadcaster of Slovenia, has confirmed that the first postcard of this year’s Eurovision was filmed by Joker Out, the band that is going to represent them in Liverpool in May.

Back in October, BBC made an offer to find an independent production company, that would come up with the concept and film the 37 postcards of the coming contest. The postcards will be 40 seconds long.

The greatest thing we learned by Slovenia’s filming, was that the production company, decided that each representative will make all filmings for their postcards in their respective countries, which means that this year, the postcards will not be used to promote the host country.

Adrijan Pregelj/RTV Slovenia

Joker Out filmed their postcard in the roof of Radio Slovenija’s building. As you can see, they asked for a pinball machine to be in the postcard and they were especially happy when BBC approved of it. Jure Maček, the band’s drummer, revealed the connection between the pinball machine and their song:

“We really like the pinball machine, because we started playing it already in Hamburg while recording the song.”

Joker Out will represent Slovenia in Eurovision 2023 with their song “Carpe Diem” and they are allocated in the Second half of the Second Semi-Final:

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Slovenian participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, in Liverpool!

Source: rtvslo.si

Lithuania: Pabandom iš naujo 2023 Grand Final tonight!

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Pabandom iš naujo 2023 is ending tonight, the process of choosing the representative of Lithuania in Eurovision 2023. After 5 weeks, the Baltic country is called upon to choose the artist who will represent it in Liverpool at the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.

As it is known, Pabandom iš naujo 2023 consists of five shows: two heats, two semifinals and the grand final. The result for all 5 nights will be determined 50% by the TV audience and 50% by a five-member jury. For the first time, the judges will not be revealed, with the results announced at the end of each show to ensure that the audience’s vote is not affected.

Presenters of this year’s edition of Pabandom iš naujo are Giedrius Masalskis, Augustė Nombeko and Richardas Jonaitis.

Participants

Ten artists will compete in tonight’s Grand Final of Pabandom Iš Naujo 2023, with the winner representing Lithuania in Eurovision 2023.

These artists are:

  1. Mario Junes – “Do What You Do”
  2. MoonBee – “Rumor”
  3. Justė Kraujelytė – “Need More Fun”
  4. Paulina Paukštaitytė – “Let Me Think About Me”
  5. Beatrich – “Like a Movie
  6. Rūta Mur – “So Low”
  7. Il Senso – “Sparnai”
  8. Petunija – “Love of My Life”
  9. Gabrielius Vagelis – “Šauksmas”
  10. Monika Linkytė – “Stay”

You can watch the Grand Final of Pabandom iš naujo! 2023 at 20:00 CET on the official website of LRT, by clicking here.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all news regarding Lithuania’s participation in Eurovision 2023!

Sweden: Heat 3 of Melodifestivalen 2023 tonight!

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Melodifestivalen 2023 continues tonight, with the third heat of this year’s Swedish national selection. Four heats, one semi-final and the grand final will keep us company from today until March 11, when we will officially find out the representative of Sweden in Eurovision 2023.

In tonight’s third heat, seven entries claim the two tickets to the final, while two more entries will have the chance to compete in the semi-final on March 4th.

Participants

  1. Paul Rey – Royals
  2. Casanovas – Så kommer känslorna tillbaka
  3. Melanie Wehbe – For The Show
  4. Nordman – Släpp alla sorger
  5. Laurell – Sober
  6. Ida-Lova – Låt hela stan se på
  7. Marcus & Martinus – Air 

Finalists

From the first two heats, four artists have secured their presence in the grand final of the Swedish national selection. These artists are:

From the first two heats, four artists will claim through the semi-final their presence in the grand final of the Swedish national selection. These artists are:

Format

Two songs will directly qualify to the grand final of Melodifestivalen 2023, which will take place on the 11th of March. The songs that will place third and fourth will have to compete again, at the semi-final, held on the 4th of March. There will be four heats in total.

As we have already informed you, the voting system of Melodifestivalen has changed following the announced changes by EBU regarding the voting format in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool!

The broadcaster now scraps the group division at the fifth show, known as the semi-final and all eight contestants will now have to face each other. Points will be awarded from the viewing groups and the four entries with the highest points will advance to the final!

The dates of Melodifestivalen 2023

  • Heat 1: Göteborg – Saturday 4 February 2023 (Scandinavium)
  • Heat 2: Linköping – Saturday 11 February 2023 (Saab Arena)
  • Heat 3: Lidköping – Saturday 18 February 2023 (Sparbanken Arena)
  • Heat 4: Malmö – Saturday 25 February 2023 (Malmö Arena)
  • Semi-Final: Örnsköldsvik – Saturday 4 March 2023 (Hägglunds Arena)
  • Final: Stockholm – Satuday 11 March 2023 (Friends Arena)

Melodifestivalen 2023 is scheduled to take place between February 4th to March 11th and will be hosted by Jesper Rönndahl and Farah Abadi.

The third heat of Melodifestivalen 2023 will start at 20:00 CET and will last one and a half hour. You can watch it through the SVT frequency by clicking HERE.

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun, for all the latest developments regarding Melodifestivalen 2023 and the Swedish entry for Eurovision 2023!

Iceland: First Söngvakeppnin 2023 Semi-Final tonight!

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First semi-final today for Söngvakeppnin 2023, the process through which Iceland is called upon to select its entry for the upcoming Eurovision 2023.

Broadcast live from the RVK studios, the land of ice and fire is called upon to choose the top two finalists to get the magical ticket to the Söngvakeppnin 2023 grand final.

Participants

Five artists take part in tonight’s first semi-final of Söngvakeppnin 2023, vying for one of two tickets to the grand final of the Icelandic national selection. These artists are:

  1. BRAGI – Stundum snýst heimurinn gegn þér/ Sometimes the World´s Against You
  2. MÓA – Glötuð ást / Loose this dream
  3. Benedikt – Þora / Brave Face
  4. Celebs – Dómsdagsdans / Doomsday Dancing
  5. Diljá – Lifandi inni í mér / Power

Format

A total of 10 songs will take part in Söngvakeppnin 2023 after being selected by the relevant RÚV jury. Five songs will take part in each of the two semi-finals, with the best two from each semi-final advancing to the Grand Final. After the semi-finals, the judges have the right to use a wildcard, on one of the six artists who did not qualify.

In the two semi-finals, the result will be decided solely by public vote, while in the final there will be a combined public and jury vote to decide the two songs that will advance to the Super Final. There, the Icelandic public has the ultimate say in choosing the country’s next representative.

The presenters of Söngvakeppnin 2023 are Unnsteinn Manuel Stefánsson, Ragnhildur Steinunn Jónsdóttir and Sigurður Þorri Gunnarsson.

The first semi-final of Söngvakeppnin 2023 will start at 20:45 CET and will last one and a half hours. You can watch it through the RÚV website by clicking HERE.

Until we find out who will represent Iceland at Eurovision 2023, let’s remember the country’s participation in last year’s contest. The previous winners of Söngvakeppnin and Iceland’s Eurovision 2022 representative were Systur with the song “Með sárkandi sól” and they finished in 23rd place in the Grand Final:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G71c48O3j-s

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the developments concerning Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest!

Cyprus: Andrew’s Lambrou song will be released on the 2nd of March!

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According to INFE Greece, Andrew Lambrou, the Cypriot representative for Eurovision 2023, has visited Athens to film his entry’s videoclip and has announced that the Cypriot entry will be officially released and known to public on the 2nd of March!

According to the initial plans, RIK, the Cypriot broadcaster, was planning to release the Cypriot entry on late January. Although, the plans were abandoned due to the national elections. At the moment, the video clip is on the making, including shooting both outdoors and inside a studio.

The videoclip’s director is Yiorgos Mpenioudakis, a director who has worked with many famous Greek artists, such as the former Eurostar, Eleni Foureira. The artistic director of this year’s Cypriot entry will be Marvin Dietmann, who has a big experience and has been involved with many Eurovision entries the past years, such as the two precedent Cypriot entries(Elena Tsagkrinou,Andromache). Marvin Dietmann along with Ross Nicholson, who belongs to Black Skull, the worldwide-known team of directors, will be in charge of Andrew’s Lambrou stage performance on Liverpool.

The Cypriot team is willing for a great result in this year’s contest, which slowly reflects on the betting odds, hoping for the rise to continue also after the release of the song.

Cyprus: The surprise with Andrew Lambrou’s stage presentation in Liverpool!

This year’s Cypriot entry is signed by the following composers all of them having a big experience working for Eurovision entries:

  • Thomas Stengaard : Denmark 2013, Germany 2018, Germany 2019, San Marino 2021, Cyprus 2021, Azerbaijan 2022
  • Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt : Sweden 2021, San Marino 2021, Cyprus 2021
  • Jimmy Jansson : Denmark 2020
  • Marcus Winther-John : Andorra 2009

Source: INFE Greece

Stay tuned on EurovisionFun for more!

 

 

Sweden: The general rehearsal of the Third Melodifestivalen 2023 Heat! (Live)

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The general rehearsal of the Third Melodifestivalen 2023 Heat has just started. We are happy to be watching it live, at

Sparbanken Arena in Lidköping, Sweden. We will be covering this rehearsal, describing in detail what is happening during the show, for you to follow the entire process.

This article is being updated in real-time, all you need to do is hit the refresh button on your browser and all the rest is on us!

We will keep you up to date with all the latest information and images off this semi-final rehearsal, allowing you to get a glimpse of what you will get to see tomorrow February 18, at 20:00 CET, when you watch the actual show of the heat, on SVT and SVT Play.

The show

Jesper Rönndahl and Farah Abadi will present Melodifestivalen 2023. The heats are following the touring concept again, after SVT had pulled back last year due to health restrictions in Sweden, with the finals being held at Friends Arena! With the next show of the contest on Saturday February the 18th, Melodifestivalen will take place in Lidköping, then Malmö and Örnsköldsvik follow and finally the final show in Stockholm on the 11th of March.

Jesper and Farah are at the arena and everything is ready to begin! It’s time to face the music!

Initially they go through the direct finalists and the semi-finalists and then they show us this show’s contestants! 

Dolly Style now perform their song “Habibi“, past Melodifestivalen entry, with Farah joining them with a colourful wig. So funny!

The numbers

  • Paul Rey – Royals

First up on stage, Paul Rey with his song “Royals”.

His song is a pop anthemic song, that doesn’t require any superb vocals, however, Paul delivers. He delivers voice, stage presence, some moves maybe and some fireworks in the process.

The staging is dark but features bright strobe lights and a led backdrop that shows words from the song lyrics, yellow rectangles, abstract art making Paul blend in with his jacket that is in black and white stripes. Dancers join him with a simple but powerful choreography.

According to my personal taste, this would be a song that I would have on my daily playlist. But would that qualify directly to the finals? I think it’s highly unlikely. He’s gonna be a semi-finalist or a NQ most likely.

Photo: Alma Bengtsson / SVT

  • Casanovas – Så kommer känslorna tillbaka

Next up, Casanovas with their song “Så kommer känslorna tillbaka”.

Their song is a typical Swedish schlager song, all five of them are on stage, each of them on a platform with spotlights all around. Vocally they’re all quite good I must admit.

Stagewise, there’s a backdrop video shown on the LED, initially shows their band name, reminding a Las Vegas sign in mainland US. The staging is nice and nostalgic of other times. However I don’t see this qualifying either to the finals or the semi-final show.

Photo: Alma Bengtsson / SVT

  • Melanie Wehbe – For The Show

Third on stage, it’s Melanie Wehbe with her song “For The Show”.

For the show is a mid-tempo power ballad, that you could easily listen to the radio, on your headphones while you’re on the move. Vocally she’s not that bad, but definitely could do much better. She pulled off the high note though, quite nicely and effortlessly.

Stage-wise, she is alone on stage, with a large light prop that at the end of her performance splits up into two pieces and the backdrop LED screen, showing octagon shapes, matching the prop. Quite simplistic but visually pleasing.

Would she now qualify? Not to the finals, but maybe to the semi? Who knows!

Photo: Alma Bengtsson / SVT

  • Nordman – Släpp alla sorger

Next up on stage, Nordman with their song “Släpp alla sorger”. Nordman have a powerful, pop, EDM with some folklore elements song, that reminds me of sound that I have listened in some Avicii songs. The song could have a crowd effect, but they are a bit static.

Regarding the staging, there’s a vulture at the back for starters, then there’s more birds, a scenery and more strobe lights and a green background. As a whole, this performance looks powerful and gives me DTF vibes. Let’s see.

Photo: Alma Bengtsson / SVT

  • Laurell – Sober

Now Laurell takes over the stage with her number, singing “Sober“.

After an SVT emergency meeting, the Canadian Laurel Barker had to change part of the lyrics of her song, so that she doesn’t mention a famous brand of vodka, as brands are not allowed to be promoted directly or indirectly by any of the performances.

Her signature Laurell Barker sound is now conquering the stage in Lidköping, with a nice uptempo and joyfull song, nice and spot-on vocals.

Stage-wise, there’s a galore of neon and colours, a video on the backdrop showing funky images, probably depicting how one feels when they’re high and delusional.

Now would she qualify? Sadly, I don’t think so. Next time, cause there will be a next time. Once you pop, you can’t stop with mello. 😉

Alma Bengtsson / SVT

  • Ida-Lova – Låt hela stan se på

Next up on stage Ida-Lova  with the song “Låt hela stan se på“!

Now that’s a ballad entirely in Swedish, but full of sentiment that she puts through her eyes. Vocally she is impeccable. Nice high note there Ida, she did it!

Regarding the staging, it’s super simple but aesthetically pleasing. Nothing much is going on, either than herself performing and a large piece of fabric hanging off the stage ceiling. Many strobe lights that give room to more lights as she proceeds to the song.

Maybe this one qualifies to the semi-final, the crowd really enjoyed it and gave it a big round of applause.

Photo: Alma Bengtsson / SVT

  • Marcus & Martinus – Air

Last (but sure not least), the worldwide known duo Marcus & Martinus with their song “Air”.

This song is for me like the air that I’m breathing! I LOVE IT! I WANT IT! The song is a pop EDM banger, that one could vibe all day and night long! Both the guys are great vocally, except one tiny part of improvised adlibs. But other than that, this number is pure PERFECTION!

Stage-wise, I think it is a hybrid of Eric Saade’s “Every Minute” and last year’s entry “Bluffin” by LIAMOO, but in blue. The lights play an important role and make it even more visually pleasing, while the twins follow a light choreography with some contemporary dance moves.

This is definitely a DTF number! If this doesn’t qualify to the finals, it would be very very strange! A big contender for the win (at least till next heat in Malmö, when Loreen participates).

Alma Bengtsson / SVT

After all the performances are complete, the presenters interview the contestants and after that there’s a recap of all the numbers of the show, as usual. Afro-Dite were the performers before the announcement of the direct finalist!

The first voting round

The virtual direct qualifier to the finals is: Casanovas – Så kommer känslorna tillbaka

Second voting round

Virtual winner of the age-band 3-9 years old is: Nordman – Släpp alla sorger

Virtual winner of the age-band 10-15 years old is: Marcus & Martinus – Air

Virtual winner of the age-band 16-29 years old is: Paul Rey – Royals

Virtual winner of the age-band 30-44 years old is: Melanie Wehbe – For The Show

Virtual winner of the age-band 45-59 years old is: Laurell – Sober

Virtual winner of the age-band 60-74 years old is: Nordman – Släpp alla sorger

Virtual winner of the age-band 75+ years old is: Marcus & Martinus – Air

Virtual winner of the televoting is: Paul Rey – Royals

A prediction

I believe that Marcus & Martinus and Nordman  will directly qualify to the finals. For the semi-final qualifiers, it will probably be Paul Rey, Melanie Wehbe or Ida-Lova (these are in random order). There’s only one day left, we’re less than 24 hours away from the actual show!

Which two of today’s competing artists do you think will be the direct qualifiers to the finals, on the 11th of March?

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun, for all the latest developments regarding Melodifestivalen 2023 and the Swedish entry for Eurovision 2023!

Source: SVT
Photos: SVT/Alma Bengtsson