Norway: Ten countries on the MGP jury

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MGP leader Stig Karlsen was invited to escNorge. There he revealed more details about Saturday’s Grand Final and the voting.

50 people on the jury

This year, the jury returns to MGP. Saturday’s voting will be quite similar to what we are used to at Eurovision. Initially, ten countries will vote. Each of the countries is represented by a jury consisting of five people from the music industry.

They will first give their scores and rank from 1 to 9. As we know, there are nine songs in the final. These countries have not yet been announced.

When the jury’s scores are given, the votes of the country’s public will be added to the score as in Eurovision. More details on the graphics and scoring system will be revealed on Saturday.

Also, Stig Karlsen said that the song presentations will be largely the same as the semi-finals, but that they will obviously have more light as we will be in a bigger arena and differences in camera angles that will show the huge audience of 8,500 spectators.

Check out our YouTube channel for our reactions to the MGP final songs:

Also on our channel you will see interviews with artists from Norway, but also from other countries!

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all Eurovision related developments!

Spain: Tonight the Second Semi-Final of Benidorm Fest 2023!

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We are two days away from the grand final of Benidorm Fest 2023, as tonight the second semi-final of the Spanish national selection will take place.

This year’s Benidorm Fest presenters will be presenter Inés Hernández, singer Mónica Naranjo and presenter Rodrigo Vázquez.

Finalists

Four artists have already secured their place in Saturday’s Benidorm Fest grand final by qualifying from the first semi-final. These artists are:

  1. Agoney – “Quiero arder” 
  2. Megara – “Arcadia”
  3. Alice Wonder – “Yo quisiera”
  4. Fusa Nocta – “Mi familia” 

Participants

In the list below you will see the nine artists and their nominated songs for the second semi-final (You can listen to the songs by clicking on the track titles):

  1. Alfred García – “Desde que tú estás”
  2. Blanca Paloma – “EaEa”
  3. E’femme – “Uff!”
  4. Famous – “La Lola”
  5. José Otero – “Inviernos en Marte”
  6. Karmento – “Quiero y duelo”
  7. Rakky Ripper – “Tracción”
  8. Siderland – “Que esclati tot”
  9. Vicco – “Nochentera”

Format

A total of 18 songs will take part in Benidorm Fest 2023 after being selected by the competent jury of RTVE. Nine songs will participate in each of the two semi-finals, with the best four advancing to the Grand Final.

The jury of this year’s festival is particularly interesting, as it consists of:

  • Nina (Spanish singer, representative of Spain in 1989)
  • Christer Bjorkman (Swedish singer and producer, former head of Melodifestivalen)
  • Tali Eshkoli (Israeli television producer and Israel’s head of mission)
  • Nicola Caligiore (Italian, former head of mission of Italy)
  • Katrina Leskanich (American singer, UK representative in 1997)
  • William Lee Adams (founder of wiwibloggs)
  • Irene Valiente (Spanish presenter and producer)
  • Juan Jose Santana (Spanish, president of OGAE Spain and composer of past Spanish entries)

In the Grand Final, as in the two semi-finals, the result will be decided by 50% by the jury, 25% by a poll panel and 25% by the public vote.

The second semi-final of Benidorm Fest 2023 will take place tonight at 22:50 CET and will last just under two hours. You can watch it through the official website of RTVE, by clicking HERE.

Until we know who will represent Spain at Eurovision 2023, let’s remember the country’s participation in last year’s competition. The previous winner of the Benidorm Fest and Spain’s representative at Eurovision 2022 was Chanel with the song “SloMo” and she finished 3rd in the Grand Final giving Spain its best place since 1995:

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the developments regarding Spain’s participation in Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool!

Georgia: The Voice of Georgia Grand Final tonight!

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Georgia is one step closer to choosing its representative for Eurovision 2023, as the Voice of Georgia Grand Final will take place tonight. The Caucasian country will choose the artist to represent it in Liverpool through the popular talent show, which ends tonight.

Eight artists are left in The Voice of Georgia, with the grand winner being the one who will be anointed to represent Georgia at the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.

Participants

Each of the four judges is left with two artists in the talent show:

  • Dato Porchkhidze
    1. Erekle Turkadze
    2. Iru Khechanovi (Junior Eurovision 2011 winner as member of the group Candy)
  • Sopho Toroshelidze (Eurovision 2011)
    1. Lika Siradze
    2. Tina Datikashvili
  • Dato Evgenidze
    1. Giorgi Datiashvili
    2. Kakha Aslamazashvili
  • Stephane Mgebrishvili (Eurovision 2009)
    1. Anka Tatarashvili
    2. Likuna Tutisani

The Grand Final of The Voice of Georgia will take place tonight at 19:00 CET. You can watch him through the official website of the first channel of the Georgian public television, by clicking HERE.

Until we find out who will represent Georgia at Eurovision 2023, let’s remember the country’s participation in last year’s contest. Georgia’s previous representatives at Eurovision 2022 were Circus Mircus with the song “Lock Me In” and they finished in last place in the Second Semi-Final, continuing the country’s elimination streak for the fifth year:

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all developments regarding Georgia’s participation in Eurovision 2023, in Liverpool!

 

Norway: Eurovisionfun Reacts to MGP 2023 Songs! (video)

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Melodi Grand Prix 2023, the national final for Norway’s next Eurovision entry, is coming to a close with the 9 finalists vying for the golden ticket to Liverpool this Saturday.

The Eurovisionfun team couldn’t help but see and comment on the 9 participants  from Norway for the upcoming Eurovision contest! Enjoy Matamis Apostolis, Gialetzi Stella and Bogiannos Apostolos in a reaction video with detailed commentary for this year’s MGP entries!

The running order of the Grand Final

  1. JONE — “Ekko inni meg” (Echo in me)
  2. Eline Thorp — “Not Meant to Be”
  3. Skrellex — “Love Again”
  4. Ulrikke Brandstorp – “Honestly“
  5. Umami Tsunami – “Geronimo“
  6. Atle Pettersen — “Masterpiece” 
  7. Swing’it — “Prohibition”
  8. Elsie Bay — “Love you in a dream”
  9. Alessandra Mele – “Queen of Kings“

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!

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

Azerbaijan: Five Singers in the Final Stages for Eurovision 2023!

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Azerbaijan’s public broadcaster Ictimai has announced that 5 acts are on the final stage for the selection of Azerbaijan in Eurovision 2023.

In a statement responding to allegations that the Azerbaijani entrant for Eurovision 2023 had already been chosen, the broadcaster has revealed new details of its selection for Liverpool. The singer Rauf Kingsley had accused the broadcaster of selecting Mamagama group due to them relationship with the manager of Eldar Gasimov, who is working with the Azeri delegation.

Ictimai has denied the allegations releasing a statement explaining that there are five acts that have made it through to the final stage of the nation’s selection. All five of the acts have recorded the songs that are in contention to represent Azerbaijan in Liverpool. The statement adds:

“In the near future, we will share all the information that will not negatively affect the selection process, and we will announce the names of the finalists. I ask you to be a little patient.”

Songs submitted to represent Azerbaijan must be fully prepared and comply with the rules of the contest published by the EBU. This wil also be the first time in years, that Azerbaijan allows artists to directly submit their proposals, instead of just searching for a song as they usually do.

Nadir Rustamli represented Azerbaijan in Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin with the song “Fade to Black” and ended up in 16th place in the Grand Final with a total of 106 points. On the same time he is the first artist to qualify for the Grand Final while getting zero points from televote in the semi-final.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tegPzHEL4ms&embeds_euri=https%3A%2F%2Feurovisionfun.com%2F&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE&feature=emb_title

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

Source: 12 Xal

Sweden: Listen to the song snippets of the first heat of Melodifestivalen 2023!

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As usual, a couple of days before each Melodifestivalen heat, SVT publishes snippets of all seven competing songs of the heat. A while ago, the song snippets of the first heat got released.
The competing songs of the first heat:
  1. Tone Sekelius – Rhythm Of My Show LISTEN HERE
  2. Loulou LaMotte – Inga sorger LISTEN HERE
  3. Rejhan – Haunted LISTEN HERE
  4. Elov & Beny – Raggen går LISTEN HERE
  5. Victor Crone – Diamonds LISTEN HERE
  6. Eva Rydberg & Ewa Roos – Länge leve livet LISTEN HERE
  7. Jon Henrik Fjällgren, Arc North feat. Adam Woods – Where You Are (Sávežan) LISTEN HERE

The process

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 fifth 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)

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

Which two of the above artists do you think will be the direct qualifiers to the finals, on the 12th of March?

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

Source/Photo: SVT

Marco Mengoni: I will go to Eurovision if I win Sanremo!

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He already represented Italy during the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in Malmö and he confirms he is open to represent his country one more time.  Marco Mengoni is currently competing at the traditional Festival di Sanremo which is also the Italian national final.

It is worth mentioning that winning Sanremo does not automatically mean that the winner will go to Eurovision.  However, in recent years the winner of Sanremo has accepted the invitation to represent Italy in the music contest.

When he talked with La Stampa newspaper, Marco Mengoni made it clear that he is not only ready to represent his country again but also, that he had good memories from his previous Eurovision experience

Sure and (the song) “Due Vite” would look good there too, it’s like the wind, it looks good everywhere.  After the 2013 Sanremo victory and participating in Eurovision, I started traveling to half of Europe.  I have a fan base outside Italy, their warmth reaches me every day. I would gladly return.

When Marco Mengoni represented Italy for the first time he was facing professional difficulties.  In an interview for La Republicca he reflected about that period

In 2013 I didn’t expect to win, many already considered me finished, nobody believed in us, it seemed to me I was fighting against everyone and everything.  I even thought about going back to university, music would always be part of my life but it wouldn’t be my job.

Marco Mengoni is one of the favourites to win Sanremo 2023 according to the betting predictions.

Marco Mengoni represented Italy for the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with the song “L’essenziale”.  He ended up in 7th place in the Grand Final

Source: Eurofestival news

Denmark: DMGP 2023 Running Order has been released!

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DR has announced the running order for the final of Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2023 which will take place on February 11.

The running order is as follows:

  1. Frederik Leopold – Stuck On You
  2. EYJAA – I Was Gonna Marry Him
  3. Micky Skeel – Glansbillede
  4. maia maia – Beautiful Bullshit
  5. Nicklas Sonne – Freedom
  6. Mariyah LeBerg – Human
  7. Søren Torpegaard Lund – Lige Her
  8. Reiley – Breaking My Heart

Tina Müller and Heino Hansen will host the final on February 11. Tina has hosted the past two editions of the contest while Heino will host for the first time. Heino is originally from the host city for the 2023 contest Næstved.

Source: DR/eurovoix

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun regarding ESC 2023!

Lithuania: Semi-Final split has been revealed!

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LRT has revealed the split of the twenty artists across the two Semi-Finals of Pabandom iš naujo! 2023.

The Semi-Final One of Pabandom iš naujo! 2023 has already been filmed in Vilnius and the split of the competing artists has been revealed. A total of twenty artists qualified from the two heats and will be competing again for a place in the Grand Final and a chance to represent Lithuania at Eurovision 2023.

You can see the split here:

Semi Final 1 (February 4):

  • Il Senso – “Sparnai” (Wings)
  • Alen Chicco – “Do You”
  • Baiba – “When the Lights Go Out”
  • Joseph June – “Vacuum”
  • NOY – “Destiny’s Child”
  • Petunija – “Love of My Life”
  • Justė Kraujelytė – “Need More Fun”
  • Gabrelius Vagelis – “Šauksmas” (Shout)
  • Rūta Mur – “So Low”
  • Donata – “Dreamer”

Semi-Final 2 (February 11):

  • Beatrich – “Like a Movie”
  • Monika Linkytė – “Stay”
  • Mario Junes – “Do What You Do”
  • Matt Len – “Midnight Train”
  • Agnė – “New Start”
  • Moon Bee – “Rumor”
  • Gebrasy – “Saw Your Ghost”
  • Antikvariniai Kašpirovskio dantys – “Sėdi ir važiuoji” (Sit down and drive)
  • Paulina Paukštaitytė – “Let Me Think About Me”
  • Luknė – “Paradise”

The final will take place on February 18!

Source: eurovoix

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun regarding ESC 2023!

San Marino: Semi finalists to be announced on February 20!

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San Marino RTV will announce the names of the Semi-finalists on February 20.  The announcement will take place in a press conference.  Sixty artists will participate at the Semi finals of Una Voce per San Marino national selection.

This is the second time that San Marino held a national final.  Over 1000 singers from 31 countries registered to participate in the San Marinese national selection.  According to RTV this is an increase of over 300 singers since their last update in 2022.

Una Voce per San Marino

Una Voce per San Marino will consist on five Semi-finals taking place between 18-20 February 2023.  The Semi-Finals will be broadcast on delay by SMRTV.  The Grand Final of Una Voce per San Marino will take place on February 25, 2023 at the Teatro Nuovo in Dogana.  A five member jury representing San Marino RTV (2), Segreteria di Stato (1) and  the production company (2) will chose the San Marinese representative.

Achille Lauro won the first edition of Una Voce per San Marino.  He represented San Marino at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCmX64N_sXM&ab_channel=EurovisionSongContest

Source: RTV

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for more news about San Marino in Eurovision!