Estonia: The first 12 participants of Eesti Laul 2021 | Uku Suviste, Koit Toome and Jüri Pootsmann are back!

During the ETV program, entitled Ringvaates, the first 12 artists, the titles of their songs and the composers / lyricists from the 24 total entries of Eesti Laul 2021 were announced.

Estonian Radio and Television, ERR, also announced the names of the 14-member committee that selected the finalists, among the 156 entries submitted, which consists of people from the country’s music industry and the show in general.

The first 12 participants of Eesti Laul 2021:

In the following list you will see the first 12 artists and their candidate songs for Eesti Laul 2021:

“Calm down”: Nika Marula
Creators: Andrei Zevakin, Nika Marula, Daniil Kotilevits

Hypnotized: Kéa
Creators: Ketter Orav, Sander Sadam, Alvar Antson

“Lost In A Dance”: Gram-Of-Fun
Creators: Martin Kuut, Kristel Aaslaid, Raul Ojamaa, Kostja Tsõbulevski, Mikk Simson

Magus melanhoolia: Jury Pootsmann
Creators: Jüri Pootsmann, Joonas Mattias Sarapuu, Jana Hallas, Aleksi Liski

“Nii kõrgele”: Helen
Creators: Rob Montes, Jason Hunter, Renae Rain, Helen Randmets

“One By One”: Hans Nayna
Creators: Vahur Valgmaa, Hans Nayna

“Tartu”: REDEL
Loo autorid Kristjan Oden, Indrek Vaheoja

The Lucky One: Uku Suviste
Creators: Uku Suviste, Sharon Vaughn

“Tuuled”: WIIRALT
Creators: Pat Lyons, Martin Saaremägi

“We Could Have Been Beautiful”: Koit Toome
Creators: Joonas Parkkonen, Koit Toome, Peppina Pällijeff

“Wingman”: Andrei Zevakin & Pluto
Creators: Andrei Zevakin, Henry Orlov

Üks öö: Tuuli Rand
Creators: Gevin Niglas, Kristel Aaslaid, Tuuli Rand

Of course, the returns of eurostars would not be missing this year either! Apart from Uku Suviste who was the winner of Eesti Laul and participates again with a song by Dimitris Kontopoulos and Sharon Vaughn (not mentioned in the titles due to regulations), Jüri Pootsmann, who represented Estonia in 2016, returns to the Estonian national final, but also Koit Toome, who represented his country twice, with the last one in 2017 with the song Verona, a duet together with Laura!

Tomorrow, November 12th, we will meet the other 12 candidates. We will hear the songs for the first time in early December.

The semifinals of Eesti Laul 2021 will be held on February 18 and 20, while the grand Final on March 6, 2021.

Unlike in previous years, Eesti Laul 2021 will take place entirely in the country’s capital, Tallinn. The semi-finals of the Estonian national final will take place in a TV studio, while it is still unknown whether the final will be as usual in Saku Suurhall, or due to the pandemic it will be moved elsewhere. Presenter of Eesti Laul 2021, will be Tonis Niinemets,

We remind you that this year’s winner of Eesti Laul, while he had already secured his place in the semifinals of Eesti Laul 2021, as we revealed in our exclusive article, preferred to go through the jury process normally. Last time we saw him on social media, preparing his song with the Dream Team.

Let us remember once again the winning song of Uku Suviste at Eesti Laul 2020, by Dimitris Kontopoulos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4I3vvQzQ-E

Source: ΕRR

Estonia: Jaagup Tuisk will direct the video clip of Uku Suviste’s entry in Eesti Laul 2021! EXCLUSIVE

He was the big favorite to win Eesti Laul 2020, with his wonderful ballad, Beautiful Lie. He finally took second place, behind Uku Suviste and Dimitris Kontopoulos’ song, What Love Is. Of course we are talking about Jaagup Tuisk. Now the two artists will work together, as Jaagup will direct the video clip for Uku Suviste’s entry in Eesti Laul 2021, with which he hopes to win again the Estonian ticket to the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest.

Jaagup Tuisk’s main profession is directing and he is considered one of the best video clip directors in Estonia. According to our exclusive information, he will be the one to direct the song with which he will participate in Eesti Laul 2021 and which has been written this time by Dimitris Kontopoulos and Sharon Vaughn.

This is a song completely different from What Love Is. A highly pop radio track, midtempo. Uku Suviste asked his song to be judged properly by the pre-selection committee of Eesti Laul 2021 and not to use the wildcard for direct qualification to the semifinals, as it would not make sense to participate in a contest where the committee would not consider his song competitive.

Today 11/11 and tomorrow 12/11, we expect the 24 artists who will take part in the two semifinals of Eesti Laul 2021.

Below we enjoy once again the video clip of Jaagum Tuisk for his song, Beautiful Lie, which participated in Eesti Laul 2020, taking the second place.

Stay tuned to Eurovision Fun for all the news regarding Estonia’s entry in Eurovision 2021!

Estonia: Former Eesti Laul producer says that “Uku Suviste would have won Eurovision”!

The former chief producer of Eesti Laul, Estonia’s competition to find its Eurovision entry, Mart Normet, thinks that Uku Suviste would have succeeded at Eurovision and perhaps even won the contest, with the song “What Love is”, which was composed by Dimitris Kontopoulos and Sharon Vaughn and Uku Suviste himself.

“The song is honest, well performed, well written. I really like that song,” Normet said on ETV talk show “Hommik Anuga” Sunday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EIQ6U039ms

Normet is going against the general opinion in his views. Estonia didn´t make it top three in the predictions charts. The favorites were Lithuania, Bulgaria, and Switzerland.

“In that sense, it´s even sadder that the contest was canceled because this year, the top three were predicted to be countries that haven´t won in a long time,” Normet said.

From these three, Normet liked the song “Tears Getting Sober” the most. “It has some Billie Eilish moments, but it´s not so dark. And when I heard these songs, this really made me listen,” Normet said.

On the other hand, he did not like the Swiss entry so much. However, Normet acknowledged that a lot of good singers have come from the birthplace of singer Gjon Muharremaj.

“She has Albanian-Kosovar roots. If you think about how many successful singers there are from the region – Dua Lipa, Rita Ora, Bebe Rexha, maybe some of the biggest female stars in the world today have come from Albania or Kosovo,” Normet said.

Normet also listened to the Russian story “Uno”, for example. “They have one decent Kreisraadio number,” Normet said. “‘You’re joking’, and making it an international joke.”

In addition, he remembered the Icelandic entry “Think About Things”, which according to Normet sounds very nice and doesn´t lack irony.

Today, Wednesday 11/11 and tomorrow Thursday 12/11, the 24 artists who will compete in Eesti Laul 2021 for the representation of Estonia in the next Eurovision song contest will be announced.

Source: ERR

Sweden: Eric Saade near his return to Melodifestivalen | Two more names confirmed!

An artist who has been a target of Christer Bjorkman almost every year, seems to be thinking seriously this year. We are referring, of course, to Eric Saade, who in 2011 took third place in the Eurovision Song Contest with Popular. But two more names confirm their participation. These are Arvingarna, but also Paul Rey.

Eric Saade returns to Melodifestivalen

The production team of Melodifestivalen would love Eric Saade and tried to persuade him to participate again this year, but without success. In 2021 things are easier. In fact, a person close to the artist states that it is most likely that we will see him competing in Melodifestivalen 2021. Another Aftonbladet source claims that he has not decided yet, although he has a very strong song in his hands.

If Eric Saade finally says yes, it will be his fourth participation in the Melodifestivalen, which as we said above he won in 2011, then representing Sweden in Eurovision. He was the presenter of the Green Room at Eurovision 2013, in Malme, while he was also the presenter of the Melodifestivalen.

Sixth entry for Arvingarna

The band Arvingarna, which represented Sweden in 1993 at Eurovision, after their victory at Melodifestivalen that year, returns for its sixth appearance. Arvingarna’s last participation in the Melodifestivalen was in 2019, managing to qualify for the final through the second chance. Their entry, I Do, which took 7th place became a great success and so the Arvingarna decided to try again.

Second consecutive attempt for Paul Rey

Paul Rey left the best impressions with his participation in Melodifestivalen 2020, even occupying the sixth place in the final. He will be the fifth artist from this year’s Melodifestivalen to participate again, after The Mammas, Dotter, Alvaro Estrella and Klara Hammarström. He has been preparing for his participation for a long time, hoping that this time he will do even better.

The artists who have confirmed for Melodifestivalen 2021 until now are:

  1. Julia Alfrida  (from the radion contest P4 nästa)
  2. Tusse Chiza
  3. Sannex 
  4. Sami Rekik och Wahl
  5. The Mamas
  6. Dotter
  7. Jessica Andersson
  8. Klara Hammarström
  9. Alvaro Estrella
  10. Arvingarna
  11. Paul Rey

The artists who are rumored for participation in Melodifestivalen 2021:

  1. Eric Saade

The program of Melodifestivalen 2021 is as follows:

  • 1st semifinal on February 6
  • 2nd semifinal on February 13
  • 3rd semifinal on February 20
  • 4th semifinal on February 27
  • Second chance round on March 6
  • The final on March 13

The full list of participants for Melodifestivalen 2021 is expected to be revealed by the end of November. At this point, let us remind you that up to 2747 songs have been submitted for the upcoming Melodifestivalen.

Stay tuned on Eurovision Fun far all the developments as far as the participation of Sweden is concerned.

Source: Aftonbladet

Belgium: Luka Gruysberghs left The Hooverphonic. Geike Arnaert returns!!

Unexpected breaking news received a few moments ago.  The Hooverphonic replaced their current lead singer Luka Gruysberghs with their former one Geike Arnaert, with whom they achieved most of their success.

The Hooverphonic in the simple press release they issued a while ago express their grief for the replacement of Luka, but also their enthusiasm for the return of Geike, with whom they have preserved excellent relations,  through all these years since she left the band.

We met. We started talking. All three of us were willing to work together again, so we felt we had to do it. She is still the core of Hooverphonic.

The seed was planted a long time ago. Geike called me for something practical. The conversation was very pleasant. I told her we were preparing for the 20th anniversary of “The Magnificent Tree” and it suddenly turned out that we were looking forward to working together again. The split in 2008 was certainly not hostile, as many have said and written.

Alex Callier 

 

Geike Arnaert, who works solo since 2008, is very excited for her coming back and says:

We wanted to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the album together. It’s a weird feeling. I return to this with great pleasure. I do not know how the fans will react. But it looks very good to me. I will fit my own story in the songs again.

Geike Arnaert

 

For the forced leaving of Luka, Alex Callier, the leader of the band, states that it is a bittersweet decision, but she will remain the composer, if she wants to.

Of course it’s a little bittersweet for Luka. She is an excellent singer, no doubt on that. We had three wonderful years with her. But our collaboration ends here. We have traveled all over Europe and the United States and had many unforgettable moments together. We continue to support her with all of our heart. She will release a solo single from Universal and if Luka wants, of course I will continue to accompany her.

Alex Callier

 

The Hooverphonic with Geike Arnaert as lead singer released probably their biggest success, Mad About You .

Given the aforementioned developments it is self-evident that Geike will also be on the stage of the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest 2021 for Belgium.

Source: hln.be

 

 

 

Albania: FiK 59 will be held outdoors!

The Albanian Public Television (RTSH) presented more details to the press today for FiK 59. What is most interesting is that due to the pandemic, it was decided that Festivali i Këngës 59 should not take place traditionally at the Congress Palace, but in the Square of Italy inTirana, outdoors.

Presenters of FiK 59 will be Jonida Vokshi and Blendi Salaj. As in previous years, the festival will last for three days, just with a slightly different structure this time. On the first night we will listen to all the candidate songs. On the second night, all the candidate songs will be presented again, but in their unplugged version. On the third night, all the songs that receive the green light from the jury, which this year will be composed only of Albanians, will compete for the victory.

In case the presence of the musicians of the orchestra is not possible, the performers will sing with the music of the orchestra pre-recorded. By November 10, all contestants, whose names have been announced, must submit the final versions of their songs. RTSH will then publish the candidate songs of FiK 59 on YouTube. That is, much earlier than in other years.

FiK 59 is expected to take place at the end of December, as usual. Until then, let us remember once again Arilena Ara and the song that gave her last year’s victory at FiK and with which she would represent Albania in Eurovision 2021:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-E-kIFPrsY

Source: RTSH

Sweden: Jessica Andersson ready for Melodifestivalen 2021. Klara Hammarström and Alvaro Estrella are in too.

According to the always valid newspaper Aftonbladet, 3 more artists are ready to compete in the next Melodifestivalen.

The 3 new candidates

The first name is the 2003 winner Jessica Andersson, who is ready to take part for the eighth time in the Swedish process for Eurovision. Jessica Andersson made her Melodifestivalen debut in 2003 with the duet Fame and the song “Give Me Your Love”, and represented Sweden at the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing in 5th place. Her last participation in the Swedish selection was in 2018 with the song “Party Voice”. The song with which she is expected to participate is in the same style as the last one, modern uptempo schlagerpop.

 

 

The second name revealed by the newspaper is Klara Hammarström, who took part in this year’s Melodifestivalen with the song “Nobody” but without success. During the summer she took part in various songwriting camps for the Swedish selection process. According to a source of the newspaper, the people in charge of Melodifestivalen have asked for songs about this particular artist.

 

 

The third name revealed by Aftonbladet is that of Alvaro Estrella from Chile. Alvaro’s first appearance at the Melodifestivalen was in 2014 with the song “Bedroom” without success. His last attempt was in this year’s competition with the song “Vamos Amigos” with which he reached the final through the second chance round.

The artists who have confirmed for Melodifestivalen 2021 until now are:

  1. Julia Alfrida  (από τον ραδιοφωνικό διαγωνισμό P4 nästa)
  2. Tusse Chiza
  3. Sannex 
  4. Sami Rekik och Wahl
  5. The Mamas
  6. Dotter
  7. Jessica Andersson
  8. Klara Hammarström
  9. Alvaro Estrella

 

The full list of participants for Melodifestivalen 2021 is expected to be revealed by the end of November.

At this point, let us remind you that up to 2747 songs have been submitted for the upcoming Melodifestivalen.

Stay tuned on Eurovision Fun far all the developments as far as the participation of Sweden is concerned.

Sources: Aftonbladet ESCPanelen 

Sweden: Dotter and Mamas are added to the possible names for Melodifestivalen 2021!

Aftonbladet gives us two more names that will likely participate in Melodifestivalen 2021. For Melodifestivalen 2020 Aftonbladed achieved to predict 23 of the 24 names that was mentioned in its articles. The next two artists we will see at Melodifestivalen 2021 are The Mamas and Dotter.

The Mamas

The Mamas, were to represent Sweden at Eurovision 2020 with the song “Move”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EpSBDPlZn4

Dotter

Dotter, one of the favorites in the final of the Melodifestivalen 2020, finally finished second after The Mamas.

The artists who have so far confirmed for Melodifestivalen 2021:

  • Julia Alfrida (from the P4 nästa radio contest)
  • Tusse Chiza
  • Sannex
  • Sami Rekik and Wahl
  • The Mamas
  • Dotter

The full list of candidates for Melodifestivalen 2021 is expected to be announced at the end of November.

The program of Melodifestivalen 2021 is as follows:

  • The 1st semifinal on February 6
  • The 2nd semifinal on February 13
  • The 3rd semifinal on February 20
  • The 4th semifinal on February 27
  • The second chance round on March 6
  • The final on March 13

We remind you that the Melodifestivalen 2021 due to the pandemic will take place only in Stockholm, in a place that will be announced at a later time.

Stay tuned to Eurovision Fun for all the developments regarding Sweden’s participation in Eurovision 2021!

Source: Aftonbladet

 

Hungary: The former head of delegation explains the reasons of absence from ESC 2021

Lőrinc Bubnó, the former head of delegation of Hungary gave an interview to Jan Bors, the former head of delegation of Czech Republic at the contest. In the third episode of “Humans of Eurovision” Lőrinc Bubnó explained the reasons why his country chose to be absent once again.

We must clarify that Lőrinc Bubnó expresses his own opinion and that he has not come in contact with the public broadcaster MTVA. So, according to his own point of view, there are two reasons that led to the withdrawal.

One being money, participating in Eurovision costs a lot of money, we are not a very rich country, if we have to cut something and it’s not good for the country’s image, then it was pretty sure they would cut this.

On the other hand, Hungarians still need some time to be prepared for “Western Europe” and the LGBTQ+ community and how to accept people.

An additional reason for the withdrawal of Hungary is the great success of A Dal, the show through which the nation used to select its Eurovision representative. The aforementioned success continues despite the non-participation at the song contest.

You can watch the entire interview below.

 

Russia: With Little Big in Eurovision 2021?

A very important speculation is circulating internet the last hour. According to the Russian Eurovision fan club VK, the CEO of the public broadcaster Channel1, Konstantin Ernst, has confirmed that Little Big will have a second chance to get on the Eurovision stage.

On 28th of September Channel 1 confirmed that it is going to be the responsible broadcaster for the selection of the representative of Russia at Eurovision 2021, since the 2020 was canceled. In Russia, there are two broadcasters that are members of the EBU, Channel 1 and RTR. Therefore the project is undertaken alternately by each channel.

If the speculation of the fan club VK is true, then Little Big will raise the number of the returning artists from 2020 to 23.

It is unknown yet when the speculations will be confirmed from Channel 1, since we are used to get the news from Russia at the very last moment.

Let’s remember the entry that was meant to compete at the 2020 contest, and was one of the hot favourites.

https://youtu.be/L_dWvTCdDQ4