Greece: Leon of Athens submitted his proposal to ERT!

Leon of Athens has submitted his complete proposal to ERT, in order to bid for the Greek representation in the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, fully confirming our coverage earlier this summer, which had the artist interested in flying the Greek flag at Eurovision 2023.

What does Leon of Athens’ proposal include?

His proposal includes a happy, up-tempo track with a retro mood. We’d say that as a genre it belongs to British pop, and could be a Harry Styles song.

The creation of the track belongs to him, and to David Sneddon, both creators of Katerina Duska‘s Better Love.

If Leon of Athens is chosen as the Greek representative, the master of the genre Fokas Evagelinos will take over the direction, Ilias Kokotos the general management of the project and Dimitris Kontopoulos will be the sound manager during the rehearsals, just as happened with Amanda.

Who is Leon of Athens?

Leon of Athens is 35 years old. Besides being a performer, he is a composer and lyricist. In 2019, he was among the creators of Better Love, the song with which Katerina Douska represented Greece at Eurovision that year.

He started playing classical guitar at the age of 6 and at the age of 15 he created his first band “The Secret Show”. Although he was born and raised in Athens, he has spent a lot of time between America and London over the last 10 years, with Greece remaining his great love.

Timoleon Veremis was born in London and studied at one of the best music schools of Los Angeles. Another greek nominee with a solid education.

Leon of Athens is owned by the Cobalt record label. Below you can listen to one of his latest songs:

Would you like to see Leon of Athens representing Greece at Eurovision 2023? Let us know in the comments below!

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the latest news regarding the Greek participation in Eurovision 2023!

 

Kalomoira: I don’t think I will come back to Eurovision!

One of the names that is often rumored to be interested to represent Greece in the contest is the 2008 representative, Kalomoira.

In a recent interview to the website Abouteurovision, she revealed she prepared three songs with the help of successful producers from Greece and abroad. When asked if she will submit any of these songs, she did not give a clear answer.

However, reading the full interview which was published today, she clearly states that she will not return to Eurovision, therefore she will not submit any of these songs.

We remind you that the submissions window set by Greek Public Broadcaster ERT is until October 9th. Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the latest updates on the Greek internal selection!

Source: Abouteurovision

Kalomoira: “I have prepared 3 songs. Time will tell if I submit them to ERT” !

It remains unknown whether Kalomira will participate in the ERT process for the selection of the artist, who will represent Greece at Eurovision 2023. In an interview for a website called “Abouteurovision”, she says that she has prepared three songs, but time will tell if she submits any of them to ERT (Greece’s public broadcaster).

Kalomira, who represented Greece at Eurovision back in 2008, taking third place with “My Secret Combination“, is one of the artists that every year there are rumors that will return to the contest. Her name is almost always among the prospective artists. The latest example was last year when her participation in the ERT process was likely to happen, but at the last minute she decided not to submit her participation

The well-known performer who lives with her family in the USA, spent her summer in Greece, planning her musical return.

As she revealed to “Abouteurovision” she has prepared three songs, in which  contributors and acclaimed contributors from abroad participate. When was asked if she will submit any of these songs to ERT, in order to represent Greece in Eurovision 2023, Kalomira kept her cards close, saying that only time will tell.

 

 

Δείτε αυτή τη δημοσίευση στο Instagram.

 

Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη Adem Kavaz (@adem_kavaz_esc)

We would like to remind you that the deadline for submitting entries to ERT for Eurovision 2023 is October 9th.

You can read the full interview on Monday, October 3, at the abouteurovision.com

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for the latest news about Eurovision song contest!

Greece: More than 50 songs have already been submitted to ERT!

Some days before the last week of the submission window that ERT announced for the next Greek entry, ERT has already received more than 50 songs!

Since last week, the submitted songs were over 43, which was the total number of songs that were submitted last year. ERT executives expect that until October 9th which is the deadline for submissions, the total number of entries will increase significantly.

Some of the artists that have already confirmed their participation in the selection, either publicly or through information we received are:

  • Antonia Kaouri
  • Melissa Mantzoukis
  • Leon of Athens
  • Operatical
  • Klavdia
  • Evangelia
  • Vasilis Kourtis
  • Aretha
  • Artemis Matafia
  • Joanne
  • Cynthia Verazie

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun because we follow closely all the developments on the Greek internal selection! 

 

 

Greece: More than 40 songs have been submitted to ERT so far for Eurovision 2023!

The songs that are so far submitted to ERT for Eurovision 2023 have already surpassed the total number of songs submitted in last year’s selection process, and thus, there are lots of smiles in the public broadcaster in advance for the next Greek participant, the selection of whom is expected to be a hard one.

Last year, 43 songs were submitted to ERT, to claim the Greek representation in the contest, a number already surpassed this year, even if there are already two weeks until the deadline of the selection process, which is in October 9.

As we have said right from the beginning, the interest is really high this year and that is something even we in Eurovisionfun receive everyday, since we get messages from artists telling us that they have, or are planning to submit their songs soon.

The submission period ends within 15 days, and thinking that most artists will submit their songs in the last days, the total number of songs is expected to be much higher than last year. This is something that makes ERT’s team happy, because it really proves that their choices are more than welcomed by more and more artists each year, but also by the recording companies, as they are not afraid to “use” their roster in this music battle.

We remind you that in 2018, in ERT’s selection process, 18 songs were submitted, last year this number was increased to 43 and now there are already more than 40 songs and 15 days still left until the deadline of the submission process.

The artists that have somehow confirmed that they have or are going to submit their songs to ERT for Eurovision 2023 are:

  • Antonia Kaouri
  • Melissa Mantzoukis
  • Leon of Athens
  • Operatical
  • Klavdia
  • Evangelia
  • Vasilis Kourtis
  • Aretha
  • Artemis Matafia
  • Joanne
  • Cynthia Verazie

New names will be added to the list as the deadline is coming closer and closer in October 9. We think you understand that Eurovisionfun follows the process very closely and informs you of every new thing that we learn.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Greek participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, in the United Kingdom!

Greece: More than 20 songs have already been submitted | EXCLUSIVE

While there are still three weeks before the expiration of the deadline (set out by ERT) for record labels and production companies to submit their proposals for Eurovision 2023, the songs submitted so far amount to more than 20!

We can exclusively reveal that submitted entries have exceeded 20, while not a single song had been received at the same time last year! As we pointed out before, the 43 songs that took part in last year’s selection procedure is going to be easily surpassed. This highlights the impact of ERT’s good choices in recent years.

What is also surprising is that we now have artists, representing various music genres; this involves genres that the public is not used to see representing Greece in ESC.

The ERT’s shift to more western-style entries has aroused the interest of several artists who, until a few years ago, did not even consider Eurovision as an option.

The names that have, in one way or another, expressed their intention to submit a proposal to ERT for Eurovision 2023 are the following:

  • Antonia Kaouri
  • Aretha
  • Artemis Matafia
  • Cynthia Verazie
  • Evangelia
  • Joanne
  • Klavdia
  • Leon of Athens
  • Melissa Mantzoukis
  • Operatical
  • Vasilis Kourtis

Of course, as we move towards the end of the deadline on October 9, others will be added to list above. Eurovisionfun will follow the developments closely, and inform you of everything that comes up.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the developments!

Everything we know so far about the candidates interested in representing Greece at Eurovision 2023!

Three weeks are left for those interested in representing Greece at Eurovision 2023. During this period more names will be published, in order for the candidate puzzle regarding ERT‘s internal selection process for the song and artist that will represent Greece in the upcoming contest to be complete.

The process followed by ERT

The deadline that ERT gave to artists, production companies and record labels in order to submit their proposals for a chance to claim the Greek representation at the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, is closing at October 9th.

Subsequently, the members from an artistic committee, headed by songwriter and board of directors member  Dimitris Papadimitriou, will be individually called for listening to the submitted songs and reviewing them. A small number of songs that has gained the committee members’ approval will progress to the second and final phase (last year it was five songs).

The performing artists of these songs will be called to ERT’s headquarters at Agia Paraskevi along with their teams, in order to present their plans for the contest (staging, promotion plan) in front of ERT’s management and the committee members and to answer any possible questions.

Subsequently, if the artists have progressed to the second phase of the process and have appeared at ERT’s broadcasts, the lucky one that will wave the Greek flag at the United Kingdom in May will be announced.

The candidates

Plenty of artists have confirmed their participation in the internal selection process, either publicly or through information that arrived at Eurovisionfun.

Antonia Kaouri

The talented performer from MINOS EMI that last year was a Greek jury member for Eurovision 2022, is intensively prepearing for the proposal she is about to submit at ERT. Her striking appearance and her unique voice tone are her greatest weapons. Antonia Kaouri will enter the studio very soon and we will reveal to you more information regarding her proposal.

Vasilis Kourtis

The announcement of his candidacy through Eurovisionfun since the summer, received an especially positive feedback. It will be the first time that Greece will be represented by a tenor, of course if he gets selected by ERT for Eurovision 2023. Having done some incredible collaborations and theatrical and musical studies that a very select few have in our country, Vasilis Kourtis looks like the perfect representative to many, and not unfairly. Vasilis has already recorded the song he is going to submit to ERT. His song bears Dimitris Kontopoulos’s signature, something that makes his candidacy a whole lotta interesting.

Areti Kosmidou (Aretha)

The runner-up from the first season of The Voice of Greece returned to Greece after years of living abroad. In a television interview Areti Kosmidou has revealed that one of the reasons she returned, is a proposal’s sumbission to ERT for Eurovision 2023. She revealed that she has already completed two songs. It’s about one electro pop song more mainstream than the indie pop style she was following at the dawn of her career.

Evangelia

One more candidacy that became known since early on was the one from Evangelia. The young artist that has recently released a duet with our last representative Amanda, since the end of the previous contest has announced that is going to submit songs to ERT for Eurovision 2023. She was among the last year’s candidates too, but she couldn’t manage to be in the top five. Evangelia hasn’t submitted her proposal yet, but according to what she revealed recently, she is at the last phase of her preperation.

Artemis Matafia

One more artist that was among the candidates for Eurovision 2022. She will submit two songs to ERT, just like she did last year.

Joanne

The winner of The Voice of Greece, Joanne, as we were informed during the summer by her recording label MINOS EMI, will attempt claiming the Greek representation in Eurovision 2023 for a second year in a row. Like Evangelia, Joanne also couldn’t manage to be in the top five, something that she thinks she will overturn this year. More information about the personnel of her proposal have not been published yet.

Klavdia

Klavdia is well known through The Voice of Greece, too. Exclusively collaborating with ARCADE, Klavdia is more than possible going to submit a song of theirs to ERT. A very promising collaboration, that creates great anticipation for the result.

Melissa Mantzoukis

19-year-old Melissa Mantzoukis, some months ago, achieved finishing at the third place of German Idol, having won over both the juries and the TV viewers. In the summer, as you have been informed through Eurovisionfun, she was in Greece to record two songs that is about to submit to ERT within the next period. We will reveal to you more information regarding Melissa’s proposal just as it gets submitted to ERT. One more candidacy that is being prepared for months and deserves our attention.

Leon of Athens

Leon of Athens is one of the creators of our 2019 participation. Towards the end of summer, he was at England recording the song he and his record label COBALT are about to submit to ERT. In his proposal Dream Team is also going to be involved, something practically meaning that the dreamy team will be in more than one proposals from the selection process.

Cynthia Verazie

Supported by Mike Connaris that represented Cyprus twice in the contest, Cynthia Verazie of polish decent that became known to our country through Rising Star and has been living in Norway for the last few years, making a career there, has already submitted her proposal to ERT.

To the aforementioned names, of course, as we move on to the end of the deadline, more will be added, with the number surpassing the 43 that were submitted last year. As you may have guessed, Eurovisionfun is tracking the news very closely and is informing you for any news available.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the news!

 

Greece: Areti Kosmidou is on the list of possible representatives for Eurovision 2023!

After returning to Greece, Areti Kosmidou was invited in the Greek morning TV show Breakfast@Star.

Now known as Aretha, Areti was introduced to us back in 2014 through The Voice, ending up second. When she was only sixteen years old, she was the girl that made a great impression in the famous talent show in Mihalis Kouinelis’ team.

Since then, she has been in America to study and worked on her music style and making music.

 The performer and now young mother of a little girl, said in the TV show that one of the main reasons of her return in Greece was to submit her proposal to ERT, aiming for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in the United Kingdom.
As she stated, representing Greece in the contest is one of her dreams, whether it happens in 2023 or one of the next years.

Speaking of 2023, she said that her song is ready, in its final version and the only thing left is submitting it to the Greek broadcaster.

It is an electro pop song and seems more like a maistream song rather than the indie pop style that she was used to when she started singing

Aretha is now the latest addition in the list of artists that are going to claim the Greek representation in Eurovision 2023. She is for sure moved by Greece’s latest entry, as Aretha and Amanda are singing in a similar musical style.

These are some of Areti’s songs you can listen to:

You can watch her interview in the Greek TV show HERE.

What do you think about a possible representation by Areti Kosmidou?

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Greek participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, in the United Kingdom!

Greece: Leon of Athens’ proposal for Eurovision 2023 in collaboration with Dream Team | EXCLUSIVE

You were already informed – for months now – through Eurovsionfun that Leon of Athens is about to sumbit a proposal to ERT for Eurovision 2023. However, today we are going to reveal one more hint that will bring his candidacy at the center of attention even more.

According to our exclusive information, both the artist and people from the recording label COBALT, have come into contact with the very well known and successful team in the contest – Dream Team (Fokas Evangelinos, Ilias Kokotos, Dimitris Kontopoulos) – in order to take over the project together, if the proposal they submit to ERT gets selected.

This practically means that Fokas Evangelinos will take over the direction, Ilias Kokotos will be in charge of general management for the project and Dimitris Kontopoulos will most probably be involved in the final production of the song and be resposible for the sound engineering during rehearsals, just as it happened with Amanda earlier this year.

We remind you that the song Leon of Athens is going to submit has already been written during his stay in London at the end of August. It is expected to be at Leon’s usual style. So far, he hasn’t sumbitted his proposal to ERT, but this is going to happen in the following days until October 9th, the deadline for song submissions.

Dream Team has collaborated with COBALT last year too, because they would have taken over Good Job Nicky if he was selected by ERT. Last year, both MINOS and PANIK had adressed a similar suggestion to Dream Team for taking over their artists.

It remains to be seen how many proposals Dream Team is involved into in this year’s greek participation selection process.

Stay tuned in Eurovisionfun for all the latest news!

Eurovision 2023: National broadcaster participation window closing today!

The national broadcasters from the countries having an active EBU membership, have a deadline until today (15/9), in order to confirm their participation in the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.

We might not know the city at United Kingdom that we are going to travel to for Eurovision 2023 yet, but today is the deadline for the national broadcasters-EBU members to confirm their participation in the contest.

Until October 11th, according to the rules, the possibility of withdrawal is provided without the imposition of a fine. From this date on, the broadcasters that applied for participating and are willing to withdraw, are going to face the imposition of a fine, which is varying, depending on the time of withdrawal (before or after the semi-finals draw etc.).

31 countries, with one way or another, have announced their will to participate in Eurovision 2023. Among them there’s Greece, and Cyprus too. Those countries are:

  • Albania
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Cyprus
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Malta
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • San Marino
  • Serbia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • The Netherlands
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom

The number from the countries above is expected to grow, because nine countries that participated in this year’s contest, haven’t clarified their intentions yet. Those are:

  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Moldova
  • Montenegro
  • North Macedonia
  • Slovenia

There’s always a chance, although slight, for a country to return or for another one to debut. The participating countries and their exact number will be confirmed through EBU’s official announcement. The respective announcement for Eurovision 2022 was made on October 20th.