Australia: Listen to the second song bidding to represent Australia, on 2022!

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The second song of Australia Decides 2022, the Australian national final for Eurovision 2022, has been released.

Its song title was already known,  and is “I Won’t Need to Dream” by the 22 year old singer-songwriter called Jude York.

His song is already out in Spotify Australia and you can listen to it below:

Who is Jude York

Jude York is a 22-year-old singer-songwriter who began sharing his song-writing skills and vocals only this year on his socials.

From Toowoomba in regional Queensland (around an hour-and-a-half’s drive west of Brisbane), Jude describes himself as an explosion of life, in which he combines sadness and happiness to create music which you can dance to but which also prompts an “emotional, crying, deep reflective experience”.

Jude is an artist who is not afraid to explore many music genres. His artistry has versatility and, coupled with his clever lyrics that flow like poetry, his music is slick, mesmerising and catchy.

Already known song titles

Mid of January, in a previous article we had reported that the first song titles for Australia Decides 2022 had been revealed, as some candidates had announced the title of their songs that will compete to represent Australia in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

The song titles already revealed are:

  • Seann Miley Moore – “My Body”
  • Charley – “I Suck At Being Lonely”
  • Sheldon Riley – “Not the Same”

Known acts competing at Australia Decides 2022

Eleven acts will compete to be the next Australian Eurovision representative.  The participants for the next Australia Decides are:

  1. Isaiah Firebrace
  2. Jaguar Jonze
  3. Paulini
  4. Andrew Lamrpou
  5. Sheldon Riley
  6. G-Nat! Ion.
  7. Sean Miley Moore
  8. Voyager Australia – “Dreamer“
  9. Charley
  10. Jude York – “I Won’t Need to Dream“
  11. Leea Nanos

The eleven acts will compete at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Center on February 26 to represent Australia at Eurovision 2022. Australian broadcaster SBS decided to use Australia Decides as their national final after the success of  their national final.

Radio producer and presenter Myf Warhurst and comedian Joel Creasey will present the Australian national final.  Moreover, Creasey will be the SBS Eurovision commentator in May 2022.

Montaigne won the most recent edition of Australia Decides with the song “Don’t break me”.  Unfortunately her entry could not participate in Eurovision due to the cancellation of the competition in 2020.  She represented Australia in 2021 with “Technicolour”. You can watch her 2020 performance in the video embedded below:

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun, for all the latest developments regarding the Australia Decides and the Australian entry for Eurovision 2022!

France: Announcements for “Eurovision France, c’est vous qui décidez!” coming soon!

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France is one of the countries that has so far been quiet about its plans for Eurovision 2022.

We may know that the French representative will be selected again this year through the show, “Eurovision France, c’est vous qui décidez!”, but neither the artists nor the songs that will compete to represent the country have been announced so far, nor the date of the national final.

The final auditions and the shooting of the final candidates for the French national final, took place on January 4 at the Apollo Théâtre, where the 2021 national final was held, as well as the video clip of Tom Leeb for his participation in Eurovision 2020 with Mon alliée (The Best in Me) was filmed.

And the paraphilology for the possible candidates for the national final may be intense, but nothing seems to correspond to reality.

The anxiety of the fans wanted to alleviate the French Head of Delegation, Alexandra Redde-Amiel. Posting on her personal Twitter account, she announced that “Eurovision France, c’est vous qui décidez!” will be back soon with many surprises. As she mentioned, a little bit patience is necessary before the new details for the French national team are announced.

https://twitter.com/AlexRedde/status/1483827208254857218?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

France was represented by Barbara Pravi in Eurovision 2021 with the song “Voilà”, finishing 2nd in the Grand Final on May 22nd.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unj9WbeLzRU

 

Israel: The announcement of the songs for the national final on January 30!

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This year, Israel will choose both its representative and the song that will represent it at Eurovision 2022, through the TV Show “The X Factor Israel”.

The final of the competition will take place on February 5 with four finalists. Each of the four will perform two new songs that will be released on January 30 in a special broadcast. There will also be a semi-final round, to select one of the two songs for each artist on February 3rd.

The song that will be selected will be the one with which each participant will claim the representation of Israel for Eurovision 2022. Four songs and four artists will compete in the X Factor Grand Final. Then, the audience and the jury will jointly choose the artist and the song who will represent the country in Turin.

We remind you that the popular talent show will be presented by Liron Weizman. According to domestic media, X Factor Israel judges will include Netta Barzilai, Aviv Geffen, Margalit Tzan’ani, Ran Danker and Miri Mesika.

Israel was represented by Eden Alene in Eurovision 2021 with the song Set Me Free, finishing 17th in the grand final on May 22nd.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y-blG5ptwo

Source: 13tv Israel

 

Ukraine: Vidbir 2022 will be held with live audience!

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Great news for the big power of Eurovision Ukraine, since their national final will be held with live audience.

As it has been announced by OGAE Ukraine, Vidbir 2022 will take place in a studio with an amount of 500-600 people in the audience. The cost of the tickets for the national final hasn’t been published yet and they will be available soon.

Vidbir 2022 will be held on February 12th and the list of the 27 artists is available to be read here. From this list, eight artists only will have the chance to compete in this year’s national final.

Last year, Ukraine managed to get a top five result with Go-A and “Shum”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqvzDkgok_g&feature=emb_title

Are you feeling more positive that Eurovision 2022 will be held with live audience again since 2019? Write your thought on the comment section!

Source: Eurovoix

Cyprus: Michalis Hatzigiannis and Alex P join forces for Eurovision 2022?

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You have read very well, our dear readers, according to information we have at our disposal, the song with which Cyprus will participate in Eurovision 2022 will be a composition by Michalis Hatzigiannis and Alex P and his team.

Through the show Me Agapi Christiana, Konstantinos Hampalis, editor-in-chief of Tv Mania magazine, stated that RIK is still in the search phase of the song, although there is a song that has caught the eyes of those in charge. So this song is a composition of the well-known Greek Cypriot singer Michalis Hatzigiannis and Alex P and his team, a Greek-born creator and producer based in Sweden.

RIK after the unsuccessful attempt to secure the anecdotal song of George Michael, but also the reluctance with which he faced this possibility, the well-known Greek artist who was offered to perform the song on the stage of Eurovision, turned to the choice of Michalis Hatzigiannis a scenario after all, it has been there since the summer.

The song according to our information is mid tempo and has ethnic vibes. As we had written, the singer for another year will belong to the staff of PANIK Records, since RIK’s collaboration with the record company continues in the coming years. We remind you of what the CEO of the company, G. Arsenakos, had revealed months ago, the talent show that will take place next year, with the prize of representing Cyprus in Eurovision 2023.

Michalis Hatzigiannis represented Cyprus at Eurovision 1998 with the song Genesis, occupying the eleventh place, while Alex P has participated as a composer in the contest with Cyprus (2012, 2018, 2019), Greece (2007), and Azerbaijan (2009).

For another year, RIK focuses first on finding a song and then on the search for the artist, who will lift the weight of the representation of Cyprus in the competition, hoping this time for a better result than last year. The selection of Michalis Hatzigiannis as co-composer of the song, comes to confirm the statements of members of the Cypriot delegation, that this year there will be Cypriot actors in the participation. The song is expected to be released in March, while any official announcements will probably be made next month.

Update:

In a communication that a member of the Cypriot delegation had with us, we were told that although discussions were held about the above mentioned scenario and cooperation, it seems is not something that went ahead. We are waiting now for the official announcements …

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Cypriot participation in Eurovision 2022!

Spain: Rehearsals or Video Clips to be Used if Artists Test Positive for COVID-19!

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Three different scenarios have been announced in case an artist tests positive for COVID-19 at Benidorm Fest.

In a recent article, RTVE unveiled the contingency plan in case a competing artist turns out positive before appearing in the upcoming Spanish selection process Benidorm Fest.

The producers, Boomerang TV and the broadcaster, RTVE, have come up with three different scenarios to ensure that every song and artist will be able to compete in this year’s Benidorm Fest.

  • The first scenario is that if the artist has already completed his first rehearsal, it will be broadcast during the live show instead of a live performance.
  • Second, if the artist comes out positive before his first rehearsal, then the official music video for the song will be played.
  • The final scenario is that, if there is no music video, the song will be played with montage of images and photos of the artist.

It was announced by Eva Mora, head of the Spanish delegation, that it was not possible to produce live performances, such as those created for this year’s ESCZ selection process and the expected process of Northern Macedonia, due to lack of time.

The Benidorm Fest will be held with two semifinals on January 26 and 27, leading to the Grand Final on January 29. The songs and the artists have been revealed and the order of the two semifinals has also been decided and announced.

The voting:

Only eight artists will make it to the grand final of the Benidorm Fest. The result will be done through a mixed voting system between a professional jury (national and international), televoting and a poll jury:

  • 50% of the grade will correspond to the professional jury consisting of five experts (three of Spanish nationality and two, international).
  • The remaining 50% will be in the hands of the public (where 25% will be by phone and SMS and the remaining 25% will be selected by a poll jury).
  • The artists will be given a phone number and as soon as everyone completes the show, the hotlines will be open for voting. The voting period will be approximately 15 or 20 minutes and the presenters, Alaska, Inés Hernand and Máximo Huerta, will be responsible for the announcement.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all news regarding Benidorm Fest and the spanish representative at Eurovision 2022!

Source: RTVE

Australia: Listen to the first song bidding to represent Australia, on 2022!

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The first song of Australia Decides 2022, the Australian national final for Eurovision 2022, has been released.

The song is called Dreamer by the progressive metal band called VOYAGER and you can listen to it below:

Who is VOYAGER

VOYAGER is a progressive metal band from Perth, Western Australia, formed in 1999, currently consisting of Simone Dow (guitar), Daniel Estrin (vocals, keyboards), Mark Boeijen (drums), and Alex Canion (bass). The band has released seven full-length albums. VOYAGER concentrates on structured compositions, melody, virtuosity, and atmosphere.

As they’re stating in the caption of their YouTube video:

VOYAGER are WA’s first hope for Eurovision supremacy! ‘Dreamer’ is the official entry into this year’s contest.

Already known song titles

Mid of January, in a previous article we had reported that the first song titles for Australia Decides 2022 had been revealed.   Furthermore, four candidates have announced the title of their songs that will compete to represent Australia in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.  The song titles already revealed are:

  • Jude York – “I Won’t Need to Dream”
  • Seann Miley Moore – “My Body”
  • Charley – “I Suck At Being Lonely”
  • Sheldon Riley – “Not the Same”

Known acts competing at Australia Decides 2022

Eleven acts will compete to be the next Australian Eurovision representative.  The participants for the next Australia Decides are:

  1. Isaiah Firebrace
  2. Jaguar Jonze
  3. Paulini
  4. Andrew Lamrpou
  5. Sheldon Riley
  6. G-Nat! Ion.
  7. Sean Miley Moore
  8. Voyager Australia
  9. Charley
  10. Jude York
  11. Leea Nanos

The eleven acts will compete at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Center on February 26 to represent Australia at Eurovision 2022. Australian broadcaster SBS decided to use Australia Decides as their national final after the success of  their national final.

Radio producer and presenter Myf Warhurst and comedian Joel Creasey will present the Australian national final.  Moreover, Creasey will be the SBS Eurovision commentator in May 2022.

Montaigne won the most recent edition of Australia Decides with the song “Don’t break me”.  Unfortunately her entry could not participate in Eurovision due to the cancellation of the competition in 2020.  She represented Australia in 2021 with “Technicolour”. You can watch her 2020 performance in the video embedded below:

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun, for all the latest developments regarding the Australia Decides and the Australian entry for Eurovision 2022!

Sweden: Watch the official trailer of Melodifestivalen 2022!

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A few days before Melodifestivalen 2022 kicks off, SVT released the official trailer for this year’s event. In this trailer we recognize many familiar faces from previous years of Melodifestivalen, such as Robin Bengtsson, John Lundvik and Anna Bergendahl.

Below you can see the trailer of Melodifestivalen 2022:

https://twitter.com/scandipop/status/1483850271860080647

The show

Oscar Zia will present the Melodifestivalen 2022, while due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the process of finding the next representative of Sweden in Turin will take place exclusively in Stockholm!

1st Semi Final – 5th of February

  1. Malou Prytz – Bananas
  2. THEOZ – Som du vill
  3. Shirley Clamp – Let There Be Angels
  4. Omar Rudberg – Moving Like That
  5. Danne Stråhed – Hallaballoo
  6. Cornelia Jacobs – Hold Me Closer
  7. Robin Bengtsson – Innocent Love

2nd Semi Final – 12th of February

  1. LIAMOO – Bluffin
  2. Niello & Lisa Ajax – Tror du att jag bryr mig
  3. Samira Manners – I Want To Be Loved
  4. Alvaro Estrella – Suave
  5. Browsing Collection – Face In The Crowd
  6. John Lundvik – Änglavakt
  7. Tone Sekelius – My Way

3rd Semi Final – 19th of February

  1. Cazzi Opeia – I Can’t Get Enough
  2. Lancelot – Lyckligt slut
  3. Lisa Miskovsky – Best To come
  4. Tribe Friday – Shut Me Up
  5. Faith Kakembo – Freedom
  6. Linda Bengtzing – Fyrfaldigt hurra!
  7. Anders Bagge – Bigger Than The Universe

4th Semi Final – 26th of February

  1. Anna Bergendahl – Higher Power
  2. Lillasyster – Till Our Days Are Over
  3. Malin Christin – Synd om dig
  4. Tenori – La Stella
  5. MEDINA – In i dimman
  6. Angelino – The End
  7. Klara Hammarström – Run To The Hills

The detailed schedule of Melodifestivalen 2022 is described below:

  • First Semi on the 5th of February
  • Second Semi on the 12th of February
  • Third Semi on the 19th of Februrary
  • Fourth Semi on the 26th of February
  • Fifth Semi on the 5th of March
  • The Finals on the 12th of March

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the developments related to the Swedish national selection for Eurovision 2022!

Ireland: Listen to the fifth song, bidding to represent the country at Eurovision 2022!

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As you’ve already read in our past articles, a while ago, the fifth song bidding to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022, premiered on RTÉ Radio 1, during the “Ryan Tubridy Show”, at 10:00 CET.

The next song hoping to represent Ireland this year is “One Night, One Kiss, One Promise” by Patrick O’ Sullivan and you can listen to it below:

Who is Patrick O’ Sullivan

Patrick O’Sullivan is known as the winner of RTÉ’s Last Singer Standing in 2021. Among others, in the final he competed against Janet Grogan, who he will face again in Eurosong, as Janet is also taking part with the song “Ashes of Yesterday“.

Before winning Last Singer Standing, Patrick starred in several West End productions in London on shows such as The Book of Mormon and Dr. Doolittle. In 2021, he released a Christmas single “The Hour Before Christmas“.

Nicky Byrne is one of the songwriters of the song “One Night, One Kiss, One Promise”. He’s known as member of the group Westlife and he represented Ireland in 2016 with “Sunlight”.

The rest of the songs

The selection process

The above songs will compete with each other in the Late Late Eurovision Special, on the 4th of February, which will act as this year’s national final for Ireland, along the last song to be released tomorrow morning.

Don’t miss out our next article for the sixth and last competing song, that we will get the chance to listen for the first time, same show, same time tomorrow. By tomorrow we will know the entire lineup of contestants, that will compete in the hopes of representing Ireland, at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, in Turin.

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun, for all the latest developments regarding the Irish entry for Eurovision 2022!

EXCLUSIVE: Why did ERT not hold a national final for Eurovision 2022?

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It was a keen desire of most of the fans that ERT would be holding a national final giving the public the opportunity to choose the Greek representative for Eurovision 2022. What did occur and a national final never happened? What stopped the Greek national broadcaster’s administration from fullfilling an intention they indeed had?

Procedure beggins with no chance of a national final

As you might remember we had already informed you about ERT having a national final out of their plans, at least for this year. That was the information we had at this very point and this is the reason we were so definite about it. But let’s start from the beggining.

At early September ERT initiates the call for participations, giving that way officialy the opportunity to any artist, creator, company, records label who is interested submitting their suggestion. At that time, a national final was not even a thought. The reason is simple. No one expected the interest people showed, that got translated into entries, NOR the  high quality of the songs submitted.

On October 10th the deadline for the submitions is over and ERT now has to choose between more than 40 songs. The procedure has already been announced by Dimitris Papadimitriou. The jury members would hear the songs, rate them individually and the top 5 would be moving onto the second and final phase of the selection.

Thoughts about a TV show

At this point the ERT administratives start thinking about a possible national final, as they think they have 5 songs that could fit such a concept and hold a decent show. For that reason the head of delegation gets the permission to ask all the finalists whether they would be interested in such a show. Keep in mind that this was essential as the earliest ERT’s proclamation did not refer to that at all.

After communicating with all the 5 finalists (still not publically known), the HoD received 3 negative answers, 1 positive and 1 “maybe”. The doubts of the artists, and their labels, did mostly refer to the on-screen result, the televoting transparency, and their personal style that could possibly not fit to such an event.

ERT, however, kept on trying by suggesting a national final in which the jury vote would be more powerful than televoting, as happens in Romania or Malta. They also suggested the national final taking place on Kostis Maravegias’ show (“Dynata“), which is closer to the 5 finalists musical profile but even then the objections were not avoided.

One-way decision

Under the fear of people suddenly withdrawing, ERT decided to go on with the internal selection publishing the top 5 artists. Still wanting to somehow keep the public involved, they suggested assuming the production of their tracks and releasing them through their radio in order to get a feedback from the public before the commitee gets their final decision. The finalists and their labels did not accept that either, as they insisted on keeping the songs and releasing them the way they wanted to.

More or less this was the background of the previous months and we can now, almost a month after Amanda has officialy been announced as the Greek representative, reveal it to you.

What about the future?

We, as Eurovisionfun, are wondering whether the artists this year would bother submitting their entries if they had been aware of a national final from the start. Based on the previous facts, probably not.

The decision ERT has to take for the future is exactly what type of entries do they want. This question is already being discussed in ERT’s offices, while their goal is keeping the quality high while also keeping the public and eurofans involved to the selection. However a national final is not the only way to do so, and this is exactly what the greek delegation is lately working on.

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun for all the latest news regarding Greece’s participation in Eurovision 2022!