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

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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 

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

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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?

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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

 

Lithuania: Songs submission for the national final kicks off

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There weren’t a few, those who interpreted the prolonged silence of the Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT as a possible cancelation of the national final, which all the same had been announced since April 2020, and as an indication that The Roop band might be selected internally for 2021. However, a few moments ago, LRT announced the opening of the submissions process for the national final, through which the next representative is going to be chosen.

With the 2020 format to Eurovision 2021

Lithuanians are going to follow the successful concept of 2020 for the national final of 2021 as well.  The initial plan is the national process to be composed of 6 shows. The submissions deadline is on 14th of December, while the selection of the contestants will be carried out by a working committee of LRT, until 23rd of December. The songs must not last more than 3 minutes, must have been released from 1st of September 2020 and onwards and the maximum number of performers on stage must be 6.

The voting process will remain the same. 50% of the result will be determined by a professional jury and 50% by the public through televoting.

The money from the televoting process will be used for the staging of the Lithuanian entry in Eurovision 2021, as well as for the promotion of the song and the video clip.

The Roop will be direct to the final

The Roop who were the representatives of the Baltic nation in this year’s canceled contest and were one of the hot favourites to bring the the trophy to Lithuania for the first time, will have the chance to be advanced direct to the final, should they submit a song (which is very possible).

Vytautas Bikus, a creator who has competed many times in the past in Eurovision with the colours of Lithuania, will lead the team that will oversee the whole process. LRT Deputy Managing Director Gytis Oganauskas said about the new project:

Last year’s changes to the national “Eurovision” selection paid off, so there will be no major innovations in this year’s selection rules, except of the circumstances related to the pandemic.

 

Let’s take a look again at the missed chance of Lithuania to win the trophy:

https://youtu.be/1EAUxuuu1w8

Source: LRT

 

 

Eurovision 2021: 41 countries to participate!!

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A few moments ago, the EBU revealed the list of the participating countries at the upcoming contest of Eurovision 2021, on 18th, 20th and 22nd of May in Rotterdam the Netherlands. Actually they are the same 41 nations that were about to take part in the 2020 contest that was canceled due to the COVID19 pandemic.

EBU and the Dutch host broadcasters NPO, NOS and AVROTROS have already revealed the 4 scenarios which their are focused on, and they abide by the restrictions and the facts of the pandemic and according to which the Eurovision 2021 will take place. The scenario, which will be chosen, will be announced in due time.

Martin Österdahl, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, said:

“We are grateful for the commitment of the 41 participating broadcasters in helping us bring the Eurovision Song Contest back in 2021.”

“We have the exact same line up of countries that would have competed in 2020 and we are thrilled that they will all return next year. Together with our host broadcasters we are continuing to develop the 4 different scenarios and maintaining a dialogue with all participants. The team from NPO, NOS and AVROTROS are working hard on ensuring the Eurovision Song Contest will provide the excitement and innovation expected by over 180 million viewers, despite the challenging circumstances.”

 

Of the 41 nations taking part, 35 will compete in two Semi-Finals with 10 successful acts from each Semi-Final joining the Big 5 (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom) and hosts the Netherlands in the Grand Final.

Sietse Bakker, Executive Producer of the Eurovision Song Contest 2021, said:

“It is fantastic that the same 41 countries that would have taken part this year still want to come to the Netherlands in May 2021. This demonstrates their confidence in our country still being able to organize a successful Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam next year, after the cancellation of the 2020 edition.”

“We have set the bar high to create 3 amazing live shows for an audience of 180 million people, even in these challenging times. To achieve this, we are working on an extensive protocol that guarantees the health of employees, participants, the press and visitors as much as possible.”

 

Participating broadcasters
The following countries (and EBU Member broadcasters) will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam:

Albania (RTSH)

Armenia (AMPTV)

Australia (SBS)*

Austria (ORF)

Azerbaijan (Ictimai TV)

Belarus (BTRC)

Belgium (VRT)

Bulgaria (BNT)

Croatia (HRT)

Cyprus (CyBC)

Czech Republic (CT)

Denmark (DR)

Estonia (ERR)

Finland (YLE)

France (FT)

Germany (ARD/NDR)

Georgia (GPB)

Greece (ERT)

Iceland (RUV)

Ireland (RTE)

Israel (KAN)

Italy (RAI)

Latvia (LTV)

Lithuania (LRT)

Malta (PBS)

Moldova (TRM)

The Netherlands (AVROTROS)

North Macedonia (MKRTV)

Norway (NRK)

Poland (TVP)

Portugal (RTP)

Romania (TVR)

Russia (Channel One)

San Marino (RTV)

Serbia (RTS)

Slovenia (RTVSLO)

Spain (TVE)

Sweden (SVT)

Switzerland (SRG SSR)

Ukraine (UA:PBC)

United Kingdom (BBC)

*EBU Associate

 

It is worth to be mentioned this is the first time since 1990 that we have the same amount of participating countries in two consecutive years.

Source: Eurovision.tv

Iceland: With Daði Freyr and Gagnamagnið in Eurovision 2021!

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Through his social media accounts, Daði Freyr Pétursson announced that he is going to represent Iceland in Eurovision 2021. Of course, he will be accompanied by the Gagnamagnið.

Iceland becomes 22nd country confirming the same artist from the canceled 2020 edition for the 2021 contest.

Moreover Daði Freyr stated that he has not written a song yet but he is going to do so (write a new one) for the upcoming contest.

Daði Freyr Pétursson with Thing About Things was one of the hot favourites to win the 2020 contest. There weren’t a few those who wanted him back for 2021.

What do you think? Will he manage to bring the first trophy ever to the nation of ice and fire?

https://youtu.be/1HU7ocv3S2o

 

Moldova: Natalia Gordienko reveals more information regarding her participation in Eurovision 2021.

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In a recent interview the representative of Moldova in Eurovision 2021 Natalia Gordienko, revealed further information about her participation at the upcoming Eurovision.

She spoke about her first participation in Eurovision 2006, the cancellation of Eurovision 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, her participation in Eurovision 2021, her son and her desire to get involved in politics.

In 2006 she represented Moldova together with Arsenium and the song Loca. As far as this experience she stated that:

My heart was beating so fast because of fear, my palms were sweating, I though I had forgotten the lyrics.

After the cancellation of Eurovision 2020 she stated that:

I was singing, drinking and shouting for days to recover.

She mentioned how she was approached for the representation of Moldova in Eurovision 2020:

For a long I wanted to return to Eurovision, but it dawned on me that I couldn’t stand the whole process. Last January, Phillip Kirkorov told me that the Dream Team had a song for me and he wanted me to fly to Athens for the recording.

In the end, she revealed new information for the song with which she will compete in Eurovision 2021.

Another new song is already ready. And if Prison was a ballad, then this is a purely dance song about sex and youth people.

As you first read at EurovisionFun, the new song will have nothing to do with Prison, this year’s participation of Natalia Gordienko. The song will be rhythmic… very rhythmic! Its sound and not its melody, we can say that it reminds us of Maruv’s song, The Siren Song, with which she would have represented Ukraine at Eurovision 2019.

The participation of Natalia Gordienko is signed by the Dream Team. The song has been composed jointly by Dimitris Kontopoulos and Philipp Kirkorov, while the director will be Fokas Evangelinos.

The recording of the song took place in Moscow, since due to travel restrictions it was not possible for Natalia Gordienko to visit Athens. Vocal coach this time as well as in the case of Uku Suviste was Victoria Chalkiti, while the both Philipp Kirkorov and the project manager of the project, Elias Kokotos were present. The recording took place in Vi Studio.

Natalia Gordienko has a different strategy for Eurovision 2021. Until then, let’s remember the Prison, with which she would have represented her country ,Moldova, in this year’s competition:

Sources: Realitatea, pavelzingan

 

Lithuania: “We are the winners” was inspired by Helena Paparizou’s “My Number One”

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The song “We are the winners” by LT United, with which they represented Lithuania at Eurovision Song Contest 2006 in Athens and despite the fact that it was booed by the eurofans during the live show, finished 6th in the Grand Final marking the best result for the country ever. According to Andrius Mamontovas, one of  the LT United members, they were influenced by “My Number One” of Helena Paparizou.

In the interview that he gave to Eurovoix’s Euro Trip, Andrius Mamontovas refered to his Eurovision experience and how “We Are The Winners” was born.

First it started like a joke. I called one of my colleagues and said “I have an idea for a song, it’s just a very simple song, it says “We Are The Winners”

Next, he explained how “My Number One” was an inspiration for their song:

The year before the winner was Greece with a song called My Number One and I thought this is why they won because they called their song number one.

Having this in mind, they were expecting to win in Greece:

Even if we were to take the last place, it would be even more ironic. So I thought this was a good material to go there and just have some fun.

 

You can listen to the entire interview on Spotify.

Source: Eurovoix

 

 

 

Australia: Montaigne “I’ve got the song for Eurovision 2021 and it’s called JC Ultra”!!

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The winner of Australia Decides 2020 and the representative in Eurovision 2021 as well, Montaigne, revealed in her resent statements that she has already written the song with which she wants to represent her country in the upcoming contest and its title is JC Ultra!!

Montaigne with JC Ultra in Eurovision 2021?

Australia is one of the countries that has confirmed the same artist for Eurovision 2021 as well. Montaigne, who won Australia Decides 2020 with her autobiographical song Don’t Break Me, is going to have an other chance to get on the Eurovision stage. According to what she revealed during her live stream on Twitch, she has already finished the song with which she wants to compete in ESC 2021.

“I think I have my Eurovision song, my manager is like would you be open to other international writers writing you a hit song for you and I was like hmm I guess cos you want that for me but I am pretty sure I have a song and it’s called ‘JC Ultra’ and its referenced to MKUltra that f**ked brain washing program that the CIA tried to do back in the day, in the 70’s or the 80’s.

 

What is the Project MKUltra ?

Project MKUltra (or MK-Ultra), also called the CIA mind control program, is the code name given to a program of experiments on human subjects that were designed and undertaken by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, some of which were illegal. Experiments on humans were intended to identify and develop drugs and procedures to be used in interrogations in order to weaken the individual and force confessions through mind control. The project was organized through the Office of Scientific Intelligence of the CIA and coordinated with the United States Army Biological Warfare Laboratories. Other code names for drug-related experiments were Project Bluebird and Project Artichoke.

The operation was officially sanctioned in 1953, reduced in scope in 1964 and further curtailed in 1967. It was officially halted in 1973.

It seems like Montaigne wants to go socio-political in Eurovision 2021, but in order to do so, she must wait for SBS’s green light.

Below you can watch how she would have presented her 2020 entry, had the 2020 Eurovision edition taken place.

Sources: Wikipedia Aussievision

Finland: More that 300 submissions for UMK 2021 | Finalists announcement on 19th January

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The national broadcaster of Finland, YLE, announced today that the 7 candidates who will compete at Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu final for the ticket to the Eurovision Song Contest 2021, have been selected.

 

Big Interest for UMK 2021

More than 300 artist submitted songs in order to claim the representation of Finland in Rotterdam. The submission deadline expired on 7th of September and a few days ago a professional jury of UMK, headed by the music director of YLE, Tapio Hakanen reached the final seven of UMK 2021.

According to insights provided by YLE, the level of the artists and the songs was incredibly strong and the UMK 2021 is expected to be the most difficult of all times. Among the submitted entries are the most talented and successful Finn songwriters and producers, as well as several Finn representatives in Eurovision from previous years.

The 7 finalists of UMK 2021 are expected to be announced on 19th January 2021 while the national final will take place in Tampere on 20th of February. 

The chosen representative for Eurovision 2020 submitted again a song

As we know from earlier this year, the winner of the Finnish Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu for 2020, Aksel Kankaanranta has sent a song to the competition in 2021 without having secured the qualification to the final.

In 2020 he would have competed in Eurovision, with the song Looking Back:

Source: YLE