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Eurovision 2023: Ireland’s First Rehearsal!

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The sixth country of the day to take the stage for their first rehearsal is the queen nation of Eurovision, Ireland, (with their 7 victories), with Wild Youth and their dynamic entry “We Are One”.

Everything about Wild Youth:

Formed in Dublin in 2018, this band of 4 friends combine rock with catchy pop harmonies. Their energetic performances have led to a string of hit songs and – the aim of any pop group – number one hits.
If you haven’t seen them performing on television, you might have caught them supporting megastars on tour; they’ve warmed up crowds for the likes of Niall Horan, Lewis Capaldi, and Zara Larson.

Frontman Conor O’Donohoe serves up passionate vocals and pens most of the band’s songs; David Whelan takes to the keys; Edward Porter riffs on the guitar; and Callum McAdam beats the drums.

Wild Youth won their place to represent Ireland through the Late Late Show, fighting off fierce competition, including an entry from Public Image Ltd.

The Rehearsal

The sequinned masks from the official video are nowhere to be seen – instead it’s Conor in a glam rock gold catsuit with flares. This staging also features our first stairs of the day – a horseshoe arrangement featuring ALL the LEDs. The whole performance looks and sounds fabulous. There are also pyros in the performance, huge jets of them, around the whole stage just before the final chorus. Definitely leading the pyro charge so far.

Even on the first rehearsal, it’s easy to imagine the crowd in the Liverpool Arena singing along to this euphoric chorus.

Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

Corinne Cumming / EBU 

Below you can watch a small clip from Ireland’s first rehearsal from TikTok:

@eurovision Wild Youth’s first run through was as good as gold ✨🇮🇪 #Eurovision2023 #Eurovision @Wild Youth ♬ original sound – Eurovision

The second rehearsal of Ireland takes place on Wednesday 3/5 and we will be able to have a better view of what Wild Youth will be presenting on stage.

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Ireland: Wild Youth performed the revamped version of “We Are One” live for the first time on the Irish TV!

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The Wild Youth band performed the revamped version of “We Are One” live on the Irish television.

This year’s representatives of the Eurovision queen, Ireland, the Wild Youth band, performed for the first time the revamped version of their song “We Are One” with which they are going to participate in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2023 on 9th of May. The performance of the band took place on the RTÉ famous “The Late Late Show”, a few hours before they depart for Liverpool.

In the following video you can watch the live performance of the revamped version.

Ireland is scheduled to perform in the sixth place of the first semi-final on 9th of May, claiming one of the tickets for the grand final on Saturday 13th of May.

In the video below you can also watch the reaction of the Eurovision Fun team to the Irish entry.

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Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the updates regarding Eurovision 2023!

The Netherlands: All the performances of “Eurovision in Concert 2023”!

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Eurovision in Concert 2023 took place in AFAS Live in Amsterdam, last night, with 29 of this year’s entrants performing live.

The concert was hosted by Cornald Maas and Hila Noorzai. Cornald has been the Dutch Eurovision commentator since 2006. Hila is a radio DJ and member of the committee that selected this year’s Dutch representatives (Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper). She also hosted the Eurovision 2021 press conference in Rotterdam.

The artists that performed last night were the following:

Albania – Albina & Kelmendi Familija

Balcan sounds and consistent vocals is what we got from Albina and the Kelmendi Family! Might be the suprise entry of this year.

Armenia – Brunette

Brunette singing about her Future Lover with ethereal vocals and the crowds singing along. Beautiful performance!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KspC8I7MXl0

Australia – Voyager

Voyager give what they promise! Rock and electronic sounds, so 2025! What is concerning though, is that even though their song is supposed to be very uplifting, the crowd was too static. Also falsetto was not always on point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx73Q68eWwU

Austria – Teya & Salena

That’s not a song where you can show off some unreal vocals, however it’s the song that will definitely make you dance! And Teya & Salena deliver, solid vocals and much much fun! One of my personal favourites and if you ask me, a finalist and highly likely a Top5 entry!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdh6cFfcfKo

Azerbaijan – TuralTuranX

TuralTuranX “tell us more” about their entry this year, however I’m still not getting it. A song that I could listen to the radio without complaining, but wouldn’t catch my eye/ear at the contest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XiT0RvJPn0

Belgium – Gustaph

The queerest entry of the year! His vocals are as good as the studio version! He is a fun guy! This is the kind of entries that I would like to qualify, even though that’s not the style of songs that I normally listen to!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgx-CPHRx5A

Czechia – Vesna

I can only comment on their vocals. They were okay. However, this entry started off as a potential winner, but I’m not getting that vibe, at least not yet. But hey! It’s just a party performance! Let’s wait for their contest rehearsals!

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

Denmark – Reiley

Danish heart-throb Reiley, had his best performance to date. Some minor vocal issues, but overall a nice performance!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuT–QEIyag

Estonia – Alika

Nice song and great vocals! But for me, it’s no more than just that. I wouldn’t be surprised if Estonia got disqualified.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UKYFFFWjgU

Finland – Käärijä

Normally, that’s a song that I can’t stand listening to for more than 10 seconds. Strangely, combined to his eccentric looks and his super nice personality, I could now handle listening to his entire Amsterdam performance! Personal opinion aside, I can totally see why this is a contender for the win.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd0n_sNDiAo

France – La Zarra

Unfortunately, after a statement in her personal Twitter account, La Zarra announced that she has to cancel her appearance in Amsterdam, due to personal circumstances.

Germany – Lord of the Lost

I can’t be objective, I don’t like this style of music. I can only be objective about their vocal abilities, which are on point I must admit!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmPSRnNpd0A

Iceland – Diljá

That’s a song that I would add to my daily playlist, however, this song lacks something that I still don’t know what it is! Diljá’s voice is great admitedly!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjjsWy1R93k

Ireland – Wild Youth

“Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall” x “Ritmo De La Noche” x “We Are One” would be a great mashup! I low-key like this song and I loved their Amsterdam performance. But something tells me that they will struggle to qualify this year. Let’s see what happens!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NY6OODALZU

Latvia – Sudden Lights

Another performance that sounds exactly like the recorded version of their song! I didn’t see the love from the AFAS Live crowd.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1qFm5Wtkgg

Lithuania – Monika Linkytė

Monika definitely sounds even better than the studio version of the song. She will try to claim a high placement in the rankings of the jury voting in this year’s contest! In the beginning I didn’t quite like “Stay“, I can now say that I love her vocals on this track!

Malta – The Busker

They were not bad, not at all sounding bad live, but were they as good as it needs to be to qualify to the final show of Eurovision Song Contest? Song-wise I think not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIswu3YrrfU

Moldova – Pasha Parfeni

Despite the technical issues with his Madrid performance, Pasha, the Moldovan 2012 representative and returning artist of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, managed to pull off his performance. Great vocals and energy overall!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7LsW-dA_0U

Netherlands – Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper

It’s really sad to see my 2nd place to perform questionably in their own country’s party concert. Their vocals sound a bit off at times and as a duo their vocals don’t seem to connect on their live performance. I hope they fix it till their semi-final, I don’t want to see them become the shocking non-qualifier of the year.

Norway – Alessandra

Very much improved vocally, Alessandra, gets carried away by the strength of her song and her fans are absolutely loving it! The whistle note was so-so. She will improve, I am sure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F97_a4eMpK0

Romania – Theodor Andrei

Theodor has a nice voice, but this song is totally “Off and On” so one would either like it or not. I don’t.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gyin57pzpcc

San Marino – Piqued Jacks

Their are very very good vocally. Their lead vocalist sounds like Klaus Meine, frontman of Scorpions band. Their song is not at all bad after all.

Slovenia – Joker Out

I simply love this band and this song! One of my favourites! I love how they sound in each and every appearance they make before the contest. I hope they continue delivering up until the Eurovision finals!

Spain – Blanca Paloma

A blend of flamenco and modern sounds, bringing Spanish tradition to 2023. Her vocals are absolutely amazing. I just don’t get the hype around this entry, it is a great entry for Spain, but definitely not a top 3 entry as many fans are claiming over at social media!

Sweden – Loreen

Her vocals are out of this world! Another amazing performance of the former Eurovision 2012 winner and potential 2023 winner! And for those that claim that she sings with the assistance of an Auto-Tune device, I can assure you that even when she rehearsed in the corridors of Malmö Arena or Friends Arena during the Melodifestivalen season, she sounded exactly the same, or even better than the studio version! My winner for sure!

Switzerland – Remo Forrer

I absolutely love his Amsterdam (and every single one of his) live performance! I can’t wait to see this song complete and staged and Remo joined by his four dancers! I think he will qualify! But let’s wait and see!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGsRTZ5sPcA

Ukraine – TVORCHI

I love TVORCHI and their song and their Amsterdam performance. They sounded really really good, I am a fan of their style of music, but I don’t see this entry winning. Let’s see another country winning this year!

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

United Kingdom – Mae Muller

Come on, she doesn’t sound as atrocious as most of the Twitter people claim. And at least she enjoys it and the crowd loves her! I hope she will do much better in Liverpool!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EMepsNxZUU

 

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the news about the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool!

Photo: EurovisionInConcert

Netherlands: Eurovision in Concert 2023 takes place tonight in Amsterdam!

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Eurovision in Concert 2023 takes place in The Netherlands tonight , with 29 of this year’s entrants performing live.

The concert will be hosted by Cornald Maas and Hila Noorzai. Cornald has been the Dutch Eurovision commentator since 2006. Hila is a radio DJ and member of the committee that selected this year’s Dutch representatives (Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper). She also hosted the Eurovision 2021 press conference in Rotterdam.

The full line-up is as follows:

  1. Albania – Albina & Kelmendi Familija
  2. Armenia – Brunette
  3. Australia – Voyager
  4. Austria – Teya & Salena
  5. Azerbaijan – TuralTuranX
  6. Belgium – Gustaph
  7. Czechia – Vesna
  8. Denmark – Reiley
  9. Estonia – Alika
  10. Finland – Käärijä
  11. France – La Zarra
  12. Germany – Lord of the Lost
  13. Iceland – Diljá
  14. Ireland – Wild Youth
  15. Latvia – Sudden Lights
  16. Lithuania – Monika Linkytė
  17. Malta – The Busker
  18. Moldova – Pasha Parfeni
  19. The Netherlands – Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper
  20. Norway – Alessandra
  21. Romania – Theodor Andrei
  22. San Marino – Piqued Jacks
  23. Slovenia – Joker Out
  24. Spain – Blanca Paloma
  25. Sweden – Loreen
  26. Switzerland – Remo Forrer
  27. Ukraine – TVORCHI
  28. United Kingdom – Mae Muller

In addition, Katrina Leskanich (Eurovision 1997, UK, winner, “Love Shine a Light“) will  appear as a special guest.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the news about the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool!

Ireland: Wild Youth go for a “big” and “bold” staging!

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Conor O’Donohoe, who is the lead singer of Wild Youth, this year’s representatives of Ireland, promised that their performance on Liverpool’s stage is going to be a “big and bold” one, during his interview for PA News Agency.

In addition, he also mentioned the following:

Our staging will be “big and bold”. We aren’t taking any shortcuts!

Conor O’Donohoe

Moreover, he also revealed that he is currently undergoing a health and training regime, cutting down junk food, in order to be fully fit on stage!

I’m definitely having to put down the McDonald’s and pick up the carrot sticks… I do my vocal lessons every day, and I listen to the song and then I run on a treadmill while I sing the songs.

Conor O’Donohoe

Wild Youth’s lead singer also commented on the procedure of composing “We Are One” and mentioned that he wanted to create a song which would live up to the whole Eurovision’s stature.

I wanted to write a song that could live up to the stature and the size of the stage and the arena and the scale of Eurovision.

Conor O’Donohoe

However, Ireland’s “We Are One” is not considered as a qualification’s favorite song from the first semi-final, until now, since it is currently placed at the lower slots of Eurovision’s odds.

Let’s keep in mind that Ireland still holds the record total of seven wins making it the country with the most victories in the Eurovision Song Contest!

Ireland is on the first half of the first semi-final on Tuesday May 9th.

Source: RTÉ

What do you think? Will Ireland manage to hold its record and qualify to the Grand Final? Stay tuned and share your opinion on the comments below!

Ireland: More information about Eurosong 2023!

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The songs that are going to compete in the Irish national final for Eurovision 2023, are now in the process of being selected.

The Irish Eurosong 2023, the country’s new national final, is now being organized by RTÉ, the  Irish public broadcaster. A jury panel has now listened to all the songs submitted and is going to pick the songs that will compete in the national final, the next days. Many artists have announced themselves that they have submitted their songs for the national final and they have gotten further information on whether they have been selected or not.

Cruachan, for example, are a metal folk band from Dublin that has been in the music scene since the beginning of the 1990s and they were among the favourites to take part in Eurosong 2023. In an Instagram post, they announced that they had a word with Michael Kealy, the Head of Music and Entertainment of RTÉ, who informed them that the juries liked their songs but unfortunatelly was not one of the six songs that qualified for the final. Their song, however, is going to be published around the time of the next contest.

We remind you that Eurosong 2023, the national final of Ireland for Eurovision Song Contest 2023, is most likely going to take place in February 3.

The previous winner of the Irish Eurosong and Ireland’s representative in Eurovision 2022 was Brooke with the song “That’s Rich“, who didn’t manage to qualify for the final, ending up in 15th place of the second semi-final:

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

Ireland: Opens song submission window for Eurosong 2023!

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The Irish national broadcaster RTÉ, confirmed the country’s participation in Eurovision Song Contest 2023. Simultaneously, it announced the opening of the song submission window which is going to be open until 6pm of Friday, October 28th. Again, the song that is going to represent the country in the contest will be selected through a national final.

RTÉ’s invitation aimed at those interested:

“RTÉ is pleased to announce that Ireland will once again be taking part in the annual Eurovision Song Contest which will be held in the UK in May 2023.”

“The show is particularly popular with youth audiences and younger adult viewers throughout Europe. RTÉ wants to hear from contemporary artists and songwriters with the talent and ambition to compete and succeed in this highly competitive environment. This is a rare and valuable opportunity for artists and songwriters to gain exposure on a global scale.”

The proposals that will be submitted at RTÉ’s platform, should be made only from successful songwriters and should be totally complete. It’s pointed out that they should be taken over by experienced and well known performers, something meaning that proposals made by new and underground songwriters and artists won’t be accepted. Also, RTÉ holds the right to send open invitations to established songwriters/composers and artists in order to send their proposals, eligible for being selected for “Eurosong Late Late Show Special”, the broadcast through which the national final is shown.

The selection of the proposals will be made by a committee of professionals from the music and entertainment industry and fans of Eurovision, selected by RTÉ. The performers selected will be invited for audition at RTÉ studios in Dublin.

In Eurovision 2022 Ireland was represented by Eurosong 2022 winner, Brooke Scullion, with the song “That’s Rich” and couldn’t progress to the Grand Final, finishing only 15th in the Second Semi-Final. Last time that Ireland has been in the final was 2018, with the song “Together” by Ryan O’ Shaughnessy and finished in 16th place.

https://youtu.be/Kq2AJrWm04s

Source: rte.ie

 

Junior Eurovision 2022: 16 countries will take part in the contest in Yerevan!

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The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) alongside the Armenian public broadcaster (AMPTV), announced that 16 countries are going to take part in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2022, which is scheduled to take place in Yerevan, on Sunday, December 11.

https://youtu.be/NvgeXx_BUV4

The 16 countries that will travel to Yerevan in December are:

  • 🇦🇱 Albania (RTSH)
  • 🇦🇲 Armenia (AMPTV)
  • 🇫🇷 France (France TV)
  • 🇬🇪 Georgia (GPB)
  • 🇮🇪 Ireland (TG4)
  • 🇮🇹 Italy (Rai)
  • 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan (Khabar Agency)
  • 🇲🇹 Malta (PBS)
  • 🇳🇱 Netherlands (AVROTROS)
  • 🇲🇰 North Macedonia (MKRTV)
  • 🇵🇱 Poland (TVP)
  • 🇵🇹 Portugal (RTP)
  • 🇷🇸 Serbia (RTS)
  • 🇪🇸 Spain (TVE)
  • 🇺🇦 Ukraine (UA:PBC)
  • 🇬🇧 United Kingdom (BBC)

The number of countries that will take part in this year’s contest is reduced, compared to last year, since Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Germany and Russia will not return to the contest, while the United Kingdom returns after a 16 years of absence.

What is more, alongside the final list of competitions, the Armenian public broadcaster announced the slogan of this year’s contest which is: “Spin the Magic”.

Martin Österdahl, Executive Supervisor for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, is excited about the show’s return:

“We’re delighted to be welcoming talented young artists from 16 countries this year to Yerevan for the 20th Junior Eurovision Song Contest. It’s exciting to be returning to the Armenian capital for the first time in over a decade to “Spin The Magic” on this special anniversary – and welcoming back the United Kingdom to the competition, our host country for Eurovision 2023. There’s so much energy, passion and creativity from our colleagues at AMPTV and we can’t wait to see a spectacular show in December.”

Armenia will host the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2022 after Maléna’s win with the song “Qami Qami”:

Stay tuned in Eurovisionfun for everything new regarding the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2022!

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Ireland: Wild Youth want to represent Ireland in 2023!

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Wild Youth is a band from Dublin with lots of radio and streaming hits and now Wild Youth have shown interest in repesenting Ireland at Eurovision song contest 2023!

Wild Youth want to write and perform Ireland’s song for Eurovsion 2023

On Friday 3 June, one of the band’s member Conor O’ Donohoe asked: “Can I write the Eurovision song for 2023 and can @bandwildyouth perform please”. Also to make sure that they will notice his tweet, he tagged Michael Kealy-RTÉ’s Head of Delegation for Eurovision. The official band account retweeted the post.

Fans replied quicly to their tweets, one tweeter advised “Don’t write a song “for eurovision”, people tend to have an outdated and basic view of it & songs which were not specifically written for eurovision have better results most of the time”. O’ Donohoe responded “I meant for the Eurovision entry. I wouldn’t write a song particularly for anything, I write songs I care about and love. That mean something to me”.

Moreover the Welsh classical singer Aled Jones, proposed that he’d join the writing process. O’Donohoe replied saying that he was down to duet. So far RTÉ has not responded to the series of tweets. However, Michael Kealy pressed the like button on the first tweet from O’Donohoe.

It is usual for Irish singers, especially in summer months, to expressed their willingness to join the Eurovision contenst. In 2021, Picture This shared their love for the contenst as Samantha Mumba did a few years ago. None of them ended up flying the Irish flag.

Who are Wild Youth?

Wild Youth is based in Dublin,Ireland and the members of the band are David Whelan, Conor O’Donohoe, Ed Porter and Callum McAdam. They make their debut in 2017, since then they are well known for their sad bangers and catchy choruses. They have made a lot of streaming and radio hits and have also rise up in the charts in Ireland.They’ve played dates across Ireland and the UK this year while also supporting Westlife and Lewis Capaldi on tour. Some of the most succesfull songs of them are  “Champagne Butterflies”, “Next To You” and “Can’t Move On”.

Would you like to see them represent Ireland at Eurovision 2023?

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding our favorite contest!

Ireland: Linda Martin will announce the country’s 12 points!

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Today RTÉ revealed who will announce the 12 points for Ireland. The Irish jury’s results will be announced by Linda Martin.

Linda Martin was the winner of Eurovision 1992 with the song “Why Me“. She has also represented Ireland in 1984 with the song “Terminal 3”, ending up second, right behind the winner Sweden. This will be the second time Linda Martin will be Ireland’s spokesperson, the first time being 2007.

Also, Eurovision 2022 spokespersons have been announced for the following countries:
  • Austria – Philipp Hansa
  • Belgium – David Jeanmotte
  • Bulgaria – Janan Dural
  • Croatia – Monika Lelas Halambek
  • France – Élodie Gossuin
  • Georgia – Helen Kalandadze
  • Greece – Stefania
  • Italy – Carolina Di Domenico
  • Iceland – Árný Fjóla Ásmundsdóttir
  • Ireland – Linda Martin
  • Lithuania – Vaidotas Valiukevičius
  • Montenegro – Zombijana Bones
  • Netherlands – Jeangu Macrooy
  • Slovenia – Lorella Flego
  • Spain – Nieves Álvarez
  • Sweden – Dotter
  • Ukraine – Kateryna Pavlenko
  • United Kingdom – AJ Odudu

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Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun for all the updates regarding Eurovision 2022!

Source: eurovoix