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MTV EMA 2023: Eurostars among the award recipients!

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The 2023 edition of the MTV Europe Music Awards may have been cancelled due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war for security reasons, however this did not prevent the hosts of announcing the winners of each award category. Winning artists were revealed yesterday and hence will receive their awards at a later stage.

The regional European MTV awards have a strong connection with Eurovision, as many artists emerge each year from the contest and introduce themselves into a wider audience. As a result, there could not be an MTV winning artists’ list without the presence of Eurovision stars.

Specifically,

  • Måneskin, the winners of Eurovision 2021, have won in the “Best Rock” category as well as in the “Best Italian Act“. This marks the second time they have been awarded with the “Best Rock”, following 2021 and the first time with “Best Italian Act“, after being nominated for three times.
  • Gjon’s Tears has been awarded the “Best Swiss Act” award for the second time, following 2021, the year he competed in Eurovision, finishing third.

Best Nordic Act

This year, we could all agree that the “Best Nordic Act” category was a bloodbath. All the three artists nominated for the prize were Eurovision 2023 artists. Loreen, Alessandra and Käärijä were nominated, indicating the big commercial success they had after achieving a top five placement in Liverpool.

The choice was hard, but in the end Käärijä from Finland won the award of the “Best Nordic Act”.

Other Eurovision artists nominated

Along with the aforementioned, there were more Eurovision stars nominated for an award in the MTV EMA 2023, such as

  • Sam Ryder (United Kingdom 2022) was nominated for the “Best Push Artist” category
  • and S10 (Netherlands 2022) was nominated for the “Best Dutch Act” category

“Best Israeli Act” missing

Reading the winning artists’ list, we can easily notice the absence of the “Best Israeli Act” category. There is no information given by the awards committee about the exclusion of the category referring to the Israeli music scene and to what extent it is connected with the ongoing war.

Nevertheless, on the nominated artists’ list, Noa Kirel, the Israeli representative in Liverpool, was also found. Noa Kirel, even before her introduction to the European audience the past May, has been a multi-nominated and multi-awarded artist in the MTV EMAs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3mIcCllJXY

You can check the full list of the winning artists here.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all news!

MTV Europe Music Awards 2023: Which Eurostars are nominated for the awards?

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The nominations have beeen announced for the MTV’s Europe Music Awards, which is the European version for MTV’s American Music Awards. Taylor Swift tops the list with the most nominations (seven), followed by Olivia Rodrigo and SZA with six nominations. Next on the list to claim the most awards are Måneskin (winners of Eurovision 2021) with four nominations.

Apart from Måneskin, there are more Eurostars being nominated than any other year, proving that the Eurovision Song Contest is strongest and the most artistically influential contest in the world.

The candidates are:

  • Måneskin (Italy 2021) as Best Group, Best Rock, Best Live, Best Italian Act
  • Sam Ryder (United Kingdom 2022) as Best Push Artist
  • S10 (Netherlands 2022) as Best Dutch Act
  • Noa Kirel (Israel 2023) as Best Israeli Act
  • Alessandra (Norway 2023) as Best Scandinavian Act
  • Käärijä (Finland 2023) as Best Scandinavian Act
  • Loreen (Sweden 2012,2023) as Best Scandinavian Act
  • Gjon’s Tears (Switzerland 2020,2021) as Best Swiss Act

It’s worth noting that for the first year, a Eurostar managed to be nominated in four categories, just as for the first time three Eurostars are nominated in the same category to claim the Best Scandinavian Act Award.

Apart from Eurostars, some artists who previously participated in the National Final to represent their country in the contest also have their honor. More specifically, in the category of Best Italian Act together with Måneskin, the candidates are: Annalisa (Sanremo 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2021), Elodie (Sanremo 2017, 2020, 2023) and Lazza (Sanremo 2023).

The MTV EMA’s 2023 will be held on Novenber 5th at Nord Villepinte in Paris, France. The award ceremony will be broacast live on MTV.

You can cast unlimited votes for your favorite artists at the MTV EMA’s 2023 by clicking here, voting will last until October 31st at 11:59pm CET.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for more news on your favorite Eurostar!

BBC Radio 2’s listeners voted Sam Ryder’s “Space Man” as their favourite ever Eurovision UK entry!

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Radio 2 today reveals that Space Man by Sam Ryder from 2022’s Eurovision Song Contest is Your Ultimate UK Eurovision Song following a listener vote to discover the nation’s favourite ever Eurovision UK entry.

Making Your Mind Up by Bucks Fizz (1981) is in second place, Ooh Aah…Just a Little Bit by Gina G (1996) is in third place, Love Shine a Light by Katrina and the Waves (1997) in fourth, and Save Your Kisses for Me by Brotherhood of Man (1976) rounded off the top five.

The full Top 40 countdown hosted by Steve Wright is available on BBC Sounds from Monday 24 April and broadcast on Radio 2 on Saturday 13 May, 1-3pm.

From Tuesday 21 March, listeners were asked to vote for up to five of their favourite songs of all the UK entrants that have competed in the Eurovision final since our first entry back in 1957 (with the exception of the cancelled 2020 contest and the 2023 entry). Voting closed on Tuesday 11 April, with the results compiled for this special show, Your Ultimate Eurovision Song.

Space Man represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy, after being internally selected through TaP Music and the BBC, the British broadcaster for the Eurovision Song Contest. It was co-written by Ryder alongside Amy Wadge and Max Wolfgang in London. At the contest in Turin, Ryder finished in second place with 466 points, becoming the highest scoring UK Eurovision entrant, winning the jury vote with 283 points, and scoring the third highest jury votes by a contestant. He scored the best UK their best result since 1998 and its first top three result since 2002. Space Man peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the highest-charting UK Eurovision entry since Gina G’s Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit in 1996.

Sam Ryder says: “This is just bonkers! We went into that competition as fans and we thought it may be that we come absolutely dead last. But what we can achieve is holding ourselves with a certain grace and respect for being there in the first place, and gratitude first and foremost. When we were sat there on the night and those scores started coming in, we were looking at each other bursting out laughing because we didn’t have a clue that would happen. And now this result! I’m just so grateful. Thanks to all of the listeners who voted and everyone at Radio 2 who supported the song from day one – I really honestly appreciate it.”

Steve Wright says: “Sam Ryder’s Space Man has really taken off with Radio 2 listeners! I can’t wait to count down the rest of the chart and see who else has been blasting off into the hearts of Radio 2 listeners as we all look forward to this year’s Grand Final.”

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says: “We’re thrilled to see that Sam Ryder’s Space Man continues to resonate so strongly with our listeners. It’s testament to Sam’s exceptional talent as a songwriter and performer. I can’t wait for everyone to hear all the other stellar Eurovision specials which we have in store on Radio 2 and on BBC Sounds, from Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Eurovision Kitchen Disco to OJ’s Eurovision After Party, not to mention our live coverage of the semi finals for the first time with Paddy O’Connell and the Grand Final commentary hosted by our own Scott Mills and Rylan.”

The Top 40, as voted by Radio 2 listeners:

1. Sam Ryder – Space Man (2022)

2. Bucks Fizz – Making Your Mind Up (1981)

3. Gina G – Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit (1996)

4. Katrina and the Waves – Love Shine a Light (1997)

5. Brotherhood of Man – Save Your Kisses for Me (1976)

6. Sandie Shaw – Puppet on a String (1967)

7. Cliff Richard – Congratulations (1968)

8. The New Seekers – Beg, Steal or Borrow (1972)

9. Lulu – Boom Bang-a-Bang (1969)

10. Michael Ball – One Step Out of Time (1992)

11. Sonia – Better the Devil You Know (1993)

12. Bardo – One Step Further (1982)

13. Scooch – Flying the Flag (For You) (2007)

14. Mary Hopkin – Knock, Knock Who’s There? (1970)

15. Imaani – Where Are You? (1998)

16. Olivia Newton-John – Long Live Love (1974)

17. Daz Sampson – Teenage Life (2006)

18. Cliff Richard – Power to All Our Friends (1973)

19. Lucie Jones – Never Give Up on You (2017)

20. Lynsey de Paul & Mike Moran – Rock Bottom (1977)

21. Love City Groove – Love City Groove (1995)

22. Blue – I Can (2011)

23. The Shadows – Let Me Be the One (1975)

24. Clodagh Rodgers – Jack in the Box (1971)

25. SuRie – Storm (2018)

26. Frances Ruffelle – Lonely Symphony (We Will Be Free) (1994)

27. The Allisons – Are You Sure? (1961)

28. Molly – Children of the Universe (2014)

29. Jade Ewen – It’s My Time (2009)

30. Jessica Garlick – Come Back (2002)

31. Precious – Say It Again (1999)

32. James Newman – Embers (2021)

33. Sweet Dreams – I’m Never Giving Up (1983)

34. Co-Co – The Bad Old Days (1978)

35. Belle and the Devotions – Love Games (1984)

36. Scott Fitzgerald – Go (1988)

37. Samantha Janus – A Message to Your Heart (1991)

38. Jemini – Cry Baby (2003)

39. Electro Velvet – Still in Love with You (2015)

40. Bonnie Tyler – Believe in Me (2013)

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: BBC

Eurovision 2023: Guest artists of the Grand Final revealed!

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Today the BBC has confirmed the line-up of the guest stars in the Grand Final. Last year’s winners Kalush Orchestra, runner up Sam Ryder, and established Eurovision icons – joining the 26 acts competing in the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final on May 13.

The Grand Final for this year’s Contest will open with last year’s winners Kalush Orchestra and a powerful performance titled ‘Voices of a New Generation’. Kalush Orchestra captured the hearts of Eurovision viewers around the world last year – they’re back to kick off the 2023 Grand Final with a performance that’s sure to be unforgettable including their smash hit winning song Stefania.

During the Eurovision Flag Parade of all 26 Grand Finalists, viewers will be treated to a unique performance by some iconic past Ukrainian Eurovision contestants. GO_A, Jamala, Tina Karol, and Verka Serduchka take to the stage and remind us their Eurovision entries.

For the first interval performance, during which voting across Europe and the world takes place, the UK’s very own spaceman Sam Ryder will make his triumphant return to the Eurovision stage after leading the UK’s biggest success in last year’s Contest for over two decades.

The final interval act “The Liverpool Songbook”, is a celebration of the host city’s incredible contribution to the world of pop music. The BBC have brought together six iconic past Eurovision acts – Italy’s Mahmood, Israel’s Netta, Iceland’s Daði Freyr, Sweden’s Cornelia Jakobs, Duncan Laurence from the Netherlands – plus Liverpool’s very own Sonia, celebrating 30 years since she came second at Eurovision in 1993.

Kate Phillips, BBC’s Director of Unscripted, says: “What a way to bring in the winner of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. These live performances, with their twists on iconic Eurovision moments and countless creative collaborations, will ensure that we’re in for an utterly unforgettable Grand Final!”

Eurovision 2022 winners Kalush Orchestra say: “We’ve been looking forward to performing in Liverpool ever since it was announced as host last year. The city has a world-renowned musical heritage and we’re delighted to finally be able to announce what an honour it will be for us to be there.

“While we’re sad that we couldn’t bring the Eurovision Song Contest back to our home country, we’re really grateful to the UK for hosting this party on our behalf. We will perform for everyone in Ukraine to remind us that better days and our country’s victory is ahead, as well as to show the world what Ukraine is fighting for.”

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: BBC

UK: Rina Sawayama will NOT represent the UK at Eurovision 2023

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British Japanese singer Rina Sawayama will not represent the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will take place in Liverpool after Sam Ryder finished in second place.  Last year’s winner, Ukraine was unable to meet the EBU demands to host the Festival.

It is still not clear who will wave the British flag representing the host country though.  However, there was an unfounded rumour that BRIT nominee Rina Sawayama would be the chosen one.

The rumour originates from TikTok and is based on the singer’s European tour.  Rina Sawayama does not  have any scheduled event between 27th February and the 16th of June.  This would be enough time to prepare to rehearse and participate in Eurovision related activities before the Grand Final which will take place in May 13, 2023.

Unfortunately for the fans of the Hold the Girl singer, this gap is not related to the Eurovision Song Contest.  According to a source from Radio Times, this overlap is purely coincidental.

The BBC is yet to confirm who will represent the host country in Liverpool.

Source: RadioTimes

Are you excided to know who will succeed Sam Ryder?  Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for more news on the UK participation in Eurovision!

Eurovision 2023: Sam Ryder predicts the city that will host the contest!

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Sam Ryder, the famous TikToker who managed to bring the UK to second place in this year’s competition, winning the jury’s vote, recently gave a radio interview on the occasion of the release of his new song. Among other things, he gave his prediction for the city that will be finally chosen by the BBC and the EBU, in order to host Eurovision 2023.

Between Manchester and Glasgow, Sam Ryder thinks the choice will be made for the city that will host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.

Cardiff is out of the games right, and Birmingham have just had… (the Commonwealth Games).

I mean I’d be happy with it anywhere, but Manchester seems like a good bet, or Glasgow. They’re the ones that I think it could go to.

Sam Ryder was also asked if we will see him live at the next contest, with him not knowing anything yet, but being available for any role in Eurovision 2023 he is given, even selling tickets!

I have no idea…I hope so, I’m not going to be coy about it. Please let me do something! I’ll sweep, I’ll give the tickets out. I just want to see it, it’s just going to be so amazing, what an incredible experience for like a Eurovision fan!

Among the seven cities below, the city that will host Eurovision 2023 will be chosen:

  • Glasgow
  • Liverpool
  • Leeds
  • Manchester
  • Birmingham
  • Newcastle
  • Sheffield

The final announcement will be made in the fall.

Listen to Sam Ryder’s new song, released on August 19:

Stay tuned for Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: planetradio

Eurovision 2023: Cardiff pulls out from the host city bid race!

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It was announced today that Cardiff will not proceed with its host city application for Eurovision 2023, due to the unavailability of the Principality Stadium (proposed venue) during the Eurovision period.

That is despite the fact that the Cardiff Council, the Welsh Government and the Principality Stadium had initially expressed a great interest in hosting the show in May 2023.

The above actors clarified, in their joint statement, that hosting Eurovision would have caused cancellations of a great number of significant scheduled events.

Here is the joint statement by the Principality Stadium, the Cardiff City Council, and Welsh Government’s officials:

“Since it was confirmed that the UK would host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, Cardiff Council, the Welsh Government and Principality Stadium have been working at pace to establish the feasibility of a bid to host the event in Wales’ capital city.”

“Cardiff’s very strong track record in hosting major events, and the world-class Principality Stadium, would have made it a natural fit for such a significant production.”

“The BBC, as the event organisers, have released detailed specifications for each city wishing to bid to host the event. As partners, we have been working through these in detail. It is clear that on many of these Cardiff would have a very strong case to become the host city for Eurovision 2023.”

“However, the complexity of staging the event means that a significant number of scheduled events in the Principality Stadium during Spring 2023 would have to be cancelled as a result. These include the European Wheelchair Rugby Championships, ‘The Road to Principality’, a key event in the WRU Community rugby calendar, and a major international artist contracted to appear, among other events.”

This development, albeit not a cause of celebration for Welsh eurofans, might strengthen some other cities’ bid. Taking Wales out of the game, leaves plenty of room for Scotland’s cities to manoeuvre, with Glasgow of course leading the race in the betting odds so far.

Which is the most suitable host city for Eurovision 2023? Should the ESC take place in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland? 

UK: Sam Ryder ready to support national selection for 2023

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He gave the United Kingdom its best results in more than two decades on Eurovision and he has not stopped since then.  Sam Ryder performed recently at the Platinum Jubileum Concert.  He met the royal family and even talked with them about his participation in Turin.  In an interview for People magazine, Sam said Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton watched with  Prince William this year’s Eurovision.

I said ‘hello’ to Kate, and she was asking about the performance.  She is so kind and said that the royal family had all been supporting me for a while and all throughout Eurovision.  Then Princess Beatrice came over and had a chat with us too. (…)  What I gather is a lot of the members of the royal family had seen Eurovision and were supporting my song from home, which means a lot.

Just one month after his participation the question keeps coming on: will Sam represent the United Kingdom again?  According to Sam Ryder, he is not planning to repeat his Eurovision journey in the near future.  However, he wants to support his country to find the right candidate for 2023.  Talking to The Mirror, Sam said that he would like to participate in the finding of his successor.

I just want more people to experience it…The more people that do, the more it will become engrained in the UK’s attitude that Eurovision is something that we are so lucky to have.

Sam Ryder won the jury vote for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.  He also won the Marcel Bezençon Award in the press category.  However, he ended up in second place in the Grand Final behind Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra.  The UK representative said he agreed with the final score.  Moreover, he celebrated Ukraine for its victory in Eurovision this year.

“I think it’s so important because that’s what Eurovision to me has always been about. Since I’ve been a kid, I’ve been a fan of it for years, it’s about standing for something and showing solidarity and kindness, and it was important to use that platform for everyone to just get behind them. And those guys are wicked, the song is also a banger, it gives me massive Beastie Boys vibes and I just couldn’t be happier for them.”

Would you like to see Sam Ryder participating in Eurovision in the future?

Source: Eurovoix, MSN

United Kingdom: Sam Ryder reaches number 2 in the UK charts!

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Sam Ryder, the 2022 Eurovision representative, has reached the top of the UK’s charts with his Eurovision entry ‘Space Man’ which is currently charting at #2.

‘Space Man‘ has thus become the highest charting British Eurovision entry since 1996 when Gina G topped the British charts with her Eurovision entry ‘Ooh Aah Just A Little Bit‘.

Sam Ryder‘s  ESC song has become the most dowloaded song of the week in the UK this week.

Sam Ryder says:

We wanted to take on this negative Eurovision stigma in the UK – this habitual loop of cynicism and telling ourselves Europe doesn’t like the UK.

That was absolutely not the case, we don’t subscribe to that narrative whatsoever. The result gives strength to that idea. We’ve stripped away at the negativity and shone a bit of light in its place. Eurovision is my favourite thing in the world – I’m so stoked that I got to be a part of this story with my friends and my team.

Who else charted?

Meanwhile there is chart success for Ukraine’s Eurovision winners Kalush Orchestra. Their entry debuts on the UK chart at number 38. Therefore marking the second appearance of Ukrainian in the chart since Verka Serduchka in 2007 with ‘Dancing Lasha Tumbai’, peaking at number 28.

Outside the Top 40 we also have several entries in the Top 100! These are as follows:

  • 47. 🇳🇴 Norway – Subwoolfer – ‘Give That Wolf A Banana’
  • 56. 🇪🇸 Spain – Chanel – ‘SloMo’
  • 59. 🇸🇪 Sweden – Cornelia Jakobs – ‘Hold Me Closer’

As well as this, last years’ winners Måneskin have charted at 43 with latest single, ‘SUPERMODEL’.

Sam Ryder represented the UK at the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest with his entry ‘Space Man’ achieving an honourable 2nd place in the Grand Final.

tay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news about Eurovision Song Contest!

Source: officialcharts.com

 

United Kingdom: BBC and TaP reject Years & Years in favour of Sam Ryder!

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It has been reported in the British media that the band  Years & Years  were rejected by the BBC and TaP Music for Eurovision 2022, in favor of Sam Ryder .

The Mail on Sunday reports that Olly Alexander , now the sole permanent member of the popular electro-pop project Years & Years, proposed himself to represent the United Kingdom in Turin, but was unable to do so due to his contract with Polydor and the requirement for the selected artist to be a member of TaP Music.

The Mail article says, the only reassuring thing is that Olly has been told that he has a good chance of being selected if he puts his name forward next year if the rules change.

Olly made some tweets for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, so he’s clearly a fan and would certainly be a popular and credible choice for the 2023 contest if he were to be selected successfully.

Sam Ryder was selected in February to represent the United Kingdom at Eurovision 2022 with “Space Man” .

The United Kingdom finished second in the grand final this year with 466 points. Making it the country’s highest score in the Eurovision Song Contest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ0hqX_92zI&t=1s

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

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