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Sweden: No Auto-Tune in Melodifestivalen, says producer Karin Gunnarsson!

The organizers of the Norwegian equivalent to Melodifestivalen, Melodi Grand Prix, have decided to allow Auto-Tune to enhance the singing voices in this year’s competition.

Now SVT is responding to the neighboring country’s decision. Karin Gunnarsson, competition producer of Melodifestivalen spoke to Sveriges Radio Kulturnytt and said that SVT follows the guidelines of Eurovision Song Contest and hence it would be challenging to use Auto-Tune in the Swedish national selection process:

“This means that there would be a version of a song that must be revamped to suit Eurovision. And that’s just a good thing.”

Auto-Tune can be explained as an effect used to correct and manipulate the pitch of a voice. Among, other things, to avoid false notes. It is widely used in both live productions and recordings. And sometimes it is used, says Karin Gunnarsson, as a personal artistic choice:

“Some use it as an artistic and unique selling proposition to make their music or song stand out. But it will be hard to get that expression into Melodifestivalen as it is now. Those artists are not relevant, so to speak. Furthermore, there is no need or pressure from the industry artists that they want Auto-Tune.”

And Mårten Tomassen, who is chairman of the Norwegian Eurovision fan club, spoke to Sveriges Radio and expressed his belief that allowing Auto-Tune would be a step in the wrong direction.

“I don’t like it, one of the dubious aspects of Melodifestivalen is that the artist sings with the voice they are known with. Sometimes it’s an amazing vocal experience, other times not so good.” 

Do you think that Auto-Tune should be introduced at Melodifestivalen or any other Eurovision national selection processes? Let us know in the comments section below!

Source: Sveriges Radio / Kulturnytt / Helena Stinkvist Sörlin & Gustav Ingerhage

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EBU: The union’s take on Auto-Tune! | There is an exception to the rule!

While the EBU requires Eurovision participants to sing live with their raw vocals at the song contest, NRK has allowed so-called Auto-Tune in the Norwegian Melodi Grand Prix. The Eurovision organizer had always been cautious about commenting on the topic, but now clearly outlines the rules for Auto-Tune to TV 2. EBU‘s communications department outlines:

“Live vocals are very important in our format and in the tradition of the competition. The quality of the main vocals is a large part of the overall assessment of the performance, both for the jury and the audience at home. That performance should happen live, and without manipulation.”

Auto-Tune is a digital music tool that corrects the pitch of the voice, even in real-time, so singers always hit the tone precisely. The technology became particularly famous in 1998 through the song “Believe” by Cher.

This is the exception

Despite the seemingly categorical ban, the EBU acknowledges that there does not exist a total Auto-Tune ban on the Eurovision stage.

“Auto-Tune can be used as a sound effect on parts of a song, but we don’t allow it to correct the tone of the lead singer or backing vocals throughout the song.”

This means that the controversial technology can be used in a registered song, but no more extensive form than as an effect grip. President Morten Thomassen of the Norwegian Eurovision club says about the new information:

“I think it is the first time they clarify these rules so much. It’s good that they’re still against Auto-Tune on paper, but the way I interpret the rules, it can be applied to the vocally difficult parts of the song and that’s probably where it’s needed most I would think.”

“Unfortunately, Auto-Tune is here to stay”

Thomassen is not satisfied with the fact that Auto-Tune is freely allowed in the NRK competition of MGP, which is the stage where Norway‘s Eurovision entry is to be selected from, expressing his clear dissatisfaction when he spoke to TV 2 on Tuesday.

He thought Auto-Tune in a contest like Eurovision is like “putting too much makeup on the bride”, and already last year asked NRK to reverse the choice of the sometimes reviled technology.

Do you agree with the use of Auto-Tune at the Eurovision Song Contest? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Source: TV 2

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Eurovision 2024: First look at next year’s stage!

SVT, host broadcaster for the 68th Eurovision Song Contest, has unveiled the impressive stage our 37 artists will be performing on in Malmö next May.

https://twitter.com/Eurovision/status/1737103178682761461?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

Movable LED cubes, LED floors, light, video and stage technology will combine to create some spectacular variations in the arena, while the stage is placed right in the middle of the audience, shaped like a cross, creating a unique 360-degree experience that the audience and viewers will get to experience in May.

The names behind the concept are Florian Wieder, Production Designer, and Fredrik Stormby, Light and Screen Content Designer.

According to the Executive Producer, Ebba Adielsson:

It is with great pride that we present our vision of the stage and lighting design for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. We have not seen anything like this before at Eurovision and the concept gives us endless opportunities to create unique spaces and expressions for both the competing artists and the opening and interval acts. Florian and Fredrik’s creation is simply fantastic and it will be so much fun to see the end result!

One of the stage creators, Fredrik Stormby adds:

We believe that together we have created what is an unexpected and updated concept for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 and are looking forward to showing it off for real! I am honoured to have been commissioned to design the light and video in collaboration with the team from our studio, and the production team that SVT has put into place for the project. 

We’ve developed a strong concept together, and I’m really looking forward to the continued collaboration in production, the creative process with the delegations, and eventually getting my teeth into the show and doing the broadcasts!

The Eurovision 2024 stage is unique. It is the first time that the stage is placed centrally, while the audience surrounds it. Moreover, there will be an installation of video and light, centered above the stage, where the lighting design has been crafted to truly embrace the artists and their performances, hence there will be led screens everywhere.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 is organized in collaboration with the city of Malmö and will be broadcast from Malmö Arena on Tuesday 7 May (semi-final 1), Thursday 9 May (semi-final 2) and Saturday 11 May (final) after Loreen won for a second time in Liverpool with the song “Tattoo“.

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Source: eurovision.tv

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Sweden: New music festival, tribute to Eurovision and Mello in Stockholm next May!

Despite the fact that Eurovision and schlager are among the most popular music in Sweden, this type of music has been conspicuous by its absence in Sweden festival scene.

As Tobbe Ek and Aftonbladet reported, there will be a new one-day festival at Stockholm Olympic Stadium with around 20 of the biggest schlager and Eurovision artists, next May!

Entertainment and event manager Navid Kabiri has teamed up with Anders Boström, who co-founded Summerburst, and nightclub organizer Samin Adjoudani, and together they are behind Drömmen, which will take place on Saturday, May 25 in Stockholm. On stage there will be, among others, CarolaCharlotte PerrelliLinda Bengtzing, Méndez, Jessica Andersson Kate Ryan and Army of Lovers who have already confirmed their participation at the festival.

Some of the Melodifestivalen and Eurovision artists are known for a handful of songs, but will they all do full concerts? Or how will the arrangement be? Navid Kabiri comments:

“We’re focused on the hits, these artists know the audience wants to hear them. This is Drömmen, it should be dreamy and not sleepy, but we also talk to the artists about what they want to do. It should be a tribute to them and to this music. Some will want to do a couple of songs and others will come with bands and do longer gigs. We will release more names as they become available.”

The Drömmen festival will take place at Stockholm Stadion on Saturday, May 25, 2024 and tickets go on sale on Tuesday, December 12.

Source: Aftonbladet

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Sweden: First betting odds for Melodifestivalen 2024 | Danny Saucedo is the hot favourite!

It has been only a few hours since the announcement of the participants at Melodifestival 2024, but the first betting odds have already begun, depsite the fact that the participating songs release of the first semi-final will have to wait for two more months.

The big favourite for the victory is Danny Saucedo, who aims a dynamic come-back in the music industry of Sweden through his participation in Melodifestivalen 2024. This is going to be his fifth participation in this particular music festival.

His entry “Happy That You Found Me” was composed by Kristoffer Fogelmark, John Martin and Michel Zitron. The latter was involved in the production of two global music hits, Don’t you owrry child” and “Save the world” of Swedish House Mafia and has also collaborated with artists like Avicii and Alesso. 

In the second place of the betting odds are the Norwegian twins Marcus & Martinus Gunnarsen who took part in Melodifestivalen 2023 and finished in the second place.

In the third place we see Liamoo, in fourth place the popoular among the eurofans Dotter while the first top five ends with a tie between Maria Sur and Smash Into Pieces.

At this point it should be mentioned that the betting odds are currently based only on the names of the particpants. Comparing the current face of the betting odds with the respondent one of previous years, we can see that the betting odds were confirmed only in 2014, 2015 and 2023.

The schedule for the six shows of the Melodifestivalen 2024 tour

  • Heat 1: Saturday 3 February 2024, Malmö Arena, Malmö
  • Heat 2: Saturday 10 February 2024, Scandinavium, Göteborg
  • Heat 3: Saturday 17 February 2024, Vida Arena, Växjö
  • Heat 4: Saturday 24 February 2024, Stiga Sports Arena, Eskiltuna
  • Heat 5: Saturday 2 March 2024, Löfbergs Arena, Karlstad
  • Final: Saturday 9 March 2024, Friends Arena, Stockholm – Solna

The winner of Melodifestivalen 2023 and subsequently the Swedish representative in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest was Loreen with her entry “Tattoo”. Loreen did not only achieved a second victory in Melodifestival, but also a second victory at the Eurovision Song Contest, raising the number of Swedish victories to 7, equalizing the number of victories of the intertemporal queen of Eurovision, Ireland.

https://youtu.be/BE2Fj0W4jP4

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Source: eurovisionworld

Eurovision 2024: Mass calls for boycott of Eurovision!

The final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 is just under six months away. After Loreen‘s victory with the song “Tattoo” last May, the competition will take place in Malmö.

Israel as part of Eurovision Song Contest

Israel has been a part of Eurovision since 1973 and has won the contest four times. They are not the only non-European country participating. Australia and Armenia are examples of recurring non-European participants. Countries such as Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan also have the opportunity to compete but have chosen not to do so. Non-European countries have the opportunity to participate due to their membership of the EBU.

Despite the fact that Belarus and Russia are located in Europe, they cannot participate in Eurovision today as they are excluded from the EBU.

Activists call for a boycott of Eurovision

Now, several campaigns are underway on social media calling for a boycott of Eurovision, due to the participation of Israel. Ida Helene Benonisen is a Norwegian activist who fights for the rights of the Sámi and LGBTQ people.

“I think there is a double standard in excluding Russia while allowing Israel to continue to participate in the competition, despite the fact that they are violating international law – something even the UN has pointed out. Europe should show that we do not support their actions.”

In a post that has received a quarter of a million views on Tiktok, she explains how member states can be urged to refrain from sending entries to the competition if Israel participates:

“During my time at the Norwegian MGP in the before Eurovision 2022, I realised that the member states’ threat not to participate if Russia was involved, played a crucial role in the decision to exclude Russia from the competition”

Controversies surrounding Israel’s participation in Eurovision

The last time Malmö hosted the music competition, in 2013, the chairman of the Left Party in Malmö wanted to ban Israel from participating. At the same time, the Israeli embassy appealed to the city of Malmö to increase security after the violent riots that occurred in 2009 in reaction to the tennis match between Israel and Sweden in Malmö. After the music competition, the Israeli delegates reported that they were subjected to anti-Semitic threats. In 2016, the Palestinian flag was banned from the music competition. In 2019, the Icelandic entry was fined after displaying a Palestinian banner during the competition in Tel Aviv, Israel.

What will happen in Malmö next May?

The EBU has still not given a final decision on which countries will participate in Malmö next year, but the plan right now is for Israel to participate as usual.

Karin Karlsson is the City of Malmö‘s overall project manager for the Eurovision Song Contest. She had the same role in 2013.

“In 2013, we took safety into account. But in 2024, it’s a much more complex security situation. It’s an issue we work on every day.”

Karin Karlsson emphasizes that it is not the City of Malmö that decides who can compete, but that all countries that compete are welcome to Malmö. At the same time, there should be room for democratic protests, if desired.

“There are many forces that want to create a nice folk festival here in Malmö. At the same time, we are a democracy and it is important to show that.”

The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 is organized in collaboration with the city of Malmö and will be broadcast from Malmö Arena on Tuesday 7 May (semi-final 1), Thursday 9 May (semi-final 2) and Saturday 11 May (final).

Source: Helsingborgs Dagblad

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Eurovision 2024: Tickets on sale Tuesday 28 November!

There was a press release from SVT a few minutes ago giving all the information regarding the tickets for the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö!

On Tuesday 28 November at 10.00 CET, the tickets for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö will be released – the world’s largest live music competition. There are tickets to buy from SEK 145.

Loreen won a historic victory with “Tattoo” in Eurovision last spring when she became the first woman to win the contest a second time. So in May 2024, SVT and Sweden will once again host a television broadcast that is seen by hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.

“It feels very nice to be invited to a whole Eurovision week in Malmö in May. There are tickets to buy for nine performances, so there are many who have the opportunity to see the shows live in the arena. On Tuesday, the tickets will be released and then there will be a chance to buy a memorable and different Christmas present.”

says Ebba Adielsson , executive producer for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.

There are tickets for nine performances. You can choose between the shows the night before the broadcasts, the family shows in the afternoons and the live broadcasts. Prices vary and the cheapest ticket costs SEK 145.

Ticket Prices

  • Semi-finals – Evening rehearsals: 145 – 795 SEK
  • Semi-finals – Afternoon rehearsals: 145 – 545 SEK
  • Semi-finals – Live shows: 525 – 2395 SEK
  • Grand Final – Evening rehearsal: 525 – 2395 SEK
  • Grand Final – Afternoon rehearsals: 145 – 1385 SEK
  • Grand Final – Live show: 860 – 3795 SEK

The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 is organized in collaboration with the city of Malmö and will be broadcast from Malmö Arena on Tuesday 7 May (semi-final 1), Thursday 9 May (semi-final 2) and Saturday 11 May (final). The tickets for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 are sold via Ticketmaster Sweden.

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Eurovision 2024: The rules of Eurovision 2024 are released! | The ratio between juries and televoting is still not specified!

EBU has released through the official Eurovision website the rules of the 2024 contest to be held in Malmö, Sweden.

What needs to be pointed out is that the National Juries and the National Audiences will be combined according to a ration which will be decided later. More specifically the rules specify:

“In the Final; the points of the National Audiences and of the National Juries shall be combined according to a ratio which is determined by the EBU, subject to the Reference Group approval, to calculate the official result of the Final.

For example, if the ratio is 50-50, the points of the National Jury carry the same weight as the points of the National Audiences”

As it seems there are also still no plans to introduce the use of Auto-Tune in the contest and use of such or lipsyncing are explicitly prohibited. The pre-recorded backing vocals are still allowed in this year’s contest too.

Do you think that there will be a later announcement for a change in the ratio of combined voting, by EBU? Let us know in the comments section below!

Source: EBU

Norway: Are Keiino hinting their return? | “Nu kör vi” with Norway or with Sweden?

Lots of Eurovision fans are eagerly hoping for them to come back at the contest. But has the time just come?

KEiiNO band, a few moments ago, uploaded a Reels video on their Instagram account, rocking the boat of Eurovision news. The Reels featured a question, urging their fans to complete the sentence “Nu … vi!“. For those you can’t speak Swedish, nu kör vi means let’s go!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by KEiiNO (@keiinoband)

But what could this mean? Is this a reference at them taking part in Melodifestivalen 2024, or they are referencing a potential participation at MGP 2024, which could potentially let them represent Norway in Malmö, Sweden?

Time will tell.

Who are KEiiNO?

KEiiNO is a Norwegian supergroup consisting of Sámi rapper Fred Buljo and singers Alexandra Rotan and Tom Hugo. The group was created in late 2018 in preparation for their participation in Melodi Grand Prix 2019, which they won and so were selected to represent Norway with the song “Spirit in the Sky” in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019, finishing in sixth place, even though they placed first in the televoting results.

On 11 January 2021, it was announced that KEiiNO would participate in the Melodi Grand Prix 2021 final with the pre-qualified song “Monument“. The song was released at midnight on 15 January 2021 with the group’s debut performance of the song during the first heat of Melodi Grand Prix 2021 on 16 January 2021. The song reached the top four in the final on 20 February 2021, eventually reaching the gold duel, but lost to Tix‘s “Fallen Angel“.

Do you think KEiiNO could be selected to represent Norway for a second time? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Marcus and Martinus won OGAE Second Chance 2023 with the song “Air”!

Following Medina’s victory with “In i dimman” in the previous year, Marcus and Martinus won this year’s OGAE Second Chance competition, which was organized by OGAE Sweden. This victory marks Sweden’s 19th triumph overall!

What is OGAE Second Chance?

It is a contest that has been organized annually since 1987, with the goal of showcasing the best song that did not make it to the Eurovision stage. Thus, each organization selects what it considers to be the best song that competed in the national final of its country. It is not required that this song has placed second.

These are the competition’s results for this year:

  1. Sweden –  Marcus & Martinus – “Air “ – 322 points
  2. Norway – Ulrikke – “Honestly” – 286 points
  3. Finland – KUUMAA – “Ylivoimainen” – 252 points
  4.   Italy – Lazza – “Cenere” – 179 points
  5.   Spain – Vicco – “Nochentera” – 164 points
  6. Serbia – Filip Baloš – “Novi plan drugi san” – 161 points
  7. 🇧🇪 Belgium – Chérine – “Ça m’ennuie pas” – 125 points
  8. Estonia – OLLIE – “Venom” – 112 points
  9. Ukraine-  Jerry Heil – “When God Shut the Door” – 89 points
  10. Poland – Jann – “Gladiator” – 84 points
  11. Albania – Elsa Lila – “Evita” – 49 points
  12. Germany – Will Church – “Hold On” – 48 points
  13. Portugal – Edmundo Inácio – “A Festa” – 38 points
  14. Denmark – EYJAA – “I Was Gonna Marry Him” – 27 points
  15. Croatia – Harmonija Disonance – “Nevera (Lei, lei)” – 26 points
  16. Flag of Earth.svg Moldova (OGAE Rest of the World) – SunStroke Project – “Yummy Mommy” – 17 points
  17. Ireland – Connolly – “Midnight Summer Night” – 16 points
  18. Lithuania – Rūta Mur – “So Low” – 13 points
  19. Romania – Andreea D Folclor Orchestra – “Perinița mea” – 10 points
  20. Czechia – Rodan – “Introvert Party Club” – 7 points
  21. Iceland – Langi Seli og Skuggarnir – “OK” – 4 points
  22. Malta – Ryan Hilli – “In the Silence” – 1 points
  23. Latvia – 24. Avenija – “You Said” – 0 points

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun to stay up to date on all the latest news about the world’s largest music competition!


Source: eurovoix