Eurovoix

Where Europe Converges

Daily Round-Up: 20/05/2012

All Of The Day's News In 1 Go

It has been a very busy day in the world of Eurovision, the contest is now just three days away so everything is getting very tense. Let’s see what has been making news today:

Day 8 Of Rehearsals

Rehearsals Day 8

It was the eighth day of rehearsals today in Baku, with the later Semi Final 2 countries having their finally rehearsals before the dress rehearsals and the Big 5 and Azerbaijan trying to improve on yesterday. So here are the artists and countries that took part today:

  • Estonia – Ott Lepland – Kuula
  • Slovakia – Max Jason Mai – Don’t Close Your Eyes
  • Norway – Tooji – Stay
  • Bosnia & Herzegovina – Maya Sar – Korake Ti Znam
  • Lithuania – Donny Montell – Love Is Blind
  • United Kindgom – Engelbert Humperdinck – Love Will Set You Free
  • France – Anggun – Echo (You & I)
  • Italy – Nina Zilli – L’amore e femmina
  • Azerbaijan – Sabina Babayeva – When The Music Dies
  • Spain – Pastora Soler – Quedate Comingo
  • Germany – Roman Lob – Standing Still

You can see all the videos in the full article here.

Anke Will Announce The German Votes

She Is Back

Anke Engelke part of the trio of hosts in Düsseldorf will announce the German vote. Anke was a host alongside Stefan Raab and Judith Rakers and provided the comic side of hosting.

Malta Not Optomistic Of Qualification

Optimism Is Low

The Malta Independent has reported that Maltese people are not hopeful of qualification after the current betting odds. The paper have said “Bookmakers are not particularly optimistic about Malta’s entry to the Eurovision Song Contest, generally deeming it unlikely to even qualify for the final round”. You can see the full article in the link above.

Review: Italy, Germany & France

Italy, France & Germany Who Will Win?

So this is the final part of our review of this years songs, we have heard 39 out of the 42 songs so far. Myself and a number another judge will rate the songs our of 10; we will then say where we think they will finish in the final as today we see the second of two reviews of the Big 5 & Azerbaijan. So today we are reviewing:

  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy

You can see all our thoughts in the link above.

Where You Can Watch SF1 & SF2

You can even watch in Kazakhstan

To help you out with planning your tv schedule we have compiled a list of all the channels broadcasting Semi Final 1 and Semi Final 2, this enables you to find alternatives if either semi final or both semi finals are not available in your country. For the full list follow the link.

The Weeks Timetable

Don't Move It's This Week

And for all of those who can’t go a dyeing moment without the contest the full list of rehearsals and press conferences are available at the link above.

Have a great week everyone.

Malta: Not Hopeful Of Qualification

Optimism Is Low

The Malta Independent has reported that Maltese people are not hopeful of qualification after the current betting odds. The paper have said “Bookmakers are not particularly optimistic about Malta’s entry to the Eurovision Song Contest, generally deeming it unlikely to even qualify for the final round”. However there is a feeling among fans that due to its draw on the night and it’s staging that it could just scrape through into the final. Malta has not been in the final since 2009 when Chiara represented the country with “What If We” coming 22nd with 31 points.

Baku’12: Timetable For The Week

Don't Move It's This Week

This is it, the whole year of preperation has been culminating to this point, so what can we expect:

Monday, 21st of May

  • Dress rehearsal 1, Semi-Final 1 – 15:00-17:00 CET
  • Dress rehearsal 2, Semi-Final 1 – 21:00-23:00 CET *

Tuesday, 22nd of May

  • Dress rehearsal 3, Semi-Final 1 – 15:00-17:00 CET
  • Semi Final 1, live show – 21:00-23:00 CET

Wednesday, 23rd of May

  • EBU/Ictimai press conference – 13:30-14:00 CET
  • Dress rehearsal 1, Semi-Final 2 – 15:00-17:00 CET
  • Dress rehearsal 2, Semi-Final 2 – 21:00-23:00 CET

Thursday, 24th of May

  • Dress rehearsal 3, Semi-Final 2 – 15:00-17:00 CET
  • Semi Final 2, live show – 21:00-23:00 CET

Friday, 25th of May

  • Big 5 & Azerbaijan press conferences
  • Dress rehearsal 1, Grand Final – 14:30-17:30 CET
  • Dress rehearsal 2, Grand Final – 21:00-00:00 CET

Saturday, 26th of May

  • Dress rehearsal 3, Grand Final – 14:00-17:00 CET
  • Final, live show – 21:00-00:00 CET

So pen down those dates and times to get the most out of this week. The Second Dress Rehearsal is when the juries vote so keep your eye on them. Have a brilliant week.

Baku’12: Rehearsals Day 8

 

Rehearsals Day 8

It was the eighth day of rehearsals today in Baku, with the later Semi Final 2 countries having their finally rehearsals before the dress rehearsals and the Big 5 and Azerbaijan trying to improve on yesterday. So here are the artists and countries that took part today:

  • Estonia – Ott Lepland – Kuula
  • Slovakia – Max Jason Mai – Don’t Close Your Eyes
  • Norway – Tooji – Stay
  • Bosnia & Herzegovina – Maya Sar – Korake Ti Znam
  • Lithuania – Donny Montell – Love Is Blind
  • United Kindgom – Engelbert Humperdinck – Love Will Set You Free
  • France – Anggun – Echo (You & I)
  • Italy – Nina Zilli – L’amore e femmina
  • Azerbaijan – Sabina Babayeva – When The Music Dies
  • Spain – Pastora Soler – Quedate Comingo
  • Germany – Roman Lob – Standing Still

All the videos are courtsey of escXtra.com

Estonia:

Slovakia:

Norway:

Bosnia & Herzegovina:

Lithuania:

United Kingdom:

France:

Italy:

Azerbaijan:

Spain:

Germany:

Baku’12: You Can Watch SF1 & SF2 On

 

You can even watch in Kazakhstan

With Semi Final 1 this Tuesday we have decided to give you a quick breakdown of the show. For all the fans that want to watch the 1st Semi Final in Baku you can watch it on the following channels:

  • Albania – RTSH 1
  • Austria – ORF Eins
  • Belgium – Een & La une
  • Cyprus – CyBC 1
  • Denmark – DR 1
  • Finland – Yle TV2, YLE Fem
  • Greece – NET
  • Hungary – m1
  • Iceland – RUV
  • Ireland – RTE  Two
  • Israel – Channel 1
  • Latvia – LTV 1
  • Moldova – Moldova 1
  • Montenegro – TV CG1
  • Romania – TVR 1
  • Russia – Russia 1
  • San Marino – SMtv
  • Switzerland – RSI La 2, SF zwei, RTS Deux

You can also watch the contest on:

  • Australia – SBS
  • Armenia – AMPTV
  • Azerbaijan – ITV
  • Bosnia & Herzegovina – BHT 1
  • Bulgaria – BNT 1
  • Croatia – HTV
  • Estonia – ETV
  • France – France Ô
  • FYR Macedonia – MRT
  • Georgia – GBP
  • Germany – Das Erste
  • Italy – Rai 5
  • Kazakhstan – Arna Media
  • Lithuania – LRT
  • Malta – TVM
  • Netherlands – TROS
  • Norway – NRK 1
  • Portugal – RTP 1
  • Russia – Russia 1
  • Serbia – RTS 1
  • Slovenia – TV Slovenija 1
  • Sweden – SVT 1
  • Spain – TVe 2
  • Turkey – TRT 1
  • Ukraine – UT1
  • United Kingdom – BBC 3 & BBC HD

You can watch the 2nd Semi Final on:

  • Belarus – Belarus 1
  • Bosnia & Herzegovina – BHT 1
  • Bulgaria – BNT 1
  • Croatia – HTV
  • Estonia – ETV
  • Georgia – GBP
  • Lithuania – LRT
  • FYR Macedonia – MRT
  • Malta – TVM
  • Netherlands – TROS
  • Norway – NRK 1
  • Portugal – RTP 1
  • Serbia – RTS 1
  • Slovakia – Jednotka
  • Slovenia – TV Slovenija 1
  • Sweden – SVT 1
  • Turkey – TRT 1
  • Ukraine – UT1

You can also watch it on:

  • Albania – RTSH 1
  • Armenia – AMPTV
  • Australia – SBS
  • Austria – ORF Eins
  • Azerbaijan – ITV
  • Belgium – Een & La Une (On Delay)
  • Cyprus – CyBC 1
  • Denmark – DR1
  • Finland – YLE 2, YLE Fem
  • France – France Ô
  • Germany – Das Erste
  • Greece – ERT
  • Hungary – m2
  • Iceland – RUV
  • Ireland – RTE 2
  • Israel – Channel 1
  • Kazakhstan – Arna Media
  • Latvia – LTV 1
  • Moldova – Moldova 1
  • Montenegro – TV CG1
  • Romania – TVR 1
  • Russia – Russia 1
  • San Marino – SMtv
  • Switzerland – RSI La 2, SF zwei, RTS Deux
  • United Kingdom – BBC 3, BBC HD

Review: France, Germany & Italy

It's France, Germany & Italy

So this is the final part of our review of this years songs, we have heard 39 out of the 42 songs so far. Myself and a number another judge will rate the songs our of 10; we will then say where we think they will finish in the final as today we see the second of two reviews of the Big 5 & Azerbaijan. So today we are reviewing:

  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy

  • Nation: France
  • Song Title: Echo (You & I)
  • Artist: Anggun
  • Composer: William Rousseau, Jean-Pierre Pilot
  • Lyricist: William Rousseau, Anggun
  • Language: French, English
  • Nations Last Result: 15th in the Final, 82 points

Anthony: It is definitely an interesting song, it is the exact opposite to last years song “Sognu”. I really do feel that France have pulled off a brilliant song, yeah there are many contrasting aspects to this song but it works well. It’s also great to hear English in the song, it makes sense for it to be there and makes it more likely to be voted for. I will admit that has been one of my favourite songs in the build up to the contest, so I feel it could do quite well. A top.10 is possible but a top.15 is more likely. 8/10

Alfrenzo: Obviously Anggun is trying to get votes for France here. With France performing not up to par in 2009 with Patricia Kaas or an African-style feel good song (Allez Ola Ole) in 2010, going with bubblegum pop seems like the most reasonable thing in Eurovision. The upbeat song will get everyone (including me) feel happy. With a year of ballads, Anggun should go down reasonably well with the viewers with something different, but worry lies with the juries who might think otherwise. All in all, sounds good and feel good, but juries might hamper it and the quality is not really there. 6.5/10

  • Nation: Germany
  • Song Title: Standing Still
  • Artist: Roman Lob
  • Composer: -
  • Lyricist: Jamie Cullum, Steve Robson, Wayne Hector
  • Language: English
  • Nations Last Result: 10th in the Final, 107 points

Anthony: Now this song has taken a while to build on me, it is a song that builds on you. It’s a great number that is actually quite emotional, throughout the song it just grows and grows. I don’t think Germany can win with this song but definitely get a respectable placing, I’m not sure if has the memorability to win. Anyway it’s a 7/10 from me.

Alfrenzo: Standing Still doesn’t really remind you of Eurovision; instead of artists such as Westlife or Ronan Keating. Although the song is easy to listen and easy to understand too, the diverse culture of the Eurovision populace means that this song might raise eyebrows in certain regions. Given that it sounds like any other pop song, yet simple and not over-the-top, Roman Lob should be able to get some votes, and to perform badly (reasonably) like Niels Brinck may just not happen, and I give this a 7/10.

  • Nation: Italy
  • Song Title: L’amore e femmina
  • Artist: Nina Zilli
  • Composer: Christian Rabb, Kristoffer Sjökvist, Frida Molander, Charlie Mason
  • Lyricist: Nina Zilli, Christian Rabb, Kristoffer Sjökvist, Frida Molander, Charlie Mason
  • Language: English, Italian
  • Nations Last Result: 2nd in the Final, 189 points

Anthony: Now this I love, it has a brilliant mix of jazz and fun, it’s incredibly catchy and very memorable. The mix of Italian and English works brilliantly, it just feels like you could hear this on the radio. There is something that just captures you and pulls you in, if you don’t get the hook stuck in your head there is something wrong with you. Can this win? Yes and I would love Italy to win. 9/10

Alfrenzo: Nina Zilli’s vocals had impressed me since Per Sempre; likewise for this song. Despite Italy going retro on this song (and so much different compared to in 2011), the song is still as stylishly modern (and catchy) as it gets; and to be honest I got hooked on this the minute I listened to this. The mixture of Italian and English fits very well, and the fact that there isn’t a moment where Nina Zilli takes a break means that it won’t be wiped off the minds of Eurovision viewers for voting. However, the monotony of the background music only means that it’ll be remembered after certain entries such as Iceland or Sweden. Good luck Italy. 8/10

Well this was the last review in the series, have fun in this Eurovision week.

Bauk’12: Rehearsals Day 7

 

Rehearsals Day 7

Today was the seventh day of rehearsals in Baku. We saw the second half of the second semi final take to the stage as well as the Big 5 and Azerbaijan. So here are the countries and artists that took part today.

  • Slovenia – Eva Boto – Verjamem
  • Croatia – Nina Badric – Nebo
  • Sweden – Loreen – Euphoria
  • Georgia – Anri Jokhadze – I’m A Joker
  • Turkey – Can Bonomo – Love Me Back
  • Germany – Roman Lob – Standing Still
  • France – Anggun – Echo (You & I)
  • Italy – Nina Zilli – L’amore e Femmina
  • Azerbijan – Sabina Babyeva – When The Music Dies
  • Spain – Pastora Soler – Quedate Comingo
  • United Kingdom – Engelbert Humperdinck – Love Will Set You Free

All the videos are courtsey of escXtra.com
Slovenia:

Croatia:

Sweden:

Georgia:

Turkey:

Germany:

France:

Italy:

Azerbaijan:

Spain:

United Kingdom:

San Marino: Winner Of The Social Network Music Video Contest Announced

 

Winner Revealed

After weeks of entries being looked over we finally have a winner of the Social Network Music Video Contest. The winners have won a 2 day trip to the Oktoberfest in Germany and a visit to meet Valentina Monetta in San Marino. The winner was chosen by a jury of six people including Valentina and Ralph Seigel the composer of the song. 2nd place won €700 and 3rd €500, the video with the most views won a long weekend to San Marino to meet Valentina. You can see the winning video below:

United Kingdom: Norton Picks Ireland As Winner

Jedward Is His Winner

The British commentator in the final Graham Norton has publicly revealed that he feels Jedward will win in Baku. In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph he said “I think they (have a) very good song, (it’s) very catchy. I have a feeling they will both do well and good luck to them. Good luck to Jedward in getting through their semi-final — I think they could surprise a lot of people”