Friday, June 27, 2014

SWEDEN: Broadcaster SVT invites song writers for Melodifestivalen 2015


One of the most spectacular song finding process - The Melodifestivalen in Sweden - starts for their competition for Swedens Song in Austria next year. 

Swedens Broadcaster just published this years rules. After their third place in Kopenhagen the executive producent of the Melodifestivalen - Christer Björkman - made the statement, that they will implement the proud of this good result into their work for finding the best Swedish Song for Wien, Graz or Innsbruck. 

Last year the rules included that at least 20% of the song writers has to be female. For next years competition SVT even rise this percentage up to 50%. Song writers may now start to find their songs since from 1st of September on they can submit the song with the deadline being the 16th of September.

More information you can find on SVT1 homepage for the Melodifestivalen 2015, an english download of the rules is available:

Sweden is one on the most sucessful country in the ESC. With only one time not reaching the final (2010 in Oslo) they always participating in the final. 

Here you can see once more some of the most popular and successful songs in ESC history: 

1966 - Lill Lindfors & Svante Thuresson  

Nygammal vals eller hip man svinaherde - 2nd place 


1974 - ABBA

Waterloo - Winner

1983 - Carola Häggkvist 

Främling - 3rd place 


1984 - Herreys

Diggi-loo diggi-ley - Winner


1985 - Kikki Danielsson

Bra vibrationer - 3rd place


1991 - Carola 

Fångad av en stormvind - winner


1995 - Jan Johansen

Se på mej - 3rd place 


1996 - One More Time

Den vilda - 3rd place 


1999 - Charlotte Nilsson

Take Me To The Heaven - winner


2011 - Eric Saade 

Popular - 3rd place


2012 - Loreen

Euphoria - winner


2014 - Sanna Nielsen

Undo - 3rd place


Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Eurovision Radio International: Tonight! Interviews with Gaia Cauchi, Teo, Softengine & more


The Team of Radio International would like to invite you to this week's edition of the show with interviews with Eurovision performers, music and fun. Join in this Wednesday 25th of June 2014 from 8:00 - 11:00 pm  (cet) for the show containing interviews from the Eurovision Song Contest 2014.

Radio International - The Ultimate Eurovision Experience, is extremely happy that the show is also aired on the following radio stations:

Show details 25.06.2014:

  • Interview with Gaia Cauchi (Junior Eurovision Song Contest Winner 2013, Malta)
  • Interview with Teo (Belarus 2014) 
  • Interview with Donatan & Cleo (Poland 2014)
  • Interview with Softengine (Finland 2014)
  • Live Interview with Salman Tanszeem, Organiser of the Eurovision Weekend 2014 in Berlin, Germany. Click here for the event's website.
  • Eurovision Spotlight: Eurovision Songwriters: with Chris Poppe
  • Eurovision Cover with David Mann  
  • New Music Releases by Eurovision artists as broadcast time permits
  • further items are Eurovision News with Luke, Famous Clip Quiz, your Eurovision music requests, and loads more. 

For further details visit the Radio International website here:


Join Radio International on Wednesday, 25th of June 2014 from 8:00 - 11:00 pm (cet), via the website or on FM. Radio International is available live via www.radiointernational.tv and on FM 106.8, Digital Cabel Channel 781 in parts of the Netherlands and via www.livestream.com/radint. In addition, you can pick up Radio International on Malta's Galaxy 105 every Monday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm (cet) hours CET and in Belgium on eurovisiOradio.eu every Sunday evening from 7:00 - 10:00 pm (cet) and again on Tuesday evenings from 8:00 - 11:00 pm (cet). Should you not be able to listen live, the show will appear in the Programme’s Show Archive a few hours after it’s airing on the radio.


Follow those links and be always up to date about Eurovision Radio International:

Lyric video 'In A World Without You' from Freaky Fortune feat. Nicolas Costa


Freaky Fortune represented Greece this year at the Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen together with RiskyKidd with the song 'Rise Up'. The audience and Eurovision fans loved their entry and it was one of the coolest party songs this year. At the end they reached only 21st place in the Grand Final on 10th of May in Copenhagen.


Some days ago Freaky Fortune premiered their new single 'In A World Without You' at the Greece event called Madwalk.


Today Nikolas and Teo from Freaky Fortune released their new video 'In A World Without You' in collaboration with Nicolas Costa today on their youtube channel.

Nicolas Costa feat. Freaky Fortune - 'In A World Without You' (Lyric Video)



Find out more about Freaky Fortune and Nicolas Costa and follow them:  

Monday, June 23, 2014

Gianluca Bezzina is back with his group Funk Initiative and 'House Of Cards'


Gianluca Bezzina from Malta reprsented his country 2012 at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö with the feel-good-song 'Tomorrow'. At the end his song reached 8th place in the grand final with 120 points. Do you remember his song?


In the last months Gianluca worked hard with his band members from Funk Initiative on their new single 'House Of Cards'. The video for the single was released yesterday:





These are the band members: 
  • Gianluca Bezzina - Vocals
  • Paul Torpiano - Keys/Backing Vox
  • Luke Grech - Guitar
  • Fabian Bonello - Sax/Tambourine
  • Daniel Buttigieg - Drums/Percussion
  • Shaun Abdilla - Bass Guitar



Funk Initiative are the winner from this years #BattleOfTheBands and they will open the Isle of MTV Malta on 25th of June. More about Isle of MTV Malta you can find here.

More about Gianluca Bezzina and his band Funk Initiative you can find here: 




Sunday, June 22, 2014

Eurovision Weekend 2014: Scott Fitzgerald, Suzy & Corinna May confirmed!

Yesterday the Eurovision Weekend team anounced the third and last Eurovision act for this years event which will take place between 18th and 20th July in Berlin.

Since some weeks already confirmed are Scott Fitzgerald from the UK (UK 1988) and one of this years fan favorite - Suzy from Portugal.

More details about that and the schedule for the event we already reported:



The missed act from Germany is now confirmed - it is Corinna May. She represented Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest 2002 in Talinn with her song 'I Can't Live Without Music'. Corinna May participated in the German national selection three times till she got the chance to represent her country at the Eurovision Song Contest. First she sung 'Hör den Kindern einfach zu' in 1999 and won. A very lucky moment for her - but only for some moments.. She was disqualified because the song was released earlier as the rules allow. In 2000 she came second with the song 'I Believe In God' - behind Germans representative Stefan Raab with his fun song 'Wadde hadde dudde da?'. Well.. All good things come to an end - also for Corinna May in 2002. She won the German national selection with 'I Can't Live Without Music' and got the ticket to sing for her country. Do you remember her song?


At the moment Corinna is working on her new music project called 'OneKiss'. Find out more about Corinna and her OneKiss here:



Watch the official anouncement from the Eurovision Weekend team for the German act:



Ticket price for the full weekend events is only 36,- Euro and you can get your tickets here:

If you have any questions feel free to contact guys from Eurovision Weekend:

Find out more about Eurovision Weekend and the inviting fan clubs:


Saturday, June 21, 2014

Eurovision 2015 at the Olympiaworld in Innsbruck?

Olympiaworld Innsbruck (© Thomas Böhm)

After the victory from 'Eurovision Queen' Conchita Wurst on 10th of May in Copenhagen with 'Rise Like A Phoenix' there are a lot of rumors and speculations about the host city 2015 and the venue.

Let's have a look at the Austrian cities and venues which showed there interest to be the host city for the 60th Eurovision Song Contest anniversary.


Out of the running are:

  • Klagenfurt
  • Schwechtal
  • Oberwart
  • Unterpremstätten
  • Wels

Well, we still have in the running Austria's capital Vienna, Graz and Innsbruck. These are possible event locations for Eurovision 2015:
There are not confirmed rumors that Vienna's Stadthalle could be also out of the running, because there are already confirmed events in the venue for May 2015 which are not possible to changed.. Could this be the reason why we still have 4 !!! possible Eurovision dates?! 

"After careful consideration of all applications, the ORF has decided to conduct further discussions with the City of Vienna and the operators of the Wiener Stadthalle, the city of Graz and the operators of the Stadthalle Graz and Innsbruck and the operators of Olympiaworld" confirmed Austria's broadcaster ORF.

Read the full anouncement from Austrian broadcaster ORF:


It is planed to anounce a final decision about the host city and venue for the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 before August 2015. The story continues.. stay tuned!

Eurovision Gala Night 2014: Pre-Order your tickets!


This years 7th edition of the 'Eurovision Gala Night' will take place in Luxembourg on 25th of October 2014 at the prestigious Casino 2000, one of Luxembourg's best venues for musical events. Each year, OGAE Luxembourg invites three to four artists related to the world of Eurovision who perform at the Charity Gala.

The show in itself consists of two parts:

  • Part 1: A song contest in which 16 finalists, selected in a casting  last month will compete by singing a song from the Eurovision repertoire
  • Part 2: A concert including a couple of Eurovision artists


Ticket sale has started some days ago and you can buy here:


Ticket prices are:

  • 30,00 Euro (Pre-Order)
  • 35,00 Euro (Box Office)

Last year those Eurovision acts performed live on stage:

This years Eurovision acts will be anounced soon..

Details about the event location you can find here: 


Find out more about the Eurovision Gala Night 2014 here: 

Friday, June 20, 2014

New Single: Ryan Dolan - "Fall To The Floor" out now!

Ryan Dolan - 'Fall To The Floor'
(Released: 20.06.2014)
Last year represented Ryan Dolan his country Ireland at the Eurovsion Song Contest in Malmö with the song 'Only Love Survives'. After his bad end result in the grand final (he came last) he survived and now it's time for his new single. 

Do you remember 'Only Love Survives'?? Follow the link to watch again his Eurovision performance:
Today Ryan released his new single called 'Fall To The Floor' today. The very well done song is available on iTunes and you can listen to 'Fall To The Floor' on Spotify:
"This is a track that I co-wrote with my good friend Wez Devine (also co-writer of 'Only Love Survives') over 3 years ago. The track has been re-prodcued and I can't wait for you all to hear it! :-)" said Ryan.  

The video for 'Fall To The Floor' will be out very soon...

Ryan Dolan - 'Fall To The Floor' (Video Shot)

Earlier this year Ryan had his coming out as he released his single 'Start Again'. He talked about his sexuality very open in a interview on a Irish radio station.

You wanna see Ryan Dolan live? He will play live on 28th of September in Dublin at 'The Button Factory'. Get your tickets for only 15€ here:


You can buy 'Start Again' on iTunes (check the stores in your country). It's also possible to listen it on Spotify or watch the official video.

Ryan also works these days on a collaboration single with Zenemy. The song is called 'Higher' and planed to be released end of July. His new album his planed to be released this summer...
"I have been working very hard in the studio for the past number of months on a new album with my new band. My new album will be a mixture of different genres with a little bit of something for everyone! A release date has not been confirmed yet but I plan to release it mid-August. Stay tuned! ;-)" Ryan said.

Get more informations about Ryan and follow him:  

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Eurovision Radio International: Tonight! Interviews with Suzry, Carl Espen & Rui Andrade


The Team of Radio International would like to invite you to this week's edition of the show with interviews with Eurovision performers, music and fun. Join in this Wednesday 18th of June 2014 from 8:00 - 11:00 pm  (cet) for the show containing interviews from the Eurovision Song Contest 2014.

Radio International - The Ultimate Eurovision Experience, is extremely happy that the show is also aired on the following radio stations:

Show details 18.06.2014:

  • Interview with Suzy (Portugal 2014)
  • Interview with Carl Espen (Norway 2014) 
  • Interview with Rui Andrade (Backing Vocalist for Russia 2014)
  • Eurovision Spotlight: Eurovision Songwriters: with Ross Bennett
  • Eurovision Cover with David Mann  
  • New Music Releases by Eurovision artists as broadcast time permits
  • further items are Eurovision News with Luke, Famous Clip Quiz, your Eurovision music requests, and loads more. 

For further details visit the Radio International website here:


Join Radio International on Wednesday, 18th of June 2014 from 8:00 - 11:00 pm (cet), via the website or on FM. Radio International is available live via www.radiointernational.tv and on FM 106.8, Digital Cabel Channel 781 in parts of the Netherlands and via www.livestream.com/radint. Should you not be able to listen live, the show will appear in the Programme’s Show Archive a few hours after it’s airing on the radio.


Follow those links and be always up to date about Eurovision Radio International:

New Single 'Školjka' from Dino Merlin out now!


Dino Merlin represented Bosnia & Herzegovina at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Düsseldorf with the song 'Love In Rewind'. At the end he reached 6th place in the Eurovision final with 125 points. This is the best result in the Eurovision history for Bosnia & Herzegovina. Do you remember his song?


Dino Merlin released 'Školjka' (Shell) as second single from his upcoming 11th album called 'Hotel Nacional'. The song was written by Dino Merlin and Džemaludin Latić and recorded 2013 in Sarajevo and London.

National broadcaster BHT premiered the official video right before the football match between Bosnia & Herzegovina against Argentina at the FIFA World Cup being held in Brazil and viewed by approximately 2 million people.  Have you already seen the new video?


The video was shot in September 2013 in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. The director of the accompanying music video was Aladin Hasić, a well-known director from Switzerland who has already worked before with Dino Merlin when shooting the music video for Dino's 2008 song called "Deset mlađa" (Ten Years Younger).


Školjka was planed as first single from the new album. Due to the recent floods in Bosnia and surrounding countries it was chosen to release 'Ruža' (Rose) first in order to encourage the audience in the region to engage and assist the people affected by the floods by dialing the Red Cross telephone numbers displayed in the accompanying music video.


Find out more about Dino Merlin and follow him: 


Tuesday, June 17, 2014

New Single 'Olmaz Sensiz' from Can Bonomo released

Can Bonomo (© canbonomo.com)
The 27 years old singer Can Bonomo represented Turkey 2012 at the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku with the song 'Love Me Back'. In the grand final the song came 7th with 120 points. After his participation Turkey stoped taking part at the Eurovision Song Contest the last two years. Will Turkey return in 2015?! We will seee..

Do you remember Can Bonomo and his song 'Love Me Back'? Watch again his Eurovision performance..

'Love Me Back' (Performance Eurovision 2012)



Can Bonomo released last year the album 'Aşktan ve Gariplikten' which includes 13 tracks. Have yo already listened the album?




Beginning of June Can released the video for the new single 'Olmaz Sensiz'. Single and video is available on iTunes. Check the stores in your country!

NEW SINGLE: 'Olmaz Sensiz'


Find out more about Can Bonomo and follow him: 
(© canbonomo.com)



Monday, June 16, 2014

Exclusive Interview with Ilias Kozas: "Don’t think about the past, don’t think about the future - present is much more important."

Ilias Kozas in Germany (Cologne,Luxor - 30.05.2014)

The band Koza Mostra feat. Agathonas Iakovidis represented Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in Malmö with their song 'Alcohol Is Free'. The song did it very well in the Grand Final and reached 5th place at the end with 152 points.

Watch their Eurovision 2013 performance of 'Alcohol Is Free':



We had the chance to talk to Ilias Kozas (band singer and guitar player) on 30th of May in Cologne before their first German concert. Read our interview below to find out what he had to say...

Sunday, June 15, 2014

ESC 2015; possible venues for the 60th ESC


On friday, the deadline for proposals for cities and venues ended. Even it is unknown how many bids the Austrian broadcaster now have received there are cities and venues which have confirmed their bids and their interest to host the 60th Eurovision Song Contest.

The requirements the ORF and the EBU has set are:

  • around 10.000 places for the audiance
  • 6.000 m² space for the backstage area
  • 4.000 m² for the press center
  • must be available six weeks prior the final 
And this are the known venues which have confirmed their interest. 

Vienna - City hall

Capacity: 16.000 
This venue is in the heart of Austrian capital city. Unclear is the availability of the city hall in the weeks before the final. A number of events are scheduled during the time. 

Vienna - Fair Trade Hall

Capacity: 15.000
This venue is still in the capital city, but may not face the availability problems like the city hall but is not as central as the other venue in Vienna.

Innsbruck - Olympia hall

Capacity: 12.000
Innsbruck has much experience in hosting major event. The city has been the host city for Olympia and football matches during the European Championship 2008. Capacity and availability is according the the head of Olympiahallen Michael Bielowski not an issue. 

Graz - city hall

Capacity: 11.030
Stadthalle Graz was one of the venue of the handball european Championship. 

Oberwart - Burgenlandhalle

Capacity: 10.000
This venue is the main address for big events in the area called Burgenland in Austria. Logistic could be a problem for this venue. 

Unterpremstätten - Davis Cup Hall

Capacity: 10.000 - 38.000
The flexibility in the capacity is one of the advantage of the venue. Also that with the Davis Cup the venue and Unterpremstätten has experience in hosting such a big event. 

Wels - Fair Trade hall 

Capacity: 11.000
For this venue also logistic can be a problem due to it has not big experience for big events. 

Which venue it will be ORF will announce in a few weeks, when they have had a look through all the bids fo next years ESC. 

Sources:

5 weeks at the ESC-throne: Conchita Wurst's experiences after this years victory


Conchita Wurst took the stage for Austria in this years ESC in Copenhagen. With a sovereign victory in the second semifinal she also came on the top of the field and took back home the ESC to Austria after 48 years.

Since then many things happened in Conchitas life. There were congratulations from all over the world. Stars like Cher, Udo Jürgens and Lady Gaga were impressed by her performance on stage. Lady Gaga even invited her to be a part of her tour. Joinuseurovision reported (see here).

After coming home to Austria she gave an Open Air Concert in downtown of Vienna in front of 10.000 fans.  This was her thank to all the people who believed in her and her song. See our report here. But more came after that.

Axel Hirsoux from Belgium and Ovi from Romania who were competitors to Conchita in Copenhagen gave a special tribute to her. Axel sang a cover version of 'rise like a phoenix' (we reported here). With that he wanted show his respect to this years winner and for all what she stands for. The same did Ovi from Romania. Dressed in a red dress he did a show for tolerance to those of other sexual orientations (read more here)

Conchita also were a guest at this year life ball in Vienna and can be seen at different Christopher Street Days in Europe. In Cologne there is her Sister called Conchita Wurst 4711, who is a part of the gay scene in  the city.

This is a part what happened through the last 5 weeks and there for sure is more to come. In Germany for example there are already rumors that Conchita may be part of the jury of the German version of the castingshow 'idol'. If there will be more we will report. So stay tuned.

Find out more about Conchita and what happens in her life with following her:





Saturday, June 14, 2014

TwinTwin: Inside report of the Eurovision experience

This years entry from France Twin Twin now released a 20 minute video which includes the experiences of the group during their stay in Copennhagen. During their stay in Copenhagen they filmed their life behind the scenes, what they have done and what they experienced in this years ESC-City.

Twin Twin - Eurovision Inside



Twin Twin were singing on the 14th position of the grand final. But their song 'Moustache' came last with just 2 points from Europe. Even the atmosphere were always good, when they performed their song in Copenhagen and on stage, Europe decided in another way.

This was the their performance in Copenhagen.


Find out more about Twin Twin and follow them:

Update: ESC 2015: the number of particpants is growing (14.06.2014)




More then one month after Conchita Wurst has won the Eurovision Song Contest the numbers of countries which will participate in the 60th Eurovision Song Contest next year is growing, while in other countries the discussion is ongoing, if the country should participate in Austria next year.

Countries which will participate:

The following countries will participate in one of the Semifinals next May:

Armenia, Belarus, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland

From the BIG 5 the following Countries will participate and join Austria in the Big Final:

Germany and United Kingdom


Discussions in following countries:


Georgia: Due to suspected fraud in 2014s jury-voting of Georgia, EBU may ban the country for three years.

Greece: 10 years after the victory it is likely that Greece will also participate in 2015 even due to the bad result for Greece there were rumors about a greek withdrawal.

Italy: Also it is not yet confirmed, that Italy will participate in 2015, the official Italian facebook page reports: Let's go to Vienna!

Israel: There are rumors about the government have plans to close down Israels broadcaster IBA. If this will become real, the participation of Israel is in question.

Marocco: Broadcaster 2M TV applied for an active EBU Membership to bring back the North African country back into the competition. Marocco has been part in the ESC once 1980. 

Monaco: Rumors telling that Monegaasque singer Josh Stanley was in discussion with broadcaster TMC for him representing Monaco in 2015.

San Marino: Indirect a participation is confirmed. Valentina Monetta will not compete again and there are ambitions to find a male artist for next year.

Serbia: On a press conference of the Serbian broadcaster RTS it was said, that it is very likely that Serbia will return into the ESC in 2015 again

Czech Republic: Due to bad interest of viewers it is unlikely that Czech Republic will return to the ESC in 2015, Kamilia Kaislerova said.

Turkey: After the victory of Conchita Wurst, the islamic-conservative government criticizes the sexual innuendos during the performances and homosexual artists. There is no confirmation but it is unlikely that Turkey will return in 2015.

Countries which will not participate:

Andorra: Also in 2015 Andorra will not be participate in the ESC next year. 

Slowakia: The Slowakian RTVS broadcaster announced in a press conference that also in 2015 Slowakia will not participate due to lack of sponsorship.  



Sources: 

Sanna Nielsen on the opera in Malmö


'Dr. Zhivago' is the name of the musical play in which Sanna Nielsen will take over woman's main character. From tomorrow, Sanna will be in Malmö for rehearsals with the musical crew. Before she had some rehearsals on her own, but is very exited about meeting other people and musicans. In her blog she also confess about a little nervousness about the fact, that she should have learned all the lines and music before and about that this is very much stuff. Sanna can been seen in the main character in Dr. Zhivago from the 29th of August when it is premier time until 31st of January 2015. Tickets you can buy here. (Swedish site)

About Sanna: 


Sanna Nielsen were participant in the meldodifestivalen 7 times until she got the ticket to represent Sweden in Copenhagen this year. With her song 'undo' she was of the big favorite of the Eurovision Song Contest fans this year to take home the trophy. Behind Austria and Conchita Wurst and the Netherlands represented by the Common Linnets she came third.

Here you can see her performance again:


Find out more about Sanna and follow her:


  • Sanna Nielson (eurovision.tv)
  • Sanna Nielson (youtube - channel)
  • Sanna Nielson (homepage)
  • Sanna Nielson (facebook)

  • About the Musical Dr. Zhivago

    The musical 'Dr. Zhivago' was composed by Lucy Simon. When she sang together with her Sister Carly in 'The Simon Sister' she had the idea to transport the Russian novel from Boris Pasternak on the musical stage. She worked together with Michael Korie, Amy Powers and Michael Weller and the musical had it's world premier in May 2006. A new version of the musical were very popular in Australia ´and ran in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in 2011 under the titel 'Dr. Zhivago - A New Musical'. 

    Find out more about Dr. Zhivago (novel) here and Dr. Zhivaog (musical) here