Ketil Stokkan is probably remembered among fans for his two appearances at the contest, but few are probably unaware of the fact that he has had a long music career in his native Norway. Things were quiet around Stokkan up until the release of his album Ta Mæ in 2011. Stokkan is to make a… Read more
Swiss broadcaster SF was one of the first off the mark in confirming the date for their national final, set for the 15th of December. Further details surrounding their selection process was announced on the SF website today. Schweizer Fernsehen, together with french language broadcaster RTS and Italian language broadcaster RSI are pooling their resources… Read more
Weekend revellers who by chance happened to be at the popular venue Gamli Gaukurinn in Reykjavík were in for a rare treat, with the chance to see both Russell Crowe and Magni on the same stage! Saturday saw the close of the cultural event Menningarnótt in Reykjavík. What was otherwise shaping up to be an… Read more
Some of you who followed the Icelandic national selection this year may well remember a striking looking woman by the name of Rósa Birgitta Ísfeld singing the cooky Stund Með Þér in the final. She may have failed to reach the top three, but now has an overseas album release as a nice consolation prize.… Read more
She may not have wowed the audiences with her poperatic Eurovision entry La Voix, but if she sticks to what she knows best, ie opera, it seems as if all that Malena Ernman touches turns to gold. Her latest opera stint in Vienna is no exception. Last weekend saw Malena Ernman take to the stage… Read more
After My Impossible Dream failed to impress at the Eurovision Song Contest in Kiev, Glennis Grace’s career took something of a nosedive. Miracles do happen however, and last year she experienced a formidable comeback. With a new single and album out, plus a sell out concert, the future is looking rosy for Ms Grace. The… Read more
Lena Philipsson was once one of the biggest stars on the Swedish pop galaxy. But in the time leading up to the announcement of the break up with her husband Per Holknekt, the star lost her sparkle and became something of a hermit. But fear not, because she is back, bold as brass, as attendees… Read more
As tradition goes, Swedish schlager fans usually have a summer highlight to look forward to, when the annual Diggiloo summer tour comes to town during the course of July and August. Lasse Holm has been the compere for the event for the last ten years, but according to Swedish media has now decided to step… Read more
Besides hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, SVT have already started working on their national final. As usual, SVT wish to attract big names to their national selection and it is strongly rumoured that veteran Tommy Körberg will make his return. Tabloid Expressen reports today that organiser of the 2013 Melodifesltivalen SVT has two time Swedish… Read more
The departure of Per Sundnes from Norwegian broadcaster NRK as lead figure of the popular Melodi Grand Prix caused shockwaves, taking many be surprise. His decision to quit was perhaps extra disappointing for NRK as he left to begin at a rival channel. Now his sidekick Marte Stokstad is also to leave the show, it… Read more
Song #1 gave Russian girl group Serebro a massive hit, charting in no fewer than five countries. The trio has had a string of hits under various guises, but overseas acclaim proved ellusive after their initial breakthrough up until last year. The girls’ career also reached a milestone in their homeland with their recent nomination… Read more
Prior to representing his native Sweden with Just Nu! in 1980, Tomas Ledin could already look back on an eight year long career. Just Nu! gave him his first number one and he has gone on to become one of Sweden’s most respected artists, with a career spanning forty years. Ledin intends to celebrate in… Read more
Spanish-Austrian Manuel Ortega had it all at one point. He had the looks, the moves and a catchy tune, when performing Say A Word for Austria at the 2002 Eurovision Song Contest. Things have been pretty quite around the artist lately, so fans will be thrilled to learn that he is back looking and sounding better… Read more
Although Lukas and Manuel from Trackshittaz didn’t succeed in getting the whole of Europe to Woki mit deim Popo, their entry still kept them laughing all the way to the bank, providing them with a monster hit in Austria. They hope to achieve similar success with their newest release, Geila Ois. Since bursting onto the… Read more
Elisabeth Andreassen or Bettan as she is known to her fans first sang her way into the hearts of many Norwegians back in 1985 as one half of Bobbysocks. Since then, she has gone on to become one of the most popular artists in Norway. The cabaret show Showgirls gave Andreassen even more success, playing a… Read more
Stockholm may have lost out to Malmö in the fight to host next years contest, but that isn’t stopping the city from getting into the Eurovision party mood with a jam packed line up for the annual Stockholm Pride event. The annual cultural event in the Swedish capital Stockholm Pride is just around the corner again… Read more
Once a group, now a trio, German schalger veterans Wind are still going strong after more than twenty years in the business and have just released their latest single Viel Mehr (Much More). Twice the bridesmaid, never the bride, group Wind have been so unlucky in the Eurovision stakes, coming second twice for Germany with… Read more
If you find yourself in Amsterdam this summer at a loose end with nothing better to do on a Sunday, then you should definitely make your way to Museumplein on the 25th and the 26th of that month as you will have the opportunity to get up close and personal to a number of Eurovision… Read more
Quirky Russian rockers Mumiy Troll are currently sailing around the world on board the ship Sedov and have their latest english langauge album Vladivostok was given a simulatneous April release in the US and Russia. Now it’s the turn of the UK, with the band making a number of appearances there this summer. The Olympics… Read more
Last week Anouk caused quite a stir when she lunged out at Dutch broadcaster TROS both in the media and on her website. Recent developments have made this start to look like a soap opera. Renowned artist Anouk did not mince her words last week, as she told of her dissappointment in the Dutch broadcaster… Read more
Irish folk music exports Dervish want to thank the loyalty of their Irish fans by giving back this summer. And what better way to contribute by taking part in a non profit charitable event under the auspices of the Irish president himself. Sextet Dervish have established themselves asone of the forerunners of the Irish folkmusic… Read more
Young artist Sieneke scored a massive hit with the Dutch 2010 Eurovision Song Contest entry Ik Ben Verliefd (Sha-La-Lie). Woeful times followed, when the artist split with her manager. But that’s all firmly in the past now, as the artist returns to the limelight with both a new single and a new album. Fans of… Read more
Winner of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest Loreen almost sparked a diplomatic crisis whilst in Baku as she made her views known against the regime in Azerbaijan, taking part in the Sing For Democracy rally. Since then however, the artists appears to have softened her stance somewhat, choosing to perform for one of Europe’s most notorious dictators. Swedish… Read more
Much water has passed under the bridge since charmer Mickey Harte stood on stage and sang for Ireland with We’ve Got The World Tonight at the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest in Riga. The artist has shown a marked development since then and has just recently treated Americans to his own brand of pop-rock. Mickey Harte got… Read more
Speculation reached fever pitch when John De Mol, producer of this year’s Nationaal Songfestival recently stated that he would gladly contact Dutch superstar Anouk in the hope of attracting her to take part in the national selection. Anouk reveals however a slightly different side of the story on her website. It has happened a number of times in recent… Read more
Natasha St. Pier has, like her counterparts Céline Dion and Lara Fabian a place in the elite club of chanteuses representing another country at the Eurovision Song Contest. Her entry Je N’ai Que Mon Âme opened many doors for her to the French speaking market and Francophile fans can rejoice, as she returns with a… Read more