Dutch entrants 3JS are currently busy in the studio, recording the english version of their winning song Je Vecht Nooit Alleen. Whether or not the english version will remain close to the original Dutch version is not yet known, as only the title has been revealed as being Never Alone. 3JS publicity manager Paul Jong… Read more
Although young Sieneke’s Ik Ben Verliefd (Sha-La-Lie) failed to bring the Netherlands to the final in Oslo last year, the ambitious songtress has no regrets about her participation and fondly looks back on the event that took place almost a year ago. The fresh faced 19 year old says to Dutch tabloid De Telegraaf that the song… Read more
Tonight’s final was brought to us from the culture house, otherwise known as Jūras Vārti from the bustling seaside resort of Ventspils. After a close race, the combined choice of the Latvian viewing public and the jury showed that Musiqq was the favourite and the lucky act to snatch the ticket to Düsseldorf. Just who would… Read more
Following Miro’s failure to qualify last year in Oslo, the pressure is on for the Bulgarians to deliver the goods this year. They have placed the task in the hands of Poli Genova to ensure a place in the final in Düsseldorf. 23 songs had originally qualified for tonight’s show, broadcast from Sofia’s National Palace of Culture. From the original… Read more
According to the latest statistics from TNS Gallup, the Norwegian final of Melodi Grand Prix 2011 proved once again to be one of the most watched programmes of the year. 1,295,000 viewers or roughly a quarter of the country’s population tuned in to watch Stella cruise to victory. The number of viewers gave broadcaster NRK… Read more
According to French Eurovision website eurovision-fr.net, the French entry for Düsseldorf is supposed to be aired today on the radio station France Bleue. As reported earlier, it was rumoured that Amaury Vassili was one of the two contenders in the running to represent France, which has since been confirmed. Young Amaury’s entry, Sognu (Dream) will… Read more
Over the course of the past two weeks, 10 acts have managed to qualify from the preliminary rounds of Eirodziesma to make it to the Latvian final. Elīna Krastiņa-Grence and Ivo Grīsniņš-Grīslis tasted victory tonight, thus making the line up for next Saturday’s final from Ventspils complete. Out of a total of 71 songs submitted to state broadcaster Latvijas… Read more
Despite predictions of a walkover victory in this year’s Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins, Jóhanna shockingly failed to reach the top and gain the right to represent the saga nation for a second time at the Eurovision Song Contest. Fans reacted with disbelief when Sjónni’s Friends were announced as the Icelandic representatives with Aftur Heim. Jóhanna’s fans need not… Read more
Following Stella Mwangi’s impressive victory on Saturday, reactions to her perfomance in the press have been mixed, to put it mildly. According to many her vocal prestation left a lot to be desired, whereas others are eager to point out that African rhythms have no place in representing Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest. Even though she… Read more
Pictures taken at the final of the Norwegian Melodi Grand Prix 2011, Oslo Spektrum. Read more
With five more acts going straight through to the grand final of Eirodziesma, the line up is starting to shape up nicely. The remaining 5 artists tonight live to fight another day, advancing to the last chance round on the 19th of February. It seems like those responsible at LTV haven’t done their job properly… Read more
The past week has seen preparations for the Norwegian Melodi Grand Prix gather pace as the press have whipped themselves into a frenzy over this year’s participants. Gossip, intrigue, drama and the all important publicity make this one of the most anticipated finals in years. Stella Mwangi has remained out of the spotlight for much… Read more
A dress rehearsal is often a useful and accurate indication of how things are shaping up ahead of a major event, and Melodi Grand Prix is no exception. Having sat through and studied all eight performances, here is Eurovisionary’s verdict of the acts and their songs so far. The stage: Is of a similar design… Read more
Dozens of eager fans, both Norwegian and some from as far afield as Germany, Sweden, Ireland and the UK made their way to the Hard Rock Café in Oslo yesterday evening in order to experience what has almost become an annual tradition. The past few years, Per Sundnes, popular figurehead of Melodi Grand Prix, has taken… Read more
These images were taken at the annual get together arranged by Per Sundnes and the OGAE Norway fan club, giving fanas the unique opportunity to meet and briefly interact with the participating artists of the Melodi Grand Prix show. The happening usually takes place at the Hard Rock Café in Oslo the evening before the… Read more
As one of a select number of invited guests, Eurovisionary were fortunate enough to be able to attend the launch of Magne Hovden’s book, Melodi Grand Prix yesterday. We were promised an evening of glitter and glamour with one or two surprises and publisher Aschehoug certainly didn’t dissappoint. The event began at 7 pm with… Read more
With the first heat of Eirodziesma behind us and the first 5 finalists already known, the second of in all fours shows is just around the corner. If you fancy studying the form of this next batch of hopefuls, here’s a little background information to help you on your way. If last week’s show was anything… Read more
With anticipation reaching new heights in the build up to this year’s Melodi Grand Prix, featuring a number of well known names as well as clear public favourites, NRK has tonight revealed the line up of this year’s final on Saturday the 12th February. The running order of the show to be brought to you… Read more
Blitze, Grupa Pieneņu Vīns, Evija Sloka, Jānis Stībelis and D-Family were the first five acts to be given their tickets to the final of Eirodziesma tonight. Latvia got their season underway tonight, with the seaside resort of Ventspils playing host to the event as in previous years. LTV had decided to return to the format of previous years… Read more
Latvia kicks off its season of Eirodziesma on Saturday the 5th of February from Ventspils and their selection process will consist of two semi finals, with the grand final being held on the 12th of February. Following the recent death of Mārtiņš Freimanis, it will be interesting to see if this will affect the placing… Read more
NRK have revealed that the two acts that gained the highest number of votes coming in 5th in their respective heats will be given another chance and invited to perform once again in the Siste Sjansen heat from Sarpsborg on February the 5th. The two acts that were given another chance were Gata’s Parlament and… Read more
The dust has barely settled after Saturday’s heat of Melodi Grand Prix from Skien, and the new week sees winner Stella Mwangi soar to the top of the Norwegian iTunes chart. Her song Haba Haba first entered the charts at #80, then leapfrogging up the chart to #4 before capturing the top spot. The meteroic… Read more
The stage transported around the country in conjunction with the Norwegian Melodi Grand Prix was stolen last night, a mere week before the second chance round is to be broadcast from Sarpsborg. The trailer stood parked in a small town, about 30 minutes outside of Oslo when thieves made their move, NRK reports today. The… Read more
Following a rather mysterious announcement via Twitter earlier tonight, the BBC have revealed that for the first time since 1994, they have made an internal selection in choosing the United Kingdom entry for the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest. And the act to represent the UK is going to be none other than Blue! Yes folks,… Read more
And there we have it! The last three acts have been chosen by the Icelandic public tonight, and with Sjonni’s Friends, Jógvan and Magni winning their heat, the line up for the final of Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins is now complete. All good things must come to an end, and so tonight saw the final heat of Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins before… Read more
Greek-German songstress Vicky Leandros has been awarded a prestigious title by the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, it was announced in various Luxemburgisch media today. Grand Duke Henri bestowed upon her the title "Commander of the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg". The reason behind the presentation was the longstanding relationship between the… Read more