Bulgaria began their selection procedure for the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest tonight. 22 acts performed in the semi final. 12 acts made it to the final to be held on 29 February. They were determined by a combination of SMS voting and and expert academy/jury voting.
The acts and songs taking part tonight were –
- New 5 – Chance for better life – Upbeat and lively start to the show. New 5 are four girls and one guy. They are casually dressed. The girls are dressed the same in black trousers and jackets and the same t-shirts. The male has a shirt and jeans. Deep Zone Project are involved with production. Good start to the show.
- Vyara Pantaleyeva – Vyara – Gentle ballad. Vyara has a powerful voice. She is dressed in a beautiful long red dress.
- Sonya Ivanova – Finalna lyubov – A charming ballad by Sonya. She is dressed in a long black dress. There is a female dancer on stage with her.
- Monika Kirovska – You are my angel – Another gentle ballad. Monika is alone stage. She is dressed in black trousers and patterned blouse.
- Margarita Hranova – Proshka – Margarita performs yet another old fashioned ballad. She is dressed in long red dress and accompanied by a male guitarists. Wake me up!
- Sunnie – Shut your mouth and do it – At last! A change of pace. This is an upbeat r’n’b pop song. Sunnie is dressed in a short silver dress and has two male dancers and three girl backing singers.
- Tsvetelin Atasanov-Elvisa feat. DZ – Love goes around – Rhythmic dance song. The male/female due are joined on stage by two girl backing vocalists and two girl dancers. A happy song.
- Steliyana Hristova – Putyat – A very strong performance of this ballad. Steliyana is dressed in long black dress and joined by two girl and male backing vocalists.
- Viktoriya Dimitrova – Novo nebe – A pretty melodic ballad. Two male and two female backing vocalists are on stage and a girl ballet dancer. Viktoriya is dress a pretty white dress.
- Teni Omede – Without you – Teni is dressed all in white. He is on stage with a female dancer and there are two girl and one male backing vocalists. This song has a Spanish feel to it.
- Alex & 4Give – Dream – Alex is wearing a black dress where the lower half is shaped like an umbrella! 4Give are a four piece male band plying guitars, keyboard and drums. A light rock type song. I forgot it already
- Todor Gadzhalov – Still love you – Todor begins sitting on a bench. A rock ballad. There is a violin used to make a good affect.
- Dess – Love is alive – This is an ethnic dance song. Dess is dressed in all white. She is joined by two male dancers and has one girl and two male on backing vocals. My personal favourite of the evening so far.
- Georgi Vurbanov – This is my green wave – Georgi is dressed in all black leather. A rock type song with some bagpipes.
- Sofi Marinova – Prosto lyubov – This is an uptempo dancing with the type of rythym associated with Inna from Romania. This could be a Euroclub favourite. Sofi is dressed in green and black. Very good performance by Sofi. Strong vocals too.
- Better Than Grey – Dream – The first all out rock song of the evening. Better Than Grey are a four piece band.
- Svetozar Hristov – Keep me down – Svetozar begins at the piano with two backing female vocalists. Then he raps and the chorus is quite strong. A haunting but effective song.
- Rene Ranev – Alone – Rene sings this rock ballad very well. He is dressed in black shirt and blue jeans. He is joined by two female backing vocalists.
- Bee In The Bonnet – You are the world – Bee In The Bonnet are a four piece band consisting of one female vocalist and three males on guitars and drums. An acoustic sound.
- Simona Sivanio – Eternal – A strong ballad by Simona with some operatic vocals. She is joined by three female backing vocalists. This song is co-composed by Rita Pace from Malta.
- Ivailo Kolev feat. Hipnotik – Searching for the words – Ivailo sings this strong romantic ballad very well. He is joined by four piece girl violin group, Hipnotic.
- Go Week – The way you see the world – Four piece male band perform this pop rock song.
The SMS voting begins with a short reprise of all 22 songs. The interval included the female string rock/pop quartet, Strings.
The 12 acts to make it to the final are Tsvetelin Atasanov-Elvisa feat. DZ, New 5, Rene Ranev, Go Week, Simona Sivanio, Svetozar Hristov, Vyara Pantaleyeva, Ivailo Kolev feat. Hipnotik, Steliyana Hristova, Todor Gadzhalov, Dess and Sofi Marinova.
