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Post by Admin on Apr 10, 2016 20:18:59 GMT
Greta – full name Greta Salome Stefansdottir – is no stranger to the Eurovision stage, having already represented Iceland in 2012 with fellow singer Jonsi and the dramatic ballad Never Forget (which in spite of an impressive performance could only muster up 20th place on the night). Well Hear Them Calling isn’t that dissimilar to some of the songs that have scored victories of late – albeit with a slightly more dramatic tone – with its winsome female vocals, drum-led chorus and tricksy visual accompaniment drawing comparisons to Denmark’s 2013 winner Only Teardrops and last year’s Swedish winning song Heroes. We’re not quite sure why, since it reminds us more of something by Of Monsters And Men (you may know them from the hit single Little Talks) – who, we should point out, are an Icelandic band. So it sounds pretty authentic to us. And we suspect voters may well for its charms.
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Post by Admin on Apr 12, 2016 20:03:08 GMT
Eurovision 2016 is on its way, with the annual songfest taking place in Stockholm on May 10, 12 and 14. But with all of this year’s 43 songs now chosen, who’ll be hoovering up the ‘douze points’ – and who’ll be left scrabbling around at the bottom of the scoreboard? This is a recap of the entries participating in the second Semi - Final of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in order of appearance.
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Post by Admin on Apr 18, 2016 20:15:30 GMT
"For me, representing Austria at the Eurovision Song Contest is not only the greatest honour of all, but also a chance to reach all of Europe with my music", ZOË explains. The young singer took part in the Austrian pre-selection show for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2016 for the second time - and on 12 February, she was chosen to represent her country out of ten acts with her song Loin d'ici by a combined jury and televoting procedure. Zoe Straub's talent for music and love of chanson run in her family: the 19-year old Viennese artist is the daughter of Papermoon's founder Christof Straub. Zoe has been active as a singer and songwriter since 2013, her songs being the product of musical cooperation with her father. Alongside music, Zoe is also a TV personality and actress. Zoe is a European with her heart and soul. The blend of European cultures, languages and regional musical traditions is meant to obliterate borderlines and stimulate the European idea. Her earliest memory of the Song Contest: "I guess I was some five years old and my parents were watching the Song Contest in their bedroom. I should have been fast asleep, but I eavesdropped at the door."
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Post by Admin on Apr 25, 2016 20:11:30 GMT
Zoë, – L’oin d’ici, Austria After years of poor Eurovision results and a couple of years out due to exasperation (or financial issues to use the official excuse), Austria came back with Queen Conchita and won the whole thing in 2014. It was their first win since England won the World Cup in 1966! Last year, they got back to normal, picking up the dreaded ‘nul points’ on home turf. #awkward This year, you can’t get much more Eurovisiony than a nice girl from a Germanic nation singing in French, wearing a wedding dress on a running machine. Kaliopi – Dona, Macedonia A good night out in London usually ends up with a Dona Kebab, and Kalipi looks set to kebab a few opponents with her Dona entry for Macedonia this year. She’s hugely popular with Eurovision fans after reaching 12th place in the 2012 final in Baku, Azerbaijan. She’s performing Dona in Macedonian rather than switching to English and it retains a strong Balkan theme of rock-pop. With the return of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia to the competition this year, she should benefit and I’d expect Dona to storm into the Eurovision final in Stockholm. Ira Losco – Walk on Water, Malta Ira Losco returns to the Eurovision Song Contest 14 years after reaching second place for Malta and becoming one of the country’s most loved superstars. She ran away with the Maltese national final this year but many felt her song Chameleon wasn’t able to win Eurovision, so she changed it! The people of Malta believe in this little lady and her new song, aptly named ‘Walk on Water’ is expected to do very well in Sweden.
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Post by Admin on May 2, 2016 20:02:20 GMT
The EBU has released the official guidelines for the use of flags in the Eurovision audience. But as well as the usual size restrictions, there is now a list of specifically prohibited flags – and that’s left some groups unhappy. The usual size restrictions apply. Flags without a stick must be no bigger than 120 x 80 cm, and flags with a stick must be no bigger than 60 x 40 cm, with the stick no bigger than 50 cm and made of plastic. This is to ensure that flags don’t end up blocking camera shots or getting in the way of other audience members. The rainbow flag (also known as the LGBT pride flag) and the European Union flag are also allowed (or “tolerated”, as the policy states), but only if they are not “used as a tool to intentionally make a political statement during the show”. So don’t go waving that EU flag during Joe and Jake’s song. But banned are local, regional or provincial flags, ones with commercial messages, political or religious statements, flags of disputed territories, offensive statements, non-English statements, and other high objects (such as selfie sticks) that may obstruct views.
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