Malta: Songs released in full!

Finally TVM  has released all the competing songs in full! YAY - I must say, there are some gems! Especially considering that Malta have sent trash recently (sorry to all my Maltese friends!).

To watch all the competing songs click here!  My personal favourite is Claudia Faniello - I really hope she can finally make it to ESC, she totally deserves it! I also like Raquela and Amber! Who would you like to represent Malta in Malmo? Soon I will upload my favourites and least favourites! Malta can finally do well. I wish them the  best of luck ...

Here is Claudia's attempt... <3

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Another offer on the table!

Yesterday BHRT (FTV) decided to withdraw from Eurovision 2013 however it was announced that RTRS may take over the commitments of ESC. Now it seems that FaceTV wants to take over the responsibilities!

They are offering to hold a national final with 20 songs and also Balkan group Zoster want to represent the country, where they will pay the full costs! Talk about drama! They will also give the broadcasting rights to BHRT - how can they say no? I think that Bosnia will be in Malmo, eventually - or at least I hope so!

Here are the possible Bosnian representatives for 2013...

Bulgaria: Participation in serious doubt!

We all thought that Bulgaria was definitely going to be in Malmo however it seems that may not be the case! Why?

The reason being partly because Turkey decided to leave blaming the new EBU rules, so it is perfect time for them to make a statement. Bulgaria is also suffering budget cuts and they have not made the final since 2007 - that doesn't help matters. Many fans are very worried - will BNT withdraw? If they did, it would mean that 5 countries have decided to pull out of Malmo - the EBU must look at this and so something quickly! Bulgaria's participation could go anyway so stay tuned!

Will there be a Bulgarian entry in Malmo? I really don't know...

Slovenia: Participation confirmed!

The Slovenian participation was very unclear and in doubt due to their financial difficulties, however the director of RTV Slovenija has announced that the country will be in Malmo!

There is finally some good news after Bosnia & Herzegovina and Turkey announced that they would withdraw only yesterday.  It is currently unclear how Slovenia will select their entry for 2013 - however an internal selection does look likely given their financial situation! The full list of participants is expected to be released in a few days! There is still a small possibility that Greece... and Bulgaria could withdraw - we will find out soon! I know what you thinking, Bulgaria? Unfortunately they could be joining Portugal, Slovakia, Turkey and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Will there be even more withdrawals? I hope not...

Eva Boto came 17th in Baku....

Here is a screen shot from Twitter (in Slovenian)!

Marko Filli@markofilli

15 Dec 12

Sprašujete, ali bo Slovenija letos na Eurosongu? Bo!

RTV Slovenija@RTV_Slovenija

Udeležba na izboru za Pesem Evrovizije 2013 potrjena RT@markofilli ali bo Slovenija prihodnje leto na Eurosongu? Bo! ;-)

Switzerland: "Die grosse Entscheidungs Show" tonight!

Today all eyes are on Switzerland! They will be choosing their entry for the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest - the Swiss are the second country to decide, as Belarus selected their entry last Friday!

The show is expected to start 20:10 CET! The Swiss have been preparing for tonight's show for sometime therefore I am looking forward to it! The winner will be decided by 100% televote. You can see my personal reviews of the entries here! The following acts will compete....

01. Ally – Catch Me
02. Chiara Dubey – Bella Sera (NF12)
03. Carrousel – J’avais Rendez-Vous
04. Anthony Bighead – Do The Monkey
05. Heilsarmee – You And Me
06. Nill Klemm – On My Way
07. Melissa – The Point Of No Return (Spainish NF11)
08. Nicolas Fraissinet – Lève-Toi
09. Jesse Ritch – Forever & A Day

Who do you want to see Switzerland represented by? You can vote for your favourite here on the poll, just above the Blog Archive! I am hoping for either Chiara, Ally or Carrousel - I just don't want that stupid monkey act to win. Here are all the participants!

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Will they be in Malmo?

This morning Bosnian broadcaster, BHRT, announced that they would not participate in Eurovision next year which is very sad news however... RTRS may take over the responsibility!

RTRS believes that Bosnia should send an entry to Malmo and thus may decide to participate! They are apparently in talkings with a band called Alexandria - and they could be the Bosnian representative! The reason why BHRT withdraw was completely because of their financial situation! They still CAN enter! The deadline for countries to announce their plans is either tomorrow, I believe!

...and I thought it was bad in Oslo with only 39; 2013 could see much less than that! :( Here is Maya Sar - maybe we will not hear Bosnian in Malmo...

Montenegro: RTCG will announce artist very soon!

Who will represent Montenegro in Malmo? It seems we will know in a few days time, according to ESCxtra.

Montenegro will be sending their 5th entry to Malmo and have never made the final Here is what Sabrija Vulić had to say...

"Eurovision is a very prestigious music festival, and it is very important for Montenegro to take part in it. It is a chance to promote not only music and songs from Montenegro, but also the country itself."

Who would you like to represent Montenegro? We should know early next week! Maybe with all these
countries withdrawing they will qualify! I would love to see some rock...

BREAKING NEWS: TURKEY WITHDRAWS FROM EUROVISION 2013!

This is a complete and utter shock - Turkey have announced that they will not participate in Malmo!

TRT do not confirm why they have decided to leave the contest however I (and friends of mine) believe it's because the draw will be decided by producers. Bosnia and Herzegovina have also decided to leave the contest but... I think there will be a development - stay tuned! Turkey seems to be following in Portugal's and Slovakia's steps and Greece and Slovenia are also still in serious doubt! Apparently it's even unlikely TRT will return for 2014 :(

What do you think about their decision? Enjoy their 2012 entry...

Estonia: Participants for Eesti Laul 2013 announced!

Today EER has announced the full list of participants for Eesti Laul! 157 songs were submitted to the Estonian broadcaster and after a jury has listened to them all, 20 remain! No Lenna Kuurmaa :(

Who would you like to represent Estonia? Here are the participants:

• Tenfold Rabbit – Balance of water & stone (Andres Kõpper, Meelik Samel, Martin Petermann)
• Facelift Deer – Dance (Rasmus Rändvee, Paal Piller, Karl Kallas)
• Elina Born – Enough (Stig Rästa, Fred Krieger)
• Birgit Õigemeel – Et uus saaks alguse (Mihkel Mattisen, Silvia Soro)
• Rosanna Lints – Follow me (Rolf Roosalu, Kristel Aaslaid, Mattias Hapsal)
• Neogeen – Lune surnoise (Raido Lilleberg, Kalle Raudmets, Mare Sabolotny)
• Marie Vaigla – Maybe (Raul Vaigla, Marie Vaigla)
• Winny Puhh – Meiecundimees uks korsakov läks eile lätti (Silver Lepaste, Indrek Vaheoja)
• Põhja-Tallinn – Meil on aega veel (Jaanus Saks, Mark Eric Kammiste, Alvar-Risto Vürst)
• Tauri – Miljoni roosiga kaardi sul saadan (Peeter Kaljuste, Marek Sadam)
• Flank – Missing light (Tõnn Tobreluts, Tauno Tamm, Keio Münti)
• Marilyn Jurman – Moving to mmm (Marilyn Jurman, Karl Kanter)
• Grete Paia – Päästke noored hinged (Grete Paia, Sven Lõhmus)
• Teele & Tuuli & Ula – Ring the alarm (Priit Uustulnd, Teele Viira)
• Kõrsikud – Suuda oelda ei (Andrus Albrecht, Alari Piispea, Lauri Liivak, Jaan Pehk)
• Sarah – Taevas valgeks läeb (Sirli Hiius, Mathura)
• Anisa Vänikver – The missing thing (Alar Kotkas, Pearu Paulus, Ilmar Laisaar, Jana Hallas)
• Liis Lemsalu – Uhhuu (Rene Puura, Liis Lemsalu)
• Liisi Koikson & Söörömöö – Üle vee (Immi)
• Rolf Roosalu – With u (Rolf Roosalu)

I must say - I'm looking forward to Sanremo more. ^^ But... lets wait for all of the songs, there could be some gems! Here is Grete Paia, who I do know and like...

Italy: Line up for Sanremo 2013 revealed!

The Italian broadcaster, RAI, has announced the full line up for Sanremo 2013 - the most popular Italian music contest. 

There are 14 artists in the established category - they will all sing 2 songs each, the first time this has happened! Recognisable names here are Moda, Marco Mengoni, Annalisa and the 2011 Italian representive Raphael Gualazzi! Sanremo is going to be awesome next year judging by this fantastic list! Here are the participants:

• Almamegretta: Mamma non lo sa & Onda che vai
• Annalisa: Non so ballare & Scintille
• Chiara: L'esperienza dell'amore & Il futuro che sarà
• Daniele Silvestri: A bocca chiusa & Il bisogno di te
• Elio e le storie tese: Dannati forever & La canzone mononota
• Malika Ayane: Niente & E se poi
• Marco Mengoni: Bellissimo & L'essenziale
• Maria Nazionale: Quando non parlo & E' colpa mia
• Marta sui tubi: Dispari & Vorrei
• Max Gazze': Sotto casa & I tuoi maledettisimi impegni
• Modà: Come l'acqua dentro il mare & Se si potesse non morire
• Raphael Gualazzi: Sai (ci basta un sogno) & Senza ritegno
• Simona Molinari & Peter Cincotti: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide & La felicità
• Simone Cristicchi: Mi manchi & La prima volta

Who would you like to represent Italy in Malmo? Moda is one of the participants who will return...

Spain: Will Sergio Dalma return?

According to sources close to TVE, the Spanish representative in 2013 is going to be a male - and it may be ESC veteran Sergio Dalma!

Sergio Dalma is one of the post popular and respected singers in Spain therefore I think he would be a good successor of the amazing Pastora Soler! Other names in the frame is Melendi and Miguel Bose. Sergio Dalma represented Spain back in 1991 where he achieved 4th place! Would you like him to return to Eurovision? I think it would be great. An announcement is due this weekend - it's all very exiting!

Here is Bailar pegados...

Another famous hit of his...

Cyprus: Giorgos Papadopoulos declines ESC offer!

It was almost certain that Giorgos Papadopoulos was going to represent Cyprus in Malmo, however he has declined CyBC's offer. Giorgos stated:

"  I was asked to do it two months ago which is a huge honor. The issue is time, you must devote five months for Eurovision and I don’t have time at the moment. I write songs for colleagues and have some upcoming concerts."

Now it is uncertain how Cyprus will select their entry for Malmo - a national final may be used however CyBC are yet to announce anything. Here is one of Giorgos's songs...

Moldova: Representative to be selected 2nd March!

First of all, let me say I love ESCToday's new design  it looks amazing! Moldovan broadcaster, TRM, has announced that their national final is planned for 2nd March!

Moldova are also inviting foreign composers - good call - look at the Latvian songs, some of them are amazing! The rules of the contest are going to be revealed soon, within the next couple of weeks. It's already been said that Natalia Barbu will try to represent Moldova in Malmo but she may have some serious competition because foreign composers are allowed!


Natalia Barbu also tried to return in 2011, with a jazzy number...

Latvia: Songs released, artists unkown!

Today LTV has released all the competing songs that will take part in Latvian selection! However the artists are yet to be announced, so we can only hear the demos of the songs! I have heard them all and they are surprisingly good!

You can listen to them all here! Will there be any returnees among this list? My personal favourite is I Need A Hero that would make an amazing representation for Latvia! What do you think?

Here are the song titles along with authors and composers:

• Give Me A Try - Ingars Viļums/Ingars Viļums
• Upside Down - Filip Lindfors, Bertel Österberg, Kristoffer Eriksson/Filip Lindfors, Bertel Österberg, Kristoffer Eriksson
• I Am Who I Am – Marta Ritova/Marta Ritova
• Love – Mārcis Rēdmanis, Lauris Busulis/Mārcis Rēdmanis
• Phoenix Fly – Kallenberger, Berlin, Lindfors, Malmberg Hård af Segers/Kallenberger, Berlin, Lindfors, Malmberg Hård af Segers
• Joey – Eric Anjou, Peter Svensson/Eric Anjou, Peter Svensson
• Let The Night Belong To The Lovers – Erik Anjou/Erik Anjou
• Never Let Me Go – Jānis Polis/Jānis Polis
• Love Responder – Edgars Viļums/Edgars Viļums
• One – Andersson, Hitmanic, James Down/Hitmaniac
• Higher and Higher – Christof Straub/Christof Straub
• Good Woman – Dominion man/Dominion man
• Cold Heart - Jānis Miltiņš/Ieva Sutugova
• Now or Never – Aleksandrs Rjabčuns/Aleksandrs Rjabčuns
• Sad Trumpet – Ralfs Eilands, Arturas Burke/Ralfs Eilands
• Here We Go –  Ralfs Eilands, Arturas Burke/Ralfs Eilands
• Better Than You – Jurijs Koškins (Yuri Koshkin)/Evilena Protektore
• The One –  Jurijs Koškins (Yuri Koshkin)/Evilena Protektore
• Hey, Hey! - Andris Kivičs/Andris Kivičs
• Fool In Love – Gladnikoff, Gottschalck, Schilling/Liza Petersen
• I Need A Hero – Fernell, Eriksson, Andersson, James Down/Marcus Fernell, Beatrice Eriksson
• Here I Am – Patrik Őhlund/Madelene Hamberg
• Tirpini – Fox Lima/Fox Lima
• When You’re With Me - Schillebeeckx Raph, Verresen Karen, RF Smith Bruce/Schillebeeckx Raph, Verresen Karen, RF Smith Bruce 

The grand final is due for 16th February! Enjoy Anmary's Beautiful Song...

Austria: ORF announced artists!

Austria is not the greatest country when it comes down to sending good ESC entires however I hope that can change in 2013! Earlier the Austrian broadcaster, ORF,  the competing artists are:

• Yela
• Falco Luneau
• Elijah
• The Bandaloop
• Natalia Kelly

It looks very promising! Austria will select their entry on 15th February! For more information on each artist, take a look here - if you speak German of course! Austria did have a gem in their 2012 national final though, but they sent Trackshittaz :(

Belgium: Song titles revealed!

On Sunday, Belgium will host a radio show where the song will be selected for Roberto Bellarosa! The song titles have been announced by Song Music Belgium and they are:

1. Be heroes!
2. Reste toi!
3. Love kills!

Judging by the titles alone, there could be some good songs among this bunch! I think Belgium will have a good song in Malmo! Their selection will kick of at 10:30am CET and the winner will be released after a 3 hour show! I won't be here though to update you with the winner as I'm going to Belgium that day, ironically, for the Christmas markets - I will hopefully come home to a great Belgium entry! One song has already been revealed, as it was on his album...