THANK YOU AND GOODBYE...

It wouldn't have escaped anyone's notice that this blog hasn't been very active these past couple of months. I decided to take a couple of months off to evaluate things. To decide if I wanted to continue blogging or not. And even though I love blogging and Eurovision, it's time to call it a day. The past few months it became too time consuming and with my plans of going to university in September, I wouldn't be able to put my upmost into it. This blog is something I treasure and am proud of.

I am going to Stockholm for the contest in May and I am really excited. Sometimes in life you need to take a step back before making one forward. Does this make sense? Since launching this blog in October 2012, I have managed almost 250,000 hits and visitors from 137 countries. So thank you <3 you can still follow me on Twitter @ESCJackkk. I'll leave you with my favourite song of Eurovision 2016 so far....

I'M ON A BREAK - WILL BE BACK SOON. MAYBE.... :-)

#ESC2016: BELGIAN NATIONAL FINAL ON 17TH JANUARY, ARTISTS OUT

The 5 hopefuls aiming to represent Belgium have been announced this morning. I can't lie, I don't know any of them but I didn't know Loïc and he had an incredible song so I'll judge when the songs are released :-) the selection will take place throughout January with the final set for 17th January. The lineup is as follows:

• Adil Aarab
• Amaryllis Uitterlinden
• Astrid Destuyver
• Laura Tesoro
• Tim Frantzis

#ESC2016: EESTI LAUL PARTICIPANTS REVEALED

The line-up for Estonia's national final was revealed last week and below you can see the participants. Tanja returns as part of La La Ladies! The songs will be released soon.. Stay tuned for some reviews.

Semi-final 1 –13th  February 

1. The Jingles – Love a Little Bit
2. Würffel – I’m Facing North
3. Mick Pedaja – Seis
4. Indrek Ventmann – Hispaania tüdruk
5. Cartoon feat. Kristel Aaslaid – Immortality
6. Kéa – Lonely Boy
7. Kati Laev – Kaugel sinust
8. Zebra Island – How Many Times
9. Laura – Supersonic
10. Windy Beach – Salty Wounds

Semi-final 2 – 20th February 

1. Go Away Bird – Sally
2. Jüri Pootsmann – Play
3. Meisterjaan – Parmupillihullus
4. I Wear* Experiment – Patience
5. Púr Múdd – Meet Halfway
6. Grete Paia – Stories Untold
7. Põhja-Tallinn – Ei ole mul olla
8. Anett Kulbin – Strong
9. Gertu Pabbo – Miljon korda
10. La La Ladies – Unikaalne

MELFEST 2016: LINDA BENGTZING RETURNS

Linda Bengtzing is set to return to Melodifestivalen next year with a song composed by Robin Stjernberg, Sweden's 2013 representative. The full line-up is expected soon. Rumours say Ace Wilder is also expected to make a comeback..

#ESC2016: BELGIAN HOPEFULS OUT ON MONDAY

The five hopefuls aiming to represent Belgium will be revealed on Monday morning. More information about the Belgian selection is expected to be released at the same time. Belgium's entry was pretty damn awesome in Vienna so I'm excited to see what they come up with next year.

Source - Eurovoix

#ESC2016: 41 COUNTRIES IN STOCKHOLM - BUT WHAT ABOUT THE AUSSIES?

At least 41 countries will be represented in Eurovision 2016 - and the full line-up is set to be revealed very soon.. so the big question is - will Australia stay? Their 2015 representation was pretty awesome. Some would argue it gave a new lease of life to the contest.. Personally, I wouldn't object to them remaining a permanent fixture. Australia's HoD was teasing about sending an even bigger name next year should they be invited. Apparently even Conchita supports Australia's participation. Time will tell if it happens. But if Australia aren't invited back - who is is 41st country? Kazakhstan have wanted to debut for some years now. Will 2016 be the year they succeed? Bosnia will apparently make a decision next week and Croatia's announcement is due very soon. Exciting times :-)

#ESC2016: MINUS ONE FOR CYPRUS!

While I was away, Cyprus announced their act for Stockholm and it's Minus One who have the honour. Great news. I really liked their song in the 2015 national final. Not so great news is that Thomas G:son will compose their song.. The band consists of Francois Micheletto, Harrys Pari, Constantinos Amerikanos, Antonis Loizides and Chris J. They placed third in the Cypriot final last year.

ASCOLTA: EMMA RELEASES 'ARRIVERÀ L'AMORE'

The sensational Emma Marrone has released Arriverà L'Amore this morning. It translates into Love Will Come. Love conquers all. That's the message of this video. Emma has produced yet another incredible song. What do you think though? Listen below:

#ESC2016 FRANCE: SHY’M SAYS NON, MERCI

Sorry Shy'm fans.. there's bad news. Shy'm won't be flying the tricolour flag in Stockholm. When asked in a recent interview regarding possible participation in the contest, she said:

Given the success we have and how we received and the political reasons and geographies do we never manage to achieve good rankings, it would be a huge risk. I do not want to take it now.

Unfortunately, this isn't a surprise. Like she says, France has been extremely unsuccessful in recent years... why would she risk her career?

#ESC2016: IS THIS THE PERFECT SWISS ENTRY?

Swiss paper 20 minuti launched a competition this autumn to find the perfect Swiss representative and damn, the result is awesome. Four singers were chosen to record a song together, each representing one of Switzerland's official languages. So klingt die Schweiz! The artists are; Anna Känzig for the German, Alejandro Reyes for the French, Make Plain for the Italian and rapper Snook (Gino Clavuot) for the Romansh. This song is so Swiss. And in a good way. It's already #1 on iTunes and me thinks it's one to watch... Enjoy!

#ESC2016: BELARUS REPRESENTATIVE TO BE DECIDED BY TELEVOTE ALONE

BRTC have decided to do away with juries and will let the public decide their representative for next year. More details about Belarus's 2016 national final will be revealed very soon. BRTC are reportedly looking for a song in Belarussian for Stockholm. Wouldn't that be awesome? If televote alone was used this year, Belarus would've sent this to Vienna... 

#ESC2016: ANASTASIA PRIKHODKO TO REPRESENT UKRAINE?

Wouldn't this be fab?! Anastasia Prikhodko has asked her fans on Facebook if she is worthy of representing Ukraine next year as she's keen to return to the contest. Here's a rough translation of her post:

Last year, Ukraine didn't participate in Eurovision. A lot of the statements were made, both bad and good. We all know the main reason is war and its consequences! But in my opinion a project like Eurovision is notable and important to each European country. Ukraine is Europe, and we need to confirm it. It’s the only way other European countries will perceive us as equals! So in my opinion this year Ukraine has to take part in Eurovision. In 2009 I was already on this forum, but as a representative of another country. My dream is try my hand at Eurovision again, but under the flag of my native country! What do you think, my dear friends? Whether or not Ukraine takes part this year, am I a worthy representative of Ukraine?

You'll regonize her from 2009, when she represented Russia... in Russia. Last year, she vowed never to sing in Russia again due to the ongoing conflict between her native Ukraine and Russia. Her latest song can be enjoyed below:

And who remembers this tune?

MARCO MENGONI RELEASES 'TI HO VOLUTO BENE VERAMENTE'

The insanely talented Marco Mengoni has today released a brand new song. It was filmed in Iceland and the song is pretty damn perfect. I think I'm in love. Enjoy!

Marco has also recently been voted as the best Italian act in the MTV Awards, for the third time. 

WISHLIST 2016: NARGIZ ZAKIROVA FOR RUSSIA!

Nargiz Zakirova is a Uzbek born singer who rose to fame in 2013 on Golos (The Voice of Russia). Her shaven head, tattoos and distinctive voice have earned her a following from across the globe. I love her. She's incredible.. and with the right song, could win Eurovision for Russia.

Russia came a very respectable 2nd place in Vienna and hopes are high for them next year. A song like this would be incredible. Just enjoy her amazing performances from The Voice...

ПОЖАЛУЙСТА, ОТПРАВЬТЕ ЕЕ.

LEBANON TO DEBUT IN 2016?

It's very unlikely but not impossible. escXtra reports that the Lebanese broadcaster said the following when asked about possible participation in our beloved contest:

We are not sure yet, however we are working on it and will keep you updated.

Will we finally see them debut? Lebanon was set to enter the contest in 2005 although wouldn't broadcaster the Israeli entry and subsequently had to withdraw. Who knows if they would be willing to show Israel's entry next year IF they were to participate...