REVIEWING THE CLASS OF 2015: FYR MACEDONIA!

The Macedonians were first to select their song for Vienna - back in early November - and following a major revamp and translation, we have Autumn Leaves. Is Daniel Kajmakoski's entry good enough to qualify? Should they have stuck to the original version? So many questions!! Here's our thoughts.....

Ana: I know that this is quite an unpopular opinion but I like this song. It hasn't anything very special but the truth is that I don’t get tired of it. Maybe it's because it's a very normal, natural and non-prefabricated song. Anyway, I don't know if we’ll see Daniel in the final. 7/10

Ilkar: Oh what have you done. I liked this with the original arrangement and in Macedonian so much better! This feels like a washed down, slowed down, standardized version of it. Maybe they tried to ”modernize” it. For me it is making it boring. He has got a great voice and the melody is nice though. Original would have gotten 8.5 this one gets only 6.5/10

Jack: Totally loving this one. The original version was just okay for me, nothing to write home about so to speak, but the new version has something. It's really good but not amazing... Hopefully Daniel will qualify however semi final one will be incredibly tough.. It can go either way but I see another non qualification for Macedonia. 8.5/10

Jess: Daniel's voice is incredible, and the song is quite nice. 6/10

John: Now here's one I am really loving at the minute. Macedonia has never had a high profile at ESC but this year could change all of that with this excellent entry by Daniel Kajmakoski . Great song, with a sort of quality, I can see how it would make a big impression on a big stage. 8/10

OUR VERDICT - 36/50
OVERALL SCORE - 7.2/10

The original version:

FYR Macedonia: 'Autumn Leaves' revealed!

The official version of the Macedonian entry was released moments ago and can be listened to here. As previously rumoured, it is in English. And it's much slower.. What do you think about Daniel Kajmakoski's effort? I'm a bit undecided but I think I like it. Shame he's not singing in Macedonian though.

FYR Macedonia: Police investigate vote rigging claims!

Uh-oh! According to Vest.mk, a number of people have been questioned by the police over vote rigging claims. Macedonian police seized over 1,000 phone cards from across Skopje. The winner of last night's festival, Danijel Kajmakoski, has said neither he nor his production team were involved in any of this. The Macedonian broadcaster have been very quiet on this so far but an official press release is expected soon.

FYR Macedonia: Daniel Kajmakoski chosen for Eurovision 2015!

We have a winner! After a rather long and uneventful show, Danijel Kajmakovski won the right to fly the Macedonian flag in Eurovision next year. Tamara Todevska, a favourite prior to the contest, came 2nd and Evgenija Čančalova achieved 3rd place. Enjoy the song below:

FYR Macedonia: Skopje Fest tonight!

We're only in November yet the 2015 national final season will officially kick off tonight! FYR Macedonia's entry will be selected tonight. How exciting! Twenty acts are in the running - however we haven't heard any songs yet, so it's almost impossible to predict the winner. I wish everyone the best of luck!! Karolina Goceva and Kaliopi will be special guests. The winner won't just have the honour of flying the Macedonian flag in Eurovision, they will also receive €20,000. Meanwhile, the act who achieves 2nd will be awarded €15,000 and third place receives €10,000. The winner will be decided by a mix of public voting and a jury vote. You will be able to watch the show here at 20:15 CET. These acts are in the running:

1. Lena Zatkoska – Alo
2. Tanja Carovska – Ako mi se vratis
3. Danijel Kajmakovski – Esenski lisja
4. Vera Jankovik – Se plasham
5. Risto Samardziev & Vlatko Ilievski – Sever-jug
6. Evgenija Cancalova – Da ne te  sakam
7. Aleksandra Mihova – Srce cuva spomeni
8. Lidija Kocovska & Marjan Stojanovski – Sonce niz oblaci
9. Joce Panov – Ni lj od ljubovta
10. Goran Naumovski & Sanja Kerkez – Mig bez tebe
11. Aleksandar Tarabunov & Toni Mihajlovski – Marija
12. Aleksandra Janeva – Vo tvojot svet
13. Miyatta – Zaljuben
14. Tamara Todevska – Brod sto tone
15. Sanja Gjosevska – Sakam da letam
16. Nade Talevska – Znam
17. Viktorija Loba – Edna edinstvena
18. Verica Pandilovska – Samo za tebe
19. Nina Janeva – Bluz za…
20. Dimitar  Andonovski – Se shto ti vetiv 

FYR Macedonia: Skopje Fest details revealed!

The running order for Skopje Fest 2014 has been revealed. Ballad and uptempo numbers have been divided which is defiantly a good idea. Special guests include the lovely Karolina Goceva (2002, 2007) and Kaliopi (2012). This blogger can't believe we'll get our first entry for Eurovision 2015 in  just twelve days time. The running order can be found below:

1. Lena Zatkoska – Alo
2. Tanja Carovska – Ako mi se vratis
3. Danijel Kajmakovski – Esenski lisja
4. Vera Jankovik – Se plasham
5. Risto Samardziev & Vlatko Ilievski – Sever-jug
6. Evgenija Cancalova – Da ne te  sakam
7. Aleksandra Mihova – Srce cuva spomeni
8. Lidija Kocovska & Marjan Stojanovski – Sonce niz oblaci
9. Joce Panov – Ni lj od ljubovta
10. Goran Naumovski & Sanja Kerkez – Mig bez tebe
11. Aleksandar Tarabunov & Toni Mihajlovski – Marija
12. Aleksandra Janeva – Vo tvojot svet
13. Miyatta – Zaljuben
14. Tamara Todevska – Brod sto tone
15. Sanja Gjosevska – Sakam da letam
16. Nade Talevska – Znam
17. Viktorija Loba – Edna edinstvena
18. Verica Pandilovska – Samo za tebe
19. Nina Janeva – Bluz za…
20. Dimitar  Andonovski – Se shto ti vetiv 

Are you looking forward to Skopje Fest?

FYR Macedonia: Skopje Fest participants revealed!

The twenty acts that will compete in Skopje Fest 2014 were revealed this evening. One of them will fly the Macedonian flag in Eurovision 2015, but who will it be? These are the participants:

• Risto Samardziev & Vlatko Ilievski – Sever-jug
• Lena Zatkoska – Alo
• Aleksandra Janeva – Vo tvojot svet
• Nade Talevska – Znam
• Sanja Gjosevska – Sakam da letam
• Viktoria Loba – Mi fali nekoj kako tebe
• Goran Naumovski & Sanja Kerkez – Mig bez tebe
• Lidija Kocovska & Marjan Stojanovski – Sonce bez oblaci
• Vera Jankovik – Sakam da letam
• Evgenija Cavcalova – Da ne te sakam
• Danijel Kajmakoski – Sovrsena bura
• Tamara Todevska – Brod sto tone
• Aleksandar Tarabunov – Marija
• Dimitar Andonovski – Se sto vetiv
• Verica Pandilovska – Samo za tebe
• Tanja Carovska – Pekolno mi nedostasuvas
• Mijata – Dlaboko vo sebe
• Joce Panov – Ni lj od ljubovta
• Aleksandra Mihova – Srce cuva uspomeni
• Saso Gigov-Gis – Bluz

Vlatko Ilievski is hoping to return, with Risto Samardziev. Meanwhile, Tamara Todevska is also making a comeback. She previously represented FYR Macedonia in 2008 and was also a backing vocalist for Tijana, in Copenhagen. The show will be held on 12th November! 

FYR Macedonia: 180 songs submitted for Skopje Fest!

Vlatko Ilievski

Skopje Fest will now be held on 12th November, a day earlier than initially planned. The Day of Liberation of Skopje will take place on the 13th and hence this is why the Macedonian national final will take place a day earlier. 180 songs have been submitted into the selection - but who will participate? Names such as Vlatko Ilievski (FYR Macedonia 2011), Vera Jankovik and Lambe Alabakovski are all heavily rumoured to compete. This blogger reckons it's time for Karolina Gočeva to return though!

FYR Macedonia: Participation confirmed, national final on 13th November!

FYR Macedonia has officially confirmed they will participate next year. Fabulous news! It's also been announced a national final will be used to select their entry for Austria. Skopje Fest is going to take place on 13th November - which is in only a few months time.. The winner of Skopje Fest won't just have the pleasure of flying the Macedonian flag, but will also be awarded 30.000 Euros.

MRT released this statement:

After conducting a survey on the website of MRT past month and a half, where as a public service to social responsibility have asked the opinion of the citizens of our (non) participation or mode of selection of the Macedonian representative at this prestigious event record number of voters who participated in the survey were quite divided on this issue. However, with the huge number of sound and constructive thinking by citizens, it seems that the public still does not want to give up on Eurovision and no matter what – have faith and desire to see Macedonia on the big stage, before the eyes of the European family and the world.

Source - MRT

FYR Macedonia: MRT launches poll on 2015 participation!

FYR Macedonia has only qualified once since 2008. Therefore, the Macedonian broadcaster has decided to ask the public how they should choose their their 2015 representative - or whether they should just withdraw. The results make grim reading. These are the results (as of 20:30 CET on 6th June 2014):

• Macedonia should not participate at Eurovision at all - 4163 VOTES: 
• The entry should be the winning song from Skopje Fest - 2747 VOTES 
• The entry should be chosen through an internal selection from MRT - 868 VOTES

Y'all can vote here. Everyone can vote in the poll (not just Macedonians), so please vote for either option one or option two. Let's keep FYR Macedonia in Eurovision. The Macedonians broadcaster, MRT, has stated they will take this poll into account when making their decision for next year. I hope they don't withdraw. Tijana Dapčević failed to qualify in Copenhagen - and came only 13th out of 15th. 

Introducing 2014: FYR Macedonia!

Tijana Dapčević was internally selected to fly the Macedonian flag in August 2013. Expectations were high and in late February, we finally got to hear To The Sky. Some information regarding Tijana's stage performance in Copenhagen has been revealed, we know that  Tamara Todevska will be a backing vocalists. Tamara represented FYR Macedonia in 2008 and she is Tijana's sister. Meanwhile, Dimitar Andonovski and Nikola Perevski will also join Tamara as backing vocalists - and there will be a dancer on stage, too! The dancer is Dejan Kolarov.

I really like the Macedonian entry. I've also seen several interviews with Tijana and she seems such a lovely person! Last week, Tijana performed her entry at the Eurovision in Concert event in Copenhagen. Her vocals were 100% live and I thought she was fantastic! The official video-clip was revealed yesterday. So, will FYR Macedonia qualify for the grand final? It's hard to say for sure but I'm pretty confident that Tijana will make it.

NuVidz: Tijana Dapcevic, Chachi ft. Natascha Bessez, Tinkara Kovač, Adelén!

The Macedonian video-clip was revealed this afternoon and it's awesome. The video-clip of To The Sky features several shirtless men... I really like Tijana and I think it's one of the best Macedonian entries ever! The lovely Natascha Bessez has recently teamed up with American DJ Chachi - and here's the official video-clip of Heart is a Warrior. I love this song <3 Natascha is fabulous and she deserves massive success. And... she should have represented Denmark! Yesterday, Tinkara Kovač released the official video-clip of Round and Round. There have also been slight changes to the song, which makes it even stronger. Finally, we have a new song from the gorgeous Adelén. Enjoy Always On My Mind!

FYR Macedonia: English version to be used in Copenhagen!

It has been confirmed that Tijana Dapcevic will sing the English version of her song in Eurovision - a wise decision I guess. The song has been receiving lots of positive feedback, and is proving to be one of the favourites. A Macedonian version was also released on 22nd February, although most fans favoured the English version. It defiantly has more hook.

FYR Macedonia: Tijana Dapčević reveals "Tamu kaj što pripaǵam"!

Tijana Dapčević has tonight revealed her Eurovision song. The Macedonian version is entitled "Tamu kaj što pripaǵam" and the English version, which was also perfomed tonight, is entitled "To The Sky". I la la love it!! :)

I knew her song would be fantastic - but I now want to hear this live, as she was clearly singing on playback tonight. A very pleasant entry indeed from the Macedonians. Listen to the Macedonian version here and the English version here. It's unknown if she'll use the English or Macedonian version in Copenhagen. I prefer Macedonian.

Copenhagen 2014: What's happening tonight?!

Tonight is going to be rather hectic because Spain, Latvia and Hungary will hold their nationals finals - and therefore three more acts for Eurovision 2014 will be selected tonight. Tijana Dapčević will also reveal her song for FYR Macedonia, too. And there's even more from Sweden, Lithuania and Italy. Check out what's happening below...

SPAIN

The Spanish representative will be decided by a mix of jury and televote. I'm going to be concentrating on Spain tonight as there are two songs in the running that I adore...Ruth and Brequette! They are both my favourites. I'd be delighted to see either of them win and I also like La Dama's offering but I doubt it'll be strong enough for Eurovision. The jury consists of David Bustamante, Merche and Mónica Naranjo. "Mira quién va a Eurovisión" will take place in Barcelona at 22:00 CET. These are the acts:

1. Brequette – Más (Run)
2. La Dama – Estrella Fugaz
3. Ruth Lorenzo – Dancing In The Rain
4. Jorge González – Aunque Se Acabe El Mundo
5. Raúl – Seguir sin ti

LATVIA 

I'm really excited about this. 12 songs are in the running to represent Latvia in Copenhagen... and the line-up is very strong. I really want Samanta Tina to win. <3 she's winning many online polls and came 2nd last year. Could it be hear time? Dons is also great - and  I also like Olga and Līgo, Aarzemnieki and Katrine Lukins. The show will kick of at 20:25 CET. Fingers crossed for Samanta :-) here are tonight's hopefuls:

1. Ralfs Eilands and Valters Puce – Revelation
2. Markus Riva – Lights On
3. Katrina Bindere — Moment and Tomorrow
4. Dons — Pedeja vestule
5. Samanta Tina — Stay
6. Niko – Here I Am Again
7. MyRadiantU – Going All the Way
8. Olga and Ligo – Saule riet
9. Aminata Savadogo – I Can Breathe
10. Aarzemnieki – Cake To Bake
11. EiroSmits – If I Could (Get Away)
12. Katrine Lukins – You Are The Reason

HUNGARY 

Another country selecting their entrant tonight is Hungary. Eight finalists have qualified through heats and semi finals.. and I believe Kállay-Saunders András should win. And he probably will! The jury seem to love him. But Bogi seems very popular too.. maybe she will win? "A Dal" has been fantastic this year - a really strong selection. One of these will fly the Hungarian flag in Copenhagen:

• Király Viktor - Running Out Of Time
• Bogi - We All 
• New Level Empire - The Last One 
• Depresszió - Csak a zene 
• Kallay-Saunders András - Running 
• Fool Moon - It Can’t Be Over 
• Pál Dénes - Brave New World 
• Honeybeast - A Legnagyobb Hős

FYR MACEDONIA

Tijana Dapčević will reveal her song for Copenhagen tonight. No details regarding the song have been announced and this blogger cannot wait to hear it. I've got a feeling Tijana's song will be amazing. "Pobeda" has been announced as the songs title which translates to "Victory" although this isn't official. 

ANYTHING ELSE?

Yep! The 64th edition of Sanremo will come to an end tonight. This blogger wants either Giusy Ferreri or Arisa to win. Melodifestivalen will also take place where Anton Ewald, Alcazar and Linda Bengtzing will be competing for a place in the final! Lithuania will hold their semi-final too where one act will be eliminated ahead of next weeks final.. Azerbaijan and Belgium will also continue their selections tomorrow evening!

KEEP IT HERE FOR THE LATEST UPDATES TONIGHT!

FYR Macedonia: Song presentation postponed!

Tijana Dapčević has confirmed that Pobeda will be released on 22nd February. She told a local newspaper that this decision was taken so people don't get bored with the song,  as it would've been released four months prior to the contest.

The presentation was due to be held next week. Tijana wouldn't give any details regarding the track, due to a signed contract with her record label. Take a look at the full interview here.