REVIEWING THE CLASS OF 2015: MOLDOVA!

Moldova opted for Ukrainian heartthrob (yes, that's arguable...) Eduard Romanyuta to represent their country in Vienna. Or did they? Rumours regarding a voting scandal circulated following his win however nothing was proved. Anyway, this is what my little team of reviews think about Moldova's effort...

Ana: This is the most dated entry this year. Maybe 20 years ago it would be OK but not in 2015. The staging is awful and his vocals aren't even good. I can’t imagine this in the final. No way. 1/10

Ilkar: Apparently his video is from his old song. Well, anything is better than his embarrassing stage show in the Moldovan final that would have been the other option I guess. (Let me correct myself: After re-watching the video even the stage show would have been better preview) Expect that in Vienna. With poor vocals and one of the worst songs this year. This is old and unoriginal in every way. 1/10

Jack: Moldova will open the first semi final and therefore officially open the 2015 contest. It's obvious most people hate this song, and even though I don't like it much, I can't deny how catchy the chorus is.. In a year of ballads and mid-tempos, could Moldova be a shock qualifier? I still wish Sunstroke Project won Moldova's national final as Day After Day was epic and would've been a perfect opener! Oh well.. 2/10

Jess: This was one of my favourites in the selection even before the live audition stage, therefore I was so pleased when he was picked. The only thing I would say is that Eduard needs to work on his live vocals a little bit. 7/10

John: Ok, leaving aside the boyband-sounding voice, the pretty image and posturing ie, a sure-fire protegé for Louis Walsh's stable of artists, I actually think this song has something to offer. Or maybe it's just the clever video. It could just have enough going for it to surprise a multitude of cynics on the big night ! 6/10

OUR VERDICT - 17/50
OVERALL SCORE - 3.4/10

EDUARD ROMANYUTA TO REPRESENT MOLDOVA!

Eduard Romanyuta has won Moldova's selection. I heard the song once and hated it. Let's see if it's a grower... Sunstroke Project managed third place and DoReDoS came 2nd - both great songs, yet they pick this dud. Sorry Moldova, but I am really not impressed. On the positive note though, Ukraine will kinda be represented in Vienna ;-)

Update - well some people are accusing Eduard, or his associates, of rigging the vote somehow. Hmmm. 

Vienna 2015: Super Weekend #6!

On Saturday, a total of four countries will select their entries for Vienna and Melodifestivalen will also continue with the forth semi final. The much anticipated Spanish entry will also revealed at 12:00 CET on Sunday too. So we've gout a busy weekend ahead of us!

FINLAND
The Finnish entry will be chosen tonight. Nine acts may be in the running although if the polls are anything to be believed, it' just a formality for handicapped band Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät, Will they win? However Opera Skaala, Satin Circus and Shava also are very popular. I would personally pick either Satin Circus, Opera Skaala or Solju.

• Norlan "El Misionario - No voy a llorar por ti
• Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät - Aina mun pitää
• Satin Circus - Crossroads
• Shava - Ostarilla
• Opera Skaala - Heart of Light
• Jouni Aslak - Lions and Lambs
• Solju - Hold Your Colours
• Järjestyshäiriö - Särkyneiden sydänten kulmilla
• Angelo De Nile - All For Victory

HUNGARY
Hungary also chooses tonight. My favourite is Kati Wolf - will she be picked and return to the Eurovision stage? No idea. I also like Ív and Passed. Boggie has been very popular with the juries.. so will the televote also support her? Ádám Szabó also isn't one to rule out. This is probably the hardest national final to call. I really look forward to see who they pick! Here's tonight's line-up:

• Ádám Szabó - Give Me Your Love
• Boglárka Csemer – Boggie - Wars for Nothing
• Zoltán Mujahid -  Beside You
• Spoon - Keep Marching On
• Ív - Fire
• Kati Wolf - Ne engedj el
• Passed - Mesmerize
• Bálint Gájerc - That's How It Goes

SLOVENIA
Slovenia's song is going to be selected tonight. Eight acts are in the running however Maraaya and Martina Majerle both seem to the the immediate favourites with people. I also have a soft spot for Jana Šušteršič's song - so I wouldn't mind seeing either of those three win tonight. But how about you? Who do you think should fly the Slovenian flag this year?

1. Alya & Neno Belan - Misunderstandings
2. Tim Kores - Once Too Many Times
3. Jana Šušteršič - Glas srca (Voice of the heart)
4. I.C.E. - Vse mogoče (Everything is possible)
5. Clemens - Mava to (We have this)
6. Maraaya - Here For You
7. Rudi Bučar En Figoni - Šaltinka (A šaltin girl)
8. Martina Majerle - Alive

MOLDOVA
I haven't followed the Moldovan selection much this year however I have heard some songs! I heard about Kitty Brucknell receiving only 88 votes on Tuesday and being eliminated, which I'm sad about however the song wasn't up to much really. Sunstroke Project are aiming to make a return to Eurovision tonight - can they do it? Ukrainian Eduard Romanyuta seems to be popular though but will the jury support him? Hmm... Doredos are also great. I don't have a clue who will win to be honest!

SWEDEN
The final semi final of Melodifestivalen is to be held tonight. Here is the line-up..

• Caroline Wennergren – Black Swan
• JTR – Building It Up
• Midnight Boy – Don’t Say No
• Annika Herlitz – Ett andetag
• Hasse Andersson – Guld och gröna skogar
• Måns Zelmerlöw – Heroes
• Dinah Nah – Make Me (La La La)

SPAIN
And finally. the long awaited Spanish entry is finally going to be revealed tomorrow at 12:00 CET. Edurne won't disappoint us. All we know about the song is that it's dramatic and with ethnic elements, and 100% in Spanish! In the meantime though, let's enjoy this awesome tune from Edurne!

Moldova: Semi finalists revealed!

Throughout the day, auditions have been held in Moldova to determine who will make the semi finals. This blogger did watch some of these auditions and it was a diverse line up, to say the least. I'm thrilled Kitty Brucknell made the next stage! The qualifiers:

• Carolina Gorun – Sublime
• Cezara – Am devenit straini
• Dana Markitan – Love me
• Diana Brescan – Up and down
• Doinita Gherman – Inima fierbinte
• Domenico Protino – Let me fly
• Doredos – Maricica
• Edict – Our star
• Eduard Romanyuta – I want your love
• Glam Girls – Magia
• Irina Kitoroaga – I’m gonna get you
• Julia Sandu – Fire
• Kitty Brucknell – Remix
• Lidia Isac – I can’t breathe (Without you)
• Marcel Rosca – Feelings will never leave
• Mihaela Andrei – About love
• Miss M – Lonely stranger
• Raby – Hero
• Serj Kuzenkoff – Danu nazdravanu
• Stela Botan – Save me
• Sunstroke Project & Michael Ra – Day after day
• Valeria Pasa – I can change all my life
• Vera & Diana Popa – Faith
• Vitalie Todirascu – Tu singura

Unfortunately, Rodicia didn't make it. I thought her song was amazing. Kitty didn't qualify with Yearning, the song she also sent into Switzerland, but Remix instead. The Moldovan semi finals will be held on 24th and 26th February, with the final set for 28th February. Sunstroke Project & Michael Ra qualified with this fabulous song:

Moldova: Watch live auditions here!

Live auditions are currently behind held in Moldova and you can watch all the goings on here. This blogger eagerly awaits the performances from Kitty Brucknell and Sunstroke Project. Stay tuned for the results.

Photograph - ESCUnited 

Moldova: Sunstroke Project and Kitty Brucknell among shortlisted acts!

A special jury received 68 songs for the Moldovan selection, and they shortlisted the best 50 to make the 2nd stage. You can listen to all the songs here! On 17th January, these participants will sing in front of music expects and the best will make the live shows. My personal favourites include Sunstroke Project, Kitty Brucknell and Cezara. Kitty Brucknell tried her luck in Switzerland however was unsuccessful, unfortunately. Will Switzerland's loss be Moldova's gain? It's also worth mentioning Sunstroke Project are back. They represented the country in 2010 (with Olia Tira) and despite coming 22nd, the Internet phenomenon EPIC SAX GUY was born!

NuVidz: The Common Linnets, Neil Diamond, Sunstroke Project feat Deepcentral, Anouk!

The official video-clip of Give Me A Reason was premiered this morning and it's fantastic! The video-clip was filmed in an old barn, surrounded by farm animals and it suits the song perfectly. They will tour The Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany and Austria later this year. The Art Of Love is Neil Diamond's latest tune. This blogger has always been a fan of the American singer-songwriter. Another beautiful song from this legend! Splendid voice. Stunning lyrics. He will release an album will be released on 21st October. Can't wait for that!!! SunStroke Project, the group who represented Moldova in 2010 with Olia Tira, joined forces with Deepcentral and released Sunshine. A great summer tune - shame it wasn't released a few months earlier... Since giving birth to her fifth child, Anouk released Places To Go. It's a very personal video for Anouk as it includes her new son. She'll release an album in a couple of months.