DOUWE BOB TO REPRESENT THE NETHERLANDS!

Not Dotan, but it's Douwe Bob who will represent The Netherlands. Following lots of speculation last week - Douwe Bob was officially confirmed last night as the Dutch singer. But who is he? Douwe won The Best Singer-Songwriter - a popular Dutch talent show - and specializes in folk and country music. There's lots of potential. Douwe says he's going to Stockholm to win and it's been reported he will most likely compose the song himself. Or maybe Anouk will be involved? His duet with her is pretty damn amazing. 

His song will be released in February. 

The Netherlands: Artist to be announced next month?

The Dutch representative is going to be revealed next month - according to Richard Crommert of the Newspaper De Telegraaf. O’G3NE and Dotan are the most talked about at the moment.. O'G3NE won The Voice and have put their name forward to AVROTORS. This blogger would prefer Dotan though! Soon we will know. Who would you like to see represent the Dutchies in Stockholm?

The Netherlands: Trijntje wins 'Barbara Dex Award'

Trijntje was always a dark horse for me to take the trophy in Vienna but hell, was I wrong. Although the Dutch singer has won something.. unfortunately it's the Barbara Dex Award. Why ay ay ay? I think she should've stuck with the first dress. She won the annual contest with 1324 votes. Bojana from Serbia came 2nd and Electro Velvet placed 3rd. Somehow Elhaida was voted the 4th most worst dressed act of 2015... Pffft. I voted for Electro Velvet.

#ESC2015: REVIEW OF THE SEMI FINALS!

Twenty countries have managed to qualify through the semi finals for tomorrow nights big grand final. I have loved both shows even if I'm not 100% happy with the results.. We're always going to have some great songs that won't make it.. Find out what this blogger thought about the shows and the week so far below:

SEMI FINAL ONE
The first semi final was amazing! Albania made it, Russia made it.. Georgia made it! So did Estonia, Greece, Belgium... all amazing songs. I think Russia won this semi final and I think 10th place would've been either Hungary or Serbia. I'm a little shocked Hungary made it through but pleased. Boggie's performance brought a tear to my eye. Very touching. Armenia's entry could've been a disaster live but Genealogy impressed me. Moving away from the songs, the hosts are pretty good although not very memorable.. Does this make sense? I love Conchita hosting the green room! She's a natural :) and I also love it when the participants walk from the green room onto the stage during the opening.. That's a lovely touch. Talking of Conchita, this photo is beautiful! Love it!

Overall I was impressed with the results. My biggest disappointment was The Netherlands not qualifying though... Why ay ay ay didn't they make it? I'm also sad that we won't see Macedonia in the final. Daniel performed brilliantly and I now fear we may not see a Macedonian entry in next years contest... wasn't they close to withdrawing last year? Finland not making it was a shock. It wasn't my favourtie song - far from it - but I thought PKN deserved it.. Moldova, Denmark and Belarus deserved what they got. I got 7/10 right. I thought Denmark, Finland and The Netherlands wouldn't make it. Unfortunately I have read some comments saying Elhaida was vocally poor. I don't agree. She smashed it. I want Albania to be top ten but whether she will or not remains to be seen....

SEMI FINAL TWO
Now I was rather upset with some results from last nights semi. Czech Republic, Ireland and Malta all deserved to qualify! I am really sorry to see them miss out. Ireland's Molly is a true star. She's only 16 but her performance last night was one of the best. Also Amber really impressed me. And as for the Czech Republic.. Marta & Václav didn't just deserve the final, but they deserved top ten. Obviously the rest of Europe (and Australia) didn't agree with me. I'd be saddened but not shocked if they quit Eurovision. Even though I didn't think Portugal would make the final, I'm still upset Leonor failed to qualify. I'm not saying that I dislike the Cypriot song but I don't think they deserved to have qualified over some that missed out... but that's they way it goes. John was flawless vocally. I was underwhelmed with Iceland so it was no surprise to see Maria fail although I was a bit surprised about Switzerland's non qualification. San Marino's failure didn't surprise me. I got 9/10. I thought Iceland would make it and Latvia wouldn't. For once I am happy to be wrong!

With regards to the qualifiers, I'm thrilled Latvia and Israel finally qualified after all these years! Sweden, Azerbaijan and Norway are possible winners so it was no surprise to see them make it. I was a bit confused with the Azeri dancers are first but they did make the performance memorable. I hope Elnur won't flop like Dilara. Lithuania's performance featured three kisses, including a lesbian and gay kiss. Are Vaidas and Monika a couple? Knez qualified and I think Montenegro could achieve top ten tomorrow night. I think Sweden won this semi.



DRAMA! 
Even though nothing is official, it seems the EBU are going to allow Australia to participate next year too and the year after.. I don't mind but this will do doubt get some people raging IF it turns out to be true. China have sent a delegation to Vienna and they're broadcasting it too - maybe we'll see them debut one year? A Moroccan delegation are also in Vienna it seems. Is this the end of EUROvision? Personally, I'd love to see as many countries as possible compete. One could argue Israel, Azerbaijan and Cyprus aren't European countries yet they're allowed to compete..

Elsewhere Michele from San Marino threw some shade in Måns's direction although did later say he was joking. Hmmm..


Apparently fake cheers will be used tomorrow after Russia's performance. I am not in Vienna so I don't know if it's true or not although I'm upset if it is. As much as I hate to see booing in Eurovision, the crowd still have a right to express how they feel. It's freedom of speech. I was so sad to see Dima booed in London although if that's how the masses feel. fine. Even though I don't agree with booing an act - I do agree with freedom of speech. If Polina wins - and it's very possible - expect some more controversy! Stay tuned for a special preview of the grand final!

Vienna 2015: Semi final one rehearsed!

Is Polina our winner?

Unfortunately, this blogger isn't in Vienna although I have been paying close attention to the rehearsals. The 16 countries who will compete in the first semi final  have now all rehearsed and it seems Russia are the most popular. Polina looks stunning - the staging is amazing and damn, A Million Voices is a friggin' awesome song! I'm going to be so annoyed if she gets booed next week.....

Elhaida from Albania also rehearsed today and it's still looking like Albania might get their best placing ever. Georgia and Romania also look really promising. With regards to yesterday, I think Estonia and Armenia are looking the strongest. They'll both be in the final. Finland is so just bizarre and random that I'm actually liking it now. Are PKN going to make the final? Greece is also looking very strong - I just hope the song will be memorable enough... the overall reaction of Greece's rehearsal was very positive though.

Now everyone's talking about Trijntje's dress. My first reaction was huh? but hey, she looks gorgeous and she's confident in her own body - so that's all that matters. I'd take my hat of to her if I had one. The staging is apparently a bit random so there's some work to be done it seems... Why ay ay ay couldn't they keep it simple?

Belgium looked good but maybe there's too much happening? It might be messy. And I'm afraid Serbia won't be qualfirying. Maybe 15 years ago that song would've fared better. Or maybe not. So judging from the first rehearsals I think; Russia, Estonia and Georgia are the best. Georgia could be a dark horse. Love the eye!!! And maybe even Romania?! Voltaj were fab! The song has a message that'll touch a lot of people.  I hate to say it but Serbia really is looking awful.. Bojana is much better than the song. Hungary looks okay but the song? Me thinks viewers will fall asleep halfway through their performance. But we won't be failing asleep during Moldova! Whether you like Eduard's song or not, they're putting on one heck of a show! More to follow in the coming days....

Photos from Eurovision.tv

The Netherlands: Listen to an acoustic version of 'Walk Along'

Trijntje Oosterhuis has performed an acoustic version of Walk Along on a Dutch TV show. Watch it here. As expected, she does a fantastic job - and her performance in Amsterdam was awesome too. A dark horse? #TeamLittleTrain

REVIEWING THE CLASS OF 2015: THE NETHERLANDS!

Anouk and The Common Linnets have both done wonders for The Dutchies. In 2013, Anouk (who composed Walk Along) was the first Dutch act to qualify for eight years and The Common Linnets even achieved 2nd place last year. Will Trijntje Oosterhuis have the same success? Here's what we think...

Ana: I really like this song, and specially the chorus. It’s very catchy and easy to learn and that’s always a good thing. Anyway, I think that Trijntje will have to work on the staging because I have the feeling that she doesn't know what to do and how to act at some points of the song. 8/10

Ilkar: Why-ay-ay-ay.... This has some good ingredients and she's great and likable but the song is so repetitive. Why-ay-ay-ay? It would be a perfect 2:15 song, the rest is just why-ay-ay..... Why? 4/10

Jack: I adore Walk Along! Maybe the Why-ay-ay-ay is too repetitive and annoying but remember the majority of people won't hear the song until the night itself - so it's going to stick in people's mind. That can only be a good thing. Trijntje's voice is always excellent and I can't wait to see her perform it live.. Hopefully it'll come across well on screen. The Netherlands are so qualifying! But there's something stopping me from awarded her full marks. #TeamLittleTrain. 9.5/10

Jess: The song is really really catchy, and I think Trijntje has brilliant vocals! 7/10

John: Never to be underestimated, The Netherlands provides us with another strong entry this year. The strength of the song lies in its simplicity. With a  catchy tune and a reliable voice, Trijntje delivers what could be another dark horse in the 2015 final. 8/10

OUR VERDICT - 36.5/50
OVERALL SCORE - 7.3/10

The Netherlands: Pierre Kartner hates Walk Along!

We all remember Ik ben verliefd (Shalalie), don't we? Well the songs composer, Pierre Kartner, has criticised this years Dutch entry - Walk Along - for being horrible and too predictable. The 79 year-old didn't stop there. He went to to say Anouk probably wrote the song some years ago for one of her albums although wouldn't include it, because the song wasn't good enough. Personally, I think Trijntje's song is awesome - many a little repetitive however I've heard it's going to be polished before March. Do you agree with Pierre Kartner? Is the Dutch entry a disappointment?

The Netherlands: Trijntje performs "Walk Along" live!

Last night, Trijntje Oosterhuis performed Walk Along live on The Voice of Holland. She gave a very strong performance. Ilse was clearly having a ball and the song topped yesterdays daily iTunes chart in The Netherlands. It's looking very good once again for the Dutchies! Watch her performance below:

The Netherlands: "Walk Along" revealed!

Trijntje Oosterhuis's song for Vienna is entitled Walk Along and was revealed this morning. Listen to it here. The general reaction seems to be very good - could the Dutch be contenders for victory next year? Regarding her participation, Trijntje said:

It is really cool that Anouk and The Common Linnets did it. Now i'm daring!I find it exciting, but it is also an honour to represent our country.

..and regarding the song itself, she said:

It is really catchy. I guess it's different to what you usually expect from me, but I have an ambition to win and give it my all.

. This blogger loves her song! I think The Netherlands can achieve top ten in Vienna..

The Netherlands: Song presentation on 11th December!

Trijntje Oosterhuis will release her Eurovision entry on 11th December. The song will be premiered on NPO Radio 2’s show Gouden Uren at 9:00 CET. Anouk said it's a "catchy and awesome song with great vocals." Maybe it's a little early to release their song? Eurovision is over five months away.. but I'm very excited and interested to see what Anouk and Trijntje have come up with. 

The Netherlands: Trijntje Oosterhuis officially confirmed as representative!

So it's official! Trijntje Oosterhuis will indeed represent The Netherlands in Vienna - her song will be composed by Anouk. Rumours having circulating since Friday, thanks to Anouk hinting about Trijntje being the Dutch representative on a chat show. The 41 year-old Trijntje had this to say regarding her participation:

I feel extremely honoured that I’ve been asked to represent The Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna next May. After good results by both Anouk and The Common Linnets the past two years, that of course increases the tension, but also the fun. We’re almost ready with the song we want. The song has been co-written by Anouk and it’s really good for me that she’s willing to share her experience about Eurovision with me. The talks with AvroTros about how we’re going to do things were really good. I’m really looking forward to it!

And regarding her song, Trijntje said:

It's an incredible fresh song! A song you wouldn't expect from Anouk or me!

Very exciting!

The Netherlands: Official announcement on Monday!

The fabulous Anouk appeared on a Dutch TV show last night where she said Trijntje Oosterhuis would be a good choice for Eurovision and then said she's a terrible liar following her statement. Naturally, this sparked speculation in The Netherlands and across Europe as to whether Trijntje Oosterhuis will fly the Dutch flag next year. Anouk produced the majority of songs on Trijntje's last album and they have been friends for several years. She was already a hot favourite to represent the country according to Dutch media. But nothing's confirmed yet. AVROTROS, the Dutch national broadcaster, will make an official statement on Monday. Stay tuned my friends!!

The Netherlands: Participant to be revealed in late November!

The Dutch representative will be revealed in late November. The Netherlands will therefore opt for an internal selection, once again. Reports state Alain Clark has been chosen.

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.

The Netherlands: Alain Clark already selected?

The Common Linnents achieved 2nd place for The Netherlands in Copenhagen so their successor has a pretty big job on their hands! But who is the chosen one? Apparently it could be Alain Clark! AVROTROS, the Dutch broadcaster, are yet to make an announcement regarding their participant for next years contest but Alain Clark is one of the main candidates - according to De Telegraaf. Alain Clark has sold 180,000 albums and This Ain't Gonna Work is one of his biggest hits. Dotan, a singer-songwriter from Amsterdam, has also been rumoured... Meanwhile, this blogger would love to see Caro Emerald fly the Dutch flag in Vienna! Anyway, an official announcement is due within the next couple of months.

The Netherlands: Waylon leaves The Common Linnets!

It's a sad day. Waylon has revealed that he's going to leave The Common Linnets. Ilse and Waylon formed The Common Linnets to create a beautiful country-sounding album. The Common Linnets came 2nd in Copenhagen and have had lots of success since Eurovision. Following Eurovision, The Common Linnets have charted in a number of countries and even managed to achieve #9 in the UK Single Charts. Waylon released this statement:

Dear Fans,
I would like to take this opportunity to let you know I found again. It’s strange to notice that I’ve become now national property and therefore also a national search to me was started. But there is not so much going on, other than one suggests.
I am the past year with lots of fun has been part of The Common Linnets together with Ilse DeLange. We have, for the occasion, decided to join forces in our love for our country and Americana music.
The Common Linnets, however, is a project of Ilse DeLange. She has figured it out and it’s always been clear that this would be in a varying composition.
We have ever agreed that I would make a plate with her, later our participation in the Eurovision song contest and the concert on 21 June in the Twente Stadium. There are also on our calendars.
The success after the Eurovision song contest has both of us by surprise. It makes that you need to start looking at.
For me there are a lot of layers and obligations the coming period with the release of my new album “Heaven after Midnight” in september. Last year an album that I have recorded and have funded themselves. An important and personal album. I have this album already postponed due to the Eurovision song contest.
To my calendar now to throw for the Linnets full foreign promotion of The Common has for me so more consequences than for Ilse. I have to go for a longer period than freeing me and connecting with The duo The Common Linnets, perhaps for a year or longer, especially if America also in the picture.I hope that you understand that these choices are that I cannot simply take and also not alone.
I had me going for long periods of time can and want to connect to The Common Linnets, as this abroad based on creative equivalence would happen. Ilse and I have long talked about, but have not yet come true. That has nothing to do with money, but with an emotional commitment of two people to a duo in a fixed composition, focusing our solo careers for the time being, would put in the refrigerator.
Ilse is free to with The Common Linnets, as they initially intended, from a varying composition to go touring.
The international success of course tasted delicious and was it work properly with Ilse and her band. Finally, Jake, JB, Rob and Matthew fantastic musicians and lyricists! I look forward to Tuckerville on June 21, the place where we meet, also see, Ilse and I go again.

Introducing 2014: The Netherlands!

In 2013, Anouk was the first Dutch act to qualify for the grand final since 2004 - which was brilliant and very beneficial, as other big names from The Netherlands are now willing to do Eurovision. Consequentially, The Common Linnets were announced as the Dutch representatives back in November 2013. The duo consists of Ilse DeLange, and Waylon. Ilse DeLange is a household name in The Netherlands. She's one of my favourite Dutch artists, and has been on the music scene since 1998. I'm delighted she's finally going to Eurovision. Waylon is country/pop singer - who has tried to represent his country before, in 2005 although he wasn't successful. The band wasn't just created for Eurovision, but because they were working on a new album in America. Calm After The Storm was released on 13th March. I love the Dutch entry. It's one of my favourites and I really hope to see The Netherlands qualify. This is quality music and it deserves to be in the final. 

NuVidz: Mo, Jessica Mauboy, Shakira, Hind!

Mo came third in Melodi Grand Prix with Heal. He was one of the favourites to represent Norway - and it is a very nice song. Although I think Norway made the right choice! The lovely Jessica Mauboy will perform as the interval act in the 2nd semi-final, in Copenhagen. Her latest single is Never Be the Same. She could easily chart in the United Kingdom or America with this song. She's amazing!! I've am a massive fan of Shakira. Her new song is entitled Empire! This is an amazing song. It's clocked almost 19 million views on YouTube in one month. She also performed this song on The Voice UK. Remember Hind? She represent The Netherlands in 2008 although didn't manage to qualify. Well here's one of her latest songs - Make It Count. She recently gave an exclusive interview to my friend at Life After Helsinki 2007. :-)

The Netherlands: "Calm After The Storm" released!

I think The Netherlands are now my favourites! The Common Linnet's released their Eurovision entry this morning and it really is a beautiful piece of music. An acoustic version was released last night although I prefer the official ESC version. It has more hook. The lyrics are great and both of their voices completely suit this song. I'm really impressed with this! Listen here!