Montenegro: Confirmed their participation!

Moments ago it was revealed by ESCToday that Montenegro will participate in next year's contest! Great news, we now have 42 confirmed participants!

They returned in 2012, after 2 years of absence, and many thought that their participation was in doubt! This is not the case however and I am looking forward to hearing their 5th entry! How they will choose the entrant is yet unknown however my guess would be internal! Now it's only Portugal left to decide, as they will announce their intentions tomorrow! C'mom Portugal...

Montenegro has never won but that's down to sending average/awful entries - hope that can change in 2013! Best of luck Montenegro. This is what they returned within Baku...

18:00 CET - I hear bad things coming from Slovakia and Slovenia, stay tuned! :/
19:30 CET - Now nothing has been confirmed in Slovakia, so that could go either way! Slovenia, a decision is expected to make Monday! Portugal are in real danger... Let's hope they will all stay!

France: Fabrice Mauss selected?

Fabrice Mauss has been rumored that he will represent France for a couple of weeks now but he apparently confirmed his participation on radio a few days ago. It seems very weird he would say this if it wasn't true so it's likely he will represent the country in Malmo, next May.

He stated how he will represent his country next year by saying "I'm very happy and honored to have been chosen, but I am also scared after the rather poor result achieved by Anggun this year". I think he would be very good for France in Eurovision however as I said - nothing is confirmed! Good luck France anyway, choose wisely! 

France 3 are yet to announce anything regarding the 2013 contest. Here is one of his most well known songs...

Switzerland: Finalists confirmed!

Switzerland will hold a National Final 15th December - where 9 acts will try and represent the country! I must say that the overall standard is low but there are two songs which I adore! Lys Assia and Magdelena Tul failed to make the final - Lys wasn't too pleased about this...

I will post my favourite 3 songs from this selection and my least favourite (this is what I will do before National Finals). I understand not everyone will agree with me but I hope you can appreciate it! The winner will be decided by 100% televoting - how scary :O

1st. Chiara Dubey - Bella Sera!

The best from the average NF! I adore this beautiful song - her vocals are extremely unique and I also find her a lovely person (I'm friends with her)! I think she would be an awesome choice for Switzerland! And who knows? She did come 3rd last year - I just hope she will stand out! 9/10 <3

2nd. Carrousel - J'avais rendez-vous!

Love it! I find this a very cool funky song - It's great! I would love for them to be represented by the duo. However I don't know how this will look on stage as its more of a radio song. It's fun and I hear that many people like it. But will they Swiss? I don't think they will. 7/10

3rd. Melissa - The Point of No Return!

I loved her in the Spanish National Final back in 2011 and I love her now! I find the song pretty good but I don't know if she will be able to pull it off live! Melissa is actually half Swiss, half Spanish - in case you didn't know! But Switzerland does like international starts representing them! Good luck! 6/10

9th (LAST). Anthony Bighead - Do The Monkey!

Never in my life have I heard something so stupid! What a poor excuse of a song - if it can even be called that! If Switzerland sends this mess to Malmo, it will be another dent in the ESC reputation. If they don't choose this - it will still be a NF victory! Even Lys Assia was better than this monstrosity... 0/10

All the best Switzerland - please send Chiara Dubey or Carrousel! 

Moldova: Natalia Barbu has a song for 2013!

Natalia Barbu is one of my favourite Moldovan artists so I'm thrilled that she is willing to represent her country once again! In 2007 she placed 10th in the Semi Final and Final...

She stated to a Romanian radio show...

"I have a superb song and planned some great show elements which are suitable for it"

It seems that Moldova will hold a National Final in either February or March next year and she is more than willing to participate! She won't say anything else about her song apart from it being "powerful". I wish her the best of luck, enjoy her 2007 entry...

Malta: 69 songs make the second phase!

Who will represent Malta in Sweden next year? I really have no idea but 69 participants have been revealed! There are many artists returning - here including Fabrizio Faniello, Claudia, Raquela, Kaya and Richard Edwards. On 30th November the 24 Semi Finalists will be announced and the songs will be made public.

Here is the pretty heavy list:

• Ally - It’s All about a Boy 
• Amber - In Control 
• Anna Azzopardi - Here I am 
• Annabelle Debono/Sean Vella - Silence Broken 
• Annalise Ellul - No Way! 
• Badine Bartolo - The Question 
• Baklava - Fuego 
• Ben - Reach the Light 
• Chris Grech - Never Walk Away 
• Claudia Faniello - When It’s Time 
• Corazon Mizzi - My Stranger Love 
• Corinne Caruana - 24 Hours 
• Danica Muscat - Fantasy 
• Danica Muscat - Fearless 
• Daniel Micallef - Radio 
• Dario Mifsud Bonnici - The Thief 
• Davinia Pace - Betrayed 
• Deborah C - Love-o-Holic 
• Derrick Schembri - Starting Over 
• Dominique Azzopardi - Too Little too late 
• Dorothy Bezzina - Starting from the End 
• Estell Fenech Imbroll - Ride 
• Fabrizio Faniello - An Everlasting Dream 
• Fiona Cauchi - All My Love 
• Francesca Borg - Captivated 
• Franklin Calleja - Let your heart talk 
• Gianluca Bezzina - Tomorrow 
• Gianni Zammit - Us Against the World 
• Gloriana Arpa Belli - For all those times 
• Ilaria Aquilina - Crying my Heart Out 
• Ioana Dalli - Could have been me 
• Janice Debattista - Perfect Day 
• Janice Mangion - My Love is Dead 
• Janvil - Give a little More 
• Jessica Muscat - Ultraviolet 
• Jessica Muscat - Serenità 
• Jessica Muscat - In Your Kiss 
• Jos - Dancing in the Rain 
• Julie Pomorski - Tabula Rasa 
• Karen Debattista - Cold Whispers 
• Kaya - Immortal 
• Kevin Borg - Needing You 
• Klinsmann Coleiro - The Remedy 
• Laura Bruno - Ready for Love 
• Marilena Gauci - Overrated 
• Melanie Zammit - Loverdose 
• Michelle Micallef - Will you be there 
• Miriam Christine - Closer to You 
• Nadia Vella - Forbidden Love 
• Nadine Bartolo - High 
• Petra - No One’s home 
• Petra & Richard Edwards - Wonderful Today 
• Rachel Tedesco Triccas - Take Me As I am 
• Raquela - Keep Believing 
• Richard Edwards - Her Song 
• Richard Edwards - Fall Like Rome 
• Roger Tirazona - In Our love 
• Romina Mamo - You belong to me 
• Romina Mamo - Sublime 
• Romina Mamo - Kiss Our Dreams Goodbye 
• Rosman Pace - Unbelievable 
• Saska Hunt - Dress Rehearsal 
• Scar - Superstar 
• Stefan Galea - Meant for More 
• Tiziana Calleja - Silent Tears 
• Vanessa Gatt - Vendetta 
• Victorio Gauci - Naked 
• Willaim Mangion - Somewhere Under the sun 
• Ylenia - Tides of Illusion

Can't wait to hear Raquela's song! Here was her 2011 effort...

Portugal: Information about participation out tomorrow!

After Poland has confirmed that they won't make a return to the Eurovision next year, it begs the question even more - Will Portugal participate?

I am hearing rumors about an internal selection however I hear more rumors, even from friends of mine in Portugal, saying things are not good RTP and a withdrawal could be on the cards. I pray this is not the case however who knows? So far we have 41 participants confirmed and I just want to be able to reach 42! I did hear that they could opt for an internal selection, so let's hope that's the case!

Do you think they will send an entry to Malmo? Here is their 2012 entry!

Poland will NOT return to Eurovision!

I really thought that they would make a comeback but it seems that TVP really don't care about Eurovision no more.

They say they want to concentrate on other TV projects (who does that sound like?) and won't sent an entry to Malmo. Apparently this was only decided this week after long discussions. I fear they will never return now. Only Portugal and Montenegro to go - I just hope we can reach at least 42. No record will be broken next year...

Damn you TVP :(

Ukraine: Another National Final set for December!

Why are there so many countries choosing in December? But I'm not complaining! I love hearing new songs all the time!

Ukraine will choose their entry for Malmo on 23nd December one night after Albania - who will represent the Ukraine next year? Who knows! I hope they select a good song as I feel they slipped up from their normal quality this year after not selecting Max. They were going to hold their final in Mid-February however changed their mind recently. 20 entries will be shown on the 23nd and the winner will be from jury and televoting,

So far Belarus, Switzerland, Belgium, Lithuania, Albania and also Ukraine will choose their entry in December!

Why not take a look at their 2012 entry (her awesome NF performance), good luck Ukraine! :D

San Marino: Confirmed participation!

Some more great news here... SMTV have announced that they will send an entry to Malmo next year!

How will they select it? Nothing is announced but an internal selection does look likely! As Lys Assia failed to make the Swiss final rumours have emerged that she could represent San Marino however these are just rumours... But if they can't find an artist - who knows? I wish them the best of luck! Now it's only Portugal and Montenegro who are yet to confirm, also we don't know whether Poland will return!

San Marino has never made the final. Here is their 2012 entry... *shudders*

Belgium: Roberto Bellarosa selected, radio final 16th February!

First of all, I have been away on holiday in Fuerteventura but now I'm back - YAY! And since I have been away the Belgium representative has been confirmed, and it's Roberto Bellarosa!

I have not heard of him but looking at his material he looks very good, but they must choose the right song, as they failed to do so last year! 3 songs will be presented and it will be down to the viewers and jury to decide what song he will sing in Malmo! The means that the 18 year old is the second artist to be confirmed after Anouk has been
confirmed for The Netherlands!

The radio final will take place 16th December, one day after Switzerland! Good luck Belgium! Here is one of his songs...

Breaking News: Running order WILL be determined by the producers!!!

The draw for Eurovision 2011 - Semi Final 1.

A bombshell has hit all Eurovision fans today as eurovision.tv have announced that there won't be a draw to select the running order but the producers of the show will do this! This has caused lots of controversy!

Positives - It will make the show more interesting because there won't by loads of ballads at one point, for example. SVT will mix it up therefore the show won't boring, they say. It will be good to see how they deal with this and who get's the "unlucky" slots.

Negatives - If a country is drawn early and does really bad then the broadcasters will moan and kick up a storm. This could come back to bite the EBU on the arse also as countries such as Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Armenia and those kind of countries won't be impressed if they get a bad draw!

However one country will be selected by draw alone and that's the host, Sweden. All the other countries slots will be selected by the producers. It begs the question, will Montenegro perform st in the First Semi Final again? Will Denmark and Norway get a good draw? Will the UK be performing first again? Will the favourites be drawn around the start of the show? This will be so interesting and I am looking forward to seeing how this will plan out.

The majority of fans are not impressed by this as they think it could cause problems (well, it will!) between broadcasters who get an early draw, especially if they are drawn early in the semi and final. Norway and Denmark will perform in different semi finals - this has been confirmed! But is the draw that important?

Remember the 2012 draw? We won't be seeing that next year!

So what do you think about this? Let us know! :D

France have confirmed participation for Malmo!

Today French TV has confirmed that they will be represented in next years Eurovision! This is great news!

How the French will select their representative for Malmo is yet unconfirmed however an internal selection does look likely, this should be announced with-in coming weeks. This is another step to a record amount of participants as San Marino, Portugal, Greece, Montenegro and Poland are yet to confirm whether they will enter or withdraw. It's very likely Poland will return but confirmation has not been announced yet, that should be this week - according to a friend of mine...

Who will fly the French flag? Anggun didn't do very well this year and even got 0 points from the voting- OUCH!

Finland: Tickets on sale for UMK!

Finland is due to select their entry 9th Febuary in Espoo's Barano Areena and today tickets for that event have gone on sale! Tickets can be brought here!

These tickets are not expensive as they start from £20. 12 songs will be announced 3rd December so then we can see if they have a good change on doing well next year! The first show is expected to be aired 27th December - yep, another early date. What is it with countries starting their selections so early? Not that I'm complaining, I love it! 

Finland sent this beautiful ballad in 2012!

Denmark: Lise Ronne, Sofie Lassen-Kahlke and Louise Wolff will host DMGP!

This year there will be 3 hosts for DGMP - it's been confirmed by Danish broadcaster, DR. This will be the first time that 3 ladies have hosted the contest.

Sofie is the only DMGP virgin here as the other two have previously hosted the contest before. All participants will be revealed on 16th January - 692 songs were received by the Danish broadcaster so they will have a lot of work on their hands to whittle it down to 10 for the final.

Denmark will select their entrant on 26th January 2013. Who will represent the country in Malmo? Who would you like? Here is a pretty good song from their NF last year, I hope Ditte will return!

Karolina Gočeva releases a brand new single - "Toj"!

F.Y.R Macedonia have been represented twice by this lovely woman and now she has released a new song. Many Macedonian and European fans will be pleased to hear that her new single has been released!

She is about to release her 9th album and a new song is entitled "Toj" - which is Macedonian for "Him". It's a very cool relaxing
song and I think she will do very well with it! Do you like it? Listen here!

Switzerland: Final line up to be confirmed 12th November!

Nine acts will fight for the Swiss ticket to Malmo but who will participate in that National Final? Well Ally and Chiara Dubey will be there as they won the RSI regional final.

Among favourites to get chosen are Lys Assia, Magdalena Tul, Melissa, LA Voices and Mariella Farre. I think it's a pretty strong line up however I suppose they will choose the worst song! Haha - Chiara Dubey is my personal favourite, and hopefully I will upload an interview here with-in the coming weeks! 

Enjoy the two songs which have already qualified for the grand final, 15th December:

Ally - Catch Me:

Chiara Dubey - Bella Sera: