France: Selection committee will meet in January!

After the new year, a committee will come together with France 3 and discuss who is best to represent in Malmo! There main aim is to find a "contemporary folk song".

It appears that France are willing to try several different genes in ESC! Could they actually win next May? Maybe we could be heading for Paris in 2014! After Anggun failed to score well, French TV want to send a younger and fresher face to Eurovision! The entry will be announced in early February! 

Anggun was amazing, I hope I will like the French entry next year...

BREAKING NEWS: Belarus sends Alyona Lanskaya to Malmo!

Alyona was chosen to represent Belarus moments ago! The song Rhythm Of Love is the first to be selected for the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest! YAY!

I think she was awesome and will make a great representative for Belarus! I am thrilled! I just hope they wont change their minds and send something else like last year! It was a really weak national final! She got 24 points, scoring the highest amount of points that can be given!  

Enjoy the official Belorussian entry for 2013... <3

Note to Belarus - DON'T CHANGE THE SONG! PLEASE...

Azerbaijan: "Milim Secim Turu" to kick of 17th December!

It's been confirmed by Ictimai that the Azerbaijani national selection will start Monday 17th December 2012! This is just over a week ago, the selection was delayed thanks to technical faults.

In all, 80 acts have progressed and will battle for the Azerbaijani ticket to Malmo! Every Friday's the qualifiers will be announced! Here are the schedule for the heats:

Monday – Eurovision hits!

Tuesday – Azerbaijani music!

Wednesday – World hits!

Thursday – Stage performance!

Friday – Candidates are free to perform a song of their own choice!

The grand final is due for early March! Who will represent Azerbaijan? They came 4th on home soil...

Belarus: National Final tonight!

The first country to select their entry for Eurovision 2013, is Belarus! Tonight they will select their entrant for Malmo!

The show looks very exiting because the voting results will be live on screen, so we can all see who is in the lead! The following acts will battle for the Belorussian....

01. Vitaly Voronko (“I wonder how you”);
02. Max Lorens (“I love your charming eyes”);
03. Alena Lanskaya (“Rhythm of Love”);
04. Yankey (“Letter to Mother”);
05. “Beaver Band” (“Incredible Girl”);
06. Daria (“Catch Me Again”);
07. Uzari (“Secret”);
08. Alexey Gross (“One Way Love”);
09. “Nuteki” band (“Save me”);
10. Satsura (“Get out of my way”

Who do you want to see Belarus represent by next year? I want Alyona! <3 Here are all of the participants!

Iceland: Yohanna for Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2013?

Eurovisionary reports the news that Yohanna, is planning a comeback! She will return to the Icelandic preselection, with a song wrote by her boyfriend!

It has not been officially confirmed however it seems likely she will sing Þú (You) ,as Davíð Sigurgeirsson wrote the ballad. I think it would be amazing if she would represent Iceland again! She did try and represent the country in 2011, however Nott (Night) was not loved among the Icelanders. The names of the artists will be revealed very soon - who will compete in Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins?

Her 2011 effort...

Is It True came second in Moscow...

Cyprus: Participation confirmed!

There was some doubt regarding the Cypriot participation however today CYBE announced that they will be in Malmo!

ESCToday reports how the country will participate and an internal selection will be used! It's extremely likely that Giorgos Papadopoulos will represent them however no official confirmation has been released, yet! As soon as it's confirmed, I will let you all know! I am very pleased that Cyprus will enter the competition - just Greece and Slovakia to wait for now... Oh, and Slovenia!

Enjoy one of  Giorgos Papadopoulos songs...

Spain: Confirmed for 2013!

The Spanish broadcaster  TVE, has confirmed that they will participate in next years Eurovision Song Contest! It's good that some good news was released today, as Slovakia decided to withdraw earlier.

A singer will be selected internally and then a national final will take place, in either February or March. Rumours are saying that Cheona, David Bustamante or even Pablo Alboran could represent the country in Malmo! It's great to hear that high profile artists  like Pastora Soler in 2012, could sing for Spain. The EBU deadline for countries to confirm/withdraw their participation has been moved to 21st December - maybe because the EBU is talking with Portugal? Buena Suerte Espana!

Spain was among my favourites in Baku...

Belgium: Songs released on 11th December!

Roberto Bellarosa has already been selected to represent Belgium in the 2013 contest and the song will be selected 16th December! 

The selected songs will be released a week today, on Tuesday 11th December! I hope for something good from Belgium! No information regarding the song titles or the language they are sung in, has not been announced! I am going to Belgium that day, for the Christmas market - so lets hope a good song will await me when I return! When each song is announced, I will do a "special" review here and there, when I have time! 

Enjoy one of Roberto's other songs...

Slovakia: Withdraws from Eurovision 2013!

Slovakia has decided that they are not planning on sending an entry to the 2013 contest, according to ESCToday. This comes as no shock...

It seems that they will join Portugal, by not participating, but will Cyprus and Greece be joining them also? We will know everything by the end of the week I'm told...  The Slovakian participation is in doubt every year but now ESCToday reported it, it's confirmed that they are out! However, they still have until December 15th to change their mind but it's not likely. :(

Will you miss Slovakia? I will....

FYR Macedonia: Internal selection to select entry!

Kaliopi had the honour of representing Macedonia in Baku this year, with the amazing Crno I Belo. It appears that after a successful result, 13th, MRT will use the same format!

The artist will be announced by the end of the month and then they song will be released in February, it's thought! A Macedonian friend of mine says that Tamara Todevsk could represent the country once again, nothing announced. We will know who will represent the Balkan country this month! Good luck to Macedonia...

In 2012, they sent this masterpiece... <3

Norway: 21 songs selected for MGP!

Could Maria return?

It's been revealed that 21 songs will compete in the Norwegian selection, Melodi Grand Prix 2013! 7 songs will compete in each Semi Final!

NRK is yet to reveal the list of participants. They will announce the artists participating in each semi, a week before they are due to perform on the big stage! Maybe this is because they have not many artists willing to participate? Or because there are some big names, and they want to drop a bombshell! I am looking forward to the MGP, as they are one of my favourite selections! The final is due for 9th February! Who will represent Norway next year? They came last in Baku...

Belarus: Preparations for Friday's final underway!

It's only 5 days until Belarus will select their entry for the 2013 contest and preparations are well underway! I'm really looking forward to it!

A new voting method will be used, where viewers will be able to see who is leading live- this is the same method Germany has used in their recent Nationals Selections. The running order is due for Tuesday, I hope Alyona gets a good draw! Contestants will rehearse Thursday and then hours before the final, on Friday. Here is the list of participants... 

• Max Lorens – I love your charming eyes
• Alyona Lanskaya - Rhythm in Love
• Alexey Gross - One Way Love
• Daria - Catch Me Again
• Nuteki – Save Me
• Stanislav Satsura – Get out of my way
• Uzari – Secret
• Yan Zhenchak – Letter to Mother
• Vitaly Voronko – I wonder how you
• Beaver Band – Incredible girl 

The show is expected to start 20:00 CET, here is my favourite...

Kazakhstan: No debut in 2013!

Will Kazakhstan ever compete in the Eurovison Song Contest? It looks very unlikely for now as they can't enter the 2013 contest, unfortunately this doesn't come as a shock...

In 2008, they applied for membership but the EBU have not accepted this therefore they won't be entering next year. They will not be accepted until they have a better human rights record and democratic values, so I hear! Maybe one day they will debut to the contest however that won't be for a few years. I understand Kazakhstan has many problems but so does Israel, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey and Georgia, for example. I believe that ESC would have been a good international platform for them.

They may enter something like this, one day...

Malta: The 24 Semi Finalists announced!

She's back!

Yesterday the 24 Semi Finalists were announced in a live TV show! Here is the full list...

1. Perfect day – Janice Debatista (Boris Cezek, Dean Muscat)
2. Never walkaway – Chris Grech (Matthew James Borg, David Cassar Torregiani, Chris Grech, Peter Borg)
3. When it’s time – Claudia Faniello (Errol Sammut, Claudia Faniello)
4. My stranger love – Corazon Mizzi (Paul Giordimania, Fleur Balzan)
5. Fall like Rome - Richard Edwards (Philip Vella, Magnus Kaxe, Gerard James Borg)
6. Tides of illusion – Ylenia Vella (Jason Cassar, Mario Farrugia)
7. Us against the world - Gianni Zammit (Boris Cezek, Dean Muscat)
8. Ultraviolet Jessica Muscat (Thomas G:son, Philip Vella, Gerard James Borg)
9. Starting from the end – Dorothy Bezzina (Magnus Kaxe, Gerard James Borg)
10. Tomorrow – Gianluca Bezzina (Boris Cezek, Dean Muscat)
11. Fantasy – Danica Muscat (Paul Abela, Joe Julian Farrugia)
12. Needing you – Kevin Borg (Kevin Borg, Danne Atterud, Simon Gribbe, Michael Clauss, ThomasThornholm)
13. Loverdose – Melanie Zammit (Maria Lundin (Maria Marcus), Niclas Lundin, Gerard James Borg)
14. Too little too late – Dominique Azzopardi (Matthias Strasser, Marc Paelinck)
15. Betrayed – Davinia Pace (Elton Zarb, Matthew Mercieca)
16. Keep believing - Raquela (Raquela Dalli Gonzi)
17. Superstar – Scar – (Konrad Pule)
18. Dress rehearsal – Saska Hunt (Philip Vella, Gerard James Borg)
19. In control - Amber (Paul Giordimania, Fleur Balzan)
20. No one’s home – Petra (Wayne Micallef, Richard Micallef)
21. Love-o-holic – Deborah C (Johan Bejerholm, Gerard James Borg)
22. Let your heart talk – Franklin Calleja (Ray Agius, Alfred C. Sant)
23. The remedy – Klinsmann Coleiro (Philip Vella, Magnus Kaxe, Gerard James Borg)
24. Wonderful today – Petra/Richard Edwards (Wayne Micallef, Richard Micallef)

It seems that there are several names from previous years including Claudia Faniello, Raquela, Petra with Richard Edwards (they have a duet together and a song each solo) and Amber.The quality is very good and I think Malta may do really well next May! Here is Claudia Faniello's song from last years selection, I hope she makes it...

Albania: Running order of Festivali i Këngës announced!

The 5th country to select their song for the 2013 is going to be Albania, on 22nd December! The running order of the festival has been announced recently. Here it is...

First semi-final (20 December 2012)

• Selami Kolonja
• Rosela Gjylbegu,
• Kejsi Tola (ESC 2009)
• Vesa Luma
• Elis Nova
• Kozma Dushi
• Bon bon Band
• DR.Flori&Fabi
• Merland Kademi
• Rezarta Smaja
• Ardian Bujupi
• Xheni&Enxhi Kumrija
• Arjela Krasniqi

Second semi-final (21  December 2012)

• Arjan Dredhasi
• Adrian Lulgjuraj&Bledar Sejko
• Hersi Matmuja
• LNYX
• Entela Zhula
• Anjeza Shahini (ESC 2004)
• Kelly
• Bojken Lako
• Marsela Çibukaj
• Valon shehu
• Ani Çuedari
• Na
• Flaka Krelani

One of the entrants is Anjeza Shahini, who is already an early favourite to take the trophy! She also participated in 2010...

Latvia: 122 songs recived by LTV!

122 songs have been sent into Latvian broadcaster, LTV, this is a record for the Baltic country!

After Latvia has failed to reach the final since 2008, maybe there will be a really good and worthy representation of Latvian music here! I would love Latvia to do well. The final is expected to be held in February  I wish them the best of luck! 24 songs will be revealed 11th December in a press conference, foreign songwriters can be used but the performer must be a Latvian citizen!

Anmary sung a Beautiful Song in Baku...