Switzerland: First few songs already online!

Switzerland have officially kicked of the NF season of 2014! Why? Well my friends, the first few songs, willing to represent the landlocked country, have been released on SRF's online video-portal.

Take a look here to view the website and a few songs have already been uploaded. The deadline for anyone interested is 28th October. Switzerland selects their entry on 1st February - although before that there will be heats, heats and more heats before that! I wonder if we will see Lys Assia this year.......

France: Participation for 2014 confirmed!

France 3, the French broadcaster, has announced that they will be sending an entry to Copenhagen next May...

However it hasn't been announced how their entry will be selected. Amandine Bourgeois flew the French flag in Malmo and came a pretty disappointing 23rd, which was totally undeserved. In other news, it seems that Bosnia aren't going to return as they're joining Turkeyvision - more on all that another time! Who will represent France next year? My dream would be Zaz or Nolwenn Leroy!

Denmark: Emmelie de Forest postpones her tour!

Emmelie has decided to postpone her tour. Apparently her schedule is too busy, although maybe low ticket sales also play a part in this decision.

She was meant to perform in 14 different cities including Copenhagen, Horsens, Berlin, Dresden... but that's not happening now. This years ESC winner released a statement on her Facebook page, saying:

It is with my deepest regret that I have postpone my tour in Germany and Denmark. I was really looking forward to getting out and perform for all of you! I had to make this decision, as I am a perfectionist and whatever I do, it has to be done 100%. With my very hectic schedule at the moment, it is impossible for me to do that. I hope for your understanding and look forward to performing for you as soon as possible Lots of LOVE from E 

No further dates have been given. Lena had to cancel a tour in 2011 due to low interest...

Spain: Participation for 2014 confirmed!

Yipee! Spain have confirmed they will send an entry to Copenhagen next May... I'm delighted! I love Spain!!! <3

TVE, the Spanish broadcaster, announced that they haven't decided how they will select their entry and we should expect more news soon. In recent years, Spain have gone internal - maybe this trend will continue? Or maybe they'll opt for a national final? Italy have also said that they plan on participating but haven't fully confirmed yet.

Denmark: National final on 8th March, in Odense!

It's been revealed that Denmark will pick their entry on 8th March. The Danish broadcaster, DR, confirmed that event will be held in Odense - the third largest city in Denmark and in the Arena Fyn.

10 acts are expected to take part in the final, and like every other year, they'll be no semi finals. But why did DR choose Odense? This is what Rasmus Ladefoged, Director of Entertainment, said:

“The eyes of the world will be on Denmark as we will host the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest. As such the Danish national final, Melodi Grand Prix, is going to be something quite special this time. We know that Odense can pull off this huge task and provide the setting for a super amazing show and a massive party for everyone”

Who will represent their country on home territory? Sweden also selects their representative on 8th March, and it's likely other countries will too! :)

Montenegro: RTCG confirm participation for 2014!

The Montenegrin broadcaster has confirmed that they will indeed be sending a Copenhagen next year. Fantastico!

I love Montenegro - they always send interesting stuff but have never been awarded for their efforts. Igranka was so awesome, but unfortunately didn't qualify - maybe the rap put people off. Montenegro will go internal once again and apparently RTCG are in talks with Sergey Cetkovic. He's very popular in Montenegro and all over the Balkans so could be a great choice if selected...

NuVidz: Andrius Pojavis, Mandinga, Emmelie de Forest, Leanne Mitchell!

Every Tuesday, or so, I'll post some new and random videos that I've discovered throughout the week. This will include Eurovision artists but also non-Eurovision artists... just anything I feel like really lol!

OK, so Andrius Pojavis is back with quite a weird song entitled Play your game - this guy is crazy but awesome at the same time. It's a charming song. Romanian 2012 representatives Mandinga have a new song too called La vita e bella which is very nice. I could imagine hearing this on the beach somewhere in Spain... it's great! The ever so beautiful Emmelie de Forest releases the official video-clip of Hunter and Prey. Love it! Leanne Mitchell also debuts with Pride - it's only sold about 800 copies here in the UK, very sad indeed as she's a fab singer. She won The Voice in 2012.

Finland: UMK final on 1st February, 420 demos received!

The ball is rolling in Finland... YLE have received about 420 demos for next years national selection and the final has been set for 1st February.

Latvia and Switzerland have already said they'll be holding their NF's on 1st February, so that'll be a busy but great night! A special jury will listen to all 420 songs and select the best 12 for the live shows, these live shows kick off on 28th December with quarter finals and semi finals every Saturday leading up to the final. Apparently there are some "known-faces" in this years UMK, and some total newcomers too.

UMK 2013 was great. Some fantastic songs - this bloggers favourite was...

Italy: Sanremo 2014 details announced!

Everyone's favourite Italian music festival is back next year - as RAI have revealed some details surrounding the event. The grand final will take place on 22nd February.

The format will be exactly the same as this years Sanremo. Each participant will have two songs - and the better song will advance to the final. There will also be the newcomers night on 21st February. Fabio Fazio and Luciana Littizzett will return as hosts. The festival will begin on 18th February... it'll be awesome! Sanremo is always awesome! Italy haven't confirmed for ESC yet, but they'll be there - RAI are asking fans who they would like to see represent Italy in Denmark and Emma is leading. Cast your votes here.

Latvia: National final set for 1st February!

It's been revealed that the Latvians will choose their entry through "Dziesma" on 1st February! There will be two semi finals, same story as last year it'll just a few weeks earlier.

These semis are going to be held on 18th and 19th January. This bloggers hoping that the standard will be high AND that they'll select the best song. This years Latvian final was awesome - but the worst song by far won. Latvia was my least favourite this year, at-least Romania and Albania were entertaining! Good-luck Latvia... More information to be revealed soon. :)

Oh, I've realised that's the same day as Switzerland. Best make sure I've got no plans that night..... lol

Copenhagen 2014: DR applies for more funding...

Danish national broadcaster, DR, have applied for more funding to put towards next years Eurovision - it's been revealed they've applied to the Ministry of Culture in Denmark.

Hosting Eurovision is a massive task and it doesn't come cheap. SVT invested a total of 14 million euros for this years edition! Maria Rørbye Rønn, DR general director, said:

 It is correct that DR has written a letter to the Ministry of Culture with a request to be considered when the relevant parties meet to discuss how to spend the surplus funds from licence fees.

Croatia withdrew last week due to economic strains, it's also looking very likely that Serbia will follow in their footsteps...

Serbia: Decision regarding 2014 participation expected next week?

With Croatia withdrawing, Greece and Cyprus on the edge of withdrawing, it looks like Serbia is now also having trouble and thus may leave the contest...

Due to financial problems RTS, the Serbian broadcaster, are currently on the edge of liquidation and 8 million Euros is outstanding to suppliers and staff salaries - and even with advertisements and license fees from citizens there still may not be enough money to support the broadcaster fully, hence there will be several cuts... Their financial situation is terrible. An RTS spokesmen, Duška Vučinić, said:

“more information on Serbia’s participation at the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest will be known at the end of next week”.

Plus is doesn't help they didn't qualify in Malmo, and viewing figures are dropping every year... Could another Balkan country be about to withdraw?

The Netherlands: Anouk backs Shirma Rouse!

It's been reported that Anouk has been asked to write the Dutch entry for next year, and she's apparently planning on producing a song for Shirma Rouse and Eurovision. Shirma was one of Anouk's backing vocalists in Malmo and is currently a contestant on The Voice of Holland.

Hopefully Anouk will get her wish and Shirma will fly the Dutch flag in 2014 as she is utterly amazing. This is what Anouk had to say:

“She is fantastic. It is not normal to be so good. She has a very good presence, she’s really a sweetheart and very likeable."

If this does happen, the song is possibly going to be R&B... something like that would be awesome. But with Anouk anything is possible!!! ^^

Croatia: HRT withdraw from Eurovision 2014!!!

HRT have confirmed that Croatia will NOT be participating in next years Eurovision Song Contest as the country is really struggling financially...

This blogger is always sad when a country decides to withdraw although I do understand this decision - times are hard and Croatia have more important things to deal with. However all is not lost, the broadcaster did state that they only plan on taking one year out hence hoping to return for 2015 but that's a long way off yet! This is what the broadcaster stated in a press release...

“HRT, as a national broadcaster, needs to plan funds very carefully, and due to the financial crisis as well as public critics regarding the participation costs. Even though many viewers will be disappointed with the decision, HRT decided to take a year break as the main goal is always to find a great performer with a song that will reach a high position, and due to the series of bad results in the past couple of years. “

It also doesn't help that Croatia haven't qualified in four years... I'll miss them!!!

Monaco: No return for 2014!

This isn't really news but I thought it's worth sharing. Monaco have confirmed that they won't be sending an entry to Denmark next year...

Ah well. Now Monaco join Czech Republic, Slovakia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Andorra which have all announced they won't participate in Copenhagen. Their last representation was in 2006 with La Coco-Dance - and it's frankly one of the worst songs ever! Although I did like their 2005 effort, with Tout De Moi. Will they ever return? Never say never but it doesn't look very likely at the minute...

Austria: Facebook page set up against Conchita Wurst's participation!

ORF, the Austrian broadcaster, announced that Conchita Wurst would represent the country in Copenhagen and this has already caused anger among Austrians and ESC fans. A facebook page has been set up against the broadcasters choice.

"NEIN zu Conchita Wurst beim Song Contest" has already clocked up over 35,000 "likes" in just five days. The description states that the people don't accept ORF's decision - they believe that the public should have a say. I kinda agree with that - maybe they'll be a national final where the Austrian public selects the song? That could work. The bearded lady has reacted saying she'll go her own way and that she's used to these kind of insults. The group is particularly mean towards Conchita herself...

Whether you love her or hate her, Austria are making one heck of statement. I applaud them for that.