Eurovision 2018

An tUasal C

Eurovision 2018 will be held in Lisbon, Portugal after Salvador Sobral's 'Amor Pelos Dois'.

The contest will be held in the MEO Arena on the 8,10 and 12 of May 2018.

So far the only entrant announced is Laura Groeseneken of Belgium, from Flanders.

Beersmith

Tickets on sale November 30th for the final

An tUasal C

43 countries competing, including the return of Russia.

‘All Aboard’ is the logo.

Go Harvey Go

Australia taking part for the fourth consecutive year. I think it's great.

They're sending another indigenous singer:

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-42310081

NollagShona

Booked flights and accommodation! Now all I need is tickets! lol

yerwanthere123

Can't believe we're into Eurovision season again! First song from the class of 2018 is from, as usual, Albania. Picked two days before Christmas, expect a significant revamp by the time it gets to Lisbon, they need to cut about 90 seconds from the song. Either way I can't see it doing much at Eurovision, on first impressions it sounds as if Albania will be staying in the semi's again.

yerwanthere123

NollagShona wrote: »

Booked flights and accommodation! Now all I need is tickets! lol

Lucky you! Eurovision is definitely on my bucket list, would love to go some day.

Go Harvey Go wrote: »

Australia taking part for the fourth consecutive year. I think it's great.

They're sending another indigenous singer:

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-42310081

I like what Australia bring to the competition, but I'll be honest and day I'll hate it when they inevitably win. The pan-European backlash won't be pretty either. I also really dislike the way fans were pretty much lied to first day ever, being told the Australia were a "guest" entry, when it was patently obvious that they were always here to stay.

Go Harvey Go

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

I like what Australia bring to the competition, but I'll be honest and day I'll hate it when they inevitably win. The pan-European backlash won't be pretty either. I also really dislike the way fans were pretty much lied to first day ever, being told the Australia were a "guest" entry, when it was patently obvious that they were always here to stay.

All fair points. And I don't think anyone can disagree that at least some of the novelty has already worn off, with the rest to follow eventually.

yerwanthere123

Heathers are reportedly being lined up by RTE to represent us. Wouldn't be a terrible choice, I guess?

It had escaped my attention that Jessica Mauboy was representing Australia, that's a good choice. Also, Waylon (one half of the Common Linnets) is back to represent The Netherlands.

Still only the one song revealed, which feels a bit odd at this stage, although France will be revealing on Saturday while both the Czech Republic and Spain next Monday.

Go Harvey Go

Here are the UK hopefuls and their songs:

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-42800985

yerwanthere123

To me Astronaut sounds like the one with the most potential to do well by far. A lot of early hype about Legends but I think it's a total mess, plus there's no real chorus?

France has chosen their song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8J4hj-cLQ8

It's 2/3 of a very solid entry; I want to like it more but sadly it loses momentum towards the end and becomes very repetitive.
Hopefully they'll revamp the ending between now and the contest (and by "revamp" I don't mean "add some dodgy English lyrics"!!)

The allocation for the semi-finals was made today. Ireland will be performing in the first semi-final this year, on Tuesday 8th May. We won't know exact running order until much closer to the time but we do know Ireland will be performing in the second half of the show:

Here's who we're up against:

First Half
Albania
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Belgium
Bulgaria
Czech Republic
Estonia
Iceland
Israel
Lithuania

Second Half
Armenia
Austria
Croatia
Cyprus
Finland
FYR Macedonia
Greece
Ireland
Switzerland

And we know two of the songs we'll be up against:

Albania:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t44YNHMdBB0

Hard to judge this one, will probably be revamped a lot before the contest (it needs a good minute and a half shaved off it, for starters!)
It's not a bad song but it takes a while to get going. May be forgotten about by the end of the night, though his vocal should earn him some jury points.

Czech Republic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6_oxE2MxZE

Very American-sounding. Almost Bieber-esque.* Definitely not my cup of tea but it is quite contemporary; I could imagine hearing it on a night out (albeit at a not-very-good club! ) Could do very well if the staging and live vocal are strong, will flop otherwise.

*yeah yeah, I know he's Canadian but the point still stands! :pac:

Go Harvey Go

Also the UK will be voting in the first semi-final, along with the host country and Spain.

No doubt Marty Whelan will be even more hopeful that Ireland will make it to the final for the first time in five years...

yerwanthere123

I think that Czech entry is quite alright actually! Will definitely get them their best result so far, although that wouldn't be hard.

I think the French one is ok, but a big step down on the last couple of years. I think having no English will hurt it as well, despite the fact that a completely non-English track won last year.

Amik

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

I think the French one is ok, but a big step down on the last couple of years. I think having no English will hurt it as well, despite the fact that a completely non-English track won last year.

+1 not the same caliber as Alma or Amir but I think they'll polish the song a good bit before May rolls around. Gets better the more I listen to it.

Saw Amir was one of the judges. Like his newer song États d'amour.

Amik

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Heathers are reportedly being lined up by RTE to represent us. Wouldn't be a terrible choice, I guess?

Very good news! Something in the style of "Forget Me Knots" would get the crowd moving.

Amik

Yulia Samoylova doesn't have any "visa issues" with Portugal, so she's confirmed to represent Russia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thfeOkw8xqE

yerwanthere123

That's genuinely a surprise about Yulia. In spite of what they promised I didn't think she had a hope of going to Lisbon.

yerwanthere123

Spain

Not too bad, but probably mid table at best.

Amik

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Not too bad, but probably mid table at best.

Very romantic and oozing with chemistry. I'm a sucker for couple duets like that. Nothing beats last year's Romanian couple though. :P

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLHk2Ule7cA

Much better entry than last year's surfer boy, but Barei is still best.

Not a winner but high end of the mid-table for me.

Amik

Deleted User wrote: »

Czech Republic:

Very American-sounding. Almost Bieber-esque.* Definitely not my cup of tea but it is quite contemporary; I could imagine hearing it on a night out (albeit at a not-very-good club! ) Could do very well if the staging and live vocal are strong, will flop otherwise.

I didn't like this on first listen but it's growing on me. Live vocals was my concern too but check him out in this acoustic version - not bad!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVEBNjtGSGM

NollagShona

Got my tickets for Ireland’s semis!

yerwanthere123

Wow, fair play How much?

Amik

NollagShona wrote: »

Got my tickets for Ireland’s semis!

CONGRATS! I got mine this morning for the Semi Final 2 Family Rehearsal. My first in-person Eurovision experience!

30 Euros each for Premium Balcony Level 1. Looks like good seats.

NollagShona

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Wow, fair play How much?

50 live show standing

Amik

Already some San Remo buzz in the air. I'm very glad to see Annalisa leading a Wiwibloggs poll.



Super talented lady with a strong voice that's all over my Spotify playlist. She's long overdue for a shot at Eurovision. Only problem is she has two tour dates for her new album during Eurovision week. I wonder if she'd cancel and accept Eurovision instead if she wins?

Oh those eyes!

dogcat

The Sun has reported that The Heathers were initially planned on going for Ireland, however, RTÉ changed their mind at the last minute when The Heathers refused to change their song to a song wanted by RTÉ. They now allege that the participant will be a male.

yerwanthere123

Rumoured that Ryan O'Shaughnessy will be Ireland's act. Wouldn't be terrible if true, although obviously depends heavily on the song.

freshpopcorn

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Rumoured that Ryan O'Shaughnessy will be Ireland's act. Wouldn't be terrible if true, although obviously depends heavily on the song.

Twitter seems to be pointing that way!
He has a big announcement!

Amik

dogcat wrote: »

...RTÉ changed their mind at the last minute when The Heathers refused to change their song to a song wanted by RTÉ.

I already had lots of respect for Heathers and now it has grown. Can imagine the poor girls locked in a room as Louis Walsh tries to force the RTÉ song on them. *shivers*

Had my first listen to Ryan O'Shaughnessy on Spotify -- emotional lyrics from real-life experiences. Seems like a very confident performer, would be a great pick! An uptempo song like The News, Before the Sun Sets, and Sofa Bed is what he should take to Eurovision.

https://twitter.com/Ryan_Acoustic/status/958410892575756288

Amik

Eurovision Ireland thinks this song Ryan pinned to his Twitter feed may be the entry. It was published after 1 Sept 2017 so can be used.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PruSBOCqLws

Not bad and feels like something Latvia's amazing Aminata would enter, but I hope it's another song.

Mr E

RTÉ is delighted to announce the ballad "Together", penned by Ryan O'Shaughnessy, Mark Caplice and Laura Elizabeth Hughes, as Ireland’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018.

http://www.rte.ie/about/en/press-office/press-releases/2018/0131/937318-rte-announces-eurovision-song-contest-entry-for-2018/

JP Liz V1

Ryan from Fair City

Amik

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

Ryan from Fair City

squarecircles

SHOCK!!! A former RTE employee Ryan o shaugnessey,(who's relative was also chosen by RTE to represent Ireland in 2001),is selected by RTE ,Irelands state broadcaster, that oversee the selection process.

I'm sure no bias was involved on RTE's behalf in their final selection choice.none what so ever.

squarecircles

Amik wrote: »

It be great if he'd hit that eijit Damien over the head with that.

fluke

Here's me hoping Picture This would be sent over...

Amik

Norway's Melodi Grand Prix 2018 isn't until March but had a listen to the 10 selections today. This one caught my ear: Charla K - Stop The Music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlWqsr6uTZM

Song was written by the male half of Roxette, Per Gessle (I was a huge fan growing up).

Nice to see 2008's winner Alexander Rybak back in competition! Fun-ky song. Maybe...? Sunstroke Project did well last year with a similar style tune.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oRaHVM_TWM

Amik

Not the most exciting announcement from RTÉ but we'll wait and see what kind of song he comes out with. I'm wary of it being another ballad but hopefully it's something more contemporary and less snoozeworthy than what Brendan Murray got lumped with last year. He seems like a decent singer anyway (not that Brendan was bad but his voice was more of an....acquired taste, shall we say!)

Amik wrote: »

Eurovision Ireland thinks this song Ryan pinned to his Twitter feed may be the entry. It was published after 1 Sept 2017 so can be used.


Not bad and feels like something Latvia's amazing Aminata would enter, but I hope it's another song.

Ah it's a shame that's not the song, I'd have been quite happy with that. Certainly would've stood out as something a bit different, and seems like a song where you wouldn't need much physical staging (which has never been RTÉ's strong point!) as long as the backdrops and colours used were chosen well.

The Princess Bride

Actually Ryan O' Shaughnessy can sing very well.
He wrote his own songs for BGT and was also on The Hit, and performed brilliantly on that.

It depends on what he's given obviously.
But I wouldn't be writing him off just yet.

Strazdas

The Princess Bride wrote: »

Actually Ryan O' Shaughnessy can sing very well.
He wrote his own songs for BGT and was also on The Hit, and performed brilliantly on that.

It depends on what he's given obviously.
But I wouldn't be writing him off just yet.

I'd rate him well ahead of Nicky Byrne and Brendan Murray as a performer. They were two former boyband members with zero solo experience, plus Ryan writes all his own songs.

The Princess Bride

I can't remember the name of our Irish act last year.
But I remember hearing him on TV and wondering about a potential problem with helium inhalation.

Seriously we have some excellent songwriters and singers.
We either want to win or not.
If it's a not, then we need to just withdraw from the competition until a period of time when we can send something of the same standard as in previous decades.

Winning has nothing to do with block voting.
It's about sending something unique.

yerwanthere123

We may not know the song yet, but there's one thing we do know for sure; Marty Whelan will praise it to high heaven regardless of how good or bad it is, and will feign both shock and horror if (when?) we don't qualify

squarecircles

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

We may not know the song yet, but there's one thing we do know for sure; Marty Whelan will praise it to high heaven regardless of how good or bad it is, and will feign both shock and horror if (when?) we don't qualify

I can see it now,the credits rolling,with the successful participants dancing on stage waving their national flags,having failed to qualify,after listening to some auld faux maudling rubbish about having a small Bailey's with that blanaid woman beside him in the commentary box. "They all did so well,to aine and grainne and Nicky and all the team back in Dublin,they poured their hearts and souls into it,but it just wasn't to be,Good night and god blesh ya from here in the auditorium here in Lisbon,will talk to ya again on Saturday night god willing." Pass the puke bucket...

Yeah,we get it.
It's an annual expenses paid knees up trip to 'insert European city.'

RTE do not approach the ESC with a mentality of winning the contest,at the very most a desire to not finish last as a method to keep the whole sorry full mess of participating in it
,alive.They have showed no serious ambition to drastically change the process and repeat the same tiresome process each year.Rejiging the wording of a press release about the internal selection process,yada,yada,yada.
Start a melodian fest (which they can't afford to produce) or forget it,withdraw and stop wasting resources and fooling people with this sharade.
We are simply there to make up the numbers
And if that's RTE's goal,fair enough.

Small talent pool with a 'Beneath me' attitude.
Viewed as a freak carnival by an ignorant public.
Stale,tired selection process
Piss poor state broadcaster who are virtually perpetually broke.
No passion.
No innovation.
No funds.
No desire to win.

The whole pityfull mess reflects RTE's lazy,entitled,sloppy,dog eared, unprofessional,lack luster,shure why bother trying approach that has them where they are.

dogcat

https://wiwibloggs.com/2018/01/31/ryan-o-shaughnessy-together-power-ballad-gospel-feel/214108/

Everything about this is just yikes

yerwanthere123

From the article:

It’s a tough competition, and I do think that a lot of politics might come into play within the voting system. All we can do is give it our best shot. And that’s exactly what I plan on doing.

Wow, getting the excuses in before the song has even been revealed

I'm willing to give him the benefit of doubt until we've heard the song, I mean I'm more confident than I was with Brendan Murray and the clown from Westlife, but that is a pretty low bar. It also can't hurt that it's a song he apparently wrote himself, or perhaps he was given a song to perform and given a writing credit himself as part of a "change a word and claim a third" deal.

I'd be happy with a decent effort, something that's vaguely listenable and a step in the right direction. We knew from the outset that Brendan and Nicky were no hopers.

freshpopcorn

Can anybody else here remember when you nearly had to wait until a few weeks before the Eurovision to the Eurovision preview on RTE to hear the songs?

yerwanthere123

Yup I remember that, before the days of YouTube Most years I never caught the show and only heard the songs for the first time on the night. Although I do specifically remember watching the 2005 preview and seeing My Number One for the first time and thinking it was the winner, and so it proved to be.

In some ways it was better seeing them on the night for the first time, but it'd be hard to go back to the days of Eurovision literally being a one night thing

freshpopcorn

I'm up listening to the NOW 90's music channel and was feeling a little nostalgic about listening to music/Eurovision songs when I was younger. It's strange how it's evolved.
I generally keep up to date with the songs being released and listen to them all together at the start of March.

Amik

It’s got a bit of a gospel feel to it.

I'm even more intrigued to hear the song now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzDgdDbHM6g