Eurovision Song Contest 2019

yerwanthere123

Too early? Or not early enough?! National Final season is already in progress with more to come in the weeks ahead so may as well start the thread.

Will be hosted in Tel Aviv as opposed to Israel's contentiously favoured Jerusalem.

No debuting or returning countries this year although Bulgaria have unfortunately withdrawn.

Here's to a great year!

Eurovision 2019

yerwanthere123

The first to be picked is, as usual, Albania. I'm pretty certain we haven't heard the winner already

Albania

Strazdas

There was a story in the Irish Mail two weeks ago that RTE want Una Healy to represent them, but it's hard to tell how much substance there is to the claim or if she has even submitted a song.

Amik

Spain picked MIKI's "La Venda" to represent them in Tel Aviv.

Very catchy song with good vibes and energy that should place much higher than Amaia & Alfred last year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JLtDWvIXNY

Amik

After the robot disaster last year, San Marino made an internal selection for 2019: their 2016 artist Serhat!

Decent duet with 2005 winner Helena Paparizou released in September last year...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQhmvYs7KOM

vicwatson

It'll be a boycott from me this year, back at it next year, as long as Israel don't win it again.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

vicwatson wrote: »

It'll be a boycott from me this year, back at it next year, as long as Israel don't win it again.

Same goes for myself and a lot of friends I know, who usually wouldn't miss it, (several of them have even traveled to the last few Eurovision contests to see it live).

Amik

vicwatson wrote: »

It'll be a boycott from me this year, back at it next year, as long as Israel don't win it again.

Protestors jumped on stage after Netta's performance at France's national final this weekend:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbnv5lAjtHI

JP Liz V1

Strazdas wrote: »

There was a story in the Irish Mail two weeks ago that RTE want Una Healy to represent them, but it's hard to tell how much substance there is to the claim or if she has even submitted a song.

Una and Uncle Declan country duet

lbc2019

As much as I supported Cyprus last year, and gutted she didn’t win, Netta was a credible winner and if I wasn’t going to Japan for RWC I would have considered a trip to Tel Aviv!

Amik

lbc2019 wrote: »

As much as I supported Cyprus last year, and gutted she didn’t win, Netta was a credible winner and if I wasn’t going to Japan for RWC I would have considered a trip to Tel Aviv!

+1 Netta was a deserving winner. I'd be in Tel Aviv too if I didn't have other commitments.

Were there similar boycotts in 1999?

Cyprus, oh the memories... :P

lbc2019

Amik wrote: »

lbc2019 wrote: »

As much as I supported Cyprus last year, and gutted she didn’t win, Netta was a credible winner and if I wasn’t going to Japan for RWC I would have considered a trip to Tel Aviv!

+1 Netta was a deserving winner. I'd be in Tel Aviv too if I didn't have other commitments.

Were there similar boycotts in 1999?

Cyprus, oh the memories... :P

They both were awesome live

lbc2019

Look at me, I'm a beautiful creature
I don't care about your "modern time preachers"
Welcome boys, too much noise, I will teach ya
(Pam pam pa hoo, turram pam pa hoo)
Hey, I think you forgot how to play
My teddy bear's running away
The Barbie got something to say, hey, hey, hey
Hey! My "Simon says" leave me alone
I'm taking my Pikachu home
You're stupid just like your smartphone
Wonder Woman don't you ever forget
You're divine and he's about to regret
He's a bucka-mhm-buckbuckbuck-mhm boy
Bucka-mhm-buckbuckbuck
I'm not your bucka-mhm-buck-mhm-buck-mhm
I'm not your toy (Not your toy)
You stupid boy (Stupid boy)
I'll take you down now, make you watch
We're dancing with my dolls on the motha-bucka beat
Not your toy (Cululoo, cululoo)
(Cululoo, cululoo)
A-a-a-Ani lo buba
Don't you go and play with me boy!
A-a-a-Ani lo buba
Don't you go and play, shake!
(Cululoo, cululoo) Wedding bells ringing
(Cululoo, cululoo) Money men bling-bling
I don’t care about your stefa, baby
(Pam pam pa hoo, turram pam pa hoo)
Wonder Woman don't you ever forget
You're divine and he's about to regret
He's a bucka-mhm-buckbuckbuck-mhm boy
Bucka-mhm-buckbuckbuck
I'm not your bucka-mhm-buck-mhm-buck-mhm
I'm not your toy (Not your toy)
You stupid boy (Stupid boy)
I'll take you down now, make you watch
We're dancing with my dolls on the motha-bucka beat
I'm not your toy (Not your toy)
You stupid boy (Stupid boy)
I'll t-t-t-take you now
W-w-w-with me now, boy
You stupid boy
I'll take you down now, make you watch me
Dancing with my dolls on the motha-bucka beat
(I'm not your toy) Look at me, I'm a beautiful creature
(You stupid boy) I don't care about your "modern time preacher"
(I'm not your toy) Not your toy, not your toy, not your toy, toy
I'm not your toy, not your toy, not your toy, toy

Amik

Duncan Laurence is confirmed to represent the Netherlands in Tel Aviv. Song not yet known but he does give off a bit of a Maroon 5 vibe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE92C3GEGtI

Some big Dutch names were rumoured, even Armin Van Buuren.

Two former Dutch representatives on The Voice jury in that clip: Trijntje Oosterhuis (2015) and, one of my personal favourites, Ilse DeLange (The Common Linnets, 2014).

I'd love to learn Dutch, fun sounding language.

Berserker

Looking forward to it this year. Viewing numbers will make interesting reading.

Amik wrote: »

Protestors jumped on stage after Netta's performance at France's national final this weekend

France were at the semi final stage last weekend. Watched a bit of it. Nothing overly exciting from the musical perspective.

Amik

Berserker wrote: »

France were at the semi final stage last weekend. Watched a bit of it. Nothing overly exciting from the musical perspective.

Very underwhelming hopefuls among the Final 8 compared to Madame Monsieur last year:

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

The most buzz surrounds Bilal Hassani. My favourite is Chemene Badi. Emmanuel Moire sounds strong too but I don't like the song.

2019 won't be France's year...

dogcat

I think that Seemone can get a very reputable result for France.

Amik

dogcat wrote: »

I think that Seemone can get a very reputable result for France.

+1 It is a nice chanson and Seemone lovely but too light a song to follow France's last three excellent entries: Amir, Alma, and Madame Monsieur.

That said, they DID place 8th in 2009 with a similar style chanson: Patricia Kaas "Et s'il fallait le faire". Can't forget about the Salvador-effect either...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gee9Qh6iVg

Capt'n Midnight

This is what the UK are doing
What with Bexit I'm thinking there's something in the water over there.
3 Songs. Each covered by 2 contestants.

Unusually, the six contestants share three songs - each putting their own spin on one of the potential entries.

The public will choose who goes through to the final in a live TV show, Eurovision: You Decide, on Friday, 8 February.

The first song listed is a cliche-ridden love ballad
Two Versions.
Holly Tandy, X Factor ... struggled in the live shows ... has a nice hat.
Hartlepool busker Michael Rice

Amik

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

This is what the UK are doing
What with Bexit I'm thinking there's something in the water over there.
3 Songs. Each covered by 2 contestants.

All three of the song titles have Brexit undertones:

• Bigger Than Us
• Freaks
• Sweet Lies

:P

I like that selection approach. I think Lithuanian in the past had 20+ singers do the same song over and over. The UK approach adds some variety at least.

Holly Tandy's performance sounds great but you're right about X-Factor, she really seemed to struggle in the clips I YouTube'd. Nice hat though! :P

Kerrie-Anne is my pick basing on these BBC clips.

RobertKK

https://twitter.com/EurovisionCent/status/1087459042031796228

I think Blanche should have won with City Lights. Hopefully this song will be as good if not better.

Amik

Love love National Selection season. We can always count on unique entries in Estonia...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNyLDa4NBWc

Amik

RobertKK wrote: »

https://twitter.com/EurovisionCent/status/1087459042031796228

I think Blanche should have won with City Lights. Hopefully this song will be as good if not better.

Belgium always seems to pick very young representatives.

I loved Blanche and her song but still remember how terrified she looked. Was it purely stage fright? It made the song sound a bit monotone live but her authenticity probably got her lots of votes.

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

Amik

Is it true we saw the last of FYR Macedonia at Eurovision last year, to be replaced by North Macedonia this year?

My absolute favourite song last year. Oh what could have been if they didn't mess up the live stage performance. Still hard to watch almost year later. Why Eye Cue, WHY?

Marija won the Barbara Dex Award with that outfit at least...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV_cR_Qb2Cg

LordBasil

Can't wait for Eurovision this year.

Like both songs selected so far. Intrigued by some of the announced artists and can't wait for their songs.

Regarding Eurovision being in Israel. Politics should be kept out of the contest so people should just enjoy it. Did people threathen boycotts when it was held in Putin's Russia or Azerbaijan?

Regarding Ireland, I'm quite nervous about our entry this year after we had a respectable finish last year. So far in the 21st Century anytime we got a decent result, the next year was a disaster;

11th 2003, 23rd 2004
10th 2006, Last 2007
Jedward got 8th & 19th places in 2011 & 12 and then in 2013 we came last and then suffered 4 consecutive Non-Qualifications

Hopefully this year breaks that cycle.

squarecircles

i wonder has marty and grainne booked their hotel accomadtion in israel yet.


reminds me,must buy a bottle of baileys... to smash at the wall.

Amik

Amik wrote: »

Is it true we saw the last of FYR Macedonia at Eurovision last year, to be replaced by North Macedonia this year?

Coincidentally Macedonia named their internal selection today: Tamara Todevska

https://eurovision.tv/story/tamara-todevska-fyr-macedonia-2019

Song not announced yet but here's one from 4 months ago. I get a good vibe from her!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twoz6IBJ0tI

Capt'n Midnight

Amik wrote: »

Is it true we saw the last of FYR Macedonia at Eurovision last year, to be replaced by North Macedonia this year?

True, the Greeks have ratified it, Eurovision is serious business , just ask the Portuguese about their revolution.

www.ekathimerini.com/237016/article/ekathimerini/news/greek-parliament-ratifies-north-macedonia-accord

Greece on Friday ratified a landmark accord that changes the name of the neighbouring Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), ending a decades-old dispute with its neighbour and opening the way for the ex-Yugoslav republic to join the European Union and NATO.

Mr.Nice Guy

vicwatson wrote: »

It'll be a boycott from me this year, back at it next year, as long as Israel don't win it again.

Agreed. I don't want Ireland involved this year.

I wonder if South Africa were in the Eurovision in the 80s - not the most outlandish analogy given the countries involved now - would people have been fine with it being held in the Apartheid state?

Partying while Palestinians are denied basic human rights is obscene imo. Not buying the 'leave politics out of it' defence either as it becomes entirely political when you give the seal of approval, unwittingly or otherwise, to a state like Israel's actions.

I think 80 odd years from now people will treat acts that appear in this year's contest with a similar view as those of us today would treat the pictures of, say, the English football team making the Nazi salute when playing a game in Germany in the thirties.

Let's have RTE ignore Ireland's Eurovision tradition and engage in a much older Irish tradition instead - the boycott.

Capt'n Midnight

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Let's have RTE ignore Ireland's Eurovision tradition and engage in a much older Irish tradition instead - the boycott.

Nah, let's have a protest song.

But not overtly political as that's against the rules, just enough so that they have to keep quiet or it's a case of "The lady doth protest too much, methinks"

Amik

Malta, France, and Israel picking their representatives this windy night!

Live feed of France's Final on Eurovision France's Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/EurovisionFrance/videos/1121974757982506/

Amik

Bon Soir Dublin!

We gave douze points to Allez Leur Dire (doing surprisingly well!)

Amik

And France has selected: Bilal Hassani!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6De5HaEQyc

yerwanthere123

Finally got round to listening to the other two selected entries.

Spain came across a bit of a mess to me, it's all very busy on stage and the song isn't very good. I think they'll be bottom five again.

My first impression of the French song is how weak his vocal is! Very flat in places. The song itself is ok, but easily the worst song they've sent in recent years. I imagine he'll get a lot help with the vocals in Tel Aviv, but apart from that I can't see how this would trouble the top ten. A 15-20 placing for France this year I think.


Malta picked their singer last night, but when should we hear the song? And what about Israel?

lbc2019

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Finally got round to listening to the other two selected entries.

Spain came across a bit of a mess to me, it's all very busy on stage and the song isn't very good. I think they'll be bottom five again.

My first impression of the French song is how weak his vocal is! Very flat in places. The song itself is ok, but easily the worst song they've sent in recent years. I imagine he'll get a lot help with the vocals in Tel Aviv, but apart from that I can't see how this would trouble the top ten. A 15-20 placing for France this year I think.


Malta picked their singer last night, but when should we hear the song? And what about Israel?

France is gender fluid- expect a big televote

Amik

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

My first impression of the French song is how weak his vocal is! Very flat in places. The song itself is ok, but easily the worst song they've sent in recent years. I imagine he'll get a lot help with the vocals in Tel Aviv, but apart from that I can't see how this would trouble the top ten. A 15-20 placing for France this year I think.

France should have used 100% international jury votes as those results were the most accurate. His performance was mega over-hyped and only made to seem better thanks to a large group of screaming fans in the audience. I'm not a fan of such artists with mediocre work but are glorified by psychofans, but that seems to be the standard in these times of social media.

Seemone won my heart yesterday and I was also impressed by my original pick Chimene Badi. Respect to Aysat too, really enjoyed her energy.

Amik

After their Junior Eurovision success, Poland has decided to select internally this year.

Among the artists who have confirmed submissions is Clödie. Her entry caught my ear:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e_WFeixSyU

Irish connection: She has a very popular rendition of Zombie...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxZG5PCoa4s

yerwanthere123

I listened to the UK songs and I think they're all very poor. Their worst selection for a few years.

Amik

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

I listened to the UK songs and I think they're all very poor. Their worst selection for a few years.

Amik

Czech Republic is announcing their representative now live on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/ESCCzechRepublic/videos/1948825665229976/

Interesting selection approach: They've asked almost all of the Finalists from Lisbon to vote as an international jury. Our Ryan picked "Friend of a Friend".

Amik

The Czechs are sending Lake Malawi - Friend of a Friend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UOyTaXIkzk

Not a bad choice! I can already imagine a fun stage performance for this.

yerwanthere123

Oh I don't like that Czech song at all Can't see it getting anywhere near last year's result.

Amik

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Oh I don't like that Czech song at all Can't see it getting anywhere near last year's result.

I thought it was one guy but they're actually a Trio. Look like fun guys that will get some attention in Tel Aviv.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FFTN9tlCfY

Amik

Allocation Draw live now on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/fstf5D0uXnY

Hello You!



We'll perform in 1st half of the Second Semi Final!

lbc2019

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

I listened to the UK songs and I think they're all very poor. Their worst selection for a few years.

I though Suri was very good last year- came 3rd last! So why bother! No one likes the UK anymore

LordBasil

Awful draw for Ireland! Too many likely qualifiers and Lithuania will get the UK 12 points. We don't usually qualify from Semi 2. The last time we did was in 2011 with Jedward (Lipstick) and they sang last. We had late draws last year in both SF & Final and even in 2017 when Brendan Murray was in the 1st half of SF2 he was given the latest slot possible so if we send another ballad we'll probably be thrown on in Slot 2 like poor Molly Sterling in 2015.

yerwanthere123

lbc2019 wrote: »

I though Suri was very good last year- came 3rd last! So why bother! No one likes the UK anymore

Suri had a nice song, but at the end of the day it was prety bland and forgettable. Maybe 3rd last was harsh, but it was a mid table song at the very most.

LordBasil wrote: »

Awful draw for Ireland! Too many likely qualifiers and Lithuania will get the UK 12 points. We don't usually qualify from Semi 2. The last time we did was in 2011 with Jedward (Lipstick) and they sang last. We had late draws last year in both SF & Final and even in 2017 when Brendan Murray was in the 1st half of SF2 he was given the latest slot possible so if we send another ballad we'll probably be thrown on in Slot 2 like poor Molly Sterling in 2015.

Well then, we can get the 10 I don't think the draw is that bad, Sweden and Russia are (probably) the only two certain qualifiers. Although it is heavy in former Soviet Union countries, and there's three Scandinavian countries there too. At the end of the day, if our song is good enough it'll qualify.

Amik

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

At the end of the day, if our song is good enough it'll qualify.

Exactly! It should be the most enjoyable semi to watch. I always enjoy what Lithuania and Latvia send.

Amik

Austria is sending Pænda with the song Limits.

Song not released yet but her other works combine electronic music, future bass, dubstep, hip-hop and even trap music.



Love the hair!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1l_HwbUsa0

Amik

Ohhhh! Big one here: Finland are taking the club dance music route this year with their pick Darude!!

Darude will release three songs that will compete in the national selection of the UMK, to be released worldwide on the 8th, 15th and 22nd February. The one track that will finally represent Finland in May, will be decided by a combination of public vote and international jury points via a live TV broadcast on the 2nd of March.

I'm sure everyone has turned up this song of his while stuck in traffic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6120QOlsfU

yerwanthere123

Seems interesting, although I fear it's going to sound very dated.