Author Archive
The Swiss National Final – Tonight!
Image via Wikipedia
Tonight sees the first National Final to select a song to send to the 57th Eurovision Song Contest in Baku next May. Switzerland again will be the first to choose. 14 acts from across different musical styles will compete for the chance.
It all kicks off at 20:05 CET (19:05 GMT) in Bodensee Arena in Kreuzlingen with the Televoters having their say.
The show will be broadcast on SF 1 and La 2 for those in Switzerland and will be streamed online also!
Check out the 14 acts performing tonight and don’t forget to vote in our poll!
Related articles
- Swiss National Final – The Running Order (escireland.com)
- Concerns About Lys Assia’s Health (eurovisiontimes.wordpress.com)
- 38 Countries preparing for Baku (escireland.com)
Swiss National Final – Poll
Ahead of Saturdays Swiss National Final it is time for your say on who you would like to win the the Swiss Final.
To hear all the songs see here. The running order for the show is here. The show will get under way at 8:00pm Swiss Time (7:00pm Irish Time).
Related articles
- Editorial: Assessing the Swiss National Final (eurovisiontimes.wordpress.com)
Swiss National Final – The Running Order
The running order for the Swiss National Final was announced tonight on twitter. The entrants shall perfrom in the following order:
- Patric Scott feat. Fabienne Louves – Real Love
- Emel – She
- Chiara Dubey – Anima Nuova
- Guillermo Sorya – Baby Baby Baby
- Macy – Shining
- Sosofluo – Quand je ferme les yeux
- Atomic Angels – Black Symphony
- Ivo – Peace and Freedom
- Ze Flying Zézettes Orchestra – L’autre
- Raphael Jeger – The Song In My Head
- I Quattro – Fragile
- Sinplus – Unbreakable
- Lys Assia – C’était ma vie
- Katherine St-Laurent – Wrong to let you go
Related articles
- The Swiss National Final (escireland.com)
- Switzerland: The Full National Final Line-Up (eurovisiontimes.wordpress.com)
The Swiss National Final
Last year the Swiss were the first to choose their finalists and this year they will again as their National Final “Die Grosse Entscheidungs Show” takes place next Saturday 10th of December. 14 finalists battle it out to represent Switzerland in Baku and the winner will be chosen by 100% televote. There are some interesting entrants.
There has already been four selection rounds for the main channels of for the four languages in Switzerland (French, German, Italian and Romansch)
The finalists are:
Guillermo Sorya with “Baby Baby Baby”
Guillermo calls his music “Eclectic Soul” drawing influence from soul, blues, hip-hop and reggae. He has written and sang with some big Swiss acts such as Steff la Cheffe, Lea Lu, Dodo Jud, Big Zis and Nubya. His entry dosent do much for me. Can’t see it winning.
Patric Scott feat. Fabienne Louves with “Real Love”
Patric Scott is a musician and actor having starred in many musicals as well as releasing singles and albums. He is joined in this duet by the winner of Music Stars, Fabienne Louves. This is a lovely song, something the Swiss are great for, but will it be enough to win?
Atomic Angels with “Black Symphony”
Atomic Angels are a Swiss pop group from Bern. Two members of the group were born in Philippines but moved to Bern in their youth. Beyonce, Nicole and Rihanna are all listed as favourite musicians and that definately comes through in their entry. Could do well.
Katherine St-Laurent with “Wrong To Let You Go”
Katherine, originally from New York state, won Canadian Idol in 2008 and has decided to follow in Celine Dion’s footsteps and try to represent Switzerland at Eurovision. This uplifting ballad really shows off her voice and definitely deserves its place in the final.
Sosofluo with “Quand je ferme les yeux”
Sosofluo is a 22 year old Swiss-Canadian, she was a finalist in Concours International de Comédie Musicale in Paris back in February. She has enterted this fun song in French and I must say I like it.
Ze Flying Zézettes Orchestra with “L’autre”
Ze Flying Zézettes Orchestra are a 8 member band (though only 6 will be allowed on stage in Baku if they win) from Chateau-d’Oex. They have entered this beautiful song. Its a bit folksy but Eurovision voters seems to like that every now and then.
Sinplus with “Unbreakable”
Sinplus bring a bit of rock to the National Final. Sinplus are two brothers Gabriel Broggini and Ivan Broggin. They wrote “Shoot” which became one of the anthems of the 2009 World Hockey Championships. Its a fast, indie song reminiscent of the Killers. I like it!
Chiara Dubey with “Anima nuova”
Chiara enters the only Italian composition in this years final and its a sweet melodic song, but it dosent really stand out. Chiara has an amazing voice, so she could impress on the night.
Lys Assia with “C’était ma vie”
And now a lady who needs no introduction and who won the very first Eurovision Song Conest back in 1956. Lys Assia re-enters the lives of Eurovision fans in an attempt to represent Switzerland again. This is an old fashioned Eurovision Ballad but its full of class, plus her voice is still fantastic. Definitely one to watch!
Emel with “She”
Emel is a Turkish-Swiss singer and that certainly comes across in this song. It seems to have a number of failsafes built in. Turkish instruments and a chorus of “La La La”. Not sure how the Swiss votes will go on this one.
Ivo with “Peace & Freedom”
Ivo brings the traditional concept of Peace and gives a rock song. Quite a powerful song for someone whos been singing professionally since 2003. Depending on the mood of the voters on Saturday it could do well.
I Quattro with “Fragile”
I Quattro bring some Opera to the National Final. The 4 singers came together in 2009 in a show called “Die grössten Schweizerhits“ having performed as separate artists. They have two albums together and have had many sell out concerts. This song is quite mellow, and very slow in comparison to the entrants and therefore forgettable.
Raphael Jeger with “The Song In My Head”
This entry with its violins, reminding me of Fairytale, is an interesting number. Its got a catchy chorus, that certainly gets stuck in your head! Could do very well, as it is a good song.
Macy with “Shining”
Macy are band that were founded in 2007 and have a few hits. This year they have decided to enter a pop song to the Swiss National Final. This is a fun song, and one that would be played on the radio.
So thats the 14 entries. Later today the draw for the running order will take place. Who do you think will win?
38 Countries preparing for Baku
Since I last posted about the Countries taking part in the 57th Eurovision Song Contest, six countries have confirmed their participation in Baku next May.
Montenegro is back in competition having not taken part since 2009, while Monaco has confirmed it will not take part in next years contest. They last appeared in 2006. The Czech Republic will also not take part in this years contest. They have not taken part since 2009.
Georgia wins the Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Georgia have been crowned the winners of the 9th Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Yerevan, Armenia. In what ended as a three-way contest between Belarus, The Netherlands and Georgia. Georgia was eventually crowned the winners following the final vote from Belgium.
Georgia entered a group called CANDY with a song called “Candy Music”
In pink “Candy” outfits, Georgia managed to pick up enough votes and did the deed.
The Netherlands, next years host country, finished second on 103 points and last years host Belarus ended 3rd on 99 points.
All in all the Junior Eurovision Song Contest was a good show with some high class showed by the entrants. It takes some getting used to the fact that Australia give all the acts 12 points at the start!
It was interesting to note in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest that voting followed similar lines (in most cases) as the adult Eurovision.
Related articles
- Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2011 (escireland.com)
Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2011
Tonight at 19:30CET (18:30 Irish Time) the 9th Junior Eurovision Song Contest will get under way in Yerevan, Armenia. 13 countries have entered this years competition.
The youth version of the contest is quiet interesting as the participants, all aged between 10 and 15, must write the song as well as well as perform it at the contest, though since 2008 adults are allowed help. Also the song must be in one of the National Languages of the participant countries.
The Contest started in 2003 and in total 28 countries have taken part. Many countries have withdrawn from the contest, but unlike the ill-fated Eurovision Dance Contest, this looks set to survive.
So who is going for the title tonight?
32 Countries Confirmed for Azerbaijan
Image via Wikipedia
32 countries have so far confirmed their participation in the 57th Eurovision Song Contest in Baku, Azerbaijan. A number of countries have yet to confirm their participation and of course there is rumours about certain countries returning!
The following countries have confirmed:
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- Georgia
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Malta
- Moldova
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Romania
- Serbia
- Slovenia
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- Ukraine
Of course its all speculation at the moment but we should have confirmation in the New Year of final line up
Ireland’s Selection Process for Baku
Today RTÉ have announced the selection process for next years Eurovision in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Like last year there will be five mentors coaching the acts. The five mentors are:
- Julian Benson
- Greg French
- Bill Hughes
- Edele Lynch
- Linda Martin
Julian Benson is a show business agent and choreographer. He has a keen interest in the ESC and has served RTÉ’s song selection committee several times in the past.
Greg French is a member of The Brilliant Things and works as a music producer/songwriter and for television.
Bill Hughes has been an independent television professional for 26 years with over 1000 hours of music, entertainment and documentary programmes to his credit. Hughes, alongside Louis Walsh and Linda Martin, was a judge on Irish television sensation Popstars and has also done jury duty on a number of shows including RTÉ’s You’re A Star.
Edele Lynch is a successful singer and songwriter. She made her name as member of Bewitched, their album, which Lynch wrote, sold 6 million copies worldwide. Lynch has also written songs for Girls Aloud, Sugababes and more recently has been in the band Barbarellas and has written their album NightMode.
Linda Martin needs no introduction to ESC matters, having, as a performer, won the contest in 1992 and come 2nd in 1984. Linda also chaired the RTÉ Eurovision Song Selection Committee in 2009 to 2010.
2nd Time Lucky for Jedward?
They have barely come down from their trip to Düsseldorf and their is already speculation that Jedward are going to try and do better next year and represent us in Baku and maybe return Eurovision glory to Ireland.
According to thejournal.ie
The duo’s manager Louis Walsh said that he would strongly consider re-entering the twins into the 2012 Eurovision in Azerbaijan, the Irish Independent reports. “Ireland could definitely win Eurovision again and we might do it next year with Jedward. I think after what happened this year, Jedward would do incredibly well in Eurovision 2012,” Walsh told the newspaper.
The brothers, from Lucan in Dublin, came in 8th in the contest last Saturday. Despite not taking the crown, however, the reception to the pair has been good.
With Jedward hitting number one on itunes in Austria, Germany Sweden and Ireland and climbing in a number of other countries, maybe it wouldnt be a bad idea!
Related articles
- Eurovision 2012 – Baku (escireland.com)
