Our countries are now starting to rehearse for the second time today. First on was the interesting entry from Montenegro. How hadthings changed since Sunday? A few of the now familiar technical problems affected this rehearsal, meaning they only had three times to sing the song. Before we did, Daddy Cool by Boney M was… Read more
Slovakia and Norway sped the tempo up, so it was down to Maya Sar to slow it down a little. This change of pace may make Europe vote it into the final. This change of pace has proven very interesting for the chances of Bosnia qualifying for the final. Maya Sar‘s simple stage setting was very effective.… Read more
Slovakia’s song is in complete contrast to the previous rehearsal. Whereas before we had a strong ballad, we now have a powerful heavy rock song. MJM gives it everything to convince the press that this is a contender. Our next rehearsal of the day gave us the chance to see some strobe lighting in full… Read more
The first much awaited rehearsal of Sweden took place today. A packed press pit in the Crystal Hall wanted to see whether the hype was justified. The press that saw Loreen rehearse were mainly impressed with her performance. It was broadly the same as what we saw in Melodifestivalen. She didn’t rehearse in her costume but we… Read more
Slovenia have employed former winning writer Vladimir Graic in the quest for a Eurovision win. A solid rehearsal today was what we wanted and what we got. Slovenia’s rehearsal was slightly delayed today when the technical problems dogging other countries continued. However, this did not put Eva Boto off and she was quite rightly applauded… Read more
Wannabe heroes Litesound rehearsed at the Crystal Hall today in their bid for Eurovision glory. Litesound were not Belarus’s first choice for Eurovision, but they’ve proved they’re up to the challenge. Their song has been rearranged for Eurovision improving it in the eyes of many watching. They are a three piece band, but have been… Read more
The Dutch song is already a fan favourite in some quarters and they took to the stage for the first time today. They intended to set Europe afire with a memorable performance. The Dutch rehearsal didn’t start as wellas expected due to some technical problems. But more of that later. The stage hands also had… Read more
Rehearsals on day three finally started on time with a treat for those of us that got to the Crystal Hall early. Serbia’s Zeljko has hard acts to follow from his previous songs. What did we think? A few people could argue that this song is typical Zeljko. You know exactly what you’re going to… Read more
Austria’s Trackshittaz were here to shake their ‘popos’ and win the votes of Europe. Instead, would their rehearsal be shaky? The Austrian song is another one that a lot of people are talking about. It’s divided opinion and people either love it or hate it. They are a young duo with lots of energy and they bounce… Read more
The most anticipated rehearsal of today was that for six Russian grannies. And today we were not disappointed as they brought a smile to everyone’s faces. The Babushki were guaranteed a large crowd when they took the Crystal Hall stage for the first time today. In areas the press were three-deep watching this performance. Russia… Read more
Later than expected was the eagerly-awaited first Cypriot rehearsal. Would this high energy dance track hit the mark, or is reaching for sky impossible? As you may remember, the fans of Eurovision had a large hand in selecting this song. It has since become a firm favourite. The big question was whether Ivi could sing live. … Read more
Day two of rehearsals started with Israel taking to the stage. How would the slightly retro-sounding Time go down in the Crystal Hall? Israel’s first rehearsal was fraught with technical problems. Someone was apparently using wireless in the Crystal Hall, which is forbidden. When Izabo did get going, they put on a very good show.… Read more
Our first full day of rehearsals today concluded with Pernilla Karlsson taking to the stage. Would we see a Eurovision final without Finland. Pernilla had been waiting a while due to the delays that had plagued the first day of rehearsal. But she was dressed in what is likely to be the costume for the… Read more
Greece took to the stage for the first time today for their first rehearsal. The Greeks think they could do well this year, but how did Eleftheria come across? As we know, Aphrodisiac is an uptempo number in a fairly typical Greek style. Eleftheria is joined on stage by four dancers – two boys, two girls… Read more
London’s Shadow Lounge was once again a venue to what has become an important annual event on the route of the Eurovision circus. A packed house saw a host of past and present Eurovision stars prove that they have what it takes in front of an enthusiastic audience. The Shadow Lounge in the heart of… Read more
The UK branch of OGAE is one of the larger fan clubs in Europe, and each year holds a its Boom Bang-a-Bang party. This gives fans a chance to mull over the current year’s crop up songs. Which ones would get their seal of approval? The Revolution Bar was again the venue for one of… Read more
The number of acts for the London Eurovision party on Sunday 29 April is gathering pace, with further names being added all the time. London is again hosting a Eurovision party which always attracts a full house, and this year is no exception. Held in the Shadow Lounge in London’s Soho, seven acts have already… Read more
Montenegro has rejoined the Eurovision family, and tonight revealed in full the song carrying their hopes for Eurovision glory. A special hour-long programme was aired so we could get to know Rambo Amadeus and his song Euro Neuro. Montenegro finally showed what they hoped would carry them to glory in Baku in May in a… Read more
One of last national finals took place tonight, with the Greek public choosing Eleftheria Eleftheriou to carry their nations hope in Baku in May. She will perform the song Aphrodisiac. In this final week of selections, Greek broadcaster ERT gave its viewers the choice of four songs vying for the chance to sing in Azerbaijan. Our show… Read more
Slovakia finally ended speculation today, by announcing that Max Jason Mai, formerly known as Miro Šmajda, will represent his country in Baku. He will perform the song Don’t close your eyes in a hope to win Europe’s favourite music contest. The path to the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest has not been smooth for Slovakia. First they withdrew, then confirmed participation. … Read more
As was revealed last week on Eurovisionary, veteran performer Engelbert Humperdinck will perform for the United Kingdom at the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest on 26 May in Baku. We take a look at a major music industry star of the last 45 years. Engelbert Humperdinck was born Arnold George Dorsey in 1936 in Chennai (formerly… Read more
Estonia’s process for selecting a song for Baku concluded tonight after Ott Lepland was picked with the song Kuula. A combination of jury and televoting decided that this was the song that would compete for glory at the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest. But how did Eesti Laul shape up? Tonight’s songs had already got through a rigorous… Read more
Estonia’s field of 20 songs has been cut down to ten over the course of two semi-finals. Let’s meet the lucky finalists vying for the chance to represent their country… Song 1 – Loss Paranoias – Valedetektor (Lie detector) Loss Paranoias are Helena, Madis, Vilho, Priit amd Ants. The formed in September 2011, and have… Read more
Estonian television channel ETV1 tonight selected the five acts that would complete the line-up for the final of Eesti Laul 2012 on 3 March. What did the public of Estonia and a jury pick tonight? Last week’s semi-final picked five credible songs to vie for the opportunity to represent Estonia at the 2012 Eurovision Song… Read more
Last Saturday, Estonia selected five lucky songs for the final of Eesti Laul 2012 on 3 March. This Saturday they do the same again to compete the 10 song line up for the final. Let’s find out more about the remaining songs… Song 1: traFFic – NASA Band traFFic was formed in 2006 and consists… Read more
Former winners Estonia started the quest for Eurovision glory tonight, as 10 songs competed in the first of two semi-finals, in readiness for the grand final of Eesti Laul on 3 March. How did tonight’s hopefuls fare? Estonian broadcaster ERR’s television channel ETV again televised tonight’s show from the Nokia Concert Hall in Tallinn. Our… Read more