“Around The Continent” is a series of posts where we will give you all the main news of the week
Following our report in September 2020, The EBU planned 4 possible scenarios in order to make Eurovision 2021 happen with the influence of the Covid-29 pandemic.
According to the Executive Producer Sietse Bakker , until the middle of February 2021, we’ll know which scenario is the chosen one for Rotterdam 2021.
Bakker posted the following post on Twitter, suggesting that in 4-5 weeks from the 4th of January 2021, the EBU and the Dutch broadcasters will make the final decision about the format of Eurovision 2021
At the moment, The Netherlands is under a tough lockdown: People mostly work from home, People have to be at least 1.5 meters from each other, they must wear a mask in public.
In any case, each one of the 41 participating countries must have a “live-on-tape” record of their Eurovision performance. It will help to ensure that all of them will compete no matter what (artists with Covid-19 at the time of the competition, countries that will be under lock-down and more)
We would like to reminisce the 4 possible scenarios:
Scenario A – Eurovision as planned (before the Corona virus):
In case that the Corona virus will be under control, the Eurovision will occur as planned, including all the events without audience special limitations. It will include off course all the special events, rehearsals and press conferences.
What should happen in order to fulfill Scenario A?
1. The Corona Virus will be under control.
2. The wishful Vaccine for COVID-19 will be available.
3. Reliable COVID-19 testings will be available.
Scenario B – Social Distant of at least 1.5 meters at the Eurovision Song Contest
In this case, every person that will present at the Eurovision Song Contest (On stage or in the crowd) will have to keep a distance of at least 1.5 meters from each other.
The 9 shows (2 semi-finals and grand final + 2 rehearsals shows for each show) will be aired but with limited capacity at the venue.Moreover, the delegations size will be limited.
However, all of the delegations will have to travel to Rotterdam in order to participate.
A significant component of this scenario is limiting the amount of people in the crowd. EBU will have to hold a draw that will determine who can still attend each show. It is based on the fact that the majority of the audience have already bought the desired tickets to the shows.
Scenario C – Traveling Restrictions
In this scenario, social distant will be applied as well as several travel restrictions in specific countries (it may include The Netherlands as well). If there are delegations that can’t travel to Rotterdam, the relevant artist/s will perform live from their home countries. Other countries (without traveling restrictions) will have to perform live on Rotterdam Ahoy‘s stage. The interval acts and opening ceremony will be aired live from Rotterdam.
All of the performances will be brought together in Rotterdam.
Scenario D – Eurovision Song Contest In Lockdown
If The Netherlands will be in a special lockdown, the Eurovision Song Contest will be held without any audience. It will also impact the other special activities in The Netherlands (Eurovision Club, Eurovision Cafe and etc.)
The performance will occur in the home countries and will be brought together from Rotterdam‘s Ahoy.
The format will be actually similar to the planned format for “Junior Eurovision 2020” that will aired in November 2020.
Anxhela Peristeri will represent the country with “Karma” at Eurovision 2021.
This week, she gave a live performance of the song
Montaigne‘s song for Eurovision 2021 hasn’t been chosen yet. The singer prefers performing a song what will be created by her.
However, this week we came across interesting news.
The famous American Jewish songwriter Diane Warren has suggested a song for Montaigne.
Diane Warren has already been involved in writing Eurovision songs. In 2009, she co-wrote the song for UK at Eurovision 2009: “It’s My Time” for Jade Ewen who finally ended in the 5th place in the Grand- Final.
Diane Warren wrote some very popular songs, like DeBarge – Rhythm Of The Night
Jessie J – Silver Lining (Crazy ‘Bout You) and more
On a video chat, Montaigne reacted about the news. She praised Diane‘s work in general
She said that once you hear the song, you immediately recognize that’s a hit.
However, she confessed that the style and the lyrics of the song are different from the ones she is used to. The final selection will probably be between an original song by Montaigne to the one written by Diane Warren.
Azerbaijan will be represented by the singer Samira Efendiyeva (aka Efendi).
The Azerbaijani broadcaster Ictimai TV opened the submission window for Eurovision 2021 song.
The submission period started on the 7th of January 2021 and will end on the 19th of January 2021.
The entry for Azerbaijan will be internally selected by the broadcaster.
According to BTRC (The Belarusian broadcaster) , the submission window for Eurovision 2021 has been opened on the 1st of January 2021.
A few months ago, we have revealed that Belarus won’t internally choose VAL to represent the country at Eurovision 2021.
Therefore, it seems like we will have another national selection in 2021.
The submission window has been opened today and will be closed on the 31st of January 2021.
The main rules are:
1. The songs must be no longer than 3 minutes.
2. The lyrics can be in any language
3. The singer/s must be at least 16 years old. Both solo performers and groups of no more than 6 people are invited to participate
4 . The submission must include a live performance of the song.
5. Each artists can submit only one song.
6. The song hasn’t been released yet.
7. Non- Belarusian singers are welcome to compete as well.
8. Foreign writers and composers can be involved in the submitted act.
The format of the national selection will be determined later on regarding the Covid-19 pandemic situation.
The full information as well as the submission if the songs can be found here
The Czech broadcaster Česká televize revealed that the song for Eurovision 2021 will be internally selected. The singer will be Benny Cristo who should have represented the country at Eurovision 2020.
The 7 participants of UMK 2021 will be reveled on Wednesday the 13th of January 2021.
Meanwhile, the Finnish broadcaster YLE published hints about the identity of the artists.
The Finnish Eurovision fans suspect the following names:
Robin Packalen, Benjamin Tarja Turunen, Pandora Bomfunk MC’s, Antti Tuisku, Mira Luoti.
The national selection will be held on the 20th of February 2021
Alexandra Redde-Amiel and her team held a special press conference about the national selection for Eurovision 2021: “Eurovision France, C’est vous qui décidez”
First of all, due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation, the date of the final show hasn’t been decided yet. However, it is likely to be held in the end of January 2021.
As it has been announced before, the line-up will include 12 songs:
- 21 Juin Le Duo – Peux-Tu Me Dire?
- Ali – Paris Me Dit (Yalla Ya Helo!)
- Amui – Maeva
- Andriamad – Alléluia
- Barbara Pravi – Voilà
- Casanova – Tutti
- Cephaz – On A Mangé Le Soleil
- Juliette Moraine – Pourvu Qu’on M’Aime
- LMK – Magique
- Philippine – Bah Non
- Poney X – Amour Fou
- Terence James – Je T’Emmènerai Danser
The playlists in the different digital platforms can be found here
How will the national final work?
The results will be determined by 2 rounds of voting:
First Round – All of the 12 artists will perform their songs. The top 7 artists will advance for the second round (a kind of “Super-final”). The jury panel will have an option to give a wild-card to another artist , so the second-round will consist of 8 acts.
Second Round – The results will be determined by jury voting and public voting.
The jury panel will include 10 persons:
- Amir Hadad who represented France at Eurovision 2016 .He will be the president of the jury)
- Marie Myriam who won Eurovision 1977 for France
- Duncan Laurence who won Eurovision 2019 for The Netherlands
- Natasha St Pier who represented France at Eurovision 2001
- Elodie Gossuin who was miss France 2001 and was the spokesperson for France at Eurovision for several years
- Chimène Badi who participated in the national selection in 2019
- André Manoukian a French classical singer
- Jean-Paul Gaultier a French designer who will design the staging for the selected act
- Michelle Bernier – a French actress
- Agustin Galiana – a French singer and actor
Stefania has been internally chosen to represent Greece at Eurovision 2021.
Initially, She has been chosen to represent the country at Eurovision 2020, however the contest was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Her Eurovision 2020 song was “Supergirl”
At the end of the process, the selected song is “Last Dance”.
We can already tell that it’s a upbeat dance song. Unofficial sources claim that the style of the song will be similar to the 1980’s dance music.
The date when the song will be released is still unknown.
Daði Freyr who will represent Iceland alongside the band Gagnamagnið, asked fans to record vocals in order to create an a Capella choir to be used in his Eurovision 2021 entry.
The lyrics of that part are “Ooh, finds a new way to grow“.
We can already tell that it would be a upbeat pop song with a bit of dance.
The song has already been written and it will be released in March 2021.
The Israeli broadcaster KAN have confirmed this week the identity of the 3 final songs in the national selection for Eurovision 2021. The songs have been revamped and recorded this time by Eden Alene.
“Set Me Free”
“La La Love”
“Ue La La”
The video-clips are being recorded in the next days. On The 18th of January 2021, the video-clips will be released. On the 19th of January, the voting will be opened again for the public.
The national selection will be held on the 25th of January 2021.
KAN has decided to published this post in their social media that unveils the full results of the online voting
- 12.1 % | Sholder ׳S | Shoulders
- 10.4 % | Magic | Spilling Magic
- 8.9% | הוריקן | Can’t Stop a Hurrican
- 8.7 % | Flying | Flying
- 7.3 % | going free | Coming Out
- 7.2 % | We will shine today | Rise Up Today
In case you had not enough drama till now, the Israeli entertainment correspondent Eran Suissa has reported that the lyrics of the song “Ue La La”( written by cosmetic brand owner Aline Cohen) needed to be changed. the reason for that is to prevent the song from being disqualify by the EBU, if chosen, for having a commercial nature. in the song one of Cohen’s lead products “Mon Cheri” is mentioned many times and “BE BE BE” can be correspond to Israeli drugstore BE where the item is marketed.
Lithuania will start their national selection process for Eurovision 2021: “Pabandom Iš Naujo 2021” on the 16th of January 2021.
Originally, the selection process included 23 artists. However, 2 artists have decided to withdraw:
The singer Gintarė Korsakaitė revealed she withdrawn from the national selection “Pabandom iš naujo 2021″.
The singer claimed she had informed LRT (The Lithuanian broadcaster) before they published the list of participants.
Another withdrawal is the singer Evelina Sašenko.
She represented Lithuania at Eurovision 2011 with the song “C’est Ma Vie“. She ended in 19th place in the grand final
Therefore we are left with 21 artists. One among them is “The Roop” that won the national selection in 2020 with the song “On Fire” and should have represented the country at Eurovision 2020.
They got a direct path to the final show of “Pabandom Iš Naujo 2021“
Heat 1 (16th of January 2021) – 11 Participants
- Aistė Brokenleg – “Home”
- Aldegunda – “Sit Down”
- Be U – “Love Yourself”
- Black Spikes with Indre Launikonyte – “Don’t Tell Me”
- Donata Virbilaitė – “The Way I Am”
- Martyna Jezepčikaitė – “F ** k You Very Much”
- Milita Daikerytė – “Shadows”
- Voldemars Petersonas – “I Never Fall For You Again”
- Thomukas – “Wish”
- Titas ir Benas – “No”
- Two Some – “I Love My Bear”
Heat 2 (23rd of January 2021) – 9 Participants
- Cosmic bride – “Solitary Star”
- Evita Cololo – “Be Paslapcių”
- Gabrielė Goštautaitė – “Freedom”
- Gabrielius Vagelis – “My Guy”
- Gebrasy (Audrius Petrauskas) – “Where’d You Wanna Go?”
- Norbertas / Norbė – “Man In Need”
- Rapolas – “Degam”
- Sunday Afternoon (Vilija Matačiūnaitė))– “Open”
- UnoBand – “Eisiu”
The Semi-final will be held on the 30th of January 2021
The Grand Final will be held on the 6th of February 2021. One act in the final is already known:
The Roop – “Discoteque”
The national selection will include 4 shows. The results of each show will be decided by 50% public voting and 50% jury voting. The jury panel will consist of 5 music experts that will be changed in each show.
The songs will be published independently by each artists at a later date.
However, 6 songs have already been published:
#1. Twosome – “I Love My Bear”
#2. Voldemars Petersonas – I Never Fall For You Again
#3. Aldegunda – Sit Down
#4. Gabrielė Goštautaitė – Freedom
#5. Rapolas – Degam
#6. Sunday Afternoon (Vilija Matačiūnaitė) – Open
The Norwegian national selection for Eurovision 2021, Melodi Grand Prix 2021 will start on next Saturday the 16th of January 2021. MGP 2021 will include 6 shows and will be broadcasted once a week on Saturdays.
On Monday, the 11th of January 2021, several competitors will be revealed. If we follow the format of last year, 4 songs (semi-final 1 song) will be reveled as well.
The singers who will perform the 20 selected songs will be reveled on the 20th of January 2021.
At the moment, we know who are the 20 composers behind the songs, as well as the semi-final split.
“Festival da Canção 2021” dated are:
Semi-final 1: 20th of February 2021
Semi-Final 2: 27th of February 2021
Grand Final: 6th of March 2021
The official account of “Eurovision San Marino” has posted this week a story of “Q&A”.
The only thing we know is the singer Senhit will represent the country at Eurovision 2021
The song will probably be revealed in the end of February 2021.
The selection method (multiple songs choice or internal selection) hasn’t been decided yet.
Luca Tommassini will be in charge of the staging for the Eurovision 2021 act
“Melodifestivalen 2021” hosts were revealed.
Christer Björkman will be the main host. He will be accompanied by different hosts every show:
- Deltävling 1: Lena Philipsson
- Deltävling 2: Anis Don Demina & Oscar Zia
- Deltävling 3: Jason Diakité
- Deltävling 4: Per Andersson
- Andra Chansen: Shirley Clamp
- Final: Måns Zelmerlöw & Shima Niavaran
