“Around The Continent” is a series of posts where we will give you all the main news of the week.
Young DJ talent Pieter Gabriel and Eric van Tijn (the musical director of Eurovision 2021) are working on a spectacular piece of music that will be used to open the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2021
The music track will be used for the special flag parade which opened the Grand Final of Eurovision 2021. 26 countries that will qualify for the final will be presented in the parade.
The flag parade is a tradition that has started in Eurovision 2013 in Malmö
The opening acts for semi-final 2 have been announced as well: Breakdancer Redouan Ait Chitt (Redo) and singer-songwriter Eefje de Visse
Sietse Bakker was interviewed this week by the Dutch broadcaster NPO and shedded light on Eurovision 2021 scenarios:
“We have a lot more announcements to come in the weeks to come”
The first thing will come later this week, and then in another two to three weeks you’ll get more on what the shows are going to look like.
One of the challenges was that we didn’t know what May 2021 was going to look like, what the vibe would be in Europe. we want to make a song contest which fits with the spirit of the time.”
Anxhela Peristeri promises a revamped version of her song for Eurovision 2021.
In the past, she mentioned that the song “Karma” will be kept in Albanian
Therefore we can infer that the production of the song will be changed.
Has Montaigne revealed a snippet of her Eurovision 2021 song?
The singer posted a short snippet on her TikTok account. The title of the song is “Technicolour“
The internal selection process of a song for Azerbaijan has come to an end.
According to the Azeri Eurovision blog 12xal, the final version of the song is being edited.
The selection of venues for the filming of the clip has already begun. The video will be shot in Azerbaijan, most likely in Baku. The video clip will be ready by the end of February. The presentation of the clip and the song is scheduled for the second week of March, as previously announced
In January 2021, the Belarusian Foundation for Cultural Solidarity called upon the EBU to exclude national broadcaster BRTC.
Since October 2020, the political situation in Belarus has been complicated.
Therefore, there are ongoing protests against the president Alexander Lukashenko
The broadcaster BRTC isn’t considered to be neutral, but plays a crucial role in favor of Lukashenko‘s party.
Back then, the EBU stated that they had no intention to exclude the Belarusian broadcaster from Eurovision as the EBU is non-political.
However, it seems that things have become complicated.
Karin Karlsbro from Sweden is leading a petition to exclude BRTC from Eurovision 2021.
Karin Karlsbro is the vice chairwoman of the European Union’s delegation for relations with Belarus. She has started looking for supporters in the European Parliament
In the meantime, EBU hasn’t reacted yet.
Victoria Georgiev has released her 6 potential songs for Eurovision 2021.
The songs have been published separately
Ugly Cry
Imaginary Friend
Dive into Unknown
Phantom Pain
The Funeral Song
Growing Up is Getting Old
You can read about the story behind the songs in our article here
Team Bulgaria launched an online platform that allow music fans from around the world to share their feedback about the 6 songs directly to Victoria and her team. You can find it here
Last Saturday, the Croatian broadcaster held the national final for Eurovision 2021: “Dora 2021“.
The winner was the singer Albina who won the jury voting and the public voting as well.
Albina will perform the song “Tick-Tock” at Eurovision 2021
Huge fan favorite Nina Kraljić ended in the combined second place.
The broadcaster published the full results of the show:
The song for Eurovision 2021 “El Diablo” will be released on Wednesday the 24th of February 2021. The song will be performed by Elena Tsagrinou who will represent the country this year
Benny Cristo released his song for Eurovision 2021: “Omaga“
Chief 1 and Thomas Buttenschøn who participate in “Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2021” decided to translate their song from Danish into English. The new title will probably be “High above the clouds“.
The English version will be released later on. By translating the song, “Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2021” will include 3 songs in Danish and 5 songs in English.
The line-up is:
- Nanna Olivia – Hvileløse Hjerter
- Jean Michel – Beautiful
- Fyr & Flamme – Øve os på hinanden
- Chief 1 and Thomas Buttenschøn – Højt over skyerne (“High above the clouds“)
- The Cosmic Twins – Silver Bullet
- Claudia Campagnol – Abracadabra
- Mike Tramp – Everything is alright.
- Emma Nicoline – Står lige her
Playlists can be found on different digital platforms:
Spotify
Apple Music
YouTube
Official Site
Last Thursday, the Estonian broadcaster held the first semi-final of “Eesti Laul 2021“.
12 artists competed for 6 spots in the final.
4 out of them qualified at the end of the first round:
Karl Killing – Kiss Me
Koit Toome – We Could Have Been Beautiful
Egert Milder – Free Again
Ivo Linna, Robert Linna, Supernova – Ma olen siin
While two others qualified at the end of the second round:
Hans Nayna – One By One
Andrei Zevakin & Pluuto – Wingman
The remaining 6 artists were eliminated:
#1. Tanja – Best Night Ever
#2. Nika Marula – Calm Down
#3. Kea – Hypnotized
#4. Kristin Kalnapenk – Find A Way
#5. Wiiralt – Tuuled
#6. Tuuli Rand – Üks öö
Eurovision fans criticised Estonia for eliminating all female singers that participated in semi-final 1.
Tonight, at 18:30 CET, Estonia will hold the second semi-final of “Eesli Laul 2021“.
The line-up (and running order) will be:
1. Sissi – Time
2. Gram-Of-Fun – Lost In A Dance
3. Kadri Voorand – Energy
4. Helen – Nii kõrgele
5. Redel – Tartu
6. Rahel – Sunday Night
7. Uku Haasma – Kaos
8. Heleza – 6
9. Uku Suviste – The Lucky One
10. Alabama Watchdog – Alabama Watchdog
11. Jüri Pootsmann – Magus melanhoolia
12. Suured Tüdrukud – Heaven’s Not That Far Tonight
You can read our full review of “Eesti Laul 2021” by clicking on this image:
You can watch our reaction video for the semi-final 2 acts here:
Tonight Finland will hold a national selection show for Eurovision 2021: “UMK 2021“.
7 artists will take part in “UMK 2021“:
The winner will get a trophy:
Antti Tuisku will host the show
Erika Vikman (the runner-up of “UMK 2020“) will perform alongside UMK presenter Antti Tuisku in the opening number of the final.
The results were determined by 25% intenational jury voting and 75% public voting.
The jury panel includes 7 international jurors from the following countries: Poland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Iceland, Switzerland, Spain and the Netherlands.
The interval act will be Haloo Helsinki!, one of the most popular bands in Finland
Here are some photos from the rehearsals:
official video from the rehearsals:
You can read our full review of the songs by clicking on the image below:
You can watch our reaction video for the songs:
As we all know, the singer Tornike Kipiani has been internally selected to represent Georgia at Eurovision 2021
The recording of the songs ended on the 18th of February 2021. The broadcaster and Tornike will be working on the official video clip.
The song will probably be released in March 2021.
German Singer Jendrik Sigwart will release his entry for Eurovision 2021 on next Thursday the 25th of February
Stefania will start recording the video clip for Eurovision 2021 song on Tuesday the 23rd of February 2021
The Irish delegation started working on a video clip for Eurovision 2021.
The title of the song is “Maps” and it will be released on Friday the 26th of February 2021.
It was written and produced by Lesley Roy, Philip Strand & Lukas Hällgren, Emelie Eriksso and Deepend
Video clip for Lesley Roy‘s song took place in Wicklow Mountains:
Here are several photos:
Eden Alene hinted that her Eurovision dress will be designed by Israeli designers Alon Livne and Itay Bezaleli, the latter is also Netta Barzilai‘s stylist.
Samanta Tina‘s outfit sketch for the video clip has been leaked:
You can read the full details here
Natalia Gordienko will perform a song named “Sugar” at Eurovision 2021.
The song will be released on Monday the 8th of March 2021
The song for Eurovision 2021 will be a rhythmic dance bop that reminds “Siren Song” by the Ukrainian singer Maruv. It will be about sex and young people.
In an Instagram post, the singer wrote:
Life is short – break the rules, say goodbye quickly, laugh uncontrollably, kiss slowly & love sincerely! Happy Valentine’s day! And get ready to welcome spring with a lot of “SUGAR” in your life’s!
The song has been written, composed and produced by the dream team, including: Sharon Vaughn, Philipp Kirkorov, Dimitris Kontopoulos, Ilias Kokotos, and Fokas Evagelinos.
Earlier this week, Natalia and Philipp were in Russia, where they also met Little Big band
Tonight at 19:50 CET, Norway will hold the grand final of “Melodi Grand Prix 2021“.
12 artists will compete in the final:
- Atle Pettersen – World On Fire
- Raylee – Hero
- Stavangerkameratene – Who I Am
- KiiM – My Lonely Voice
- Blåsemafian feat. Hazel – Let Loose
- EMMY – Witch Woods
- TIX – Fallen Angel
- Kaja Rode – Feel Again
- Rein Alexander – Eyes Wide Open
- IMERIKA – I Can’t Escape
- KEiiNO – Monument
- Jorn – Faith Bloody Faith (wildcard winner)
The show will include 3 rounds of voting. all of them will be determined by the public:
Round 1 – all 12 acts
Round 2 – Top 4 acts of the first-round. They will be allocated into 2 duels
Round 3 – The winners of the duels will face a golden duel
Kaja Rode revealed in an interview that she had submitted another song that didn’t make the cut.
However, NRK invited her to perform the song “Feel Again” that was submitted without a perfomer.
Eventually, Kaja Rode recorded the song and was selected as an automatic qualifier by NRK
“Melodi Grand Prix 2021” Playlist can be found on different digital platforms:
You can read our review of “Melodi Grand Prix 2021” grand final songs by clicking on the image below
or watch our reaction video
Tonight, Portugal will start their journey to select an act for Eurovision 2021 via “Festival da Canção 2021”.
10 artists will compete in the first semi-final, but only 5 among them will qualify for the final.
- The Black Mamba – Love is on My Side
- Valéria – Na Mais Profunda Saudade
- mema. – Claro Como Água
- Nadine – Cheguei Aqui
- Miguel Marôco – Girassol
- Fábia Maia – Dia Lindo
- IRMA – Livros
- Karetus & Romeu Bairos – Saudade
- Sara Afonso – Contramão
- IAN – Mundo
The results will be determined by 50% national jury voting and 50% public voting:
The jury panel consists of 6 people:
#1. Marta Carvalho – Last year composer and writer of “Medo de Sentir” (winner of “Festival da Canção 2020”)
#2. NBC – Runner-up of “Festival da Canção 2019”
#3. Paulo de Carvalho – The winner of “Festival da Canção” in years 1974 and 1977
#4. Rita Carmo -Photographer
#5. Rita Guerra – Represented Portugal at Eurovision 2003
#6. Vanessa Augusto – Television presenter
Playlists can be found on different digital platforms:
YouTube
Spotify
AppleMusic
Official Site
You can read our interview with mema. by clicking on the image below
Our full review of the songs can be reached by clicking on the image
You can watch our reaction video for semi-final 1 as well:
Senhit will release her entry for Eurovision 2021 on Tuesday the 23rd of February 2021
Slovenia will reveal its song for Eurovision 2021 next Saturday (27th of February 2021).
The song will be performed in “EMA 2021” by Ana Soklič.
Meanwhile, Slovenia are getting ready for the show:
Tonight, Spain will choose its song for Eurovision 2021 to be performed by Blas Cantó.
The selection show “Destino Eurovision 2021” will last 2 hours. Blas will perform 2 potential entries for Eurovision 2021:
“Memoria”
“Voy a quedarme”
The hosts will be: Tony Aguilar and Julia Varela
The stage of the show has been revealed:
The following musicians will be special guests performing in the show:
Edurne, Pastora Soler, Vanesa Martín, Nia, Andrés Suárez, Cepeda, and Roi.
You can watch our reaction video here:
Last Saturday, “Melodifestivalen 2021” semi-final 2 was held. The results of the show:
Qualifiers:
Dotter-”Little Tot”
Anton Ewald-”New Religion”
Second Chance:
Frida Green-”The Silence”
Eva Rydberg & Ewa Roos-”Rena rama ding dong”
Eliminated acts
Julia Alfrida-”Rich”
WAHL feat. SAMI-”90-talet”
Patrik Jean-”Tears Run Dry”
Tonight, other 7 artists will compete for 2 spots in the final. The line-up wil be
#1. Charlotte Perrelli – Still Young (SNIPPET)
#2. Emil Assergård – Om Allting Skiter Sig (SNIPPET)
#3. Klara Hammarström – Beat Of Broken Hearts (SNIPPET)
#4. Mustasch – Contagious (SNIPPET)
#5. Elisa – Den du är (SNIPPET)
#6. Alvaro Estrella – Baila Baila (SNIPPET)
#7. Tusse – Voices (SNIPPET)
Jeangu Macrooy recorded his song for Eurovision 2021. The song will be released at the beginning of March 2021.
James Newman will represent the United Kingdom at Eurovision 2021.
Eurovision 2021 song will be released in March 2021
