Around the Continent 2023: Week 20

As we continue our weekly series Around The Continent, we will discuss the news and tell the story of each country’s preparation for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.

Austria’s Eurovision scout Eberhard Forcher has revealed on his Facebook page that Austria has already chosen its act for Eurovision 2023.
According to him it will be a different flavor of song.
The artist will be revealed next week.
What is currently known is that the artist is a female. However, it wasn’t specified whether a solo performer or a group will fly the Austrian flag.

According to an unofficial source, it will be Teya and Salina with the song “Edgar Allan Poe“:

5 artists will take part in “ESCZ 2023“.
The running order will be:

  1. Maella
  2. Pam Rabbit – ghosting 
  3. Markéta Irglová – Happy
  4. Vesna
  5. Rodan Introvert Party Club

Rob Lilley and James Rowe will host the selection

ESCZ 2023” will be broadcast live on Monday the 30th of January 2023.
The results will be revealed on the 6th of February 2023.
The results will be based on 70% international public vote and 30% national vote

One of the competing artists in “Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2023“, Reiley, was at risk of disqualification.
He performed his song “Breaking My Heart” at a music festival in Seoul.
However, DR checked the issue and decided to let him compete in the national selection.

“Dansk Meldoi Grand Prix 2023” will be held on the 11th of February 2023

The French delegation have started the preparations for filming the official video-clip of La Zarra


Last Thursday, the semi-final of “The Voice of Georgia” was held.
16 artists performed, 8 of them qualified for the final:

  1. Iru Khechanov
  2. Tako Kakalashvili
  3. Anka Tatarashvili
  4. Likuna Tutisani
  5. Lika Siradze
  6. Tina Datikashvili
  7. Giorgi Datiashvili
  8. Kakha Aslamazashvili 

Next Thursday, the final of “The Voice of Georgia” will be held and this is when the Georgian artist for Eurovision 2023 will be selected.

ARD revealed 8 artists and songs for “Unser Lied für Liverpool” (the national selection for Eurovision 2023):

  1. Will Church – “Hold On
  2. Patty Gurdy – “Melodies of Hope
  3. TRONG – “Dare To Be Different
  4. Lonely Spring – “Misfit
  5. Anica Russo – “Once Upon A Dream
  6. Lord Of The Lost – “Blood And Glitter
  7. Frida Gold – “Alle Frauen in mir sind müde” (Eng: All the women in me are tired)
  8. Rene Miller – “Concrete Heart

YouTube Playlist

Spotify Playlist

In addition, a 9th finalist will be chosen by the public through the Tik-Tok path.
6 contenders will compete in the wildcard round:

  1. JONAH – “10/10”
  2. Mitchy & André Katawazi, NASHUP – “Summertime
  3. Ikke Hüftgold – Lied mit gutem Text (Eng: A song with good text)
  4. From Fall To Spring – “Draw The Line
  5. Leslie Clio Free Again
  6. Betül – “Heaven

The voting for the Tik-Tok wildcard will end on the 33rd of February 2023.

“Unser Lied für Liverpool” will be held on Friday, the 3rd of March 2023 at 22:20 CET.
The host will be the beloved Barbara Schöneberger

The results will be determined by a 50% public vote and a 50% international jury.
40 members from 8 different countries will vote as jury members.

Greece is about to announce its representative for Eurovision 2023

  1. Antonia Kaouri & Maria Maragkou – Shout Out!  [pop/rock uptempo]
  2. Victor Vernicos – What They Say [an emotional ballad]
  3. Melissa Mantzoukis – Liar [dance pop that talks about women’s empowerment]

You can listen to very short snippets of them, by clicking on the song titles.

Tonight, Saturday the 27th of Janaury 2023, RÚV will announce the 10 artists who will take part in the Icelandic selection – “Söngvakeppnin 2023“.
The songs will be released afterwards

  1. The selection process will include 3 televised shows: 2 semi-finals and a grand final.
  2. The dates for “Söngvakeppnin 2023” are:
    • Semi-Final 1: 18th of February 2023
    •  Semi-Final 2: 25th of February 2023.
    • Grand Final: 4th of March 2023
  3. 5 artists will compete in each semi-final.
  4. The semi-final results will be determined by a public vote, while the final international jury will be involved as well.
  5. 4 artists (2 from each semi-final) will qualify for the final.
  6. The professional committee will have the right to save another song (in a wild-card format), so the final may include 5 songs.
  7. Each song will be performed in the Icelandic language in the semi-finals. The finalists will have the right to perform a version in another language in the final (English for instance).

The rumored artists to take part are:

  • ÚLFAR
  • DILJÁ
  • SIGGA ÓZK
  • CELEBS
  • SILJA RÓS & KJALAR
  • BENEDIKT
  • BRAGI
  • LANGI SELI OG SKUGGARNIR
  • KRISTÍN SESSELJA
  • MÓA

You’re welcome to read Doron‘s review of Ireland‘s “Eurosong 2023″

This is what the “Sanremo” stage will look like:

Tonight, Lithuania will hold the 2nd heat of “Pabandom iš naujo! 2023“. 15 artists will perform their songs. 10 of them will qualify, based on a 50% national jury and a 50% public vote:

  1. Antikvariniai Kašpirovskio dantys – Sėdi ir važiuoji (Sit down and drive)
  2. I. T. – Žinau, tai tu (I know it’s you)
  3. Donata – Dreamer
  4. Matt Len – Midnight Train
  5. Melona – Song Of Whispers
  6. Monika Linkytė – Stay
  7. The PiXLES – Šaukt
  8. Viktorija Faith – If You Ever Miss Me
  9. Agnė – New Start
  10. Gebrasy – Saw Your Ghost
  11. MoonBee – Rumor
  12. Voldemaras Petersonas – Things
  13. Petunija – Love of my life
  14. Beatrich – Like a Movie
  15. Mario Junes – Do What You Do

Links to the digital platform playlist

YouTube



Spotify



Apple Music

Last week, the following 10 artists qualified for the final:

  1. Rūta MUR – So Low
  2. Gabrielius Vagelis – Šauksmas
  3. Alen Chicco – Do You
  4. Justė Kraujelytė – Need More Fun
  5. Paulina Paukštaitytė – Let Me Think About Me
  6. NOY – Destiny’s Child
  7. Il Senso – Sparnai
  8. Joseph June – Vacuum
  9. Baiba – When the Lights Go Out
  10. Luknė – Paradise

Yesterday, the 3rd quarter-final of “MESC 2023” was held with 14 artists performing their songs for the first time:

  1. Andre – Broken hill
  2. Bradley Debono – Blackout
  3. Cheryl Balzan – La La Land
  4. James Louis – Dream
  5. Dominic and Anna – Whatever the Wind May Blow
  6. Greta Tude – Sound of my stilettos
  7. Ryan Hili – In the Silence
  8. Jessika – Unapologetic
  9. Chris Grech – Indescribable
  10. Stefan – Heartbreaker
  11. Giada – I depend on You
  12. John Galea – Trailblazer
  13. Jake – Love you like that
  14. Maria Christina – Our Flame

Also, Aidan was disqualified from “MESC 2023”, due to breaking the rules on the selection.
According to TVM, he promoted his song and participation without authorising it by the PBS.
The national broadcaster has warned him in the past.

Therefore, 39 artist will fight for 24 spots in the semi-final.

YouTube Playlist

Today, at 14:00 CET, we will be able to watch the live auditions for “Etapa Naţională 2023“.
31 artists will perform their songs live in front of a jury panel:

  • ADA DEEA – Mystic Rose
  • Adelina Iordachi – Deja Vu
  • Aliona Moon – Du-mă
  • Angel Kiss – Now I Know
  • Corina Ivanov – When Love’s Real
  • COSMINA – Indestructible
  • Crista – Pădure verde pădure
  • Diana Elmas – Miracle
  • Donia – Red Zone
  • Formaţia Vele – Jocul neamului moldovenesc
  • Gesica Sîrbu – I’m in love
  • Harmony Scuffle – Favourite One
  • Lisa Volk – Scrisoare către ţară
  • LOLA – Temperatura
  • Massimo Sinceri – In Questo Domani (disqualified due to the fact that more of 50% of the song is performed by a non Moldovan artist)
  • Nihilist & Lisa Nicky – Final Destination
  • Nikko T. – Destiny
  • Nino – It would be nice
  • NÖRDIKA – Damn and down
  • NÖRDIKA – Skueeze Paradise (disqualified due to early release of the song)
  • NR 11 – Adio
  • OL – Why You Play It Cool
  • Pasha Parfeni – Soarele şi luna
  • Ricky Ardezianu – Una rosa rossa
  • Rise – Don’t trumble
  • Sasha Bognibov – My Favourite Schoolgirl
  • Sunstroke Project – Yummy Mommy
  • Surorile Osoianu – Bade, bădişor, bădiţă
  • Tania Pituşcan – Mioriţa
  • Valeria Condrea – We’re now different
  • VERA – Vremea ta
  • Victor Gulick – Let’s Dance
  • Y-Limit – Live in Harmony

Initially, 33 artists were shortlisted, but 2 of them were disqualified.
In the evening, we will find out who are the 10 artists who progressed to the final!

You can find the full playlsits here:

Spotify

AppleMusic

YouTube

Official Website

Tonight, NRK will hold the 3rd and last semi-final of “Melodi Grand Prix 2023“. 7 artists will take part in this semi-final, fighting for 3 spots in the final:

  1. Akuvi Triumph
  2. Tiril – Break It
  3. Skrellex – Love Again
  4. Eline Thorp – Not Meant to Be
  5. Stig Van Eijk – Someday
  6. Maria Celin – Freya
  7. Atle Pettersen – Masterpiece

You can find our playlists here:


YouTube

Spotify

Apple Music

So far, 6 artists have made it to the final:

  • Ulrikke – Honestly
  • Alessandra Mele – Queen of Kings
  • Umami Tsunami – Geronimo
  • Jone – Ekke Inni Meg
  • Swing’it – Prohibition
  • Elsie Bay – Love You In A Dream

You can read Doron’s review of semi-final 3 songs:

RTS revealed the running order and semi-final split for “Pesma za Evroviziju 23“:

The songs will be released on Thursday, 2nd of February 2023:

Semi-Final 1, 1st of March 2023

  1. Mattia Zanatta – Novi svet (Eng: New World)
  2. Adem Mehmedović – Osmeh (Eng: Smile)
  3. Nadja – Moj prvi ožiljak na duši (Eng: My first scar on my soul)
  4. Tijana Dapčević (North Macedonia 2014) – Mimim (Eng: mother)
  5. Stefan Zdravković – Cvet sa istoka (Eng: Flower from the East)
  6. Filip Baloš – Novi plan drugi san (Eng: New plan, second dream)
  7. Filip Žmaher – Čujemo se sutra (Eng: See You Tomorrow)
  8. Luke Black – Samo mi se spava (Eng: I’m just sleepy)
  9. Angellina – Lanac (Eng: Chain)
  10. Empathy Soul Project – Indigo
  11. Stefan Maljković Shy – Od jastuka do jastuka (Eng: From pillow to pillow)
  12. Hercenšlus – Vremenska zona (Eng: Time zone)
  13. Savo Perović – Presidente (Eng: President)
  14. Igor Stanojević – Iza duge (Eng: Behind the Rainbow)
  15. Boris Subotić – Nedostupan (Eng: Unavailable)
  16. Chegi & Braća Bluz Bend – Svadba ili kavga (Eng: Wedding or fight)

Semi-Final 2, 2nd of March 2023

  1. Hurricane – Zumi zimi zami
  2. Nadja Terzić – Devojka tvog dečka (Eng: Your boyfriend’s girlfriend)
  3. Filarri – Posle mene (Eng: After me)
  4. Zejna – Rumba
  5. Frajle – Neka, neka (Eng: Let Let)
  6. Igor Vins & Bane Lalić – Zato što volim (Eng: Because I love)
  7. Egert (Petar Pupić) – Ako shvatim kasno (Eng: If I understand)
  8. Dzipsii – Greh (Eng: Sin)
  9. Eegor – Starac dana (Eng: Old man of the day)
  10. Jelena Vlahović – Kao grom iz vedra neba (Eng: Like a bolt from the blue)
  11. Ivona – U noćima (Eng: At Night)
  12. Gift – Liberta (Eng: Liberty)
  13. Milan Bujaković, Zoran Todorović & Sanja Anastasija – Fenomen (Eng: Phenomenon)
  14. Duo Grand (Aleksandar Simić & Nenad Osmanović) – Viva la vida
  15. Andjela – Loše procene (Eng: Bad estimates)
  16. Doris Milošević – Tišina (Eng: Silence)

The results of each show will be determined by a 50% public vote and a 50% national jury vote.
The songs will be released in upcoming weeks.
16 artists will participate in each semi-final, 8 of them will qualify from each final.
The grand final will be held on the 4th of March 2023.

The results of each show will be determined by a 50% public vote and a 50% national jury vote.
The songs will be released in upcoming weeks.
16 artists will participate in each semi-final, 8 of them will qualify from each final.
The grand final will be held on the 4th of March 2023.

Next Saturday, the 4th of February 2023, Slovenia will reveal its song for Eurovision 2023.

The song will be revealed during a special show on RTV SLO – “Misija Liverpool“.
Slovenian fans will have the chance to attend the recording today!

Next week, Spain will broadcast “Benidorm Fest 2023

An international jury revealed:

Sem-Final 1 (January 31, 2023)

  • Agoney – Quiero Arder
  • Alice Wonder – Yo Quisiera
  • Aritz – Flamenco
  • Fusa Nocta – Mi Familia
  • Megara – Arcadia
  • Meler – No Nos Moverán
  • Sharonne – Aire
  • Sofía Martín – Tuki
  • Twin Melody – Sayonara

Sem-Final 2 (February 2, 2023)

  • Alfred García – Desde Que Tú Estás
  • Blanca Paloma – Eaea
  • E’Femme – Uff!
  • Famous – La Lola
  • José Otero – Inviernos En Marte
  • Karmento – Quiero Y Duelo
  • Rakky Ripper – Tracción
  • Siderland – Que Esclati Tot
  • Vicco – Nochentera

Link to the playlists:

Spotify

AppleMusic

YouTube

You can read Doron’s review here:

SVT has revealed what the “Melodifestivalen 2023” stage will look like:

It is sharped, the staircase is split in two and the LED wall can now be opened.
SVT will show the construction of the stage live, starting the 30th of January 2023.

Doron Lahav is 30-year-old, who lives in Israel. Doron has been watching the Eurovision Song Contest since early 2000s. Doron works as a Data Scientist and shows interest in singing and writing.

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