It's ....the return of Petra Mede- she has been choosen to host Eurovision 2013

Anyone who saw Melodifestivalen in 2009 and remember the shows presenter - will know Petra Mede: she is a very famous comedian from Goteburg and great friends with Andreas Lundstedt. What else we know from back in 2009 is
.. if Eurovision Malmo is to be a onewoman show. Petra will do Eurovision proud, great choice Svt.

We expert only fantasic frocks!

Sarah Dawn Finer will she be Eurovision 2013's presenter ?

It's just a matter of hours minutes and seconds until SVT made public just
 who will be the presenter of the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 It was decided late last year that the show in Malmo will take an almost back to basic approch with a single show presenter. This is a format we have not seen since the Eurovision Song Contests of years ago in the 70s & 80s
Instead of having 3 or even 4 hosts for Eurovision semi finals and Final shows.

The other factor we think SVT will look for is humour in the shows presentation added to the fact that the presenter should be able to sing and dance when required. This has been evident in Melodifestivalen presenters in the recent past, all these ingredients come into consideration for choosing the right host. Now many Eurovision fans internationally have come up with just one name for this mega task and honour ......... Its .....Sarah Dawn Finer.

A singer who debuted at Melodifestivalen back in 2006 singer with a song "I remember you"
She became a firm favorite and even more so with her big hit "Moving On" at Melodifestivalen 2009.
Sarah then took on the big challenge of the star presenter last year at Melodifestivalen
and did an amazing job proving that she can sing dance present and make us laugh particularly with a skit she did in the shows final.
Sarah Dawn Playing the part of a British presenter who stumbled through place and artist names
At EBU headquarters this short clip pleased and made Eurovision fans laugh no end.

So we have finger toes all crossed that Sarah Dawn Finer will make 2013 Eurovision season

Malmo Gold for us all!

Melodifestivalen 2013- Let the musical fun and show begin

The Melodifestivalen season for 2013 is upon us... we can't believe in about 3 weeks all the fun will begin. Starting off with perhapes the most successful unknown artist from Melo last year David Lindgren.
 Also we see the return of Sean Banan and Ulrik Munther, strangely enough we can see from the semi-final list a noted lack of schlager veterans returning to Melodifestivalen this year. You would think with the one way ticket to a Eurovision final in Malmo alot of big names like Carola Lena Philipsson or even Magnus Carlsson would be there?. However we do have Eric Gadd- who has brought some fantastic Pop/R n B music and hits from 90's and since then in Sweden. Then Sylvia- as she was known in the 70's with her massive hit 'Y Viva Espana'
        This 'Belidorm' single in fact pre-dates alot of Abba's early 70's international hits of that time. Yet she has never done Melodifestivalen before...
    Lets have a look at the all important running order ...

Semi final 1:  Karlskrona 2nd Feb

1. "Skyline" – David Lindgren
2. "Burning Flags" – Cookies N Beans
3. "Paris" – Jay-Jay Johanson
4. "Gosa" Artist: Mary N’diaye
5. "Vi kommer aldrig att förlora" – Eric Gadd
6. "Heartbreak Hotel" – YOHIO
7. "Porslin" – Anna Järvinen
8. "We're Still Kids" – Michael Feiner & Caisa

Semi final 2: Göteborg 9th Feb

1. "Begging" – Anton Ewald
2. "Make Me No 1" – Felicia Olsson
3. "Annelie" – Joacim Cans
4. "On Top of the World" – Swedish House Wives
5. "Hello Goodbye" – Erik Segerstedt & Tone Damli
6. "Only the Dead Fish Follow the Stream" – Louise Hoffsten
7. "En förlorad sommar" – Rikard Wolff
8. "Copacabanana" – Sean Banan

Semi final 3: Skellefteå 16th Feb

1. "Alibi" – Eddie Razaz
2. "Island" – Elin Petersson
3. "En riktig jävla schlager" – Ravaillacz
4. "Dumb" – Amanda Fondell
5. "In and out of Love" – Martin Rolinski
6. "Hon har inte" – Caroline af Ugglas
7. "Falling" – State of Drama
8. "Heartstrings" – Janet Leon

Semi final 4:  Malmö 23 Feb

1. "Rockin’ the Ride" – Army of Lovers
2. "Must Be Love" – Lucia Pinera
3. "You" – Robin Stjernberg
4. "Trivialitet" – Sylvia Vrethammar
5. "Bed on Fire" – Ralf Gyllenhammar
6. "Jalla dansa sawa" – Behrang Miri
7. "Breaking the Silence" – Terese Fredenwall
8. "Tell the World I’m Here" – Ulrik Munther

The Malmo drop-out list for Eurovision 2013 -Ohh no !

Well I guess it was almost to be expected that a few countries given the current financial climate in the EU would be unable to afford to go to Eurovision next year. In fact everyone held their breath as Greece confirmed- and then their was a 24 hour panic on the web! As Spain one of the big 5 looked like they would be missing in Malmo! However finally Spain confirmed so all seemed well.
Until the sister-land Portugal shocked everyone by confirming their non participation
At Eurovision 2013 this was sad as Portugal often produce such great song in the full spirit of the European song contest. Although Portugal are not always Top 10 placed in the Grand Final  have not sent Eurovision typical song often original. So I will certainly miss Portugal and equally Poland who  will be out for a second year running.

Then yesterday came the news of Turkey was dropping out! Well now, Turkey! seem fairly
 financial so everyone is asking what is the story, here? It seems although one of the most successful European nations recently. Turkey gave given reasons such as 50/50 jury & Big 5 Final qualification rulebook changes back in 2011 and other rule changes recently as their reason to not be at Malmo 2013. This seems strange coming from one of the most successful Eurovision countries, since Turkey won Eurovision back in 2003 they have only once missed a great placing from taking part in the Eurovision final.

And now Bosnia & Herzegovina look most likely to be another 'popular' regular Eurovision country to be missing for 2013. Unless they find some independent funding. While the TV BHRT certainly cannot afford to send a song to Malmo, I think past songs such as Laka 'Pokusaj' (2008) and 'Bistra voda' by the unforgettable Regina prove Bosnia will be missed as well if they don't make it somehow?

The 1st Song for Malmo 2013- from Belarus 'Rhythm Of Love'

Just last night Belarus held their Eurovision National final- so this has brought us the very first song for 'Eurovision Song Contest 2013' and we are gonna just add a extra 'subject to change' note. And not cus it's a bad song or anything, just that last year Belarus had varies re-votes and changes to the winner until a runner -up entry from Litesound got the final honor to represent Belarus in 2012. In fact Alyona Lanskaya was the winner of last year's Eurofest National Final with 'All My Life' as well - so surely they cannot possibly reject her of winning honours 2 years running ? Or can they ?

This time Belarus have choosen well enough, certainly the disco-ball and dancers will help this eletro eastern-pop tune at Malmo- 'Rhythm of Love' by Alyona Lanskaya. Check out the clip
   Be Warned  of  - Le top-less sexy dancer alert

For sure 'Army of Lovers' are back- for Melodifestivalen 2013

                             Prepare the dressing room, bin those ole glitter balls- prepare to shoot that Laserbeam- As they are on the way....

 Yes,  it's confirmed Army of Lovers will make their very first international comeback with a song competing in Melodifestivalen- this one I am so looking forward to.

Check out perhapes their most famous UK hit Cruified video, they were a glimmer of dance glamour during the serious Dance scene of the early 90's...Le originale line up is- Alexander Bard, Jean Perrie Barda & Camilla Henemark- the three have comeback together for the song 'Rockin The Ride'

it's Nicole & Hugo from Belguim- Yes, the one's with those purple 70's jumpsuits!

It's not only UK's ole Brotherhood of Man from 1976 who are still doing the cabaret circuits even today. We were surpised to find non-other than Beguim's Nicole and Hugo

It was their performance from way back in 1973 when Nicole & Hugo sung 'Baby baby'  that created Eurovis History.Who can forget those purple jumpsuites and that dance routine - they made such an impact! However back in the years B.a. - before Abba
 this song actually finished up in last place! Nicole & Hugo were just ahead of their time.
However due to poor Nicole falling ill for Eurovision back in Dubin in 1971 Another Belguim duo called Lily & Jacques (!!)  stole all Le Nicole & Hugo' glory at Eurovision 71 singing Nicole & Hugo's own hit
  'Goeiemorgen, morgen' (check out 71 rehearsal)

This tune was a great success in Belgium so Nicole & Hugo choose this for their own 2012 comeback- I just had to go straight to i-tunes to buy this classic.
 We must say Nicole & Hugo are still doing those -baby, baby dance-steps in the vid and looking and sounding just    'fantastive'

Eurovision's Song 2 or even Song 3 - Is it really the kiss of death?

 

 The debate is running 'hot' should Eurovision Song Contest's Grand Final running order be choosen or not? Or a random draw as has been the case according to the rule-book recently. Just how important is it?
For a long time it has been asumned that if your country sings early on in the massive Grand Final proceedings you have not a chance of winning- or even getting a respectable Top 3 placing particularly for song 2 or even Song 3.
     Most certainly early on you would perhapes want to make the best and the greatest memorable impression- but surely that is a minor draw-back?

  So we consulted the -Eurovision History book To find out how many songs if any have found success on the scoreboard from singing early on...

We have a couple of Song 1 winner's famously UK's Brotherhood of Man in 1976 'Save all your kisses for me' and Sweden The Herreys in 1984 with 'Diggi lou, Diggi lay'

 Of course the first song 1- does stay in our memory-bank better we know this- but historically Song 3 in fact has given us a few more winners than lucky Song 1- The three winners were-

1958- France: Andre Claveau "Dors, Mon Amour

1971- Monaco: Severine "Un Banc Un Arbre Une Rue"

1994- Ireland:  Paul Harrington Charlie McGettigan "Rock n Roll Kids"


So what of the Song 2 stigma - that is talked about so much- is it really true?

Well being the Song 2 has still actually brought two 3rd places-

1997 Turkey: Sebnem Paker "Dinle"

and two 4th places.

1974 United Kingdom: Olivia Newton- John 'Long live love'

1977 Monaco: Michele Torr 'Une Petite Francaise'

Most recent being in 2002 -
UK's Jessica Garlick - 'Come back' -

She was a unlucky Song 2 that scored 111 points and finished in 3rd place. Since then in 2002- UK entries have not improved on this result! that was all born from a Song 2 running place at Eurovision final. Then in Dusseldorf Eurovision 2010 -Bosnia & Herzegovina's Dino Merlin sang the Song 2 'Love in Rewind' going on to
score a big 125 points and a 6th placing. It was certainly one of that years highlights and successes.

So what if 2009's Alexander Rybak was a Song 2 with 'Fairytale' would the history books been very different? I think not, perhapes Norway may not have clocked up massive 387 points. But you cannot change a good song- and mostly a massively popular song wins regardless, I think. The few exceptions above we found out- are actually rather great old songs still remembered fondly in Eurovision-dome.

So for Malmo and Eurovision Final 2013- pick carefully EBU/Svt  that song 2. It may turn out to be a huge success after all...

All now Making plans for Malmo 2013

           

  As the plans are taking shape for Eurovision 2012 over at SVT / EBU some interesting format changes came to light recently for next year.
               One of the most interesting was for the competition to return to the single host format as Eurovision scales back- on the annual bigger and better annual progress- normally resulting in more
special effects and larger sports venues. Finally they realized this is a song contest  and not a sport. So for Malmo it will be back to basics certainly no LCD screens on stage and an element of  smaller eurovision contests of the past. With only one contest host this news was a surprise annouchment I think seeing as Melodifestivalen contest normally offers two or more hosts that format seem to entertain rather well for the home national audience. So Sweden has a whole army of possible presenters for a Tv host at Eurovision 2013 it will be a hard one for SVT to pick the best one? It will have to be someone who can Sing Dance and be multi lingual?

But wait there is more changes for Malmo- we know how SVT love to change things around and next year will be no different. Yet this time they plan to get rid of the random song running order selection for Eurovision grand final. This has created quiet some reaction in Eurovisdome and on the web myself I think it will not made too much difference and this rule has always been a double edged sword. As in the past one of the best songs of the year can be lost in the early song placing as well as a bad song taking a prime place in the running order. A smooth running order made by the show producers would nt be too bad - as long as only the songs that prove their worth in the semi final voting get prime Grand Final places. It would be outrageous to give a top 3 semi final song as Song 2 or 4 in the final running I like this new rule and think it fits in well with the back to basic contest format. Til then it will cause some debates as did the 50/50 jury voting change.

Loreen performs a new song- 'Calling out your Name' from the new album

Look who has gone back into the Studio- Abba's Agnetha

'another comeback' what joy-

This week saw a exciting News report-

Abba's Agnetha Faltskog- she is so often labled as the recluse, the abba member who is constanlty in hiding?
all these crazy stories. Yet as far as keeping the schlager-dream alive, she is the only one member of the band today who wants to do more 'new' music for the international market.
 Abba -who almost single handedly changed the musical pop landscape forever in the mid- seventies, have never reformed on stage or in the studio. Yet Agentha looks set to record another international album - after her 2004 'My Colouring Book'

The blond-one Agentha so often under estimated in the shadow of her band mates and main songwriters Bjorn & Benny. Certainly she has wrote her own pop tunes since her breakthrough in 1968 in Sweden. Last time- at the time of 'My Colouring Book' questions were asked- will we see any completly new
songs penned by Agnetha? Then the whole album turned out to be an album of covers - a tribute, in her very own style- to those 1960's female singers that Agnetha grew -up with.

This new concept will not be simply a 'Colouring Book 2'- we think. Seeing as it's been confirmed in the press that Agnetha's producer will be
Jorgen Elofsson, who has worked with Celine Dion, Westlife and wrote Britney's 'You drive me crazy'  
and recorded recently with Marie Serneholt, Charlotte Perrelli Eric Saade & Agnes.

Certainly this new album release should finally put those Garbo rumours to rest, it seems very likely Agentha enjoys a full and active happy life-style on her farm. She pops up at public events, quiet regularly in Stockholm now-a-days and now in her sixties still has a passion to let her voice be heard all over the world-
it's likely to be a long wait for her fans...as the abba-studio process has always been a long one - and well worth waiting for.

Read more here