Back in time for Vienna - and all the Euovis- fun + Australia.

We still find it hard to believe Eurovision have built a bridge all the way to Australia! It's a wonderful idea and it's been over whelming to hear so many positive responses to Australia taking part and Guy Sebastian's great little number (Tonight Again) he knocked up in no time at all.

For me it means for the first time ever -I can vote from home in Melbourne. I left home in UK way back in '89 a long time before the tele vote came in. So although being a huge Eurovision fan forever. I have never actually voted..Thanks Eurovision- EBU,  SBS Australia, and the person who, I think actually made it happen,

Le Julia Zemiro. (her royal Eurovis- ness)

Check out lots about Julia Zemiro' on route to Vienna HERE:

https://www.bordermail.com.au/story/3052332/guide-to-eurovision-julia-zemiros-10-favourite-destinations/?cs=34

Melodifestivalen Final 2015- Who will fly the swedish flag in 2015?

I am certain, there has never been a Melodifestivalen final with so many popular male singers ready to take the prize and that ticket all the way to Vienna. If we stop and compare 2015 to last year's final, I feel that it was alot more wide open,  yet there seemed to be only one certain winner with Sanna Neilsen' 'Undo'. Yet in the Melo history we know not always the best song wins, and so often a potential eurovision success is swept aside. This can happen, and certainly not due to a swedish public vote even the international jury can sway the final scoreboard the other way and in the wrong one direction.

So I think, yes Mans is the glory-ticket for the swedes to go to Vienna with  "Heroes" this tune has instant appeal, while also not being not the average schlager-anthem we have heard before. This song is so right for Eurovision Song Contest 2015 in my option. We know just how much a killer-smile can take an artist far in this Euro-fest and Mans has that too. Since the opening bars of 'Cara Mia' in 2007 he has been so perfect, and he has'nt changed only matured.

Yet there are great alternatives to 'Heroes' in Melodifestivalen 2015, with Eric Saade,
Jon Henrik Fjallgren, and Mariette as a strong outsider. Also I think Samir &Viktor will pick up alot of public favour when it comes to the voting. Jon Henrik can give Mans a run for his money but I think this style of song will not translate well in Vienna, and could even stay in the semi finals... So I hope Sweden do not pick him, Eric would do better and as well Mariette although these tunes will do well they are not likely to pull of a win...
My current Top 5 from the Melodifestivalen is as follows:

1 Måns Zelmerlöw- Heroes
2 Magnus Carlsson- Mot mig i Gamla Stan
3 Eric Saade- Sting
4 Midnight Boy- Don't say No
5 Dinah Nah- Make me (La la la)

Vienna Favourites: Calling Belguim: 12 points for music video of entry Rhythm Inside- Loïc Nottet.

In Norway, they are preparing for Norsk Melodi Grand Prix 2015- We are 'thunderstruck' by Erlend!

What a great opener for Norway's Melodi Grand Prix this weekend, unlike the Melodifestivalen in stockholm this weekend MGP have trimmed down the MGP national final to just 11 songs selected for their final. WIth half the songs being presented with a 'Live' orchestra - a wonderful idea we hope it works and could one year be adoped for the Eurovision Song Contest it's self.

Plus, with no lack of variety and talent in the line up in Oslo:

 Brettan (Elisabeth Andreassen)  will return to duet with MGP veteran Tor Endresen, however another male/female duo for Vienna is not advisable at all for Eurovision 2015.
While listening to the song we like Erlend Bratland, he is almost Conchita without a frock n' wig.....!!

The song is 'Thunderstruck' and could create a new storm for Norway in Vienna.

Guy Sebastian for Australia! Wow, what a choice!

Guy Sebastian was revealed on SBS just in the last hour.....

What a great choice, a big opportunity for Guy Sebastian to take his career into international status. Plus Guy has always been a performer that has such alot of postive energy as well as huge confidence in his fantastic voice. After winning a early Australian Idol 2003 he has gone on to become a household name in his homeland.

To Guy's credit he has had minor hits in Germany and hit No :2 in Norway with 'Battle scars' Yet back home he remains the only male artist to have six number ones singles. As well as no less than six platinum selling albums since 2003.

During the press interview Guy Sebastian was very up-front about the new song choice- in that it will be a song from his latest album released in November 2014. This is understandable as to come up with a brand new song they have only a matter of a few weeks left, it is almost impossible.

At the press interview Guy seems to be keen to present a 'ballad' more than a up-tempo dance number- there are 2 or 3 slow tempo songs on his new album 'Madness' The title track 'Madness' is one, the other I think is- 'One of Us' I actually downloaded 'Elephant' a simple tune I like more than these other more commercial choices-
So SBS if you're listening I think with the right staging this could be the one?

check his song out and see what you think??

Thank you Serbia..they comeback to Eurovision with a Diva in a frock purrerfect (Grand Final for sure)

Just when all eyes are on the nordic finals for the schlager comebacks. Over in serbia they come up with the amazing 'Bojana Stameno' and she's going to vienna, will 2015 actually be a repeat of 2007, a 'Molitva' moment?

Melodifestivalen schlagerbus travels to Malmo-o tonight...

Yes,  it's semi-final two from Malmo, and we are simply dizzy with all the excitment of Magnus Carlsson's long awaited return to Melodifestivalen this year. With what promises to be a schlager classic  already. Then thanks to Svt we saw a teaser of Robin in his valentine boxers, and a vest, no less!! the vest has to go, Mr Paulson. Find out lots more here-

thanks Svt...
http://www.svt.se/melodifestivalen/se-bilderna-sa-blir-melodifestivalens-andra-deltavling-2015#2678148_29_1

SBS HQ reports....more on Australia in Eurovision 2015

Australia is a country buzzing with all the talk of 'Who will sing for us at Eurovision Song Contest 2015 ?.

Yes, I can report there is lots of talk on the streets ..all about just 'who' SBS will send over to Vienna. The wonderful spokes 'superwoman' Julia Zemiro had been on breakfast TV in fact to tell us that in fact SBS have no early indications as to who, it will be? she knows nothing...

My favorite rumour is Kylie Minogue who conveniently has a May break from her 'Kiss Me Once' world tour..and just what better way to promote your big 2015 tour, than a slot in Eurovision in May? All this said though,  Julia so rightly pointed out 'it can be, all about the right fit of an 'artist and the song'. So many times in Eurovision a great big artists have gone to the song contest (Olivia Newton John in 74) with just the wrong song..that's when it does not work.

Plus lets not forget Australia it is a song contest not an artist contest, that song needs the right hooks and some magic. A winning tune needs a real story to tell, be emotional and able to connect with all people personally. In Eurovision just the latest party anthem with glitter and a great groove- is not actually what wins..choice carefully SBS you may have just one shot at this.... but get it right and Euro-glory could be months away.

The wonderful news Australia finally is calling from accross the globe in the 60th anniversary ESC show.

early this morning Australia woke up to the news Australia will be one of the now 40 countries in Vienna for the Eurovision Song Contest 2015- wow oh yeeeah..

Huge news! We're thrilled to announce that Australia will compete in the Final of the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest! https://t.co/QxIqLTxH4y
— SBS Australia (@SBS) February 10, 2015

all the latest News from Goteburg..Thanks to Aftonbladet Feat. Eric Saade

Although this clip is in svenska, keep watching for the Måns smile towards the end