Leonor Andrade and Há um Mar que nos Separa for Portugal

Leonor Andrade {copyright: RTP}
Leonor Andrade {copyright: RTP}

The local broadcaster, RTP, held the final of the 2015 Festival da Canção this evening. The song that will represent Portugal at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest will be Há um Mar que nos Separa (There is a sea that separates us) and performed by Leonor Andrade. It is composed by Miguel Gameiro.

Six acts appeared in the final –

  1. José FreitasMal Menor (Ninguém me Guia à Razão)
  2. Yola DinisOutra Vez Primavera
  3. Leonor Andrade – Há um Mar que nos Separa
  4. Simone de OliveiraÀ Espera das Canções
  5. Teresa Radamanto – Um Fado em Viena
  6. Gonçalo Tavares – Tu Tens uma Mágica

Three acts then progressed to a superfinal via jury and televoting – Leonor Andrade, Teresa Radamanto and Gonçalo Tavares. Then after televoting decided Leonor would take the Portuguese ticket for Vienna.

You can see Leonor perform her winning song below. Leonor was also a contestant on The Voice of Portugal in 2014.

Source: RTP, www.esccovers.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNfPYukrIpo

Electro Velvet will sing Still In Love With You for United Kingdom

Electro Velvet {copyright: BBC}
Electro Velvet {copyright: BBC}

The BBC has finally revealed the name of the act to represent the United Kingdom at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. It is the duo Electro Velvet and they will sing Still In Love With You.

The song is composed by David Mindel and Adrian Bax White and is in genre of the electro swing style. This is like 20s/30s music with a modern dance beat. The song is quirky and catchy and is sure to get many people dancing and tapping their feet.

Electro Velvet are Alex Larke and Bianca Nicholas. Alex has been singing in a Rolling Stones tribute band (Rollin’ Clones) and Bianca has appeared on The Voice in the UK.

You can see the official video for Still In Love With You below.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk/eurovision; www.esccovers.com

Melodifestivalen Second Chance 2015

 

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Tonight Sweden will chose their last 4 songs for the final next Saturday.  Helsingborg is this year’s hosts and  are getting into the spirit all of things schlager.

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Watch it tonight at SVT Play at 8:00 pm CET – Click Here!

Duel 1
1 Andreas Weise “Bring Out the Fire”
2 Linus Svenning “Forever Starts Today”
Duel 2
1 Hasse Andersson “Guld och gröna skogar” (Gold and green forests)
2 Kristin Amparo “I See You”
Duel 3
1 Dolly Style “Hello Hi”
2 Dinah Nah “Make Me (La La La)”
Duel 4
1 Behrang Miri feat. Victor Crone and Malena Ernman “Det rår vi inte för” (We can’t help it)
2 Samir & Viktor “Groupie”

Duel 1 – Predict Linus Svenning

Andreas Weise reminds me of a cocky egotistical used car salesman but there are some Swedish that obviously like it.  The song is not horrendous actually but I believe that it is good enough for Eurovision or to win Melodifestivalen due to the lack of like-ability.  Linus Svenning’s song and performance feels much more genuine and the quality is much higher.  With Svenning being a finalist last year as well he is clearly in with a great chance of going through to the final.

Duel 2 – Predict Hasse Andersson

Hasse Andersson is like that old friend you have seen it a long while and comes in a springtime happy song that just makes you smile.  Even if you don’t care for danseband music, it is almost impossible not to smile at least once during his performance.  The Swedish love Andersson and the audience participation in the arena is electric.  Kristin Amparo is an Adele-like songstress and her performance is flawless.  The setting and lighting just add to this atmospheric song.  This is my favourite song of the evening and it slightly kills me to predict anyone to win against it but I believe Andersson’s popularity is win over Amparo moving performance.

Duel 3 – Predict Dinah Nah

Dolly Style is the saccharin sweet trio of wannabe children presenters performing one of those songs you can’t get out of your head.  The song is instantly catchy and will be a favourite of anyone under 12.  The battle is arguably the closest to call but it will depend on how much the parents drink this evening.  Dinah Nah is a summer-drenched club anthem with a great chorus.  What makes this song stand out is the simple special effect of shaking the camera during the all male dance performances given that earthquake effect.

Duel 4 – Predict Samir & Victor

Behrang Miri has been to the second chance round before and lost out previously to proceed to the final.  The song is a bit lost amongst the other songs this evening due to the lack of sparkle.  There has been a sneaky change here as Malena Ernman has been added as backing vocalist.  I still don’t think Ernman’s addition will change the popularity behind Samir & Victor.  Samir & Viktor are easily the most popular song of the evening.  Unfortunately, the song and vocals aren’t up to the popularity of this novelty song.  This won’t stop the Swedish kids and teens voting for the rather good looking duo.

 

 

 

Super Trooper bring some Disco Fever to Romanian final

Super Trooper {copyright: Antena }
Super Trooper {copyright: Antena 1}

Super Trooper are a unique retro 70s disco act that will have everyone dancing. They are in the final of the 2015 Selecţia Naţională in Romania. They will perform the disco friendly song Secret Place.

Super Trooper perform a regular show that embraces the audience to participate with karaoke and dress up in the 70s disco era clothing. The group perform at corporate parties, birthday parties, outdoor shows or club parties.

The group promise to enjoy and make everyone have fun at the Romanian final on Sunday 8 March with the very catchy Secret Place.

You can see Super Trooper perform Secret Place below.

Source: www.supertrooper.ro; www.esccovers.com

Lara Lee has strong songwriting team behind her song Superman in Romania

Lara Lee - Superman {copyright: macho records}
Lara Lee – Superman {copyright: Macho Records}

Sunday 8 March sees the 2015 Selecţiei Naţionale in Romania. One of the strong contenders is Lara Lee with her song Superman. Lara will face competition from 11 other acts.

Lara is a former participant at the X Factor show where she finished in fourth place in the first season of the show in Romania. She was known as Larisa Ciortan then.

Superman is composed by MachoPsycho (Robin Lynch & Niklas Olovson), Tami Rodriguez, Nicole Rodriguez and Milica Fajgelj. The MachoPyscho team have worked with many world famous recording artists including Cher, Pink, Jessie J, Justin Timberlake, Backstreet Boys, Joss Stone and Kelly Rowland. They also composed the popular Norwegian Eurovision song of 2013 by Margaret Berger entitled I Feed You My Love.

You can see Lara Lee preview Superman below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzZy84CGBtc

The six final songs chosen in Austrian selection

ORF logo
ORF logo

Last night the local broadcaster, ORF, staged the penultimate show of the 2015 Wer singt für Österreich? Six acts had already been chosen and now it was time time find the six final songs. Each act performed two songs each. The mentor coaches decided which song would progress to the final.

The six acts and songs for the final to be held on Friday 13 March are –

  • The Makemakes – I Am Yours
  • Celina Ann – Utopia
  • DAWA – Feel Alive
  • FolkshilfeWho You Are
  • Johann Sebastian Bass – Absolutio
  • Zoe – Quel Filou

Source: www.eurovision.tv; ORF; www.esccovers.com

 

 

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