It’s only October and we have already heard news about Spain’s Eurovision plans from RTVE. Yes, they are pre-empting the rumour mill and laying out the options before the rumours explode like Lucia Perez’s firecracker dance. Miracles exist.
Nothing is concrete yet, but the broadcaster’s Head of Entertainment, Toñi Moreno, has detailed several ways in which the country’s next entrant could be selected.
Speaking to news site Bluper, Prieto said that the broadcaster is considering either an open preselection like in 2016 (Barei) or 2014 (Ruth Lorenzo), or internally selecting one of the winners from The Voice of Spain. But she goes on to say that “they’re open to everything” and that they “don’t close any door”.
The clarity is obviously lacking…but at least they are thinking early this year.
Barei – Say yay! Second rehearsal
Prieto — who fans called on to resign after Barei’s 22nd place — claims that RTVE is keen to select an artist who could bring Spain back to the top. Going against Eurovision fan lore, Ms. Prieto claims that RTVE does want to win, but that “it’s much more difficult now, with so many countries participating”.
She also referred to the editions when the Spanish representative was chosen via Operación Triunfo (from 2002 to 2004), which brought the country three top 10s in a row. On the occasion of the reality show’s 15th anniversary, Prieto thinks that a similar format could be used, but not for 2017, because there’s no time to organise it.
With the original Operación Triunfo contestants (Rosa, Gisela, David Bisbal, etc.) holding a much-awaited reunion this month, could RTVE wait for the show to return to airwaves and then jump on it again for 2018? Who knows…
Spain 2002: Rosa López – Europe’s Living a Celebration
María Villalón, Ruth Lorenzo, Lorena Gómez, Mirela… Spain already has a line-up of potential artists willing to wave the country’s flag in Kyiv. Will any of these be selected? Only time will tell.
Meanwhile, given that Toñi Prieto has hinted that the previous winners of The Voice are potential candidates, let’s take a look at them…and some of the beloved runners-up.
The Voice 1: Rafa Blas
Rafa surprised everyone in 2012 with his victory. In a country where talent shows are dominated by flamenco singers, a rocker slayed the pack with his rendition of Europe’s “The Final Countdown”. He’s not been in the spotlight much since then, so maybe Eurovision is a good way for him to stage a comeback.
Apart from Rafa Blas, other potential contestants from that edition might be the eternal fan favourite Brequette; Maika Barbero, who tried to represent Switzerland last year; and Jorge González, provided that RTVE begs him to do it.
Brequette – Más (Run)
The Voice 2: David Barrull
The second winner of The Voice was melodic singer David Barrull, whose sensitivity conquered the hearts of Spaniards. The elder ones, probably, but well, he did it. David sings ballads and mid-tempo songs in Spanish. Do you think he could be a good choice?
The Voice 3: Antonio José
Now, let’s be honest, Rafa and David might not fit into the “Eurovision” artist category, but the third winner of Spain’s Voice could make up for both of them. Antonio José, who finished second at Junior Eurovision 2005, would be an obvious choice. A young and talented singer with that flamenco feel and an amazing voice. Let’s do this.
Spain’s fourth edition of The Voice is currently in the blind auditions stage. Do you think its eventual winner can pull a Nina Kraljic and fly the Spanish flag in Kyiv? Would you like an open selection? How would you choose Spain’s next representative? Tell us in the comment section below!
J aime beaucoup Brequette je suis désolé mais c était elle qui aurait du représenter son pays!!!!!!! à la place de Ruth
Hi, not sure about any of the artists, but need to say that this is the second article about Spain in Eurovision that I actually enjoyed reading this week. Luis Fuster, please write more and on other topics as well! Love your style, sense of humour and attention to detail (without being boring)!!
ANTONIO JOSE ALL THE WAY!
Chart*
All those names would be another bottom for Spain. No good songwriters and producers behind them. The only one might be Antonio Jose (He is well known and his albums has been Num 1 on sales.. but his songs didn’t charted that well)
Brequette.. No charisma + Weak song= Hard flop.
Spain would not stand out as usual with another bad generic song permomed by a female/diva singer.
I mean Portugal did that in 2014 (came 6th in the televote) with something summery an fun. But the juries killed it. So maybe it just depends on which semi or in spains case final they perform in.
@ Robyn Gallagher – I mean, if Hungary did that in 2013 (in Hungarian) and finished 7th in televote in the grand final, I don’t see why Spain and Portugal woudn’t succeed. I’d love something like that too!
I hope Brequette has managed to control her nerves
Brequette singing is really annoying, prffff
Another 22nd or 23rd place, wow
Happy to see countries trying even more when they don’t get the success they wanted.
And by the way, the Finnish national selection, UMK 2017, will be held in January 28th. It will be organized in Espoo Metro Arena with a concert capacity of 8,600. There will be no semifinals, only a final with 10 songs competing.
Just keep picking a good song. And if you don’t do well then just withdraw. Simple.
PLEASE YOU HAVE TO CRISTINA AND MARIA FROM SPAINS GOT TALENT
JOSE IS GOOD FOR ME.
Fully agree with Xepher. Brequette with a song similar to Más could easily get Top 10. I’m still not over her not being picked in 2014 tbh, and being a backing singer in 2016 was hardly a consolation
Just internally pick Brequette, give her a song like Mas
Boom. Problem solved
The problem is that they want to find the artist to put them back on top, not the song and the stage perfomance…