wednesday wishlist eurovision 2018 srbuk elvana gjata Mihaela Marinova

Off-season is tough for Eurovision fans. The PED (Post Eurovision Depression) cloud is just beginning to lift, but the contest is still the guts of a year away. The nearest national final is in December and the junior equivalent won’t be for months. 

Despite the sunshine, summer can be bleak. It would be easy to mope until November, but the wiwibloggs team has a better plan. It’s time to dream!

For the next few Wednesdays our correspondents from across the world will be bringing you their ultimate wishlist for Portugal 2018. And as this is all fantasy, we’ll also be taking a look at absentee countries, both long and short term. Because in our ideal contest everyone comes to the party.

To make sure that no one gets left out, we’ll be going through countries in alphabetical order, so this week we’re starting with Albania and working through to Bulgaria.

Albania: Elvana Gjata

Erdi: Like so many modern popstars, Elvana Gjata’s career began on a TV talent show. In 2005 she appeared on Ethet, Albania’s answer to Idol. Shortly after she released her debut single “Te kam xhan” (You’re My Love), which she also entered into that year’s Kenga Magjike — basically, Festivali i Kenges’ trendier rival. Skip forward almost a decade and she’d reached superstar status as “Puthe” (Kiss) became the song of summer 2014. Just last month she dropped her latest effort “Forever Is Over”. It’s produced by a certain David Guetta, you may have heard of him… Oddly, despite her fondness for competitive singing, Elvana has never tried out for Eurovision. Perhaps 2018 could be the year that changes.

Past wishes: BleonaBebe Rexha and Era Istrefi

Andorra: Lluís Cartes

Luis: Will Andorra ever come back to Eurovision? As a Catalan speaker, I’ve mulled over the possibility for years. But it doesn’t seem likely. Sigh! In case they ever do, the Andorrans have a considerable range of musicians at their disposal — at least relative to the size of the country. Lluís Cartes is one of them. He actually competed in the microstate’s 2009 national final, finishing second behind Susanne Georgi. He returned to the public eye some years later when his song “El teu tresor” featured on the soundtrack of a popular TV series. Back to today, Lluís (I promise I haven’t picked him because he’s my namesake) has just released a new album. Here’s his latest single “Diuen, diuen…”.

Past wishes: Patxi LeivaMadretomasa and Nami

Armenia: Srbuk

Antranig: For the last two years, Armenia has developed a Eurovision niche with fierce female vocalists and unique songs. Its strength is putting forward performers who can not only sing but can also put on an epic show. Another Armenian female who checks those boxes is Srbuhi “Srbuk” Sargsyan, as demonstrated by her debut single “Yete Karogh Es” (If You Can). The runner-up from the inaugural X Factor Armenia dances across multiple genres and delivers a nostalgic blast from the past music video. No doubt Srbuk would put on an amazing stage show and that’s why Armenia needs to send her to Eurovision.

Past wishes: Iveta Mukuchyan (wish granted), Christine Pepelyan and Lilit Hovhannisyan

Australia: Tkay Maidza

Sebastian: Singer, songwriter and rapper. Tkay Maidza is a triple threat. Cut from a different cloth to the vocal powerhouses Australia usually sends to Eurovision, Tkay burst onto the hip-hop scene in 2013 with “Brontosaurus”. She’s since supported Rita Ora and Charli XCX on tour. A versatile vocalist who blends hip hop with electro-ballad sounds, Tkay released her self-titled debut album Tkay in 2016. It peaked at number 20 on the Australian Record Industry Association charts. Last year, Tkay made inroads into the European music scene, featuring on French DJ Martin Solveig’s summer hit “Do It Right” – which charted across nine European countries, reaching 19 in Belgium. This pocket-rocket brings an evolving sound and pure sass seldom seen on the Eurovision stage.

Past wishes: Delta Goodrem and The Veronicas

Austria: Anna F

Patrick: The nul points from the televote really dented Austria’s pride in Kyiv. But I’m sure that Anna F would easily avoid a similar fate. The 32 year-old singer songwriter from Styria is in the business a few years now. She first rose to fame in 2009 with “Time Stands Still”. She then travelled to the US to work on songs for her first album. She toured with Lenny Kravitz and later James Blunt. The closest she’s come to Eurovision was in 2015 when she acted as a coach during the national selection. I say it’s now her turn to enter herself and do Austria proud.

Past wishes: Andreas GabalierHannah and Denise Beiler

Azerbaijan: Vugarixx

Mikhail: He’s rapidly gaining popularity all over the world. But Vugarixx is actually a DJ and music producer rather than a singer. His sound is current, yet he’s not afraid to experiment. Though his inspiration to become a DJ came from listening to Swedish House Mafia, he loves to mess around with different genres and try something new. We’ve already seen guys like this at Eurovision — Raay from Maraaya and JOWST, for instance. With Azerbaijan continuing to mix things up in the contest, maybe it’s only a matter of time before we hear Vugarixx collaborate with an exciting singer.

Past wishes: EminAygun Kazimova and Latifa Soyuoz

Belarus: Max Korzh

Dayana: Despite their low placing in the final, Belarus was a pleasant surprise for Eurovision 2017 viewers. What made NAVIBAND’s performance stand out was their vibrant sound and the sincerity of their delivery. And my wishlist choice Max Korzh possesses the same qualities. This Belarusian singer-songwriter quit university in 2012 to focus on his music career. He borrowed $300 from his mom to fund his very first single, which he later posted on the VKontakte social network site. “Nebo pomozhet nam” (The Sky Will Help Us) became a massive hit, not only in Max’ native Belarus, but also in Russia and right across the post-Soviet region. The success continued with each of his follow-up releases, which are all in Russian. He’s racked up millions of YouTube views and won oodles of awards. Could the famous glass microphone be next?

Past wishes: NutekiVintage and Shuma

Belgium: Lea Rue

Renske: Belgium has gone from strength to strength in recent years, sending young up-and-coming artists like Loïc Nottet, Laura Tesoro and Blanche. For 2018, the Flemish broadcaster should continue the trend and select Lea Rue. She competed on the third series of The Voice van Vlaanderen, joining Axelle Red’s team. Afterwards, she released her first single “I Can’t Say No” which charted in both Belgium and Norway. Her silky vocals also featured on some tracks and performances with Lost Frequencies (our choice for last year’s wishlist).

Past wishes: StromaeGabriel Rios and Lost Frequencies

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Amel Curic

Jovana: First coming to regional media attention two years ago, Amel Curcic won the second season of X Factor Adria. Amel wowed the Balkan audience with his powerful vocals and ability to perform literally every genre of music. He previously won the OBN Music Talents show back in 2003 and recorded one studio album. Since his X Factor victory, Amel has released several singles, including a duet with the regional pop star Emina Jahovic. His voice and presence are just the right ingredients to create a Eurovision explosion.

Past wishes: Neda UkradenMagdalena Bogic and Dubioza Kolektiv

Bulgaria: Mihaela Marinova

Jordi: After a sensational silver place in Kyiv, Bulgaria will be hungry to win Eurovision 2018. And Mihaela Marinova would be a great choice to continue the country’s amazing recent record at the contest. Like Kristian, she also comes from the X Factor series, finishing third in 2014. Despite not winning, she rose to instant fame, enjoying many chart hits, including “Stapka Napred” (Step Forward) – the most played song on Bulgarian television and radio in 2015. She’s a woman of many talents: from rap to R&B to dubstep, all in one song. Fresh, young and contemporary, Mihaela screams Eurovision and we’re ready for another Queen Marinova!

Past wishes: PreslavaMihaela Fileva and Gery-Nikol

What do y’all think? Have we chosen the best of the best? Or would you have chosen differently? As always, let us know below.

Next Week: Croatia to Greece >>

CHECK OUT OUR PREVIOUS WEDNESDAY WISHLISTS.

39 Comments
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Kanya
Kanya
6 years ago

I hope Armenia stick to avant garde songs- all their songs after 2013 have been among the most interesting in their contests
http://www.192-168-1-1.co

Pebbles
Pebbles
6 years ago

I’d like to see Montaigne for Australia next year, if we’re invited. Her theatrical style is much more suited for Eurovision, I’d say, and her song ‘I’m a Fantastic Wreck’ was really good!

DyGh
DyGh
6 years ago

I hardly believe VRT will send Lea Rue, people don’t know her anymore. I feel like they will rather send a more known artist like the beloved Emma Bale (love her new song “Curaçao” <3), Natalia or Selah Sue. Natalia has a powerfull voice and Selah Sue is a more modern version of Amy Winehouse (and her eyes are amazing).

1wxrld.com
6 years ago

Our choice for Armenia would be Arpi. All you need to do is listen to her interpretations “Zepyuri Nma”, “Makhmur Aghjik” which are both featured on our Top 100 site http://www.1wxrld.com and to “Tamzara”. These are traditional songs but done in a breathtakingly beautiful voice. Arpi is perfect live as well. Eurovision would be a perfect place to launch an Armenian folk song in the rich tradition of “ashough”s and “gousan”s. The song would become an instant classic to survive decades and decades and to be transferred from generation to generation.

Siranush
Siranush
6 years ago

Yes yes yes yes YES!! Srbuk needs to represent Armenia!! She’s amazing and has such a unique voice! Sirusho is my second choice, but Srbuk is definitely my first!!!

escAU
escAU
6 years ago

I love tkay as an aussie! i’ve listened to her stuff for a while and she’s breaking out of the indie scene now, not sure if she’s right for esc but it’d be cool if she went! I’m thinking the veronicas maybe or samantha jade

LiGhts
LiGhts
6 years ago

I would be very happy to see Elvina next year in Portugal to represent Azerbaijan. No matter the result. And of course something in our language 🙂
Well, I like Vugarixx, but still I keep my fingers crossed for Elvina.
(https://youtu.be/G6aetkhXYGw
https://youtu.be/fcA5In-Pmm4)

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
6 years ago

I loved Do It Right from Tkay, and I love her, but her music isn’t for Eurovision, Do It Right is

heyy
heyy
6 years ago

Elvana, Srbuk, Anna, Lea & Mihaelaaaa <3

azaad
azaad
6 years ago

For Australia, I’m gunning for The Veronicas, Delta Goodrem or Jessica Mauboy. I have to say, I hope Armenia stick to avant garde songs- all their songs after 2013 have been among the most interesting in their contests (and Lovewave is among my favourite ESC songs of all time).

Racal
Racal
6 years ago

Belgium could crush all competition just by sending Stromae. He would win this with one hand tied behind his back.

azaad
azaad
6 years ago
Reply to  Racal

Maybe in 2019- apart from being “too known” for a country that has found a niche in helping up and comers start careers with Eurovision (three consecutive top tens is great for any Western European country), his music is in French, and I don’t think that he would want to make an English song, which is the only way I would imagine VRT selecting him.

Racal
Racal
6 years ago
Reply to  azaad

I don’t think Stromae would go anyway – he’s too famous now – but of course the VRT would never send him: Stromae could literally win this, and “VRT” and “winning Eurovision” can hardly be placed in the same sentence. 😉

Stromae’s music sounds perfect in French and that didn’t stop him from reaching #1 in Belgium, Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Switzerland and Turkey. Should he one day go to the ESC, he should do it in French.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  Racal

I wouldn’t be surprised if he had been approached at one point or another. But in any case, If it were up to me, I’d send Selah Sue (who wrote “What’s The Pressure?” for Laura Tesoro):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urEK23LO1D8

Twisted French
Twisted French
6 years ago

I think Armenia will send a guy this time. After Artsvik disappointing result, they will try something else to get back to a TOP5 like Aram MP3 did. I think the diva niche is over for now. I want them to win next year!!!

EF0912
EF0912
6 years ago
Reply to  Twisted French

They should send Sevak.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Twisted French

Armenia had good staging, but the song is quite boring. Without that performance, they could’ve stayed in the semis this year.

Food
Food
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

I mean she was poised to win the whole semi- who knows what happened?

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Food

I don’t know why people said that. The staging was very good, but the song… She didn’t have the whole package.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago

Other than the fact that these artists are great, I think these wishlists are amazing because we get to learn about new artists. So, thank you Wiwi. My favs: 1. Bulgaria – Mihaela is stunning, has great vocals and can definitely give Bulgaria its much deserved trophy; 2. Belgium – Lea Rue would be the perfect contender to form the trilogy that has been Loic and Blanche; 3. Armenia – Srbuk is gorgeous (WNTM 2018 Contender), the sound is fun and colorful and it may or may not work for Eurovision, but Armenia needs to bring back ethno-pop that we… Read more »

Amelia
Amelia
6 years ago

Yes, Mihaela Marinova would be great to represent Bulgaria on Eurovision. I totally agree. I’ve been following her career from the beginning. I heard “Stapka Napred” for the first time from my boyfriend who lives in Bulgaria. He clicked on her video by accident. It’s real music to my ears and the song is very beautiful. I hope that she will get chosen to represent Bulgaria next year. She’s a really great singer.

KatDelL123
KatDelL123
6 years ago

For Armenian I want Lilu, Bulgaria can Winn with Preslava ! 😀

Regina Phalange
Regina Phalange
6 years ago

“Yete Karogh Es” is so good!

greenmoon
greenmoon
6 years ago

People want Bulgaria for win but I want Iceland for win!

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  greenmoon

I’m probably the only one who doesn’t want Delta or The Veronicas for Australia. Let’s see who will compete if the national selection happens…

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

Sorry, I posted it wrong.

greenmoon
greenmoon
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

no problem

Zolipop
Zolipop
6 years ago
Reply to  greenmoon

I want both of them sooo much!!!

MollieLouise
MollieLouise
6 years ago

Lea Rue is my favourite here. Young and avant-garde has been working well for Belgium, plus she has an intriguing voice.

Zolipop
Zolipop
6 years ago

I’m still not a big fan of those kind of songs you chose for Albania for example. I would be so happy if they sent something like Festina Mejzini’s Atje Lart from last year’s Festivali i Kenges. It’s enchanting & beatiful, and would be very unique in the contest 🙂 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xgvuRVvjvg
From these choices of your’s, Anna F. is my favorite 🙂

Mark
Mark
6 years ago

As an Australian I have heard of TKay. But I don’t think her participation would go down well with the wider community. Australians weren’t exactly buzzed about Isaiah either.

mr
mr
6 years ago
Reply to  Mark

As another Australian, the only time I heard TKay was in the hottest 100 countdown. But to be honest, anything after Dami Im was going to be lack luster

Ugnius
Ugnius
6 years ago

Speaking about PED – why there are no Wiwivision this year ?

bella
bella
6 years ago

Darina Yotova can win for Bulgaria!Belgium can send Stromae!

Dani
Dani
6 years ago

Mihaela Marinova would sing our ears off. She’s extremely good live.

Bobby
Bobby
6 years ago
Reply to  Dani

Totally agree with you. She definitely kills it live. Actually she was my favourite to win the X Factor and her performance with James Arthur was stunning and I voted for her! I love Mishetooo. I have seen her live a few times and she didn’t disappoint me…