Wednesday Wishlist United Kingdom Eurovision 2018 Little Mix

Summer is drawing to a close, and the dreaded post-Eurovision depression is beginning to dissipate. Halleloo! But before we prepare to jump head first into the 2018 season — 1 September is only two and a half weeks away, y’all! — there’s time for one more trip to fantasy land.

For the last few Wednesdays our correspondents from across the world brought you their ultimate wishlist for Lisbon 2018. And as this is all make believe, we also included absentee countries, both long and short term. Because in our ideal contest everyone comes to the party.

To make sure that no one was left out, we went through countries in alphabetical order. So this week, as this year’s series comes to a close, we start with San Marino and work through to the United Kingdom. Let’s do this!

San Marino: The Slight

Robyn: The microstate might be the smallest country competing at Eurovision, but there’s no shortage of talent in San Marino. The Slight is a talented musician and he placed second on the 2016 edition of the San Marinese talent show I talenti dei Castelli (the winner was a rhythmic gymnast, so that makes him the top placed musician). The Slight is visually striking with his tattoos and dreadlocks but he can also lay down some seriously seductive alternative R&B styles. If SMRTV choose to return to Eurovision in 2018 (come on, San Marino!), there’s no need for them to look abroad for their act.

Past wishes: Michele Perniola (wish granted), Irol MC and Delayers

Serbia: SevdahBABY and Djixxs

Jovana: Should you go clubbing in Belgrade, you will inevitably hear at least one song by SevdahBaby and Djixx. This duo, consisting of producer SevdahBaby and singer Djixx, are one of the biggest acts on Serbia’s electro-pop scene. SevdahBaby’s songwriting skills and Djixx’s contagious energy would easily conquer the Eurovision stage, making them decent successors to the likes of Maraaya and JOWST.

Past wishes: CecaGnucci and Zap Me Strobe

Slovakia: Carmel Paradise

Mikhail: We chose Celeste Buckingham for Slovakia in 2015, probably the most famous Slovak artist internationally. Well, now it’s the time to talk about her sister — Carmel Paradise. Music definitely runs in this family’s blood. But Carmel has taken a slightly different route than her sister. Her sound is more alternative and electronic. Her experimental songs have drawn high praise, and she would certainly bring something really interesting to the table. Fingers crossed for Lisbon! (Of course, Slovakia need to come back first).

Past wishes: Katarína KoscováCeleste Buckingham and Mária Círová

Slovenia: Challe Salle

Antranig: They’ve dropped the ball in recent years and now it’s time for Slovenia to go big or go home. And they don’t come much bigger than Challe Salle. He has both the look and sound to be a standout at Eurovision — Slovenia’s very own golden boy. The personal fitness coach and nutritionist may not be the country’s biggest name but he can bring something new to the mix. While Slovenia have secured some good results this decade, the string of pop hits like Maja Keuc’s “No One” and Maraaya’s “Here For You” are fading out of recent memory. After all, it wouldn’t be Eurovision without some Slovene rap, would it? Plus, we’ll never object to a little eye candy.

Past wishes: Petra MarklundKingston and Perpetuum Jazzile

Spain: Sara Serena

Jordi: After a string of poor results, Spain needs to make some major changes to its Eurovision strategy. So, let me present to you Sara Serena, a nineteen year old songstress born in Zaragoza but now based in Los Angeles. She’s an opera singer turned popstrel. And she already knows how to slay at big competitions. She first rose to prominence on The Voice Kids, before smashing the global talent TV show Aim2Fame, in which she represented Spain in a field of 43 countries. Afterwards, she signed to Nexar Music and now she’s working with some of the world’s most successful songwriters and producers. Her single “Chasing Dragons” has achieved more than a million streams on Spotify, while her debut album Skyline debuted at four in the charts. She’s chasing dragons and ready to fight for a Spain victory at Eurovision. Yas gurl!

Past wishes: Amaia MonteroVarry Brava and Yall

Sweden: First Aid Kit

Kristin: They’ve always been a well-oiled pop machine, and one can always rely on Sweden to deliver a solid and well produced number at Eurovision. They in it to win it, simple as that. But the folk rock duo First Aid Kit would set a completely new tone for the Scandi nation. Made up of sisters Clara and Johanna Söderberg, First Aid Kit began life in 2007. They quickly gained worldwide attention with their cover of Fleet Foxes’ “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song”. Since then, the siblings have recorded three albums, two EPs and been nominated for a Brit Award. Their music might be heavier than Sweden’s past entries, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t fit. Sometimes it’s good to let loose and try something different, and Clara and Johanna could definitely rock Europe’s socks off, given the chance.

Past wishes: Hakan HellströmRobyn and Tove Lo

Switzerland: Anna Känzig

Florian: The Eurovision struggle is real. Just ask Switzerland. Canadian-Swiss singer Rykka and Swiss-Romanian group Timebelle both missed the mark in the last two years. And while Eurovision is all about celebrating diversity, the Alpine nation could look between their own mountains for voices waiting to be heard. Voices like Anna Känzig’s. She’s been making music since childhood, starting off in a cover band. Anna eventually went out on her own, releasing her debut album Sound and Fury. “Lion’s Heart” is among her stand out tracks, a rousing song which proves that Anna isn’t “afraid of the dark”. This style of empowerment anthem could be just what the Swiss broadcaster needs for 2018.

Past wishes: Stefanie HeinzmannBeatrice Egli and Bastian Baker

Turkey: Aleyna Tilki

Rezo: She’s the young Turkish pop star who’s been making serious waves of late. Aleyna Tilki’s first brush with fame came when she entered the sixth season of Turkey’s Got Talent, reaching the semi-finalsShe’s gone on to enjoy major success with hits such as her Emrah Karaduman collab 2Cevapsiz Xinlama” and “Sen Olsan Bari”. Aleyna is just the sort of artist we want for Eurovision, and she’s already driving us crazy. She’d be the perfect choice to front a Turkish comeback.

Past wishes: Aynur AydinAtiye and Murat Ceylan

Ukraine: Monatik

Dayana: We know that all of you watched the first semi-final of Eurovision 2017 — if not, who are you? You’ll definitely remember the outstanding opening act — Monatik with his hit “Spinning”. The original Russian language version “Kruzhit” has over 50 million views on YouTube. And he’s a multi-talented guy, writing songs for well-known Eurovision artists like Dima Bilan and Loboda. Apart from singing and songwriting, his other “professional” hobby is dancing (as you saw in May). That leads to one of his other successes — participating in both The X Factor and Everybody Dances!. The man has all the skills needed to represent Ukraine.

Past wishes: Vera BrezhnevaAlloise and Alekseev

United Kingdom: Little Mix

Padraig: The United Kingdom might have the largest and most successful music scene in Europe, but you’d never guess that from their Eurovision record. Heck, even our past wishlists have failed to scrape the surface — the zombified remains of a once great girl band and a shouty YouTuber aren’t exactly the stuff of Eurofan dreams. After dour balladeers — hi Adele, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Emeli Sandé — there’s one thing Britain does better than anyone else — girl bands! And the group of the moment is Little Mix. Easily the country’s biggest pop export since One Direction disbanded, the X Factor 2011 winners boast a back catalogue bursting with bangers. Just imagine the girls delivering yet another “Black Magic” or “Touch” on the MEO stage. And our William and Deban would be morally obliged to play the accent challenge with Jesy.

Past wishes: Mutya Keisha SiobhanHurts and Emma Blackery

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

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CHECK OUT OUR PREVIOUS WEDNESDAY WISHLISTS.

53 Comments
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Loane
Loane
6 years ago

I’m a huge fan of Little Mix and of8ESC obviously but I don’t think it could be a good idea to send Little Mix to represent UK in Lisbon new year ! I think they could maybe reach the top10 thanks to the televoting but I’m not sure they could have a lot of point thanks to the juries. Although, not sure it’s a good idea for they own carreer, I don’t know why but I can not imagine they in MEO Arena’s stage in ESC 2018 And about Ukraine I loooove this choice, it could be fantastic for Ukraine… Read more »

LightvsDarkness
LightvsDarkness
6 years ago

Miss li-Aqualung, would’ve been a strong entry for Sweden, so that they can win again.

Fatima
Fatima
6 years ago

I don’t think Little Mix would last five seconds on the Eurovision stage, not all four of them anway. And in Surbiton, some of the bin men really do look like Challe Salle.

Frisian ESC (jr)
Frisian ESC (jr)
6 years ago

Love your choice kristin!

546
546
6 years ago

I understand that Little Mix is loved by esc fans inside the bubble, but if they go to esc, they might have 0 points. Too many voices, too many harmonies, too small clothes and it’s not funny like Poland 2014. They would flop like Lindita. Like Lucie Jones said – ”Eurovision is a complete animal of its own”.

beccaboo1212
6 years ago
Reply to  546

It’s the other way around. If Little Mix represents the United Kingdom next year, they may even reach the Top 10. 🙂

thespb01
thespb01
6 years ago

RAIVEN FOR SLOVENIA 2018

blondboybc
blondboybc
6 years ago

Turkey ain’t attending, so don’t bother wishing 🙂

Jonas
Jonas
6 years ago

First Aid Kit are an absolutely superb duo, I would love to see them represent Sweden. It would be so nice to see a change away from the ubiquitous “hit factory” conveyor belt (which I love!), if only for a year.

Jonas
Jonas
6 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

By the way, the song by First Aid Kit featured in this articlye is not really representative of their overall output – “Stay Gold” is my favorite!

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

MoN
MoN
6 years ago

I would love to see Zara Larsson representing Sweden! I’m a big fan of FAK.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  MoN

Last I heard, Zara said she would not play Eurovision.

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  CookyMonzta

She should and will stay away from the competition. But watch her compete in the Melodifestivalen as soon as her quick lil singles struggle to become hits in Sweden and her fledging career dies out. Which will be in 3 years, I predict.

Charles
Charles
6 years ago

Not even a summer holiday break seems to help people here understand one tiny little thing …. it’s a SONG contest … without great songs … none of these people are worth anybody’s time … Why are we constantly daydreaming of the people that should be at Eurovision … when the main thing that starts it all and it’s the reason for it all isn’t even here? THE SONGS!!

Jonas
Jonas
6 years ago

Well, yes and no. Of course it’s about the songs, but for obsessives (like us?), it’s also about all the little details – stage, costume, singers, hosts, lighting…in the depths of August, many months from the contest, are we not allowed enjoy any of those things either? If it’s purely about the songs, well then why isn’t it exclusively on radio?

Every element of what makes the contest special is up for discussion here on this site, and if you don’t like it, nobody is forcing you to hang around.

thespb01
thespb01
6 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

It’s fine having a good song, but everything else is important too. For example, “The Last Of Our Kind” by Rykka was a decent enough song, but everything about the performance (the singing, the costume, the staging, the lighting, the choreography) was so awful that it meant Switzerland was destined to flop once more.

Jonas
Jonas
6 years ago
Reply to  Charles

P.S. Aren’t you being a total hypocrite when almost at the same time as this post, you also posted in the Australian article dreamcasting your favorite Australian singer?

Hmm.

Craig
Craig
6 years ago
Reply to  Charles

Many a good song has fallen in a heap at Eurovision through being poorly sung or badly staged. It may be called the Eurovision Song Contest, but a great song is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to winning, or even qualifying for the final for that matter.

Xoxoo
Xoxoo
6 years ago

Ukraine should send The Hardkiss and next year Onuka.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  Xoxoo

Aye! Long overdue for the Hardkiss to go They most certainly would have sent a better rock song than O.Torvald, even though I liked the message in “Time”.

~~iRina~~~~
~~iRina~~~~
6 years ago

Can’t stop listening to Turkish one.
A
T
C
H
Y
AF.

KESC
KESC
6 years ago
Reply to  ~~iRina~~~~

She nearly reached 100 million views, in just about 2 weeks. She evan beat Selena Gomez.. that’s crazy!!

Thomasfan22
Thomasfan22
6 years ago

No. No no no no no. Big no on Challe Salle.
Raiven all the way bitches.

donjohns
donjohns
6 years ago

turkish one looks like shakira. but i like it

Marc
Marc
6 years ago

Sara Serena is nobody here. She smells fail.
Nobody likes her cheap manufacture sound.
Check out our Spotify Chart and you will see what we like is the opposite from Sara.
If we should send a young diva, it should be Ana Mena who at least has some likeability and a Hit here this year.

Xoxoo
Xoxoo
6 years ago
Reply to  Marc

I think your country shouldnt send any diva or female for next ten years. Their results are really bad. Soraya, Lucia, Pastora, Ruth, Edurne, Barei. Omg spain be more original already!!! Still the same, people are bored with your choices.

Miss Uncongeniality
Miss Uncongeniality
6 years ago
Reply to  Marc

The problem is not that Sara Serena is nobody in Spain (because she is nobody everywhere. Her problem is that she doesn’t have the look: she is at least 10 stomach flues away from her goal weight, her outfits seems to be a bad cover version of princess Beatrice of York (which is not a compliment) and that hair style is awful, like if she’s a shipwreck survivor, also she suffers the Mirela’s syndrome, she doesn’t have any sense of stage charisma / pressence (the only one that can see her charisma is the random eurofan)… Spain has to understand… Read more »

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Great choice for Sweden, but too wishful.
Slovenia: Nejc Lombardo, Raiven;
Ukraine: The Hardkiss, SunSay, Max Barskih;
Spain: Blaumut, Fuel Fandango;
UK: Roo Panes, Clare Maguire, Michael Kiwanuka (perhaps too wishful as well).

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

But Ukraine should send ONUKA! ^^

Marc
Marc
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

Blaumut <3
They are big here in Catalonia 🙂

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Marc

I like it, but I don’t understand Catalan, just random words (I’m native in Italian and Portuguese).

Rvision
Rvision
6 years ago

I still wish for Max Barskih to represent Ukraine. He would be amazing on that stage!!

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

I’m pretty sure First Aid Kit began life before 2017, a decade before! But it’s a good choice. Don’t see them competing though, they aren’t Melodifestival material.

Little Mix are good but they are more teen idol material than anything. More Teen Heroes than Eurovision acts!

cheesecake
cheesecake
6 years ago

Monatik for Ukraine would be fantastic.

Miguel
Miguel
6 years ago

Little Mix may be talented, but their songs are a bit….. teen idol material

I am a suporter of Rebecca Ferguson <3 <3
Her songs are top class and she is not a huge superstar, so she may be interested in Eurovision to boost her career.

Hada
Hada
6 years ago

My wishlist for San Marino is Valentina Monetta *without* Ralph Siegel. Sing a song by herself or by an actual competent composer.

Agree 100% on Monatik BTW

Miguel
Miguel
6 years ago
Reply to  Hada

I agree about Valentina. Let her do something on her own. And in italian.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  Hada

I hate to say this, but because of her long association with Ralph Siegel and the fact that she’s been to Eurovision 4 times already, with little success, Valentina is damaged goods.

What were the names of the would-be participants whom San Marino tried to gouge money from? Arisa? Tony Maiello? I’d send either one of them. If Anita Simoncini or Michele Perniola are better-prepared this time, I’d even consider sending one or the other but not both.

beccaboo1212
6 years ago
Reply to  CookyMonzta

If Valentina Monetta represents San Marino on her own next year, her entry for Lisbon would have to be written by someone else other than Ralph Siegel. Who knows? Valentina may even write her 2018 entry herself! And good idea on hoping that Valentina would sing in Italian, Miguel. 😉

Paul
Paul
6 years ago

Hurts will always be my uk dream

Xoxoo
Xoxoo
6 years ago
Reply to  Paul

Oh it would be awesome!

DR
DR
6 years ago

I’m normally bitching about the UK choice to the point Padraig had a go at me for ranting about the Sugababes choice in the comments. However Little Mix is perfect choice. The can sing and dance with charisma and flair while still holding their amazing harmonies on par with Og3ne. I disagree with Polegend Godgarina, they have a very strong back catalogue with up beat bangers that would instantly get stuck in your head and grab the imagination of the whole of Europe. Their Brits performances shows they can put a world class show that could rival any Eurovision staging… Read more »

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

Great choice for Sweden. I’d love them to send something different from their usual formulaic stuff. Wiktoria is my dream representative, though.

Little Mix tho… it should and will NOT happek. They don’t have a strong discography to start with. Louisa Johnson is the superior X-Factor Winner.

Sarm1995
Sarm1995
6 years ago

Don’t have a strong discography? 4 albums which have charted well in UK wit one of them reaching number 1 and not to mention 11 uk top 10 singles include 4 uk number ones. I’ve seen little mix live in a festival and hey have it all live; the songs, choreography, styling and vocals. They’re one of the most successful to come out of X factor and looking at how they’ve evolved they’ve turned into a fierce girlband I’m pretty sure the have what’s needed to bring a decent result to the UK or at least an act that brits… Read more »

Marc
Marc
6 years ago
Reply to  Sarm1995

Yes, in the UK and maybe Ireland. But Little Mix don’t do well in charts in the rest of Europe.

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Sarm1995

They have no classics, no memorable hits, nothing that smashed outside of the UK and Ireland. They’re just another manufactured girl group that sings bland songs. I’d rather have the girls go solo.

Girl groups don’t have a history of doing well at the Eurovision, and manufactured music isn’t doing that great either recently. At least they’re better than Fifth Harmony!

Damn
Damn
6 years ago

Well Their first album broke the Spice Girls record in the US and they won various award there and juste had an european tour which may help while competing at Eurovision, most of their single are too manufactured indeed while their most sensitive tracks always fail to make an impact. Louisa Johnson hasn’t had a #1 yet and is unknown anywhere else which is a shame, I love her Clean Bandit collab, it would have been an amazing Eurovision song. If the UK choose a young artist, it’ll get the youth more exited about the contest. Nathan Sykes will also… Read more »

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Damn

So what if Louise is unknown? It’s not like Blanche was known either.

Xoxoo
Xoxoo
6 years ago

OG3NE, Serebro etc. So should we ban all girl bands from Eurovision or what do you want to say? We want diversity. I really dont understand why many fans prefer here monotonous Eurovision.

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Xoxoo

O’G3NE only got 11 televote points, that’s not doing well. Serebro represented Russia, so yeah. But look at all the other girl bands that have taken part: E.N.I., Precious, Times Three, XXL, Treble, No Angels, Moje 3, and all the others ones who were left in the semi-finals that I can’t recall right now.

Jonas
Jonas
6 years ago

Black Magic is a great song.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago

I think it may be too late for Little Mix. The time to send them was when they sent Electro Velvet in 2015.