We live in strange and uncertain times. However, amidst the ongoing pandemic, we’ll strive to bring you a mixture of fun and good news stories in our daily digest. Each day we’ll trawl through Instagram, Twitter and elsewhere so that y’all don’t have to.
This is the Daily Digest for Tuesday 17 March.
Eurovision 2020 news: 17 March
Ulrikke: The Quarantine Musical
Norway’s singer Ulrikke needs your “Attention” — for some light-hearted relief! She’s currently penned up at home with her manager and boyfriend Christoffer Gunnestad as part of quarantine measures to slow the spread of Covid-19. But the pair are making the most of their time by filming a series of IGTV musicals. Among other things, we’ve seen them singing about Tindr and riffing on personal hygiene. In her most recent video, Ulrikke wakes up, brushes her teeth, works from home and takes some selfies. As she writes: “New day in quarantine, and more musicals for the people!” Keep ’em coming! (William)
Little Big perform “Uno” on Radio NRJ
Russian sensation Little Big travelled to the studios of Radio NRJ in Moscow, where they performed their Eurovision 2020 entry “Uno”. Lead vocalist Sofya Tayurskaya and frontman Ilya Prusikin again proved that they can deliver live. (Renske)
Gjon’s Tears cracks the Swiss charts
Switzerland’s Gjon’s Tears has become the latest Eurovision act to enter the Swiss charts before the song contest. Entering at #100, “Respondez-moi” is growing in popularity in the Alpine country. It is the first time that Gjon has entered the Swiss charts, after topping the Albanian Top Channel charts in 2018 with his song “Babi”. Previously, shortly after Sanremo, Diodato peaked at #36 in the Schweizer Hitparade, before falling out of the charts one week later. (Renske)
“Cleopatra” hits two million on YouTube
On the same day that “Cleopatra” hit streaming platforms like Spotify, Azerbaijan’s Efendi celebrated another milestone on YouTube. The official music video for the dramatic banger has passed the two million views threshold. Efendi will surely rack up similar numbers on other platforms very soon. Now get streaming and feel your most regal self! (Lucy)
James Newman celebrates one million views on YouTube
Efendi isn’t the only one racking up views. The UK’s James Newman is celebrating one million hits on his official music video. His Instagram post includes moments from his video, featuring Dutch guru and extreme athlete Wim Hof. The milestone sees him already overtake the total reached by last year’s British entry “Bigger Than Us” by Michael Rice. And it is a much quicker ascent than 2018’s SuRie or 2017’s Lucie Jones achieved. Congratulations, James! (Lucy)
Diodato goes platinum in Italy
Quarantined Italians sing his song from their balconies, to keep hope alive and exorcise a difficult moment. And for Diodato, there is yet more moving news. “Fai rumore”, his Sanremo 2020 winning entry, has been certified platinum in Italy — combined sales and equivalent streams of over 70,000. The FIMI chart is littered with Sanremo acts, with Pinguini Tattici Nucleari, Fasma, Elettra Lamborghini, Francesco Gabbani and Achille Lauro also inside the top twenty. (Cristian)
Reminder from Tom Leeb: “Restez chez vous!”
France’s acoustic king is doing his bit for public health. He’s reminded his fellow Frenchies — and the rest of us too — to stay at home to help slow the spread of Covid-19. He did so with a black-and-white recording of himself singing his song “Sun” — in an empty swimming pool. We’re happy to stay home so long as we can listen to this… (William)
“Divlji vjetre” takes Damir Kedžo to the top of the Croatian charts
Damir Kedžo is no stranger to chart success in Croatia. The star already has three number-one charting singles to his name. But, now he can add another to that list after his Eurovision 2020 entry “Divlji vjetre” entered the HR Top 40 at number one. In response to the song’s success, Kedžo said he was overjoyed: “From day one, I believed in this song endlessly. The song always comes first. For people to connect with her and to mean something to them. I have to say I’m overjoyed with the reactions to the song…Thank you, dear people, for choosing, loving and listening to Divlji vjetre. All this means a lot to me and is an extra wind in the back in preparation for Eurovision”. (Jonathan)
The Mamas hit the top spot in the Swedish charts
They were the unexpected victors at Melodifestivalen 2020. But surprise or not, Sweden is rowing behind The Mamas. “Move” has shot to the top of the latest Sverigetopplistan countdown. It’s a chart countdown that’s overflowing with Melfest talent. The top ten alone includes entries from Dotter (#2), Anis don Demina (#4), Hanna Ferm (#7), Paul Ray (#8) and Anna Bergendahl (#9). There are 12 more competing songs dotted throughout the remaining top 100 singles. (Padraig)
Destiny would like her hugs back
And we finish with a sweet message from Malta’s Junior Eurovision queen who is now ready to serve all of her love at Eurovision. Destiny Chukunyere clearly believes in silver linings, as she gave thanks for the extra time she now has with her family. She shared a cute snap with her brother and sister and encouraged everyone to band together in these difficult times. She reminded her fans that when it’s all over they’ll be able to hug each other freely once more — and she can’t wait! (William)
Additional contributions from Cristian, Jonathan, Lucy, Renske and William.
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it’s actually tinder not tindr
My last breath…surprisingly apt
Nobody can’t deny that Tom is very talented, I’m french and I dislike the first version of his song but after all the hatred he got, we have to say it and admit it, he is a gifted guy.
I wish courage from France to all people who are in confinement like me, moreover alone it will be very hard, to all people who suffer, to all our neighbors Spanish Italian German Swiss Belgian English also severely affected, we are all together and we will manage to kill this fu…king virus. Hope. Peace.
Congrats Efendi! 2 Million views in only 6 days, wow!
Btw, Destin’s siblings are so cute 🙂
Ulrikkes manager is not her boyfriend. He is gay lol
Why tf did two people downvote this, when it’s the truth hahah