Every day, between now and the contest in May, the team from wiwibloggs will round up the latest titbits from the world of Eurovision 2021. We trawl through Instagram, Twitter and elsewhere so that y’all don’t have to. In today’s Daily Digest Blind Channel perform “Dark Side” in five genres, Destiny meets Poli Genova, Manizha takes the billboards of St. Petersburg and Moscow and Belgian TV celebrates the music of Geike Arnaert. But first…
Eurovision news: 23 March
Måneskin perform “Zitti e buoni” live on Italian radio
After winning Sanremo, Måneskin have hit the circuit promoting their album Teatro d’ira: Vol. 1. The group stopped by Italian radio station RTL 102.5 and performed a few tracks from their new album. This included their Sanremo and Eurovision song “Zitti e buoni”, which the band delivered with their usual rock power and attitude. (Robyn)
Montaigne talks about live-to-tape recording and staging plans in new vlog
Australia’s Montaigne has dropped another vlog in the lead-up to Rotterdam. In this edition, she talks about the plans for her upcoming live-to-tape Eurovision performance and the type of staging she’ll be delivering. Outside of Eurovision, she talks about hormones and energy levels, and her gig writing the new theme song for the popular My Brother, My Brother and Me podcast. (Robyn)
Ana Soklič records her postcard
On Monday we saw Serbia’s Hurricane film their postcard in front of a green screen. And over in Slovenia, Ana Soklič was doing likewise, albeit with a blue screen. The backstage clip doesn’t give much away, although we do see a smiling Ana make the amen hand gesture.
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Belgian TV celebrates the music of Geike Arnaert
The Best Singers is a popular music franchise across Europe, with popular editions including Så mycket bättre in Sweden and Beste Zangers in the Netherlands. The latest episode of the Belgian version — Liefde voor muziek — was dedicated to the music of Geike Arnaert, Hooverphonic’s frontwoman. The show saw popular local singers give their own interpretations of Geike’s hits, both with Hooverphonic and as a solo artist. Emma Bale’s take on “Eden” was among the highlights. Geike herself performed Madrugada’s “Majesty”.
Manizha takes St. Petersburg and Moscow
Manizha has faced a wave of critics since winning Russia’s national selection earlier in the month. She’s already made a parody video addressing the haters, but now she’s gone even bigger. In collaboration with the VK social network, the singer has taken over massive electronic billboards in both St. Petersburg and Moscow. The message reads: “Listen to a Russian woman. Listen to a Tajik woman. Listen to a talented woman. Listen to the brave woman. Listen to every woman”.
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Vincent Bueno says #StopAsianHate in passionate post
The murder of six women of Asian descent in the Atlanta spa shootings has galvanised anger of racism directed at the Asian community. Austria’s Vincent Bueno has added his voice to the growing chorus of Asian celebrities and influencers using their platform to shine a light on anti-Asian prejudice and hate. He wrote: “Having been constantly bullied in my childhood and to this very day experiencing racial injustice of various forms, my soul learned to ‘silently’ cope with it – but – when I hear what happens to the elderly in the states or the murders that just recently happened, I must say it loud. #StopAsianHate.” (William)
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Blind Channel cover “Dark Side” in five genres
They may be known for rocking out to so-called “violent pop”, but don’t put Finland’s Blind Channel in a box. Via the official UMK Instagram account, they have re-interpreted their song “Dark Side” in reggae, pop-punk, dark metal, jazz and K-Pop. The impromptu jam session gives us a glimpse into their individual personalities and more than a few smiles — which may surprise fans who only know them from their hard-edged stage show. (William)
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The Roop say “Discoteque” is NOT about the pandemic
Lithuania’s favourite group THE ROOP have had a cute chat with Warner Music Cam. They’re first asked to describe their genre. Vaidotas has to think, but eventually says “the new kind of mainstream.” Later Mantas explains the meaning of the song — and, despite many fan theories, it is not about life in lockdown. “This song is not about pandemics…it’s more about liberating your inner self. Dancing with yourself or dancing like nobody is watching.” You can read more about the meaning in our lyrics post. (William)
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Natalia Gordienko appears on Bulgarian TV
Moldova’s Natalia Gordienko is among the five Eurovision artists currently recording their live-on-tape performances in Bulgaria. On Monday, she took the opportunity to appear on bTV’s late-night talk show. Her mentor Phillip Kirkorov cheered from the sidelines as she danced and lip-synced to the sound of “Sugar”.
Destiny reunites with Poli Genova
Meanwhile, Destiny — who’s also filming her back-up performance in Sofia — caught up with Poli Genova. The two first met at Junior Eurovision 2015. Destiny won the contest while Poli was the host. Destiny writes: “Saving the best for last in Bulgaria. Thanks Poli Genova for visiting, really enjoyed our brief but meaningful talk today. Am more than sure that this is the first out of many and can’t wait to see you in Malta”. Poli replied “❤️ U @destinyofficial_x Good luck 🤞🏻 and see you very soon 😘”.
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Additional contributions from William and Robyn.
What do you think of Natalia’s performance? Do you like Blind Channel’s covers of their own song? Let us know in the comments.
I said it before and I say it again, Hooverphonic might be a surprising top 10 in May. Geike performances are always on point.
PS: I’m from Belgium so I’m not 100% objective there. But I have a strong feeling.
Wow what a stunning performance of “Majesty” of Geike! Norwegian rock band Madrugada is such an amazing band and the front singer Sivert Høyem has one of the best voices in all the world. They are one of my favorite bands in Norway and have loads of amazing songs – this band should have been world famous. Grateful that Geike takes on one of their big hits and make them known in belgium as well, though they might already be pretty well known there already.
Yay, more Destiny news. Feed the people!
Why Destiny in official video looks like 35 yo? She is only 18? Are you kidding me???
Still not a huge fan of her song, dont know why.
Unpopular opinion! But Montaigne makes me feel uncomfortable..
i have a feeling many will disagree here, but in my eyes Geike might be the most charesmatic artist out of everyone this year
If måneskin want to do well, they should wear their suits from their music video and use the walkie talkie microphone from the music video. Otherwise, who knows where they’ll finish. Also, purely because this edition of Eurovision is bad and every song under twenty in my ranking is horrible, finland has somehow managed to become my twentyfifth place because they seem quite genuine actually.
Someone missed the vibes, cutie: it’s not all about ranking <3
Can you just not hate on every single song?
It’s not his/her fault that songs are bad