Every weekday, 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 Barbara Pravi drops in to France 24, Tusse discusses his desire to make history and Now That’s What I Call Music! launches a Eurovision edition. But first…
Eurovision news: 30 March
First acts confirmed for Pre-Party ES 2021
The annual Spanish preview party is going online for a second year. But that hasn’t diminished its pulling power. The first batch of Eurovision stars confirmed for the 24 April event includes Australia’s Montaigne, San Marino’s Senhit, Serbia’s Hurricane and France’s Barbara Pravi.
[ÚLTIMA HORA]¡Barbara Pravi, Hurricane, Montaigne y Senhit, primeras artistas confirmadas de la #PrePartyES21!
Las representantes San Marino?? Australia?? Serbia?? Francia?? abren el cartel del evento del 24 de abril que se verá en E-S y YouTube ?
?? https://t.co/xeWg70OGkt pic.twitter.com/AuuD7LsITC
— Eurovision-Spain.com | PrePartyES (@eurospaincom) March 30, 2021
Barabara Pravi discusses her roots on France 24
Late last week, France’s Barbara Pravi appeared on France 24, the Paris-based international news network. The chanteuse was a guest on the network’s Middle East Matters. In the interview, she teases a future project which may delve into both her Persian and Serbian roots, but her lips are sealed for the moment. Later, the host quizzes Barbara on her knowledge of musical instruments from Iran and the surrounding region.
Tusse wants to make history
Speaking with Norway’s NRK, Sweden’s Tusse shared his desire to become the first black solo artist to win Eurovision. “I think it’s sick that it has not happened before, because Eurovision has really lasted for a while. But it would have been powerful to be a role model, which I do not feel I have had in my life. It would have been so big”, he says. “I have had to deal with and overcome racism, bullying, exclusion, and get on the other side of all this. To find myself and stand for who I am”. Meanwhile, over on Instagram, he shared a behind the scenes look at his pre-performance vocal practice.
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Jeangu Macrooy to be portrayed in wall painting near Rotterdam Ahoy
If you’re in or around the Rotterdam Ahoy area in May, you might see a large wall painting of the Netherlands’ Eurovision 2021 hopeful Jeangu Macrooy. Artist Tymon de Laat is set to create the artwork between 5 and 19 April. De Laat told RTL Nieuws: “Jeangu’s gaze of hope is central to the horizon and the future, where the light of a new day will touch his face”. In the meantime, the man himself has been busy promoting “Birth Of A New Age” on Dutch radio stations. Last week he performed the song on 3FM’s Live Box. (Renske)
NOW That’s What I Call Eurovision: Compilation album coming in April
It’s the long-running compilation album series that’s a must-have for parties and road trips. Next month, the NOW That’s What I Call Music series continues with a special record dedicated to Eurovision. The three-disc set includes 70 Eurovision classics, with winning tracks from ABBA, Loreen and Johnny Logan, as well as fan favourites like Verka Serduchka, John Lundvik and Daði Freyr. Originating in the UK, NOW‘s upcoming release seems to be targeting the British audience and features a large number of UK Eurovision entries. NOW That’s What I Call Eurovision hits shelves on Friday 30 April. (Oliver A)
Get ready for the ultimate celebration of ?@Eurovision ? coming your way on 30/4/21. This unique album features 70 of the most memorable songs from the competition.
Pre order: https://t.co/Kyfxa3M2FS pic.twitter.com/V9VRmzErKT— NOW That's What I Call Music (@NOWMusic) March 30, 2021
Playtesters wanted for Daði og Gagnamagnið video game
In the “10 Years” music video, Iceland’s new favourite band teased a project they’ve been working on — a Daði og Gagnamagnið video game. The game looks to be a 2D side-scrolling platformers, inspired by the SNES titles from which the band draw much of their aesthetic. Today, Gagnamagnið member and video game developer Jóhann Sigurður took to his Instagram story calling for playtesters to demo the game ahead of release.
Users interested in testing out the mobile game should contact Jóhann via Instagram, detailing their e-mail address and which mobile operating system they use (i.e. iOS or Android) — but be mindful, there’s a limited number of spaces. The game is currently planned only for a mobile release, but the group are hoping to bring the game to Steam at a later date. (Oliver A)
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Natalia Gordienko tells fans not to be afraid to experiment
Moldova’s sweet Natalia took to Instagram to share a new picture from her “Sugar” promo photoshoot. Feeling inspired by her transformation to Eurovision pop star, the singer told writing in Russian: “Friends, changing is great. It’s a process of life. With the years, a huge experience comes to us, and therefore we cannot be the same as five or ten years ago. Today, I feel beautiful, because I understood that changes are inevitable and must be accepted. Even better is to get acquainted with them and not be afraid of experiments. Here the most important is to receive gratification and harmoniously give into the beauty of your own life.” (Renske)
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Lesley Roy checks the Irish waters one last time
The music video for Lesley Eurovision 2021 song “MAPS” futures the sea quite heavily. Not surprising, because nearly every person travelling to Ireland will have to cross the ocean to touch down on the Emerald Isle. Ahead of her travels to Rotterdam in just over one month, Lesley has gone to the beach once more. On Instagram, she writes: “One last check in at home before we go and Do This!!!! 🇮🇪🗺🏆” (Renske)
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Additional contributions from Renske and Oliver
Will you listen to Now Eurovision? What do you think of the PrePartyES lineup? Let us know in the comments.
Who are you to decide which song is “Impossible to win”?
You shouldn’t be insulting other people. You aren’t an expert at this anymore than anyone else here.
I must admit, I find myself quite uncomfortable with the moldovian entry, I like the song but she doesnt seem like “herself”.
Im not being a prude or anything, Im all about women being sexualy liberated and exploring it through their craft, like Maruv back in 2019.
However, this just feels like Russia (Kirkorov) took Moldova under his wing and is just using Natalia as a puppet without taking in consideration her ideas or personal style, maybe Im on the wrong (in which case I will most certainly apologize) but I just feel a sense of uneassiness.
I absolutely agree with you, this is what most of us have noticed. This is a good gig for Natalia but it’s not the right style for her and she’s just doing whatever she’s told to do because Kirkorov is paying for everything. This is why I despise most of the entries that Kirkorov is involved with.
Barbara is the most adorable creature
OMG you are absolutely right. I was just thinking the same
Exactly . If rather the best song wins rather than the best sob story. Anywho of of my favourites is Senhit . And she’s got a better song and San Marino got a better story.
prepare yourself. a new age where singers of color blaming racism in their low score is coming.
Izhar Cohen (Israel 1979) is pretty dark, had afro hair, from 100% Yemeni origin, and he won 40 years ago
can we stop shouting “racism” just for the sake of it?!
He wasnt solo though. He won with group..
‘cmon..
Yes, it is credited as Izhar Cohen and The Alphabeta. You want to take their win away from them?
And pretty dark doesn¨t mean he is black. He is of Middle Eastern origin. That’s not being black which disqualifies him as first.
*YAWN*
Another thought that I had:
He doesn’t actually mean it.
Think about it for a second, Sweden is obsessed with Eurovision.
Sweden has chosen a bland entry.
Sweden is going to be extremely disappointed with their singer and entry.
He is just preparing an excuse to deflect the imminent criticism that is about to come.
It’s not that he wasn’t good, is that everyone in Europe is racist.
(funny how Malta is topping the odds.. this he does not mention..)
I dont think its going to be Tusse. Im hopeful for destiny she would also be the first solo black artist to win Eurovision, and her chances are much higer then Tusse’s
Malta is overrated imo. The song is nothing special and has the same message as Toy. But if she would become the first black person to win.. then fine.
Destiny’s song may have a similar message to Netta’s song but it does not have the same story. I believe every song has a different story despite having a similar or the same message. But is it wrong though? There are multiple songs with the same/similar meanings, and it’s perfectly fine. Why is it so painful to some people tha Malta might have wanted to convey something similar to Israel? It matters so let’s talk and sing about it, let’s not hate it. (Mills, I’m not talking specifically about you, but there are many people who constantly write hateful comments… Read more »
Toy had 1M per day pre-Eurovision, It trended all around the world. Malta’s song is out there for 2 weeks and only gained 2M votes. I’m not sure these has the same effect as Toy.
Toy was waay more mind-blowing when it came out 3 years ago. this one doesn’t achieve the same “wow” effect.
I’m not buying it that Malta wins this year.
I also think that Malta is overrated but still found Maltese entry way better than Swedish. Moreover, Destiny is not making accents on skin color to gain points or justify possible failure. If we have this year the first solo black artist to win, I would like Destiny to be it, first of all of course, because her song is better that Tusse’s.
As far as I know, Destiny is mixed and not 100% black.
The coat really suits Lesley!
It made me very happy, and I really enjoyed, seeing the interview with Barbara. When she broke into song halfway through answering a question it really made me smile. A great way to respond when you can’t find the words in another language! The ‘guess the type of instrument’ section was fun too, especially as the interviewer obviously enjoyed it as well.
Thanks for putting this together, Padraig!
Well Tusse, you won’t be winning.
Don’t be so rude, I mean why he couldn’t ? He has won the Melfest with the international jury vote by a big margin so everything is still possible, we are not here to discourage the artists but to support them.
It’s okay to have dreams. If Tusse have a chance to become the first black person to win is not entirely our choice is it? Sweden’s entry can be both overrated or underrated imo. We’ll see how it goes.
Why not? Is there a reason he couldnt win? He won MF by a landslide ,he can just as well win ESC. The point of ESC is after all to inspire to dream, and not to say they cant.
Well we can say we don’t like the song , hence you won’t be winning. In this particular case most people do agree the song is not good enough. Tusse can sure win ESC , but with a better song is what *American boy* meant to say.
But who says its bad? Vanilla Bean and others on this site? Do they decide the outcome? Are they judges? If its bad then how come on Youtube its mostly positive comments and people calling it good? Are they wrong?The ones who decide are the casual people watching, not “fans” on this site
I can’t speak for someone else , but the song which places last in the Eurovision final is also the “26th best ” song. It’s a matter of comparison now . You compare the likes and dislikes received by “Voices ” to the likes and dislikes of other songs. I did that comparison and came to the conclusion that it’s not the most liked song by the majority. For some people it will be their favourite song but for most it’s not . I didn’t read many calling it ” bad” but I hardly read anyone calling it their favourite… Read more »
“The ones who decide are the casual people watching, not “fans” on this site”.
Actually, I think fans decide more. Because they are more likely to vote for their favourite than someone who is watching Eurovision, for example, only on Grand Final just for fun.
if winning melfest means you win eurovision that means that every single song sweden sends would have won. bet you would have loved that
Netherlands 1975, 2019
France 1977, 2021?
If France win or not in May, the french delegation could be proud because they have done the job this year, and a great job, whatever the results.
i can’t believe they did not include Soldi and Fuego in that compilation, WTF
I can’t find Imaani too.
Yeah , some real random choices . Sweden 2019 over Cyprus 2018 .
Imaani is there on CD 3
It also kinda bothers me that they picked the English versions of many originally non-English songs (come on, Ein Bisschen Frieden will always sound better in German). Besides, Dzuli, the Udo Jurgens songs, Spirit in the Sky and Molitva should definitely have been in there. Also: Scooch and Jamala? Really?
Barbara is so sweat. I wish her the best.
Yes , they should have turned on the AC .