Snow might be falling across Europe, but the thaw is most definitely setting in when it comes to Eurovision. We now know three of the entries which will be performed in Stockholm next May. Last week’s duo of Albania’s Eneda Tarifa with “Përrallë” (Fairytale) and Ireland’s Nicky Byrne with “Sunlight” are joined by Belgium’s Laura Tesoro with “What’s The Pressure”. Two’s company but three’s a crowd. Who needs to go? It’s time to choose your favourites!

You can listen to all three tracks and watch our video reactions below. Then vote in our poll. You can vote for as many contestants as you like, but you can only vote ONE time. Be sure to check the box next to every act you want to support before submitting your votes. Voting ends on Thursday 21 January — just ahead of the Belarusian and Maltese national finals on 22 and 23 January. We will then relaunch the poll to include the winners of both shows, along with any surprise entries that might drop in the interim.

Eurovision 2016: Our top three so far

Laura Tesoro “What’s The Pressure”

The newest addition to the Eurovision 2016 mix, Laura won Belgium’s Eurosong selection on Sunday night. The Voice of Flanders graduate proved a popular winner, topping both the jury and televote. However, “What’s The Pressure” has been met with mixed reactions from Eurofans. The comments in our own Wiwi Jury ranged from “Sassy. Edgy. Fun.” to “1/10 for catchiness and 9/10 for monotony”. Now that the national final is over, can Laura channel the Belgian spirit and unite the two sides under one flag?

IRELAND: NICKY BYRNE “SUNLIGHT”

For the first time in its 51 year Eurovision history, Ireland has selected both its artist and song behind closed doors. The result is Nicky Byrne singing “Sunlight”. He sold over 40 million records as part of Westlife, but this is his debut solo effort. Can he cope without the support of his bandmates? The early signs are promising. The track is co-written by Byrne and proven hitmakers Wayne Hector and Ronan Hardiman. The mid-tempo number is already creating a buzz and has been compared to last year’s winner “Heroes”. However, we have yet to hear the entry performed live. Nicky comfortably topped last week’s poll. Will he do the same this time?

ALBANIA: ENEDA TARIFA “PËRRALLË” (FAIRYTALE)

Eneda Tarifa’s “Përrallë” saw off competition from 29 other songs to emerge victorious at Festivali i Këngës 54. The Wiwi Jury described the ballad as “dark, dramatic, energetic”, stating that it “sounds like it belongs on the soundtrack of an action film”. That’s all well and good, but can it actually succeed at Eurovision? Of course, we need to keep in mind that the song is due to undergo a revamp, including a trim and a translation to English. But that’s presuming that “Përrallë” even makes the journey to Stockholm. Remember last year when Elhaida Dani’s “Diell” was left aside in favour of “I’m Alive”.

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE EUROVISION 2016 ACT SO FAR? VOTE NOW!

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Poll closed. See the results.

VOTE IN ALL OUR EUROVISION 2016 POLLS.

54 Comments
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Colin
Colin
8 years ago

The problem with Albania’s song is that considering their track record, chances are this is getting translated and then we get almost entirely different song and singer’s English pronunciation might affect the whole thing too.

Belgium and Ireland have decent happy songs. Unless this is a very weak year, chances are neither is going in my Top 10, but both are fine.

Because of that, I restrain from voting thus far. Still waiting for the song that captures me. Please Malta, choose Jessika so I can vote 🙂

David
David
8 years ago

Belgiumis copying fleur east sax

Albb Jane
8 years ago

Albania for now,tho i don’t get why is so underrated. Is such a strong,dark ballad and with the revamp it will be more awesome.
Ps: I don’t find anything cool at Ireland song. Belgium is ok but i preferred Tom instead.

fikri
fikri
8 years ago

can i just vote based who looks the best in the banner because aneda looks really FIERCE.

Vladimir
Vladimir
8 years ago

So far:

1. Albania
2. Ireland
3. Belgium

Greetings from Serbia

Bronson
Bronson
8 years ago

The ironic thing about it all is that Albania which is currently in last place, seems to be liked the most by those commenting.

Albania is still my favourite, Ireland is ok but Belgium is far behind.

Foxreyna
Foxreyna
8 years ago

I hate them all, but Laura has the best voice.

Jocelyn
8 years ago

1: Albania
2: Belgium
3: Ireland

Rzd
Rzd
8 years ago

1. Albania
2. Ireland
3. Belgium
Albania is the best – strong, classy, different. Go Albania! 🙂

Ola
Ola
8 years ago

1. Ireland 6/10
2. Albania 5/10
3. Belgium 3/10

Conclusion: Can very well be three non-qualifiers. But Ireland is at least decent.

WTF
WTF
8 years ago

The only decent song chosen so far comes in last, says a lot about the typical eurofan’s taste, really…

Matt
Matt
8 years ago

I honestly don’t like any of them. It’s very likely none of these will even qualify for the Grand Final. If I really had to vote, then I guess I’d go for Ireland.

Eugene
Eugene
8 years ago

Albania
Belgium
Ireland

EF0912
EF0912
8 years ago

How is Ireland winning again – Ive loved the past 3 Irish entries but this is the worst since 2012. I feel people are voting for the name rather than the song.

MCdinero
MCdinero
8 years ago

Am I The only one who thinks that the Belgian bass sounds like “Another one bites the dust” by Queen

MGR
MGR
8 years ago

I do not want to be rude, but I think that it is good to organize your faith and perception. Do you think, how important is your sympathy for some songs? You have to be realistic. You must carefully analyze reality.

Österrike
Österrike
8 years ago

1. Belgium
2. Albania
3. Ireland

Belgium and Ireland are almost non-qualifiers for me, however that doesnt prevent from voting Belgium

Fenistil
Fenistil
8 years ago

I’m pleasantly surprised by songs presented so far. I really like all three of them.
1. Albania
2. Ireland
3. Belgium

MGR
MGR
8 years ago

At the Eurovision Song Contest always most important is entrance in stage. The whole plan of performance needs to fit well into stage.

cathal
cathal
8 years ago

The Irish entry would be much more appreciated if it represented a Scandi country…

Ben Rafter
Ben Rafter
8 years ago

So far:
1. Belgium
2. Ireland
3. Albania

EurovisionRomania
EurovisionRomania
8 years ago

1. Ireland
2. Belgium
3. Albania

Albania is represented by a forgetable ballad. In my opinion no real chances to make it through the Grand Final.
Belgium is only a little bit better than Albania but Laura won’t be part of the final show though.
The winner at the moment is Ireland… by far. A good, modern and catchy song that can reach even a place in the first 10 in case of a good staging. Nicky has much experience, a good voice and is a good entertainer. Good job Ireland!

Alex Lefteris
Alex Lefteris
8 years ago

Go Belgium ! 🙂 🙂

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
8 years ago

Despite all of the scorn for Belgium yesterday, the poll seems evenly distributed among the three… hmmm

MGR
MGR
8 years ago

Albania wasted Besa Krasniqi – “Liroje Zemrën” and this is still the biggest crime relevant with ESC 2016. They recognized, that everyone is good, but only Besa is bad. For me it is obvious demagogy and I hope that other countries will be more reasonable.

aari
aari
8 years ago

1. Albania
2. Belgium
3. Ireland

khm
khm
8 years ago

I hope that Belgium won’t qualify with this cheap “Sax” crap. They would’ve spare some time if they’ve invited Fleur East to perform “Sax” and not sending this weak imitation.

liam
liam
8 years ago

1 – Albania
2 – Belgium
3 – Ireland

EF0912
EF0912
8 years ago

1: Albania
2: Belgium
3: Ireland

Aleksi
Aleksi
8 years ago

1. Ireland
2. Albania
3. Belgium

MarioMario
8 years ago

1. Albania
2. Ireland
3. Belgium

Hugh
Hugh
8 years ago

So far for me, it’s:
Belgium 7.0
Ireland 6.0
Albania 4.5

Rita
Rita
8 years ago

Albania seems slightly underrated thus far. It is definitely the best followed by Ireland and then Belgium. All three bring a good mix though.

cheesecake
cheesecake
8 years ago

1. Albania
2. Ireland / Belgium

Illyric
Illyric
8 years ago

1.Albania-its like another “Skyfall”-dramatic vibe, strong voice.
2.Belgium- something different but nothing special
3.Ireland- Junior Eurovision-even worse
I’m sorry but this is how I see it

jr esc nl
jr esc nl
8 years ago

i like belgium best<3

Carl
Carl
8 years ago

1. Albania
2. Ireland
3. Belgium

MGR
MGR
8 years ago

At this moment Belgium and Albania are hopeless. Albania is very raw, while Belgium is more polished, but blunt and unproductive.

GermanEsc
GermanEsc
8 years ago

Belgium’s entry is awesome! In contrast to Ireland, it doesn’t try to be some kind of a literally deep pop song (what ireland’s entry for sure isn’t), just a feel good and party track. Surely it will rock the arena in Stockholm!
Love it, hope Belgium will make it’s way through the final.
Greetings from Germany.

D
D
8 years ago

1) Albania – I really love this song, it’s super dramatic and mysterious, and it’ll probably end up in my Top 20 by May.
2) Belgium – It’s an okay song. Nothing special about. There’s nothing I hate but nothing I really like either.
3) Ireland – I can’t stand this song. It sounds so cheap and is one of the most generic things I’ve ever heard at ESC in the past few years. It’s just another case of “Well we’ll send what did well last year”. It’s a bargain brand Måns, I hope it doesn’t qualify.

camill
camill
8 years ago

#1 Albania
#2 Ireland
#3 Belgium

Iberian
Iberian
8 years ago

Yet again, not a doubt: Nicky is the best by far (couldn’t listen the other songs to the end as I got extremely bored of them, both Belgium and Albania)

NickC
NickC
8 years ago

1. Belgium
2. Albania
3. Ireland– distant third.

zenjak
zenjak
8 years ago

1. Albania
2. Ireland
3. Belgium

They are all quite weak so far this year 🙁

PP
PP
8 years ago

1.Belgium
2.Albania
3.Ireland
But I think,, all 3 have small chance to final.

SpirK
SpirK
8 years ago

1. Albania 7+/10
2. Belgium 6+/10
3. Ireland 6.0/10
All decent songs but for now Albania is for me the best, it’s more mature and special. And I think it will improve later on from the revamp.

danpito-ve
danpito-ve
8 years ago

#1 Albania
#2 Belgium
#3 Ireland

Paul D
Paul D
8 years ago

1 – ALBANIA
2 – BELGIUM
3 – IRELAND

Hippo
Hippo
8 years ago

1.Albania
2.Ireland
3.Belgium

Albania my favourite by a long margin so far. Really don’t like Belgium or Ireland. Qualifying from the Semi final has to be the target for all of these though. Anything more would be a great success.

AzerBoy96
AzerBoy96
8 years ago

I like all 3 songs so far. But I like Albania better, so they gets my vote. 🙂