Eurovision may be a battle of songs, but usually the winner has one hell of a voice. And so do the acts that finish further down the scoreboard. This year Armenia’s Iveta Mukuchyan dropped the full power of her Lovewave. Israel’s Hovi Star let his star shine rul bright. And Australia’s Dami Im sang-it-out like only a true diva can. Yet there was one man who could shatter glass all over their heads with his fierce voice and precision. After counting 6,483 votes, we can now reveal that Poland’s Michal Szpak has won the Vision Music Award 2016 for Best Live Vocals.
When delivering “Color Of Your Life” Michal balanced power and emotion beautifully. The professional jury, which gave Michal only 7 points, didn’t see what we saw our Polish Prince. Ahead of Eurovision, the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of musical unprofessionals — were totally feeling him. Here’s what one juror wrote ahead of Eurovision:
Every time I listen to this song I like it more and more. The chorus boasts a killer hook – although they could do with spicing up (and modernising) the production, which would benefit hugely from more understated verses. Michal is possibly the best performer of the whole year – his raw emotion when singing convinces me that the awful lyrics are in fact a masterpiece. With a memorable, gothic performance, this should at least qualify.
Michal follows in the footsteps of 2014 winner Ruth Lorenzo from Spain and 2015 winner Aminata Savadogo from Latvia.
Best Live Vocals 2016
1) Poland — Michal Szpak 2,253 votes (34.75%)
2) Australia — Dami Im 1,626 votes (25.08%)
3) Ukraine — Jamala 926 votes (14.28%)
4) Armenia — Iveta Mukuchyan 836 votes (12.9%)
5) Czech Republic — Gabriela Guncikova 510 votes (7.87%)
6) Israel — Hovi Star 332 votes (5.12%)
Vision Music Awards 2016: The Nominees
This award is just one of a dozen awards we have launched as part of the Vision Music Awards 2016 (VMAs).
Our 13 categories—from best dressed to most most wronged at ESC—identify the contestants who left the biggest impression on Eurovision fans, regardless of whether they won the contest or not.
You can watch the nominations video below. You can also read more about the awards here.
I enjoy reading through your site. Many thanks!
Meh, Maria_Jaworek, Dorota, Blue Bell, Jowita. I visit this site only when I see somebody posts a link to it or reminds me, and not every day, so surely it wasn’t my passion to vote for anybody, unlike 80% of commenters who appear to be both Szpak’s and Wiwiblog’s fans, and who reply to my comment just a few moments after me, and likely who also voted hundreds of times daily. I also don’t understand why “hejterom of Michael say STOP” comment. Did anybody say here they hate Szpak in this comments section? I don’t feel any desire to listen… Read more »
In my opinion:
Female Voices:
1. Kaliopi
2. Gabriela
2. Jamala
3. Iveta
4. Dami
5. Sanja
6. Agnete
7. Poli
Male Voices:
1. Mihal
2. Freddie
3. Hovi
4. Justs
5. Douwe
6. Sergey
7. Donny/Ivan
I’ve just come home from Michal’s concert. It was magic! He REALLY does have an excellent voice, and is a great performer live. I agree with those who say his live performances are better than the recorded ones. Just like Whitney Houston’s in her best times. Love this guy 🙂
Hejterom Michael say STOP. To evaluate the performance of Michael you have to hear it live. This unearthly voice. Definitely he deserved to win. Greetings to all, especially hejterów!
He deserved to win. You need to listen to him live
Why can’t you just be happy that your compatriot is successful? Why some Polish people have to degrade a man who represented our country worthily and is respected in such countries like Russia, Greece, Israel, Canada, Slovakia, Austria , Australia, GB and many others. Micha? Szpak has fans and fan clubs in those countries, and also people from those fan clubs voted for him.
Krzysztof, I’m not going to convince you that Michal’s vocal is better because it’s a matter of taste ( and for me and those who voted here Michal Szpak is the best vocalist not only in Poland ) If he hadn’t been better than those Australian – Asian girl he wouldn’t have won with her at Eurovision in televoting and here in wiwibloggs. And in Eurocyclops voting by the way. People ( not only in Poland ) love and respect Michal for his talent , great voice and charisma .
I agree with William that everybody on the list is great but unfortunately they have lazy fans. Lazy but envious. The voting here is for entertainment so to whom it may concern: just stop moaning. If you haven’t found enough passion to support your favourite now don’t spoil the fun of others. Micha? didn’t receive 2 millions votes. He got 2 thousand so don’t imply that nonsense about Polish flood. Next time vote, vote, vote or just shut up!
So I’m from Poland and I can only say Dami Im’s live vocals were better.
Once again I compared a few times the grand finale performances of Micha? Szpak and Dami Im without watching but only listening with closed eyes (and by the way I also listened to a few live performances of Michael Bolton, Lionel Richie, Brian Adams, to check whether I’m not too biased by preferring female vocals), and no, I still can’t see how Szpak’s vocals are better than Im’s.
You definitely won’t convince me with the results of this poll.
Congratulations for Micha?.To probably one of the few artists who sings better to live than in the studio. Definitely deserved to win!
Szpak is the best:))
Iveta was completely off pitch during the finals.
He was the only one who sang without back vocalists
Best Live Vocals? Seriously? Did no one else hear the dodgy vocals he performed within the first verse during his semi final.
This result is a joke.
No surprise here 🙂 Believe me, listening to Szpak’s voice live during his concerts will absolutely blow your mind. Incredible vocal power, timbre and range, not to mention the emotional factor – no broadcast or video will do him justice. He did his best considering the Eurovision Contest circumstances, stress level and all, but when he’s on stage, in his element, nothing can stop him. He’s one of a kind AND still evolving as a vocalist.
So deserved! Clearly the best here. I still don’t get why Douwe, Justs and Freddie are missing.. and then, all the divas-wannabe were nominated. At least, the best won.
Really? Dami Im DESTROYED everyone with her voice
Yeah, Michal, you are the best. Your live performances during your summer tour were thrilling. And Dami ? Her voice is good but staging – like Barbie doll, without any emotions.
No way did Michal have a better live vocal than Dami!
Not the strongest set of nominees.
Real cool voice! Love from Russia!
Honestly, those Szpak fans are on Beliebers level, it’s not funny anymore.
To vili91 – Yes , in your dreams
All Michael’s fans are very happy and proud ! We love you Michael Starling! You are the best . You should have won Eurovision 2016.
I’ am very happy and proud of him.l love Michael. An amazing man and artist.
Kris made me fall from my chair. Spot on!
Michael’s concerts live are magical and fantastic. Michael’s voice is phenomenal. I’m very happy and proud of him.,????
hahhahah yes of course! his voice was the best! love it!
Stop with these Polish votes……..
Has Poland ever not won a poll here in which wiwibloggs has put it up?
The best vocalist in Poland wins once again ! Our wonderful Micha? Szpak! I’m so proud of him. The outcome couldn’t be any other. The winner takes it all. Congratulations our beloved “SZPACZEK”
Y’all need to give Szpak a rest (his vocals were great, several times better than the studio version) and start dragging Iveta. Tf is she doing on that list? That Beyoncé wannabe was so out of tune lmao
Why am I not surprised… :/ Dami Im delivered the best vocals, that’s basically a fact.
In my opinion Sanja Vucic had the best live vocals.