They’re two of the most successful creatives behind many iconic Eurovision performances. Now it seems that the so-called “Dream Team” of Philipp Kirkorov and Dimitris Kontopoulos may have something new in store. In a recent Instagram post, Kirkorov teased new project he dubbed a “miracle adventure”.
The Russian maestro broke the news in an Instagram birthday greeting for his Greek colleague Kontopoulos.
As well as wishing Kontopoulos a happy birthday, Kirkorov also alluded to a new project. He wrote, “We did so many fantastic things in our “DREAM TEAM” with Brother ILIAS @iliaskokotos , and we again start to prepare “miracle adventure ” for next year?!!!”
And in case there was any doubt what it referred to, he added the hashtag #eurovisionsongcontest to the post.
But the question is, if the men are working on another Eurovision entry, which country is it for?
Greece can be ruled out, as Kontopoulos’ home country has reportedly already narrowed down the five songs that will be competing in the upcoming national final.
As for Kirkorov’s country Russia, that’s a little less certain. Russian’s entry for Lisbon is being organised by Channel One, whereas Kirkorov is traditionally affiliated with Russia-1. This means it’s less likely he’ll be involved with Russia’s entry for Lisbon, but it can’t be ruled out. Kirkorov has previously spoken of how he’d be happy to write a song for Julia Samoylov, should she be chosen for Lisbon.
But what other countries does this leave?
The pair have collaborated on songs for Belarus (2007) and Ukraine (2008). Belarus is a possibility, though it seems unlikely that the Ukraine of today would be happy with a high-profile Russian artist writing their entry.
In 2013, Kontopoulos co-wrote Azerbaijan’s entry “Hold Me”, which placed second in Malmö. Azerbaijan has since used Swedish songwriters, but perhaps they feel like a change for Aisel‘s song.
Or could the Dream Team be looking at writing for a new country? With songs that regularly place in the top ten, their combined talents would be in demand by any country looking to boost their Eurovision results.
Another part of the Dream Team is creative director Ilias Kokotos. He was part of the team’s most recent Eurovision collaboration — Sergey Lazarev‘s 2016 entry “You Are the Only One”.
Intriguingly, Kokotos recently posted this photo of the four men celebrating together in Sochi, Russia. Is this a sign that they’ve recently been collaborating?
Whatever the “miracle adventure” turns out to be, it will surely only enhance the overall quality of entries at Eurovision 2018.
What do you think? Who would you like to see the Dream Team write for? Should Sergey make a comeback for Russia? Tell us your thoughts below!
As for a participant from Russia, I still think it might be Yulia. If she has already been chosen by the channel, it’s possible that she isn’t allowed to share this info until it’s officially announced later.
“Prepare a miracle adventure” and the hashtag “eurovision song contest” make it clear. He’s not speaking about their past collaborations but a new one related to Eurovision.
Mr Kontopoulos is a successful composer in Greece as well as in Eurovision. Especially with other countries rather than his home country.
Excluding Greece (we know the finalists and the greek sound/lyrics limit) and Ukraine (unlikely to collaborate with Russia), they may write for Belarus or a surprise country they’ve never worked before and we can’t predict now.
I’d love to see what they’re up to and the result of this collaboration!
Is Kirkorov wearing a t-shirt with his ex-wife picture Alla Pugacheva?
About Lidia Isac from the comment below, she did well and is in the next round
http://vocearomaniei.protv.ro/video/vocea-romaniei-sezonul-7-axenia-sova-vs-lidia-isac-the-story.html
Someone add a “Sponsored” label to the entries about Russia on Wiwibloggs
You should like Alla t-shirt. Are very valuable. If you go to Russia, this is the sign you are one of them.
lol. My advice is to by this poster with their wedding. In Russia this is like a document/passport.
http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-israel-jerusalem-church-wedding-ceremony-between-alla-pugacheva-and-80583430.html
@PolegendGodgarina Lets see who is lying. Official airplay chart Russia: Polina Gagarina “Million Voices” English version : Total airs: 45,217 Peak position in top radio hit : 123 Weeks on radio hit top 100: zero Sergey Lazarev “You are the only one” English version Total airs 270,491 Peak position in top radio hit: 18 Weeks on radio hit top 100: 16 Polina Gagarina “Million Voices” Russian version : Total airs: 18,647 Peak position in top radio hit :not in top 1000 weeks on radio hit top 100: 0 Sergey Lazarev “You are the only one” Russian version Total airs 573,394… Read more »
I hope that “miracle” will not be their songs title. Overused.
But I am looking forward to listen and see what they will prepare. I liked most of their entries. Top quality.
Kirkorov is like Michael Jackson for Russians,and he is also very close to the Kremlin.So he is affiliated with everyone.This is why I think his team will be working with Russia.
Kirkorov is not like Michael Jackson for Russians. The only one who is like Michael Jackson for Russians is Michael Jackson.
Kirkorov is like Kirkorov and his team can work with anybody.
Like Michael Jackson was for the Americans and Europeans I meant.
Michael Jackson for Russians was the same as he was for Americans and Europeans (Moscow is Europe if something) – I meant))
Dear Robyn, a very big concert is being broadcasted live from Kremlin Concert Hall by Channel One right now and this very moment Philip is singing. Some 20 minutes ago we saw Sergey on stage. The affiliation of this or that artist to this of that channel hasn’t been working any more for already some time.
@Monia
”rumor about Mihai Traistariu contacting top Eurovision producers like Thomas G:Son or Philipp Kirkorov in order to gain the hit he needs for Eurovision 2018”
Right now I trust Kirkorov more. G:Son was not a miracle for Hovig (Cyprus 2017).
btw, this Friday, Nov 10, Lidia Isac will sing in The Voice of Romania. I wish her luck.
I don’t get the hype for this “dream team” because all of their recent songs sound like Melfest rejects from 2008
if I was them I would consider your comment as a very positive one.
After 2012 Melodifestivalen has terrible songs, with “heroes” being the worst of all. “A bad version of David Guetta’s song” as Avicii said.
So I am pretty sure that many of the rejected songs are much better than the ones that are participating.
We don’t know anything about the producers for songs in the Greek and Belarusian NS and whoever the Bulgarians are sending. Several countries are possibilities though I won’t rule out knocking Yulia to the side. Anything is in the air. Watch the broadcasters in those countries and peep for details .
ESC 2018 becomes more interesting every day.Looking forward to their entry.I think its going to be Russia.
He’s only wishing him for his birthday. The “miracle adventure” might be something else not eurovision-related: a festival like New Wave, a new reality/casting show where they gonna be judges or a new release.
This “Dream Team” did a horrible job for Demy last year.
I hate the dream team and Kirkorov. If they send Sergey again and give him another dated song i will be so angry. He a great performer and vocalist! He needs a song like Eto Vse Ona or 7 Wonders or maybe a ballad like V Samoe Serdce.
what??? “You are the only one” is “dated” and the 80s “7 wonders” isn’t???? At least YATOO was a massive hit
Maybe Bulgaria? Philip Kirkorov was born in Bulgaria
More like a nightmare to me.
SAN MARINO ?????
Hm, no. They have ambition, it wouldn’t be San Marino. Probably Bulgaria, perhaps Cyprus or for Melfest, if not Russia.
Sergey was interviewed on a radio a week ago and he said he has no plans to participate in 2018.
Russia is probably gonna send him again over Yulia, we saw this coming all the way back in August so. Anyway it will be lovely seeing him place 3rd again.
Russia will definitely not send “him” again and “he” would never agree to participate over Julia. I doubt if he would ever agree to participate in ESC. Because you wd like to see him 3rd place over and over again.
))
Kirkorov already stated in a wiwibloggs interview at Baku that Julia’s story is over and the Russian delegates should move on from her. So definitely a NO for her. Hope they go back to the routine of seding credible singers like Polina and Sergey.
I don’t mind Sergey to come back, but only in 2019 or after it
I want Julia to represent Russia this year
Wow that would be fantastic.
LOVED most of their entries.
Belarus 2007
Ukraine 2008
Azerbaijan 2013
Russia 2016
We’re FANTASTIC.
Their only entry which for me wasn’t that great was Russia 2014. Good singers, but dated song and average staging.
”in case there was any doubt what it referred to, he added the hashtag #eurovisionsongcontest to the post.”
So Kirkorov will be in Lisbon. Thats a given.
I think it’s for Romania, there was a rumor about Mihai Traistariu contacting top Eurovision producers like Thomas G:Son or Philipp Kirkorov in order to gain the hit he needs for Eurovision 2018. Last time I heard he was in final negotiations with G:Son, I don’t know if the Kirkorov was even true…
He’s DESPERATE, and I like that. We need someone who’s this determined to bring their country the trophy!
This “dream team” is way past their prime tbh. Hadn’t it been for the showstopper performance and for the automatic 80 televote points Russia gets, YATOA would have been considered just another dated track. And didn’t Kontoupolos produce Demy’s tragic songs last year?
“80 televote points for Russia”? Since when?
Russia came 16th with just 77 points in 2011 with Alexey Vorobyov who was very well known in the whole region.
No one gets “automatic points” anymore. This is how Austria and Portugal won.
P.S: “You are the only one” was the biggest hit here for 2016. The song was everywhere: radio, tv , clubs. Together with “never let you go” was the only two entries of Russia that had such a huge impact.
77 ain’t that far off 80, henny. Don’t deny some countries don’t get automatic points: the Russian diaspora is massive in the several ex-URSS satellite states.
And good for you, A Million Voices was one of the best-selling digital songs of 2015 in Russia, it’s to be expected when you combine a major performer with a great Eurovision result.
A million voices was not a hit here. No rotation while “you are the only one” was a massive hit. It was in the top 5 of all major radio stations for more than a year.
Why you lying? A Million Bibles peaked at #1 in the Russian digital chart and #2 in the Russian airplay chart. If that’s not successful, then tell me what it is.
Russia came 7th with the televote in 2011, scoring 138 points. They ranked 16th in the overall result because the jury placed them last. And while neighbour voting seems to decline, diaspora voting is still a thing. It may be less obvious because the televoting results are not presented by country during the show. And Turkey does not participate anymore, which was also a country getting many automatic points from its diaspora, so that might also contribute to the idea that diaspora voting is over. But Russia still does get many points from its diaspora. Not enough to win the… Read more »
You liked Demy’s performance, as far as I know from your top.
Kirkorov was not involved in that entry as Kontopoulos was not involved in the 2005 Belarusian entry with Agurbash
All I know is that Polegend Godgarina was talking about Demy.
Did Demy represent Russia?
“Hadn’t it been for the showstopper performance and for the automatic 80 televote points Russia gets, YATOA would have been considered just another dated track.”
This is what Polegend Godgarina wrote and this is to what I replied
I was just talking about Demy. Why is hard to understand? Just Demy. My comment was just about her.
You triggered™ the good sis.
Yeah, I liked the performance, but I remember when the three songs for her came out I was baffled. They sounded like filler songs for a Jessica Simpson album from the mid-00s.