Cyprus broadcaster CYBC has — after dropping numerous hints — confirmed the musical team behind the song it will send to Eurovision 2019. But it turns out there are other members of Team Cyprus. A new clue is dropping a hint in the form of Swedish pop star Darin. Let’s examine the next clue.
The broadcaster revealed the latest clue on its Facebook page. The post included a clip of Swedish singer Darin’s 2017 performance of his single “Tvillingen” on Swedish Idol. CYBC wrote “It’s all about that staging… #meetTeamcy”
It’s all about that staging… #meetTeamcy
Posted by CYBC: Eurovision Cyprus on Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Darin was the runner-up of the first series of Swedish Idol and went on to become one of the most successful Swedish pop artists. In 2010 he competed in Melodifestivalen, and placed fourth with “You’re Out of My Life”. In 2013 he featured at Eurovision 2013 as part of the Swedish Pop Voices performance in the semi-final two interval.
Last year he released his single “Tvillingen” (The twin) and promoted it with a performance on Idol. Which leads us to the CYBC post.
Sharp fans have noted that the “Twillingen” performance was choreographed by the Swedish choreographer and production designer Sacha Jean-Baptiste. And we can see a resemblance — the split-screen overlays during the instrumental break remind us of the split-screen effects in Nika Kocharov and the Young Georgian Lolitaz’s performance of “Midnight Gold”.
Sacha Jean-Baptiste is known for her work on Melodifestivalen and other Swedish television shows, various national finals and of course her work staging numerous Eurovision entries.
While Sacha is often the go-to guru for countries wishing to make an impact with their staging, she has also forged long-term relationships with various delegations. Sacha has done the staging multiple times for Australia, Bulgaria, Georgia and Armenia.
Oh, and let’s not forget Cyprus. SJB brought caged-animal stylings to Minus One’s “Alter Ego” performance in 2016, and in Lisbon she was behind the unforgettable staging for Eleni Fouriera’s “Fuego”.
If CYBC are indeed assembling a dream team of sorts, it is understandable that they would again secure the services of the creative director who brought so much fire the last time.
Earlier in the week CYBC confirmed the people who would be taking care of the musical side of things. The broadcaster revealed that “Our 2019 ESC composing team is, as many of you have guessed: Alex Papaconstantinou, Teddy Sky, Albin Nedler, Kristofer Fogelmark and Viktor Svensson.”
A big thank you to all of you for participating in the quizzes and teasers we have been posting. Our 2019 ESC composing…
Posted by CYBC: Eurovision Cyprus on Monday, December 3, 2018
The 2019 teams brings together “Fuego” songwriters Alex P and Viktor Svensson, and frequent collaborators Teddy Sky, Albin Nedler and Kristofer Fogelmark.
But one team member who hasn’t been mentioned is the person — or people — who will be singing the song. There is strong speculation that the Georgian-Greek popstress Tamta will be the act.
However, Cypriot media is now speculating that Vangelis Kakouriotis may also be a contender. The young Greek singer is popular in both Greece and Cyprus and has been on many fans’ wishlists for Eurovision.
What do you think? Is Sacha Jean-Baptiste teaming up with Cyprus again? Who should sing for Cyprus in Tel Aviv? Share your thoughts below!
Funny, just two days ago I read that Vangelis Kakouriotis is being offered by Panic Records to Greece for Eurovision 2019. Today, I’m reading his name is being suggested for Cyprus, and somehow Tampta, SJB and this Darin (with no connection to Cyprus at all) all fit into this.
These rumors from the Greek world are a whole blog all to themselves.
ofc it’s SJS, nothing new with that…
Vangelis Kakouriotis will represent Cyprus in Eurovision 2019!!
did you saw that on a dream?
One thing must be said, though, Sacha Jean-Baptiste is hot as hell.
They’re essentially aiming for Fuego 2.0
Either it will be Fuego 2.0 or La La Love 2.0
inb4 they end up giving us the Imri Ziv 2.0 no one asked for
Fun fact: Sacha participated in the game show “Fångarna på fortet” (Fort Boyard) in 2011 together with Love Generation (MelFest 2011/2012).
Some of her staging works, others don’t. Personally, i wouldn’t trust her 2 years in a row. Fokas evagelinos stagings usually are on top 5,so he would be better for the job i think
She’s a one trick pony, she does the trick well but I would rather have a good reputation then a pay check. Fokas definitely has more innovative, original and wacky ideas which makes for more entertaining performances but Sacha has the sleek, professional stagings with the ability to make bland songs impactful.
I don’t really get the hype around her, I mean yes, there were some stagings that worked pretty well, such as Georgia 2016, Bulgaria 2017, and of course Cyprus 2018. However, I do not think that all the choreography of Fuego was necessarily her idea. I do think that Eleni played a role in the decision of the dance moves, camera angels etc as well. Aditionally, I will never forget that bland staging of Isaiah, and Equinox as well. So, I mean, yes of course Cyprus can work with her once again, however there is no guarantee that it will… Read more »
Sacha did the choreography for Fuego, just take a look at the “jeanbaptistegroup” instagram. The artist she works with would have some conceptual ideas about the performance but they wouldn’t be in charge of the technical elements as that would require an education in multimedia. Anyway the concept was too similar in style to her other works for it to not be mostly her ideas, I mean pyro, flames, smoke, camera overlays that’s clearly Sacha.
Hopefully Safura has taken vocal lessons!
She never needed to take any.
Do you mean next year or this year? Safura 2019 might happen though.
SJB has one good staging per year, Cyprus was lucky it was theirs, but what are the odds of win the lottery twice back to back.
It depends on how much she’s going to get paid. Of course, she would put much more effort into the country who pays her the most.
I don’t think that this was the case for Bulgaria 2018.
The whole idea about supergroup was the main issue of Bulgaria 2018. We all knew that on stage it would turn out to be Armenia 2015 all over again. I actually expected worse, that staging was decent IMHO. Though there still were many unnecessary things like Zhana lip-synching over the backing vocalist which was very obvious.
I know right! They should’ve just added the backing vocalist to the “common framework” in the first place.
She’s great doing the “diva” thing, otherwise she’s isn’t very good.