On Wednesday, filming of the last heat of Lithuania’s Eurovizijos Atranka took place. This time the last 11 participants, whose performances will be seen by the viewers on February 2, presented their songs.
Unfortunately, Sasha Song will not be among them — he decided to leave the competition at the last minute. He was meant to perform in this heat with the song “Bad Boy”.
But, living up to the song’s title, he did not show up. It was an unexpected turn that may turn into a financial burden for him. The broadcaster has the right to fine him for bailing at the last minute.
Sasha song out of Eurovizijos Atranka
According to the official Eurovizijos Atranka rules:
“If the Performer fails to appear at the specified time for the rehearsals, recordings or broadcasts of the selective heats and finals of the competition, and does not provide an important cause (illness, loss of a loved one, etc.), LRT shall have the right to remove the performer from the competition and to impose a fine of 2,000 euros.”
Journalists in Lithuania have contacted Sasha Song about his sudden decision. Here’s what he had to say about it all.
“It is a shame, but I had to leave because I didn’t get the right arrangement of the song from my producer at the agreed time, it just wasn‘t finished. In addition, I received the music only with the recorded voice, and according to the selection rules, singing with a recorded voice is not possible.
“In such an important event as ‘Eurovision’, I wanted to participate not only in creating a show that I was prepared for, but also in order to give the listener the highest quality of music. Unfortunately, I do not want to participate in the presentation only by giving an average product, so I had to leave.”
Organisers have promised to make a decision on the fine in the coming days.
But Audrius Giržadas — the head of delegation and producer of Eurovizijos Atranka — had a firm response. “Enough of playing games. If this would be up to me — I’d be fining him.”
However, Linas Jakštys — who was added as a wild card as well — is also missing from this heat. There’s been no word about that just yet.
This heat features several returning acts, including Valerija Iljinaitė, Elizabeth Olshey, girl group “Queens of Roses”, last year’s favorite group “Saulės Kliošas” and — returning from heat three — Monika Marija with her second song ‘Light On.”
Eurovizijos Atranka 2019 — Heat 4 competing acts:
Valerija Iljinaitė – “Scars are beautiful”
Indrė Juodeikienė – “Bad option”
Alen Chicco – “Your Cure”
Queens of Roses – “Runaway”
Živilė Gedvilaitė – “Learn from your love”
Elizabeth Olshey – “Never Enough”
Gabrielė Rybko – “Lay it down”
Saulės kliošas – “Laiko mašina”
Soliaris&ForeignSouls – “Song of my life”
Monika Marija – “Light On”
Henry&Tommy Modric – “Neverpart”
On Monika Marija, Jury member Ramūnas Zilnys said that he enjoyed this performance more than the first one: “This song is at least ten times better for me and if I had to choose I would choose this one. I wish you to go on with this song, and I can see it even in the finale. I think this is one of the strongest songs in this years competitions.”
Jury points after all the fourth heat performances:
12 points – Monika Marija
10 points – Saulės kliošas
8 points – Henry &Tommy Modric
7 points – Queens of Roses, Živilė Gedvilaitė and Soliaris&ForeignSouls
4 points – Alen Chicoo
3 points – Gabrielė Rybko
2 points – Valerija Iljinaitė
1 point – Indrė Juodeikienė
0 points – Elizabeth Olshey
What do you think about this situation with Sasha Song? Who is your favourite in the last heat line up? Let us know in the comments below!
Monika is stunning, of course. But, “Light on” is a lazy three-chord song that has no harmonic development. It amazes me that someone thought it would do well in a song contest.
Aww… but I love this song so much! Makes me truly emotional. I guess we don’t agree on this one. Oh, well…
Criminal fan detected.
Isn’t Calm After the Storm another three-chord song though ? (I’m just asking 😉 )
By the way, I know I rarely comment on this website but I’m gonna miss your musical reviews (they remind me of my few years of music classes). Do you have some other place where you can write them, like a website ?
enough of monika, I want to hear Saul?s kliošas song
Seconded! “?kv?pk Ir Nepaleisk” was one of my instant favourites of last year and i like it even more now, so much so that i start to worry if “Laiko mašina” will be able to live up to this.
Monikas “Light on” ain’t bad, but am i the only one, who can’t help thinking “Stay With Me” here? Kinda funny as that itself already had to credit Tom Petty for similarities to “I Won’t Back Down” …
https://youtu.be/KqeLeSeiYzE
Light on!
Criminal aaalll theee waaaay
Light On sounds like a huge flop. Criminal on the other hand could be a nice top 15 for Lithuania
I can’t choose between Criminal and Light On!
I’d be happy with either of them as the winner!
I know the fandom wants Criminal to win, however, imho, Light On is much stronger, especially because it doesn’t fall into the predictable category. Both are qualifiers, but I think Lithuania has a better shot with the last.
criminal >>> light on for me
It’s so much better. Can’t believe there are people who actually prefer Light On, that song is guaranteed to flop in May (if it wins)
Criminal is just more dramatic and memorable
If Lithuania picks Light On they would easily be in my top five of ESC 2019.
Light On is really, really good. I have to relisten to the other songs (I really liked the one that won the first heat) but at the moment this is my favorite.