Every morning between now and the grand final in May, the team from wiwibloggs will be rounding up the latest titbits from the world of Eurovision 2019. We’ve trawled through Instagram, Twitter and elsewhere so that y’all don’t have to. Whether you’re commuting to work, sitting on the school bus or still tucked under the covers, this is the Daily Digest for Monday 25 March.
Srbuk gives first live performance of “Walking Out”
Armenia was the first to reveal its artist for Eurovision 2019 but one of the last to make its entry public. This left next to no time for Srbuk to deliver a live performance of her number. But over the weekend, the Armenian songstress performed her Eurovision song live for the first time during an intimate concert. The location didn’t stop her from giving it her all. We’ve seen in the past that Srbuk is an extremely competent vocalist but it is always reassuring to see an artist give a solid performance, especially when one’s song is as challenging as “Walking Out”. (Oliver)
Hatari’s Matthías reports on a shipyard dispute
The fact that many of Iceland’s stars double job is nothing new. Pollapönk included teachers and politicians while the director of the “Never Forget” music video from 2012 was also the country’s goalkeeper during Euro 2016. The latest example involves Matthías Tryggvi Haraldsson. He is, to use BDSM terms, the dom of the group. But also works as a reporter in RÚV’s newsroom. In Saturday’s bulletin he covered a dispute between a shipyard and the nation’s road authority and a campaign by a women’s association to highlight clothes wastage. You can watch the reports at 12:16 and 18:19 respectively. (Padraig)
Eurovision “terrorist comedy” is put on hold
Israeli broadcaster KAN’s plans to screen a comedy series featuring a gay French Muslim singer who is involved with a terrorism plot at Eurovision have been put on hold. The show was due to screen in the run-up to May’s contest. It will now be shown at a later date. Similarities with real-life events — France are sending the gay Muslim singer Bilal Hassani to Tel Aviv — drew consternation and allegedly created tensions between the French and Israeli delegations, forcing the EBU to intevene. (Padraig)
Tulia sing “Fire of Love (Pali Się)” live
Last week, Tulia headed to the TVP Polonia studios. The channel is part of Poland’s state broadcaster and is targeted at Polish-speaking audiences outside of the country. While they were there, they took the opportunity to sing their Eurovision entry “Fire of Love (Pali Się)”. The ladies donned red and pink traditional costumes with flower head pieces, and gave us a taste of how their song might sound live when they hit the stage in Tel Aviv. (Jonathan)
Show me Teller Avivv
The UK’s Michael Rice endeared himself to fans with his unusual pronunciation of Tel Aviv. And on Sunday, he finally made it to the city. Just like his fellow competitors, Michael is there on Eurovision business. Filming for his postcard starts tomorrow, and the “Bigger Than Us” crooner is already excited: “apperantly I’ve got some dancers”. In other news, he’s due in Croatia next Saturday to perform on the Zvijezde Pjevaju TV show. (Jacintha)
Only 55 days until the Grand Final of #Eurovision 2019! Follow our instagram story @bbceurovision as @MichaelRiceOff heads to Tel Aviv to film the UK postcard. ?? pic.twitter.com/HvWtWfswpo
— BBC Eurovision?? (@bbceurovision) March 24, 2019
Sergey won’t be focusing on the odds
In a eurovision.tv interview from Amsterdam, Sergey was asked what piece of advice his 2016 self would give to him now in 2019. He jokingly responded “Don’t look at the bookmakers”. After being number one in the odds for almost the entirety of the run-up to the contest in Stockholm, this time around the Russian singer wants to focus on his performance and not what others have to say. Check out the rest of the interview below, where he also discusses his love for Eurovision and why he decided “Scream” was the perfect song to return to the contest with. (Jonathan)
S!sters discuss a lyrical connection
Germany’s S!sters have spoken about how they personally connected with the lyrics of their Eurovision entry “Sister”. In an interview with eurovision.tv, Carlotta mentions that the competition between women is something she experiences frequently as a singer. “Normally you get that in high school…but especially as a singer you get in touch with lots of girls competing…it happens a lot and it’s really close to my heart”. Meanwhile, Laurita explains that the lyrics talk about “the feeling that you should feel for every woman on this Earth; even for the one’s that you don’t really understand, so you’ve got to give them love because they need it”. The rest of the interview sees the girls discussing what it was like to first sing the song together, and how they use the lyrics as memes for their everyday life. (Jonathan)
Stream “Kruna”
Slowly but surely, the last of the Eurovision 2019 batch are starting to infiltrate international streaming and download platforms. The latest to take the plunge is Serbia’s Nevena Bozovic with “Kruna”. The revamped song first debuted on YouTube late last week. Listen to all the songs available so far in our Spotify playlist. (Padraig)
Sports are forever
Denmark’s Leonora is one competitive lady. When she’s not singing competitively, she’s participating in ice skating competitions. But last week, for once, she could relax. The Copenhagen suburb of Gentofte held its annual ceremony to honour its best and brightest athletes and Leonora was the star guest. She, of course, treated the audience to a rendition of her Eurovision entry “Love Is Forever”. (Padraig).
Last night I played “Love is forever” and one song I wrote myself at Gentofte City Hall as part of the yearly…
Posted by Leonora Jepsen on Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Zumba, zumba chameleon
Malta has been in a sweat ever since Michela reached the Top 10 of the Eurovision 2019 bettings odds. And now fitness instructor Zumba Dru is getting in on the act by working out his clients to the beat of “Chameleon”. You can watch him leading his ladies to Malta’s Eurovision song below. (William)
More acts confirmed for Eurovision in Concert
They just keep coming. Following hot on the heels of Hatari, Dana International and more, Poland’s TULIA and Serbia’s Nevena Bozovic have also confirmed their presence for the Amsterdam event. (Jacintha)
The Polish representatives have been added to the line up of Eurovision in Concert too! Welcome Tulia; Welcome Poland! ????#EurovisioninConcert #EiC2019 #eurovision #songfestival #amsterdam #afaslive #poland #polska #tulia pic.twitter.com/KGUVDERUPY
— EurovisionInConcert (@ESCinConcert) March 24, 2019
Additional contributions from Jacintha, Jonathan, Oliver and William.
What Eurovision 2019 song would you zumba to? Would you watch the news more often if your country’s act did the reporting? Let us know in the comments.
also laura bretan is currently in israel
Acceptance is one of the stages of grief isn’t it?
And?
The terrorism comedy sketch idea is ATROCIOUS. Did they forget about the terrorist incidence in France in February and November 2015? How about several anti-semitic attacks in France throughout the years? The summer of 2016 in Marseille? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? EBU. DON’T ALLOW THIS.
Other European countries that suffered from terrorist attacks in recent years include Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Spain and the UK. Norway too although of a different nature.
Israelis have a really dark sense of humor about that kind of thing. Doesn’t fly quite as well with the rest of Europe, who have either softer, wackier, or different kinds of dark humor.
It’s a dark comedy show and apparently according to the trailer, seems very promising. A muslim terrorist being such a bitch about acting as the gay couple of the French singer. Bonkers!
Can’t wait for the pre-parties this year! I’m so excited to see more people meet eachother! And I can’t wait for Teller Veev either! Good luck ?
Looks like I spoke too soon about Kate slipping the pre-parties: just confirmed for Amsterdam! (And yes, sadly: Michela pulled out from that one too. Malta aren’t screwing around this year.)
I also just snagged a ticket for the final, so I’m seeing all three live shows!
That’s amazing, have fun!
Michael is everything, he deserves more credit than he’s given and deserves and should finish in the Top 10
Tulia – Is that playback and lypsynch??? I am not sure…
Michael is too adorble 🙂
Srbuk is a Queen, she deserves to be on top 5!
So all three Caucasians participants this year have been on the voice of Ukraine, i wonder who succed the most?
But no Ukraine. How ironic.
I think the Georgian guy finished second, Srbuk fourth and not sure about the Azerbaijani guy.
And wait a minute…didn’t Sergey judge on Voice of Ukraine too?
Yes Sergey once was a judge on Ukranian Voice and Maruv (aka Ana Korsun) was in his team btw.
And i even remember how one of local channel have filmed a biographic film about Sergey where he was with his bf Igor and nobody where surprised by that, local people also respected him for openly said in one of his Ukranian interview that Crimea always going to stay for him as part of Ukraine , it was a brave move for famous Russian star like him….
Though this film and interview have never been showed on Russian tv
There is a guy Eric on twitter who posted week ago a part of this interview with Sergey you are talking about (with Eng.subs) , he really did say that about Crimea, i respect him for that even more
Honestly? Say what you will about his songs, Sergey is a pretty chill guy. I hope he’s got a say in all that’s happening and isn’t just the Dream Team’s puppet. He’s an alright person.
Interesting! I didn’t know Matthías is a reporter!
I myself am a reporter as well, but in the company I work for, a reporter is not supposed to take part in a big event like Eurovision, because it may affect the image of the reporter, not to mention the nature of Matthías’ song. But what do I know, maybe we, as reporters, are actually ALLOWED to participate in Eurovision, just no one in my company has done that.
I guess the downfall of capitalism will just have to wait until the ship yards are running smoothly and clothes wastage has come to an end…
the wasting of clothing items is another symptom of the evils of capitalism!
I struggle to find one (1) job because of my country’s stupid economical situation, and people in iceland have two T_T ooof
Yes, but seriously, why do they have 2 jobs? Is it because the country is too rich, or because one salary is not enough to survive? Free time is important too, for somebody to be healthy, why working non stop?
In nu country most people need 2 jobs cause the salary from just one is never enough but they can’t find a second one, some can’t even find one to begin with
Is Pali Sie really live ? It sounds exactly like the studio version and having the same reverb effect.
The whole singing is live, and you can actually hear it quite well – especially in the chorus. Nevertheless, you’re right about the reverb effect and the short ethnic parts that end each chorus; these were surely not live.
daily digest is the most clever thing wiwiblogs has came up with. thank you guys for all the hard work.
Srbuk is great! I adore the strong message and the powerful voice. I would stage it with her in the middle, dancers in black clothes around her, acting like demons who want to get Srbuk, but she bends them (one demon walks to her, she just put her hand in the air and he is frozen and can’t move, she controls him). At the end she is the powerful lady in the middle and the demons are dancing to her hand movements and get pulverized around her and fall on the ground. I hope you got my picture 😀
Dancers can be holograms that disappear.
.
– What I like about the German song is the connection between *two* women (sisters/friends) who have a rough history, but decided to reconcile. Don’t turn this into another feminist manifesto about all women being friends.
– Tulia and Srbuk sound great live. I’d definitely work on their stagings and choreography, but they can sing for sure. As Tulia seem to be always stationed in the middle and almost motionless, they need to come-up with innovative production design and LED screens. However, the accent needs to remain on their harmonies, which are amazing.
how is choreography important, Salvador also just stood there on stage, Netta didn’t move much herself tbh
Choreography is very important in uptempo songs. Salvador had a slow song and most of them can be powerfully performed from one spot. Netta is an exception, because, despite not moving much, she did all of the rest I mentioned in my comment – interesting costume, set design, lighting and background dancers. So, despite her being still, it was an arresting performance. I wouldn’t advice any dancers to Tulia, but maybe an interesting production design (maybe something like being in the middle of burned down castle ruins) and some dynamic red and yellow lighting at times.
I still think they should do something Heroes-esque. Some kind of screen with some nice background film instead of the girls just standing on the huge stage by themselves.
How in the world would they think it’s ok to make such a comedy show? It’s super inappropriate.
Just wait for someone to call this comment antisemitic :/
Poor Bilal, a victim of prejudice even before the contest started
Srbuk can properly belt those high notes. She also successfully did them in The Voice of Ukraine in the past and that’s what I really like about her.
That Israeli comedy show sounds so sick. Who writes that? It’s disgusting.
You know, when news about that Israeli program broke, I was thinking “is it too hard to just re-schedule it after Eurovision.” Well, it seems like they’re taking my advice.