Eurovision 2019 News 10 April

Every day 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. This is the Daily Digest for Wednesday 10 April.

No more spinning S!sters

Lazy Susan, rotating box, spinning stage… you needn’t worry about what to call S!sters’ ULFI prop anymore. That’s because it will most likely be left at home. Speaking to Eurovision.de, Eurovision 2019 stage designer Florian Wieder says it “was a bit confusing, for everyone, for the spectators and also for the artists themselves.” Instead, there will be more focus on the message behind “Sister”. He adds, “their voices, which fit so perfectly together, speak for themselves. For us, it’s about putting the ideas that your song transports into the staging”. (Padraig)

Chingiz arrives in Tel Aviv

It’s been almost a month since the first stars of Eurovision in 2019 arrived in Tel Aviv for postcard duty. And they keep on coming. Among this week’s number is Azerbaijan’s Chingiz. On Monday he shared footage from his dance rehearsals. Look closely and you may spot a familiar face, think Netta and chickens. (Jacintha)

The acoustic “Truth”

Before jetting to Israel, the Azeri rep recorded a new version of his song for Eurovision. “Truth” is a current pop tune with traditional vibes, but Chingiz has given it an acoustic twist. The electric beats are gone, replaced by guitars and a plethora of exotic instruments. He’s also drawn in three more voices to help him. Writing on Instagram, he says “I love to cover songs, making them sound different, add my music style touch”.  Different is certainly one word you could use! (Luis)

Jonida lands in Israel

Israel saw two major events on Tuesday: the 2019 elections and the landing of Albania’s Jonida Maliqi. The Albanian diva visited several locations for her Eurovision postcard shoot, and she’s uploaded lots of stories from the stunning Israeli coast. You can catch her eating dinner, strolling around the streets of Tel Aviv and sipping white wine. She seemed particularly enamoured with a fountain, which we’re guessing may be in or near her hotel. (Luis)

View this post on Instagram

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A post shared by JONIDA MALIQI (@jonidamaliqi) on

Mahmood’s postcard is badass!

In today’s postcard rollcall, we can also tick off Italy’s Mahmood. In a sneak preview of his VT, the “Soldi” singer channels his inner tough guy. From his clothing to his strut, he’s 100% badass. The dancers complete the look nicely. So cool! The Sanremo winner also shared a greeting in English before taking some well-earned me-time in the pool. (Jacintha)

Conan continues to conquer

Conan Osíris won the Best New Artist at the first ever Play Portuguese Music Awards. The event took place at the Coliseu dos Recreios in Lisbon, which also hosted the Festival da Canção grand final in 2017. Conan showed up with a strong look on the red carpet. He wore a striking black robe, with long overlapping textured layers, accessorised with his trademark sneakers in white. What will he bring to the opening ceremony in Tel Aviv? (Robyn)

Vodka – that’s the secret word

Moschino is an Italian luxury fashion house, specialising in leather accessories, shoes, luggage and fragrances. CÎROC is a French eau-de-vie vodka brand. And Tamta is a Georgian-Greek singer representing Cyprus at Eurovision 2019. The three have come together for the #CÎROCYourWorld campaign. Greece’s Eurovision 2008 star Kalomira says it best in her comment on Tamta’s launch post “So beautiful❤️” (Padraig)

“Walking Out” lyric video

Armenia’s Srbuk has released the lyric video for “Walking Out”. It’s a simply shot, black and white clip. The focus is on just one woman, presumably the song’s protagonist. Battling her emotions, she wears a crown until the very end. (Padraig)

Happy birthday to Gašper!

And it’s a happy birthday to Gašper Šantl. The Slovenian musician celebrated his 23rd birthday with a delicious-looking homemade cake, decorated with his name and new age. We’re hoping he saved a piece for “Sebi” singer Zala! Vse najboljše! (Robyn)

View this post on Instagram

Someone has just turned 23 ???

A post shared by Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl (@zalagasper) on

“You know what I mean?”

The Dutch singer is currently in Stockholm recording new material. But you may have also noticed that Duncan Laurence has a tendency to say “you know what I mean”, … a lot! He drops the phrase multiple times in many interviews. Twitter user @TheRealEuroPaul saw this tic and became inspired. He edited together a mega cut of all Duncan’s “you know what I mean”s, and it wasn’t long before it reached the man himself. The “Arcade” singer took the clip in good spirits, retweeting it and following up with an all caps “YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!” It’s always good to not take yourself too seriously, you know what I mean? (Jacintha)

Say Na Na Na

If Duncan isn’t wholesome enough for you, check out this. It’s Lake Malwai’s Albert Černý singing Serhat’s “Say Na Na Na”. It’s the content we deserve. (Padraig)

Take me to the commentary booth

Fans are generally not bothered about who’s providing the commentary outside their own country. But Sweden always has a knack for grabbing our attention. This time they’re sending Eurovision 2013 and 2016 scriptwriter Edward Af Silen and Eurovision 1999 winner Charlotte Perrelli. Loreen, Carola and Måns Zelmerlöw are already confirmed for Tel Aviv appearances, meaning four of the six Swedish winners will be on the ground come May. (Padraig)

Additional contributions from Robyn, Jacintha and Luis.

Will you miss S!sters spinning prop? Do you like the acoustic version of “Truth”? Let us know in the comments.

Follow all our Daily Digests for Eurovision 2019.

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Fatima
Fatima
4 years ago

It’s great that we’re getting postcards for the postcards

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
4 years ago

The choreography that they give to the contestants all looks so basic… I wanna see dips, handstands or something.

Hugo
Hugo
4 years ago
Komentator
Komentator
4 years ago

Nevena realized “Kruna” acoustic version… https://youtu.be/qbiiddr9Kro

Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

gasper’s birthday cake looks BURNT

pastel de nata
pastel de nata
4 years ago

LOL, I doubled check it, first I thought it was a plate!!

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago

You mean four out of Sweden’s six winners will be there…

Whisker
Whisker
4 years ago

Platform (which was pretty much OK) or no platform (I wonder what they will come up with), it’s their pained facial expressions I “worry” about. I find those very, very off-putting.

Lee
Lee
4 years ago

The prop was S!sters best part of their performance. Sad to see it gone.

ZAY
ZAY
4 years ago

I wanna lick the milk out of Mahmood’s nipples

Darren
Darren
4 years ago
Reply to  ZAY

Not before me.

We can have a nipple each though I guess 😀

ZAY
ZAY
4 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Yeah we can share if you want 😀

Darren
Darren
4 years ago
Reply to  ZAY

Deal 😉

Peters
Peters
4 years ago
Reply to  ZAY

Calm your tits, sisters!

ZAY
ZAY
4 years ago
Reply to  Peters

Can’t calm down when it comes to Mahmood

FlowerPuff
FlowerPuff
4 years ago
Reply to  ZAY

That’s really creepy

ZAY
ZAY
4 years ago
Reply to  ZAY

His boyfriend is ugly. He deserve better

Radek
Radek
4 years ago
Reply to  ZAY

wait… what? Mahmood’s got a boyfriend? Is he gay?

Wiwi
Wiwi
4 years ago
Reply to  Radek

Radek lol yeah he is

Darren
Darren
4 years ago
Reply to  ZAY

I am his boyfriend Una.

He just doesn’t realize yet.

Norman
Norman
4 years ago

Congrats to Conan! Good to see an emerging artist getting recognized for his talent! All the best.

Valentino
Valentino
4 years ago

And in OGAE POLL, both Spain and Croatia gave 12 points to Luca.

Darren
Darren
4 years ago

I should be in that pool with Mahmood.

Just saying.

EuroBalkan
EuroBalkan
4 years ago

Off topic
Someone sent Nevena Bozovic a letter “I have very uncomfortable question for you: Kosovo is Serbia?”
Looool
Jamala has become the ultimate Eurovision meme.

Dea
Dea
4 years ago
Reply to  EuroBalkan

Nobody sent that question, it is fake, meme created from letter which fan sent to Nevena, you can see real letter in her IG story.

Whisker
Whisker
4 years ago
Reply to  EuroBalkan

Jamala really got the ball rolling. Tragic. I lost all my respect for her. Too bad, she is a talented artist.
I personally appreciate the no politics rule for songs. It’s up to EBU to enforce it. EBU should also make it clear that journalists, bloggers etc are banned from asking politically charged questions. It happened with the Miracle Azeri girl, it happened with Romania last year. Then the Nagorno-Karabakh flag. Then Armenia didn’t participate in Baku because of the political issues.
Shameful all around.

Rashad
Rashad
4 years ago

The acoustic version of the Truth is great. Chingiz also added some Azeri flavors with his voice as he always does. Good job!

Alex
Alex
4 years ago
Reply to  Rashad

I really would love to see him at ESC with some Azeri and Flamenco mix song.
With his guitar. Showing how amazing and talented he is.
It would have been so cool and unique for Eurovision 🙂

Krazy
Krazy
4 years ago
Reply to  Rashad

The song is still wack. Next

Susane
Susane
4 years ago

these male dancers around Mahmood … wow, looks really intense and hot 😉
I was on twitter when Duncan reacted to ‘you know what i mean’ memo , he had a small talks with fans and replied to few questions, he is such sweet and funny guy :)))

Ziv
Ziv
4 years ago

I wrongly thought that the “You know what I mean” thread is about Lake Malawi, but failed to find any reference to him, only seeing the flag of Czech Republic.

Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

the rotating platform was the best thing bout sister’s performance tho ):

Kev'
Kev'
4 years ago

Conan rocks!!

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
4 years ago

OMG, I think I am falling in love with Chingiz!. NO! Jokes aside, the man can really sing and proves he is a full-fledged artist. He also proves that the song is masterfully crafted in any way you sing it. I really hope that that song goes really really far. Sorry, my Swedish friends, but this is a case in which if this would come from Sweden it would be top 3 in the odds and all the polls…

dutchie
dutchie
4 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

It sure would. I’m not sure why Luca Hänni is rated so much higher than this. In terms of uptempo songs, I think Chingiz has the better of him, plus he’s a way better singer.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
4 years ago
Reply to  dutchie

Oh yes I hear you! I don’t understand that either… Or rather , I do, but I better shut up now… 🙂

Nicky91
Nicky91
4 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

totally agree, btw Chingiz’s natural voice is way better than those autotuned vocals, and lesser similarity to Bulgaria last year in acoustic version

Nicolas
Nicolas
4 years ago
Reply to  Nicky91

This “acoustic” version is not live. You clearly ear autotune on it.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
4 years ago
Reply to  Nicky91

Yeah, in spite of autotunes one feels that he has interpretation qualities and this is what it counts.

Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

a great voice yeah, but the song is painfully generic and not in the catchy, infectious way some others can be. it’s like a mashup of imagine dragon songs pasted together with a tired 2016 production. azerbaijan just never learns.

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
4 years ago

Well I don’t agree at all. I think this song is possibly the most contemporary song of this year very much in tune with quality pop of today. It ressembles the work of Jungle, which is excellent,

EurovisionSteve
EurovisionSteve
4 years ago

But Kate Miller-Heidke also injured her foot! 🙁

Miguel
Miguel
4 years ago

Are all Azerbaijani men as gorgeous as Chingiz is?

In that case, please give me the visa asap. Yummy!

Best from Spain

Otis
Otis
4 years ago
Reply to  Miguel

yes go on with visa…

if you wanna be executed in Azerbaijan for being gay 😛

Khazar
4 years ago
Reply to  Otis

You are wrong. Nobody executed for this reason on Azerbaijan…

Otis
Otis
4 years ago
Reply to  Khazar

on the record no. off the record nobody knows from a country that as you see in all web is the most antigay in europe 😉 do not judge a country from when eurovision was hosted there.. this has nothing to do with their politics 😉

Rashad
Rashad
4 years ago
Reply to  Otis

I don’t know if you’ve heard of Google or Wikipedia, but they are great, check them out! Being gay is not illegal in Azerbaijan. It’s true that the society still has a long way to go, but things are changing fast.

aroncido
aroncido
4 years ago
Reply to  Rashad

Perhaps not executed, but from Wikipedia:
“discrimination on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity is not banned in the country”
“In 2017, ILGA-Europe again declared Azerbaijan the worst country in all of Europe for LGBT rights, with the country receiving a final score of 5%.”
“LGBT people face high rates of violence, harassment and discrimination.”
Not very reassuring.

Rashad
Rashad
4 years ago
Reply to  Miguel

Here you go. https://evisa.gov.az/en/
So easy and takes a short time to get it. hehe 😛

Peters
Peters
4 years ago
Reply to  Rashad

https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/azerbaijan-police-broke-law-randomly-detain-lgbti-people/

Your country was on Gay Star News a few days ago but not in a good way.

Den
Den
4 years ago
Reply to  Peters

I thought it was a song contest; oh, no wait,it’s Azerbaijan.Armenia bought 2 million views on YouTube,and nobody is saying anything.When it comes to Azerbaijan, which doesn’t even enter top 10 in 7 years, you are calling them cheaters.Why are you so biased? Anyway, I wish Chingiz a good luck!

Cheers from the Netherlands

Nvm
Nvm
4 years ago

Mahmood trying to be badass, and all I see is a perpetually embarrassed bean <3

Btw, I love Conan's outfits, seriously, he rocks even the weirdest piece of clothes, I bet he'd look good even wearing a plastic bag lol

Elsa
Elsa
4 years ago
Reply to  Nvm

Yes he is gorgeous!

Loin dici
Loin dici
4 years ago

Oh, yeah, some stage updates on Ola Melzig’s production blog shows how BIG the prism legs are going to be. And seems like it was covered in some sort of doff-metallic cloth and will have lights installed inside of it. The triangle frames looked convincingly big, too.

Loin dici
Loin dici
4 years ago

Lake Malawi… sings Serhat. Oookay.

André
André
4 years ago

I will miss the spinning prop. It would distract me from the song. Now I ‘ll have to listen to it.

Hugo
Hugo
4 years ago

Congratulations, Conan! First Portugal, then the World!

Ari
Ari
4 years ago

Queen Tamta!!!