It’s been three months since the grand final of ESC 2019, and we’re about halfway through our annual struggle with Post Eurovision Depression. Thankfully, and well-ahead of the upcoming national selections, the city of Sopot in Poland is here to alleviate some of your pain.
The 53rd edition of the Top of the Top Sopot Festival is now underway. The annual extravaganza is a who’s who of pop music drawing artists from across borders and eras. And, as expected, it’s as Euro-fan friendly as a Eurovision pre-party.
Tuesday — the first day of the festival — didn’t feature many Eurovision artists, but fans of 80’s and 90’s pop likely enjoyed the old-school line-up, which included Glass Tiger, John Parr and Jennifer Paige.
But there were two acts far more relevant to our readers. Katrina Leskanich, who won Eurovision 1997 for the UK as the lead singer of Katrina & the Waves, opened the “Forever Young” programme. She nailed her hits including “Walking on Sunshine”.
Eurovision 2013 singer Bonnie Tyler also hit the stage. She was the main event in Sopot so naturally she had to perform late and last. Apparently producers wanted the moon in position for a total eclipse of the heart. Bonnie delivered her biggest hit with her signature vocals — all raspy, smokey and cool.
On Wednesday the Eurovision names will come thick and fast. The main show includes five beloved stars from recent editions of ESC: Duncan Laurence (the Netherlands’ ESC 2019 winner), Frans (Sweden 2016), Lake Malawi (Czechia 2019) and Luca Hänni (Switzerland 2019), as well as the up-and-coming Danish singer Christopher.
Other past Eurovision entrants will grace the stage earlier the same day, including Edyta Górniak, who got Poland their best result to date 25 years ago, and Cleo, who represented Poland five years ago. Margaret, a national final veteran, will also be there as a warm-up act (‘cause nothing can cool her down) to set the festival on fire!
The festival will be less Eurovision-themed during the final two days, but JESC 2018 winner Roksana Węgiel will perform on the final day of the festival, as part of the Young Choice Awards programme.
The last day of the festival will include some up-and-coming names in the Polish music industry who we might just see at Eurovision in a few years time…so keep an eye on ’em too!
All in all, we’re expecting quite the show! What about you? Sound off in the comments below.
I saw the video of Duncan’s performance last night, incredible as always!
Apart from Edyta and Cleo, is that Blue Café in the line-up? The ones with the featuring tag La Graine? Is the same Blue Café who represented Poland all the way back in 2004?
Same band but different vocalist. Tatiana from 2004 left the group and Blue Cafe has Dominika Gaw?da as a singer now
no, you are not right, it is alma from france
Seeing that they have won Jesc thanks to France and thanks the points from France, seeing the behaviour of Roxana with Angelina the runner up from France…..it’s not surprising coming from this country that they don’t invite her or somebody from France……Welcome the grateful and the politeness !! Alma and Angelina are too good for them.
After to have won JESC thanks to France and thanks. tothe points from France, after seeing the behaviour of Roxana with Angelina the runner up, it’s not surprising coming from this country that they don’t invite Angelina or somebody from France…… Don’t be so proud of you Poland because your lack of grateful and the lack of politeness of your jesc winner is so……..
It’s not that Alma Guys… It’s Alma but from Bulgaria.Also you can add to the article that Edyta Górniak and Gromee are going to present their new song
lol guys! It’s not Alma from France it’s Alma Dowdall a singer from Bulgaria that’s going to perform at the festival!
also her song “Perfect” is very popular in Poland and it is very good! I recommend you to listen to her
Alma is Universal. You can say Jupiter, is still Alma.
lol that Alma tho XD she’s from Bulgaria lol
LOL… the poster says Alma is from Bulgaria??!
Alma Armutlieva is a Bulgarian singer.