It’s been three weeks since Spain chose “Voy a Quedarme” as the song they would like Blas Cantó to sing at Eurovision 2021. Now that he’s in full swing with preparing things for Rotterdam, Blas has revealed that he’ll revamp the song slightly for the contest. The Spanish star has also spoken about his experiences so far of working with national broadcaster RTVE.
The comments were made during an interview for a special podcast produced by Spanish radio station COPE – Pasaporte a Eurovisión.
“Voy a Quedarme” to be revamped for Eurovision 2021
Blas Cantó has good news for y’all who enjoyed the acapella start of “Voy a Quedarme” that he included during his performance at the Destino Eurovisión national selection show. The Eurovision 2021 version of the song will also start in this way.
But, Blas also shares that there will be some other modifications to the song as well. The new revamp of “Voy a Quedarme” is set to include changes to one of Blas’ favourite parts of the track – the second verse – and will, overall, boost the intimacy of the song’s narrative. As Blas tells COPE:
“I am very happy and emotional. We are working on these changes since this year’s rhythms have been rushed. But we have had enough time to make cool things [already]. This version won’t be commercialised and is planned to be only for Eurovision in May. However, we are pending of approval.”
The Spanish star confirms that this new “Voy a Quedarme” revamp won’t be hitting the shops, nor digital platforms. The approved changes will only see the light on the main Eurovision stage.
Although changes may be being made to “Voy a Quedarme”, they’ll only be revealed if Eurovision 2021 continues with the Scenario B plan and Blas is able to perform live from Rotterdam. The Spanish team filmed the compulsory pre-recorded performance – that will be used if Blas is unable to travel to the host city due to Covid-19 restrictions – just two days after Destino Eurovisión in late February. Thus, if this pre-record is used then there likely won’t be many changes (if any).
For the staging of the live performance in Rotterdam, Blas and his team – including creative director Marvin Dietmann – are still working on it. Marvin will also be working with Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus and the Czech Republic at Eurovision 2021.
Blas has given away no clues as to whether it will resemble the stage performance from Destino Eurovisión or not. However, the Spanish singer has confirmed they are now focused on ensuring the best dimensionality of the stage and creating intimacy with the audience – details that were brought up in our reaction video.
On a separate note, Blas told COPE that he talks frequently with Barbara Pravi, VICTORIA, Go_A, Senhit and Stefania, and has spoken briefly with The Mamas. Although the contestants may not get to meet each other at pre-parties this year, it seems that the bonds are still forming between them.
RTVE ignored Blas’ proposed changes for Destino Eurovisión
During the interview, COPE asked him about his feeling of working with Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE – specially after Destino Eurovisión, which faced strong criticism for its lack of quality.
Honesty is the best policy, and Blas knows that. He said that he is happy and proud about the fight he made in order to try and make changes to the national selection. Blas encouraged RTVE to remove the overused starry background and the long videos featured in the gala. However, he did not succeed, as he elaborates:
“I’m happy of what I have done and suggested. But at the end of the day, it is the broadcaster who decides. I’m also glad because we have opened the door to make Eurovision gain the importance it requires in Spain and not only for the grand final day. “
Concerning RTVE, Blas does feel their support, but believes Eurovision could be handled differently:
“RTVE is a big team that have been doing TV for a long time with their methods. Not many might understand what I might propose, for example. But they have to understand that Eurovision is very modern and up-to-date visually, technically, in direction, production… I think we can do it, but we shall reinvent ourselves, not only demand external but internal changes too.”
“I feel there’s interest in Eurovision [on RTVE] but it’s the means to make it happen. You gotta listen to the fans, because sometimes criticism is not always for pleasure, there’s a pattern that keeps repeating.”
Early in February, Spain’s head of delegation, Ana María Bordas, discussed the need for there to be a bigger team covering all areas of Eurovision – from marketing to communication – in Spain, rather than it being managed by a sole individual.
Soraya speaks about RTVE’s approach to Eurovision
Soraya Arnelas, Spain’s Eurovision 2009 star, is no new face in speaking up about the dissatisfaction she had with RTVE during her time at the contest. Back in 2009, RTVE totally changed Soraya’s stage show. The singer later complained about the broadcaster’s attitude and claimed they told her: “Eurovision is not your dream, it’s our dream and you represent us.”
Her opinion has not changed since, as she explains to COPE:
“I can’t watch my performance anymore because I don’t have the need to suffer. I could not choose anything but my dress. However, I fulfilled with what they wanted.”
Soraya does not regret having participated in Eurovision, but feels you need to go into it knowing that you are a part of RTVE’s project that they control.
Barei and Pastora Soler have also spoken about similar experiences of working with RTVE during their time at Eurovision in 2016 and 2012 respectively.
What do you think about Blas Cantó’s upcoming “Voy a Quedarme” revamp for Eurovision? What changes do you think should be made to the song? Let us know in the comment section below!
Editorially, this is a challenging week for Wiwi. On the one hand, this article cites criticism of the Spanish broadcaster and allows us to comment on that. On the other hand, there are the recent news articles about decisions being taken by North Macedonia’s broadcaster where we cannot comment. It’s definitely a challenge. I think part of the problem generally is when a national broadcaster has no choice but to uphold certain “cultural standards,” which I know is the case with Spain. It can stifle creativity sometimes. Is the solution to use more private broadcasters, or perhaps to somehow phase… Read more »
oh yeah, mid-march is always revamping time.
it’ll still inevitably and embarrassingly tank like everything spain has sent since 2015 but good for him for trying
What is this ‘It’ ?
Edit: Understood from the comments below
to be honest bilals idea was one of the best ones! it was my favorite that year so i was excited about it and that boosted my interest in it even more
This has grown on me a little. Stop harassing him, please. He is better than most entries this year.
Unfortunately there a still a few delegations at Eurovision, Spain and The UK for example, who seem to approach ESC as some sort of holiday on taxpayers expense rather than take it seriously. The results speak for themselves.
I hope they don’t revamp it too much. Maybe just remove the annoying backing vocals?
Those werent intended to be that loud to begin with, it was RTVE’s sound team’s fault.
The most interesting thing is that they hired Marvin Dietmann who now is responsible for 6 (!) entries this year. Are there no creative people in 6 countries? I don’t think so.
Well, Sacha Jean-Baptise is responsible of a lot of Melfest performances, and some other countries also hire her.
I may be the only one who thinks this is one of the nicest ballads this edition. It is miles away from Bulgaria and Switzerland but it stands on its own vs. Austria, Slovenia, or Macedonia which seem a bit pretentious and lack any structure at all (in the case of AT and MK).
What Soraya says is exactly why so many big names refuse to aspire to represent Spain in ESC. RTVE is very controlling, doesn’t tolerate improvisations and has never tried something that wasn’t cookie cutter pop. The boss of Eurovision representations is called Toñi Prieto and many Spaniards (both ESC fans and haters) want her head to roll.
I whished they published it on spotify. I mean, what’s the point? probably it won’t help much if the song arrives in Rotterdam being dead last in the betting odds with no support, hype or whatsoever. My advice: don’t wait to release the revamp in the finals; it might be too late. On a side note: I really like this song, and I have it in my top. Not sure why all the hate. It’s just a classic ballad, well performanced and in Spanish, which is always a plus. I think there are (many) other songs more bland and uninteresting… Read more »
The revamp won’t change the standings much. Odds don’t care about anything below 15th at this point. Albania did an amaizing revamp everyone loved but they are still last, Ukraine did a revamp and most people disliked it but they still protect their position.
Problably because everything Spain does ends up destroyed by the ESC fandom (Barey, Miki were great! ) So Better surprise effect.
The way RTVE always ends up doing whatever they want… I am tired. You choose an artist to go to Eurovision? Okay, then trust their vision, their concept, their ideas, stop ignoring what they want! They are the ones performing on stage and they have to be happy and comfortable. Is it THAT difficult to understand? No wonder previous artist always support the new act in a hardcore manner, seeing they have all suffered the same treatment from the broadcaster… This is a childhood dream for Blas, he must be tired too… ugh.
Anyway… good luck to him, he has a beautiful song, and he is proud of it. At this point who cares about what the rest think, just trust in your message and make the performance unforgettable for yourself because, at the end of the day, you will be the one there, remembering it for the rest of your life!
This is the fault of Blas, the songwriters, and the selection committee for not making good songs, or, had there been some decent songs, eliminating them from the final selection.
Trying to patch up a disaster isn’t going to accomplish anything.
Dietmann also joined Albina’s team for Croatia’s performance
Lipstick on a pig.
I hate when countries do unnecessary revamps!
Don’t fix something that’s not broken
If Eurovision is rtve’s dream then they are not doing a very good job at achieving that dream lol
I’m wary of late revamps in general, especially if I am a fan of the song. I really like the song as it is and I hope we are talking about an Alcohol You level of revamp and not a Shum level of revamp. I love the new version of Shum, but if that’s the case with Spain, then I have no idea what song I’m even rooting for. A subtle re-tweaks are fine, I guess, but it’s still a cat in a bag if he reveals it only at ESC. A risky move. I’ll rate the song as it… Read more »
On second glance, Blas is likely pulling “a Roi” here, with only adding tweaks to parts of instrumental in the performance itself. At least I hope it’s that.
I do not really think the revamp will be on the same level as Shum! For starters… the talk around Spain ever since the entry was released has been to maybe strip back a few instruments to let Blas shine a bit more… so I guess the few changes they make will be in order to make it more intimate and let his voice shine a bit more 🙂
it’s truly a talent how you manage to make every article somehow about Sweden
You made me laugh , Ashton
And also.. Spain come on get with it.. You guys have such a rich musically history.. We all need and expect something amazing from you.. Spain has I think done the worst with Germany out of the Big 5, no need for that
Always LOVED La Noche es para Mi.. Think it’s a wise choice, the acapella beginning sounds lovely and draws me in..