Every weekday, between now and the contest in May, the team from wiwibloggs will round up the latest titbits from the world of Eurovision 2021. We trawl through Instagram, Twitter and elsewhere so that y’all don’t have to. In today’s Daily Digest Barbara Pravi and Black Mamba go acoustic, Ava Max sends her love to TIX and Ireland promises the “wow factor”. But first…
Eurovision news: 7 April
Vincent Bueno shares behind-the-scenes footage from “Amen” recording
Austrian star Vincent Bueno has shared clips taken during the recording of his Eurovision song “Amen”. Vincent takes fans behind the scenes, with short videos of himself getting down vocal takes, and scenes from the control room. And Vicent is working hard — in one clip, he comments on the ab workout he’s getting from delivering the powerful vocals! (Robyn)
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Måneskin celebrate gold certification for new album
Måneskin’s new album Teatro d’ira has only been out for a few weeks, but already it has gone gold. The Italian rock band celebrated news of the album’s certification on Instagram, thanking fans for their support. Teatro d’ira includes the group’s Eurovision 2021 entry “Zitti e buoni”. (Robyn)
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Natalia Gordienko introduces her Eurovision dancers
Moldova is known for delivering strong dance-based staging to Eurovision and it looks like 2021 will be no exception. “Sugar” singer Natalia Gordienko has introduced the four dancers who will be joining her on stage in Rotterdam in May. The staging will be directed by Eurovision veteran staging maestro Fokas Evagelinos. Natalia notes there’ll be talent from Moldova, Russia, Ukraine and Greece behind her act. (Robyn)
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James Newman takes over Eurovision Instagram account
James Newman took over the official Eurovision Instagram page to host a live question and answer session with fans while sharing some of his favourite tunes. Vibing out to Aretha Franklin, Eagles and Spice Girls, the “Embers” singer chatted about his hopes for Eurovision and revealed some little titbits of trivia. His favourite season is winter, he used to be in the RAF cadets, and he revealed that representing the UK at Eurovision is his proudest achievement. The Settle-born star also said that if he wins Eurovision, he would like to see the song contest hosted in Leeds. (Oliver A)
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Efendi appears on morning TV and launches the #matahariefendi challenge
Azerbaijan’s Efendi appeared on morning TV to perform “Mata Hari” live for the first time. The clip has already sparked a debate about the use of playback. However, it’s worth noting that most television programmes in Eastern Europe use playback, especially morning shows. Playback is even standard at concert-TV programmes for which people buy tickets. It’s often due to a lack of proper equipment. (Renske)
🇦🇿🔥 Efendi realiza la primera interpretación en “directo” de su tema Mata Hari en un programa de televisión matinal azerí #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/BYGARumO8Z
— ESCplus España 🇪🇸 | Noticias de Eurovisión (@escplus_es) April 7, 2021
The “Mata Hari” songstress also launched the #matahariefendi challenge on her social media. The challenge asks her fans to dance to her Eurovision 2021 song on Instagram and TikTok. On Instagram, the Azeri star writes: “Here’s a Mata Hari Tik-Tok for you! Do you like? I invite you to join my #challenge 🔥 Make video of our dance and post it with the hashtag #matahariefendi I will share them in my stories 😉” (Renske)
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Hurricane share some more backstage pics
Girlband Hurricane has taken Instagram to again share a trio of behind-the-scenes pictures from their Eurovision 2021 preparations. This time, the pictures show Ivana and Sanja on stage, both rocking black clothes and very large hair. Ksenija, on the other hand, is getting her eyeliner done by a make-up artist. The girls write: “Only a little…”. Does that mean that there is more to come? (Renske)
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Victoria talks to Moldovan TV
Bulgaria’s Victoria recently appeared on Moldovan television. In the English-language interview she discusses “Growing Up Is Getting Old”, struggling with the pandemic and how she has evolved over the past year. She also talks about her pets — several dogs, a parrot and a rabbit.
Lesley Roy’s Eurovision staging will have the “wow factor”
In an hour-long interview with Liffey Sound FM’s Deven O’Kearney, Irish Head of Delegation Michael Kealy teased Ireland’s staging a bit more. He says that Lesley Roy and creative director Fredrik “Benke” Rydman have taken the concept to “a whole other level. It’s ambitious. It’s complex. It’s going to have the wow factor.” Lesley has already revealed that she’ll be alone on stage for the performance.
The Black Mamba perform acoustic version of “Love Is On My Side”
On the official Eurovision YouTube channel, The Black Mamba shared an acoustic version of “Love Is On My Side”. From a sunny garden in Portugal, the Festival da Cançao winners gave a mellow, stripped-back performance of their Eurovision 2021 track, with just three guitars, a tambourine and a rainstick. (Oliver A)
Barbara Pravi releases acoustic “Voilà”
French chanteuse Barbara Pravi has also released an acoustic version of her entry “Voilá” via the official Eurovision channel. She’s joined by just two musicians, a pianist and a cellist. The YouTube comments include keywords like “masterpiece” and “perfection”.
Ava Max sends her love to TIX
Tix was one of the co-writers on her big breakout hit “Sweet But Psycho”. And now Ava Max is lending her support to the Norwegian singer, sending him a good luck message ahead of Eurovision. “Hey Tix”, she says. “It’s Ava Max. I miss you first of all. First and foremost, I miss you so much. I hope to come to Norway really soon and hang. And I just wanted to wish you a lot of luck for Eurovision. And hopefully, we get another hit together”.
Additional contributions from Robyn, Renske and Oliver
Are you excited for Lesley’s staging? What did you think of France and Portugal acoustic? Let us know in the comments.
She is just doing what all the Azeris were told to do on social media. Why did you expect her to be partial? She lives in Azerbaijan and by being silence it would be considered a betrayal from her country and the national broadcaster.
“Eastern Europe” is a very broad term. As a Polish person, I consider myself Eastern European (yes, I know some will argue that Poland is Central Europe, but that’s not the point) and I have never seen a playback like this. To say that MOST Eastern European countries use playback in TV programmes is an exaggeration. Maybe someone from Azerbaijan could confirm in the comments, whether the playback usually looks that bad on their TV. Because it looks bad… They really did Efendi dirty. The studio version is clearly not meant to be performed in this kind of studio, when… Read more »
Oh Efendi looks like singing in her mother’s clothes in the living room with a comb. What a horrible fashion taste.
I listened to the acoustic version based entirely on your guys’ high praise in this thread – thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you!
I was expecting Ava Max to wish Albania all the best. Would be cool if she represented them one day.
Why would she do that? Wishing good luck to Albania every year? She’s a busy superstar, not a eurofan.
She recorded this small video for TIX because they cowrote one of her hits so i guess her label asked her to do it.
Well as half Albanian it would have been nice if Awa wished Albania all the best too. My opinion as an norwegian.
I am so curious how the juries are gonna rank all the dance bops this year…clearly the fandom loves all of them but they will all be measured against each other on the night and I don’t see juries placing all of them in their top 10s
Stagings are gonna make it or break it for all of them..
Did you forget that Cyprus and Israel did well with juries in 2018?
Playback performances in morning shows tend to be awkward, so I won’t judge Efendi for that. But the delegations should be more careful about this promotion period, knowing the video of an embarassing moment will end up being accessible to the rest of Europe. If you can’t perform live or at least give an elaborate playback performance, just give an interview, show an excerpt of the music video or some behind the scenes footage of preparations. Just don’t create an atmosphere of doubt around your artist.
Exactly, well said!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlLN-R622M0
Efendi is great vocal singer.
I hope Ireland’s staging will be good
They weren’t getting help from the circus, ThisIsPopBaby are renowned theatre professionals.
Azerbaijan is a clear NQ
If only eleni foureira performed Mata hari. Efendi’s lack of charisma is something else…
As if Efendis more natural/better…. Foureira proved to everyone how good she is on the stage.
Efendi is a masterpiece on showing us why the playback shouldn’t be allowed! I mean look at her, she can’t sing live and the dancing is just embarassing.
the problem is that she cannot even lipsych. No stage charisma.
Very true, the stage charisma can really make it or break it.
She can sing live.
Search “Efendi – Silk Way Star” on youtube and listen her amazing live performances.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlLN-R622M0 Efendi’s live performance.
lol so they told Ava Max to record a 10sec video for TIX (he cowrote one her hits), wow #not
About Azerbaijan, it’s mostly playback in morning shows which is fine – what bothered me was the lack of effort from her side to do the playback and dance but then it was too early in the morning so i understand lol.
Moldova will have 4 male dancers like Greece lol ok
?
Btw, I think this version of Voilà is the best yet. Her vocals are stunning.
What a fantastic live singing Efendi ………… please
Anybody ever heard Efendi live vocal?
why so many people assume she can’t sing, I’m very curious
If she was a strong vocalist, surely she would have sung live? Considering it’s a song contest and she’s trying to promote the song, I dunno.
fair enough, though I’m not sure she really can’t sing her song, it would be odd
Yes I heard,
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KIeVH9egtrQ&list=PLFQDAxGoqeN3XSyQNZg4FAazl7_m6o_Cr&index=115
She looks stunning in that video
thanks, she sings just fine, don’t think she will have problems with live vocal, though Mata Hari song is not easy to perform, we will see
she may be strong vocalist, but she can’t dance (at least she’s not doing it properly in this performance) and she’s not that charismatic. the beat and the staging will probably carry her through to the final though
Getting strooooong NQ vibes from Efendi lmao
One word. Stiff.
I cringed a little watching Efendi mime on that morning show.
Sorry.
Shame really because I like the song. But like I’m still trying to uncringe myself after watching that.
Don’t forget that Jedward qualified twice with little or no “singing”. Anyone who thinks this will not qualify is kidding themselves.
Could not agree more !
Not sure why people are so upset and downvote …
Because they don’t agree with you and it’s easier to push a button than taking the time to talk. But I agree with you two, I love this song and it is in my top 10.
Why is Efendi “singing” a dancing song if she cannot dance at all ? Use your strenghts or change the lyrics of the song “Moving my hips, I am trying”.
I think that’s the problem, she is cute but she clearly cannot dance. Let’s see what the Danish team has figured out for staging. I guess the dancers will do all the stuff and she will be there standing.
Danish team for the staging?
Song bought from The Netherlands
Staging bought from Denmark
How terrible the Azeri culture really is, when the land of “Is That For Sale” can’t seem to get any originality ever?
Barbara’s acoustic version…wow. It’s stunning.
Way better than the Spotify version !!!!
guys Go-a stage costumes were leaked, check their Twitter, looks really cool!
they also said their staging will be very mysterious and have elements from both Shum clips
A mysterious staging is what Shum really needs. Also I hope they can create some sort of climax for the fast part of the song. I see lots of potential in here.
Ahhh Lesley!!!! Dont give me false hope!!! I’m excited enough as it is to see the staging that’s in mind.
Also, did Deven O’Kearney used to comment here?? That name sounds sooo familiar to me.
Now that you are saying it, I believe so.
I thought so!
FairPlay to him anyway getting his radio slot.
I remember before they released Story of my life, they said it’ll have the same wow effect as Euphoria. Just putting this out there.
Aye Dan
I remember that, hence why I’m afraid of false hope.
I am cautiously optimistic though, Lesley has a strong team this year.
Yeah, I do have my reservations, even though it’s a largely Swedish effort for us this year.
haha good point, what a failed comparison!
However, knowing that the guy behind Heroes is doing Maps i keep my hopes up! Besides, Story of My Life was supposed to have a very colourful and energetic performance. I think lesley knows what she’s doing.
No ‘They ‘ didn’t. A radio presenter made this Europhia comparison which media lumped as a quote from the delegation which it never was.
Yes I made that connection too. Set the bar too high and you’ll get a no-jump.
Yes I did. I am THE Deven O’Kearney of the “Eirevision Song Contest” (a NF that I proposed for RTÉ way back in 2014, let’s leave it at that). ???
AH!
There he is now! Little celeb!
Well done on everything!
You should of pitched Eirevision to our HoD haha
If Efendi qualifies over Lesley I’m going to get crazy! Hopefully all of Europe won’t be too oversold by cheap ethnic elements over Quality!
Would agree Rasse
God no… lip synch and Tik Tok. Someone tell Efendi that this is not the right way to promote her song.
Avaaa <3 <3 Finally in a Eurovision article! Well,the right article for my dreamland would be “Ava Max wins Eurovision 2022 for Albania with a banger”, but I’ll take what I get!
Are you a teacher lol ?
No, why should I? Am I not getting some kind of joke right now 😀
Efendi’s miming and lip-syncing is the nightmare of pre-recorded vocals at Eurovision.