Eurovision 8 April

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 Barabra Pravi sings “Amar Pelos Dois” in French, Manizha performs “Russian Woman” and Go_A tease their wardrobe. But first…

Eurovision news: 8 April

Roxen talks on morning radio

On Wednesday, Roxen appeared as a guest on ProFM Romania’s Dimineata Blana morning radio show. There, the “Amnesia” singer chatted with hosts VeVe and Sebastian Cotofana about her plans for Eurovision, and also revealed she’s been listening to some of her competition in this year’s contest. She’s a fan of the songs from Italy, Bulgaria and Greece, but her favourite entry this year — besides her own — is Malta’s Destiny with “Je Me Casse”. (Oliver A)

 

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Jeangu Macrooy performs with Red Limo String Quartet

Jeangu Macrooy celebrated the fifth anniversary of his EP Brave Enough by teaming up with the Red Limo String Quartet to record a special live rendition of his debut record’s title track. “I was and still am very proud of this body of work”, the Netherlands’ Eurovision star said. “It marked the beginning of my professional career, the first day of actually living my dream. After all these years I’m still grateful that I get to do what I do, surrounded by so many passionate and talented people.” (Oliver A)

 

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Go_A tease their Eurovision costumes

In an interview with hromadske, Go_A spoke about their hopes for Eurovision, their signature sound and the fan response to “SHUM” thus far. But eagle-eyed fans noticed some extra details. Some b-roll footage from the interview shows Kate, Taras, Ihor and Ivan wearing glowing visors and hazmat suits — similar to those from the original “SHUM” video, but with a McQueen-esque fashion twist. When a fan questioned them about this on Twitter, the band responded seeming to tease these would be their costumes for Rotterdam.

Hromadske also shared a snippet of Go_A performing an acoustic version of “SHUM”, which they confirmed would be their performance for Spain’s Pre Party ES. (Oliver A)

Go_A introduce guitarist Ivan Hryhoryak

Ukraine’s Go_A introduce their guitarist Ivan on the newest episode of their mini docu-series HALLO, Yevrobachennya!. It tells the story of Bukovyna-native Ivan and how he eventually became the group’s guitarist. In the episode, Ivan also speaks about his love for K-pop and about his day job as a music teacher at a vocational school in a village not far from Kyiv. (Renske)

Blas Cantó to appear on the Voice Kids Spain

As Antena 3 – the broadcaster that will air the sixth edition of the Voice Kids Spain – confirmed last year, Blas Cantó will appear in the new edition of the talent show assisting mentor – and friend – Vanesa Martín. The upcoming season – originally scheduled for 2020 – got delayed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Antena 3 has already announced that the show is finally about to air. This new season will also feature Aitana (who competed in Spain’s 2018 national final) will also help with the judging. (Jordi).

TIX performs “Fallen Angel” piano instrumental

TIX is a multitalented musician and he recently demonstrated this with an instrumental performance of “Fallen Angel”. Rather than singing his song, he played a version of it on a grand piano. TIX showed off the delicate melody of the song and the mix of emotions “Fallen Angel” captures. (Robyn)

 

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Blind Channel have their middle fingers “banned”

In their song “Dark Side”, Finnish rockers Blind Channel defiantly sing “put your middle fingers up”. But it looks like those middle fingers won’t be going anywhere for now. The group’s lead singers Joel and Niko posted a photo to Instagram showing their middle fingers stuck down, bound by tape reading “BANNED”. It’s not clear if this specifically relates to their Eurovision performance, with the group only writing “coming up xx” as the caption. Hey, they could always consult with Germany’s Jendrik for creative staging ideas involving middle fingers! (Robyn)

 

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Four more acts join Spain’s Pre-Party ES 2021

Eurovision-Spain.com – Spain’s Pre-Party organizer – has just confirmed four new acts for the upcoming fifth edition of the #ESPreParty. Azerbaijan’s Efendi, Belgium’s Hooverphonic, Poland’s Rafal and Portugal’s The Black Mamba will join a line-up that already includes 12 confirmed acts. The #ESPreParty will take place on Saturday 24 April, live on YouTube. (Jordi).

Royal Dutch mint commissions Eurovision pendant

The Royal Dutch Mint will celebrate this year’s Eurovision in Rotterdam with a special limited edition pendant. A high quality collectors item, the pendant comes in either silver or gold plated silver. Also, the design contains all the winning Eurovision songs from 1956 to present.  To create this design, music producer Eric van Tijn first mixed all of these songs together. Then, designers played the mix through a speaker with a vessel of water taken from the river Maas on top, using a special installation developed by Juan Sanchez Castano. The vibrations created on the water’s surface were then captured and rendered into a 3D model, to be printed on each medallion. Dutch Eurovision 2019 winner Duncan Laurence received the first of the limited run of 500 pendants, and was pictures signing some of the pendant boxes. (Oliver A)

 

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Eurovision 2021 hosts, Duncan Laurence and Jeangu Macrooy make educational series

Dutch Eurovision stars Duncan Laurence and Jeangu Macrooy have made an educational series about Eurovision and songwriting for children attending the upper levels of Dutch primary schools. The goal of the series is to foster music education in places where this is still lacking as well as teaching youngsters about the history of the contest. Next to Jeangu and Duncan, Eurovision 2021 hosts Chantal Janzen, Jan Smit, Edsilia Rombley and Nikkie de Jager are also set to appear. Junior Eurovision commentator Buddy Vedder presents the programme. (Renske)

 

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Barbara Pravi sings “Amar Pelos Dois” in French

Many are speculating that Barbara Pravi could be the Salvador Sobral of Eurovision 2021, and win the contest with an understated and timeless number. So, it’s fitting that the French chanteuse has decided to translate Portugal’s Eurovision 2017 winning song into French. Sharing a clip of her singing the song, she writes “Had fun adapting in French this wonderful song by Salvador Sobral, “Amar pelos dois”…Kisses my tender”.

 

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Manizha performs “Russian Woman” live at Zhara Music Awards

A few days ago, Manizha took to the stage at the Zhara Music Awards, an annual fixture on Azerbaijan’s music calendar. She performed the new version of “Russian Woman”, with a few lyrical changes. The song’s staging was largely similar to the national final, with Manizha joined by the four backing singers. But she had blinged up her headwrap, looking glam in shimmering metallic fabric, possibly hinting at the kind of wardrobe she may be taking to Rotterdam. (Robyn)

Additional contributions from Robyn, Renske, Oliver and Jordi

What do you think of Go_A’s wardrobe? Do you agree with Roxen’s favourites? Let us know in the comments.

Read more Daily Digests for Eurovision 2021.

35 Comments
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Elsa
Elsa
2 years ago

Barbara Pravi being very banal in her interpretation… If you can’t ad anything, better be quiet.

Richard
Richard
2 years ago

How gorgeous is Barbara, and I love it that she’s rocking the same hair as Gjon’s Tears. Big curly hair is in this year.

Chu
Chu
2 years ago
Reply to  Richard

I have curvy hair and this is the year of natural hair and freedom of look.

Alaska
Alaska
2 years ago

OMG, Barbara… <3

Ravencrow Neversmiles
Ravencrow Neversmiles
2 years ago

Aww did seeing their handsome faces make you have a tantrum, crybaby?

Europotato
Europotato
2 years ago

Manizah is incredible. End of story.

tomtomtom
tomtomtom
2 years ago

You are of course entitled to love Tix and Norway’s song. It’s just a NQ because it’s not going to get any jury points and very few popular points outside of scandinavia. Doesn’t take away from your opinion though which you are 100% entitled to. I also really liked many songs that were not qualifiers. I thought Belgium 2019 was an epic song for example.

tomtomtom
tomtomtom
2 years ago
Reply to  tomtomtom

To be clear, I actually don’t mind Tix’s song personally. It’s not one of my favorites, but I like it better than songs that I think will qualify. I just don’t think it is a qualifier for reasons discussed.

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

Manizha’s performance really shows that she is a better live performer than a recording artist, but I mean that in the best way. I love her live performances but the audio felt like there was something lacking and that is her amazing stage presence and ability as a performer to really get you excited. I can’t wait to see how it comes together

eurovision 999
eurovision 999
2 years ago

is Covid still in Russia? 😮 WOW so crowded

Jamie
Jamie
2 years ago
Reply to  eurovision 999

There is. And they little cared about it since the beginning. I always watch some Russian shows and ever since covid started, they’ve had full audiences with no social distancing or masks. Sputnik is just a geopolitical tool. Most Russians will only accept foreign vaccines anyways.

Agent 007
Agent 007
2 years ago
Reply to  Jamie

Russian here. “Most Russians will only accept foreign vaccines anyways.” where does that information come from?

Agent 007
Agent 007
2 years ago
Reply to  eurovision 999

I have never heard from Putin saying COVID doesn’t exist. Russia has taken a smarter path. They care for people aged 60+ and those with health problems, allowing them not to work and paying them special allowances. They are delivered with food and goods they order and the family members are instructed how to behave in a safe way. Apart from that everything is normal. Concerts are allowed. A month ago a concert with 120,000 spectators took place in Moscow Luzhniki stadium, for example. People have to show their recent test results together with tickets and in a couple of… Read more »

Maclaren
Maclaren
2 years ago
Reply to  eurovision 999

Hello, Zhara Music Festival takes place in Baku. It’s Azerbaijan, duh? As in… a different state, as in… try to be at least an educated russophobe

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago

What’s so great about being normal? Tix has shown that it’s okay not to be normal, that it deserves no less respect, that it’s almost normal to not be normal. I don’t want to be normal.

Nick
Nick
2 years ago

Go-a have very cool outfits, it will look really interesting on stage
can’t wait for rehearsals to start, I’m sure we will get a lot of nice surprises and also some disappointments

Darren
Darren
2 years ago

Off topic slightly,
But
I really love Duncan Lawrence’s jumper in that pic. I wonder where he got it.
Need!

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

Manizha again amazing. She really delivers. I love the 4 backing singers as well. Everything flows. There’ something very genuine in this entry.

Esc addict
Esc addict
2 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Your ears need practice, I can’t see playback here, and I can’t even see why you say that, and why you talk about Spain.

Saul
Saul
2 years ago
Reply to  Alex

You can tell it is not playback as it sounds very different to the studio cut, Manizha sung a part normally in Russian in English and missed a line because of her amazing dancing

Agent 007
Agent 007
2 years ago
Reply to  Alex

it is not playback as there are changes in the lyrics.

Sarah
Sarah
2 years ago

I really wanna see a stripped version of Fallen Angel

Datme
Datme
2 years ago

You can compliment a thing, without putting something else down

Aeria
Aeria
2 years ago

This solidifies that Manizha is a great live performer. I really hope she will not be thrown away in May! 🙂

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago

The melody is extremely easy to catch and sing along. If some people could leave TIX’s persona behind for a while (I know it’s hard, he’s such a character and a divisive one), they would notice his song may not be outstanding, but it’s quite good.

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

To be clear, when I mentioned his persona, it was solely about how he presents himself on the stage, because everything I’ve seen from him “as Andreas and not as TIX” was lovely and made me look at him with different eyes. But I believe his “bling bling” style can be off-putting to those who have no idea about how he came up with this separated artistic identity and it clashes with the nature of the song (it’s the kind of entry we normally associate with a baby-faced guy singing). But I’m on your corner about it. It’s just his… Read more »

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

And I’ve listened to the song before watching the whole angel with demons staging, it also helped on paying attention to it without being distracted by the spectacle. It’ll be interesting to check how people will feel about it without having a clue about what to expect or his background story. The only bad thing about following the pre-season is not experiencing the rush of feelings an Eurovision entry can give you in just 3 minutes.

Mert
Mert
2 years ago

I think Manizha’s song is amazing and I quite like the staging but imo she should get rid of that outfit immediately. The designs on her headwrap are kinda ethnic and it’s wholesome but I would rather see them on an ethnic dress rather than a random placed headwrap. I think I don’t even need to say that the red suit also is not so cool. Other than that, everything is amazing

Wishing her good luck, hope she can qualify and prove everyone who has been attacking her and song wrong.

Alexander
Alexander
2 years ago
Reply to  Mert

Worry no more – Manizha’s team is creating a special national dress, made of many different fabric pieces, which are now being sent to her from all over Russia. 🙂

Source: https://ria.ru/20210329/manizha-1603240862.html

ERUS
ERUS
2 years ago

Mazinha will definitely place top 10, potentially even top 5. Probably one of the most underrated entries this year alongside Romania and Azerbaijan.

lol
lol
2 years ago
Reply to  ERUS

efendi is overrated if anything… she dosent deserve to qualify

ERUS
ERUS
2 years ago
Reply to  lol

Ethnic female bops always do well, don’t count her out!

Mexican Eurofan
Mexican Eurofan
2 years ago
Reply to  ERUS

Azerbaijan song is great but just because of her actions she shouldn’t be allowed to even participate

ERUS
ERUS
2 years ago

Yeah I agree, I don’t think she should be allowed to participate unless she makes a public statement apologizing.

But I do think that Azerbaijan will invest a lot in Efendi’s staging which will give her a top 10 result, just watch.

Kristian
Kristian
2 years ago
Reply to  ERUS

Lol . The apology should be demanded of Azerbaijan .