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 Daði og Gagnamagnið preview their new video game, James Newman talks about his live-on-tape recording and Jendrik delviers a burlesque version of his Eurovision song. But first…

Eurovision news: 19 April

Four new acts will sing in the #ESPreParty 2021

And that’s twenty-nine acts confirmed in total! Czech Republic’s Benny Cristo, Russia’s Manizha, Greece’s Stefania and Sweden’s Tusse are the newest names to join the party. Along with them, twenty-five more acts will also sing and appear during next week’s event. The #ESPreParty is scheduled for next April 24 and will take place online on Youtube. This edition is already the biggest since the show first started, but stay tuned, as more names might drop! (Jordi)

James Newman discusses Live-On-Tape recording

In a recent interview with Planet Radio, the United Kingdom’s James Newman has revealed more details about when and where he filmed his live-on-tape recording. The back-up performance was shot in mid-March using the stage set up for Comic Relief’s charity fundraiser TV programme on BBC 1. Newman commented that he’s glad to have a scaled-down version of the performance already on video so that he can look at it and work out what to change for Eurovision 2021 itself: “It is good because I can look back at the video and go ‘Right, I have got a lot of work to do’. And it is good to just see what the vibe is.”. The video below comes from Comic Relief 2021 and displays the stage that was built for the show.

Roxen enjoys the sunshine

Romania’s Roxen was enjoying the sunshine this weekend. The “Amnesia” singer went outside in her home country and uploaded a sunkissed picture on Instagram, showing the sun reflecting her deep purple hair. The caption reads: “☀️🥰”. (Renske)

 

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Een bericht gedeeld door ROXEN (@isroxen)

Manizha receives blessing from Alla Pugacheva

Russia’s Manizha has gone through a lot in the past month, however she could count on a lot of support from her musical colleagues. Eurovision 1997 and living legend Alla Pugacheva showed her support for Manizha during a special broadcast of the YouTube show Musicality. Thanking the Primadonna, Manizha writes on Instagram: “Alla Borisovna, thank you for your works, which you said about me in the show Musicality. It is very important to me. Especially now. And also thank you for being the guiding light for millions of us, who are in love with you.” (Renske)

 

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Een bericht gedeeld door MANIZHA (@manizha)

Samanta Tīna performs acoustic version of “The Moon Is Rising”

Many of the acts this year are delivering alternative versions of their Eurovision 2021 entries. One of the latest stars to do so is Latvia’s Samanta Tīna. She’s performed an acoustic version of her song “The Moon Is Rising”. Accompanied solely by a keyboard, the focus here is much more on Samanata’s vocals and the lyrical content of the song.

Jendrik mixes acoustic and burlesque for alternate version of “I Don’t Feel Hate”

Jendrik is another star who has performed an alternate version of their Eurovision 2021 song. For this new rendition of “I Don’t Feel Hate”, the German singer decided to mix styles by performing it half acoustically and half burlesque – though we use the word burlesque very loosely. Jendrik sits on a stool strumming his ukulele as the camera cuts between two different renditions. For the burlesque portion, Jendrik wears a black tank top and wraps gold tinsel around himself.

Albina goes out and about in Zagreb

Croatia’s Albina took a day trip to the country’s capital. Showing the blossoming Zagreb on her Instagram page, the “Tick Tock” singer writes: “And what is your favourite time of the year?”. Judging the beautiful tree behind her, we are guessing that Albina loves Spring. (Renske)

 

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Een bericht gedeeld door ALBINA (@albina.music)


Daði Freyr takes home a trophy at the Icelandic Music Awards for “Think About Things”

In 2020 Daði Freyr won the hearts of the Icelandic nation with his song “Think About Things”. But he also charmed the Icelandic music professionals. On Saturday, the song was awarded Best Pop Song of the year at the Icelandic music awards. In his acceptance speech, Daði of course thanked his wife, Árný, and their child, along with his parents and everyone who listened to the song. He also thanked Birgitta Haukdal (Iceland’s representative in 2003), who presented the award to him, for learning the famous dance routine that went viral last year. (Steinunn)

 

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Daði og Gagnamagnið tease Think About Aliens! video game

There’s even more news from Daði and his band Gagnamagnið. Iceland’s Eurovision 2021 superstars have dropped the release trailer for their upcoming mobile game. Set in an alien world, Think About Aliens! bridges the gap between the “Think About Things” music video and the “10 Years” music video. With the power of music at his side, Daði sets out on a noble quest to help free his friends from the evil alien captors — and encounters some secret Eurovision references along the way. Think About Aliens! launches this Friday on iOS and Android. (Oliver A)

Additional contributions by Jordi, Renske, Steinunn and Oliver.

What do you make of Samanta Tīna and Jendrik’s performances? Will you download Daði og Gagnamagnið’s new game? Let us know in the comments.

Read more Daily Digests for Eurovision 2021.

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Stian F
Stian F
2 years ago

You are a rude person.

Joe
Joe
2 years ago
Reply to  Stian F

Some people don’t get how empathy works. I know I wouldn’t like having that said about me, so I sure wouldn’t say that about someone else.

Olov
Olov
2 years ago

As a Dutch person I just heard yesterday that NPO Radio 2 will organise an “International Eurovision Song Contest Top 50” in which 16 countries will participate. I don’t know yet how exactly it will be, but these 16 countries will all have their own Top 50, their #1 gets 50 points, #2 49 points all the way down to #50 with 1 point. And all the points combined make the complete Top 50. There’s a Dutch article for it on https://www.nporadio2.nl/nieuws/30508/zestien-landen-nemen-deel-aan-internationale-songfestival-top-50-van-npo-radio-2
Don’t know how other countries will vote, but this is all I know so far…

Matt
Matt
2 years ago

OMG Albina – can this girl be more beautiful?? She looks stunning..

Last edited 2 years ago by Matt
Ravencrow Neversmiles
Ravencrow Neversmiles
2 years ago

The UMK instagram has been sharing footage of Blind channels rehearsals on their story. Most of them are still up on their highlights titled “viisut bts” if you want to check them out.

Joe
Joe
2 years ago

That’s not very nice

taco
taco
2 years ago

oh no montaigne is having to use her backup tape instead of going to rotterdam :'(

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
2 years ago
Reply to  taco

yeah, I just saw that. kinda upset but if it will ensure more people’s safety then I understand. here’s hoping her backup tape was good

Giolo
Giolo
2 years ago
Reply to  Ashton Schier

I hope this doesn’t harm her chances, even if the song alone would not be among my qualifiers in semi 1, I want a fair play and nobody should have such a disadvantage.

Lorenzo Celli
Lorenzo Celli
2 years ago
Reply to  taco

Noooo, this is so sad 🙁
I really wanted all the participating countries in Rotterdam. But I guess that’s the best decision they could’ve taken.

eurovision_from_canada
eurovision_from_canada
2 years ago
Reply to  taco

This might actually be a good thing. She will probably be able to actually perform in front of an audience, and the Australian team will best know how to use the stage and it’s capabilities to help Montaigne the best, and still be able to give her nearly the same experience.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
2 years ago

Step 1: Trawl through the instagram of ESC contestants.
Step 2: Filter through content and decide what is newsworthy.
Step 3: Write Wiwibloggs article.

Guys. Don’t forget step 2. 😉

Stian F
Stian F
2 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

#howtowriteaeurovisionarticle

Love the Rybak reference??

Nancy G
Nancy G
2 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

Mmmm, that statement seems a little mean-spirited and ungenerous. I really like reading through these posts, and it’s a nice way to capture the fun and personalities of the contestants. My Insta feed has lots of non-Eurovision stuff on it so I miss a lot of this.

Trina
Trina
2 years ago

Alla Borisovna is absolutely lovely. Quite how she was married to Kirkorov, I don’t even know. Pleased to see her publicly embrace Manizha and all she represents.

Last edited 2 years ago by Trina
Kristian
Kristian
2 years ago

I actually liked the bought peace song from Sweden in 2015 , lol.

The fried egg staging was nice too

Last edited 2 years ago by Kristian
destiny stan account
destiny stan account
2 years ago

roxen enjoying the sun is news? lol i love her tho she’s my winner

Kristian
Kristian
2 years ago

Atleast she’s getting featured . Poor Estonia.

Kristian
Kristian
2 years ago

Lol , at Latvia and Germany’s 2 versions getting clubbed here

:p

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

I wish we could get more hints about James’ staging??