Eurovision 20 April 2021

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 Anxhela Peristeri goes to Greece, Blind Channel talk to Mexico and Stefania sings Spain’s song. But first…

Eurovision news: 20 April

Jeangu Macrooy honoured with giant mural portrait

A giant portrait of Jean Macrooy has been unveiled in Rotterdam — right across the road from Ahoy Arena. The mural has been painted by Rotterdam artist Tymon de Laat as a tribute to the Dutch act for Eurovision 2021 and the message of his song. Jeangu shared photos from the unveiling of the artwork, writing that he was “Speechless, honored and amazed by the incredible art of @tymondelaat”. (Robyn)

 

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Anxhela Peristeri appears on Greek TV

Albania’s Anxhela Peristeri has strong ties to Greece. She lived there for some time and competed on the local version of X Factor. And some days back, she returned to Greek shores to perform on the Eutixite morning show. She talked all things Eurovision and “Karma”, before taking to the stage to sing.

Lesley Roy crowdsources a song

Ireland’s Lesley Roy took over the official Eurovision account on Friday. And rather than a typical Q&A, the accomplished songwriter took the opportunity to crowdsource a song with her fans. Ahead of the live stream, Lesley’s followers sent in lyrics which Lesley pieced together and set to a melody. She talks through the process as she goes along, giving fans an insight into a songwriter’s mind.

 

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Blind Channel talk with Rolling Stone Mexico

While most 2021 acts will focus their Eurovision promo efforts on Europe and Australia, some are going further afield. Finland’s Blind Channel, for instance, recently had an interview with Rolling Stone Mexico. The Spanish-language feature sees them discuss their struggles during the pandemic. However, the cite Eurovision as something hopeful that came about for them as a result of the ongoing crisis. They hope to use it as a springboard for greater exposure, saying that “We can’t wait to play that song live with a real audience, that’s what we’re waiting for because the song was written to be performed with an audience”.

Happy birthday, Efendi!

The run of Eurovision birthdays continues. Not long after Albania’s Anxhela Peristeri, France’s Barbara Pravi and Norway’s TIX, Azerbaijan’s Efendi has become the latest 2021 star to celebrate a birthday. The “Mata Hari” songstress turned 30 on Saturday and celebrated with some cake and balloons.

 

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Stefania goes live with her dancers

Greece’s Stefania has already worked with her four dancers for her live-on-tape recording in March. However, she has now reunited with her troop for more rehearsals ahead of next month’s contest. Kostas Pavlopoulo, Yiorgos Papadopoulos, Marcus G and Nikos Koukakis all joined Stefania for a live session on Eurovision’s Instagram.

 

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Blas Cantó and Stefania share the love

During her time on the live stream, Stefania performed some of “Voy a quedarme” acapella. The song’s original singer Blas Cantó was suitably impressed. Responding with a series of emojis, he wrote “I love her”. He adds “And perfect Spanish”.

Go_A announce online concert

Ukraine’s Go_A will host an online concert on Wednesday 21 April at 19:00 CET. The gig will be dedicated to Eurovision fans and Ukrainians living all over the world. Eurovision 2017 presenter Timur Miroshnychenkohost will be on hosting duties, armed with questions left by viewers on the livechat. “We want to generously share our creativity and love for Ukraine, so that everyone who cares can experience our emotions together with us,” says lead singer Kateryna Pavlenko. They’ll perform “SHUM”, “Solovey” and some of their other hits.

Natalia Gordienko compares her Eurovision practice to astronaut training

The stars of Eurovision 2021 are all putting the finishing touches to her plans for Rotterdam. And ahead of her performance next month, Moldova’s Natalia Gordienko shed some light as to what exactly her preparations involve. “I reveal the first details of training for astronauts. This is not a typo, with my rehearsals and assignments from the masters, I have just such feelings: I am being prepared for a space flight or for some special operation. 😱”, she writes. “In general, I received a task from my vocal teacher: to walk on a treadmill every day in 13-centimeter sandals and at the same time sing SUGAR from start to finish. And remember, there in the final, I have a long note in life? So, it must be taken (by storm).”

Natalia continues: “My number is choreographic, the costume is chic – no high heels at all, the song is dance, the notes are complex. All this at once. It is necessary to develop breathing no worse than swimmers. You can just imagine what a “breath” Jay Lo or Beyonce has – they dance the whole concert like that and sing live without suffocating. This is really difficult”.

If you want to test on your own skin, follow safety precautions or at least make sure you don’t get injured or break the treadmill. As you have already understood, I do not dust it at all without work! And now once again ask me what is the secret of my slender figure. 🤣🤣🤣”.

 

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Marvin Dietmann oversees Albina’s rehearsals in Zagreb

Rehearsals are also ongoing in Croatia. And Austrian staging supremo Marvin Dietmann recently flew into Zagreb to cast an eye over Albina’s “Tick-Tock” practice. “Preparations for the Eurosong 2021 are in full swing! 💃”, writes the official Croatian Instagram account. “In addition to numerous promotional activities, the Croatian Eurovision team is holding rehearsals for the Rotterdam performance in the studio of the Croatian Radio and Television, and the team was joined in Zagreb by creative producer Marvin Dietmann”.

 

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Benny Cristo dances to Drake

Benny Cristo and friends let loose to the tunes of Drake’s “What’s Next”. The foursome deliver some TikTok ready choreography and ask which song they should try next.

 

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Barbara Pravi gives another acoustic performance on 20h30 le dimanche

France’s Barbara Pravi has been treating fans to lots of live performances of “Voilà”. Following on from her recent gig on Spanish TV, Barbara popped up on one of French TV’s biggest weekend chat shows to sing her Eurovision 2021 number. Watch her acoustic set on 20h30 le dimanche below.

Additional contributions from Robyn

What do you think of Barbara’s performance? How do you rate Stefania’s Spanish? Let us know in the comments.

Read more Daily Digests for Eurovision 2021.

28 Comments
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Erinya
Erinya
2 years ago

Anhela Peristeri has an amazing voice and the greek stye of music suits her very well. And I am more happy as when speaking in Greek her accent is similar to the cretan accent! This is one more reaeon to love her ?

DanyQueen
DanyQueen
2 years ago

Albina also sang parts of Set me free, Je me casse, Mata Hari, a mashup of Loco Loco and Tick-Tock, etc. in her live.

Darren
Darren
2 years ago

That Jeangu mural is really cool!

Nice to see the Dutch actually remembering him as their entry this year.

medo
medo
2 years ago

Oh wow, another one who is fangirling over Blas.

Who’s next?

Eurovision2016>
Eurovision2016>
2 years ago

what’s jeangu got a mural for lol. does duncan have a statue in the center of amsterdam? jeangu is just any regular representative of the netherlands so why’s he got a mural and not previous acts? he’s even got one of the worst songs the netherlands has sent recently. it’s bizarre and funny at the same time.

Last edited 2 years ago by Eurovision2016>
Eurovision2016>
Eurovision2016>
2 years ago

I’m genuinely intrigued so if anyone cares to reply.

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago

It’s not very hard to figure out…it’s 2021 and the contest is in Rotterdam, where Jeangu will represent The Netherlands in the arena opposite the mural.

Eurovision2016>
Eurovision2016>
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

to me that looks like a permanent mural but i don’t know.

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
2 years ago

Oh if it’s permanent that would be even better! Nice.

Ted
Ted
2 years ago

I’m so hyped about Croatia! They’re really working hard on this performance, can’t wait to see what’s cooking.

Thisisntourlastdance
Thisisntourlastdance
2 years ago

Anxhela nailed those greek songs!

Esc addict
Esc addict
2 years ago

This giant mural portrait is so STUNNING! Very well done!
It’s very cool and touching to see all this love for Blas, he deserves it so much.

Last edited 2 years ago by Esc addict
Trina
Trina
2 years ago

If Mattel is not coming out with a line of retro Barbie dolls based on Natalia Gordienko’s 2021 costumes, they are missing the point.

Last edited 2 years ago by Trina
Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
2 years ago
Reply to  Trina

Funny. When I read the first three words of your post, I presumed you’d be talking about Trixie.

notyourtoy
notyourtoy
2 years ago

By the way, when I watched live the interview of Anxhela Peristeri to that morning show I actually thought that they brought her in an uncomfortable position regarding the nationality (in the begining mostly), but she was happily really calm and answered them exactly in the way she feels

Kas
Kas
2 years ago
Reply to  notyourtoy

??? What are you saying ?

yeahyeahfire
yeahyeahfire
2 years ago
Reply to  notyourtoy

Well as a Greek, the people that interviewed her just asked her if she has a greek descent because her last name ”Peristeri” is Greek (it means pigeon). She answered that her great grandfather was from greece and that’s why she has that last name. They asked her if she had faced any form of racism and she said ”only a little when i first came and i didn’t know the language”. That’s it, and then the conversation went to other topics (her song, eurovision, etc.)

Henry
Henry
2 years ago

Kinda curious to how Natalia will do live… Same with Efendi. It’s always fun to see who can dance and sing and who can’t….

Kas
Kas
2 years ago
Reply to  Henry

There is no sing in Azerb song…only speech…no dance as well…only moves

Khazar
2 years ago
Reply to  Kas

Hands off Azerbaijan! Azerbaijan will be in the final.

Roodi
Roodi
2 years ago
Reply to  Khazar

Azebaijan will not be in the final jury will put Azerbaijan in last place.Also her dancing in the videoclipis bad if she can not even dance in a videoclip the she can also not dance live i am 100% sure

Roodi
Roodi
2 years ago
Reply to  Henry

Let me guess you were also one of the eurofans who sayed that Eleni could not sing live

Kas
Kas
2 years ago
Reply to  Henry

Its awful song (?)…but unfortunatelly this will reach top 10….diaspora reasons

Last edited 2 years ago by Kas
Giolo
Giolo
2 years ago
Reply to  Kas

So right, like in 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014, Azerbaijan placed top 10 only thanks to diaspora…
This diaspora storia is really getting old and not only with Azerbaijan, but also for Poland and other countries.

Kas
Kas
2 years ago
Reply to  Giolo

UK 12 points goes to…Lithuania…

Kas
Kas
2 years ago
Reply to  Kas

Oh yes!

Rey
Rey
2 years ago
Reply to  Kas

There was a big investigation how Azerbaijan bought votes back in 2011

Luka Cool 55
Luka Cool 55
2 years ago
Reply to  Kas

You’re acting so childish, lol. Efendi is a very talented singer & a pole dancer, so she’s definitely experienced enough for Eurovision. Your claims of Azerbaijani bribery have no actual proof & also you’re bashing Efendi’s skills because “you can see it in her eyes” LMAO, simply stop embarassing yourself.