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 Jendrik features on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Victoria is up for awards and Hurricane release a documentary. But first…
Eurovision news: 22 April
Elena Tsagrinou takes us behind the scenes of her rehearsal
Cyprus’ Elena Tsagrinou has released a behind the scenes video that takes fans into her rehearsal for Eurovision 2021. The video is made up of two parts. First off, we see Elena practicing her stage routine with her four backing dancers, which includes choreographer Chali Jennings. Then things switch to the recording studio, where Elena performs an acoustic version of “El Diablo” accompanied by piano. The description of the video also notes that Marvin Dietmann, the creative director for Cyprus’ performance, has been with Elena in Athens for a few days in order to oversee the rehearsals. (Jonathan)
Major Dutch talk shows to be broadcast from Rotterdam during Eurovision month
Songfestivalweblog has revealed that several major Dutch talk shows, including NPO’s flagship OP1 and BNNVARA’s De Vooravond, will move from their regular studios in Hilversum and Amsterdam to Rotterdam. Between 17 and 22 May, the following live programmes will also be broadcast from the Eurovision 2021 capital: Goedemorgen Nederland (WNL, NPO1), Tijd voor MAX (MAX, NPO1), and all broadcasts from NPO Radio 2. (Renske)
Ukraine’s channel STB to send a delegation to Rotterdam too
Ukraine’s commercial EBU-member channel STB will once again send a delegation to the Eurovision host city. Since 2016, STB has helped out UA:PBC with its Eurovision efforts. This year, the commercial broadcaster had little involvement in the selection process. However, it eventually took up the responsibilities and logistics of the live-on-tape performance. The commercial channel says that Suspilne received more funding this year and that the public broadcaster can afford the travel and accommodation costs by itself. In a statement, STB shared that they are excited to work with the Ukrainian act again and double excited for the country to sing in the Ukrainian language at the 30th anniversary of the country’s independence. STB’s commentator was revealed to be Vidbir host Serhii Prytula. (Renske)
Dutch King Willem-Alexander visits Eurovision 2021 preparations
Dutch monarch Willem-Alexander made a surprise visit to Ahoy on the same day as the press, including our Netherlands correspondent Esma, was invited to take a sneak peek at the stage. NOS filmed Executive Producer Sietse Bakker giving the Dutch King a tour of the Green Room and stage. (Renske)
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Hurricane share This Is Where It All Started documentary
In 2018, Sanja Vučić, Ivana Nikolić and Ksenija Knežević joined forces to form the new girl group Hurricane. Since then the trio have unleashed a storm of music and become one of the top acts in their native Serbia. Now the Eurovision 2021 group have released a short three-minute documentary that goes into more depth about their origin. Sanja, Ivana and Ksenija travel back to the Caribbean island of Saint Martin where they shot their first-ever music video for their debut single “Irma Maria”. In the documentary, Hurricane reveal more about the video shoot, their love for dancing and why their hearts will always remain in Serbia. (Jonathan)
Hurricane sing “Karma” on Albanian TV
The “LOCO LOCO” trio also appeared on Albania’s ABC News’ afternoon talk show. As well as talking all things Eurovision with the host Ermal Peci, Sanja gave an impromptu performance of Albania’s own “Karma”… well, a few seconds of it.
Eurovision 2021 singers perform in the dark
For a second year running, there won’t be any physical Eurovision preview events. However, there will be several online events. Saturday sees Spain’s ESPreParty but the party season kicked off with Concert In The Dark, a joint venture between OGAE Sweden and Eurovoix. A selection of artists from 2021, past contests and national finals performed in the two-hour concert which was followed by an hour-long DJ set. You can watch Destiny’s contribution below or you can replay the full concert here. Our own The Wiwi Jam At Home will take place on 19 May. Confirmed acts include France’s Barbara Pravi, Cyprus Elena Tsagrinou and Australia’s Montaigne.
Benny Cristo gives his Netflix picks for Earth Day
Thursday 22 April is the annual Earth Day — a global event that aims to support the protection of the environment. To mark the day, Benny recommended his followers watch two Netflix documentaries which offer an insight into how humans are inflicting damage on the planet — David Attenborough’s A Life On Our Planet and Seaspiracy.
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Viral Irish dancing TikTokers take on “Maps”
The Gardiner Brothers are a pair of Irish dancing siblings known for their TikTok and Instagram videos. The pair — Michael and Matthew — are famed for performing the ancient Irish dance form to modern pop tracks. For their latest effort, they’ve taken on Lesley Roy’s “Maps”, sharing their routine with over 600,000 followers on TikTok and another almost 300,000 on Instagram. Lesley reposted their video, writing: “Unreal! The @gardinerbrothers brothers did their thing on Maps !!! We are gonna have to do a live open air performance in Dublin this summer! Who’s in?”.
@gardinerbrothersIt’s Eurovision Season! We’re backing Ireland all the way 🔥 ##eurovision ##maps ##ireland♬ Maps – Lesley Roy
Hooverphonic’s hometown launch an exhibition in their honour
We’ve already seen the Belgian city of Sint-Niklaas launch a beer in honour of Hooverphonic. Now, it’s been announced that the local concert venue — De Casino Concertzaal — will also play host to an exhibition in honour of the trio. Both Alex and Raymond hail from the Flemish city. “To celebrate our 25th anniversary”, writes the band, “De Casino Concertzaal is hosting a unique exhibition called ‘Mad About Hooverphonic’. Stage scenery, costumes, historical instruments, memorabilia and funny bits and bobs will tell the story of our band. As a special treat for this expo, we arranged a soundtrack full of alternate edits and hidden gems”.
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Jendrik is a question on Who Want’s To Be A Millionaire
Germany’s Jendrik has made it his mission to share what he’s doing every night at 20:21. Typically, not much is happening. Typically, his evenings are rather tame — just like the rest of us in lockdown. However, a few nights ago he tuned into Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and found himself the subject of one of the questions. “What will Jendrik Sigwart do on 22 May?” asks the quiz master. The options are “a) Go to Eurovision, b) Talk in front of the UN, c) Fly to ISS or d) Play in the European soccer league”. What’s your final answer?
Victoria longlisted for top awards
Bulgaria’s Victoria has been longlisted for the BG Radio Music Awards “Tears Getting Sober”, “Ugly Cry” and “alright” all get some love in the categories for Best Lyrics, Best Music Video and Best Song. Victoria herself is on the Best Female Artist list. You can vote online here.
So happy 'Tears Getting Sober', 'UGLY CRY' and 'alright.' are nominated for the BG Radio Music Awards! ?? #Victorians, you can vote on https://t.co/ev8TBLe4ay for Best Song, Lyrics and Music Video. I am also nominated for best Female artist! ?? You have to select 5 options.
— VICTORIA (@victoriageorge_) April 22, 2021
Vilnius to host Open Discoteque if The Roop win Eurovision
The city of Vilnius has promised to hold an Open Discoteque if The Roop win Eurovision 2021… once it’s safe to do so. The band teamed up with the Lithuanian capital to scout out potential venues for the proposed event, including the roof of Vilnius TV tower. “We’re on the hunt for the perfect location for Open Discoteque! What do you think about dancing atop the highest tower in Vilnius?”, the write. “Who knows, maybe after Eurovision, you can take in the challenge of dancing in Vilnius, no matter where Open Discoteque is set up in the city. See you here!”. You can find more information here.
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Additional contributions from Jonathan and Renske
What do you make of the Irish dancers? Will you vote for Victoria? Let us know in the comments.
Did Montaigne not perform at the concert in the Dark ?
really interesting to see how to esc stage is coming along and being developed
Yes because Destiny is bookies favorite. In 2019 there was also a lot of attention for Duncan.
is this a public marriage proposal ?
Amazing gardiner brothers
Kate said Ukrainian delegation will arrive on May 8th and stay in Rotterdam till May 19
also I found out “Shum” will have very mysterious scene with acient ritual that connects to the future, 6 people will be on arena, stage producer is Konstantin Tomilchenko, the same guy who did staging for Jamala and Mélovin
So they assume they won’t qualify? xD
Unfortunatelly they will…Maybe the worst Ukr entry the last 20 years.
and from what you get they assumed it?
grand final on May 18th if you forgot, I’m sure they will qualify
semi final 1 on May 18, not final, but I think they booked till May 19 with possible prolonging, a lot of delegations do the same, so they could safe the money if they’re not qualified
I was joking refering to the final being on the 22nd off course.
KT knows his job ! Jamalas staging was really simple, glorious and impressive. Melovins a little cheapy but impressive too.
agree, Melovin’ staging was absolutely crazy lol but so entertaining to watch 😀
Jamala’ elegant and very impressive
Can somebody post the time stamp where Sanja sings Karma ?
on the esc website it says the king swapped his crown for a hard hat. That is actually wrong. I am pretty sure that King WIllem Alexander does not wear his crown.
Do you think he can get tickets?
It’s an expression, not a literal meaning.
It’s a figure of speech.