Your daily Eurovision 2023 news bulletin has landed. In the lead up to the contest kicking off in Liverpool, the team here at wiwibloggs is bringing you all the latest news updates from the world of Eurovision.
In today’s daily digest, AVROTROS comments on Dion Cooper and Mia Nicolai’s EiC performance, plus Remo Forrer gets love from Iceland. But first…
Eurovision 2023 news round-up: Monday 17 April
Joker Out’s Bojan misses flight home
Joker Out finished their tour of all the pre-parties on Sunday after rocking London Eurovision Party. Whilst most of the band are now back in Slovenia for some rest and relaxation, Bojan is still wandering the streets of the UK. The band’s lead vocalist missed their intended flight after having to go back to the hotel for his luggage. In an Instagram story, they reveal that his re-route involved a trip to Milton Keynes Central train station – Bojan didn’t seem too pleased to be there. But we are glad to report that Bojan is now back in his bed in Slovenia.
We have made it through all 6 pre parties! Friends, you were an amazing crowd everywhere, thank you for your love and support, you have given us wings!! We’re all home in Ljubljana except for Bojan, who forgot his luggage at the hotel and missed the flight ??
— Joker Out Official (@JokerOutBand) April 17, 2023
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Eurovision 2023 stars give a little bit more
The A Little Bit More series on the Eurovision YouTube channel is continuing. Over recent days we’ve had new performances from a number of this year’s acts: Luke Black and La Zarra have both gone acoustic, The Busker add in an orchestra, Diljá sings with a choir, plus Andrew Lambrou and Albina & Familija Kelmendi cover Eurovision winners.
Brunette performs new version of “Future Lover”
Over the weekend, Brunette appeared on Armenian TV show Arrajin studia (First studio). She gave a series of performances, including debuting her upcoming new single “Dimak”. To close the programme, Brunette sang a re-worked version of “Future Lover”. She was accompanied by a choir, whilst extra production was also added to underline the song.
Remo Forrer wins Alla leið episode two
The second episode of Iceland’s Eurovision preview show, Alla leið, saw the panellists discussing songs in the second half of semi-final one: Switzerland, Israel, Moldova, Sweden, Azerbaijan, Czechia, Netherlands and Finland. Of these eight countries, Switzerland’s Remo Forrer emerged as the panel’s favourite with “Watergun”. But Remo’s score wasn’t quite enough to dethrone episode one winners Croatia. Looking at semi-final one as a whole, Let 3 top the scoreboard, whilst the panel would choose Ireland, Malta, Serbia, Netherlands and Israel as the non-qualifiers.
OGAE Poll 2023 rolls on
Since we last checked in with the 2023 OGAE Poll, nine more countries have submitted their votes — Turkey, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Estonia, Norway, Albania, Armenia, Hungary and Denmark. Loreen still holds onto first place, having picked up six sets of 12 points from this collective. Meanwhile, France’s La Zarra secured top marks from Swiss fans, plus Finland’s Käärijä took 12 points from Bulgaria and Norway.
AVROTROS comments on Dion Cooper and Mia Nicolai’s EiC performance
Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has commented on Dion Cooper and Mia Nicolai’s performance in Amsterdam on Saturday evening. Eric van Stade, director of the broadcaster, said in a press message: “We have heard many justified critique. (…) Like every year, we are going with the best song. (…) This year, there were two young artists among them, we see that the step to the big stage being much larger than in past years. We are working really hard on it right now.” (Renske)
Wild Youth’s Conor supports Dion and Mia amid difficult times
On Sunday morning, “We Are One” lead vocalist Conor voiced his support for the Dutch hope. In a tweet with the duo’s performance, the Irish singer stated:
“People have to remember , you get about 3 minutes to sound check , normal time for a show is about 40 minutes to an hour. Your rushed straight on , if there is something wrong you don’t have any time to adjust, it’s hard everyone’s trying there best. Try kindness” (Renske)
People have to remember , you get about 3 minutes to sound check , normal time for a show is about 40 minutes to an hour. Your rushed straight on , if there is something wrong you don’t have any time to adjust, it’s hard everyone’s trying there best. Try kindness
— Conor ?? Donohoe (@Conor_O_Donohoe) April 16, 2023
Additional reporting from Renske ten Veen.
“Try kindness” should be next year’s slogan.
The diehard ESC fans were unruly and terrible this year to mostly fresh artists looking to have a good time, get some exposure, and make their countries proud. Let’s be better next year folks! <3
Iceland will be so disappointed when Israel will be in the top 5 and Iceland doesn’t even qualify for the final 🙂
I know this won’t interest many, but I grew up near Liverpool, then moved to Rotterdam in my youth. For about 15 years, I dreamed of both cities hosting a contest, and the UK and NL both having great entries that do well- when the Rotterdam dream came true, it was soured by 2 nil points! Now that the other dream is here, it’s sad to me that Dion and Mia might not make it! I had really hoped they would as I love their song, even if it’s not well received here. But I hope they are much better… Read more »
that song ain’t much better than last years, a same dark sad vibe, which is a shame because Remo has a nice voice
last year they were second to last in the semi televote (got through on jury votes) and a 0 televote pointer in the final, no good omens for them i think with no juries in the semi this year
I don’t think the OGAE votes could be more predictable if they tried. 7 of top 9 are the slay queen songs (while pushing down Blanca), and in a fascinating world they live in where Armenia has 1 and Australia has 0 points at the 1/3rd mark.
Conor is right.. yes it wasn’t good BUT Ive heard them both live and they can truly sing.. for some reason it’s not showing now, I feel for them.. hope it gets better
Iceland has got to be trolling everyone xD
Ja Ja Dingdong remains the goat.
Conor is right! Everyone should be kind and I’m trying to find something to love about every song, even if it’s not for me. Eg. Solo isn’t my thing, but the chorus does get stuck in one’s head!
Good luck to everyone in Liverpool in May.
Love this!!
Loooove to see this for Croatia! Goodluck!
Bojan with the look of someone who has to spend even a little more time in Milton Keynes than they absolutely have to.
Ahaha. Should I stick up for the new city that I was raised in? Yeah, it’s actually a nice place to live in.
I live in Milton Keynes too – it’s a really great place!
Ahh, the pain of coming back to Milton Keynes after forgetting one’s suitcase. I have actually done this, so Bojan and I have something in common! I wonder who took the photo. The station staff are usually very strict about photography and filming.
Elsewhere, I’m loving all the orchestra and choir additions.
All of these OGAE clubs are voting the same way, Sweden, Norway and Finland are in every single top 5 at least, the hive mind is in full swing indeed.
Still the feeling Armenia will do very well with this song… I don’t know it’s underrated as Snap and it could have the same destiny after all, not doing very well in Eurovision but being very successful after, I don’t know but despite the lyrics a bit special, this song has really something so we will see.
Marco and La Zarra have done very well too in the first episode of Adresse Liverpool in Norway.
Agree about Armenia doing well, I think the result will surprise some people in May.
3 minutes to sound check….I love the preparties so much, but they should change some things…
Anyway this year was definetely not the best preparties season…
Sure there are only 3 minutes for sound check, but most artists managed to do a great job despite that. Dion and Mia did poorly two preparties in a row, and it is not just their vocals. If you agree to participate in Eurovision, you must be prepared to hear many different opinions about yourself.