Gianluca Bezzina, the smiling doctor from Malta, who sang for the country at Eurovision 2013, will headline next week’s Isle of MTV Concert—one of the most anticipated musical events on the sunny island. Gianluca and his band Funk Initiative won the right to open the show after winning MTV’s “Battle of the Bands” online poll. They will perform their track “Paris” at the concert on June 25. But before they do, Gianluca took the time to speak with our Malta correspondent Noel Zarb.
Congratulations on winning the “Battle of the Bands”. What was your immediate reaction to the big news?
We at Funk Initiative are really honoured to be given the opportunity to open this year’s Isle of MTV at the Granaries. We entered the competition without any hopes or expectations of winning, considering the staggering amount of musical talent we have on the island.
You were chosen after weeks of voting. What would you like to say to the people who voted for you?
We feel humbled and overwhelmed by the support the public has shown in us, and this truly spurs us on, not only to give our all during the performance next Wednesday, but to keep writing, recording and releasing new material. On that note, we are happy to announce that our new single, ‘House of Cards’ will be released online next Sunday.
Do you have any thank yous or shout outs you’d like to deliver?
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have voted or promoted for us, and those who have helped us in any way, particularly Niki Gravino, who produced the single ‘Paris’, and Theo Cachia, who designed our brand new logo.
For more information on Funk Initiative, visit their official Facebook Page.
About Isle of MTV Malta Special
The annual Isle of MTV music event is an MTV Networks International (MTVNI) production, and the climax of a week of live music in Malta. This year’s line-up includes Nicole Scherzinger, Enrique Iglesias, Dizzee Rascal, DJ Hardwell and Kiesza, who will perform at a free live concert on the Granaries in Floriana in front of a crowd of more than 50,000.
The festival is a unique opportunity for music lovers to hear some of the world’s best established and emerging artists in Malta—and for free. Previous editions have included Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas, N*E*R*D, One Republic, Maroon 5, Akon, Enrique Iglesias, Kid Rock, David Guetta, Metro Station, Snoop Dogg, Will. i. am, Flo Rida, Nelly Furtado, LMFAO, Afrojack, Jessie J, Rita Ora and Rudimental, amongst others.
Ira Losco, the runner-up at Eurovision 2002, has also performed at Isle of MTV.
Hi Vlakto Thanks man. I just think differently to other people my age. Music wise, they like singers like Rihanna and Beyonce (both are beautiful by the way) and I only like Eurovision songs. I kind of feel excluded in school because they are into dating and sex whereas I don’t want to participate in that. Instead, my attention is on Eurovision, Melodifestivalen and Dansk Melodi Grand Prix. I also HATE shows like The Only Way is Essex, Geordie Shore and The Valleys and I hate them with a passion. I am also not mad about shows like The X… Read more »
*feel
Deven I understand how you fe
Finally, a Eurovision star at the Isle of MTV Festival amid all of the Rita Ora, Kiesza and Calvin Harris.
Unlike other teenagers, I ONLY listen to Eurovision/Melodifestivalen/ Melodi Grand Prix songs. I HATE listening to songs that are NOT from the Eurovision Song Contest and the selection processes.