Meet the ESCXTRA team! Part 25 – ANGELOS

This summer, we are running a series of feature articles that is slightly different to the norm. We think this is the perfect time for you (and us!) to find out more about the ESCXTRA team! What is our personal Eurovision story? Why did we want to be a part of this website? What are our favourite Eurovision songs of all-time? How can you get in touch with us on social media? Read on to find out!

Angelos Noutsos

Hi! I’m Angelos, based in the land of ABBA, specifically in Stockholm. I joined the ESCXTRA team in summer of 2017 but I have been following Eurovision every year since early childhood. What initially got me attracted to Eurovision was the (then) variety of languages we got introduced to through music and people from all over Europe gathering and sharing this special moment together.

Your first Eurovision memory?

I have a vague memory of Viktor Laszlo’s pink dress from 1987, but officially my first real memory is from Yardena Arazi performing Ben Adam back in 1988 when we were watching ESC together with my parents. I knew all songs by heart that year and it must have been then when I fell in love with the contest. It was also the first year that I actually recorded ESC in video and haven’t missed a single contest since.

Your Eurovision journey?

Never in the pre-internet period did I ever imagine that I one day would somehow be part of it, connected with so many other people with same interest as me, sharing our devotion and love for the contest, sharing thoughts or discussing favorite songs with others, let alone attend live to a contest myself – which I finally did for the first time in 2006, in Athens. It was an amazing feeling and atmospheare in the arena and a new startpoint in my Eurovision journey experiencing all this live.
Since then I have only attended Eurovision once more, in 2016 in Stockholm, so I have promised myself now to go to ESC live more often.

Why is Eurovision special to you?

For so many reasons! Initially because I was fascinated by all these countries competing together in music, hearing different languages (in the pre free language rule period that is) the competition itself, the scoreboard, the different stages each contest has and the different visual design we get to see every year and the fact that it’s such a big event that occurs only once a year having something to look forward to for the comming year, and already warming up with the various national selections during the winter.
But of course also the fact that I love MUSIC and have always been curious to hear what kind of music is played in other countries, getting to know singers unknown in my country, expanding my perception and knowledge beyond of the commercial generic music we get to hear on radio non-stop.
And well, in a way I get to combine my interest in geopolitics and different cultures together with entertainment and music. What else can I ask for?

What attracted you to ESCXTRA?

After this year’s Eurovision in May I saw that ESCXTRA was looking for new editors and I felt that I wanted to contribute best way I could during my free time when I have less work, by writing, which I enjoy doin, so I sent my application and got a very warm welcoming by the team with which I am looking forward to cooperate with.

And finally, your top 5 Eurovision song of all time?

This is the hardest question I could get asked for. Would someone ask me the very same question tomorrow I would come up with five completely different songs than these 5 I will present below. There is no way I can come up with only 5 top songs, let alone rank them. So I’ll just mention five that I like very much.
1. Greece 2001 ”Die for you” – Antique

2. Sweden 2012 ”Euphoria” – Loreen

3. Israel 1991 ”Kan” – Duo Datz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksGXYqLNNfw
4. Spain 1990 ”Bandido” – Azucar moreno

5. UK 1996 ”Just a little bit” – Gina G
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBsd4Fq9gXg
Stay tuned for the next part in our Meet the ESCXTRA team series. On Saturday we will meet Miki! Remember you can share your Eurovision stories with us in the comments section below or via the comments sections on our Facebook page @ESCXTRA. We would love to hear them!