Eurovision

It’s December! Meaning it’s time to dig into the Christmas catalogue of Eurovision artists young and old! Every day from now until Christmas Eve we will bring you a Christmas song performed by Eurovision artists from all corners of the Euroverse, in our advent calendar, so make sure you don’t miss any of them! 7 December To start off part 2 of our calendar; who better than the Angel of the Balkans, Tose Proeski? He didn’t sing many Christmas songs, but on a snowy Saturday dashing through the snow sounds like a fine idea, so “Jingle Bells” it is! This is the only live clip of it, so we’re breaking our own rule today; here’s the studio version of the whole thing. Tose represented Macedonia in the 2004 Eurovison Song Contest, giving his country a 14th place, which still is their fourth best result. He performed “Life“, which might be best remembered by the unusual beat and the creative staging. His voice, though…of an angel. Tomorrow we will return with another Eurostar, celebrating the season! Make sure to come back  to find out what song is hiding on the second page of part 2 of our countdown to Christmas! Also; …

In about a month’s time, Melodi Grand Prix 2020 will commence its 60th edition of the competition. The jubilee edition of the competition is already seeing a much bigger show compared to what we have had in previous years. Now, Norwegian broadcaster NRK has confirmed its hosts for the six-week competition. Kåre Magnus Bergh will be returning once again, along with Ingrid Gjessing Linhave & Ronny Brede Aase. HER ER PROGRAMLEDERNE! Ingrid Gjessing Linhave, Ronny Brede Aase og Kåre Magnus Bergh skal lose Norge gjennom seks MGP-lørdager i 2020 🎉Les mer her: https://t.co/7iRwpM2bRh pic.twitter.com/OQjljkElqh— Melodi Grand Prix (@NRKmgp) December 5, 2019 About the Melodi Grand Prix hosts Kåre Magnus Bergh is returning to Melodi Grand Prix for the sixth time. In 2020. He has hosted other shows such as Stjernekamp (Star Game), Idol and Sommeråpent. Kåre will be joined by Ingrid Gjessing Linhav, who is a host with NRK and has hosted other shows with NRK. When it was announced that she will be hosting Melodi Grand Prix, she has mentioned that it was a ‘Dream Come True’ Completing the line up is Ronny Brede Aase who is well known for hosting P3morgen (one of the popular morning radio shows …

SBS have revealed the next two names taking part in Eurovision – Australia Decides in February. This time, they’ve announced two young prospects who will take the stage: Montaigne and Didirri. Montaigne: Aussie indie music On the SBS website, Montaigne is described as one of the big names in Australian indie music. She’s just 24 years old, but has already received the ARIA Award for Best Breakthrough Artist. Her latest album, “COMPLEX”, received raving reviews soon after its launch in August. Montaigne has released several singles from that album, including “Ready“. Montaigne will show a new side of herself during the national final on the Gold Coast. So far, she has kept her dramatic and extreme side to herself, but an opportunity to go to the Eurovision Song Contest is her chance to let it all out. She says: I manage to do it without a massive international music event as impetus, but on the big stage in Europe in front of millions would be everything the drama queen egomaniac inside me could want, and more. It’s licence to let her out!Montaigne to SBS Didirri: New kid on the block When speaking to SBS, Didirri admitted he’s new to the …

As reported yesterday, FiKmas has not been cancelled and will be taking place later this month. The scheduling was put into doubt in light of the tragic earthquake that struck Albania last month. Nevertheless, music conquers all and we will be getting the entries next week. On Monday, we will hear Albania’s entry for Rotterdam. It has been confirmed by RTSH that we will be getting the 20 entries of Festivali i Kenges 58 on Monday (9th December)! Last year, the songs were all dropped via a playlist on RTSH official YouTube channel, so we’ll be sure to keep an eye out for that as soon as they are released. View this post on Instagram Dhe pritja mori fund! Këngët e Fest' 58 do të publikohen të hënën, më 9 dhjetor 2019. A post shared by Eurovision Albania ©FFICIAL (@eurovisionalbania) on Dec 6, 2019 at 10:23am PST In addition, the three first special guests to be performing at the festival were revealed. This includes not one, but TWO recent ESC alum. The first is, as previously reported, Eleni Foureira. However, the second is a bit more of a surprise. Since he has literally been popping up everywhere since getting his …

Steven Clerima, the French Head of Delegation has stepped down. The announcement on Twitter comes after this year’s Junior Eurovision and only after just over a year in the role. Steven previously worked in the Entertainment and Music department of French broadcaster, France 2. Après 4 belles années passées au sein de la délégation 🇫🇷, je décolle vers de nouveaux horizons ! Merci à tous pour tous ces beaux souvenirs d’ #Eurovision ! Je n’oublierai jamais 😊❤️ pic.twitter.com/Vinys5u8D8— Steven Clerima (@stevenclerima) December 6, 2019 After 4 beautiful years spent in the delegation I take off to new horizons! Thank you all for all these beautiful memories of #Eurovision! I’ll never forget Stephen Clerima Steven Clerima’s tenure He was at the helm for France’s return to Junior Eurovision last year, where Angélina came an impressive 2nd with the song ‘Jamais Sans Toi’. In the following adult contest, he supported Bilal Hassani in Tel Aviv. Reason I’m doing this job #eurovision pic.twitter.com/AtKdB0g1SN— Steven Clerima (@stevenclerima) May 11, 2019 More recently, he oversaw Carla’s energetic ‘Bim Bam Toi’ – an energetic fan favourite! In all three participations in Eurovision/Junior events – it is clear Steven was an continues to be a huge fan …

An additional amount of 12.4 million Euros to fund the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 has been approved by the Dutch government. After previously asking for more assistance in financing the contest, the Minister for Media has approved a total of 12.4 million Euros. This amount will be allocated to public broadcasters NOS, NPO, and AVROTROS, who will be responsible for hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam. Eurovision 2020 will be a joint effort between several public broadcasters who are all contributing to the total amount of 26.5 million Euro that is needed to realize Eurovision in The Netherlands. NPO/NOS will be responsible for 4.5 million Euro and AVROTROS for an additional 9.6 million. Now, with the help of the General Media Reserve, the previous gap has been filled and the funding for Eurovision 2020 is secure! Eurovision 2020 will take place in Rotterdam, The Netherlands on the 12th, 14th and 16th of May. Tickets for the shows in the Ahoy Arena will be available from December 12th on, so mark your calendars! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates!

The official Euroclub for Eurovision 2020 been announced. Maassilo, which is easily reachable from Rotterdam Ahoy by 10 minutes using public transportation. The Euroclub will be open to artists, delegations and accredited press between May 8 and 16. About Maasilo Located next to the Nieuwe Maas , the newly announced Euroclub venue, used to be a Grain Silo and Grain Elevator, which was used for up to 90 years. Since 2004, it has been used as an entertainment venue, and has become one of the go-to venues in Rotterdam. Even current Eurovision Song Contest winner Duncan Laurence even had one of his concerts on the venue. The Middenzaal Hall, which can accommodate up to 1,000 peopleSource: Maasilo The venue has fifteen halls, with most of them able to hold a capacity of over 1,000 people, that all comes in different sizes, which can definitely meet the needs of this year’s organisers. You can find out more information about Maassilo by clicking here. Euroclub is the first venue to be announced by the organisers of the 2020 contest. Other venues, such as the Eurovillage where artists will be performing will be announced at a later date. What do you think of …

Prior to the tragic earthquake and humanitarian crisis struck Albania late last month, RTSH was gearing up for the 58th edition of Festivali i Këngës. Understandably, it was speculated that these events may affect the scheduling of the festival, with outlets suggesting that it could be delayed until January. However, the Albanian broadcaster has since announced that the festival will go ahead this month. Originally, it was announced that Festivali i Këngës 58 would commence on the 19th, 20th and 22nd of December. In light of the crisis that has struck Albania, however, news outlets were beginning to suggest that the festival may be delayed to January instead. However, the broadcaster has now confirmed that the festival will be taking place later this month as originally planned. You can watch the trailer for the festival below: View this post on Instagram 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶 𝗶 𝟱𝟴-𝘁𝗲̈ 𝗶 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗲̈ 𝗞𝗲̈𝗻𝗴𝗲̈𝘀 𝗻𝗲̈ 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗾𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗿! Tradita e fundvitit edhe këtë dhjetor në festën më të madhe të muzikës 🎼🎹 Shënoni datat: 19, 20 dhe 22 dhjetor! Një kast i jashtëzakonshëm – në një edicion spektakolar 19, 20 dhe 22 dhjetor në Pallatin e Kongreseve 🎵 . . . #fest58 #rtsh #festivaliikenges A post …

Moments ago, it was confirmed that the first wave of Eurovision 2020 tickets will go on sale next Thursday, December 12. You will be able to purchase some of the tickets for all of the nine shows, with the rest of the tickets going on sale in late January and mid March. How to buy tickets for Eurovision 2020? The ticket sales will begin at 12:00 CEST via eurovision.tv for International Visitors and songfestival.nl for Dutch visitors. It is strongly advised that you purchase your Eurovision tickets through Paylogic and for the first time, the official ticket re-seller Ticketswap. What shows will be available You will be able to purchase tickets for the following shows: First Semi-Final Jury show: Monday 11 May at 21:00 CESTFamily show: Tuesday 12 May at 15:00 CESTLive show: Tuesday 12 May at 21:00 CEST Second Semi-Final Jury show: Wednesday 13 May at 21:00 CESTFamily show: Thursday 14 May at 15:00 CESTLive show: Thursday 14 May at 21:00 CEST Grand Final Jury show: Friday 15 May at 21:00 CESTFamily show: Saturday 16 May at 13:30 CESTLive show: Saturday 16 May at 21:00 CEST How much will tickets cost? NPO/AVROTROS and NOS has also confirmed the pricing …

Tonight the broadcasters responsible for the contest in May, AVROTROS and NPO have just announced that Edsilia, Chantal and Jan will host the Eurovision Song Contest 2020! The contest will take place in the Ahoy in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Earlier today NPO Radio 1 teased that the announcement of the presenting team that will head the 2020 Eurovision coverage would indeed be announced today. Jan has reacted to his exciting news! Hello Europe,Finally the word is out! Next year, Together with these wonderful ladies @ChantalJanzen & @EdsiliaRombley, I will be hosting the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam!#Openup #ESC2020 #Eurovision #SongfestivalPhoto: NPO/NOS/AVROTROS – @WilliamRutten pic.twitter.com/lb3LlHfKYs— JAN SMIT (@JanSmit) December 4, 2019 Edsilia has shared her equal enthusiasm. 😱 GOODEVENING EUROPE!!! Very happy (and beyond excited) to announce I will host the two Semi-Finals and Grand Final of the 2020 @Eurovision at @rotterdamahoy next year, together with @chantaljanzen and @JanSmit !❤️🙏🏾#OpenUp #ESF2020 #ESC2020 #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/jVXQSRyku3— Edsilia Rombley (@EdsiliaRombley) December 4, 2019 Chantal Janzen. A surprising pick as she works for competing broadcaster RTL, not NPO. She has been responsible for a lot of major shows here, sucb as the annual TV award show Gouden Televizierring Gala. Perhaps the most loved host …