Latest news: February 2021

This blog is now closed. Go to our March blog to read all the latest news.

Portugal picks final line-up 🇵🇹

Published on 28 February at 00:41 CET

Hoping to discover another Amar Pelos Dois, Portugal continued their Eurovision 2021 campaign with the second semi-final of Festival da Canção this evening.

Ten excellent performances were given, but only 5 acts (in bold) were successful in qualifying for the grand final next week.

The results:

• Da Chick - I Got Music
• Tainá - Jasmim
• Ariana - Mundo Melhor
• EU.CLIDES - VOLTE-FACE
• Joana Alegre - Joana Do Mar
• Pedro Gonçalves - Não Vou Ficar
• Ana Tereza - Com Um Abraço
• Carolina Deslandes - Por Um Triz
• Graciela - A Vida Sem Acontecer
• NEEV - Dancing In The Stars

The Festival da Canção grand final will air on Saturday 6 March 22:00 CET.

Eric Saade: still popular 🇸🇪

Published on 27 February at 21:25 CET

Sweden's mammoth Melodifestivalen selection series reached a critical point on Saturday evening, as the last of the 28 acts took to the stage in Stockholm.

Among them were 2020 and 2011 champs The Mamas and Eric Saade, alongside Alcazar star Tess Merkel performing her first solo single.

The results:

• Tess Merkel - Good Life
• Lovad - Allting är Precis Likadant
• Efraim Leo - Best Of Me 💫
• The Mamas - In The Middle ⭐
• Sannex - All Inclusive
• Clara Klingenström - Behöver Inte Dig Idag 💫
• Eric Saade - Every Minute ⭐

(⭐ = qualified direct to grand final, 💫 = qualified for second chance)

Eric Saade’s bop in a box, Every Minute, was first to qualify for the grand final on Saturday 13 March, swiftly joined by The Mamas thanks to their rousing rendition of In The Middle.

It’s not over for Efraim Leo and Clara Klingenström; both acts won tickets to next week’s 'andra chansen' show where the Swedish public decide who deserves a second chance.

Can we get an ‘Amen’? Yes, according to Austria 🇦🇹

Published on 26 February at 18:30 CET

Austria’s Vincent Bueno has revealed the name of his Eurovision Song Contest entry. The Viennese vocalist will perform Amen during the first half of the second Semi-Final on Thursday 20 May.

We’ll have to wait a little while longer for any more details, so make sure you subscribe to the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel and turn on your notifications.

Natalia Gordienko plans big release in Moscow

Published on 25 February at 13:55 CET

Natalia Gordienko will represent Moldova at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song Sugar. She announced on her Instagram channel that she will release her song on 4 March with a live stream from Crave Theatre in Moscow starting from 18:00 CET.

Dutch reveal grows nearer 🇳🇱

Published on 25 February at 12:00 CET

Over on the Songfestival instagram page, Team Macrooy have revealed some exciting news about the follow-up to Jeangu’s entry Grow:

The post confirms that Jeangu Macrooy’s Eurovision song for the Netherlands will be revealed during a special show on Thursday 4 March at 19.00 CET on his YouTube channel.

But that’s not all… a few fortunate fans can get a digital front row seat and win the first opportunity to let Jeangu know what they think of the song and ask questions. To stand a chance, just send an email to [email protected].

Daði and Gagnamagnið reveal more data 🇮🇸

Published on 25 February at 09:40 CET

Everyone’s favourite Icelandic "geezer" teased info about his upcoming Eurovision entry across social media yesterday:

The Think About Things singer and his band will release 10 Years on Saturday 13 March, and they're encouraging fans to pre-download the track now.

Crucial roundup of 'This Week' in Eurovision

Published on 23 February at 18:10 CET

With "Super Saturday" behind us, Blas talks ballads, Benny releases a banger, and Blind Channel invite you to the Dark Side, in the latest 'This Week' news roundup:

Don’t miss a single Contest development: subscribe to the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel and enable notifications.

Greece to unleash 'Last Dance' 🇬🇷

Published on 23 February at 09:00 CET

From Homer to Helena Paparizou, the Greeks have always been at the forefront of enriching global culture, and that’s as true in 2021 as it’s ever been.

The wait to hear Greece’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest is almost at an end. Stefania’s Last Dance music video will debut on Wednesday 10 March.

For a full list of potential entry announcements and known release dates check out our new National Selection Calendar.

Incoming Hurricane report from Serbia 🇷🇸

Published on 22 February at 14:05 CET

Serbian girl band Hurricane have revealed the name of their new Eurovision Song Contest entry.

Sanja, Ivana and Ksenija will compete with the track: Loco Loco.

Originally due to perform at the cancelled 2020 Contest, Hurricane are a force to be reckoned with.

Sanja represented Serbia at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2016 with her song Goodbye (Shelter), earning a respectable 115 points at the Grand Final in Stockholm.

Ksenija is a singer of Montenegrin origin who provided backing vocals for her father Knez on his 2015 Eurovision entry Adio - this became the most successful entry for Montenegro so far.

Ivana is a professional dancer, winning multiple national and European dance competitions.

San Marino reveals road map to Rotterdam 🇸🇲

Published on 22 February at 10:30 CET

A crucial pitstop on Senhit’s '#FreakyRoadTripToRotterdam' has been revealed.

The San Marino starlet will share her new entry for the Eurovision Song Contest on Monday 8 March.

The singer was due to represent the Most Serene Republic in 2020 with her track Freaky!, and has spent the last 7 months treating fans to creative cover versions of Eurovision classics.

You can watch them all on the official Senhit YouTube channel.

Lisbon’s on the look out for second Portuguese win 🇵🇹

Published on 21 February at 00:25 CET

Hoping to discover another Amar Pelos Dois, Portugal began their Eurovision 2021 campaign with the first semi-final of Festival da Canção this evening.

Ten excellent performances were given, but only 5 acts (in bold) were successful in qualifying for the grand final on Saturday on 6 March.

• The Black Mamba – Love is on My Side
• Valéria – Na Mais Profunda Saudade
• mema. – Claro Como Água
• Nadine – Cheguei Aqui
• Miguel Marôco – Girassol
• Fábia Maia – Dia Lindo
• IRMA – Livros
• Karetus & Romeu Bairos – Saudade
• Sara Afonso – Contramão
• IAN – Mundo

The second semi-final will be broadcast on Saturday 27 February.

Charlotte Perrelli and Tusse go through in Sweden 🇸🇪

Published on 20 February at 21:24 CET

The third semi-final of Sweden’s biggest music entertainment show, Melodifestivalen, kicked off with a performance of Still Young by Eurovision Song Contest 1999 champion Charlotte Perrelli.

• Charlotte Perrelli - Still Young (Qualified for the final)
• Emil Assergård - Om Allting Skiter Sig
• Klara Hammarström - Beat Of Broken Hearts (Andra Chansen)
• Mustasch - Contagious
• Elisa - Den Du Är
• Alvaro Estrella - Baila Baila (Andra Chansen)
• Tusse - Voices (Qualified for the final)

Charlotte Perrelli and Tusse qualified directly to the Swedish grand final on 13 March, with a longer route opening for 3rd and 4th placed Alvaro Estrella and Klara Hammarström who will advance to a second chance round on 6 March.

The concluding semi-final of Melodifestivalen will take place next Saturday, with entries from last year's winners The Mamas and Eurovision Song Contest 2011 participant Eric Saade.

Estonia’s national final line-up is complete 🇪🇪

Published on 20 February at 21:20 CET

The second semi-final of Eesti Laul (Estonia’s competition to find their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest) concluded in the capital Tallinn this evening.

Twelve acts, including previous winners of the contest Uku Suviste (2020) and Jüri Pootsmann (2016), took to the stage with only 6 being voted through to the last show of the series.

• Sissi - Time
• Gram-Of-Fun - Lost In A Dance
• Kadri Voorand - Energy
• Helen - Nii kõrgele
• Redel - Tartu
• Rahel - Sunday Night
• Uku Haasma - Kaos
• Heleza - 6
• Uku Suviste - The Lucky One
• Alabama Watchdog - Alabama Watchdog
• Jüri Pootsmann - Magus Melanhoolia
• Suured Tüdrukud - Heaven’s Not That Far Tonight

The successful qualifiers will now join Hans Nayna, Andrei Zebakin & Pluuto, Karl Killing, Egert Milder, Koit Toome and Ivo Linna, Robert Linna, Supernova to compete in the grand final on Saturday 6 March.

Ireland’s Lesley Roy teases song details 🇮🇪

Published on 20 February at 09:45 CET

The Emerald Isle’s Lesley Roy has confirmed the title and release date of her latest Eurovision Song Contest entry in an Instagram post.

MAPS will be released on Friday 26 February.

Lesley had been due to represent Ireland at the 2020 Contest in Rotterdam with the track Story of My Life.

Bulgaria calling for your feedback 🇧🇬

Published on 19 February at 14:00 CET

Team VICTORIA are seeking fan feedback on six potential Bulgarian entries for the Eurovision Song Contest.

The tracks had been released one by one on a daily basis and are now all available to listen to and comment on via a special Bulgaria 2021 website.

Based on your comments, the Tears Getting Sober singer will pick one of the following songs to take to the Netherlands:

• Imaginary Friend
• Dive Into Unknown
• Phantom Pain
• The Funeral Song
• Growing Up Is Getting Old
• UGLY CRY

The first 5 tracks will appear on VICTORIA’s upcoming album A Little Dramatic, and one of the 6 will be chosen for the Rotterdam Ahoy main stage in May.

Estonia’s Eesti Laul has started 🇪🇪

Published on 18 February at 21:20 CET

The Estonian selection show for the Eurovision Song Contest, Eesti Laul, has just had its first of two Semi-Finals in Tallinn. This year's edition has 5 former Eurovision stars return for their chance to represent their country in 2021 and 3 of them took part in the first Semi-Final. Ivo Linna represented Estonia in 1996, Tanja in 2014, and Koit Toome in both 1998 and 2017.

A total of 12 acts performed but only 6 (in bold) made it to the Final:

• Tanja - Best Night Ever
• Hans Nayna - One By One
• WIIRALT - Tuuled
• Kéa - Hypnotized
• Andrei Zevakin & Pluuto - Wingman
• Karl Killing - Kiss Me
• Nika Marula - Calm Down
• Egert Milder - Free Again
• Tuuli Rand - Üks Öö
• Koit Toome - We Could Have Been Beautiful
• Kristin Kalnapenk - Find A Way
• Ivo Linna, Robert Linna, Supernova - Ma Olen Siin

The second Semi-Final will take place on Saturday 20 February and the final of Eesti Laul will be broadcast live on Saturday 6 March.

Jorn wins wildcard in Oslo 🇳🇴

Published on 15 February at 22:55 CET

Keen to ensure no potential winner is left behind, Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix gave their 15 eliminated contestants one last shot at winning a ticket to the Grand Final on Saturday night.

Eliminated from Semi-Final 1:
Beady Belle - Playing with Fire
Jorn - Faith Bloody Faith
Stina Talling - Elevate

Eliminated from Semi-Final 2:
Daniel Owen - Psycho
Ketil Stokkan - My Life is OK
Maria Solheim - Nordlyset

Eliminated from Semi-Final 3:
Big Daddy Karsten - Smile
Dinaye - Own Yourself
Ole Hartz - Vi er Norge

Eliminated from Semi-Final 4:
Landeveiens Helter - Alt det der
Marianne Petha & Mikkel Gaup - Pages
Royane - Circus

Eliminated from Semi-Final 5:
TuVeia - Bli med meg på gar'n
Ane.Fin - Walking in my Sleep
RIVER - Coming Home

Jorn saw off the 14 less fortunate acts during the Sista Sjansen (last chance) show, booking his place on the MGP stage this Saturday night with the song Faith Bloody Faith. Will the extra promotion help propel him to victory in Oslo? Tune in this Saturday from 19:50 CET to find out!

Finland’s national final available in 4 languages 🇫🇮

Published on 15 February at 16:10 CET

Finland’s representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 will be chosen on Saturday 20 February during the Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK) Grand Final. The show will be hosted by pop star Antti Tuiski and we'll be treated to a performance from last year's finalist Erika "Cicciolina" Vikman.

There’s exciting news for international fans of the Finnish show as, for the first time ever, UMK will stream globally with commentary made available in 4 different languages.

These are the international commentators and the links you'll need to watch with them:

• Mikko Silvennoinen (Finnish)
• Johan Lindroos and Eva Frantz (Swedish)
• Katri Norrlin and Jani Karenin (English)
• Levan Tvaltvadze (Russian)

The seven competing finalists at UMK are Oskr, Teflon Brothers x Pandora, Danny, Laura, Blind Channel, Ilta, and last year’s champion Aksel. All the songs are available to listen to on the UMK website.

Dotter got her ticket to the Melodifestivalen final 🇸🇪

Published on 13 February at 21:24 CET

What’s a Saturday night in February without some Swedish “Mello-drama”?

After missing out on a Melodifestivalen victory by a solitary point in 2020, expectations were high for last year’s runner up Dotter. The Little Tot singer did not disappoint, and once again secured enough votes to qualify for the Final on March 13.

Joining her is Anton Ewald who impressed the audience with his song New Religion.

• Anton Ewald - New Religion (Qualified for the final)
• Julia Alfrida - Rich
• WAHL det. SAMI - 90-talet
• Frida Green - The Silence (Andra Chansen)
• Eva Rydberg & Ewa Roos - Rena rama ding dong (Andra Chansen)
• Patrik Jean - Tears Run Dry
• Dotter - Little Tot (Qualified for the final)

Taking a different path through Sweden’s premier music competition are Frida Green and Eva Rydberg & Ewa Roos who qualified for the Second Chance show on Saturday 6 March.

Norway narrows down the competition 🇳🇴

Published on 13 February at 21:15 CET

Over in Oslo, Norway’s biggest ever Melodi Grand Prix is nearing its climax, where the final four acts took to the stage in the concluding semi final.

The last of the 26 entries were:

• IMERIKA - I Can’t Escape
• RIVER - Coming Home
• TuVeia - Bli Med Meg På Gar’n
• Ane.Fin - Walking In My Sleep

IMERIKA won the “Gold Duel” against RIVER with the song I Can’t Escape.

Fan favourite Rein Alexander showcased Eyes Wide Open. The accomplished performer had pre-qualified for the Grand Final and will join IMERIKA and 10 other hopeful acts on Saturday 20 February when the winner will be decided by a public vote.

Don’t panic if your favourite didn’t quite squeak through the heats, as there’s one last “wildcard” ticket up for grabs. This final opportunity will be fought over by the 14 non-qualifying acts during a special Second Chance show on Monday 15 February.

North Macedonia's Vasil reveals song title and artwork 🇲🇰

Published on 12 February at 12:00 CET

Macedonian act Vasil has revealed the title of his self-penned song for Rotterdam: Here I Stand.

The singer-songwriter describes the process of crafting his second Eurovision Song Contest entry:

“In the middle of the chaos and whirlwind of disappointments last year, I wrote ‘Here I Stand’ in one breath without any specific aim or focus. I think it rose out of one of those special and rare moments in life when you are at one with yourself and able to let emotions flow in their purest form without self judgment, freely and sincerely.”

Borche Kuzamovskia (of the Skopje-based rock band Nokaut) and fellow Macedonian musician Davor Jordanovski have worked alongside Vasil on the arrangement and production, which will partly be recorded with a live symphonic orchestra in the nation’s capital.

Interestingly, backing vocals will be recorded in the United States by former members of the Chicago Children’s Choir, in which Vasil participated as a child.

The song will premiere during the first week of March, so make sure to follow the Skopje star across his social media.

Bulgaria ready for a week of song reveals 🇧🇬

Published on 12 February at 11:00 CET

It’s no secret that VICTORIA and the Bulgarian delegation have been busy getting ready for their time in Rotterdam. This weekend preparations pick up a gear as the team are set to debut their potential entries.

VICTORIA will take one of the following songs to the Netherlands:

• Imaginary Friend (released: Sunday 14 February)
• Dive Into Unknown (released: Monday 15 February)
• Phantom Pain (released: Tuesday 16 February)
• The Funeral Song (released: Wednesday 17 February)
• Growing Up Is Getting Old (released: Thursday 18 February)
• UGLY CRY (already available on streaming platforms)

The first 5 tracks will appear on VICTORIA’s upcoming album A Little Dramatic.

You’ll be able to listen to them shortly, as one by one the compositions are unveiled daily at 19:00 (CET) on the singer’s YouTube channel, starting with Imaginary Friend on Sunday 14 February.

Once all 6 songs have been shared, the Tears Getting Sober songstress will seek feedback from the fandom via a special online platform. This will inform the final selection for the Contest, along with input from a focus group of music, television, radio and Eurovision Song Contest experts.

Voting begins on Spanish entries 🇪🇸

Published on 10 February at 18:00 CET

Spain has been presented with a tantalising choice this evening! We already know that Blas Cantó will represent España at the Eurovision Song Contest and now two songs have been revealed for you to vote on:

1. Voy a quedarme
2. Memoria

Team Cantó describe Voy a quedarme as “an exciting, modern ballad where Blas showcases his vocal registers”, while Memoria is “uptempo with a lot of percussion and powerful expression”. Both songs are claimed to represent different fragments from the Spanish act’s own life.

You can judge for yourself as the pair of potential entries are now available on streaming platforms and you’re encouraged to vote for your favourite via the RTVE website and app.

The winning song will be revealed live on La1 show Destino Eurovisión, details of which will be announced shortly.

Update (12 February, 14:00 CET): Destino Eurovisión will broadcast live on Saturday 20 February at 22:00 (CET) on La 1, TVE International and RTVE.es.

Dansk Melodi Grand Prix artists revealed

Published on 10 February at 14:00 CET

Denmark will choose its Eurovision Song Contest representative on Saturday 6 March.

National broadcaster DR will present 8 melodies that reflect the variety and creativity of the Danish music scene. These songs will compete for public votes during Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2021 with the top 3 going forward to a second show later that evening where the public will choose “Vores sang” (English: “Our song”) to represent Denmark in Rotterdam.

The 8 songs battling it out are:

• Nanna Olivia - Hvileløse hjerter
• Fyr & Flamme - Øve os på hinanden
• Chief 1 & Thomas Buttenschøn - Højt over skyerne
• Mike Tramp - Everything is Alright
• Claudia Campagnol - Abracadabra
• The Cosmic Twins - Silver Bullet
• Emma Nicoline - Står Lige Her
• Jean Michel - Beautiful

You can listen to all the Danish entries on the DR website and across streaming platforms.

The show will be broadcast live from Copenhagen, where all artists will be backed by DR’s Grand Prix orchestra under the direction of conductor Peter Düring. Hosts Tina Müller and Martin Brygmann promise to deliver the biggest celebration of Danish music this year.

Dansk Melodi Grand Prix kicks off on Saturday 6 March at 20.00 (CET) on DR1 and DRTV.

Barbara Pravi releases music video for Voilà

Published on 8 February at 18:00 CET

Barbara Pravi won her ticket to Rotterdam via Eurovision France: C’est Vous Qui Décidez in late January.

Today the victorious chanteuse debuts the official music video for her entry Voilà. Check it out!

The participants for the last Semi-Final of MGP have been revealed

Published on 8 February at 08:20 CET

Norwegian selection show Melodi Grand Prix (MGP) has reached its last Semi-Final. Since mid-January, MGP has brought you new music in many different genres. Saturday 13 February will be no different when these artists perform their songs:

• IMERIKA - I Can’t Escape
• RIVER - Coming Home
• TuVeia - Bli Med Meg På Gar’n
• Ane.Fin - Walking In My Sleep

One of them will qualify directly for the final. The others can, together with the acts that didn’t qualify for the final in the other four Semi-Finals, hope for a wildcard, which will be announced next week. As usual, a pre-qualified artist will perform his song. Rein Alexander, who already took part in MGP last year, will showcase his song Eyes Wide Open.

Melodifestivalen boasts a strong line-up

Published on 6 February at 21:25 CET

The first Semi-Final of Melodifestivalen, Swedens biggest music entertainment show, was broadcast live from Stockholm on Saturday 6 February. The show was filled with a star-studded line-up including appearances from previous Melodifestivalen performers including Arvingarna (1993) and Jessica Andersson (as part of Fame in 2003) who also represented Sweden before at the Eurovision Song Contest. Consistent with previous years, 2 acts qualified directly to the Final which will be held on 13 March. Additionally, 2 competitors qualified for a second chance and will go on to perform in the show, Andra Chansen on 6 March.

• Kadiatou - One Touch
• Lillasyster - Pretender (Andra Chansen)
• Jessica Andersson - Horizon
• Paul Rey - The Missing Piece (Andra Chansen)
• Arvingarna - Tänker Inte Alls Gå Hem (Qualified for the final)
• Nathalie Brydolf - Fingerprints
• Danny Saucedo - Dandi Dansa (Qualified for the final)

A total of 12 songs will make it to the Final. The Semi-Finals will see 8 acts directly qualify to the Final while the remaining 4 acts will be decided during Andra Chansen.

Just 3 spots remain for the Final of Melodi Grand Prix

Published on 6 February at 21:14 CET

Norway is another step closer to finding their representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2021. The fourth Semi-Final of their national selection show, Melodi Grand Prix (MGP), took place on Saturday night which featured the pre-qualified artist Atle Pettersen and his song World On Fire as well as the 4 acts that battled it out for a spot in the Final:

• Marianne Pentha & Mikkel Gaup - Pages
• Landeveiens Helter - Alt Det Der
• KIIM - My Lonely Voice
• Royane - Circus

KIIM won the gold-duel against Marianne Pentha & Mikkel Gaup with the song My Lonely Voice. Next week the last Semi-Final takes place in Oslo.

All lyric videos for UMK are now available

Published on 5 February at 16:44 CET

Finnish broadcaster YLE has released all the lyric videos of the competing songs for their national selection show UMK on their YouTube channel.

You can also check out additional content prior to the show. During and after the final on 20 February you will be able to rewatch all the performances.

Go_A gets another go at Eurovision

Published on 4 February at 15:08 CET

Go_A will sing Shum in Eurovision 2021. There were 3 songs in the running to represent Ukraine with a jury ultimately deciding unanimously which one would compete in May. The jury consisted of Jamala (Eurovision 2016 winner), Eugene Filatov, Ruslan Kvinta, and two board members of the Ukrainian public broadcaster UA:PBC, Yaroslav, Lodygin and Dmytro Khorkin.

The 3 songs in contention were:

• Shum (Noise)
• Rano (Early)
• Tserkovka (Church)

UA:PBC also announced there will be a competition to create the video for Shum and an updated version of the song that meets the requirements of the competition will be presented in early March, so stay tuned!

Romania's song will be chosen internally

Published on 1 February at 13:20 CET

After the cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2020 Roxen was immediately confirmed to represent Romania again in 2021. Broadcaster TVR has now announced that her song will be chosen internally. "I'm very much looking forward to finding out which will be the song I will represent Romania with at this years Eurovision Song Contest. Whichever the song might be, I hope you will like it and that it will bring you joy. I can't wait to start a new journey!" Roxen said.

Norway is getting ready for the fourth Semi-Final of MGP

Published on 1 February at 08:20 CET

Melodi Grand Prix (MGP), the Norwegian selection show for the Eurovision Song Contest, enters its 4th week. Seven spots for the final have already been filled. The 4th show will take place on Saturday 6 February and will include the following artists:

• Royane - Circus
• Marianne Pentha & Mikkel Gaup - Pages
• Landeveiens Helter - Alt Det Der
• KIIM - My Lonely Voice

Atle Pettersen is pre-qualified for the final. He will showcase his song World On Fire in the fourth Semi-Final.

Welcome to the new blog

Published on 1 February at 08:20 CET

Every month we will start a new blog covering the latest news of national selections, artists and songs for Eurovision 2021. Our previous blog included the following headlines:

• Semi-Final shows in Norway and Lithuania.
• A song from VICTORIA's mini album will be selected to represent Bulgaria.
• Artist announcements for the national selections of Sweden, Finland and Estonia.
• Stefania will represent Greece with the song Last Dance.

Read about it and many other updates in our January 2021/Autumn 2020 blog.