Will it be 3rd time lucky for Chiara?

Eurovision Express favourite Chiara is in the list of the final 56 songs that have been selected by the Maltese broadcaster. From November the songs will be whittled down to 20 for a national final on 7 February.

Chiara, of course, came 3rd in the 1998 Contest with The One That I Love, and then went one better in 2005 with Angel. So fingers crossed that it could be third time lucky with her 2009 entry which is entitled What If We. The song is written by 2 Belgians - Gregory Bilsen and Marc Paelinck, the latter of whom wrote Belgium's Eurovision entries in 2002 and 2004 - Sister and 1 Life.

Other familiar names amongst the composers are Eurovision legends Ralph Siegel and John O'Flynn (aka Bernd Meinunger), who have no fewer than 3 songs in the running. We quite like the sound of Tonight at the Opera.

But ultimately for Eurovision Express it's all about Chiara. Valetta 2010? Yes please....

Webber's first Eurovision entry from the 1960s

Here at Eurovision Express, we knew that Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber had submitted an entry to the UK Song For Europe before, and we always thought it ended up in Jesus Christ Superstar. However, mistakenly, we thought it was I Don't Know How To Love Him.

In fact it turns out that it was a song called Try It and See. We're still unsure if this was entered in 1967 or 1969 (reports differ), but after it failed to make it to the UK national final, it became - with different lyrics - King Herod's Song from the afore-mentioned hit musical.

Here's a version of Try It and See by Rita Pavone:



Eurovision Express distinctly hopes Lord Webber will be entering something a little less oom-paa-paa, and has its fingers crossed for a big ballad!

Will the UK win with Webber?

So it looks like the rumours are true....musical theatre superstar, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber is to write the UK entry for 2009! According to various sources, the Lord will appear on TV tonight to encourage people to put themselves forward as singers to represent the UK in Moscow in 2009.

It looks like the BBC is really getting its act together, as we're also promised a 'major event show' fronted by Graham Norton called Your Country Needs You to select the act who the Lord will be writing for.

So, it looks promising for the UK. Maybe after years in the bottom half of the scoreboard they stand a real chance of a decent position.

Sounds Familiar...

The names of 28 of the 32 songs competing in Sweden's Melodifestivalen (MF) have been revealed, and the headline news is that composer Thomas G:Son - the king of Schlager is back. After having had no songs in the 2008 MF Thomas was forced to sell his wares elsewhere, with national final entries popping up in Spain and Belgium.

Other familiar names in the list of composers and lyricists announced today by SVT include Fredrik Kempe, Bobby Ljunggren and, a Eurovision Express favourite, Ingela 'Pling' Forsman.

The names of the artists have not yet been made public, but rumours suggest that Alcazar will be back, and ex Junior Eurovision hopeful, Molly Sanden will debut. Others tipped for a return include Mans Zelmerlow and Sarah Dawn Finer.

4 wilcard entries will be made known in due course.

Looks like MF09 will be another classic year!

Judge and Jury for Slovenia!

Oh cripes - Slovenia is bringing back the so-called expert jury to the EMA, the competition used to choose its Eurovision entry. In the past the jury has been responsible for ensuring that some fabulous songs haven't made it to Eurovision.

The most outrageous situation was in 2006 when poor Sasa Lendero and the fantastic Mandoline was clearly the Slovenian public's winner, but, 'thanks' to the jury, Anzej Dezan and Mr Nobody was sent to Greece. For Eurovision Express, there has only been one more disappointing national final choice - when Scooch somehow beat Cyndi in the 2007 UK final.

Let's just hope the jury don't scupper things in 2009, as we'd quite fancy a Eurovision Song Contest in Slovenia....!

Here's the song Slovenia should have sent in 2006. Sasa was robbed!

The Buzz of the Bash!

Eurovision Express has just arrived back after another fabulous OGAE(UK) "Eurobash" event in Birmingham. And what a day and night it was.

The sold-out event included a competition to choose the best ever song that sang in 2nd position, a Eurovision Quiz and meeting the legendary Bill Martin who wrote Congratulations and Puppet on a String...what a great character he is! Equally exciting was meeting the lovely (and pregnant) Gemma from Jemini, who has clearly recovered from the 2003 disaster and was happy to joke about her experience. Both guests were keen to mingle with fans.

But the best was yet to come....probably the best EVER Eurovision karaoke competition -"Stars in their Eurovision Eyes"- co-hosted by the Euro-tastic Nicki French. 10 acts not only sang their hearts out, but looked incredible as they emulated their Eurovision heroes. Acts included: Julie and Ludwig, Doris Dragovic, Ani Lorak, Wolves of the Sea and Mary Hopkin, but the crown was taken by an uncannily accurate Duo Datz singing the Isareli entry from 1991 - Kan. To refresh your memory here are the originals:



After this, it was onto a superb Eurovision Disco that didn't finish until nearly 3am! One attendee clocked up the equivalent of 7 miles on the dancefloor according to his pedometer! Quite a Eurovision workout! Phew!

A great day and night was had by all! There was certainly a Buzz in Birmingham yesterday. Keep your eyes peeled for details of the 2009 Eurobash on the OGAE(UK) website.

Tonight Nicki I'm going to be.....

With the OGAE UK Eurobash just a few days away, Eurovision Express continues its preview of what's certain to be a fun-filled day.

This year OGAE UK celebrates the 10th birthday of 'Stars In Their Eurovision Eyes' in which 10 plucky contestants will become their favourite Eurovision celebrities. Whichever act sings and looks the best should win....well that's the theory anyway!

In 2007 'Bacarra', singing 'Parlez-vous francais', went home with the crown. This year's entrants are a closely guarded secret, but competition is likely to be fierce!

The event will be co-hosted by none other than Nicki French, who demonstrated her skill at keeping everything in order at the Eurovision Winners' Tour when it visited the Scala Club in London earlier this year. Let's take a peek at Ms French in action at the Song For Europe 2000

Countdown to the Bash!

OGAE UK - the British Eurovision fanclub - is holding Eurobash 2008 - its annual get-together this Saturday (4 October) in Birmingham. Over the next few days we'll preview what's likely to be on offer.

The first event will be a special contest - The Number 2s! As every Eurovision fan knows, no song has ever won the Contest after performing 2nd in the running order, so this contest will give 12 of the best songs to have been on 2nd, a chance for victory. The line-up hasn't been announced, but Eurovision Express certainly hopes Sonja Lumme's Elakoon Elama will be in the running. Enjoy the song again below, and look out for more Bash previews through the week.

Welcome back Slovakia!

After 11 years, Slovakia has decided to return to the Eurovision family and has confirmed that they will be participating in Moscow 2009!

This will only be the fourth time that the central european country has entered the contest, previous entries being in 1994, 1996 and 1998.



Here's the last entry...whom Eurovision Express remember very well from Birmingham in 1998. Katarína Hasprová was a formidable lady and plied everyone in the Press Centre with Slovakian drink during her stay in the UK! You did not dare refuse!

Welcome back Slovakia!

It's "De Toppers" for De Dutch!

The Netherlands are quick off the block with their Eurovision entry for 2009. They have chosen "De Toppers" - a male trio which includes 1988 entrant Gerard Joling - to carry the hopes of Les Pays-Bas in Moscow.

De Toppers are a very popular act in The Netherlands and regularly sellout to huge audiences. You can learn more about the trio here.

Perhaps the new voting system will finally benefit a Dutch act and we may even see De Toppers at De Top of the scoreboard! Well, one can hope!

Looking East! Asiavision is born

The EBU has announced that the Eurovision format is to be exported to other parts of the world, and in 2009, the first Asiavision Song Contest will take place.

This will involve countries such as China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. If they cast their net wider, perhaps the Eurovision-loving Australia can join also?

Let's hope Asiavision is as successful and enduring as our own Eurovision. Good luck to all countries involved!

Details on Eurovision.tv here

The Jury is back..back..back.. for 2009!

News from the reference group meeting in Moscow is that the jury will have a say in the final of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest!

In 2008, the jury only had influnce in the semi-final results (famously "saving" Charlotte Perrelli in the semi-final) but now the EBU have confirmed that the much-criticised neighbour/diaspora televoting that occurs in the final will be dampened by an expert jury vote, in some shape or form!

The actual details have yet to be decided upon, but we welcome this move, it is definitely a step in the right direction.

UK in Eurovision win!

Nowadays the words 'United Kingdom' and 'winner' don't appear that frequently in Eurovision circles, so Eurovision Express is delighted to hear that le Royaume Uni has won the Retro 1981 Contest.

Every year fans from across Europe vote in a Second Chance Contest, giving a whole bunch of national final songs the opportunity to compete against each other.

Second Chance began back in 1987, so a few years ago a bright spark decided it would be a nice idea to give those songs from 1986 and backwards their own 'retro' contest, so this year it was the turn of 1981, and Liquid Gold with Don't Panic emerged victorious!

1981 was obviously the UK's year, as, of course, Bucks Fizz won the real contest too.

Looking ahead to Retro 1980, Eurovision Express fully expects for Maggie Moone to keep up the good work and sweep the board with Happy Everything.

You can find out more about Second Chance and the Retro Contest here

Denmark opens its Doors!

Whilst other Scandinavian broadcasters (namely Norway and Sweden) only allow their own nationals to submit entries for ESC, Denmark has decided that it will allow foreigners to submit songs for the Danish Melodi Grand Prix (scheduled to take place on 31st January).

However, there still needs to be some Danish input into their 2009 entry, as DR has decided that either the composers or the performers of the entries for DMGP 2009 have to be Danish.

Meanwhile, over in Norway, NRK will be keen to repeat the success of Maria Haukaas Storeng's high placing in this year's ESC for 2009. They seem to have found a recipe for success and we look forward to another great MGP season in Norway from January.

Baltic boycott in Moscow?

According to Estonian newspaper postimees the Estonian Culture Minister - Laine Jänese - has hinted that her country may boycott the ESC 2009 in Moscow as a result of Russia's actions in Georgia.

Furthermore, she wants to enlist the support of her Baltic neighbours - Latvia and Lithuania - in the boycott.

Estonian Television Chairman - Margus Allikmaa -wants to start a public debate on the issue before any plans for the national ESC selection - Eurolaul- is announced.

Time will tell if this gathers support!

Graham Norton ...next UK commentator?

Rumour has it that Irish comedian and TV host Graham Norton will be the BBC's replacement for Terry Woagn at next year's ESC.

The two men have quite a bit in common - they are both Irish, they are both popular tv presenters and they have both been involved with Eurovision - Norton being the host of last year's Eurovision Dance Contest, and also the host of this year's event in Glasgow.

Norton is known for his irreverant wit and obviously the BBC see this as an essential part of any Eurovision commentator's brief. Word has it that the BBC will be organising a "glitz and glam" national final next year with Norton at the helm!

Is this a new era for the UK at Eurovision? Time will tell!

Wo-Gone! Terry leaves Eurovision!

UK Eurovision legend, Terry Wogan, has confirmed that he is stepping down as BBC commentator for the Eurovision Song Contest after 37 years!

According to The Daily Telegraph, Wogan said he was stepping down from the job, in an interview with UK TV guide Radio Times.

This will please some people, as they blame Terry for the low esteem that the contest is held in the UK. But, on the other hand, it was Wogan's commentary that consistently brought high viewing figures for ESC in the UK.

So, who will replace Terry....? Will it be Graham Norton, Jonathan Ross or even Eamonn Holmes...all have been rumoured? Who knows?

Book a room with Donna and Joe!

Irish 2005 Eurovision entrants - Donna and Joe McCaul - have turned up on an Irish reality TV show - Failte Towers.

Fáilte Towers is a hotel run entirely by celebrities...and this week Donna and Joe are in charge!!

You can read all about it here.

Eurovision Dance Tickets Available Now!

Looks like tickets to the Eurovision Dance Contest can be bought now for the princely sum of £10 or £15. Click here to visit the SECC site to secure your seats.

Eurovision Express were guests at the inaugral competition in London last year, but, alas, won't be able to make it to Scotland this time round.

Ven a Bailar Conmigo!...Let's Dance!

The Eurovision Dance Contest is now only weeks away and the official website is already up and running.

This year's contest comes from the wonderful city of Glasgow (above).

You can access the EDC website here.

Sakis wants to "Shake It" one more time!

According to Greek TV and our friends at www.oikotimes.com we have our first 2009 ESC artist....Sakis Rouvas!

Sakis, former ESC presenter and one of Greece's biggest stars, will represent his home country in Moscow next year with a song written by Dimitris Kontopoulos.

Greece came so close to victory this year with Kalomira, they are now bringing out the big guns to get Eurovision back to Athens or maybe Thessaloniki in 2010.

Go Greece!

Let's hear it for the boys...and girls!

As Belgrade becomes a distant memory in Eurovision circles, we move on to the next Eurovision contest in the calendar - Junior Eurovision 2008. This year it's from sunny Cyprus.

Some countries have pulled out of the contest, whilst others have joined, leaving the JESC looking mostly like an eastern and central european gig! There are no members of the Big 4 taking part this year, as Spain (one of the most popular JESC countries) has decided not to return after last year's absence.

We were very impressed (financially too) with the little chappie from Belarus who won the contest last year! We also picked the winners (Tomalchev sisters) from Russia in 2006, so we look forward to making it a hat trick this year.

You can visit the JESC website here. The conest takes place on 22nd November.

EuroBash 2008 - Birmingham U.K.

One of the highlights of the UK Eurovision calendar is happening again in 2008!

After two very successful "Birmingham Bash" events, OGAE (UK) are organising the re-named Eurobash 2008, taking place on
Saturday 4 October in Birmingham.

Eurobash 2008 is open to all members and friends of OGAE(UK).

The event will include:
· A contest to find the best song that has performed in that most unenviable of positions – 2nd in the running order
· The Big Eurovision Quiz
· A special ‘Guest spot’
· Stars In their Eurovision Eyes
· A Euro Disco – where you pick the songs

Details:

Saturday 4th October 2008
Jury’s Inn Hotel, Broad Street, Birmingham
From Noon

This event usually sells out, so if you are interested, click here

ABBA-Cadabra! They're Back!

What a marvellous moment...all four members of Super-Eurovision group ABBA appeared together in public for the first time in years. Bjorn, Benny, Agnetha and Frida reformed for one night only to attend the movie premiere of Mamma Mia in Stockholm.


Stars of the movie including Meryl Streep and Christine Baranski were also there to see the fab four. We're lookng forward to seeing the movie very very soon!

Perhaps ABBA will make more appearances together in the future...any chance of a new album guys? Well, we can hope!!!

Rosa's Dancing a Celebration

Rosa, who represented Spain in the 2002 Song Contest, is making a Eurovision comeback - this time as one of Spain's dancers for the upcoming Eurovision Dance Contest, due to be held in Glasgow on 6 September.

To our knowledge the UK has yet to announce its participants, one of whom must be an amateur dancer. Maybe Javine, DJ Daz or Gina G might fancy giving us their fandango?

Anyway here's Rosa doing a cover version of that Euroclassic, "La, La, La"