Eurovision 2013 - 14/16/18 May 2013

Not, I have to say, the first time a country has done this. Look at Oslo 1996 - every postcard was bookended by the artist, first doing their usual thing in their own country, then "reacting" to the postcard in clips shot in Norway. (Also every nation sent a video good luck message from a political figure - and we got Virginia flamin Bottomley)

(post edited following RTÉ correcting the mistake on their report)

The Irish entry for this year's Eurovision has been chosen:

http://www.rte.ie/ten/2013/0222/eurosong.html

Interestingly, Ryan's from Strabane - and he's performing in the first semi-final which the UK is voting in. Will it be enough of a foothold for him to secure a place in the main show, though?

Don't think a single country is ever enough... Can't help though...

It also seems that Sweden are playing to the strengths in the format of MF with some of their ideas. The choice of organisational team being an obvious one, but the postcards involving artists is something done to intro each act on MF each year anyway. Nice to see something different being tried. Plus great that Sven is involved too!

Quick heads up that Melfest is from the home of the Finals this year. the Malmö Arena in just over an hour.

(1900 GMT)

here ……..

VIDEO on SVTPLAY.SE
23-Feb-2013 @ 17:53

Bonnie Tyler to represent UK at Eurovision.

Confirmed by the BBC:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2013/eurovision-2013.html

EDIT: Here's the song:

My feeling of contempt for the BBC's Eurovision team has been expressed. Are we going for a double last place.?

I'm not convinced either the UK or Ireland want to win it.

Ireland have come up with a perfectly functioning but forgettable bit of europop, when they surely know what the Europeans lap up the stereotype of Ireland - ie slow ballads, violins, Boyzone (sort of).

Meanwhile, the UK seems to be providing a pension top-up for retiring pop stars. Part of me knows what they're doing - they reckon Eurovision is watched by a camp/older audience, and Bonnie Tyler in their heads fits that demographic. But it's just dull. And Bonnie Tyler looks like Cascada in 140 years' time.

I take it we're stuck with these awful, old-fashioned choices because Eurovision in this country is interlinked with Radio 2, and at that probably the older end of the Radio 2. (as well as the fact that no-one with a functioning career and any sense will go near it)

Much better than last years song. I'm actually impressed by this years entry. Yes, it won't win. That's obvious. It isn't a Euro-Pop / Dance song, so of course it won't. But it is a half decent song for once.

I don't really have anything against their choice of artist, I think as long as the singer can just about hold a tune it doesn't really matter who it is.

The song however I just can't get excited about, it's just very bland and doesn't seem to go anywhere. I think they could have made it into a bit more of a "power ballad" arrangement in order to make it more memorable.

I managed 1 minute 20 seconds of it.