JOY Eurovision

Hailing from Norway is three-member group, KEiiNO. With out-and-proud Tom Hugo, sublime singer Alexandra Rotan and Sami joiker Fred Buljo, the supergroup is hoping to make a mark on the semi final with their anthemic entry Spirit in the Sky.

Michael caught up with the trio to talk about the meaning behind the song and their current project to record an album with indigenous singers from around the world.

Who would they love to work with from Australia? Find out in the podcast.

Catch KEiiNO singing Spirit in the Sky in Semi 2 on Friday 17 May on SBS:

* Live at 5am AEST

* Prime time replay at 8:30pm AEST

It’s all about the music for Cyprus’s Tamta. She might be a fashionista, but it’s melody and family that takes pride of place for this singer, who delivers Replay at the beginning of the first semi.

Michael chatted with Tamta about having her daughter in Tel Aviv with her, her experiences on stage and what she loves about being a singer.

See Tamta perform Replay in Semi 1 on SBS:

* Live show on Wednesday 15 May at 5am AEST

* Prime time show on Thursday 16 May at 8:30pm AEST

He’s been around for decades and known to most thanks to his massive hit Sandstorm. Nearly 20 years later, Darude is back to take Finland, and his mate Sebastian Rejman, to Tel Aviv.

The lads caught up with Michael to talk about the whole process around creating three songs for Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu, how long it took Sebastian to say yes and the lengths they went to in order to rehearse for the show.

Plus, find out more about Darude’s new single, featuring a talented Aussie singer-songwriter.

Want to see that acoustic performance that the guys talked about? It’s right here for your viewing pleasure.

See Darude and Sebastian perform Look Away in Semi 1 on SBS:

* Live show on Wednesday 15 May at 5am AEST

* Prime time show on Thursday 16 May at 8:30pm AEST

Winning EMA with their moody ballad, Zala Kralj and Gašper Šantl come to Eurovision ready to sow seeds of love across the continent and beyond.

Michael caught up with the Slovenian lovebirds to talk about Sebi, meeting through Instagram and what it means to be able to make music.

Plus keep listening for Gašper’s new learning about Australia.

See Zala and Gašper perform Sebi in Semi 1 on SBS:

* Live show on Wednesday 15 May at 5am AEST

* Prime time show on Thursday 16 May at 8:30pm AEST

Serhat is returning to the Eurovision stage for San Marino, with a song to get you partying.

He chats with Michael about parties, music and rounding out the semi final. Serhat reveals more about his Eurovision future and if he’d do a duet with Valentina.

Plus, Serhat tells Michael what he loves about what he does.

See Serhat perform Say Na Na Na in Semi 1 on SBS:

* Live show on Wednesday 15 May at 5am AEST

* Prime time show on Thursday 16 May at 8:30pm AEST

Estonia has sent a Swede to Tel Aviv and he’s pulling out all the stops for an Eesti win.

Michael caught up with Victor Crone ahead of the first semi final. They talked about Storm, learning Estonian and the collaboration between Victor and Stig Rasta.

Plus, find out what Victor loves about his job.

See Victor Crone perform Storm in Semi 1 on SBS:

* Live show on Wednesday 15 May at 5am AEST

* Prime time show on Thursday 16 May at 8:30pm AEST

It’s starting to get crowded in Tel Aviv, and Michael finally found a quieter place with good wifi. Once again joined in Melbourne by Io and John from In the Studio, the team preview the second half of the bloodbath semi that is number 2.

With bangers, ballads and bops, there’s more love for some of the entries over others.

Which entry needs lifting?

What got Io and John dancing?

How does the team assess the current favourite?

Find out in the podcast.

And while you’re here, head down to the poll to vote for your favourite of this half of the semi.

Loving the songs?

Stream, buy and enjoy the official album.

The playlist

Roko – The Dream [Croatia]

Michela Pace – Chameleon [Malta]

Jurij Veklenko – Run with the Lions [Lithuania]

Sergey Lazarev – Scream [Russia]

Jonida Maliqi – Ktheju Tokës [Albania]

KEiiNO – Spirit in the Sky [Norway]

Duncan Laurence – Arcade [The Netherlands]

Tamara Todevska – Proud [North Macedonia]

Chingiz – Truth [Azerbaijan]

Cast your vote

For this semi final, you chose KEiiNO as your winner, with Duncan Laurence coming in second.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with everything JOYEurovision and share your own thoughts on social media:

 / JOY949ESC

@JOY_Eurovision

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Image credits (L-R): Lukas Gricius, Edvina Meta, Jonathan Brincat, Alexandr Porubaymykh, Paul Bellaart, Cedomir Popovski, Julia Marie Naglestad, Damjna Fiket & Marko Košutić, Daniil Velichko

The team is ready for more Eurovision shenanigans, with Michael on the ground in Tel Aviv and Io looking after things back in Melbourne (with the help of In the Studio‘s John)

It’s time for the second semi to be thoroughly investigated, as the team explores all the songs from Armenia to Austria… while Michael gets a tan.

Where should you take your retired robots?

Which song needs 5994 projections?

Which bishe is Io loving?

Find out in the podcast.

And while you’re here, head down to the poll to vote for your favourite of this half of the semi.

Loving the songs?

Stream, buy and enjoy the official album.

The playlist

Srbuk – Walking Out [Armenia]

Sarah McTernan – 22 [Ireland]

Anna Odobescu – Stay [Moldova]

Luca Hänni – She Got Me [Switzerland]

Carousel – That Night [Latvia]

Ester Peony – On a Sunday [Romania]

Leonora – Love Is Forever [Denmark]

John Lundvik – Too Late for Love [Sweden]

PÆNDA – Limits [Austria]

Cast your vote

For this half of the semi final, you had John Lundvik and PÆNDA tied for first place!

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with everything JOYEurovision and share your own thoughts on social media:

 / JOY949ESC

@JOY_Eurovision

 @JOY_Eurovision

Image credits (clockwise): Thomas Cato, Patrick Muennich, AMPTV, SRF / Lukas Maeder, Cat Music, RTÉ 2019 / Lili Forberg, Margarita Cernei, Sotarn, Aiga Redmane

Liam took over the radio on Anzac Day, sharing every Estonian Eurovision entry ever performed with Melbourne and the world on Australia’s LGBTI home of all things Eurovision.

In this final hour, have a listen to the songs that represented Estonia from 2015 through to this year’s entry from Victor Crone, including a quick chat about his preparations in the lead up to the competition in Tel Aviv. Liam also had a chat with 2018’s Elina Nechayeva.

Plus as an added bonus, get your ears around some Estonian tracks that got in through the Eurovision back door or didn’t quite get past Eesti Laul.

The Playlist

Elina Born & Stig Rästa – Goodbye to Yesterday

Jüri Pootsmann – Play

Koit Toome & Laura – Verona

Elina Nechayeva – La Forza [Italian: The Force]

Victor Crone – Storm

Vanilla Ninja – Cool Vibes

Stig Rästa – Home

Laura – Supersonic

Grete Paia – Päästke noored hinged [Estonian: Save the Young Souls]

Synne Valtri – I’ll Do It My Way

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with everything JOYEurovision and share your own thoughts on social media:

 / JOY949ESC

@JOY_Eurovision

 @JOY_Eurovision

Liam took over the radio on Anzac Day, sharing every Estonian Eurovision entry ever performed with Melbourne and the world on Australia’s LGBTI home of all things Eurovision.

In this second hour, Liam relives Estonia’s songs from 2005 through to 2014, plus chats with one of the members of Suntribe (and future returning singer), Laura Põldvere.

The Playlist

Suntribe – Let’s Get Loud

Sandra Oxenryd – Through My Window

Gerli Padar – Partners in Crime

Kreisiraadio – Leto Svet [Serbian/German/Finnish: Summer Light]

Urban Symphony – Rändajad [Estonian: Travellers]

Malcolm Lincoln – Siren

Getter Jaani – Rockefeller Street

Ott Lepland – Kuula [Estonian: Listen]

Birgit Õigemeel – Et Uus Saaks Alguse [Estonian: So There Can Be a New Beginning]

Tanja – Amazing

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with everything JOYEurovision and share your own thoughts on social media:

 / JOY949ESC

@JOY_Eurovision

 @JOY_Eurovision