The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews

By The EuroWhat? PodcastMusic Music Commentary Music History

The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews episodes

July 04, 2023Episode 200: PopCon 2023
2020 was a dark time for live music. It also marked the first time in the Eurovision Song Contest’s 65-year history where the competition was canceled. Rather than letting the lights go down in Rotterdam, Eurovision’s fan community and the European Broadcasting Union found new ways to celebrate the contest’s artists with at-home concerts, fan-driven countdowns, AI analysis of song content, and internet watchalongs of remastered editions of previous contests.
When the contest returned in 2021, “Open Up”—the slogan carried over from the 2020 contest—took on new meaning. Participating nations took extra precautions to put on their selection processes safely while Eurovision made sure it could be “back for good.” Fans had more say in who would be representing their nation, the Rotterdam Ahoy crew tested the feasibility of large-scale music events, and improvements in streaming platforms over the last decade meant that even more eyes were on the contest.
What wide-ranging effects could this have as Eurovision breaks out of its European bubble and starts bleeding into other areas of pop culture, including the Billboard Hot 100 and the 2023 Grammy Awards?
PopCon 2023 Summary
What is Eurovision? (8:43)
A Big Tent (12:07)
An Interlude About Digital Streaming Technology (13:10)
It is a Normal Year at Eurovision and Everything is Fine and We're Definitely NOT About to be Rocked By a Global Pandemic That Will Shut Everything Down Nine Months from Now (16:44)
#EurovisionAgain (28:57)
Back for Good (35:02)
Eurovision Song Contest: The Legend of Fire Saga (40:28)
Televising Covid (42:08)
New Engagement Opportunities (50:41)
The Covid Bubble (53:30)
The Grand Final (1:02:46)
Eurovision Around the World (1:08:53)
Thank you again to everyone listening, guests who have appeared on the show, guests who don't yet know they're going to be on the show (get hype!), and the Eurovision community at-large. This podcast is a labor of love and we're super proud to have made it to 200!
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The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here.
Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email, reach out on Twitter @eurowhat, or give us a toot on Mastodon.
Over on Patreon, we have a slew of bonus episodes featuring the Eurowhat AV Club and deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics. Thank you for your support!
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
Pop Conference 2023
Slide Deck (pdf)
The EuroWhat? Podcast Episode 85: Eurovision Again
Eurovision 2020 & 2021 branding | CLEVERºFRANKE
The EuroWhat? Podcast Episode 105: AHHHHHHHH!
The EuroWhat? Podcast Episode 124: It was the Elves
1 hr 14 min
June 20, 2023Episode 199: News Cruise
Sweden's host city selection process for Eurovision 2024 has been bopping along while everyone is out of office for summer vacation. We get caught up with our mailbag and some of the headlines from the last month.
News Cruise Summary
Mailbag: Jemini v Gemini Edition (1:10)
Sweden Closes Bids for Eurovision Host City (2:43)
Eurowhat AV Club (7:48)
2024 National Finals Taking Shape (9:06)
Theodor Andrei Talks About Representing Romania (14:46)
Subscribe
The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here.
Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Twitter @eurowhat.
Over on Patreon, we have a slew of bonus episodes featuring the Eurowhat AV Club and deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics. Thank you for your support!
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
The EuroWhat? Podcast Episode 175: Euroquiz 2022
Shipping Out by David Foster Wallace (pdf) | Harpers
Cyprus Announces National Selection “Fame Story” for Eurovision 2024 | escYOUnited
FARA PERDEA S2Ep01 - THE WATCHER & @TheodorAndrei +English subtitles | YouTube
lucy 🌺 ~ 🇷🇴❤️#DGT on Twitter: "Theodor Andrei: "The Truth About Eurovision" (summarised for twitter 🧵)
19 min
June 06, 2023Episode 198: Lyrical Vocabulary
How does a songwriter interface with the Eurovision experience? "Blood and Glitter" co-writer Anthony J. Brown joins us to discuss his involvement with Lord of the Lost and Germany's 2023 Eurovision entry.
Lyrical Vocabulary Summary
How did "Blood and Glitter" come about? (1:23)
On the Way to Eurovision (10:01)
What was your Grand Final experience? (13:31)
The Scoreboard (20:19)
Subscribe
The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here.
Keep tabs on everything happening with Eurovision 2023 on our website at eurowhat.com/2023
Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email, reach out on Twitter @eurowhat, or give us a toot on Mastodon.
Over on Patreon, we have a slew of bonus episodes featuring the Eurowhat AV Club and deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics. Thank you for your support!
Special Guest: Anthony J. Brown.
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
Anthony J. Brown on Facebook
Blood and Glitter by Mick Rock (Amazon)
Dreadpan | YouTube
Hungarian Lanterns | YouTube
33 min
May 23, 2023Episode 197: Debut
Ben has returned from his Eurovision debut in Liverpool, both as an audience member and as part of the in-person press team. He shares stories from his jam-packed trip.
Debut Summary
Eurovision Expectations (1:19)
The Turquoise Carpet and National Lottery Show (4:55)
Eurovision Dress Rehearsals and Semi Finals (8:35)
The Eurovision Grand Final (18:25)
The Sauna Truck (24:00)
The EuroVillage (27:00)
EuroWhat Off-Season Mode (28:55)
Subscribe
The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here.
Keep tabs on everything happening with Eurovision 2023 on our website at eurowhat.com/2023
Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email, reach out on Twitter @eurowhat, or give us a toot on Mastodon.
Over on Patreon, we have a slew of bonus episodes featuring the Eurowhat AV Club and deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics. Thank you for your support!
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
The EuroWhat? Podcast on Twitter: "While others went to the press conference, my interest was more “what’s going on at the sauna truck?”, so I followed that lead. #EUROVISION #EUROVISION2023 #Käärijä https://t.co/1zVllrlMyK" / Twitter
32 min
May 16, 2023Episode 196: Stockholm Syndrome
While Ben recovers from Liverpool's Party of the Century, special guest Trip Payne stops by to chat about the 2023 Eurovision Grand Final and the battle between Sweden and Finland.
Stockholm Syndrome Summary
Eurovision Listening Project (2:35)
How was the Grand Final as a show? (5:22)
Diving into the Grand Final results (7:06)
Semi-Finals Data Drop (19:20)
Looking ahead to 2024 (23:45)
Subscribe
The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here.
Keep tabs on everything happening with Eurovision 2023 on our website at eurowhat.com/2023
Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email, reach out on Twitter @eurowhat, or give us a toot on Mastodon.
Over on Patreon, we have a slew of bonus episodes featuring the Eurowhat AV Club and deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics. Thank you for your support!
Special Guest: Trip Payne.
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
Trip Payne (@PuzzleTrip) / Twitter
Qaqaq's Sporcle Created Playlists
29 min
May 12, 2023Episode 195: Eurovision 2023 Grand Final Preview
Will Finland "Cha Cha Cha" to victory? Will Sweden's Loreen get a "Tattoo" to celebrate a win? Could Ukraine's "Heart of Steel" beat the competition? We recap the Eurovision 2023 Semi-Finals and make our picks for what we think will happen at the Grand Final in Liverpool.
Eurovision 2023 Grand Final Preview Summary
Semi-Final 1 Recap (2:11)
Semi-Final 2 Recap (10:06)
Grand Final Preview (18:40)
Subscribe
The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here.
Keep tabs on everything happening with Eurovision 2023 on our website at eurowhat.com/2023
Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email, reach out on Twitter @eurowhat, or give us a toot on Mastodon.
Over on Patreon, we have a slew of bonus episodes featuring the Eurowhat AV Club and deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics. Thank you for your support!
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
29 min
May 08, 2023Episode 194: Internet People
Ben and Mike met up in person to make their picks on what they think will qualify from the Eurovision 2023 semi-finals. Then we saw rehearsals. Experience both the before and after as we make our best guesses for Tuesday and Thursday.
Internet People Summary
Making predictions: pre-rehearsals (2:00)
Semi-Final 1 Predictions (4:57)
Semi-Final 2 Predictions (10:57)
SPOILER WARNING: Making Adjustments (20:34)
Semi-Final 1 Prediction Adjustments (20:49)
Semi-Final 2 Prediction Adjustments (28:14)
Subscribe
The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here.
Keep tabs on everything happening with Eurovision 2023 on our website at eurowhat.com/2023
Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email, reach out on Twitter @eurowhat, or give us a toot on Mastodon.
Over on Patreon, we have a slew of bonus episodes featuring the Eurowhat AV Club and deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics. Thank you for your support!
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
The EuroWhat? Podcast - Where Can I Watch the Eurovision Song Contest in the US?
The EuroWhat? Podcast 187: Semi 1 Part 1
The EuroWhat? Podcast Episode 188: Semi 1 Part 2
The EuroWhat? Podcast Episode 189: Semi 1 Part 3
The EuroWhat? Podcast Episode 190: Semi 2 Part 1
The EuroWhat? Podcast Episode 191: Semi 2 Part 2
The EuroWhat? Podcast Episode 192: Semi 2 Part 3
35 min
May 02, 2023Episode 193: Controlled Grandiosity
Maura Johnston joins us as we wrestle with the Eurovision 2023 set of auto-qualifiers. Will Ukraine pull the double? Will the UK and Spain continue their glowups? Will we be going back to Italy? Will Germany get out of the basement? Is France gonna France?
Controlled Grandiosity Summary
France — La Zarra — "Évidemment" (2:16)
Germany — Lord of the Lost — "Blood and Glitter" (6:43)
Italy — Marco Mengoni — "Due Vite" (12:29)
Spain — Blanca Paloma — "EAEA" (17:08)
Ukraine — TVORCHI — "Heart of Steel" (22:44)
United Kingdom — Mae Muller — "I Wrote a Song" (28:08)
Final Thoughts (34:28)
Subscribe
The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here.
Keep tabs on everything happening with Eurovision 2023 on our website at eurowhat.com/2023
Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email, reach out on Twitter @eurowhat, or give us a toot on Mastodon.
Over on Patreon, we have a slew of bonus episodes featuring the Eurowhat AV Club and deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics. Thank you for your support!
Special Guest: Maura Johnston.
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
La Zarra
Lord Of The Lost
Marco Mengoni
Blanca Paloma (@blancapaloma.rb) • Instagram photos and videos
TVORCHI (@tvorchi_official) • Instagram photos and videos
HOME | Mae Muller
UncertainFM | The Pop 'N' Wrestling Connection
38 min
April 25, 2023Episode 192: ... Her?
When (inciting incident), (hero) struggles against (antagonistic force) in order to (goal) before (stakes are lost).
... Her? Summary
San Marino - Piqued Jacks - "Like an Animal" (4:32)
Austria - Teya and Salena - "Who the Hell is Edgar?" (12:06)
Albania - Albina & Familja Kelmendi - "Duje" (18:54)
Lithuania - Monika Linkyté - "Stay" (25:18)
Australia - Voyager - "Promise" (32:26)
Final Thoughts (40:30)
Subscribe
The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here.
Keep tabs on everything happening with Eurovision 2023 on our website at eurowhat.com/2023
Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email, reach out on Twitter @eurowhat, or give us a toot on Mastodon.
Over on Patreon, we have a slew of bonus episodes featuring the Eurowhat AV Club and deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics. Thank you for your support!
Special Guest: Navah Wolfe.
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
Official Website - Piqued Jacks
TEYA & SALENA | Linktree
“At Least It Pays to Be Funny”: Of Feminism, Creative Agency, and Lipstick in Teya & Salena’s “Who the Hell Is Edgar?” - Brainsister.com: A Blog of Many Opinions (and a Few Biases)
Albina KELMENDI (@kelmendialbina) • Instagram photos and videos
Monika Linkyte (@monikalinkyte) • Instagram photos and videos
Voyager
43 min
April 18, 2023Episode 191: Hotel Art
Susan Rogers from Berklee College of Music and author of This Is What It Sounds Like joins us for a record pull of the middle section of Eurovision Semi-Final 2. How do Iceland, Greece, Poland, Slovenia, and Georgia interact with our listener profiles?
Hotel Art Summary
This is What it Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You (0:49)
Iceland - Diljá - “Power” (5:53)
Greece - Victor Vernicos - "What They Say" (11:39)
Poland - Blanka - "Solo" (18:31)
Slovenia - Joker Out - "Carpe Diem" (24:52)
Georgia - Iru - "Echo" (31:07)
Subscribe
The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here.
Keep tabs on everything happening with Eurovision 2023 on our website at eurowhat.com/2023
Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email, reach out on Twitter @eurowhat, or give us a toot on Mastodon.
Over on Patreon, we have a slew of bonus episodes featuring the Eurowhat AV Club and deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics. Thank you for your support!
Special Guest: Susan Rogers.
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
Diljá
victorvernicos | Instagram | Linktree
Blanka Stajkow (@blikeblanka) • Instagram photos and videos
Joker Out
IRU (@irukhechanovi) • Instagram photos and videos
This Is What It Sounds Like: What The Music You Love Says About You
40 min

About The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews

From the publisher's feed

The Eurowhat? Podcast launched in 2018 and features two Americans (Ben Smith and Mike McComb) attempting to make sense of the Eurovision Song Contest. The show tracks national selections and artist…