OIKOTIMES.COM

REHEARSALS MAY 17 VIDEOS & PHOTOS

TEAM — Thu, 17 May 2012 06:52:33 +0000

EUROVISION 2012 DAY 5
Today an interesting series of rehearsals begin. First semifinal (12 of them) will present their finalized acts on stage. This year oikotimes.com will present them in brief summary with video links aside sourced by our channel on Youtube. You can vote for them in Europrediction 2012, follow the latest video gallery on YouTube and comment the preparations in our Facebook Fan Page and Group. Don’t forget to Tweet us with your comments. Photo gallery will be added and updated below the review of the day.

CHECK THE DAILY PROGRAM HERE

Montenegro
Iceland
Greece
Latvia
Albania
Romania
Switzerland
Belgium
Finland
Israel
San Marino
Cyprus
Denmark

[Gallery not found]
source: www.eurovision.tv

VIDEO INTERVIEW NORWAY

LILIAN (SWEDEN) — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:09:21 +0000

Norway is represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 by energetic Tooji who competes with the song “Stay” in Semi Final 2 which takes place on 24 May 2012. This interview was done after the first rehearsal in the Press Center of the Chrystal Arena, 16 May 2012.

interview was done by Lilian, JP and Roger for
www.lilianseurovision.blogspot.se
www.radiointernational.tv
www.poplight.se
www.oikotimes.com
www.escflashmalta.com

MAY 16 HIGHLIGHTS SLOVAKIA: MJM ROCK VERSIONS FOR FIVE ENTRIES

ANOTHER SOURCE — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:46:33 +0000

The Slovakian Eurovision representative has made a short rock versions of five Eurovision 2012 entries, including Hungary, Sweden, Russia, France and Germany. (source: escwebs) Remember you can read about Max Jason Mai rehearsals here and also vote for him in Europrediction 2012.

MAY 16 HIGHLIGHTS ITALY: LIVE CONCERT TONIGHT

TEAM — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:26:39 +0000

Nina Zilli, the Italian representative concluded her sold out Italian tour just before Eurovision in Baku 2012 and tonight you can watch her Milan gig in Alcatraz including songs from her both albums and a couple of covers online thanks to Corriere Della Sera here. The set includes obviously her Sanremo song Per sempreand her Eurovision entry L’amore é femmina. You have to register for the site though. Have fun! At 9pm CET.

EUROPREDICTION 2012: MORE THAN 13,900 VOTES

TEAM — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:22:01 +0000

The www.oikotimes.com team is conducting for 11th year online the popular Europrediction poll (a reserved trademark for our site). Just like the previous year, the poll will feature two semifinals. The voting will begin on May 1st as we decided that by then the fans will be ready to give more clear predictions.

For each semifinal poll the fans can vote up to ten favourites but only once as IP and cookies will be blocked by the system of PollDaddy.com. Few hours before each semifinal the results will be announced. After the two semifinals, the two polls will be replaced by the final poll which will have the same procedure.

Last year oikotimes.com’s Europrediction was the only poll close to predicting the winner as there was no site or betting odd predicting it better than our readers. The polls is an interactive feature for our fans and has nothing to do with the official results for which everything can change during the live shows on May 22, 24 and 26 respectively.

Last year our readers predicted 8/10 to each semifinal. Usually our readers can predict 7-8 qualifiers while in the case of the winners for Eurovision, our poll is closely predicting them (2009 Norway second, 2010 Germany 3rd, 2011 Azerbaijan 2nd). You can help us find out the winner as soon as possible if you honestly vote for the countries with the best possibilities to win; and because the personal sentiment is always influences your votes, we give you the possibility to vote up to 10 countries in each poll.

THE POLL BEGINS ON MAY 1
SEMIFINAL 1 VOTE HERE
SEMIFINAL 2 VOTE HERE
FINAL (VOTING OPENS ON MAY 24)

remember that despite the good history of the poll, this feature depends purely on your votes and has nothing to do with oikotimes views. you are the only responsible for the result. results for each semifinal and final will be kept secret and will be revealed before each live show (May 22, 24, 26 at 18:00 CET).

MAY 16 HIGHLIGHTS DRINK THE EUROVISION BEER

TEAM — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:20:02 +0000

DRINK THE EUROVISION BEER" src="http://www.oikotimes.com/eurovision/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/EUROVISION-2012-BEER.jpg" alt="MAY 16 HIGHLIGHTS
DRINK THE EUROVISION BEER" width="200" height="129" />

Have some extra time? Are you exhausted from covering and following the rehearsals in Baku? Lucky ones in Azerbaijan can have their own Eurovision drink: it’s the Eurovision Beer, the second one I spot after Athens 2006 Eurovision Amstel Beer. So cheers Lilian and Roger!

VIDEO INTERVIEW BELARUS

LILIAN (SWEDEN) — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:02:46 +0000

Litesound represents Belarus in Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku. This interview was done after the first rehearsal in the Press Center of the Chrystal Arena, 15th May 2012. The song “We Are The Heroes” is written by the two brothers in the band – Dmitry and Vladimir Kariakin. Belarus is competing in the second semifinal on 24nd of May.

interview was done by Lilian, JP and Roger for:
www.lilianseurovision.blogspot.se
www.radiointernational.tv
www.poplight.se
www.oikotimes.com
www.escflashmalta.com

VIDEO INTERVIEW SWEDEN

LILIAN (SWEDEN) — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:53:38 +0000

Loreen is representing Sweden in Eurovision Song Contest 2012 and Ausben Jordan is the dancer who is lifting Loreen ‘up, up, up, up, up’. Ausben is born in Texas and previously he has been dancing with many superstars. This interview was done after Loreen’s first rehearsal on the 16th May 2012. Sweden is competing in the second semifinal on 24nd of May.

interview was done by JP, Ludvig and Roger for:
www.lilianseurovision.blogspot.se
www.radiointernational.tv
www.poplight.se
www.oikotimes.com
www.escflashmalta.com

EUROVISION 2012 MAY 16 DAY 04 IMPRESSIONS

TEAM — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:27:34 +0000

It has been the fourth day in Baku for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 and the rehearsals concluded. It wall started with a wonderful Serbia and ended up with a shouting Bulgaria. Let’s see the summary: You can read about the rehearsals of the day and the highlights of the press conferences while you can still vote in Europrediction 2012. Check also exclusive video fooatge, interviews and impression in our YouTube channel.

REHEARSALS AND BETTING ODDS
There was no change in the betting odds for the second semifinal today after concluding all participating countries this afternoon. Sweden, Serbia and Norway remain the favourites. No change in the rest seven positions with Slovenia and Slovakia predicted to qualify (yeah right). In the rehearsal videos today we checked the songs and we saw Sweden, Norway and Turkey as the best performances today. Lithuania and Estonia seem to grow up a lot and Georgia was the most hilarious entry this day.

SWITZERLAND & AUSTRIA MEET IN BAKU
Swiss representatives, Ivan and Gabriel (aka Sinplus) met their Austrian competitors in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, Trackshittaz in the center of Baku and of course they both uploaded a photo from their meeting. Eurovision is jus what you see below: friendship by music! Hurray!

INCIDENT WITH BELGIAN DELEGATION
Belgovision.com just reported that last night a crew team of VRT (Flemish national broadcaster) was attacked by a taxi driver in the center of Baku because of the big fare the later asked them. The pair came together with a colleague, after a few free hours back to their hotel when a taxi driver after a disagreement about the fare physically attacked them. One delegate held a broken jaw about. Read More.

AFTERMATH OF BAKU DEMONSTRATION
Twelve jailed Azerbaijani opposition activists have started a hunger strike to coincide with the upcoming Eurovision song contest, Azerbaijan’s Public Chamber opposition movement said on Wednesday, May 15, RIA Novosti reported. The protesters are demanding freedom for all “political prisoners” in Azerbaijan who they say have been illegally arrested or convicted.

NEW SONG BY JEDWARD SOON
The duo will release Young Love as their third studio album in Ireland on June 1 and the UK on June 4. The accompanying artwork features the pair in black denim jackets, while their trademark quiffs have become softer, swept-over fringes.

[Show as slideshow]

photos: www.eurovision.tv

BREAKING NEWS VRT ATTACKED!

TEAM — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:23:12 +0000

Belgovision.com just reported that last night a crew team of VRT (Flemish national broadcaster) was attacked by a taxi driver in the center of Baku because of the big fare the later asked them. The pair came together with a colleague, after a few free hours back to their hotel when a taxi driver after a disagreement about the fare physically attacked them. One delegate held a broken jaw about.

He is now back in Belgium and replaced by a colleague. The other delegates remain in Baku. The threesome works together in Baku to contest the two specials a Tuesday and Thursday will broadcast. VRT already alerted EBU, Ictamai and the local police on the issue (obviously very upset).

Note to anyone who cares: British taxi are fine but they should be accompanied by some basic British manners!

UPDATE
EBU just informed us that the incident took place with an unofficial Taxi company/individual driver

VIDEO INTERVIEW UKRAINE

LILIAN (SWEDEN) — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:57:42 +0000

Gaitana represents Ukraine in Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku. This interview was done after the first rehearsal in the Press Center of the Chrystal Arena, 15th May 2012. The song “Be My Guest” is the official anthem for UEFA Euro 2012 and it is written by Gaitana and KIWI Project. Ukraine is competing in the first semifinal on 22nd of May.

interview was done by Lilian, JP and Roger for:
www.lilianseurovision.blogspot.se
www.radiointernational.tv
www.poplight.se
www.oikotimes.com
www.escflashmalta.com

PRESS CONFERENCES MAY 16

TEAM — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:01:21 +0000

EUROVISION 2012 DAY 4
Another set of press conferences begin today. This year oikotimes.com will present them in brief summary with highlights and quotes from each participant’s statements. You can vote for them in Europrediction 2012, follow the latest video gallery on YouTube and comment the preparations in our Facebook Fan Page and Group. Don’t forget to Tweet us with your comments. Photo gallery will be added and updated below the review of the day.

SLOVENIA
The Head of Press of the Slovenian Delegation, Andrej Hofer, started the press conference by giving information about all the backing vocalists and, of course, Eva Boto. “She is the youngest singer in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, and she is going to win!”, he added.

CROATIA
Nina was asked about her entry Carobno Jutro with which she finished in second place in the Croatian national selection of 2003, She commented “Yes, I was in second place with that song, but actually it turned out to be a blessing as it was voted record of the year in 2003 in Croatia.” Nina then performed Carobno Jutro with guitar accompaniment for the press. The press conference moderator suggested to Nina that the popularity of her music across the former Yugoslavia still united people of all nation, even in the war torn years of the early 1990′s, Nina was flattered by this statement and added “It’s a great feeling when people love you and your music, no matter who they are and where they live. Music has a unique power to unite people. I think that the artist who did the most to unite all of the ex Yugoslavian countries however was Toše Proeski, his music still lives on and people still love him to this day.”

SWEDEN
Loreen is from Moroccan descent, “I could see Morocco in the Eurovision, when I perform I’m almost like in a trance, and I imagine that might come from my Moroccan roots, I put my heart and my soul into this, so what you see is basically all that I have” That explains the positive reactions she get when she performs Euphoria? “I think it’s great, I know that people feels that, and that’s great, I appreciate it, she has already added value to a good song, and that for me is a specific sign that she has this distinctiveness. Why people are so fascinated? It’s very theatrical, there are no effects, it’s just me and the stage, it has this nerve, and I’m not sure, because I can’t speak for you guys, but I think that’s the reason why people enjoys it so much, and she gave us a hint by singing an acapella performance of her hit from last year, My Heart Is Refusing Me.

GEORGIA
When Anri was asked if the Georgian representative in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest, Diana Ghurtskaia, had given him any advice for his stage performance, he replied: “Yes, we are still good friends, and we shared our experiences.” About his chances to win the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest, Anri Jokhadze stated: “We just do our best, and hope people will like our song. We are sure we can host the contest and light the Georgian fire!” Later on, he added: “My song is as unpredictable as the Eurovision Song Contest itself.”

TURKEY
At the press conference Can was calm and relaxed after a good rehearsal, despite a few mishaps during the initial camera rehearsal. He talked about the attitudes in turkey to his music, which he said that “in Turkey my music is considered alternative”, despite having a lot of distinctive Turkish sounds in the song. His birthday was also a big theme with many good wishes and additionally he was asked to say Happy Birthday to a fan, which he did. On the subject of celebrating, he had a surprise party last night organised by his colleagues.

ESTONIA
At the press conference after Ott’s first rehearsal, he was asked about what changes there have been since Estonia last hosted Europe’s Favourite TV Show in 2002. He replied “I believe that Eurovision has changed, there are more countries competing than 10 years ago. To my eyes it has become bigger, but I still believe that it would be a big deal to win for Estonia. It’s awesome here!.”Australian radio asked Ott to comment on a show in Estonia where he performed with his grandmother. He went on to say “Performing with my grandmother was the most emotional performance for me, she is a very special person, it was a great honour for me to perform with her on stage. I feel very lucky to have performed with her in front of an Estonian audience.” Ott did not rule out performing a duet with the Russian grandmothers Buranovskiye Babushki.

SLOVAKIA
“Yes, it is dangerous to enter the Eurovision Song Contest with a hard rock song, but that’s just my style”, he admitted right before going back to his dressing room.

NORWAY
Although seemingly relaxed, this is a big day for Tooji as believe or not, he has not had much experience on big stages, with Melodi Grand Prix being the very first time for him. He also said that being in Azerbaijan was very emotional for him as he was born in Iran, which is not far from Baku so he said, “I feel very close to my roots here even though Norway is my home”.

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
Maya Sar described her stage act as a simplified and a minimalistic story of her song. “Everything will be in one circle and it fits together.”

LITHUANIA
Regarding his objectives in the Eurovision Song Contest he thinks that this exposure is one more step for success in his career: “I want my song Love Is Blind to be heard and understood by everybody”.

[Show as slideshow]

source: www.eurovision.tv

REHEARSALS MAY 16 VIDEOS & PHOTOS

TEAM — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:42:17 +0000

EUROVISION 2012 DAY 4
Today the second semifinal countries are entering the game of technical rehearsals. This year oikotimes.com will present them in brief summary with video links aside sourced by our channel on Youtube. You can vote for them in Europrediction 2012, follow the latest video gallery on YouTube and comment the preparations in our Facebook Fan Page and Group. Don’t forget to Tweet us with your comments. Photo gallery will be added and updated below the review of the day.

CHECK THE DAILY PROGRAM HERE

SUMMARY OF THE DAY
Slovenian singer Eva Boto begins rehearsal, beautiful song all dressed up in white but it’s so obvious they want to replicate Maja Keuc. One more boring song comes up: Croatia. Purple, blue and black are the stage colors, there is an intense choreography and Nina is dressed in black outfit today. Finally we all wake up with Sweden: Loreen is simply amazing both vocally and in movement. Dark colors on stage with shades of blue, green and purple. I love this one and it will win!

Georgian rehearsal follows: absolutely kitsch and especially after Loreen this entry is doomed! Mixture of various styles and a nervous Anri on stage. Definitely not even worth to see it. Turkey was next with a seafaring theme and unpredictable sea and ship’s helm. Love about a girl? maybe the story. You kinda like it or hate it but will not be surprised if this doesn’t make it to the final (again). Estonia is another mixed feeling-song for me (and technical problems with the mic). The song and the performance are excellent in that dark orange stage but somehow it is loved maybe too much by the fans.

Slovakia: Too gay or too much Finland 2007? Before the Slovak soundcheck, the drummer of Max Jason Mai’s band was already showing his abilities on the drum kit on stage. The whole band had the dark appearance of a hard rock band, wearing sunglasses, hoods, and jeans. The light scene was mainly in black and white, with flashing spotlights above and in the back of the stage. On the LED screens, metal structures flashing in white and red were displayed. Next to Max Jason Mai, there were three musicians playing electric guitars, and the whole band gave the performance of an experienced rock band full of energy.

Norway’s Persian Prince is now on stage: The performance is very influenced by white strobe lights, dark tones and as the performance fires up, strong orange and fiery colours that represent the story of his song in many ways and are very appropriate to the theme of the entire contest, “Light Your Fire”. The choreography is very impressive with very complex moves and a pretty cool backflip to start up the performance by one of the backing singers. The dancing is quite close with a mixture of fast and slow moves, as well as some easy moves in the bridge that are designed to be done by people at home. In addition to the great lighting effects there are som pyros including a smoke covered stage at the beginning of the song to add to the songs middle-eastern, mystical flavours.

Bosnia & Herzegovina: Nice ballad with nice vocal performance and the fans gave her big applause in the arena. A big piano is set on stage while the backdrop video gives a medieval aspect on stage. Although not my taste, it’s a good effort. Lithuania concludes today’s rehearsals with handsome Donny Montell on stage. The performer begins singing his “Love is Blind” song with closed eyes and the stage is full of blue shaded lights. Somehow this one grows in me and might see it to the final.

VIDEOS
SLOVENIA
CROATIA
SWEDEN
GEORGIA
TURKEY
ESTONIA
SLOVAKIA
NORWAY
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
LITHUANIA

[Show as slideshow]

source: www.eurovision.tv

MAY 16 HIGHLIGHTS BELARUS: LITESOUND’S FIRST NIGHT IN BAKU

MARKUS (GERMANY) — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:41:46 +0000

The Belarusian participants in Baku 2012 Eurovision Song Contest are more than excited living this experience. They uploaded a funny video for their first day in Azerbaijan capital as you can see below. During their departure from Minsk they also got lots of people waving them good luck.

MAY 16 HIGLIGHTS HUNGARY: PARTY ANNOUNCEMENT

ALENKA (SWITZERLAND) — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:41:15 +0000

Today Hungarian delegation gives their own party as announced by Compact Disco team: We are happy to invite you to enjoy the performance of Compact Disco at the Jazz Center in Baku on Wednesday,16 May 2012, at 7pm local time. The entrance is free and you are invited for a glass of Hungarian wine by the kind support from the Hungarian Embassy in Baku. Press, fans, media and other Eurovision 2012 delegations are welcomed.