Copenhagen: The first technical rehearsals begin

B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen.

Copenhagen, Denmark - With exactly one month to go until the Grand Final of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, the first technical rehearsals are underway at the B&W-Hallerne in Copenhagen, in order to ensure a smooth running of the three live shows on the 6th, 8th and 10th of May.

“Everything will be tested, including anything that can go wrong”, tells Head of Production, Kamilla Monies on the day the technical rehearsals begin at the B&W-Hallerne.

Construction has completed on the enormous Eurovision Song Contest stage, the Green Room has been set up and all the rehearsal plans have been organised down to the last detail. There is exactly one month until the Grand Final of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, and now all the technology needs to be thoroughly tested.
For the next two days, it is all about technical rehearsals at the B&W-Hallerne, and here everything from sound and lighting, stage equipment and camera positions to power and connections to the OB trucks will be thoroughly tested so that everything is ready and functioning for when the 37 participants arrive for their first rehearsals in the hall.
“All the technology needs to be tested so that we are able to find and resolve any defects, before the ‘proper’ rehearsals start", explains Head of Production, Kamilla Monies, to DR.

Everything must be under control

“All of our technicians sign on at 09:00 and it is the first time they will enter the actual arena, and will need to get used to the place. This means that all the camera men and women need to find their positions and thoroughly check their equipment; then we will start going through and testing everything”, elaborates Kamilla Monies.
For example, communication with the OB trucks needs to be established, the cameras need to be correctly placed, sound and lighting needs to be checked and the screens and graphics on the enormous stage need to function optimally.
In short: We need to be in control of everything!

Biggest Danish TV production ever

A production like the Eurovision Song Contest is unique in both its size and scope, and will be the biggest production ever in Denmark.
“Normally you have just one test day, but we have chosen to have two test days, because there are so many things that need to be checked”, says Kamilla Monies.

Deliberately causing technical failures

When you are dealing with such a huge production it is also important to test anything that potentially can go wrong.
“When everything is set up and running at an optimal level, we are going to deliberately cause a number of failures so that we get to properly test our emergency procedures, and know how to cope if, for example, communication to the OB trucks is lost or if there are failures in other technical areas”, explains Kamilla Monies.
So-called shadow plans have been made for the people carrying out the most important functions so that another person can take over if, for example, a cameraman or lighting technician comes down with food poisoning or is injured.
In addition, there are back-ups for pretty much every piece of equipment so that the production is as ring-fenced as it can possibly be.

“A good thing if things go wrong”

If something has to go wrong, then it should really happen during the two test days today and on Friday:
“If something goes wrong, then it can only be a good thing, as then we have tested it going wrong. Rather it goes wrong tomorrow than later on”, says Kamilla Monies.
A challenge already confronted by the Head of Production is the floor in the halls, which was more uneven than previously thought. So now the Green Room stands a little higher on the sides than was previously the intention, in order to make the Green Room area completely even.

And even though Kamilla Monies has a lot of power at her disposal, she is nevertheless excited to see if it can cope without the need to use the back-up power, when all the technology is tried out today and on Friday.

From vision to reality

Most of all, she is excited to see whether all the visions for the stage, sound, lighting and technology have been realised:
“Everything has been in peoples’ heads and a piece of paper or a 3D-drawing – now it is all about to become a reality”.

"Diamond" stage for Eurovision 2014 almost complete

One of the first stage renditions presented by DR.

Copenhagen, Denmark - On Saturday in Amsterdam, Head of Show, Jan Lagermand Lundme revealed the first pictures of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest stage, which this year will resemble the shape of a diamond. Further details about the lighting and acoustics at the B&W-Hallerne have also been revealed.

The 2014 Eurovision Song Contest will soon be upon us and one of the questions still being asked is how the stage and arena will look. At the weekend, Head of Show, Jan Lagermand Lundme revealed the first pictures of the stage design to budding fans and journalists at the Eurovision In Concert event in Amsterdam.
In addition to this, news about the acoustics and lighting has also been released, giving a much bigger picture of how things will look when the first artist rehearsals start on the 28th of April in Copenhagen.

The Eurovision stage to be diamond shaped!

”Diamond-shaped? No surprise, but it looks bloody exciting!”
That was the first reaction on Facebook after DR’s Head of Show, Jan Lagermand Lundme, revealed the first sneak peek of this year’s stage on Saturday.
This happened in Amsterdam, where 25 of this year’s participants came together for concert for Eurovision Song Contest fans. Here, mobile phone pictures of the stage were instantly spread on social media.
”We have tried to make it all work: the stage, the graphical expression and our slogan #JoinUs. If the first thing people say is that it resembles a diamond, then we have succeeded”, says a satisfied Head of Show.
A magical stage
The diamond shape is quite obviously in one of the pictures Jan Lagermand Lundme showed, depicting an open, angular stage bathed in blue and white lights – in spirit of the #JoinUs logo, which DR presented in the autumn. In the next picture the stage looks completely different and more closed.
”It is a good picture, showing that the stage can be both very open and more closed”, says the Head of Show.

How the stage may look during an artist performance. Photo: Twitter
”It is going to be able to do something, it will be quite magical. I can’t really say more”.
”Wow”
It isn’t just a coincidence that at a party for Eurovision fans, DR decided to show off the first pictures of the stage.
”The fans are a big part of this. Without them there would not be a Eurovision Song Contest. Unless we give them something, we cannot expect people to ’join’ us”, says Jan Lagermand Lundme, making reference to this year’s slogan.
And the reaction from the fans was exciting
”What we really want is to create a curiosity around the show in May. And they said, “wow” and applauded the stage, even though we only showed two quick pictures.
Stage rehearsals start on Thursday
At the B&W-Hallerne, the stage is nearing completion, says Lundme, who has already moved from his large office at DR Byen to a mobile hut on Refshaleøen.
”We have come very far. The Diamond is there, and now we are just missing some details”, he says.
”It will be finished on Thursday, when we will have the first technical rehearsals”.

Denmark’s biggest ever light show

In front of a small meeting room at DR’s headquarters, boxes of technical equipment are piled up. Inside strobe lighting is flashing almost hypnotically. Then, a red beam shoots round and soon the room is bathing in a blue glow.

Light designer Kasper Lange and his team are in process of programming the lighting show for next month’s Eurovision Song Contest.

”It is like a flight simulator, where we can program all the lighting in a virtual world”, he explains and points at the flat screen on the wall.

”We have drawn the decoration, hall and lighting up in 3D and we also have special visualisation program where we can turn on all the screens and lights in the hall”.

The bigger, the simpler it is

With 3,000 lights, and over 1,200 square metres of LED screens, DR’s lighting team are in the process of creating a production of enormous dimensions.

”This is by far the biggest lighting production ever in Denmark – and one of the biggest in the world. The thing that makes it so big is all the viewers. It is really a huge window. I get Goosebumps when I think about it, which I am trying not to do too often”, smiles Kasper Lange.

Precisely because everything is so big in the B&W-Hallerne, Lange looks upon his task as creating something of an individual expression.

”My theory is that the bigger the show is, the simpler this expression should be in order to make it work. There is so much information, so much going on, such varied artists on stage and it is easy to go over the top. So the trick here is to take it easy”, he believes.

”It has to be blue”

Kasper Lange has been responsible for the lighting design at TV shows such as X Factor, Dansk Melodi Grand Prix and many others. Since June, he has been on the team preparing for the Eurovision Song Contest, in close cooperation with stage designer Claus Zier and the rest of DR’s creative team.

Right now, Lange’s team are in full swing programming the lights for the 37 different songs.

”Some countries have s very specific idea for their show with the colours, pictures and graphics they want. Others just say: “It has to be blue” – and then they need to receive guidance from us”, he says.

Fun and tasteful

The biggest challenge for Kasper Lange and his team is to create variety in the performances.

”The viewers should be able to tell the difference between the 37 songs. When you see the recap at the end of each show, you need to able to differentiate clearly between them all”, he explains.

”If we manage to make the shows exciting and fun as well as tasteful, then we have delivered it. Denmark is just the host this year, so it maybe another 10-15 years before we hold Eurovision again. So this is a unique opportunity to place our mark on it”.

FACTS – Denmark’s biggest lighting production

3000 lights – of which 730 are LED-lights
Over 2000 light-cues
Over 1200 m2 of LED screens
46 people are working in the lighting production
14 spotlights, manually operated from a height of 24 metres

A new Danish invention to sort out the acoustics in the B&W-Hallerne

A huge concrete hall and good sound rarely go hand in hand. Anyone who has been at a concert in a huge sports stadium knows that.

That is why Host City Copenhagen, the company responsible for Copenhagen’s hosting of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, has hired one of Denmark’s leading sound experts and is trying out new technology to ensure that the audience and TV-viewers get the best possible sound experience in the B&W-Hallerne in May.

”The challenge is that the hall is so big, and the bigger the space, the more the sound reverberates – i.e. the amount of time it takes for the sound to die out”, explains Eddy Bøgh Brixen who is a qualified sound technician at DR and has released several teaching books about acoustics, also having worked with the sound design at many Danish venues and concert halls.

A picture depicting how the acoustics will work. Photo: Niels Werner Adelman-Larsen (Flex Acoustics)

15,000 square metres to be covered with material

When the B&W-Hallerne on Refshaleøen stand empty, it takes 13.2 second for the sound die away. This needs to be brought down to around 3 seconds, explains Eddy Bøgh Brixen.

”There is a requirement to dampen the sound reverberation at all ends of the spectrum so we are bringing several different tools into use”, he says and continues:

”We are for example working with Molton (sound absorbing black material). One single layer will not help here as it is too thin. We are going to use three to four layers, and we need to cover 15,000 square metres. As such, 60,000 square metres of Molton is required!”

Plastic balloons to prevent bass “rattle”

A completely new Danish invention will also be used – the so-called AqFlex. It is a type of balloon made of plastic that can absorb the bass sound.

”My invention is directed towards the deep sounds and medium frequencies”, explains Niels Werner Adelman-Larsen, who has developed the “balloons”, which are being especially manufactured in Germany for the Eurovision Song Contest.

”The base increases to very high levels for pop music. If we do not overcome the tendency for the hall to trap the bass sound, then a single note can reverberate for a long time. Then the general sound will become muddied and boom”.

Better than Parken

The last time Copenhagen hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 2001, a large number of the audience at the Parken stadium experienced a low sound quality. This year, DR and the host city are taking a very different approach.

”It will be better than Parken, I can guarantee! This, despite B&W-Hallerne having worse acoustics”, says Eddy Bøgh Brixen.

”Unless the 10,000 members of the audience are having a party, then there is nothing to transmit on TV, and the artists performances are dependent on the audience. It is all connected, and it should all work. So, for the sake of everyone, it is important that the acoustics are good”.

The 2014 Eurovision Song Contest will take place on the 6th, 8th and 10th of May in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Denmark’s biggest ever light show

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What do you think of the plans for the stage, lighting and acoustics?

Australian superstar to sing at Eurovision

Jessica Mauboy.

Sydney, Australia - This year, Australian broadcaster, SBS, are responsible for the interval act in the second Semi-Final of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, and they have chosen platinum selling artist, Jessica Mauboy, to take on this unique challenge in Copenhagen.

She has taken part in the Australian edition of Pop Idol, has released several platinum selling albums and is also a prize-winning actress. Now, Jessica Mauboy has come out as a Eurovision Song Contest diva, as she will form the interval act during the second Semi-Final on the 8th of May.

A huge talent

This comes as good news to Mikkel Bech, Supervising Producer for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest:
“She is incredibly good and a huge talent, and she is really, really excited about travelling to Denmark and standing on the big Eurovision stage”, says Mikkel bech
“This is huge for her. When we told her that up in the region of 180 million people watch the Eurovision Song Contest, you could tell that she was thinking ‘Gosh, this is going to be huge!’”

DR rewarding Australian Eurovision loyalty

The agreement with Australia came into being when host broadcaster DR decided to reward the country’s unrelenting enthusiasm for the Eurovision Song Contest by inviting them on to the stage in Copenhagen.
They have decided that Jessica Mauboy will lead the festivities when the Aussies form the interval act for the second Semi-Final:
“She has written a song especially for the Eurovision Song Contest. You can hear it is her, but she reflects the Eurovision spirit perfectly”, says Mikkel Bech.

Representing the new Australia

Jessica Mauboy is not just a prize winning actress and singer, she has also performed for celebrities such as the American talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres. She has an aboriginal background and has been especially chosen by Australian television to represent her country in Copenhagen:
“Jessica is an example of what Australia is all about. Australian TV (SBS) have chosen her because she shows another side of Australia that you maybe have not heard so much about before – she reflects the ‘new’ Australia”, concludes Mikkel Bech

What do you think of the Australian choice?

Australia to take part in Eurovision!

Sydney Opera House.

Sydney, Australia - They love the Eurovision Song Contest in Australia, so much so that DR is giving the country a central role in the second Semi-Final on Thursday the 8th of May.

Every year, when the Eurovision Song Contest is broadcast on screens all over Europe, it is also watched enthusiastically in Australia. They have been doing this since ABBA won in 1974.
Now the Land Down Under is being rewarded by DR:
”Australia is going to take part in the second Semi-Final. They have asked several times if they can take part, because they love the Eurovision Song Contest so much. So this year we have given them permission to take to the stage and show us what they can do”, explains Mikke Bech, editorial boss for this year’s edition in Copenhagen.

Australian interval act

In essence, this means that Australia – who has produced acts including Kylie Minogue, Nick Cave and Olivia Newton-John – has said yes to producing the entertainment just before we find out the results of the second Semi-Final at the Eurovision Song Contest on the 8th of May.
And there will certainly be something to look forward to, when the Australians take to the stage as the so-called Interval Act, promises Mikkel Bech:
”They will come up here with a huge display of all possible senses that represent what Australia is. They are going to work visually with what Europe means to them and what Australia means to us in Europe, so it is going to be big and spectacular – and it is going to involve a lot of humour”.

Australia loves the grandeur of Eurovision

Mikkel Bech travelled to Australia to meet with the people at TV station SBS, who are responsible for Australia’s act during the second Semi-Final, and here he had the opportunity to ask why they love Europe’s favourite TV show so much.
”The Australians love the grandeur of the Eurovision Song Contest and what they themselves describe as the somewhat kitschy element to it, but people down there take it very seriously, and there are many people who watch it. It is a big deal for them”
”Also, many of them have European blood flowing through their veins, so for them it is also a connection to their roots in Europe. I believe that many Australians in one way or another have Europe in them, and many people can related to the show”, says Mikkel Bech.
In addition, SBS is the Australian broadcaster that broadcasts the Eurovision Song Contest shows every year to Australian viewers, a little after Europe because of the time difference.

What do you think the interval act will be?

Eurovision 2014 stage to be 'big'

All heads of delegations yesterday at the B&W Arena.

Copenhagen, Denmark - The rumour mill is at full speed about the stage of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest after it was introduced yesterday to the delegations.

"Stage drawings look very promising," says the Swedish Head of Delegation, Christer Björkman told to SVT.
"It's back to being large. Both the stage and the lights are gigantic, Moscow-large," he refers to the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest stage.

A little more time to wait

Jan Lagermand Lundme, the Show Producer of this year’s contest tells that the comparison to the Moscow stage is fair.

Heads of Delegations meeting in Copenhagen

Check out the Full gallery

"It will not be as in Moscow, but it is big at the B&W Arena. And you get excited when you walk into a room, where there are 68 metre ceilings," he said.
However, it will be still some time before the whole world will actually see it. "We would like to see it completely finished before showing it which it will be at the first Semi-Final on the 6th of May and probably before that,"Lagermand Lundme laughs.

Yesterday, the stage was shown to all the Heads of Delegations that gathered to Copenhagen to submit their entries as well as hear updates from the host broadcasters.

Entries submitted for Eurovision 2014

 

Copenhagen, Denmark - Today, the entries for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest have been submitted to the European Broadcasting Union, making them officially the entries of the participating countries. Now, the countdown to this year’s contest is at its very last stretch.

Heads of delegations - the people in charge for Europe’s favourite TV show in all the countries - gathered to Copenhagen today to hear the latest updates from the contest and submit their entries.
This means that all the entries will also be officially presented right here on Eurovision.tv on the artist profiles - stay tuned!
One of the first updates was that the preliminary dates for the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest, its 60th edition - it’ll be held on the 12th, 14th and 16th of May!
The delegations also got a sneak peek of the stage and the so-called postcards - video clips between the entries which got a very warm welcome. We'll share details as soon as we can!
As the host country, Denmark was also drawn to be performing as number 23 in the Grand Final of the contest in May. The running order for the Semi-Finals will be revealed by the producers in the weeks to come. The running order for the Final will be revealed shortly after all the finalists have been chosen.
PS! Don't forget we'll release the Austrian and Russian entries later this week!

It's Basim for Denmark to Copenhagen!

Odense, Denmark - Tonight, in a spectacular show from the Arena Fyn in Odense, Denmark chose Basim to fly the Dannebrog flag on home turf in Copenhagen on the 10th of May. Will they be able to make it two in a row?

Danmark's Radio (DR), host broadcaster of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, have not forgotten their own national selection, Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, this year: they produced a fantastic show where 10 talented acts had the opportunity to perform for an entire nation.
However, only one act could win, and that was the wonderful Basim with the song Cliché Love Song!
Basim will now have the honour of representing Denmark on home turf at Europe's favourite TV show in Copenhagen on the 10th of May, where all eyes will be on him to see if he can make it two victories in a row.

Big Final

After the 10 acts had performed, an initial round of voting took place where the juries and televoters decided which three songs would go on to the so-called "Store Finale" (Big Final) to be performed again. These were (winner in bold):

1. Basim - Cliché Love Song - 1st Place
2. Michael Rune feat. Natascha Bessez - Wanna Be Loved - 2nd Place
3. Rebekka Thornbech - Your Lies - 3rd Place

Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2014

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Eurovision legends perform

Tonight, viewers of Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2014 were in for a treat. Just before the winner was announced, three legends of the Danish Eurovision Song Contest scene performed together on stage.
Rollo & King came second at the Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen in 2001 with their song Never Ever Let You Go, missing on a second victory in a row to Estonia. Kirsten & Søren came third at the 1988 contest in Dublin with the song Ka' du se' hva' jeg sa' and Birthe Kjær came third in Lausanne with the song Vi Maler Byen Rød.

"Eurovision has changed my life completely"

Before tonight's show in Odense, we spoke to last year's winner of the Eurovision Song Contest, who spoke about a year that has completely changed her life. She also spoke about her new single and the official #JoinUs song for Copenhagen, Rainmaker. You can see both parts of the interview here:

Official #JoinUs song performed

After opening Dansk Melodi Grand Prix with a new rendition of her winning song, Only Teardrops, Emmelie de Forest also formed part of the interval act by performing her new single, Rainmaker, which will also be the official song of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen. In addition, she performed it together with all ten participants of tonight's show.

The 10 acts

Below is a list of the 10 participants of Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2014 that took Arena Fyn in Odense tonight (winner in bold):
Song 1: I Choose U
Artist: Bryan Rice
Music/Lyrics: Lars Halvor Jensen, Johannes Jørgensen, Shanna Crooks
Song 2: Your Lies
Artist: Rebekka Thornbech
Music/Lyrics: Danne Attlerud, Gustav Eurén, Niclas Arn
Song 3: Feeling the You (Wildcard)
Artist: SONNY
Music/Lyrics: SONNY, Frederik Tao Nordsøe Schjoldan, Thomas Lumpkins
Song 4: She’s the One
Artist: Danni Elmo
Music/Lyrics: Engelina, Alexander Brown, Søren Vestergaard, Marcus Linnet
Song 5: Vi Finder Hjem
Artist: Emilie Moldow
Music/Lyrics: Engelina, Ole Brodersen, Kasper Larsen, Basim
Song 6: Right By Your Side
Artist: GlamboyP
Music/Lyrics: Mathias Kallenberger, Andreas Berlin, Jasmine Anderson
Song 7: Before You Forget Me (Wildcard)
Artist: Nadia Malm
Music/Lyrics: Nadia Malm
Song 8: Cliché Love Song
Artist: Basim
Music/Lyrics: Lasse Lindorff, Kim Nowak-Zorde, Daniel Fält, Basim
Song 9: It Hurts (Wildcard)
Artist: Anna David
Music/Lyrics: Anna David, Lasse Lindorff, Kim Nowak-Zorde, Jeremy Huffleman, Marli Harwood,
Michael Harwood, Nick Keynes.
Song 10: Wanna be Loved (Wildcard)
Artist: Michael Rune feat. Natascha Bessez
Music/Lyrics: Lars Halvor Jensen, Martin Larsson, Luke Madden, Lemare Obika
As host country, Denmark will take part in the Grand Final of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, which takes place at the B&W-Hallerne in Copenhagen on the 10th of May.

Did the right song win?

Designing the Eurovision waiting room

John Zoffman.

 

Copenhagen, Denmark - How do you furnish a cosy living area – when there are 68 metres between the floor and the ceiling? And when one also finds themelves in an old, rusty shipyard?

That is one of designer John Zoffmann’s tasks for the Eurovision Song Contest. He has just finished furnishing the so-called Green Room inside the hall of the B&W-Hallerne, where the stars of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest will sit during the show, while they await the results.
“We aren’t going down the sequin route. We have chosen top modern Danish design, which is simple, and aesthetic, and something that many of us could envisage having at home in the living room. But at the same time, it will have a touch of party and colour, which the Eurovision Song Contest stands for”, explains John Zoffmann.

From Paradise Hotel to B&W-Hallerne

For the Eurovision Song Contest he has been employed as “Service Provider Manager”. And here, it is one of his tasks to furnish the Green Room.
“I am trying to create some context, so that whatever the viewers experience on stage, is also reflected in the Green Room and in the Press Centre”, explains Zoffmann.

No classics, thank you

The viewers should not expect to see the Swan, Egg or other Danish furniture classics in the Green Room during the live shows in May.
“We considered using some of the known Danish classics, but quickly decided against that idea, as we want to avoid being completely predictable. So there will not be any “Danish modern” at Eurovision this year, but much more “New Danish look”. However, despite this some items by Nanna Ditzel have sneaked into the design because they are just so fabulous”, says the designer, with a reverent look on his face.
“We are trying to represent Denmark in the best possible way during the show – and that also applies to furniture and lamps”, he explains.

Fake-tan proof material

Fitting out a TV studio is a completely different kettle of fish to kitting out a living room – even though the perceived atmosphere should be the same.
“The chairs and sofas should, for example, both be able to go with a small girl in a short dress, and a large fat man. They should not be able to be spun around as the artists may get nervous during the voting. And the covers should be able to be removed in case a lamp falls onto a chair of if the participant’s fake tan comes off on it”, he says with a sparkle in his eye.
“There are many considerations – One can’t just pick and choose!”

How would you furnish your ideal Green Room?

Eurovision stage begins construction at the B&W-Hallerne

Construction of the stage has now started.

Copenhagen, Denmark - With less than three months until showtime, the stage for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest has begun to take shape in Copenhagen.

At the moment, the stage’s rear wall is being moved from a workshop on Refshaleøen and into the B&W-Hallerne, where the three live shows will take place in May.
”The rear wall cosists of a skeleton of boxes in aluminium and iron. It is these that we are now moving into the venue. I will make sure that we will make good progress when building the stage”, explains Søren Andresen, who is DR’s technical project manager for the Eurovision Song Contest.
”The next thing we are going to start on, is lighting and sound”.

Since August Søren Andresen has been very busy planning DR’s move to the historical industrical complex, where until 1996, Burmeister and Wain built their ships, and where the world’s biggest music competition will soon take place.
”I am the first persomnm to arrive at the venue, and the last one to leave”, says Andresen, who with his assistant, will exchange his desk at DR’s headquarters for a mobile cabin on Refshaleøen at the beginning of March.
”The biggest challenge is to get it all to come together, right up until the rehearsals start in the middle of April. We are going to work on a double shift basis in order to achieve it”, he says.
Andresen previously had technical responsibility for tv-shows like Dansk Melodi Grand Prix and the X-Factor finals.
”But the Eurovision Song Contest is the biggest! Everything is doubled up!”, he says.
”My work is first over on the 18th of May – one week after the Grand Final. By then we have to be out of the arena again”.

The 2014 Eurovision Song Contest will take place on the 6th, 8th and 10th of May in Copenhagen, Denmark, following Emmelie de Forest’s victory in Malmö last year.
Stay tuned to Eurovision.tv for more news about the progress of the arena.

What do you think the stage will look like?

Sing or Dance? You can be a part of Eurovision 2014!

Be a part of this year's contest!

 

Copenhagen, Denmark - The Host Broadcaster of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, DR, is inviting viewers from all over the world to be a part of the show. For the first time, viewers are being given the chance to dance or sing on screen as part of the world’s largest music competition.

Viewers can join a huge virtual choir, singing last year’s winning tune, Only Teardrops – or film and upload their coolest dance moves and have the chance to dance live on stage in Copenhagen as part of the show.
Through this co-creation efforts, DR is inviting viewers across the world to help shape and be an active part of this year’s contest.
Head of Show for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, Jan Lagermand Lundme, comments: "One of our main ambitions – and the central theme of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest – is to bring people closer together. To realise this, we are reaching out to everyone across the world and inviting them to sing or dance in the show. We are saying: come and join us! It’s fantastic that we can join together to help create the Eurovision Song Contest this year."

A huge virtual choir

Everyone can visit the website JoinUs.dk and sing a part of the winning song from the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest, Emmelie de Forest’s Only Teardrops. On the site, an instruction video takes users through the process of using their computer’s webcam and microphone, including how to sing each part of the choir part of the song.
The producers of show will use these voices to create a gigantic virtual choir, and the choir will be shown as part of the first Semi-Final of the Eurovision Song Contest on the 6th of May.

Singing - How to take part?

• Go to JoinUs.dk with your webcam connected computer
• Press 'record' and follow the instructions - remember to click through it all
• Record yourself singing!
• Maybe you're one of the lucky ones who gets their video on the screen during the show

Dancing - How to do it?

• Go to JoinUs.dk with your mobile or tablet
• Show your coolest dance-move (about 15 seconds)
• Remember to use your phone/tablet in landscape mode - so recording can be used in the TV show
• If you are lucky - and talented - you get the opportunity to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest!
• The wildest and best dancers are invited to Copenhagen to perform in the second Semi-Final!

Dancing - How to do it?

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Dance-moves can be a direct ticket to appear on stage

The world can dance their most fabulous dance move, film it on their mobile, and upload it to JoinUs.dk. The wildest and best dance-moves will be selected, and dancers will be offered a plane ticket and stay to Copenhagen – and be invited to dance live on stage as part of the second Semi-Final on the 8th of May.
This year's Eurovision Song Contest will take place on the 6th, 8th and 10th of May in Copenhagen, Denmark.

DR to move into B&W-Hallerne in March

B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen. Photo: Jan Jørgensen (Scanpix)

 

Copenhagen, Denmark - After half a year of preparations, DR’s production team will, in March, move into the historical shipyard on Refshaleøen in Copenhagen where the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest is set to take place in May.

The halls have been cleared of the last containers. The mighty pillars that connect the two halls will soon be gone. The gigantic ceiling has been strengthened and the gates will soon be removed and replaced by new doors.
After half a year of thorough preparation, the old B&W shipyard on Refshaleøen is almost ready for DR to move in and rig up for the Eurovision Song Contest in May.
”A lot will be happening during the next month, but the big milestone is, of course, when the first section of DR’s production team physically moves into the B&W-Hallerne in March, and then it will be full speed ahead”, explains the Head of Relations for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, Søren Therkelsen, who in responsible for the partnership between DR and the City of Copenhagen.

Gradually coming together

It is the project company ”Host City Copenhagen”, made up of the City of Copenhagen, the Capital City Region, Wonderful Copenhagen and Refshaleøen's Property Company that are responsible for getting the impressive B&W-Hallerne ready, whilst DR is reponsible for producing the TV shows.
”We have been wokring on the Eurovision 2014 project for over half a year and that means that we are now seriously moving from the planning phase to the implementation phase, where everything is becoming more concrete”, says Søren Therkelsen.

Space for 10,000 spectators and 2,000 press

Inside the halls, grandstands will now be constructed for the 10,000 members of the audience who will see the three TV shows and six dress rehearsals. The modules, which make up the stage will be constructed and sound and light rigging will be installed.
Outside on Refshaleøen, a huge production area will be erected with broadcasting trucks, tents and portable cabins for the production. Dressing and make up rooms will be built, along with a canteen and accreditiaton centre as well as the press centre with space for 1,500-2,000 reporters from all over the world.
”In the coming months, the actual room, lighting, stage and audience stands, green room and a lot more will come into place, and you will be able to see it all unfold”, says the head of relations.
The 2014 Eurovision Song Contest will take place on the 6th, 8th and 10th of May.

Emmelie to sing #JoinUs song with finalists

Emmelie de Forest on stage in Malmö.

 

Copenhagen, Denmark - Emmelie de Forest has self-penned a theme song for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, which she will perform with the 26 finalists on stage in Copenhagen.

This year all the finalists of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest will be joined in song, when they take to the stage with last year’s winner Emmelie de Forest to sing her self-penned number Rainmaker on the 10th of May.
”From the beginning I had a vision of all the artists coming together on stage for a sing-along during the final”, explains Head of Show Jan Lagermand Lundme.

Premier at Malta’s National Final

Emmelie de Forest has written Rainmaker together with composers Jakob Schack Glæsner and Fredrik Sonefors. She and Glæsner are also a couple.
”A few months ago we asked Emmelie to write the official #JoinUs song, and we are very grateful that she accepted”, says Jan Lagermand Lundme.
The song will be officially released on the 24th February as a follow-up single to Emmelie’s current hit, Hunter & Prey. She will present it live at Malta’s National Final on the 8th of February.

Sing-along before decision time

On Saturday the 10th of May, Emmelie and the 26 participants who have made it to the final will sing the song together just as the voting is nearing its finish and the show culminates.
”All the finalists will come in and sing-a-long to the chorus at the end”, explains Jan Lagermand Lundme. ”I hope the viewers will sit back with a feeling that it is a fantastic way to come together, just before we get down to the nitty-gritty: finding the winner of the 2014 Eurovision Song contest”.
Watch the interview with Emmelie de Forest and listen to a preview of the song here:

 

Not the first Eurovision sing-along

Bringing all the artists back on stage to perform together is a rarity in the world of the Eurovision Song Contest, but by no means unique.
In Jerusalem in 1999 after Charlotte Nilsson had performed the reprise of her winning song Take Me To Your Heaven, all the artists were invited up on stage to sing the 1979 winning song for Israel Halleluja together, in dedication to all those in Kosovo during the conflict that year.

Koppel, Asbæk, Rønne to host Eurovision 2014

Lise Rønne, Nikolaj Koppel and Pilou Asbæk will welcome Europe. Photo Michael Søndergaard/DR

 

Copenhagen, Denmark - Fans across Europe have held their breath – now, finally the hosts of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest will be announced. The Host Brodcaster, DR is happy to reveal that hosts of this year's show will be Nikolaj Koppel, Pilou Asbæk and Lise Rønne.

They will greet viewers with "Good Evening Europe" and will lead Europe through three spectacular shows, when the Eurovision Song Contest is held at the B&W Arena in Copenhagen on the 6th, 8th and 10th of May. The press conference to announce the hosts was held in the historic Odd Fellow Mansion in central Copenhagen today.

Who will host the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest?

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Pernille Gaardbo, Executive Producer of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest comments: "I am very happy to announce our decision. It is – in itself – a huge task to be the host of a live TV-show, but the Eurovision Song Contest is the world's largest music competition, and that puts exceptional demands on the hosts. The hosts need to keep their cool, be professional to the highest degree, and appeal to the whole world. I am confident that Nikolaj, Pilou and Lise will fill this role completely and that Europeans will feel the enthusiasm and warmth that we are trying to make part of the show."
Jan Lagermand Lundme, Head of Show for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, continues: "I am thrilled with our host team of Nikolaj, Pilou and Lise – they are a huge addition to the shows. They each bring – in their own unique way – a lot of charm and very high qualifications to the role, and I am sure they will handle the job to perfection. It is a match made in heaven for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest."

In a league of its own

Nikolaj Koppel and Lise Rønne are both hosts employed by DR. They bring significant experience from large TV-productions in prime time, and can draw on their background from many other hosting roles. Despite this, they both agree that the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest is in a league of its own.
Nikolaj Koppel says: "You can't really compare being the host of the Eurovision Song Contest with much else. It is a task in a league of its own. I will do my utmost to reach out to every corner of Europe and the world, so everyone can enjoy and feel welcome at the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest."
Lise Rønne continues: "This is something of a dream job for me – I am both excited and a little daunted by the task ahead, but I can't wait to get started. I see my role as trying to create a sense of calm and closeness in the middle of a giant show. When all that is said, I am looking forward to welcoming everyone to the party!"

A challenge and an honour

Pilou Asbæk will have his debut as a TV-host for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest. Although he is a new TV-host, he comes to the job with great experience as an actor – including as the star of DR's political drama series, Borgen, which has been shown in more than 70 countries worldwide.
Pilou Asbæk comments: "When I was offered the job as host, I didn't have any doubts whatsoever. I just had to do this. When I think about what lies ahead, I must admit that I am a little nervous – but I will do everything in my power to become a great host for the Eurovision Song Contest. I am sure that this will be a fantastic experience - and a party that everyone is invited to join!"

How do you like the hosts of this year's contest? What expectations do you have for them?

DR to move Green Room back into the arena

Baku 2012 was the last time the Green Room was in the hall.

Copenhagen, Denmark - During the Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen, the iconic Green Room will once again be placed inside the actual arena. According to DR's Head of Show, Jan Lagermand Lundme, this is being done to enhance the competition.

The Green Room will sit like an island in an enormous sea of people when the Eurovision Song Contest is broadcast to millions of viewers from Refshaleøen in Copenhagen in May. DR are looking to enhance the competition.

Wanting to get closer

The central placement of the Green Room will simultaneously funciton as a central focal point for the audience and viewers:
"Our audience, our viewers and our artists will enjoy the experience of being close to everything, and as we want the Green Room to play a central role in the shows, it is as such natural to move it closer to the actual show and into the hall", he continues.
"I Hope it will help to create an absoolutely fantastic atmosphere in the arena, and that atmosphere will of course be radiated out through television sets all over Europe, so the viewers will also be able to feel the excitement and party from the hall", says Jan Lagermand Lundme.

Good experience from Danish national selection

As a previous entertainment editor at the Danish national select, Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, Jan Lagermand Lundmen has a history of using the Green Room as a central part of the show experience:
"We have a tradition of placing the Green Room centrally at Dansk Melodi Grand Prix and it provides a brilliant atmosphere. It gives everything that little bit extra, both for the artists and viewers. You never forget what it's all about: the world's biggest music competition", he said.

Some people to receive new tickets

The decision to move the Green Room into the arena means that it has been necessary to change some of the audience placements.
This means that members of the audience that purchased tickets to the show back in November will be issued with new tickets by post. This will happen automatically and DR promises that the new tickets are in the same category and at the same level as the original tickets.
The 2014 Eurovision Song Contest will take place at the B&W-Hallerne on Refshaleøen in Copenhagen on the 6th, 8th and 10th of May.

What do you think of the plans?

An analysis of the Danish acts

Bryan Rice has participated in DMGP several times before.

Copenhagen, Denmark - After Emmelie de Forest’s victory last year and the Eurovision Song Contest being hosted on home turf, DR has managed to attract a number of established names to take part in Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2014. This is an analysis by DR of the ten acts vying to represent Denmark.

The line-up

Bryan Rice and Danni Elmo are making comebacks and the female contingent is represented by a number of exciting artists including Anna David and Nadia Malm from the DJ-duo Svenstrup and Vendelboe. For the third year in a row, a previous X Factor contestant is also taking part: A several years of futile attempts, this year DR has managed to persuade Basim to take part in the Danish national selection. Basim could end up in quite a special position. He is risking victory and failure at the same time. As an artist, Basim is taking part with the song Cliché Love Song which he partially wrote himself. However, if Emilie Moldow wins with the song Vi Finder Hjem, he will still be part of the winning team as he also contributed to writing this entry.
Emilie Moldow was incidentally a participant in the children’s MGP in 2001 and bears a number of similarities to Alicia Keys.
Sonny, who is bet known as a dancer is also part of this year’s line-up. Together with his sister, Gigi, he previously tried to make it as a singer, but didn’t have the greatest success. If he is going to manage it this year, his vocals will need to be at least as good as his dance moves.
In addition, this years line-up also boats a number of lesser known names such as Michael Rune feat. Natascha Bessez, Rebekka Thornbech and GlamboyP. The latter is most known for being a member of the boy band Fu:el, who won the talent show Popstars back in 2003. The group’s debut album only sold 5000 copies, however, and Fu:el was quickly forgotten.

So who is going win?

Without having heard any of this year’s songs, it is of course difficult to predict who has the biggest chances of winning in Odense.
In 2010, Bryan rice came second in a very strong line-up, and he definitely has to counted amount the favourites this year with the song I Choose U. Anna David will no doubt also be one of this years favourites, as well as Nadia Malm. Together with Svenstrup and Vendelboe, she has already shown that she is an extremely talented artist with a very beautiful voice.
Even though Basim only came fourth in X Factor back in 2008, he has managed to make music into his living. But it isn’t necessary the participants with the biggest fame factor that can win Dansk Melodi Grand Prix. Emmelie de Forest is a prime example of this.
Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2014 will take place at Arena Fyn in Odense on the 8th of March. Denmark, as the host country, is directly qualified to the Grand Final of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest taking place on the 10th of May in Copenhagen.

Who do you think will win DMGP 2014?

Lid lifted on the 10 Danish acts

One of the participants, Natascha Bessez.

 

Copenhagen, Denmark - Danish broadcaster, DR, has revealed the ten artists that will take part in its national selection, Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2014 in Odense on the 8 March.

Tough competition is expected when 10 talented teams of composers, lyricists and artists will fight for victory at Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2014 at Arena Fyn in Odense on the 8th March. The team that wins Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2014 will go on to represent Denmark on home turf at the Eurovision Song Contest on Refshaleøen in Copenhagen in May. Who this will be is still unknown, but it will be decided by a professional jury and the Danish people. Six of the teams were chosen from a whopping 872 entries whilst the other four were especially invited as wildcards by DR. The order in which the songs will be performed on the 8th of March is yet to be decided, but here is the list in a random order:

The 10 acts

Below is a list of the 10 participants of Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2014 taking place at the Arena Fyn in Odense on 8 March.
Song: Your Lies
Artist: Rebekka Thornbech
Music/Lyrics: Danne Attlerud, Gustav Eurén, Niclas Arn
Song: It Hurts (Wildcard)
Artist: Anna David
Music/Lyrics: Anna David, Lasse Lindorff, Kim Nowak-Zorde, Jeremy Huffleman, Marli Harwood,
Michael Harwood, Nick Keynes.
Song: Right By Your Side
Artist: GlamboyP
Music/Lyrics: Mathias Kallenberger, Andreas Berlin, Jasmine Anderson
Song: She’s the One
Artist: Danni Elmo
Music/Lyrics: Engelina, Alexander Brown, Søren Vestergaard, Marcus Linnet
Song: Wanna be Loved (Wildcard)
Artist: Michael Rune feat. Natascha Bessez
Music/Lyrics: Lars Halvor Jensen, Martin Larsson, Luke Madden, Lemare Obika
Song: I Choose U
Artist: Bryan Rice
Music/Lyrics: Lars Halvor Jensen, Johannes Jørgensen, Shanna Crooks
Song: Cliché Love Song
Artist: Basim
Music/Lyrics: Lasse Lindorff, Kim Nowak-Zorde, Daniel Fält, Basim
Song: Vi finder hjem
Artist: Emilie Moldow
Music/Lyrics: Engelina, Ole Brodersen, Kasper Larsen, Basim
Song: Before You Forget Me (Wildcard)
Artist: Nadia Malm
Music/Lyrics: Nadia Malm
Song: Feeling the You (Wildcard)
Artist: SONNY
Music/Lyrics: SONNY, Frederik Tao Nordsøe Schjoldan, Thomas Lumpkins

DMGP 2014 - Artists

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After Emmelie de Forest's victory in Malmö last year, Denmark is keen to make it two in a row and hopes that one of these 10 talented competitors will be able to keep the trophy on home turf. The list contains a number of unknown and known artists, including Bryan Rice who has on several occasions tried his luck in this, one of Europe's most popular national selection shows.
As the host country, Denmark is automatically qualified for the Grand Final of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, taking place at the B&W-Hallerne on Refshaleøen in Copenhagen on the 10th of May. The two Semi-Finals will take place on the 6th and 8th of May respectively.

What do you think of the 10 acts?