Freaky Fortune feat. Risky Kidd for Greece

Freaky Fortune ft Risky Kidd .Winner: EuroSong 2014

About Freaky Fortune feat. RiskyKidd

Freaky Fortune are Nikolas Raptakis and Theofilos Pouzbouris. Both 23 years old, both studied music since their early years. Theofilos plays the guitar and piano and owns a degree on theoretical music studies and music history, while Nikolas still takes vocal couching lessons in the National Greek School of Music and composes with Theofilos all their songs.
.Their breakthrough in the global Internet community was a cover on the Perez Hilton's cover competition. Freaky Fortune Part Of Me (Katy Perry cover)  was announced as a brilliant work by the Greek duo and the most "deadly" blogger on earth, Perez Hilton launched their fame across the music industry. After their first success, in 2011, Freaky Fortune released three top-chart singles with top Greek artists.
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Athens, Greece - Tonight it was the turn of Greece to make their decision as to who will represent them in Europe's Favourite TV Show, and they have chosen Freaky Fortune featuring Risky Kidd with Rise Up to have the honour of representing the country in its 40th anniversary year.

Four acts performed tonight in the Acro Music Hall in Athens in EuroSong 2014, and the winner was determined by a 50/50 mix of Jury and Televoting. The jury members were; Dimitris Kontopoulos, Elpida, Themis Georgantas, Areti Kalesaki and Reggina Kouri.

The songs and artists

(Winner in bold)

• Petalouda Stin Athina sung by Crystallia (Music by Nikos Antypas. Lyrics by Aris Davarakis)

• Rise Up sung by Freaky Fortune featuring Risky Kidd (Music by Freaky Fortune. Lyrics: Freaky Fortune and Risky Kidd)

• Kanenas De Me Stamata sung by Kostas Martakis (Music and lyrics: Ilias Kozas)

• Dancing Night sung by Mark Angelo featuring Josephine (Music and lyrics by Mark Angelo, Josephine Wendel, Fast Lane, Melina Makris and Thomas Karlsson)

Artists in Greek EuroSong 2014

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Watch Freaky Fortune featuring Risky Kidd

40th Anniversary Special

EuroSong 2014 marked the ruby anniversary in style, with performances from artists old and new. Including a number of duets; with Elpida (1979) and Tamta, Sofia Vossou (1991) and Demy, Kaiti Garbi (1993) and Vegas, Kalomira (2008) and Claydee, and also Pascalis, Marianna, Robert and Bessy (1977) and Melisses.
The night of course could not miss last year's Greek entrants, Koza Mostra featuring Agathon lakovidis.
The programme was presented for the second consecutive year by Despina Vandi and Giorgos Kapoutzidis. They also performed to numerous Greek entries during the opening sequence, and there were clips galore of all the songs that have represented Greece over the past 40 years.
The winning song will represent Greece in the Second Semi-Final of the Eurovision Song Contest to be held on Thursday the 8th of May.

What do you think of the Greek entry for 2014?

Conchita to "Rise Like A Phoenix" for Austria

Conchita Wurst.

About Conchita Wurst

Tom Neuwirth was born on November 6th, 1988, and he for the first time performed as his alter ego Conchita Wurst in 2011. Since then, he has been a symbol for tolerance and artistic freedom in Austria and beyond. His motto: "Be the best version of yourself rather than a bad copy of someone else!"
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Vienna, Austria - Today, the Austrian entry for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest has been premiered on a press conference in Vienna - it's a ballad called Rise Like A Phoenix, to be sung by Conchita Wurst, who had been internally selected to represent Austria.

Austrian public broadcaster ORF today held a press conference to present the Austrian entry for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest. You can watch the official video clip of Rise Like A Phoenix, which was written by Charly Mason, Joey Patulka, Ali Zuckowski and Julian Maas, here:

Conchita Wurst was internally chosen to represent Austria already back in September - you can check out our article back then:

Conchita Wurst to represent Austria in 2014

The Austrian public broadcaster ORF has confirmed that Conchita Wurst has been internally chosen to represent the Central European country in Copenhagen. The song is yet to be chosen. Conchita Wurst, ... Read more

Get to know Conchita Wurst

What are the highlights of your previous career?
Well I appeared in 2011 for the first time as Conchita on the austrian talent show "Die große Chance". In 2012 I participated in the Eurovision national finals, I came second. While working on music and my career as an entertainer I got the chance to meet fabulous people like Stefan Raab, Brendan O'Connor and Jean Paul Gaultier. in 2013 I appeared on German TV the first time, in a show called "Wild Girls" which was made in Africa. And then of course the biggest milestone so far is the Eurovision Song Contest this year. Because of that i still get the chance to meet my fans all over Europe.
What's special about your entry?
For me the most special and honoring thing is that Austria shows tolerance and acceptance and I’m so happy to be this statement. I’m allowed to be the voice of their beliefs during this time and this really makes me very proud. We, and not at least myself, want to stand for a society without hate and discrimination. And if I’m honest, I think everyone of the contestants should stand for the same, cause we are joining a very opend minded project, so they should be open minded too.
What do you want achieve with your entry?
For me as a musician it’s like the biggest thing so far. I really want to reach a good place in the ranking for my country, and for myself, I want to be proud of my performance. Cause I’m my worst critic. Besides that, I really hope that I get the chance to change some minds all around Europe. I want to show them that you can look whatever you want and that everybody must have the right to live their life however they want it, if nobody gets hurt.
Where do you get your inspiration?
From so many different people and situations around me. From my parents to my granny and my friends to cher :-) I’m a person focusing on the good things in life and that's the most inspiring thing.
What is your message for your fans?
Well, first of all I’m so thankful and privileged to live the life I do. And that’s because there are people out there who care of what I do. Thank you so much for that. And then, I really want to convince them to be the best version of themselves rather than a bad copy of someone else! You can do whatever you want if you’re not hurting anyone.
What is your personal relationship to Eurovision Song Contest?
I watched the Song Contest as far back as I can remember with my mom. I always wanted to be on this stage and now it’s my turn and I’m beyond happy and thankful for this opportunity.

The lyrics

Rise like a phoenix

Out of the ashes
Seeking rather than vengeance
Retribution
You were warned
Once I'm transformed
Once I’m reborn
You know I will rise like a phoenix
But you're my flame
Go about your business
Act as if you’re free
Noone could have witnessed
What you did to me
Cause you wouldn’t know me today
And you have got to see
To believe
From the fading light I fly
Rise like a phoenix
Out of the ashes
Seeking rather than vengeance
Retribution
You were warned
Once I'm transformed
Once I’m reborn
I rise up to the sky
You threw me down but
I'm gonna fly
And rise like a phoenix
Out of the ashes
Seeking rather than vengeance
Retribution
You were warned
Once I'm transformed
Once I’m reborn
You know I will rise like a phoenix
But you’re my flame

1

How do you like the Austrian song?

Axel Hirsoux wins the Belgian ticket to Copenhagen!

Axel Hirsoux, winner of Belgium's Eurosong 2014

About Axel Hirsoux

For Axel Hirsoux, taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest is a dream come true. This humble young man from Charleroi will soon take to the stage in Copenhagen to show the world what he has to offer musically with the song Mother.
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Antwerp, Belgium - Tonight, in an impressive production from VRT, Belgium chose Axel Hirsoux with the song Mother written by Rafael Artesero and Ashley Hicklin as its representative for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen.

Tonight, at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp, the Grand Final of the Belgian national selection, Eurosong 2014, took place where 6 acts competed for the right to represent Belgium at the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen in May.
There could, however, only be one winner and this was Axel Hirsoux with the song Mother after impressing the viewers and juries with a great performance.
Each of the acts went through a long and exciting journey to get to tonight's show, starting will casting rounds and culminating in this spectacular Grand Final while listening to the valorations of the professional jury made up by 2004 Eurovision winner Ruslana from Ukraine and local experts Bart Peeters, Piet Goddaer and Jef Martens.

The Acts

These are the six acts that qualified for the final of Eurosong 2014, which tonight took place at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp:

1. Yass - Need You Tonight
2. SIL - What's The Time In Tokyo
3. Udo - Hero (In Flanders Fields)
4. Bandits - One
5. Eva Jacobs - Nothing Is Impossible
6. Axel Hirsoux - Mother

Belgium - Eurosong 2014 Final

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The voting

Tonight the result was made up of votes split 50:50 between the televote and 7 international juries from Azerbaijan, Denmark, Ireland, F.Y.R. Macedonia, The Netherlands, Spain and Belarus. After they casted their votes this was the result:

1. Axel Hirsoux 74
2. Yass 58
3. Eva Jacobs 52
4. Bandits 42
5. Sil 32
6. Udo 22

The expert panel was present during tonight's show but only in an advisory capacity, unlike in previous shows, but they could mention their one favourite and they all agreed in naming Axel Hirsoux as their favourite.
The juries and public had the same total of 280 points each to give out. This is how the televote was spread:

1. Axel Hirsoux 160
2. Bandits 48
3. Eva Jacobs 37
4. Yass 19
5. Udo 10
6. Sil 6

Making the final score look like this:

1. Axel Hirsoux 234
2. Bandits 90
3. Eva Jacobs 89
4. Yass 77
5. Sil 38
6. Udo 32

Watch again

If you missed tonight's show or simply want to watch it again, you can visit our WebTV whenever you like to see Eurosong 2014 and many other shows on-demand.

Read more

We have been covering the Belgian selection, all the way from the first casting rounds until tonight's show. You can read all about it in our articles below:

Line-up complete in Belgium

Tonight, the Belgian national selection Eurosong 2014 continued with the third and final Semi-Final where four further acts competed for the final two places in the Final. The lucky winners ... Read more

Two further finalists found in Belgium

Tonight, the Belgian national selection Eurosong 2014 continued with the second Semi-Final where four furhter acts competed for just two places in the Final. The lucky winners are Sil and Yass. Read more

First two finalists found in Belgium

Tonight, the Belgian national selection Eurosong 2014 continued with the first Semi-Final where four acts competed for just two places in the Final.  Read more

Semi-Final line-up complete in Belgium

Tonight, the callback round of the Belgian national selection, Eurosong 2014, took place as the first live broadcast ahead of the Semi-Finals which begin next week.  Read more

Four more acts through in Belgium

Tonight, the second Casting round of the Belgian national selection, Eurosong 2014, took place where four acts qualified to the Semi-Final stage and four further acts got a second chance. Read more

Eurosong 2014 kicks off in Belgium

Tonight, the first casting round of the Belgian national selection, Eurosong 2014, took place where four acts qualified to the Semi-Final stage and four further acts got a second chance.  Read more

Belgium will participate in the first Semi-Final of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, which takes place at the B&W-Hallerne on Refshaleøen in Copenhagen on the 6th of May.

Did the right song win in Belgium?

Tonight: Belgian final from Antwerp

Coaches: Bart Peeters, Piet Goddaer and Jef Martens.

About Axel Hirsoux

For Axel Hirsoux, taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest is a dream come true. This humble young man from Charleroi will soon take to the stage in Copenhagen to show the world what he has to offer musically with the song Mother.
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Antwerp, Belgium - Tonight, the Belgian National Final, Eurosong 2014, will place at the Sportpalais in Antwerp. Here, six acts will compete for the right to represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen in May.

Tonight, in what promises to be a spectacular show from the Belgian city of Antwerp, six acts will compete for the right to represent their country at the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen in May.
Broadcaster, VRT, has thrown a lot into this year's selection with televised casting rounds and three live Semi-Finals.

The Acts

The casting rounds and Semi-Finals culminated with the following six acts qualifying for the Grand Final, which tonight takes place at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp:

1. Yass - Need You Tonight
2. SIL - What's The Time In Tokyo
3. Udo - Hero (In Flanders Fields)
4. Bandits - One
5. Eva Jacobs - Nothing Is Impossible
6. Axel Hirsoux - Mother

Belgium - Eurosong 2014 Final

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Format

Tonight the result will be made up of votes split 50:50 between the televote and 7 international juries from Azerbaijan, Denmark, Ireland, F.Y.R. Macedonia, The Netherlands, Spain and Belarus. The juries and public will have a total of 280 points each to give out.
The expert panel made up of Bart Peeters, Piet Goddaer, Jef Martens and Ruslana will be present during tonight's show but will only be there in an advisory capacity, unlike in previous shows.

Where to watch

The Grand Final of Eurosong 2014 can be watched LIVE from 20:00 CET right here at Eurovision.tv on our WebTV. Will you #JoinUs?
Belgium will participate in the first Semi-Final of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, which takes place at the B&W-Hallerne on Refshaleøen in Copenhagen on the 6th of May.

Who should win in Belgium?

Portugal: Suzy wins Festival da Canção!

Suzy will represent Portugal in Copenhagen.

About Suzy

Suzy was born in Figueira da Foz and has been active in showbizz since she was a kid as a member of the Children's band "Onda Choc" which had huge success. She performed on stage for the first time at the age of five and has gone on to have a successful career ever since!
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Lisbon, Portugal - It was late night in most of Europe when Portugal announced the name of the winner of their Festival Da Canção 2014. After a one year absence in the Eurovision Song Contest the country will be represented by Suzy with the song Quero Ser Tua.

The Portuguese national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen, Festival Da Canção 2014, comprised one semi-final and the final, both held at the Convento do Beato in Lisbon. Ten composers were invited by RTP and they chose the performers for their songs. In the end, the following five made it to tonight's final (click on the title to watch the semi-final performance of the song):

1. Rui Andrade - Ao Teu Encontro (Rui Andrade & Marc Paelinck)
2. Catarina Pereira - Mea Culpa (Andrej Babic & Carlos Coelho)
3. Zana - Nas Asas da Sorte (Paulo Abreu Lima e Jan Van Dijck)
4. Raquel Guerra - Sonhos Roubados (Nuno Marques da Silva & Nuno Feist)
5. Suzy - Quero Ser Tua (Como A Lua É Do Luar) (Emanuel)

Meet the finalists of Portugal

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After the round of televoting the results were announced in random order. First the top 3 songs were revealed:

• Catarina Pereira - Mea Culpa
• Suzy - Quero Ser Tua
• Rui Andrade - Ao Teu Encontro 3rd

So Rui was declared 3rd while Suzy and Catarina were still waiting for the final result. They were taken to the stage for the final announcement and the winner was finally revealed... Suzy with the song Quero Ser Tua, lyrics and music by Emanuel, just like in 2007 with Sabrina's Dança Comigo.
Suzy will represent Portugal in the First Semi-Final of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest on the 10th of May in Copenhagen, the same place where they made their first appearance in the contest 50 years ago.

Do you agree with the winner in Portugal? Tell us below!

Carl Espen to represent Norway in Copenhagen!

About Carl Espen

Carl Espen Thorbjørnsen was born in Bergen, Norway, in 1982. In English he simply calls himself Carl Espen. He is the oldest of three siblings, and grew up in a family full of a love for music. Now he will represent Norway at the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen with the song Silent Storm.
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Oslo, Norway - Tonight in a spectacular show at the Oslo Spektrum Arena, Carl Espen was announced the winner of Melodi Grand Prix 2014 with the song Silent Storm and will thus represent Norway at the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen in May.

After three Semi-Finals with a total of 15 participants, the 2014 edition of Melodi Grand Prix culminated tonight at the Oslo Spektrum arena, where the 9 qualifiers gave it their all to win the right to represent Norway at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen in May.
Despite singing their hearts out, there could only be one winner and this was Carl Espen with the song Silent Storm who will now have the honour of flying the Norwegian flag in Copenhagen on the 8th of May.
See our interview with Carl Espen below:

The Acts

Tonight, 9 acts performed in the Grand Final of Melodi Grand Prix 2014. After this these were whittled down to just 4, who after a first round of voting went on to perform again in the so-called Super-Final.
The Eurovision.tv team were in Oslo and spoke to many of tonight's artists, and last year's Norwegian representative in Malmö. You can check out what they had to say here:

Below you can see a list of all 9 finalists in order of appearance (qualifiers in bold):

1. El Cuero - Ain't No Love In This City No More
2. Elisabeth Carew – Sole Survivor
3. Knut Kippersund Nesdal - Taste of You
4. Dina Misund - Needs
5. Mo - Heal
6. Linnea Dale - High Hopes
7. Charlie - Hit Me Up
8. Carl Espen - Silent Storm
9. Oda & Wulff - Sing

Melodi Grand Prix 2014 - Impressions

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Super-Final

The following four acts qualified to the Super-Final of Melodi Grand Prix 2014, in the order they were announced and performed (winner in bold):

1. Knut Kippersund Nesdal - Taste of You
2. Carl Espen - Silent Storm
3. Mo - Heal
4. Linnea Dale - High Hopes

After the four Super-Finalists performed again the viewers had the chance to vote once more. The voting was split up into 5 regions. Here, Carl Espen received the most points with 53,712 votes cast.
Unlike in previous years where there was a jury vote from each of cities where the Semi-Finals took place, this year only the viewers could choose who would win Melodi Grand Prix 2014.

Berger is back!

Last year's Norwegian entrant, Margaret Berger, returned to Melodi Grand Prix this year to perform with her friend and co-writer of the song I Feed You My Love, Karin Park. On stage they performed their respective new singles and then came together to sing their Eurovision Song Contest entry from 2013, where they achieved a very respectable 4th place in Malmö.

Margaret Berger performing on stage in Oslo tonight. Photo: Stijn Smulders (EBU)

Read more

If you find out more about this year's competition including who participated in the three Semi-Finals, why not take a look at the articles below:

First finalists found in Norway

Tonight, the first Semi-Final of Melodi Grand Prix 2014 took place at the Folketeateret in Oslo where Dina Misund, Linnea Dale and Mo became the first three artists to qualify to the Grand F... Read more

Three more acts found for Norwegian final

Tonight, the second Semi-Final of Melodi Grand Prix 2014 took place at the Folketeateret in Oslo where Charlie, Oda & Wulff and Knut Kippersund Nesdal became the second three artists to ... Read more

Final Semi-Final takes place in Norway

Tonight, the third and final Semi-Final of Melodi Grand Prix 2014 took place at the Folketeateret in Oslo where Elisabeth Carew, El Cuero and Carl Espen became the final three artists to qua... Read more

Norway will take part in the second Semi-Final of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, which takes place at the B&W-Hallerne in Copenhagen on the 8th of May. The Grand Final is on the 10th of May.

Did the right song win?