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BuzzJack Music Forum _ Eurovision Song Contest _ Eurovision Song Contest 2019 · Green Room
Posted by: AdamAloud 13th May 2018, 03:22 PM
Happy New Year Eurovision fans! Thanks to Netta we're off to Israel in 2019, for the final Eurovision Song Contest of the decade. In the coming months the EBU along with the Israeli broadcaster IPBC, will be getting everything prepared and ready for next May. In terms of the host city, it's widely expected to be either Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Twitter that the contest will be held in Jerusalem, however this will all need to be approved by the EBU, who I suspect will favour Tel Aviv.
Join us here on Buzzjack as all the news for the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 unfold! Only about 365 days to go!
Posted by: Midge 13th May 2018, 03:42 PM
I’m already excited!
Looking like Estonia, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Serbia, Spain and Sweden have all confirmed thus far.
We could also FINALLY be getting a debut in the form of Liechtenstein apparently.
Posted by: Cqmerqn 13th May 2018, 04:10 PM
May 11 2019 then? 
Hyped already!
Posted by: AdamAloud 13th May 2018, 04:13 PM
I expect it to be a late Eurovision next year, with the Israeli Memorial Day on the 8th.
Posted by: BillyH 13th May 2018, 05:30 PM
I can see this being similar to Kiev 2017 - a much quieter contest with a smaller turnout, with anything other than the live final mostly populated by locals. Flights to Israel are *really* expensive at this time of year from most of Europe (usually £100 each way) and the political situation of the country might put a lot off attending. It's impossible to compare it to 1999 as the contest was much smaller then.
We've had a nicely varied mix of countries winning it the last few years - Western Europe (Portugal), Northern Europe (Sweden), Central Europe (Austria), Eastern Europe (Ukraine), the Caucasus (Azerbaijan) and, erm, not actually Europe at all in Israel's case! Hoping for a Baltic or Balkan win next year!
Posted by: Cqmerqn 13th May 2018, 05:42 PM
I agree with this.
Posted by: Colm 13th May 2018, 06:49 PM
We've had a nicely varied mix of countries winning it the last few years - Western Europe (Portugal), Northern Europe (Sweden), Central Europe (Austria), Eastern Europe (Ukraine), the Caucasus (Azerbaijan) and, erm, not actually Europe at all in Israel's case! Hoping for a Baltic or Balkan win next year!
One of the Island nations next year, please - Ireland, UK, Iceland, Malta, Cyprus, Australia
Posted by: J▲hq 13th May 2018, 08:07 PM
After the nightmare of getting tickets this year, here's hoping. Committed to going again no matter what.
(and £100 would be a bargain compared to what I've paid to get home from Lisbon
)
Posted by: Odaisul 13th May 2018, 09:59 PM
(and £100 would be a bargain compared to what I've paid to get home from Lisbon
)you should had in mind that Lisbon is geographically the center of the world.
Posted by: Cqmerqn 13th May 2018, 10:53 PM
How much do tickets for the finals cost these days then?
I’ll be old enough to go next year (I’m assuming you have to be 18?), but I’m thinking about going to the 2020 final, wherever that may be! I’m also guessing that prices vary depending on the location of your seat/area?
Posted by: J▲hq 14th May 2018, 02:05 AM
^ I paid £120 for a standing area ticket for the final and I don't think there was an age limit as I was surprised to see a couple of kids in the standing section
Posted by: AdamAloud 14th May 2018, 12:49 PM
Could be in for a lengthy wait for the host city announcement this year.
Many fans were hoping the contest would travel to Tel Aviv for the edition of 2019. The city hosts one of the biggest Eurovision pre-parties. A huge crowd usually attends the event. The arena which would have been suitable to host the event was the Menora Mivtachim Arena. The multi-purpose arena could potentially have hosted up to 11,000 people.
Ron Huldai, the Mayor of Tel Aviv, was however quick to rule out his city as possibility. That leaves hardly any doubt of where the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 will be taking place. Jerusalem will very likely be the city that will host the event.
https://www.escxtra.com/2018/05/14/tel-aviv-not-bid-host-eurovision/
Posted by: cantthinkofaname 14th May 2018, 04:14 PM
Ugh, I really hope they change their minds and host it in Tel Aviv. It's certainly the best option.
Posted by: 5 Silas Frøkner 14th May 2018, 05:08 PM
Jerusalem is a disaster waiting to happen. As everyone has said, the EBU will want to avoid the Geopolitics of that choice but there is also a very real safety concern to Jerusalem too. This week the Israeli military has massacred more than 40 Palestinians. Palestine commemorates the loss of life and homes of their people with the creation of Israel around this time every year and the last thing the Israel-Palestine conflict needs is a shiny glitter target promoting Jerusalem as an Israeli city.
So many ways this can end badly.
A big 5 hosting job might be the best option but I can’t see Israel going for that
Posted by: Cqmerqn 14th May 2018, 05:25 PM
Silly idea. Should not be held in Jerusalem!
I guess that’s not *too* bad! I guess it’s the flights/accommodation which costs. Better get saving!
Posted by: LexC 14th May 2018, 05:27 PM
I think I can see the EBU insisting on Tel Aviv hosting, despite that press release!
Posted by: 5 Silas Frøkner 14th May 2018, 08:04 PM
I've just checked my Stockholm trip costs cqm
Semi-Final 1 - 495kr ~ £45
Semi-Final 2 - 1.295kr ~ £110
Jury Final - 995kr ~ £90
"Eurovision The Party" - 300kr ~ £25
Hostel - 1.250kr (£107 booked about 2hrs after Stockholm was confirmed as the host city in July 2015)
Flight - £159.65 (KLM from EDI to ARN return booked about 2hrs after Stockholm was confirmed as the host city in July 2015)
All in it was between £525 and £550 for the trip, not including spending money and food. It was worth it though for me, I really really loved the trip. Booking everything apart helped with the cost. So flights were first and then the tickets a second tranche a few months later and then the hotel was a pay on the day affair. That was quite helpful for finances, so my advice would be to save up for things as you buy them spread out over the year, makes it feel a little more manageable.
Posted by: Cqmerqn 14th May 2018, 08:10 PM
Ah thanks for doing that. I’d probably need to save around £900 then which includes food and spending money. It really isn’t too bad at all. It must be an unforgettable experience!
Posted by: 5 Silas Frøkner 14th May 2018, 08:41 PM
Yeah that's a fair estimate I'd say. The biggest variable will always be flights. If you book them as soon as possible then you'll get in before the prices escalate.
I would recommend it with all my heart to any Eurovision fan. Being in that arena is special, you really feel the energy of the crowd and the performers and the heat from the pyros. Never will you appreciate the truthfulness of the phrase 'heat rises' like being on the top tier of Globen next to the stage during a very pyro filled performance. I really feel for anyone in a 100 mile radius of the stage during Fuego
I put it off for a few years coz of exams but I'm glad I chose Stockholm to go to. It was a great city and a great experience. And Sound of Silence still gives me goosebumps.
Posted by: Cqmerqn 14th May 2018, 09:54 PM
I think I’d rather go somewhere a bit closer though. Germany would be nice.
Posted by: cantthinkofaname 15th May 2018, 12:59 PM
There's already a petition going around on Facebook which has garnered around 6000 signatures already asking Iceland to boycott Eurovision next year due to the conflict in Israel and Palestine. 
6000 people is about 2% of the nation for comparison, so it's a pretty widespread petition.
Posted by: Cqmerqn 15th May 2018, 04:51 PM
Noo!
Posted by: cantthinkofaname 15th May 2018, 04:58 PM
Both Paul Oscar (1997 representative) and Daði Freyr (2nd in the 2017 NF) have been vocal that they think Iceland should withdraw.
Posted by: Euphorique 15th May 2018, 07:00 PM
Next year is gonna be a mess I tell you...
Posted by: Cqmerqn 15th May 2018, 07:41 PM
I agree. I’ll go to 2020 Eurovision instead.
Posted by: SKOB 15th May 2018, 07:51 PM
Hmm how many boycotts there were in 2009 in Russia or Azerbaijan few years later despite both being HORRIBLE when it comes to human rights.
I wouldn't count on more countries withdrawing than usual. Icelandic people are probably a bit angry that their country missed the final and wonder if they should participate but I am pretty sure they will.
Posted by: cantthinkofaname 15th May 2018, 08:48 PM
I wouldn't count on more countries withdrawing than usual. Icelandic people are probably a bit angry that their country missed the final and wonder if they should participate but I am pretty sure they will.
I don't think this has anything to do with Iceland not making the final since absolutely nobody here expected us to qualify and the song's been criticised quite a lot here
But yeah that's what I've said as well regarding Russia & Azerbaijan. Especially since Iceland is playing in the FIFA World Cup in Russia this summer lol and nobody's calling for a boycott.
Posted by: AdamAloud 17th May 2018, 03:39 PM
The Icelandic boycott may become a reality:
The Reykjavik Grapevine reports that the broadcaster had a meeting on Tuesday of this week and will have a further meeting in June to discuss the issue. RÚV’s discussions are in response to a petition launched by Icelander Árni St. Sigurðsson which was started after the recent events in Gaza. The petition has been signed by Daði Freyr who came second in the Icelandic national final for Eurovision in 2017 behind Svala.
The petition states:
“Following the human rights violation perpetuated by Israel towards the Palestinian nation it is unethical for us to participate in such a glamorous competition like Eurovision in the shadow of Israel’s violence against their neighbours.”
According to The Reykjavik Grapevine, RÚV programming director Skarphéðinn Guðmundsson told reporters: “This has been discussed within the programming department and we will of course examine this issue.”
This year, Iceland was represented at Eurovision in Lisbon by Ari Ólafsson with Our Choice. Iceland finished last in the first semi-final scoring just 15 points, this included 0 points from the public vote.
Iceland is not the only country to have faced calls for withdrawal from Eurovision 2019. In Ireland, former Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan has suggested that RTÉ should boycott the contest.
https://eurovoix.com/2018/05/17/iceland-ruv-considers-withdrawing-from-eurovision-2019/
Posted by: Jerick 17th May 2018, 10:55 PM
I am not worried that Iceland will boycott the Eurovision, it's only 4,5% of the population. BTW it's kinda hypocritical to boycott Eurovision and not the world cup in Russia aswell for numbers of similar reasons, and we know that won't happen!
Posted by: cantthinkofaname 17th May 2018, 11:12 PM
Yeah that’s my issue exactly. People aren’t as keen on boycotting the world cup because it’s soccer and iceland’s more likely to do well there lol. Comes off like we’re just sore losers picking and choosing which cause is worthy and which ones are not. Not a fan personally of this stance.
Posted by: Jerick 18th May 2018, 01:28 AM
Áfram Ísland 🇮🇸
Posted by: Liаm 18th May 2018, 01:59 AM
There's such a double standard when it comes to sports, obviously we have the whole Brexit thing and get people all "we shouldn't be in Eurovision we've left the EU!1!!" (ofc forgetting so many entrants aren't the EU, and the EU isn't Europe xx) yet you never see it about UEFA champions league for example.... People never seem to realise if you hate x or y that much there are legit hundreds of channels or practically infinite content on the internet, go watch something else lmaoo
Posted by: Cqmerqn 20th May 2018, 01:33 PM
Has anyone bought the Eurovision board game? If so, is it worth it? 
Posted by: Ryan. 20th May 2018, 02:34 PM
I think it's worth the €25 definitely, although the €17 shipping (to the UK) makes it less desirable! I certainly enjoyed playing it although I think it works best when you are playing with people with similar amounts of Eurovision knowledge as yourself. I've just written a full review here! https://www.escxtra.com/2018/05/20/review-eurovision-board-game/
Posted by: Cqmerqn 20th May 2018, 03:01 PM
€17 delivery!!! That is just absolutely ridiculous
Will read the review now. I hoped it would be on Amazon, but it isn’t. My family/friends are useless at Eurovision so maybe I shouldn’t buy it It would look nice on display tho. 
—————
Watching ESC Final again tonight
Posted by: cantthinkofaname 22nd May 2018, 02:49 PM
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjFIfZDlVz7/?taken-by=eurovision
Eurovision official insta posts a pic of Netta with the caption: "Are you already looking forward to next year’s Eurovision? Us too! But don’t go booking your flights just yet, for official updates on where and when it’ll take place, keep an eye out for announcements on our official channels."
What do you make of it? Israel has all but confirmed they wanna host it in Jerusalem but it seems like EBU may not want to do that.
Posted by: Cqmerqn 22nd May 2018, 03:03 PM
I wonder if it’ll be hosted in a different country even?
Posted by: Jerick 22nd May 2018, 03:19 PM
I don't think Israel will give up an opportunity to host Eurovision. They did in 1980, but that was because they had just hosted the 1979 contest.
Posted by: cantthinkofaname 22nd May 2018, 03:21 PM
I hope the EBU puts their foot down with it either being Tel Aviv or a different country given the drama surrounding Jerusalem as a host city.
Posted by: LexC 22nd May 2018, 05:50 PM
It’s also just generally good sense to not book any flights/hotels until a date and host city is actually confirmed (my current instinct says they’ll cave and let Tel Aviv host it but they’ll move it to the week later to not have the Final clash with the Champion’s League).
Posted by: Theo. 22nd May 2018, 10:45 PM
James Blunt (!) has offered himself up as a potential UK entry, saying he will enter "when the UK is ready to win" 
Still, he can't release anything worse than "Storms"!
Posted by: Cqmerqn 22nd May 2018, 11:48 PM
NO
Posted by: Midge 23rd May 2018, 12:20 AM
James Blunt is quite high profile still across Europe is he not?? I think his Robin Schulz collab did well continental as well as "Bonfire Heart" though that was 5 years ago now.
Posted by: cantthinkofaname 23rd May 2018, 10:25 AM
His last song (Melody w/ Lost Frequencies) peaked top 10 in Switzerland and Belgium so idk he's somewhat relevant. I'm sure Europe would love him if only thanks to his mid 2000s fame lmao.
Posted by: Midge 23rd May 2018, 10:28 AM
Has it? That's pretty good going - it only came out in the last month!
Posted by: Jerick 20th June 2018, 11:50 AM
Will Farrell will star in a film based on Eurovision for Netflix.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/newsbeat-44530613
Posted by: Martyn 13th August 2018, 05:51 AM
Seeing twitter rumours that Israel are on the verge of missing the deadline to pay the deposit of hosting.
Posted by: Cqmerqn 13th August 2018, 10:21 AM
Interesting....
Posted by: No Longer Bitch 14th August 2018, 11:54 AM
They managed to do so in the end
Posted by: ___∆___ 17th August 2018, 07:16 AM
Still, he can't release anything worse than "Storms"!
Hurts, James Blunt, Alcazar.... but no, we’ll go with Surie, Electro Velvet & Josh Dubovie
Posted by: AdamAloud 30th August 2018, 06:43 PM
The host city will be announced next week, and with the Israeli broadcast announcing tonight that Eilat is out of the running, it's going to be either Jerusalem or Tel Aviv 2019.
Posted by: lotita. 31st August 2018, 01:36 PM
Tel Aviv pls as direct flights are currently €180 from where I live!!!
Posted by: LexC 31st August 2018, 02:21 PM
If they’ve got any brains it’ll be Tel Aviv!
Posted by: Cqmerqn 31st August 2018, 04:20 PM
Cyprus pls
Posted by: Sw▲ggy J 13th September 2018, 10:32 AM
Tel Aviv officially confirmed for 14th, 16th and 18th May 2019!
Posted by: gooddelta 13th September 2018, 10:35 AM
Bugger, yet again Eurovision clashes with when I'll be away for work (between 13th and 17th May in Munich).
Not that I'd have probably gone to Tel Aviv to be fair, though it's the logical choice, but just makes it hard to watch the semis live.
Posted by: lotita. 13th September 2018, 11:31 AM
Flights booked!!!!!! They somehow went down to £145 return. Shook
Posted by: AdamAloud 13th September 2018, 01:01 PM
The perfect choice! Eurovision season is officially HERE 
Posted by: All Seeing I 13th October 2018, 08:33 AM
Bulgaria are withdrawing!
https://www.escxtra.com/2018/10/13/bulgaria-withdraws-from-eurovision/
Seems like the broadcaster has run into financial issues which is really sad.
Posted by: AdamAloud 13th October 2018, 10:28 AM
Very sad indeed, they've been so consistent with their entries, pre and post break. Hope they manage to return next year.
Posted by: 5 Silas Frøkner 13th October 2018, 06:27 PM
Thats quite gutting because they were on such a streak of fantastic entries. If Love Was A Crime was one of the absolute highlights of 2016
Posted by: Liаm 13th October 2018, 06:33 PM
Bones was terrible but they're capable of so much as shown by If Love Was A Crime and Beautiful Mess. I won't miss their ott self-propelled hype machine though
Posted by: 5 Silas Frøkner 13th October 2018, 06:40 PM
I kinda lived a little bit for Bones.
Posted by: ScottyEm 13th October 2018, 09:41 PM
If Love Was A Crime is... I think... my single greatest Eurovision track of all time. Beautiful Mess and Bones are solid 9/10s. This news would be crushing of course, but I’m beginning to get adjusted to bulgarias OTT Social Media machine. Is this just another PR stunt?
Posted by: 🎃 Cqmerqn 🎃 14th October 2018, 09:14 AM
'Bones' was terrible and I don't know what people see in it :/
Posted by: Conderella 14th October 2018, 10:17 AM
The last 3 Bulgarian entries are all absolutely incredible so I'm major disappointed this is happening
Posted by: AdamAloud 15th October 2018, 12:01 PM
Confirmed that Bulgaria have withdrawn.
Posted by: LexC 15th October 2018, 04:21 PM
Not gonna lie, I can’t help but feel like this is just yet another publicity stunt on their part!
Posted by: Sc▲ry J 15th October 2018, 07:43 PM
I pray it ends up being like the Macedonian withdrawal last year and doesn't happen in the end.
But if it does, I don't know if I'll ever have been so gutted by a withdrawal. They've had three fantastic entries in a row, three great results and felt like one of the most likely countries to win in the next few years on that basis and this news has been so unexpected. I would throw in £20 if the Eurovision family want to help fund them next year x
Posted by: AdamAloud 28th October 2018, 07:08 PM
The slogan for 2019 is 'Dare To Dream'!
Posted by: 🎃 Cqmerqn 🎃 28th October 2018, 07:55 PM
I quite like that!
Posted by: LexC 28th October 2018, 08:24 PM
I’m surprised they resisted the opportunity to do something related to stars/light/shining so that’s a welcome deviation from the expectations!
Posted by: AdamAloud 10th January 2019, 08:41 AM
Well...
Posted by: LexC 10th January 2019, 02:19 PM
Called it!
Posted by: J▲hq 25th January 2019, 11:47 AM
The hosts have been confirmed. Bar Refaeli and Erez Tal will be the main hosts of the shows with Assi Azar and Lucy Ayoub being the hosts within the Green room.
Posted by: Conderella 27th January 2019, 05:15 PM
okay not putting Assi in the anchor spot is quite homophobic on their part xx
Posted by: Jerick 11th February 2019, 03:26 PM
Congratulations to Jack White for winning Eurovision
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/07/arts/music/jack-white-eurovision-toy-netta.html
Posted by: handmade heaven2 13th February 2019, 06:12 PM
after germania being HATERS and cancelling my flights to tel aviv... i will now be watching from stockholm lmao
Posted by: BillyH 24th February 2019, 03:05 PM
Still no tickets on sale, which I think makes this the latest since Moscow 2009, when they didn't go on sale until March 16th. Most years since they've been available since November/December, although Kiev had a mid-February release two years ago.
The prices were kinda announced a few days ago, but at hugely insane expensive levels - €366 for Grand Final standing, an increase of almost €250 from Lisbon when they were just over £100. Even the semi-final rehearsals are a nuts €85 for the cheapest seats, and to complicate things there's still no official announcement on the Eurovision website which basically says to disregard what you've heard. So maybe it's all still being discussed, as I can't imagine them selling much outside the live final at those prices.
I booked my Tel Aviv flights and accomodation in October last year, so this has been an extremely long wait for me Itching to see Darude and Kate Miller-Heidke (& Madonna?) live especially!
(Until then, for those who fancy a Dusseldorf throwback, Amazon are having a clearout of the 2011 CD and selling it for £1.63 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eurovision-Song-Contest-D%C3%BCsseldorf-2011/dp/B004LE10Q4/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=1551019890&sr=8-1 )
Posted by: Cqmerqn 24th February 2019, 03:12 PM
Madonna for Eurovision!
Posted by: BillyH 28th February 2019, 07:37 PM
So I may now be pretty broke, but I got my live Grand Final ticket 
Normally I also see the Jury and Family shows too, but at this year's insane prices that would be nuts - maybe they'll realise their mistake and rapidly discount them just before the contest, like they did in Kiev two years ago.
Looking forward to my fourth live Eurovision experience!
Posted by: Conderella 28th February 2019, 10:02 PM
I think what they did in Kiev was a necessity since they didn't appear to be selling out at all. This time I imagine the arena will be packed regardless of the prices.
Posted by: Conderella 28th February 2019, 10:05 PM
So jelly though. I wish I was able to go this year. But so many things are lined up in the upcoming months and besides I needs to save up some moneyz having spent a large amount on my travels last year.
Posted by: J▲hq 28th February 2019, 11:47 PM
If they discount they better be prepared to give me a large refund on what I’ve now paid. Got a general standing ticket for each live show
Posted by: Good Old Days 3rd March 2019, 12:15 PM
It's the second year in all Eurovision history (after 1988), when the highest song in my ranking will get somewhere near 6 out of 10.
Based on the current line-up I will not watch Eurovision in this year and with high probability in the future too. Possibly Anna can change my opinion, but obviously Sweden will send male singer in this year.
I lost my hope in this contest.
Posted by: LexC 4th March 2019, 12:08 AM
So despite being in Tel Aviv already I'll resist the temptation and save my energy for tomorrow night.