Printable version of thread
Click here to view this topic in its original format
BuzzJack Music Forum _ Eurovision Song Contest _ Ireland · Eurovision Song Contest 2015
Posted by: LexC 11th January 2015, 06:35 PM
Ireland
Molly Sterling - Playing With Numbers
Favourite XF oldie Tesco Mary Byrne has allegedly entered the Irish selection
Continue as you were!
Posted by: AdamAloud 11th January 2015, 06:37 PM
featuring Nadine Coyle I would sincerely hope!!
Posted by: Ryan. 11th January 2015, 06:38 PM
Apparently Ryan Dolan and Jedward are rumoured to be attempting to return as well according to http://escxtra.com/2014/11/over-200-submissions-received/, but I doubt Jedward would go again surely?
It seems they've scrapped the mentors thing now for a proper public selection process. 'Heartbeat' was fabulous but it just didn't work on stage as well as it should have done due to them throwing everything they could at it it seemed!
Posted by: Cal 13th January 2015, 11:16 PM
Most 'big names' that were rumoured to take part have denied it (and wouldn't you). REALLY hoping this isn't just another Late Late 'special' because what's the point? Like they still don't get that it's no longer 1996 and faux-Celtic imagery/sound just doesn't work anymore.
Posted by: Qassändra 13th January 2015, 11:22 PM
emmelie AGOG
Posted by: Ryan. 13th January 2015, 11:26 PM
I know Melanie McCabe has been rumoured for 2 or 3 years now (and was rumoured to be in the 2013 final but was then replaced), but she'd be perfect! 
Posted by: Cal 13th January 2015, 11:46 PM
'Only Teardrops' was a catchy pop song that happened to have a couple of folky notes; DR hardly marketed it as Celtic and it hardly won because of the tin whistle in the chorus. RTÉ seem to think you need to cash-in on the whole Celtic thing and have stone-age/bronze-age symbolism thrown around everywhere. It's just so tacky and it hasn't worked for years so I don't know why they seem to think it does?
She seems NICE but I wouldn't be overly fussed. It would all depend on the song though!
Posted by: Ryan. 20th January 2015, 04:21 PM
Mary has been rejected! She said the following:
Mary goes on to say that RTE may have snubbed her because they are looking ‘for somebody younger, or a slimmer version of Mary Byrne’.
http://wiwibloggs.com/2015/01/20/ireland-mary-byrne-misses-eurosong-2015-national-final/73786/
Current rumours include Ryan O'Shaughnessy and HomeTown although I think the latter is quite unlikely as I believe they are doing very well in Ireland at the moment.
Posted by: Cal 26th January 2015, 09:28 PM
There is STILL no word about this over here at all. Usually we'd at least know something by now but we don't even know if it'll be a standalone NF or just the typical cheap Late Late special. Hoping it's a full-on NF like 2008 (R.I.P Leona Daly - we hardly knew ya!!!) because that was relatively exciting.
Posted by: Liаm 26th January 2015, 09:58 PM
Lol poor Tesco Mary.
Posted by: Ryan. 26th January 2015, 10:00 PM
It's a very weird silence from Ireland, especially considering their national finals are usually this time next month. Maybe they will surprise us all with a fabulous internal selection of Janet Devlin!
Posted by: Cal 5th February 2015, 11:31 PM
Feb 27th on the Late Late. 
These songs better be good or else.
Posted by: Ryan. 5th February 2015, 11:46 PM
Well after last year, a Late Late Show national final will be unmissable! 
I did think they were going to do a proper NF this year though.
Posted by: Ryan. 6th February 2015, 04:24 PM
Nikki Kavanagh now a strong rumour to return to the national final following her 2011 2nd place! http://instagram.com/p/yw3GDmFSi8/
Posted by: Ryan. 8th February 2015, 04:44 PM
The Irish songs will be premiered on Irish radio tomorrow afternoon!
Posted by: Ryan. 9th February 2015, 11:36 AM
Details about the five finalists here: http://rte.ie/ten/news/2015/0209/678748-rte-reveals-eurosong-2015-hopefuls/
Seems one is an all Swedish entry with a Swedish singer and a Swedish song!
Posted by: AdamAloud 9th February 2015, 05:42 PM
And naturally, it is bloody fantastic!
Posted by: Ryan. 9th February 2015, 06:37 PM
Amazing, would give Ireland a great chance of a top 10! But I can't see Ireland voting for someone with no Irish connection whatsoever 
Apparently she was the original vocalist of 'Kom' before it was given to Timoteij.
Opening odds from Paddy Power:
7/4 Kat Mahon
2/1 Nikki Kavanagh
3/1 Molly Sterling
5/1 Erika Selin
12/1 Alex Saint
I will give the others a quick listen now.
Posted by: Ryan. 9th February 2015, 06:45 PM
Really liking Nikki's song too, could be very good if she can pull those vocals off live without coming across shouty. Molly and Kat are both nice but nothing incredible and Alex Saint's rap is of course the worst.
Considering I doubt Erika stands a chance due to her nationality, I hope Nikki wins!
Posted by: Ryan. 10th February 2015, 09:42 PM
Nikki is now favourite, but Erika has moved up to second in the odds. Either one of those two I'd be very happy with!
Erika has also released her music video:
Posted by: Cal 10th February 2015, 10:46 PM
This is quite a good selection. I was absolutely dreading it but there are a couple of songs here that could do quite well if the vocals are good and the staging is right. I actually really like Molly's song but it wouldn't stand a chance. Erika is our best bet, by far!
Posted by: gooddelta 19th February 2015, 04:46 PM
Molly's song is lovely, Joseph should check it out. Very Lucie Silvas.
Posted by: JosephStyles 19th February 2015, 11:32 PM
*Ryan summoned me after my mention*
The Molly song is very pleasant indeed! A lovely piano ballad, thanks for the recommendation Rich 
Posted by: gooddelta 19th February 2015, 11:41 PM
Happy to help!
Posted by: Ryan. 23rd February 2015, 02:32 PM
ALERT ALERT ALERT
http://www.broadsheet.ie/2015/02/23/can-we-play-your-dublin-venue/
That website above says that actual Timoteij will be the backing band for one of the 5 finalists in Friday's Irish national final. Surely a guarantee it'll be for Erika?
Posted by: gooddelta 23rd February 2015, 02:42 PM
http://www.broadsheet.ie/2015/02/23/can-we-play-your-dublin-venue/
That website above says that actual Timoteij will be the backing band for one of the 5 finalists in Friday's Irish national final. Surely a guarantee it'll be for Erika?
*.*
They should just give Timoteij an entry slot of their own.
Posted by: Ryan. 23rd February 2015, 02:52 PM
Now we just await the news as to whether Linda Martin will be returning to the panel after she made last year's Irish national final the most unmissable of the year!
Posted by: AdamAloud 23rd February 2015, 02:57 PM
Timoteij *.*
Their new single would make a fab entry actually!
Posted by: LexC 23rd February 2015, 03:04 PM
Erika must win if only for the resulting Kieth Mills hissy fit (if it hasn't already happened).
Posted by: Ryan. 25th February 2015, 05:18 PM
Drama has begun! According to articles from The Sun Ireland and Aftonbladet (the latter translated by an ESC Forum member), Billy McGuinness (the one accusing Louis Walsh and Linda Martin for being biased in favour of Eoghan Quigg last year) was supposed to be singing with Linda as the interval act, but has now pulled out because of Erika & Timoteij.
Such a fun night it was!
Posted by: LexC 25th February 2015, 05:46 PM
Oh if only Erika wins and causes even more of a shitstorm!
Posted by: Robot 25th February 2015, 08:33 PM
Why has he pulled out because of that?!
Posted by: AdamAloud 26th February 2015, 09:57 AM
I assume because they're not Irish.
Posted by: Cal 26th February 2015, 12:18 PM
Yeah, apparently that's the issue. I highly doubt the general public will give a crap that the team is Swedish.
Posted by: Cal 26th February 2015, 06:56 PM
From Facebook...
@Panti Bliss/Panti Bar: Back in Dublin for couple of days which is just enough time to be on The Late Late Show tomorrow night to help pick our Eurovision entry for this year. Yey! Linda Martin is on the panel again and I'm slightly terrified that this year it might be me she challenges to a fist fight.
(Linda Martin tho )
Posted by: LexC 26th February 2015, 07:01 PM
Oh Panti is FABULOUS (and also sworn enemy of Keith Mills to boot).
Posted by: Ryan. 26th February 2015, 10:26 PM
Yay for Linda just in terms of potential drama!
Posted by: Ryan. 26th February 2015, 11:37 PM
Ireland · Final
27th February 2015
Watch the selection on the http://www.rte.ie/player/gb/live/8/!
9.35pm UK & Ireland Time / 10.35pm Central European Time
(Programme scheduled to last 2 hours 10 minutes)
Running Order
Click ► to listen to the songs!
01 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn6QM_eZ9_s Alex Saint and the MJs - She's So Fine
02 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1cavF8qbkc Kat Mahon - Anybody Got a Shoulder
03 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq6dio5IV1c Erika Selin - Break Me Up
04 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8MU_j7Ebyk Nikki Kavanagh - Memories
05 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jjokf5Xx4w Molly Sterling - Playing with Numbers
Voting
The voting will consist of 50% jury vote and 50% televote. The jury vote will contain five regional juries who will award 12, 10, 8, 6 and 4 points to each song and the televote will give 60, 50, 40, 30 and 20 points depending on which song received the most televotes.
Who are the favourites?
According to the bookmaker William Hill, Nikki Kavanagh is by far the clear favourite. However, if there is to be a surprise then Molly Sterling and Erika Selin are next in line to take the victory in that order if the odds are to be believed.
Further details available at http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=tonight_ireland_choose_their_entry_for_vienna
Posted by: AdamAloud 27th February 2015, 01:02 PM
Won't be able to watch the full show tonight but excited for Erika and Timoteij!
Posted by: Ryan. 27th February 2015, 05:29 PM
Nikki's music video was released today, and it's really helped the song click with me! I did think there was potential but was ruined my the very loud chorus, but seeing Nikki actually "singing" it in the video and allowing me to actually work out the lyrics of the chorus has made me love it. I think there might be a few little changes to the song as well, I'd be very happy for this to win now seeing as I'm assuming Erika has very little chance!
Posted by: AdamAloud 27th February 2015, 07:21 PM
Courtesy of @escgo a little game if you're bored tonight during the Irish final
Posted by: Ryan. 27th February 2015, 07:23 PM
All of those will probably happen as well! I remember in the last couple of years when I've watched it, the Irish panellists (and presumably public) seem to be as obsessed with political voting as Terry Wogan - they are even worse than the UK public!
Posted by: Tom Moroder Kay 27th February 2015, 07:26 PM
Trub is, I love it but having now worked out said lyrics, it breaks the first rule of Eurovision club, don't sing about stopping/not replaying/turning off the music
Posted by: Ryan. 27th February 2015, 09:39 PM
Just realised I put the wrong link in that earlier post, if anyone fancies watching we've begun here: http://www.rte.ie/player/gb/live/8/ (It's on Eurovision.tv too)
Posted by: Cal 27th February 2015, 09:47 PM
PHIL COULTER.
Posted by: Ryan. 27th February 2015, 09:51 PM
Loving this Mairead person!
Posted by: Cal 27th February 2015, 09:52 PM
Panti and Mairead serving truth tea tonight. We're not trying hard enough. End of!
Posted by: Ryan. 27th February 2015, 09:54 PM
Linda making a lot of sense as well, much more positive attitude so far this year!
Posted by: Cal 27th February 2015, 09:56 PM
I think people are finally realizing we're often quite shit @ this.
Posted by: Cal 27th February 2015, 09:56 PM
Twenty seconds in and this is HORRENDOUS.
Posted by: Cal 27th February 2015, 09:58 PM
MAKE IT STOP
Posted by: Cal 27th February 2015, 10:04 PM
Sorry for spamming but IT'S LONELY IN HERE.
This song is about forty years too late. Nice though.
Posted by: Cal 27th February 2015, 10:26 PM
I'm still not too sold on Erika's song but it's VERY well performed!
Posted by: LexC 27th February 2015, 10:44 PM
Nikki was "scraicing" (Cal/Umi let me know if that is really a thing) so bad in that.
Posted by: Cal 27th February 2015, 10:50 PM
We use SO much slang here and I have never heard of 'scraicing' but it's fabulous.
Molly was excellent. Her or Erika please!
Posted by: Cal 27th February 2015, 10:53 PM
Judging by the audience reaction to the recaps I'd say it's between Molly and Erika in the televote. The juries could throw a spanner in the works (they usually do).
Posted by: Ryan. 27th February 2015, 10:56 PM
Molly's got this wrapped up I think, a 12 with the jury and 3rd place with the televote would be enough to give to her I think and I'm sure she'll manage at least that. Erika's actually falling down the betting unfortunately, and I agree that Nikki's song sound much better in studio than live. Although I'd still prefer Erika or Nikki to win in terms of actual songs.
Posted by: Aphrodite 27th February 2015, 11:03 PM
Erika or Molly should win but there is something i dont like about Mollys voice, very very average choice selection and yet again us Irish certainly will not be winning or in the final running on the night. There is no winning song in that selection at all.
Posted by: Cal 27th February 2015, 11:09 PM
Is that Kellie as in the Kellie from The Voice who was about fifteen months pregnant during live shows?
Posted by: Ryan. 27th February 2015, 11:18 PM
They mentioned something about The Voice when introducing her. I don't know who she is but she sounded like a great singer!
Posted by: Aphrodite 27th February 2015, 11:20 PM
Ya its Kelly from the Voice, im surprised Mary Byrne is there considering her entry for Eurosong got rejected.
Posted by: Cal 27th February 2015, 11:25 PM
She's looking well anyway! Yeah, I'd say Mary was SNAPPIN' that she had to sit there.
Posted by: Cal 27th February 2015, 11:41 PM
HOW is Kat winning?
Posted by: Cal 27th February 2015, 11:42 PM
THANK GOD FOR LIMERICK.
Posted by: Cal 27th February 2015, 11:43 PM
YAY MOLLY!!!
Posted by: Aphrodite 27th February 2015, 11:50 PM
A nice staging for Molly in Eurovision will help, that entry needs to be kept as simple as possible, she is very nazel in parts of the song so i hope that can be improved on for Eurovision.
Those jury votes were a very mixed bag, thank god for the televote.
Posted by: Cal 27th February 2015, 11:51 PM
She'll need all the instruments on stage (cello included) and a ton of fairy lights but I think it could look lovely. Really hoping they get it right because it's a great song.
Posted by: Ryan. 27th February 2015, 11:56 PM
It's a nice song and most definitely a grower, although Erika was of course the easiest way to get through the semi-final. Pleasantly surprised Erika didn't come 4th in the televote (just ahead of Alex which was a given), although no idea how Kat was in such contention - Molly was definitely the better choice of the two. Nikki coming next to last overall is definitely a big shock for such a clear odds-on favourite (although she had drifted to evens favourites following the performances).
It's going to need to be in the last two or three spots of its half if possible and Ireland need to avoid awful staging unlike the last couple of years. I'd have the whole stage unlit with just Molly and her piano in a spotlight, and then a simple golden firework shower as the stage lights up for the final chorus.
Posted by: LexC 28th February 2015, 12:17 AM
Meh. I'm not sold.
Posted by: Liаm 28th February 2015, 12:27 AM
Hmm, "nice" is about right. Nothing more, nothing less. Maybe it will grow with more listens.
Posted by: gooddelta 28th February 2015, 02:23 AM
I actually prefer this to Erika's song, I think it's a gorgeous entry from Ireland, my favourite since It's For You.
Posted by: AdamAloud 28th February 2015, 04:40 PM
It just plods along for 3 minutes going nowhere. A very 'meh' entry from Ireland this year.
Posted by: Ryan. 1st March 2015, 08:52 PM
This is growing more and more, especially the 'Give a little love' part in the chorus. It's very reminiscent of Ella Henderson's 'Yours' for me, I hear similarities between Ella and Molly's vocal tones and they are both piano ballads that take several listens to really stick in your head - but once they do they really do!
I'm still not sure if it's going to be instant enough to qualify from the first half of its semi, but she'll do Ireland proud I'm sure!
Posted by: Cal 1st March 2015, 08:57 PM
It's the first time in a LONG time that I can actually fully support our entry, even if it's not instant enough. It clicked with me on the first listen a few weeks back but I'm a sucker for these types of songs. Hopefully the UK and Australia help us out of the semi!
Posted by: gooddelta 1st March 2015, 09:42 PM
It clicked with me first time too, but it's very much of the Lucie Silvas mould, as I mentioned before, which I adore.
Posted by: Umi 8th March 2015, 03:01 PM
So many people saying this as if Ireland ever do anything better than "meh"
The song won't go anywhere but it's quite pretty so I'll take it. Look forward to it being destroyed by a performance theme of "CELTIC IMAGERY EVERYWHERE" as ever.
Posted by: Cal 5th April 2015, 09:59 AM
The ending has been re-recorded and seems more powerful (which is what the panel suggested on the Late Late) and it's now officially on iTunes. Still love it. 
Posted by: Umi 5th April 2015, 09:14 PM
Is there a YT link to it? Hope it's not full on power ballad ending.
I really like the song now, Eurovision ballads that don't go full belty are always so refreshing. Can't remember an Irish entry I liked more than this.
Posted by: Ryan. 5th April 2015, 09:15 PM
Not at the moment unfortunately, I've been looking for it too. I'm very intrigued to hear the changes!
Posted by: Cal 5th April 2015, 09:45 PM
Sent a present to both of you. Really hoping this qualifies now. It's MILES better than what has qualified for us in the past so I hope she can do it. If there's a dancer on stage and a ton of shit lighting/graphics then I'll cry.
Posted by: Mattias 5th April 2015, 09:45 PM
The song has really grown on me. It has a kind of subtlety that is quite uncommon in Eurovision. And Molly is adorable.
Posted by: Ryan. 5th April 2015, 09:50 PM
Thank you!
I really like the changes, nothing massive but it does give that ending a bit of a lift and will make it more instant for people I think as you can sense the song has gone somewhere rather than having to let it grow on you due to the subtlety of the original.
I think it's going to be in that 9th-12th zone, I hope Molly can just sneak in!
Posted by: pippa 8th April 2015, 11:28 AM
It is Ireland's strongest entry in a few years and i would like to see it qualify but it is hard to predict if it will or not.
Posted by: Mattias 8th April 2015, 11:42 AM
Yeah, I agree that it's one of those where it's kinda hard to tell how it will do. If it does qualify, my guess is that on the final it'll end up somewhere in the middle of the board. I really like it though. I've yet to hear the new version.
Posted by: Aphrodite 11th April 2015, 02:57 PM
I haven't heard the new version but i have liked the song since i heard it, its a good ballad and more modern than some ballads we usually send to the competition.
I agree it is hard to know if Molly will qualify or not, its a song that people will either totally forget or really like it and if she qualifies i think she will do ok in the final.
I hope the staging for it is very simple, i think simplicity all the way is whats needed in the staging and no celtic nonsense as people are bored of it and arent sold on it in Eurovision.
Posted by: Ryan. 10th May 2015, 12:15 AM
In complete contrast to Electro Velvet, Molly Sterling put in a stunning performance on her national chat show on Friday night. The various backing vocals give this a lot more power and it feels much "fuller" compared to the national final performance. Hopefully they will stage it the same in Vienna and not bring along any Irish dancers!
Watch here: http://www.rte.ie/player/gb/show/10416794/
If Molly's hair was slightly darker, she'd been a spitting image of Ella Henderson!
Posted by: Liаm 10th May 2015, 12:40 AM
This is one of the biggest growers of the whole contest for me, her voice is just stunning and the song is wonderful melodically. Really hope it can qualify at least
Posted by: Lukuzz 10th May 2015, 01:22 PM
It definitely is a grower, and I'd really like it to do well but I don't see it making the finals and if it does it'll probably be lucky to be top 25 I think.. hopefully I'm wrong.
Posted by: Aphrodite 10th May 2015, 11:47 PM
The updated version is very good, i just saw her late late performance, i still think she will struggle to qualify but hope she does as its a god song.
Posted by: Aphrodite 19th May 2015, 12:24 AM
Its a shame Molly is on so early, i think that will make it even harder to qualify, im also disappointed she is 2nd as in eurovision itself i cant but forget anyone who performed second has never won, dont know what the stats are for the semi's in that has anyone who performed second qualified?? What i do remember is Sinead Mulvey and Black Daisy for Ireland a few years back performed second with etcertera which i still think is one of our best entries in a few years from us but failed to qualify.
I know im biased but i genuinely feel Ireland deserves to qualify this year.
Posted by: Ryan. 19th May 2015, 12:44 AM
Second isn't as bad as slot in the semis as in the final, but of course it's still not great at all. In terms of previous qualifiers from second slot there is Birgit for Estonia in 2013 which was a surprise to many and Kaliopi in 2012 for Macedonia which was a surprise to a few also. But like you say there have been several fan favourites that failed to qualify from second: Mei Finegold, Stella Mwangi, Valentina Monetta and Sinead Mulvey of course.
It's going to be very tight but I think Molly's just going to miss out and it'll be a shame, if you swapped her in the running order with John or Monika Kuszynska then I think she'd be safely through but a subtle ballad is going to really struggle from second on. You never know though, she could do a Birgit from 2013!
Posted by: Cal 19th May 2015, 08:05 AM
I really hope she gets through. It's been a while since I have really loved an Irish entry and it would be a shame to see her DNQ. I don't think she'd set the scoreboard alight if she got to the final but it would be nice if she could!
Powered by Invision Power Board
© Invision Power Services