Some uproar in Turkey over the selected group. The band has said that they were chosen on New Year's Eve and TRT told the world on New Year's day. Some fans are upset that TRT ignored their wishes of sending a pop singer . There's even been talks of having a public protest soon. Almi, can you teach them a lesson for slagging off the band before they even hear the song?;D

According to one report they will not use a song from their soon-to-be-released album and their entry will probably be in English.

4 Lithuanian song links and one demo.

http://esctoday.com/news/read/16435
http://soundcloud.com/monka-1/monika-linkyte-days-go-bay-demo the demo.

The semifinal will have a 50/50 vote and in case of a tie the jury will decide. The final will be jury-only.

Azerbaijan will do the same thing: 50/50 in a semifinal then jury in the final.

Full Swedish schedule:
SEMIFINAL 1 - LULEÅ, 5 FEBRUARY

1. Dilba - Try again (Niklas Pettersson, Linda Sonnvik)
2. Swingfly - Me and my drum (Johan Ramström, Patrik Magnusson, Teron Beal, Swingfly)
3. Jenny Silver - Something in your eyes (Erik Bernholm, Thomas Gon, Henrik Sethsson)
4. Jonas Matsson - On my own (Sari Autio Olsson, Peter Autio)
5. Le Kid - Oh my God (Märta Grauers, Anton Malmborg Hård af Segerstad, Felix Persson)
6. Rasmus Viberg - Social butterfly (Amir Aly, Henrik Wikström)
7. Pernilla Andersson - Desperados (Pernilla Andersson)
8. Danny - In the club (Figge Boström, Peter Boström, Danny Saucedo)

SEMIFINAL 2 - GÖTEBORG, 12 FEBRUARY

1. Brolle - 7 days and 7 nights (Brolle)
2. Loreen - My heart is refusing me (Moh Denebi, Björn Djupström, Loreen)
3. Babsan - Ge mig en spanjor (Larry Forsberg, Sven-Inge Sjöberg, Lennart Wastesson)
4. Elisabeth Andreassen - Vaken i en drom (Lars ”Dille” Diedricson, Calle Kindbom, Kristian Wejshag)
5. Sanna Nielsen - I'm in love (Irini Michas, Peter Boström, Thomas Gon, Bobby Ljunggren)
6. The Moniker - Oh my God! (Daniel Karlsson)
7. Anniela - Elektrisk (Johan Alkenäs, Tim Larsson, Tobias Lundgren, Johan Fransson)
8. Christian Walz - Like suicide (Fernando Fuentes, Henrik Janson, Tony Nilsson)

SEMIFINAL 3 - LINKÖPING, 19 FEBRUARY

1. Linda Sundblad - Lucky you (Linda Sundblad, Johan Bobäck, Fredrik Thomander, Anders Wikström)
2. Simon Forsberg - Tid att andas (Fredrik Kempe)
3. Sara Lumholdt - Enemy (Niclas Lundin, Anton Malmberg Hård af Segerstad)
4. The Playtones - The king (Fredrik Kempe, Peter Kvint)
5. Shirley's Angels (Shirley Clamp) - I thought it was forever (Robin Abrahamsson, Alexander Bard, Bobby Ljunggren, Henrik Wikström)
6. Sebastian Karlsson - No one else could (Andreas Alfredsson Grube, Sebastian Karlsson)
7. Sara Varga - Spring för livet (Sara Varga, Fredrik Boström)
8. Eric Saade - Popular (Fredrik Kempe)

SEMIFINAL 4 - MALMÖ, 26 FEBRUARY

1. Melody Club - The hunter (Kristofer Östergren, Erik Stenemo, Jon Axelsson, Nicklas Stenemo – Melody Club)
2. Julia Alvgard - Better or worse (Julia Alvgard, Manne Hjelm, Ola Holstad, Joar Lenz)
3. Lasse Stefanz - I surrender (Alexander Bard, Ola Håkansson, Tim Norell)
4. Linda Pritchard - Alive (Oscar Görres, Fredrik Kempe)
5. Anders Fernette - Run (Desmond Child, Negin Djafari, Hugo Lira, Ian-Paolo Lira, Thomas Gustafsson)
6. Linda Bengtzing - E de fel på mig (Pontus Assarsson, Thomas Gon, Jörgen Ringqvist, Daniel Barkman)
7. Nicke Borg - Leaving home (Jojo Borg Larsson, Nicke Borg, Fredrik Thomander, Anders Wikström)
8. Love Generation - Dance alone (RedOne, Bilal "The Chef", Teddy Sky, AJ Junior, Jimmy Joker, BeatGeek)

The second chance round will take place on March 5th and the Melodifestivalen final takes place on March 12th 2011 in Stockholm.

Norwegian schedule:
Running order for Semifinal 1 - Ørland, January 15th:

1. Carina Dahl - Guns & boys
2. Use Me - Daisy
3. Helene Bøksle - Vardlokk
4. Sie Gubba - Alt du vil ha
5. Gatas Parlament - Jobbe litt mindre og tjene litt mer
6. Sichelle - Tranger mer
7. Åste & Rikke - Not that easy (Ah-åh-ah-åh)

Running order for Semifinal 2 - Florø, January 22nd:

1. Pernille & Marius - I'll be yours
2. Babel Fish - Depend on me
3. Marika - Hungry for you (Gipsydance)
4. Isabella - Sand
5. Endre - Oh oh (Puppy love)
6. Hanne Sørvaag - You're like a melody
7. Mimi Blix - Allergic

The third semifinal will take place in Skien on January 29th. Two songs from each semifinal will qualify for the final, to be held on February 12th in Oslo. Other two will go through the 'last chance' round, to take place on February 5th in Sarpsborg.

These aren't all the songs...could someone list the missing ones please?

Holland' 3Js will let the public decide on the song on the 30th.

San Marino is said to choose their singer and hopefully song too in the next few days.

All songs must be chosen before March 14th which is when the semifinal draws will start. Next month will be a very busy one so get your webstreams ready.

This is what has been announced for February so far:
Greece sometime in February
Macedonia sometime in February
Azerbaijan will choose on the 2nd
Ireland on the 11th
Finland, Iceland, Malta and Norway on the 12th
Belgium and Poland on the 14th
Bosnia & Herzegovina will choose Dino's song on the 20th
Austria on the 25th
Denmark, Estonia, Latvia on the 26th
Ukraine on the 27th

Songs of the first Icelandic semifinal on January 15th are revealed:

* Erna Hrönn Ólafsdóttir – Ástin mín eina (Arnar Ástráðsson)
* Böddi og JJ Soul Band – Lagið þitt (Ingvi Þór Kormáksson)
* Pétur Örn Guðmundsson- Elísabet (Pétur Örn Guðmundsson)
* Hanna Guðný Hitchon – Huldumey (Ragnar Hermannsson)
* Haraldur Reynisson – Ef ég hefði vængi (Haraldur Reynisson)

SLOVAKIA IS OUT! After asking for an extension on their decision, the country pulled out. Management has stated that they had to combine two stations and are in debt so Eurovision would make it bigger. They're optimistic about their return though. Thank you Slovakia for not giving up on the show all together.

Total number of countries is 42 for Duesseldorf.

TVE has said in a commercial that there will be 30 hopefuls in their preselection when before it was reported that there would be 24 so TVE are going to have wildcards. More news will come soon when the preselection kicks off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U61prY4R6MQ&feature=player_embedded

It says "We've won the World Cup...and if we win Eurovision? 30 candidates will try to represent Spain. etc."

Malta's song list

01. Amber - Catch 22 (Ray Agius, Godwin Sant)

02. Jessica Muscat - Down Down Down (Philip Vella, Jessica Muscat)

03. Wayne Micallef - Everybody Sing (Wayne Micallef, Wayne Micallef)

04. Richard Edwards - Finally (Jan Van Dijck, Richard Micallef)

05. Cherise Grixti - Heart of Glass (Philip Vella, Gerard James Borg)

06. Marilena Gauci - He's a Demon (Michael Henry, Anthony Grech)

07. Eleanor Cassar - Hypnotized (Paul Giordimania , Fleur Balzan)

08. Raquela If I Could Do It All Again (Marc Paelnick, Mathias Strasser)

09. Domenique Azzopardi - I'll Follow the Sunshine (Ralph Siegel, Dr. Bernd Meinunger)

10. Jamie Tonna - Lost Without You (Marco Debono, Aidan O'Connor)

11. Kelly Schembri - Love Me Like Your Money (Sven Lundhol, Gerard James Borg)

12. Sophie Debattista - Love to Love You (Elton Zarb, Sophie Debattista)

13. Baklava - Mood Dance (Philip Vella, Gerard James Borg)

14. Claudia Faniello - Movie in my Mind (Philip Vella, Gerard James Borg)

15. Fabrizo Faniello - No Surrender (Johan Stentorp , Johan Bederholm)

16. Ally - Numb (Ally, Ally)

17. Glen Vella - One Life (Paul Giordimania, Fleur Balzan)

18. Kurt Calleja - Over and Over (Johan J'atmberg, Kurt Calleja)

19. Klinsmann Coleiro / Benjamin Darmanin - This Love (Klinsmann Coleiro, Jonathan Spiteri)

20. J.Anvil - Topsy Turvy (Jonas Gladnikoff / Niall Mooney / Andrew Zahra, Deo Grech / Natasha Turner)

21. Amber - Touch Wood (Ray Agius, Alfred Sant)

22. Anna Azzopardi - Unfaithful (Renato Briffa, Keith Zammit)

23. Petra Zammit - Unintentional (Elton Zarb, Rita Pace)

24. Rosman Pace - You'll Never Know (Steven D. Cook, Jordan Milnes)

SNIPPETS FROM THE FIRST NORWEGIAN SEMIFINAL ARE UP!

http://www.nrk.no/programmer/tv/melodi_grand_prix/1.7451744

Enjoy, my lovelies!

Melodifestivalen changes its rules

The new rules were revealed by Swedish Television today and are applicable in the final on the 12th of March.

The value of the votes are 2 x 473 points, which means that tele-votes and jury-votes represent 50/50 each. If an entry is getting 10% of the tele-votes it will be equivalent to 10% of 473 points.

The Swedish jury groups are replaced by 11 international groups. Each jury group gives their points according to the ESC-standard: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 points. If two songs end up at the same position, the people’s votes will overrule the jury-votes. Tele-voting will continue to be open meanwhile the jury-groups are delivering their votes.

One word for the above post: DESPERATE.

SONGS FROM THE FIRST ICELANDIC SEMIFINAL

http://vefir.ruv.is/songvakeppnin/

Turkey's song will be in English

Yup. The band will show TRT 3 songs then one will be announced who knows when.

LOL at one of the comments - "drit allt i hop".

"Daisy" with Use me seems good.

Greek national final singers are revealed

Antigoni Psichrami
Antigoni participated in the 2010 Greek Idol, she opened the show of the 2010 Greek national final with an opening act and she is the sister of Apostolos Pscihramis, the man who won the 2004 Greek selection talent show Eurostar and withdraw after few days as Sakis entered his bid for Eurovision.

Valanto Trifonos
Valanto Trifonos won the 2010 Greek Idol by ALPHA TV and she participated in the 2004 Cyprus selection.

Nikki Ponte
She is participating in the 3rd X Factor in Greece and she descents from Canada born by Greek parents.

Kokkina Halia
One of the top newcomer artists in Greece, participated in the 2nd X Factor show.

Loukas Yorkas
The winner of the first Greek X Factor show of Cypriot descent

Trimitonio
They are currently participating in the 3rd Greek Factor show

Lithuanian songs

1. Ruta Šciogolevaite - I will break free
2. Evelina Sašenko - C‘est ma vie
3. Mino - Don‘t go
4. Linas Adomaitis - Floating to You
5. Donny Montell - Let me
6. Sasha Song - The Slogan of Our Nation
7. Donny Montell and Sasha Song - Best friends
8. Vilija - Dreams
9. Nora - What is love?
10. Monika - Days go by
11. Jurate Miliauskaite - Tiesiog diena
12. Egle Petrikaite - Laimingi kaip mes
13. Urte Šilagalyte - Candy Baby
14. Martynas Beinaris - Tomorrow and after
15. Ramunas Difartas & Gyvo Garso klubas - Before you go
16. Agnieška - Her name is May
17. Eden - Sleep of Mind
18. El Fuego - Esu zmogus
19. Egle Jakštyte - Meile yra
20. Valdas Maksvytis - Leisk mylet
21. Deividas Bastys - My Girl
22. Violeta Valskyte - You make me...
23. AvenueAcoustic - Atgal i nuodeme
24. Dovydas Mašcinskas - Dirty Avenue
25. Aurelija Slavinskaite - The End
26. Viktorija Ivaškeviciute - Be my Baby
27. Guoda Isado - Ciuto tuto
28. Gintare Korsakaite - Atmerk akis
29. Grazina Jonušaite - Mylek savo prieša
30. Flaer - Kibernetiniam sode
31. 24for7 - Puffy lips
32. Laura Jaraite - City of Steel
33. Egle Petrošiute - Smile
34. Vigroses - Freedom of mind
35. The Independent - 7th bus
36. Dave and Henry - Fresh air dream
37. Timohi - Setellite of Setellite
38. Mezzo Tronic - I Mean It
39. Liepa - Laukiu
40. Tofu Bubble - Take
41. Greta Smidt - Electronic Love
42. Asta Pilypaite - Will You
43. Kas jos tokios? - Unbreakable
44. EDEN – Sleep of Mind

The line-up of the final will be completed by five wild cards from LRT and one from the website zebra.lt

Donny aka Donatas as James is aka Tim, was in the 2009 selection but disqualified for performing his song before the EBU allows songs to be made public. Sasha Son(g) and Donny seem to be the national final song hogs.

Full Irish line-up revealed

1. Nikki Kavanagh
2. Jedward (Lord help Ireland if they're chosen )
3. The Vard Sisters
4. Don Mescall
5. an unnamed EMI quartet

http://esctoday.com/news/read/16472 logo and slogan revealed. I bet F.J. aka pussyfart (as said by one member in the chatroom when they talked about chatters in other sites) will like the slogan "Feel Your Heart Beat".;D

Is Kavanagh just a common name or is she really related to Niamh?