In recent years, two senior members of the editorial team at escflashmalta.com were part of the committee behind the Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza but a stunning three year experience, they have called it a day resorting to the promotion of the competition in the best possible way. The readers of the site have spoken highly of the comments passed on by professional members enlisted to review tracks for the Malta Eurovision Song Contest and the international showcase which just came to an end and thus it has been thought to introduce such a feature to a local competition. 

There we are pleased to announce that all of the entries competing in this years' edition of the Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza will be reviewed by Chris and Moira. The renowned duo are best known in the local music scene for representing Malta at the 1994 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest held in The Point Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. They finished in fifth place, the only time that the country managed that position as they sang their hearts out to the beautiful More than Love which they co-wrote. Chris & Moira have never shied away from a challenge and as a matter of fact, their recent material is best encompassed through a visionary set of genres, ones which are very much appreciated by the general public. 

Their latest single entitled Flight 170 has been played on 89.7 Bay where it also entered the local charts. In the meantime, it is important to denote that they gave a public performance during this years' semi-finals of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest as many were awaiting the results. We await NET Television to unveil the songs in due course, noting that preview videos are expected but we would like to welcome Chris & Moira on board and hope that you enjoy their constructive critism. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for all of the latest news about this years' edition of the Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza. 

Source: escflashmalta.com

One of the artists who had the opportunity to perform at this years' Eurovision Song Contest as an interval act was none other than Sarah Dawn Finer, a two time finalist in the Melodifestivalen competition. Producers thought it best to include a tribute to the legendary group, Abba during the showcase and enlisted the balladeer to perform The Winner Takes It All just before the revelation of the votes which ultimately saw Denmark triumph with their entry Only Teardrops performed by Emmelie de Forest. It seems that Graham Norton is still on a high following the annual event and decided to play Sarah Dawn Finer's version during his programme on BBC Radio 2 earlier today.

BBC Radio 2 is one of the most popular broadcasters in the United Kingdom has has playlisted some of the most influential stars of all time across the years apart from upcoming talent such as English/Maltese artist, Lauren Aquilina amongst others. Graham Norton, a fan of the esteemed European competition supported Bonnie Tyler in her dismal showing with her entry Believe In Me co-written by Desmond Child, Lauren Christy and Christopher Braide. Sarah Dawn Finer took to her Official Twitter profile stating 'WOW! Graham Norton playing "The winner takes it all" on his Radio bbc2 show in the UK at the moment!! Amazing!' Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for all of the latest news.

Source: BBC Radio 2

Media.Link Communications, organisers of the Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza have just unveiled the twenty finalists in their respective running order. The fifty entries which made it through the first phase of the competition were judges at the studios of NET Television by a panel of four judges comprised of four performers including; Amber, Claudia Calleja, Lyndsay and Clint Spiteri. They represent various genres of the industry and somewhat cement their place in music. Apart from that, it is important to note that some of them already have a background in the competition having judges other phases in the past.

This years' edition of the Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza will be the twenty-seventh in total with several innovations presented in recent years including a seated audience. During todays' edition of Sas-Sitta which airs on NET Television, the twenty finalists including Karen DeBattatista were revealed to have made the final cut. It is important to note that there is a mixture of established and upcoming names although it seems that the newcomers have taken over the competition. The most predominant songwriters in the field also seem to be Mark Spiteri Lucas, Rita Pace, Philip Vella, Minik and Stephen Baldacchino. You can see the running order as drawn by Mark Azzopardi, Chairman of the Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza just below.

1. Li Jien Illum - Simarija u Mikhail (Elton Zarb / Natasha Turner)
2. Fraħt Għax Sibtek - Laura Sammut Bruno (Frederick Camilleri)
3. Mhux Pupa Biss - Raquel Galdes (Minik / Rita Pace)
4. Magħqudin - Francesco Catania (Ludwig Galea / Augusto Cardinali)
5. Ħallini Ngħidlek - Nicole Brincat (Minik / Stephen Baldacchino)
6. Riflessi - Karen DeBattista (Mark Scicluna / Emil Calleja Bayliss)
7. Perper Rebbieħa - Marie Claire Attard Bason (Minik / Stephen Baldacchino)
8. Gloria - Mauro u Kim (Rita Pace)
9. Rebbiegħa - Kristen Camilleri (Philip Vella / Cher Vella)
10. Inwiegħdek - Josef u Johanna (Minik / Stephen Baldacchino)
11. Nibqa' - Janice Mangion (Chan Vella / Alexia Schembri)
12. Hemm Miegħek Jien - Neville (Rita Pace / Minik)
13. M'Intix Waħdek - Kylie Coleiro (Philip Vella / Manila Bottone)
14. L-Ewlieni - Danica Muscat (Philip Vella / Emil Calleja Bayliss)
15. Aħfirli Jekk Trid - Fabrizio Faniello (Rita Pace / Minik)
16. Ejjew Lkoll - Roseann Cordina (Mark Spiteri Lucas / Paul Ellul)
17. Armonija - Minik (Minik / Stephen Baldacchino)
18. Fejn Hemm L-Għaqda, Hemm Is-Saħħa - Christian Arding (Chan Vella / Alexia Schembri)
19. B'Ħarsitna 'l Fuq - Domenique (Mark Spiteri Lucas / Paul Ellul)
20. Int Kont Hemm - Daniel Muscat (Mark Spiteri Lucas / Stephen Baldacchino / Marlon Polidano)

Firstly, escflashmalta.com would like to congratulate Emil Calleja Bayliss, our Head of Communications for getting through to the competition with two songs in the Established Category and extending the wishes to all of the artists and songwriters who got through to the final phase. In the meantime, for those who have not managed to make it through to the final phase, it is worth noting that there will always be next year. Some artists have been trying to get through for quite a couple of years and this is the year in which they have made it. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com as tomorrow at noon we unveil an exclusive feature with regards to the Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza.

Melanie Zammit, semi-finalist at the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with the song Loverdose co-written by Maria Lundin, Niclas Lundin and Gerard James Borg is new to the local music scene but is known to be more than just a vocal artist, considering that she is also a dancer. The song failed to make it through to the final of the local competition but nevertheless gained a lot of public support and ranked high in the public poll organised by escflashmalta.com having finished in fifth place behind Never Walk Away, Needing You, Overrated and When it's Time respectively.

In recent weeks, Melanie has been working on new material which is set to be supported by promo but nevertheless, we are pleased to present the first audio clip uploaded to viral website, YouTube. The name of the track is Insomnia and this is actually the third song from Melanie who had previously released the foreign/local co-write Loverdose as well as Electric Sound co-written by Boris Cezek and Dean Muscat who also co-wrote the entry that represented Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest, finishing in a respectable eighth place. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for all of the local news during the upcoming summer months. 

Source: YouTube, Chris Agius (Image) 

Only Love Survives, sung by Ryan Dolan on behalf of Ireland could only muster up five points in the final and therefore finished at the bottom of the scoreboard, a fate which they had already succumbed to back in 2007 with They Can't Stop the Spring performed by Dervish. RTÉ, the broadcaster responsible for the participation have pledged that they will be present next year due to the successful ratings back home as well as a successful history which includes seven victories, the last of which coming back in 1996. 

Paddy Power, the Irish website for all sports and event betting odds have already published a long list of possible participants on behalf of the nation in 2014. This time last year, it was Leanne Moore who was the principle favourite and whilst she is on the list, she is only seventh this time round. Moore had won You're A Star a couple of years back and has been one of the female backing vocalists during the Irish performance for three straight years.It seems that a male performer is being seen as the next representative noting that all of the names with sterling odds are male. 

Keith Hanley is the odds on favourite with odds at 9/2 but he is closely followed by Shane Filan at 7/1 respectively. Hanley is the winner of the second season of The Voice and thus has a recording contract with Universal Music Ireland whilst Filan was the lead vocalist behind the group, Westlife. It will be interesting to see whether high profile names will be interested in representing Ireland although one of the former members of Westlife, Nicky did read out the votes on the night. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for all of the latest news.

Source: Paddy Power

The British Broadcasting Corporation, responsible for the participation of the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest enlisted Andrew Lloyd Webber for their bid in 2009 noting that the talent show which found Jade Ewen was a huge rating success with the country also achieving fifth place at the end of the voting. One man who would like to have a shot at selecting both the artist and the entry is none other than Simon Cowell, the entrpeneur responsible for creating the franchises of Got Talent and X Factor. He is an A&R Executive with Sony Music and also has a private record label known as SyCO music which releases material by stars from the shows. 

Some of the artists who have been on the X Factor stage and achieved international recognition include Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke, Rebecca Fergusson and One Direction but nevertheless, in reply to a tweet asked by a fan of the Eurovision Song Contest, Cowell replied that he would find the right artist if the British Broadcasting Corporation let him. The issue at hand is that Simon Cowell has a management agreement with ITV, the rival station to the BBC and thus, conflict of commercial interest is seemingly seen. Simon Cowell works with some of the best songwriters in the music industry and thus having him on board could only help. Creating stars overnight has been his forte and with a strong publicity machine, things will definitely move forward. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for all of the latest news.

Source: Digital Spy 

Tomorrow, co-written by Boris Cezek and Dean Muscat with vocals provided by Gianluca represented Malta in this years' edition of the Eurovision Song Contest finishing in a respectacble eighth place, the most successful result for the nation in eight years. The extended play which includes the single was officially distributed by Sony Music UK but nevertheless, the track that most people are buying is the one which is on the official compilation which is distributed by Universal Music Germany. It is important to note that Tomorrow has managed to chart in Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland and the United Kingdom respectively. 

According to official statistics released by the European Broadcasting Union, the track was also the favourite of the juries during the second semi-final on Thursday whilst being seventh best with the public, the best result for Malta with those watching in ages. During the final, it was a ninth place finish in both the jury and the tele-voting which was beyond amazing for the country. The Public Broadcasting Services confirmed their participation in 2014 earlier this morning, days after the end of the Eurovision Song Contest 2013. In the meantime, it has to be noted that the official video of Tomorrow produced by Duane Laus has reached one million views, something that This Is The Night had also achieved but albeit on a larger time span. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for the latest news.

Source: eurovision.tv

Television Malta, the main means of transmission for the Public Broadcasting Services has always extremely supportive of local talent throughout the years noting the broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals, as well as the preselection in which the entry is chosen from. One of the leading dramas which is aired on the same station is none other than D.R.E.A.M.S which is returning for the twenty-sixth episode this evening. Apart from a scintillating storyline created by Michael Vella Haber and Evelyn Saliba La Rosa, there are original songs performed each week, all composed by Maestro Ray Agius who is the most successful composer in the Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza with a total of six victories. The storylines of the major characters have been twisted and turned several times but that is what grips the audience and therefore, one should expect even more this evening. 

Antoinette (Analise Psaila) was seen to be extremely talented when the series commenced more than a year ago noting that singing seems to be one her traits. Her talent is being appreciated by a Mr.Trapani (Dominic Cini) who represents a leading record label in the world and would like Antoinette to join him as they continue training her vocals abroad. This is the scene which brought an end to the episode last week. She is very much enticed by the offer but is yet to make a decision apart from having to discuss the situation with her parents, doctors by profession. Singing was always seen as a hobby for them and thus this might prove difficult. In the meantime, keeping focus on the students, attention turns to Diane (Michela Galea) who is still trying to untangle the situation surrounding Karen (Lara Dimech) and indeed, she manages and faces her with the reasoning. 

The reaction is definitely going to be one which the viewer might not expect but we will not be unveiling more about this regard. The students of the English class which of course include a large segment of the major characters including Jade (Rachel Genovese), Katia (Jade Cini), Jasmine (Rachael Tedesco Triccas), Alexei (Luke Brincat), Brandon (Jean Pierre Cutajar and others have a test which they do not score well in and Alexei seems to have the right answer for Mr.Francalanza (Joe Tanti). The answer is not met with a positive note though and Mr.Francalanza tries to extract some information about history. Is this somewhat related to the background which is supposedly meant to be kept secret? In the evening, Alexei and Jade head to dinner together but Alexei receives a phone, a stange one indeed. Tune into Television Malta at 20:45 CET for the latest episode and stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for more news. 

Source: Rewind Productions

Since the introduction of the jury and tele-voting system, it seems that the anticipation for the split vote is relatively high by viewers of the Eurovision Song Contest, which this year amassed around one hundred and seventy million according to an earlier press release issued by the official website of the international event. In the past four years, the European Broadcasting Union had released the total points of each entry as given by both the jury and the tele-voting but due to the implementation of a brand new system, they have decided to publish the average placing of each nation through both jury and tele-voting.

The results of the first semi-final were quite predictable to be honest noting that Only Teardrops by Emmelie de Forest for Denmark was the varage with both the juries and public at large with Russia's entry What If finishing second in both as well. The juries and the public agreed on seven of the ten qualifiers in general witht he jury opting to select Austria rather than Lithuania and the public preferring Montenero and Croatia over Moldova and Estonia respectively. Montenegro have somewhat managed to gather favour with the public whilst Austria still hold the cards in their hands when it comes to the juries stating tele-voting was rigged a couple of years back. 

Denmark - 167 (1 / 1)

Russia - 156 (2 / 2)

Ukraine - 140 (4 / 3)

Moldova - 95 (3 / 11)

Belgium - 75 (7 / 7)

The Netherlands - 75 (6 / 9)

Belarus - 64 (9 / 8)

Ireland - 54 (10 / 6)

Lithuania - 53 (11 / 5)

Estonia - 52 (8 / 13)

Serbia - 46 (15 / 12)

Montenegro - 41 (14 / 4)

Croatia - 38 (13 / 10)

Austria - 27 (5 / 15

Cyprus - 11 (12 / 14)

Slovenia - 8 (16 / 16)

In the second semi-final, things were rather enticing and this was very much what several opinionists had stated when it came to discussing the quality of the tracks competing. As a matter of fact, the jury and the tele-voting agreed on six songs in total, including jury winners Malta whose entry Tomorrow performed by Gianluca managed seventh place with the public.This was a coup for the Mediterranean nation who had never secured any type of first place result in the past. The jury opted to send through to the final acts such as Israel and San Marino rather than Romania and Hungary whilst the public at large preferred Bulgaria and Switzerland to Armenia and Georgia. For the second straight participation, it seems that Armenia is continously losing the public appeal which had originated in their initial participations. 

Azerbaijan - 139 (2 / 3)

Greece - 121 (3 / 2)

Norway - 120 (4 / 4)

Malta - 118 (1 / 7)

Romania - 83 (13 / 1)

Iceland - 72 (8 / 8)

Armenia - 69 (7 / 11)

Hungary - 66 (11 / 9)

Finland - 64 (6 / 10)

Georgia - 63 (5 / 13)

San Marino - 47 (10 / 12)

Bulgaria - 45 (17 / 6)

Switzerland - 41 (16 / 5)

Israel - 40 (9 / 14)

Albania - 31 (12 / 15)

FYR Macedonia - 28 (14 / 16)

Latvia - 13 (15 / 13)

In the final, things somewhat remained pretty much the same noting that the countries which had performed well in their respective semi-finals managed to enter in the top ten with the inclusion of Italy who performed brilliantly in both the jury and the public vote. This was not the case with their entry last year noting that Nina Zilli had managed to get her top ten score thanks to mostly jury support as the public put her in a lower mid-table position. Marco Mengoni and his entry L'Essenziale managed eighth and tenth respectively to finish in seventh place just ahead of Malta whose entry this time round finished in ninth place both the jury and public vote. On average, Spain has managed to finish last in both the jury and the public vote but unfortunately the disappointing result was given to Ireland with Ryan Dolan managing a decent mid-table with the public as opposed to a bottom three with juries. 

Denmark - 281 (1 / 1)

Azerbaijan - 234 (2 / 3)

Ukraine - 214 (6 / 2)

Norway - 191 (4 / 6)

Russia - 174 (10 / 5)

Greece - 152 (14 / 4)

Italy - 126 (8 / 10)

Malta - 120 (9 / 9)

The Netherlands - 114 (7 / 11)

Hungary - 84 (21 / 8)

Belgium - 71 (11 / 17)

Moldova - 71 (5 / 19)

Romania - 65 (24 / 7)

Sweden - 62 (3 / 18)

Georgia - 50 (13 / 23)

Belarus - 48 (22 / 13)

Iceland - 47 (17 / 12)

Armenia - 41 (19 / 15)

United Kingdom - 23 (15 / 22)

Estonia - 19 (16 / 24)

Germany - 18 (20 / 16)

Lithuania - 17 (25 /21)

France - 14 (12 / 25)

Finland - 13 (18 / 20)

Spain - 8 (26 / 26)

Ireland - 5 (23 / 14)

escflashmalta.com has also noted two predominant differences between the jury and the public vote in the final noting that Sweden managed to gather a strong representation thanks to the professional panels in the participating countries managing a third place whilst Romania climbed up the board thanks to the general public. Unfortunately both entries were drowned down by the other half of the score as Sweden could only manage eighteenth in tele-voting whilst Romania was third from last in the jury. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for all of the latest news about the upcoming edition of the Eurovision Song Contest but in the meantime, keep following for news about the local music scene.

Source: eurovision.tv

RTVE, the broadcaster responsible for the participation of Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest is seemingly aiming to achieve success with their internal selection format following successive disappointments when a national selection took place. Nevertheless, following the top ten finish of Pastora Soler with Quedatè Conmingo, the nation found itself in a penultimate position a couple of days back with their entry Contigo Hasta El Final performed by El Sueno de Morfeo. One of the artists who has seemingly been asked yet is waiting for the right time to decide on taking up the offer is Ruth Lorenzo.

Ruth Lorenzo, was a finalist in the British X Factor back in 2008, finishing in an extremely respectable fourth place. behind successful acts, Alexandra Burke and JLS. At a special screening of the movie, The Big Wedding, Ruth Lorenzo was in attendance and spoke to Lizzie Cundy of The Express stating that she has been asked to represent Spain but is waiting for the right and opportune moment to see whether the offer is worth taking up, although truth be told, she added that she would love to do it for the United Kingdom. Ruth Lorenzo will be dropping her first single in the British music scene quite soon although her very first release following the X Factor, a single called Burn was released in Spain peaking at number #16 on the official charts. This is quite sensational considering the lack of promotion. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for all of the latest news.

Source: The Express