ESC Insight: The Unofficial Eurovision Song Contest Podcast

Eurovision Insight Podcast: The last chat from Malmö, Sunday 19th May

Ewan Spence — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:28:32 +0000

We have a winning song in ‘Only Teardrops‘, we have a pretty good idea where we’re going next year (how many locations in Denmark have an arena, transport infrastructure, and hotel space for the Contest other than Copenhagen), and we have a lot to examine over the next weeks and months.

But on the morning after, lets look through the results and see if there are any immediate thoughts and lessons to be learned from the result delivered last night in the Malmö Arena.

Eurovision Insight Podcast: The last chat from Malmö, Sunday 19th May
Hosted by Ewan Spence, with…

Samantha Ross (ESC Insight)
Steven Newby (ESC Insight)
DJ Ohrmeister (PRINZ ESC Blog)

Don’t miss an episode of The Unofficial Eurovision Podcast by subscribing to the RSS feed dedicated to the podcasts. iTunes users can find us in the iTunes Store and get the show automatically downloaded to your computer. And if you’re looking for more info on this year’s Contest, our free eBook Guide can be found here.

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Grand Final Commentary 2013

Ewan Spence — Sat, 18 May 2013 16:11:19 +0000

And we reach the end of our journey for the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest. Luke Fisher and Ewan Spence, from EscXtra and ESC Insight, present the Alternative Commentary ‘Riff’ Tracks for the show. Twenty Six countries are left, but only one will lift the trophy.

You’ll be able to watch the show on your national broadcaster (or head over to www.eurovision.tv/esctv for the free live stream without a commentator).

For a million reasons both technical or otherwise, we can’t automatically sync up with the live broadcast, so you need to do a little bit of work. Grab the MP3, cue it up in your audio player of choice, be it portable on headphones, or on your computer or tablet. Feel free to start listening whenever you want, but starting as the show starts is fine.

I’ll remind you in the show, but when you hear a beep, you pause the track, watch the song performance, then start up the track again. Don’t stop for adverts or cutaways, just for the music.

The only potential gotcha is when to start listening to the main portion of the track. The first part can be listened to in advance, and pause it on the first beep. Pause when the track tells you, and start up again just after ‘The Very Musical Caterpillar’ brings you into the stadium, and the parade of the flags of all nations starts.

Enjoy! And you can still follow me real time on Twitter for updates direct from Malmö and the Contest.

Eurovision 2013 Podcast: Grand Final Commentary

Ewan Spence, joined by Luke Fisher from EscXtra, talk you though the Grand Final of Eurovision. Press play before the show starts, and don’t forget to pause for the music when you hear the beep!

You can stay up to date with The ESC Insight Podcast by subscribing to the RSS feed for all the shows, or use iTunes to get the show automatically downloaded to your computer if that’s your thing.

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmö, Saturday 18th May

Ewan Spence — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:40:03 +0000

Just a few hours to go until this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, and a final chance to look at the performers this year before twenty five of them fall, and we’re left with one song standing – this year’s winning Song.

Over our lunchtime coffee, it’s time to take a quick look at the highlights coming up in tonight’s show.

Don’t forget to download the new mobile app from ESC Insight and EscXtra that provides live commentary and a thumbs up / thumbs down system to share your opinions in real time. Visit bit.ly/esccommentary to download the app for your iOS device.

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmö, Saturday 18th May
Hosted by Ewan Spence, with…

Samantha Ross (ESC Insight)
Steven Newby (ESC Insight)

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmö, Friday 17th May

Ewan Spence — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:17:21 +0000

With our final line up for Saturday night’s show now confirmed, there’s a lot to talk about. The SVT-led (and EBU signed off) running order is one, and we touch on that in todays podcast, but first there’s a semi-final to dissect.

Why did the seven countries who failed to qualify get it wrong? Did they even get it wrong and it was all a big misunderstanding? That’s today’s main topic.

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmö, Friday 17th May
Hosted by Ewan Spence, with…

Jacques Happe (Alle Song).
Monty Moncrieff (On Europe)
Luke Fisher (EscXtra).

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Semi Final 2 Commentary 2013

Ewan Spence — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:57:05 +0000

The Eurovision journey continues with the second semi-final being broadcast tonight. Once more its time for the ESC Insight/EscXtra Alternative Commentary ‘Riff’ Tracks for the show. Join Luke Fisher and Ewan Spence once more as we go through the seventeen countries looking to qualify for Saturday’s grand final.

You’ll be able to watch the show on your national broadcaster (or head over to www.eurovision.tv/esctv for the free live stream without a commentator).

For a million reasons both technical or otherwise, we can;t automatically sync up with the live broadcast, so you need to do a little bit of work. Grab the MP3, cue it up in your audio player of choice, be it portable on headphones, or on your computer or tablet. Feel free to start listening whenever you want, but starting as the show starts is fine.

I’ll remind you in the show, but when you hear a beep, you pause the track, watch the song performance, then start up the track again. Don’t stop for adverts or cutaways, just for the music.

The only potential gotcha is when to start listening to the main portion of the track. The first part can be listened to in advance, and pause it on the first beep. Pause when the track tells you, and start up again on the last note of the opening musical number which features Marc Antonie Charpentier’s Prelude (the Eurovision theme).

Enjoy! And you can still follow me real time on Twitter for updates direct from Malmö and the Contest.

Eurovision 2013 Podcast: Semi Final 2 Commentary

Ewan Spence, joined by Luke Fisher from EscXtra, talk you though the second semi final of Eurovision. Press play before the show starts, and don’t forget to pause for the music when you hear the beep!

You can stay up to date with The ESC Insight Podcast by subscribing to the RSS feed for all the shows, or use iTunes to get the show automatically downloaded to your computer if that’s your thing.

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmö, Thursday 16th May

Ewan Spence — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:38:00 +0000

The Big Five and Sweden had their last technical rehearsal yesterday, just before the Dress Rehearsals and the the Jury Semi-Final for the second show.

Most performance issues are locked down, and what’s on show is pretty much what is going to be taken on stage.

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmö, Thursday 16th May
Hosted by Ewan Spence, with…

Samantha Ross (ESC Insight).
Steven Newby (ESC Insight).
Sharleen Wright (ESC Insight).

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmö, Wednesday 15th May

Ewan Spence — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:27:47 +0000

So that result happened.

Now it’s the morning after the night after the afternoon rehearsal, and the core ESC Insight team can gather round a morning coffee to go over the results of the first semi-final of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest. Can we work out what went wrong for the six countries going home, and what are the chances of the ten who we’ll see again on Saturday?

Oh and don’t forget to download the new mobile app from ESC Insight and EscXtra that provides live commentary and a thumbs up / thumbs down system to share your opinions in real time. Visit bit.ly/esccommentary to download the app for your iOS device.

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmö, Wednesday 15th May
Hosted by Ewan Spence, with…

Samantha Ross (ESC Insight).
Steven Newby (ESC Insight).
Sharleen Wright (ESC Insight).

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Semi Final 1 Commentary 2013

Ewan Spence — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:14:53 +0000

The first big live show of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest is almost here, which means its time for the ESC Insight/EscXtra Alternative Commentary ‘Riff’ Tracks for the show. Having spent the 2013 Season with ESC Insight, why not join us for the final step as sixteen countries sing for the opportunity to appear in Saturday night’s final.

You’ll be able to watch the show on your national broadcaster (or head over to www.eurovision.tv/esctv for the free live stream without a commentator).

I’ll remind you in the show, but when you hear a beep, you pause the track, watch the song performance, then start up the track again. Don’t stop for adverts or cutaways, just for the music.

Enjoy! And you can still follow me real time on Twitter for updates direct from Malmö and the Contest.

Eurovision 2013 Podcast: Semi Final 1 Commentary

Ewan Spence, joined by Luke Fisher from EscXtra, talk you though the first semi final of Eurovision. Press play before the show starts, and don’t forget to pause for the music when you hear the beep!

You can stay up to date with The ESC Insight Podcast by subscribing to the RSS feed for all the shows, or use iTunes to get the show automatically downloaded to your computer if that’s your thing.

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmo, Tuesday 14th May

Ewan Spence — Tue, 14 May 2013 09:31:35 +0000

As of now, we are keeping score. Half of the points were allocated in the first semi-final last night, as the Jury voted during the second dress rehearsal of sixteen countries (so it’s not really a rehearsal).

While you can’t win a qualification spot in front of the juries, you can seriously damage your chances. A few performers managed to do just that, and of course you have the tech issues around Belgium that allowed Roberto Bellarosa to have a do-over at the end of the show. So there’s lots to talk about on today’s daily podcast.

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmo, Monday 13th May
Hosted by Ewan Spence, with…

Sharleen Wright (ESC Insight).
Luke Fisher (EscXtra).

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmo, Monday 13th May

Ewan Spence — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:35:46 +0000

Hosts Sweden and the Big Five countries took to the stage yesterday for the first time, so it’s fair to say we have seen the winning song now on stage. We just don’t know which one.

It’s an ESC Insight only podcast today, as we look back at those rehearsals, and take a look at the approach from the big countries at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmo, Monday 13th May
Hosted by Ewan Spence, with…

Samantha Ross (ESC Insight).
Steven Newby (ESC Insight).

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmo, Sunday 12th May

Ewan Spence — Sun, 12 May 2013 11:12:55 +0000

The second semi final performers had their last technical rehearsal on stage yesterday – twenty minutes of stage time to sort out any issues or try some new ideas, looks, or camera angles. They all took advantage of that, and (with a slight interruption from Germany here in the press room) so it’s time to discuss the view from the press room.

Samantha Ross and Luke Fisher return to the daily podcast to count down the 17 songs, and throw in a few opinions on the running order and the headache it’s causing for good measure.

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmo, Sunday 12th May
Hosted by Ewan Spence, with…

Samantha Ross (ESC Insight).
Luke Fisher (EscXtra).

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmo, Saturday 11th May

Ewan Spence — Sat, 11 May 2013 14:07:43 +0000

Into the second round of rehearsals, as every country gets another twenty minutes on stage to polish their entry for Eurovision 2013.

Given the schedule, every singer in the first semi-final took to the stage yesterday, so we can look down the whole running order, see the changes, and think about their chances.

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmo, Saturday 11th May
Hosted by Ewan Spence, with…

Danny Lynch (ESC Chat).
Roy Bennet (EscXtra).

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Juke Box Jury #8

Ewan Spence — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:37:52 +0000

And in the middle of the Eurovision festivities, it’s time for our final Juke Box Jury.

Just six songs to go, so it’s the turn of the hosts Sweden, and the Big Five countries of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom to stand in front of the judges to receive their Hit, Miss, or Maybe.

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Juke Box Jury #8
with Roy Delaney (Eurovision Apocalypse) and Jody West (On Europe)

Sweden: You, by Robin Stjernberg.
Spain: Contigo Hasta el Final, by ESDM.
France: L’enfer Et Moi, by Amadine Bourgeois.
Germany: Glorious, by Cascada.
Italy: L’essenziale, by Marco Mengoni
United Kingdom: Believe in Me, by Bonnie Tyler

Don’t miss an episode of the Eurovision Insight podcast by subscribing to the RSS feed dedicated to the podcasts. iTunes users can find us in the iTunes Store and get the show automatically downloaded to your computer. Looking for the Eurovision MP3′s? Buy them from Amazon through this link and help the ESC Insight team get their coffee hit every morning in Malmö.

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmo, Friday 10th May

Ewan Spence — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:04:52 +0000

We’re in a new Press Centre this morning (with some challenging wi-fi conditions), but this is our home for the next eight days so we’re going to do our best to make it work. The solution will probably involve some flags.

The second half of the second semi-final had their rehearsals yesterday, so the daily podcast today looks back on those songs, what we saw on stage, and how they work in the Contest.

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmo, Friday 10th May
Hosted by Ewan Spence, with…

Phil Colclough (On Europe).
Samantha Ross (ESC Insight).

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmo, Thursday 9th May

Ewan Spence — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:00:39 +0000

Our final day at the EuroClub version of the Press Centre is here, but there’s still lots of rehearsals to watch on the big screen, artists to interview, and performances to look back over.

It’s the turn of the second semi-finals to be discussed by Ewan, with help from Garrett Mulhall and Luke Fisher. What’s working, what isn’t, what needs improvement, and what can’t be saved?

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmo, Thursday 9th May
Hosted by Ewan Spence, with…

Garrett Mulhall (Eurovision Ireland).
Luke Fisher (EscXtra).

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmo, Wednesday 8th May

Ewan Spence — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:14:10 +0000

Coming to you from our temporary home in the EuroClub, the ESC Insight podcast looks back at the second half of the first semi finals, and the countries first rehearsals.

Joining Ewan on the podcast are veteran Insight voice Elaine Dove, and debutant Wivian Renee to discuss Montenegro, Lithuania, Belarus, Moldova, Ireland, Cyprus, Belgium, and Serbia.

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmo, Wednesday 8th May
Hosted by Ewan Spence, with…

Elaine Dove (Eurovision Ireland).
Wivian Renee (ESC Norge).

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmo, Tuesday 7th May

Ewan Spence — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:32:22 +0000

Welcome back to the daily ESC Insight podcast, coming to you from Malmo. While the first rehearsals are physically closed to the press, we do have access to the monitors here in the EuroClub, along with meet and greets of each artist after their time on stage.

So there’s lots to talk about as we review the first day of rehearsals with Samantha Ross and David Elder join Ewan Spence to look back at the day of the giant.

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmo, Tuesday 7th May
Hosted by Ewan Spence, with…

Samantha Ross (ESC Insight).
David Elder (The Eurovisionary).

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmo, Monday 6th May

Ewan Spence — Mon, 06 May 2013 07:45:56 +0000

And just like that, we’re all in Malmo, for another Eurovision Song Contest. The ESC Insight team, along with a bundle of other websites, publications, and media entities are in Sweden’s third city to cover the quest to decide this year’s winners. The first rehearsal period starts this morning, but before then, it’s time to talk about our hopes and fears for the 2013 edition.

Sharleen, Sam, and Steven, join Ewan on the first of our daily podcasts to talk about what we are looking forward to for this year’s Contest, and what we’re less enamoured with.

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily Chat from Malmo, Monday 6th May
Hosted by Ewan Spence, with…

Samantha Ross (ESC Insight).
Sharleen Wright (ESC Insight).
Steven Newby (ESC Insight).

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Juke Box Jury #7

Ewan Spence — Fri, 03 May 2013 22:44:53 +0000

The Eurovision circus is arriving in Malmo, and the ESC Insight team are flyng in from the four corners of the globe to cover the world’s greatest Song Contest. But before then, we have two more episodes of Juke Box Jury.

Next week we’ll look at our hosts, Sweden, and the Big Five entries that go straight through to the Saturday night final, but for now let’s finish off the roster of semi final songs. And yes that means we have the issue of what to do about Estonia and the complete lack of Winny Puuh.

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Juke Box Jury #7
with Keith Mills and Monty Moncrieff (and Juha Repo, just for a little bit)

Moldova: O Mie, by Aliona Moon
Croatia: Mizerja, by Klapa S Mora
Georgia: Waterfall, by Nodi Tatishvili and Sophie Gelovani
Estonia: Et uus saaks Alguse, by Birgit Oigemeel
Azerbaijan: Hold Me, by Farid Mammadov

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Juke Box Jury #6

Ewan Spence — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 22:09:19 +0000

Not long now until Malmo and Eurovision, the ESC Insight team is set to fly out in seven days time to set up on the ground to start the daily coverage on May 6th. For the moment though, it’s time for another five songs to step up to get a hit, a miss or a maybe.

Long serving judges Andrew Main and Donald McNaughton join Ewan Spence to give their thoughts on Austria, Romania, Macedonia, Belarus, and Finland.

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Juke Box Jury #6
with Andrew Main and Donald McNaughton

Austria: Shine, by Natalia Kelly
Romania: It’s My Life, by Cezar
Macedonia: Pred Da Se Razdeni, by Esma and Lozano
Belarus: Solayoh, by Alyona Lanskya
Finland: Marry Me, by Krista Siegfrids