UK to reveal UK Entry on 7th March

So finally after months of speculation and rumour, the BBC announced 7th March will be the date the United Kingdom's Eurovision entry will finally be revealed.

I look ahead to that announcement, and attempt to contain my excitement...

The Euro Trip : United Kingdom Entry Preview by The Euro Trip on Mixcloud

***Euro Trip Episode 4 is here!***

So sure I was ill last week, and that meant you didn't get a podcast, BUT, I'm back... and with some bloody awesome new music too.

In this week's podcast I introduce you to new Dutch band Causes, featuring lead singer Rupurt Blackman from London. There's also a play of Linus Svenning's huge Melodifestivalen tune 'Forever Starts Today', plus one of the World's top 200 records from Germany.

 On top of all that we'll be looking at all the latest developments in the world of Eurovision, including a potential winning entry from Italy.

Enjoy, and as always let me know what you think of the podcast and the music by dropping me a tweet @theeuro_trip.

 

The Euro Trip : Episode 4 by The Euro Trip on Mixcloud

No podcast, no problem!

I am genuinely gutted not to be able to bring you a podcast this week. (As I write this I'm busy feeling sorry for myself in my pyjamas with what can only described as man flu.)

But fear not!

I couldn't not bring you a new music fix this week, and some of this week's songs are massive!

Lorenzo Jovanotti - Sabato

This track is all about an enticing beat, interwoven with hauntingly simple lyrics. I'm a sucker for anyone singing in Italian, and this song doesn't disappoint. You'll be humming along to this without even knowing it as soon as you hear it.

Fritz Kalkbrenner - Void

A chilled out sound with all the makings of a big summer hit - not sure why it was released at the end of January! While Fritz sings in English, the European accent with which he does so gives this song an even greater unique feel.

World of Girls - Summer Without You

Any Eurovision fan will know that World of Girls failed in their attempt to represent Denmark with this very song. Why?! I love the lyrics, the uptempo beat, and the chemistry between the band members. It is refreshing to see a European girl band sounding so good!

 

I hope you enjoy this week's new music, and I can assure you The Euro Trip podcast will return next week! Make sure you follow me on Twitter @TheEuro_Trip

No it isnt April Fools Day, Australia are taking part in Eurovision...

When I first heard the news, the first thing I did was check what date it was. (Not even kidding.) I couldn't believe what I was reading. Australia, a country located nearly TEN THOUSAND kilometres from their nearest Eurovision neighbours Russia, will be taking to the stage in Vienna.

Firstly, I can kind of empathise with the EBU. As we all know this is Eurovision's 60th anniversary, and thus they want to make this year's contest one to remember - and now we certainly know that will be the case.

Neither can you argue with the appetite for Eurovision in Australia. Last year #SBSEurovision trended worldwide during their broadcast of the Grand Final, no mean feat. This fact alone helps make the argument that Australia deserve to take part in the contest more than many nations with a long history in Eurovision. Take the likes of Spain and the United Kingdom for example, where the majority of their populations consider Eurovision some kind of big joke.

SBS also invest thousands in covering the contest, Sam Pang (brilliant name) and Julia Zemiro have been in the commentary box every year since 2009.

Jessica Mauboy in Copenhagen

And lets not forget last year, when Jessica Mauboy took Europe by storm as last year's interval act.

For me this shows that the plan to have Australia at Eurovision has long been in the mind of the big players at the EBU. Last year's interval act served to test the waters of Europe and Eurovision fans alike, seeing how they reacted to Australia's arrival on the big stage.

Fan reaction has understandably been mixed. @ESCSamuel tweeted the thoughts of many Eurovision fans with a simple "HOW THE HELL DO YOU RESPOND TO THIS?" while others, such as @C_NowakiESC made a good point "UK will get some nice points from the Aussies too. I'm so glad!"

This is where I'm at, my thoughts are mixed. While delighted I'm going to what will be a historic Eurovision Song Contest, I do hope this remains a one-off. The EUROvision Song Contest, simply by its nature, should remain a EUROPEAN music contest. It has been that way for 59 years already, and the fact it is still going shows that is a pretty successful recipe.

But for this year, lets embrace it. Eurovision is amazing, and rather than just uniting a continent, this time round it is bringing people from opposite ends of the world together.

The next question remains, who will represent our friends down under? Kylie? Jason? The possibilities are endless.

 

*New podcast alert* Episode 3 of The Euro Trip has arrived!

I really am spoiling you this week. We've got brand new music from the winner of the French version of the Voice Kendji Girac, huge DJ Martin Tungevaag and Belgian actor Stan van Samang also makes an appearance. 

On top of that we've got your latest European Music Chart as well as a round-up of the last seven days in the world of Eurovision. Enjoy!
 

The Euro Trip : Episode 3 by The Euro Trip on Mixcloud

Episode 2 of The Euro Trip is available to listen now!

The Euro Trip is back, this week with new music from Greece, Finland and the Netherlands! Tweet us @TheEuro_Trip and let us know what you think of this week's new music.
 

The Euro Trip : Episode 2 by The Euro Trip on Mixcloud