Opinion piece: Who do our experts want to host Eurovision?

Who do Emily and Elliot think will be announced as Eurovision 2016 hosts?

Emily

Hosting a Eurovision Song Contest is a tough job, and I think to do it well you’d have to be a confident person with some experience in working in TV. Personally, I would like to see the likes of Måns Zelmerlöw and Petra Mede as a duo, with Sarah Dawn Finer mixed in there somewhere, like that of Malmö 2013. Måns has the likeability factor and, like Conchita as the green room host, brings some more excitement to the contest, especially for the Eurofans as it’s always great to see returning artists no matter what context that may be.

As for Petra, I think she did an amazing job in 2013 on her own and we know that she would be able to handle doing it again. She’s funny (not in a cheesy-joke sort of way either), and would make a dream team if put with Måns. SDF would just top it all off, with her short segments (again, like 2013) as extra comedic value and gives the production crew more time to set up the staging/prepare the artists to make it an all-round brilliant show.

Elliot

Let’s be honest and realistic with ourselves for a second, the Eurovision hosts list is probably as long, if not longer than the list of countries for the contest itself and whoever takes the role alongside Mans will be a brilliant choice. SVT is renowned for delivering a great show and hosts with entertaining qualities, and part me of wanted Gina to have the main gig but as she is the Meldofestivalen host its time to strike Eurovision wish list.

Eurovision 2015 winner Mans Zelmerlow

Anyway I believe SVT should go with three hosts – two on the main stage and one in the green room, last year the three on stage just did not work and we saw no real personality from them as they are splitting up what was already a short time frame into three equal parts – didn’t work, as we know Mans is one but the people I believe who should be alongside him are the following – Sarah Dawn Finer and Danny Saucedo.

Now I think Sarah and Danny could be in either position, but if I had the control, put Sarah on stage and Danny in the green room. They are both entertaining, both established artists and both have tried and failed to represent Sweden at Eurovision so there is potential for comedy and banter at their expense. Sarah Dawn Finer is such a large personality and character she would be in her element and get the audience right on board in a heartbeat and she is very entertaining to watch. Also with Mans, Danny and Sarah all hosting Melodifestivalen, they have the presenting skills for such a show and format down perfectly and therefore have a strong connection with Eurovision which is the viewing public will enjoy as they will respect the contest for what it is in all of its entirety.

Saying this there are plenty of other credible hosts who would do a great job, Petra, Sanna, Eric to name just a few, but in my heart of hearts I would love the line up to be Mans Zelmerlow, Sarah Dawn Finer and Danny Saucedo.

NEW PODCAST: Episode 18 is here!

The latest podcast is here with loads for you to enjoy! There's plenty of new music including the latest single from Avicii. The European Music Chart also tells us what's number one, plus plenty of Eurovision discussion too.

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Elliot Interviews Minus One

Find out what happened when Elliot Harris spoke to Cypriot Eurovision 2016 entry, Minus One...

It was recently announced that “Minus One” would be representing the island of Cyprus in Eurovision 2016 – a decision taken internally by the broadcatsers CYBC, I was able to contact them recently and get a few answers of how they are feeling towards the competition and what we can expect to see from the rock band that is “Minus One”

Hello there guys thankyou for giving up your time for us!

So Minus One, last year you came third 3rd in the Cypriot selection final. How does it feel to be selected internally for Stockholm?

It's great! We wouldn't want to go through another selection, once was enough, so when we were internally selected it worked out perfectly and we are very happy that CYBC trusted us with this.

You have been an established band since 2009 so with plenty of experience. Do you feel this could help when it comes to the live performance in May?

Definitely, we have bonded through the last 6 years and that can only be a good thing, I mean, we're still here, so obviously things are working out.

We are like a well oiled machine, when we get on stage great things just happen. 

Minus One took part in the Cypriot selection last year

It's also been announced you will be working with Thomas G:Son for the track. How did this collaboration come to be and with his Eurovison experience how do feel to work with him?

Actually CYBC came up with the idea and we found it very intriguing. We love writing our own stuff but collaborations can be a lot of fun and open up new musical directions.

We are very excited to work with Thomas, he is a great guy and we really hit it off socially and musically. 

Cyprus’ highest finish has been 5th on three occasions. Are you hoping to surpass this?

Of course we are, but hey.... if we don't, we hope to have a hell of a ride!

Since Lordi winning in 2006. The Rock/metal genre has not been as successful as other musical styles. Are you hoping to rectify this and how so?

We like to believe that a good song is exactly that, a good song. Even if Rock/metal songs are not as popular in this competition a good song is always appreciated.

We are not a Metal band so you can rule that out but we do have a lot of attitude (veeeery different from Lordi ) and we will show it in the song but we will also 

Definitely bring it with us to Stockholm.

You stand as the only established rock band in Eurovison 2016 so far. Are you happy to stand alone in the genre or would you like some direct competition? 

We'll be totally honest here and say.... Are we happy to stand alone? hell no!! The most awesomest of awesomes would be if all countries were entering with established Rock Bands.

I mean...that would be a party!

Do you have a favourite song from Eurovison 2015 that was not Cyprus' own Giannis Karayannis? 

We liked his song actually, other than that we didn't really hear a lot.

Cyprus finished 22nd in Vienna, Austria

Has the band or any of their members been to Stockholm or performed there in the past?

No, we have all been to many places around Europe for shows and also the USA. We're really looking forward to Stockholm.

Finally, Eurovison is such a visual spectacle can we expect anything special from you guys with the staging and effects for the semi final and hopefully grand final?

We haven't finished the song yet so we have to wait and see. It is still early to know about the staging but we will let you know as soon as we do.

So Minus One seem to up for the challenge of Eurovision, how do you think the band could potentially fare in May? Let us know your thoughts and opinions!