UNITED KINGDOM: National Final on 26th February...

So finally we have news! The BBC have announced that they'll be holding a National Final to select the UK's entry for Eurovision on 26th February. We've known since September that the public would have a say in the song representing us in Stockholm, but this is the first time we've known what form this would take.

There's loads of interesting stuff to talk about when it comes to the way the National Final, and even when it comes to Eurovision on the BBC as a whole. For example we now know that both the National Final and the Eurovision Semi-Finals will be shown on digital channel BBC Four. While former home BBC Three will no longer be on our televisions by then, this marks a stark change of pace when it comes to how the BBC choose to broadcast their Eurovision output.

Electro Velvet finished 24th in Vienna last year.

Known for documentaries and high brow programming, we will definitely have a new demographic having an influence on our choice of Eurovision entry. No bad thing in my opinion. For me it also gives hope that the UK will no longer portray Eurovision as some sort of cheesy joke. While the rest of Europe dismiss our attempts of Eurovision glory as nothing more than a weak gimmick, countries like Belgium (in 2015) have shown what is actually possible when thought and planning goes into an entry.

Another thing...where's Graham Norton? The supposed face of Eurovision on the BBC has been replaced as the host of the National Final by last year's semi final co-host Mel Giedroyc. She was a fan favourite during the broadcasts, and appears to have nudged ahead of Scott Mills when it comes to the first choice back up for Graham.

Giedroyc is know for hosting Great British Bake Off

The venue for the National Final is also something of interest. The artists competing to represent the UK will not be performing in a plain and characterless BBC studio, but interest find themselves in the much more intimate environment of The O2 Forum in London's Kentish Town. Another good decision for me, as we'll be able to get a good idea of how the competitors react to a live audience, something they'll definitely have to get used to if successful.

The stage is set for the United Kingdom to perform well in this year's contest. With hardcore Eurovision fans having already had a say in the shortlist for the final, we should have six high quality songs battling it out for the ticket to Stockholm.

Well done to the BBC, you've restored our faith in you.

Rob

UPDATE
- Since publishing we know now that the six songs competing to represent the United Kingdom will be premiered on Ken Bruce's Radio 2 show on Monday 22nd February 2016.

BELGIUM: Who will we be supporting in Eurosong 2016?

Rob, Emily and Tom take a look ahead to this weekend's Belgian Eurosong Final, as they declare who they'll be supporting on Sunday.

#TEAMADIL
ROB

While most people (as you'll see later in this post) are supporting Tom, there's something about Adil and his song 'In Our Nature' which has won me round. Firstly I think he has an excellent stage presence, and showed this during last week's show. The way he interacts with the audience and reflects the emotion of the song isn't a million miles away from Loic in 2015.

The there's the vocal...wow! His voice is haunting in its power, especially in the opening few lines of the song. For me this song is Belgium's wildcard choice, one which will either bomb in Stockholm, or continue their improved form in the contest.

Tom is the easy choice, and for me it's Adil who deserves the ticket to Eurovision.

#TEAMTOM
EMILY

From listening to the snippets and the full live songs over the weekend, I’d love to see Tom win Eurosong. His song is very modern, gets stuck in my head and personally I believe that the only competition he has is Laura, who has a similar pop modern song, and although Laura won the pointless televote on the last Eurosong show, I think Tom has a good chance of winning through the power of his stage performance, and “I’m Not Lost” is vocally perfect on stage. 

Comparing it to other National Finals, I think this is the same quality as something you’d see on more “popular” shows such as Melodifestivalen as it’s a lovely pop number. I’m Team Tom!

ELLIOT

This Saturday the Belgian national selection, Eurosong comes to an end and at times it has felt like a very long three weeks, but with the five competing songs fully released now, I have made a reason and justification as for who in my mind should represent Belgium in Stockholm.

First and foremost following their high placing of 4th last year, it is very unlikely any of the five acts will replicate that feat, I however have got my winner of Eurosong locked in and who I will be rooting for – Tom.

Being honest I thought after his first performance, he was bottom and was curtains for Tom, but when he brought out his own song “I’m Not Lost” he was the winner for me, no second guessing, so maybe yes maybe no.

The reason I love Tom and his song so much is everything works, from his look on stage down to the melody of the song and the performance, it reminds a lot of something One Republic would produce and release. The chorus is catchy and sticks in my mind, for me it is the most memorable song from the selection and for me if it goes to Stockholm. I can see this going to the final, maybe not placing in top ten or top fifteen, but still in the final nonetheless.

Don't forget to let us know who you'll be supporting on Sunday, tweet us your favourite to @theeuro_trip.

SONG REVIEW: Ireland, Nicky Byrne - Sunlight

After years of selecting their entry through a national final on the famous Late Late Show, Ireland have switched things up for 2016.

A series of poor results mean that Ireland have decided an internal selection is their best method by which to choose their entry for Stockholm, and the man they've decided holds their best hopes of Eurovision glory - ex Westlife singer Nicky Byrne.

His selection many not come as a surprise. We were one of a number of outlets to report that he may be the Irish entry as recently as last week, the decision making sense for both RTE and Nicky Bryne himself. The contest will be a great chance for him to launch a solo career across Europe, and he'll be hoping Eurovision can do for him what it did for the popularity of infamous twins Jedward.

But what do our 'experts' think of the song?

ROB:
"I'm really not sure how this one will be received by the rest of Europe. Don't get me wrong, it's a huge improvement on recent years, but the song is SO cheesy. We've seen over recent years that songs in the contest have got more complex and tasteful, just look at Belgium 2015 as an example. I think it'll qualify, but fail to impress in the final."

ELLIOT:
"Nicky is a fantastic choice. He's a world renowned performer and lover of Eurovision too, it's also a great song. It's very cheesy but that could work in his favour. We've seen people say that we need the cheese to come back to Eurovision!"

EMILY:
"A great performer, the song is cheesy but I love it!"

So what do you think? Tweet us now @theeuro_trip and let us know.

First podcast of 2016! Listen to the brand new episode of The Euro Trip

We're back for 2016, and with the usual mix of brand new music and Eurovision stuff. There's new music from Germany, Italy and Poland - plus the European Music Chart.

As ever there's plenty of Eurovision news to talk about, including Belgium's EuroSong, and the Maltese National Selection. Enjoy, and don't forget to find us on Twitter and Instagram too!

The Euro Trip : Episode 19 by The Euro Trip on Mixcloud

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.

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Twitter, we're @theeuro_trip.

The Euro Trip : Episode 18 by The Euro Trip on Mixcloud

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!