ESCDaily

This is how Jessica Mauboy opened the SBS broadcast of Eurovision 2018

We were at the Blue Carpet Ceremony in Lisbon, where Jessica Mauboy recorded the opening of the SBS broadcast next Thursday. She will take part on behalf of Australia that day, and the broadcast of SBS will show this footage!

Australian commentator Myf Warhurst: "I have a lot more confidence now"

Last year, Myf Warhurst had the tough job to take over the Australian commentary at the Eurovision Song Contest from the great Julia Zemiro. She did a great job however and now has much more confidence for the second year of commenting at the contest for SBS, she tells ESCDaily. "I think that, having experienced it once, it gives me a lot more confidence," Myf tells us at the Australian Embassy party, where we were invited for. "I know exactly what I need to prepare for and also to be open to what could possibly happen. I feel we have it, I am very excited, I can't wait."

Vanja Radovanović: "My song is not inspired by Željko Joksimović"

The most pure Balkan song at this years Eurovision Song Contest is arguably the one from Montenegro. Vanja Radovanović sings the ballad 'Inje', which appears to be inspired by previous entries that were composed by the great Željko Joksimović. However, Vanja does not see the comparison.

Malta's Christabelle talks about her visuals for the act of 'Taboo'

Christabelle from Malta is performing at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with a mission and a message. After suffering from mental health issues herself, she wants to break the 'Taboo' and hopes that will talk more openly about it and seek help. She does that with an act with a lot of visuals in it. "We decided to use the visuals, because we wanted to show people what breaking the taboo means," Christabelle explains her act to ESCDaily. "I have my heart, cause the message comes from my heart. The panter shows fierceness. And the world is in it, because I want to show my message to the full world."

Daniela Ruah: Portugal very proud to host Eurovision

Eurovision Song Contest 2018 presenter Daniela Ruah told us that Portugal is very proud to be hosting the contest for the very first time. “This country has so much to offer. In terms of sights, food, weather. Come check it out for yourself!”

Sennek at the Blue Carpet: I created staging myself

ESCDaily was at the Blue Carpet Ceremony in Lisbon. We spoke to the Belgian Eurovision Song Contest participant Sennek and a couple of others. Sennek told us that she creating the staging for her performance herself. “It was very important for me that it was personal and I could show my true self.” She does not necessarily see her song as a ‘James Bond-song’, even though many people say it is.

Mikolas Josef: "Accepted that my performance had to be changed"

Mikolas Josef has accepted that the back flip will not be a part of his Eurovision performance for the Czech Republic. "There is not much of a choice for me. There is still a lot of care needed," he tells ESCDaily about his medical status.

Russian press officer: "Yulia Samoylova is not Céline Dion"

Russia's representative Yulia Samoylova was not happy with her vocal performance today. Dmitry Melnikov, member of the Russian delegation, stated this in an interview with ESCDaily. "She is not Céline Dion. She is a singer in a weelchair." "Yulia is a perfectionist. And today she was happy with everything else. The staging, camera work, even the backing vocals. However she was unhappy with her own performance." "We had to get up very early this morning," Melnik adds. "Because we were the first one. And for someone in Yulia's condition, this is very tough to be at your best. Her morning vocals were not good. But people have to keep in mind that she is not like any other singer. She is not Celine Dion. She is in a weelchair."

Check out descriptions of the finalists of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest

Daniel Gould is a professional gambler and author at Sofabet. Erik Bolks works as a Eurovision journalist and as a board member of OGAE International. Steef van Gorkum is Chief Editor for ESCDaily. Together they describe for you the performances of MadameMonsieur from France, Claudia Pascoal from Portugal, Surie from the United Kingdom, Ermal & Fabrizio from Italy, Alfred & Amaia from Spain, and Michael Schulte from Germany.

Doctors forbid Mikolas Josef from doing his backflip at Eurovision

"Don't do anything stupid". That's the advice the doctors gave to the Czech delegation when they allowed Mikolas Josef to leave the hospital this week. Head of Delegation Jan Bors: "The doctors recommendation is: it's 100% forbidden to do the backflips." However, when ESCDaily asks him if it is 100% ruled out that the Czech delegation will change its mind, he does not want to answer. It might still happen that Mikolas ignores the doctor's advice last minute. Mikolas Josef: "I was very cautious on stage today" During his first rehearsal, Mikolas Josef hurt his back. It was quite a shock for him. Therefore, it makes sense that during his second rehearsal today, he was feeling nervous. "I was very very cautious today," Mikolas stated at the press conference. "I had to hold back a lot. But I needed to know for sure that I wouldn't hurt myself again. If I hurt myself again and I couldn't perform... I wouldn't know what to do."

"Israeli delegation celebrates one-year-birthday"

ESCDaily was also at the press conference to ask the Head of Delegation about the revival of Israel. During last year's final, the Israeli spokesperson said that Israel would have to withdraw from Eurovision. However, now they are here, and they are top favorite. How did that come about?

Backing vocalists on screen or off screen?

Backing vocalists are more and more often hidden on the Eurovision stage. Sweden's Benjamin Ingrosso too decided to have his five backings not shown on screen. Still he acnowledges: "They are an important part of my team". ESCDaily asked Ingrosso about his backing vocals at the Swedish press conference. "We wanted the performance to be similar to the Melodifestivalen performance. But at the same time, we needed the vocals to sound more full and more live."

Rasmussen talks about Eurovision and Anja Nissen

Jonas from Rasmussen talks about representing Denmark at Eurovision 2018 and talking to Anja Nissen about doing so.

Rasmussen talks about Eurovision and Anja Nissen

Jonas from Rasmussen talks about representing Denmark at Eurovision 2018 and talking to Anja Nissen about doing so.

Mixed reactions after the first Australian rehearsal

The opinions are divided in the press centre, after the first Australian rehearsal in Lisbon. On one thing everybody seems to agree though: Jessica Mauboy is not a contender for victory (anymore). "The vocals are good, strong and energetic," says John Lucas from ESCInisight. "But it has not the staging vibe of a winner, being alone all the time. It is not a contender for victory." Martijn van der Veen from Eurovision Artists The Netherlands is more optimistic though: "I am pretty positive about the rehearsal. You don't LED-screens and dancers to have a dynamic moving performance. And that is what Jessica had." Sofabet gambler Daniel Gould has some ideas on what Australia can still imrpove this year. "I would have her backing singers join her, make the stage less dark and more engagement with the camera in stead of more little dance moves."

Mixed reactions after the first Australian rehearsal

Wrapping up Day 2, 'Qualification Day', in Lisbon

Gambler Daniel Gould, journalists Philip Houtermans, Maciej Mazinski and Steef van Gorkum tell their thought after Day 2 of rehearsals in Lisbon, also known as 'Qualification Day'. Who stands out and are possible qualifiers? And which nations are in trouble, currently?

Cesár Sampson wants a bigger role for his backing singers

In general, Cesár Sampson is very happy with his first rehearsal for Austria at Eurovision 2018. Though he is still working on the vocal harmony with his backing singers. "I did not bring some of the best singers I know, for them to be so much in the background," he tells ESCDaily. Beware, the Austrian only want their backing singers to be heard better. They will not get a bigger part in the on-screen performance. "They are also on screen, if you pay attention. But we don't want to make a concert out of it. Everybody on screen should be an ingedrient to the story."

Netta Barzilai Its my job to bring Eurovision back to Israel

“It is my job to bring Eurovision back to Israel.” Netta Barzilai gets really intense when asked about her position in the Eurovision betting odds. “I’m honoured that someone like me is in such a position.” ESCDaily’s chief editor Steef van Gorkum asked Netta about her new status at the Israeli press conference. She replied that she is very positively surprised about it. “I don’t look like a regular super star. The fact that someone like me, someone with my size, is so popular… I am honoured about that.” However, with great pride comes great responsibility. Netta Barzilai realizes that. “My country wants to win Eurovision again, after 20 years. It is my job to bring it home.”

Mikolas Josef sent to hospital with back problems after Czech Eurovision rehearsal goes wrong

Mikolas Josef was sent to the hospital after his first Eurovision rehearsal today. The Czech superstar hurt his back when one of his acrobatic jumps during the rehearsal went wrong. Because of Mikolas having to go to the hospital, the Czech delegation cancelled their first press conference. There was, however, a small meeting between the Head of Delegation and the press.

Equinox from Bulgaria: “Our staging is not too cold”

“Our song is about love. It’s a very warm song,” Equinox singer Trey Campbell said at the press conference. “So why do you use such a dark, cold staging?” Team ESCDaily asked in response. “Well, for starters, our staging is not cold. The beginning is a bit dark, we will admit tot hat. However, the world is a very dark place. There is not always enough love in this world. That’s why we start out with a dark stage.” “But later on it gets lighter. Towards the end, we bring the light on the stage, just like we hope our song can bring a little bit of light into the world.”