Moscow officialy accepted as Host City for the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest

The Reference Group of the Eurovision Song Contest has officially approved the Russian capital as the Host City of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest, as proposed by Channel One.

The governing body of the song contest also approved the Olympiski Arena as the venue of the event in May 2009.

Svante Stockselius, EBU's Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, said to Eurovision.tv:

"Moscow is an impressive city and the proposed venue gives us the fantastic possibility to put everything under one roof. We are confident that Channel One Russia will organize a fantastic 54th Eurovision Song Contest."

The green light of the Reference Group gives the Host Broadcaster the opportunity to go full speed ahead with their preparations for the upcoming contest.

In the months ahead, Channel One organizers are to make numerous important decisions, from the creative concept of the event to the practical details of the cooperation with the city of Moscow and many, many others.



source:eurovision.tv
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New t.A.T.u album "Happy Smiles"

t.A.T.u. confirmed with a press release that their third studio album has been titled "Veselye Ulybki"- "Happy Smiles", featuring 12 tracks.






A press release states:

"For almost a year a working title of the album was "Upravleniye Otbrosami" - "Waste Management". But a month before the release - for the sake of ironic smile of those, who understand – the title changed. The essence, however, remained."

The press release (PDF) here.





















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Ruslana to release "Wild Energy" album on October 2008

The long-awaited Ruslana album "Wild Energy" will be released on 10 October 2008.

Recorded at the legendary Hit Factory Criteria Studios in Miami and produced by Ego Works, "Wild Energy" maintains Ruslana’s unique musical components blended with modern urban influences. This release contains a first for Ruslana - the collaboration with the American Urban superstars T-Pain and Missy Elliott in two great songs with very dramatic and amazing results.

“Moon of Dreams” - The first single and video - is a duet with T-Pain and is already a smash in Poland and the Ukraine and the album was released on the 2nd of September 2008 in Canada.

"Wild Energy" combines the elements of music, video production, literature and social commitment in an extraordinary way. Dedicated to the idea of the independence of human feelings and freedoms using original and rarely heard ethnic sounds; the music blends these ancient styles and singing traditions of the Carpathian Mountain people with modern popular music. The timbre of Ruslana’s voice coupled with her unique vocal styling is unmistakable and instantly identifiable to millions of her fans.

The ESC winner in 2004, Ruslana peformed a special concert at the festival Golden Stag Romania on September 5.

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Miodio at Golden Stag Festival - video

Miodio (ESC 2008)performing at Golden Stag Festival,Romania the song Dincolo de Nori"

The song was performed for the first time by Dan Bittman, Romania at 1994 Eurovision Song Contest.

Miodio - Dincolo de nori




Dan Bittman (ESC 1994) Dincolo de Nori

The Winners of the Golden Stag International Festival 2008 - videos

Razvan Krivach from Romania won the Golden Stag 2008, Brasov, Romania

Biondo, the Swedish band who came second after Nico and Vlad Mirita this year in the Romanian final with Shine, won the Silver Stag.

Tony Poptamas & Desperado who competed in the 2007 Romanian preselection won the Bronze Stag.

Miodio, the first ever representatives of San Marino at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, and Moldavian finalist this year, Olia Tira, missed out on a place in the final.

Razvan Krivach singing "Too much love will kill you" at Golden Stag Final



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Biondo, Sweden singing Shine and Cerul (The sky) at Golden Stag 2008




Tony Poptamas &Desperado singing "The Universe" at Golden Stag Final

Lordi - "Bite It Like A Bulldog"

Lordi's fourth studio album, entitled Deadache, will be released in the US on October 28th, 2008 and internationally in the same week.




The look of each character has been redesigned for this album. The new costumes will be revealed when Lordi headlines Popkomm in Berlin this October.


Listen the first single off the album, "Bite It Like A Bulldog"

Eurovision 2009 under threat after Russian invasion of Georgia

Next year's Eurovision Song Contest is under threat after ex-Soviet states called for a boycott after Russia invaded Georgia.

Russia's Dima Bilan won the 2008 contest thanks to ex-pats in former Soviet-bloc states banding together to vote for him.

As a result, the 2009 contest will take place in Moscow.

But Baltic nations Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia may pull out of the annual TV show.

A poll in Estonia has already backed the boycott, while pressure is also rising for a Polish withdrawal.

Estonia's culture minister Laine Janes, said: "Solidarity must exist with Lithuania and Latvia to show consolidated support for Georgia."

The European Broadcasting Union, who run Eurovision, have said the Georgian conflict cannot be allowed to wreck the contest.

Spokesman Svante Stockselius said: "These issues should not be linked. We are organising a non-political event and if the hosting country is able to ensure the safety of participants there is no reason why it should not be allowed to host the finals."

The potential eastern boycott is another problem for Eurovision, who are already struggling to allay the fears of the western countries that they now no longer have a chance in the contest.

Sir Terry Wogan confirmed last month he would be stepping down as the BBC's Eurovision host after 37 years. The 70-year-old presenter has tired of the "political voting" that determined the outcome.

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