Slowly but surely, the dribble of Eurovision 2016 song reveals is becoming a stream. One became two, two became three, but now three becomes five! Over the weekend, both Belarus and Malta selected their acts for next May’s contest. The former chose Ivan with “Help You Fly”, while the latter opted for Ira Losco with Chameleon. The pair of newcomers join the three other confirmed entries — Albania’s Eneda Tarifa with “Përrallë” (Fairtytale), Ireland’s Nicky Byrnewith “Sunlight” and Belgium’s Laura Tesoro with “What’s The Pressure”.
In the past two weeks y’all have cast more than 2,800 votes in our weekly favourite act polls. Once again, it’s time to wipe the slate clean and ask you to choose your favourite Eurovision 2016 act so far. You can listen to the two new tracks and watch our video reactions below. Then vote in our poll. You can vote for as many contestants as you like, but you can only vote ONE time. Be sure to check the box next to every act you want to support before submitting your votes. Voting ends on Sunday 31 January — just ahead of the Spanish national final on 1 February. We will then relaunch the poll to include Edurne’s successor, along with any surprise entries that might drop in the interim.
EUROVISION 2016: OUR TOP FIVE SO FAR
IRA LOSCO “CHAMELEON”
On Saturday night, Ira Losco proved that she’s still got it. In December, the Eurovision 2002 runner-up set the hype-machine into overdrive when she entered not one, buttwo songs into the Maltese national selection. “That’s Why I Love You” fell by the wayside during Friday’s semifinal, allowing “Chameleon” to rise to the top. It was a close run race, and for a while it almost looked like Brooke’s “Golden” might snatch the win. However, Malta’s biggest popstar prevailed, scooping 40% of the televote onher way to victory. Fourteen years after “7th Wonder”, can she do one better and win the whole contest?
IVAN “HELP YOU FLY”
It’s been a long journey, but Ivan is finally about to compete in an international song contest. The artist formerly known as Alexander Ivanov was supposed to represent Russia at a revived Intervision, however the contest never took place. No matter, Ivan will now sing “Help You Fly” for Belarus at Eurovision! He comfortably topped the country’s 100% televote selection, scoring an eye-watering 23,167 votes. By contrast, the 2015 televote winners scored 2,862 votes. The entry is already proving divisive, but the collective hair envy has had a unifying effect. Our Deban promises to ask himwhat products he uses.
