Latest news with #BirdOfPray
Irish Examiner
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
War reaches Ukrainian rock band Ziferblat even at Eurovision Song Contest
Ukraine's musicians cannot escape war, even at the Eurovision Song Contest. Rock band Ziferblat were in Basel, Switzerland, to represent their country when they learned that the home of backing singer Khrystyna Starykova in a frontline region of eastern Ukraine had been destroyed by Russian shelling. 'She's so strong,' said guitarist Valentyn Leshchynskyi, who formed Ziferblat with his vocalist twin brother Daniil and drummer Fedir Khodakov. Ziferblat from Ukraine perform the song Bird Of Pray during the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland (Martin Meissner/AP) 'She is 19 years old only, but the impact of this situation – I think she won't give up. 'Of course it's difficult when you're losing your flat while you need to stay calm to celebrate here because it's a musical festival, it's not about the war.' The band are set to compete for Ukraine in Saturday's Eurovision grand final with Bird Of Pray, a song whose intense vocals and prog rock sound owe something to the 1970s – as does the bell-bottomed pink suit Daniil Leshchynskyi wore in Tuesday's semi-final. Valentyn Leshchynskyi said the lyrical message of loss and hope, centred on a phoenix-like bird, resonates with what Ukrainians experienced in recent years. 'We want to build a dream on the stage – even for three minutes, for Ukrainians – like the war will be over in the very near future,' he told The Associated Press. Ukraine is a long-time Eurovision competitor – as was its neighbour Russia. Both saw their relationship with the continental pop contest transformed by Moscow's full-scale invasion three years ago. Russia was kicked out of Eurovision. People from Ukraine hold a giant Ukrainian flag during a family meeting with their Eurovision band Ziferblat in a park in Basel as part of the Eurovision Song Contest week (Martin Meissner/AP) Ukrainian folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra won the 2022 contest less than three months after the invasion. Winning brought the right to host the contest the following year. When war made that impossible, Liverpool stepped in to stage Eurovision with a distinctly Ukrainian flavour, decking out the English city in blue and yellow Ukrainian flags. Even before the full-scale invasion, Ukraine used Eurovision for cultural diplomacy, as a way to tell the world about their country's history, music and language. Ukrainian singer Jamala won the contest in 2016 – two years after Russia illegally seized Crimea – with a song about the expulsion of Crimean Tatars by Stalin in 1944. Kalush Orchestra's winning song Stefania blended rapping in Ukrainian with a haunting refrain on a traditional Ukrainian wind instrument. Now the message is that Ukraine is still standing, and still fighting. Daniil admitted to feeling a 'little bit of pressure' ahead of Saturday. But he said it was 'such a privilege' to represent Ukraine. Ziferblat from Ukraine give an interview to The Associated Press in Basel, Switzerland (Martin Meissner/AP) 'We have two missions here,' his brother Valentyn said. One is to come out at or near the top in Saturday's 26-nation musical showdown. The other is 'to remind Europeans about the war'. As part of their Eurovision journey, the band are fundraising to buy robotic de-mining systems to help clear an area of Ukraine they say is three-and-a-half times the size of Switzerland. Ziferblat's trip to Eurovision coincided with Vyshyvanka Day – the third Thursday in May, when Ukrainians around the world wear traditional embroidered shirts as a symbol of national pride. Women in traditional dresses prepare to dance in a park during a family meeting with Ukrainians and their Eurovision competition band Ziferblat as part of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest week in Basel, Switzerland (Martin Meissner/AP) The band members joined scores of Ukrainians clad in elaborately stitched vyshyvanka in a Basel park to eat borscht, sing Ukrainian songs and cheer on the band ahead of Saturday's final. 'This is a day that is gathering all Ukrainians together,' Valentyn said. 'In Kyiv, the capital, everyone is wearing these shirts and going to the streets celebrating and you feel like a united nation for one day.'
South Wales Argus
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Eurovision favourites KAJ were ‘really nervous' before making final
Touted as the favourites to win, the comedy trio, made up of Kevin Holmstrom, Axel Ahman and Jakob Norrgard, aim to spread Nordic sauna culture to the rest of Europe with their Swedish language entry Bara Bada Bastu. The group, formed more than a decade ago in Finland, qualified for the last stage of the contest in Basel, Switzerland, in Tuesday's semi-final, along with Ukraine's Ziferblat with the song Bird Of Pray, and Estonia's Tommy Cash with Espresso Macchiato, among others. KAJ, representing Sweden, perform their entry, Bara Bada Bastu (Martin Meissner/AP) At their hotel in Basel on Wednesday, Norrgard told the PA news agency he 'got really nervous' when he saw a clip of them performing played back during the voting process. He said he 'felt like there were so many great acts', and wondered whether they might be the first Swedish representatives in more than a decade to not reach the final. Ahman said it is 'very, very surreal' to be touted as the ones to watch, because the trio come from a small Swedish-speaking region of Finland. He added that he did not care at first, but they have 'stayed there (in the odds) and even risen a bit lately, so let's see'. 'It's exciting times, but anything can happen, we've seen that so many times (at Eurovision),' he said. Sweden is joint record-holder for the most Eurovision wins, taking home seven trophies with mainly solo singers, including Loreen twice, and pop acts such as Abba, but this time Ahman said they have 'dared to try something new' with KAJ. Holmstrom said they also take being ambassadors for Nordic sauna culture 'very seriously'. 'We are hoping that people around Europe will take it seriously and consider the health benefits of going to the sauna every now and then,' he said, adding that it can help people mentally and physically. Their hotel in Basel does not have a sauna, but their hometown of Vora organised for someone to drive one to Switzerland for them to use. British fans will have to wait for the second semi-final on Thursday, when the UK's Remember Monday will perform What The Hell Just Happened?, to cast their votes for their favourite Eurovision act. Norrgard said: 'I think it's going really well for Remember Monday, it's so, so fun. We met them and talked to them a lot in Madrid, at the pre-parties, and we realised that we're basically the same, we're a trio, and we've been doing it for a long time. 'And we're really, both groups, really into musical theatre, so they're the female version of KAJ.' Tuesday's first semi-final also saw a pre-recorded message from Canadian singer Celine Dion, a former winner for Switzerland, saying the country has 'always held a special place in my heart' as she spoke in French and English. She said she would want 'nothing more but to be with you' in Basel as discussions continue with the organisers for her to make a stage comeback during Saturday's final amid her health issues. Also through on Tuesday was Dutch act Claude Kiambe, Poland's Justyna Steczkowska, and Icelandic electronic musician brothers Matthias Davio Matthiasson and Halfdan Helgi Matthiasson, who perform under the name VAEB. The other qualifiers were San Marino's Gabry Ponte, Albania's Shkodra Elektronike, Portugal's Napa, and Norway's Kyle Alessandro. The Grand Final on Saturday will see the 10 qualifiers from each semi-final perform alongside the 'big five' – France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom – and reigning champion Switzerland, who as host are guaranteed a slot after their act, Nemo, was victorious last year.
Leader Live
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Eurovision favourites KAJ were ‘really nervous' before making final
Touted as the favourites to win, the comedy trio, made up of Kevin Holmstrom, Axel Ahman and Jakob Norrgard, aim to spread Nordic sauna culture to the rest of Europe with their Swedish language entry Bara Bada Bastu. The group, formed more than a decade ago in Finland, qualified for the last stage of the contest in Basel, Switzerland, in Tuesday's semi-final, along with Ukraine's Ziferblat with the song Bird Of Pray, and Estonia's Tommy Cash with Espresso Macchiato, among others. At their hotel in Basel on Wednesday, Norrgard told the PA news agency he 'got really nervous' when he saw a clip of them performing played back during the voting process. He said he 'felt like there were so many great acts', and wondered whether they might be the first Swedish representatives in more than a decade to not reach the final. Ahman said it is 'very, very surreal' to be touted as the ones to watch, because the trio come from a small Swedish-speaking region of Finland. He added that he did not care at first, but they have 'stayed there (in the odds) and even risen a bit lately, so let's see'. 'It's exciting times, but anything can happen, we've seen that so many times (at Eurovision),' he said. Sweden is joint record-holder for the most Eurovision wins, taking home seven trophies with mainly solo singers, including Loreen twice, and pop acts such as Abba, but this time Ahman said they have 'dared to try something new' with KAJ. Holmstrom said they also take being ambassadors for Nordic sauna culture 'very seriously'. 'We are hoping that people around Europe will take it seriously and consider the health benefits of going to the sauna every now and then,' he said, adding that it can help people mentally and physically. Their hotel in Basel does not have a sauna, but their hometown of Vora organised for someone to drive one to Switzerland for them to use. British fans will have to wait for the second semi-final on Thursday, when the UK's Remember Monday will perform What The Hell Just Happened?, to cast their votes for their favourite Eurovision act. Norrgard said: 'I think it's going really well for Remember Monday, it's so, so fun. We met them and talked to them a lot in Madrid, at the pre-parties, and we realised that we're basically the same, we're a trio, and we've been doing it for a long time. 'And we're really, both groups, really into musical theatre, so they're the female version of KAJ.' Tuesday's first semi-final also saw a pre-recorded message from Canadian singer Celine Dion, a former winner for Switzerland, saying the country has 'always held a special place in my heart' as she spoke in French and English. She said she would want 'nothing more but to be with you' in Basel as discussions continue with the organisers for her to make a stage comeback during Saturday's final amid her health issues. Also through on Tuesday was Dutch act Claude Kiambe, Poland's Justyna Steczkowska, and Icelandic electronic musician brothers Matthias Davio Matthiasson and Halfdan Helgi Matthiasson, who perform under the name VAEB. The other qualifiers were San Marino's Gabry Ponte, Albania's Shkodra Elektronike, Portugal's Napa, and Norway's Kyle Alessandro. The Grand Final on Saturday will see the 10 qualifiers from each semi-final perform alongside the 'big five' – France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom – and reigning champion Switzerland, who as host are guaranteed a slot after their act, Nemo, was victorious last year.
Rhyl Journal
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Eurovision favourites KAJ were ‘really nervous' before making final
Touted as the favourites to win, the comedy trio, made up of Kevin Holmstrom, Axel Ahman and Jakob Norrgard, aim to spread Nordic sauna culture to the rest of Europe with their Swedish language entry Bara Bada Bastu. The group, formed more than a decade ago in Finland, qualified for the last stage of the contest in Basel, Switzerland, in Tuesday's semi-final, along with Ukraine's Ziferblat with the song Bird Of Pray, and Estonia's Tommy Cash with Espresso Macchiato, among others. At their hotel in Basel on Wednesday, Norrgard told the PA news agency he 'got really nervous' when he saw a clip of them performing played back during the voting process. He said he 'felt like there were so many great acts', and wondered whether they might be the first Swedish representatives in more than a decade to not reach the final. Ahman said it is 'very, very surreal' to be touted as the ones to watch, because the trio come from a small Swedish-speaking region of Finland. He added that he did not care at first, but they have 'stayed there (in the odds) and even risen a bit lately, so let's see'. 'It's exciting times, but anything can happen, we've seen that so many times (at Eurovision),' he said. Sweden is joint record-holder for the most Eurovision wins, taking home seven trophies with mainly solo singers, including Loreen twice, and pop acts such as Abba, but this time Ahman said they have 'dared to try something new' with KAJ. Holmstrom said they also take being ambassadors for Nordic sauna culture 'very seriously'. 'We are hoping that people around Europe will take it seriously and consider the health benefits of going to the sauna every now and then,' he said, adding that it can help people mentally and physically. Their hotel in Basel does not have a sauna, but their hometown of Vora organised for someone to drive one to Switzerland for them to use. British fans will have to wait for the second semi-final on Thursday, when the UK's Remember Monday will perform What The Hell Just Happened?, to cast their votes for their favourite Eurovision act. Norrgard said: 'I think it's going really well for Remember Monday, it's so, so fun. We met them and talked to them a lot in Madrid, at the pre-parties, and we realised that we're basically the same, we're a trio, and we've been doing it for a long time. 'And we're really, both groups, really into musical theatre, so they're the female version of KAJ.' Tuesday's first semi-final also saw a pre-recorded message from Canadian singer Celine Dion, a former winner for Switzerland, saying the country has 'always held a special place in my heart' as she spoke in French and English. She said she would want 'nothing more but to be with you' in Basel as discussions continue with the organisers for her to make a stage comeback during Saturday's final amid her health issues. Also through on Tuesday was Dutch act Claude Kiambe, Poland's Justyna Steczkowska, and Icelandic electronic musician brothers Matthias Davio Matthiasson and Halfdan Helgi Matthiasson, who perform under the name VAEB. The other qualifiers were San Marino's Gabry Ponte, Albania's Shkodra Elektronike, Portugal's Napa, and Norway's Kyle Alessandro. The Grand Final on Saturday will see the 10 qualifiers from each semi-final perform alongside the 'big five' – France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom – and reigning champion Switzerland, who as host are guaranteed a slot after their act, Nemo, was victorious last year.
North Wales Chronicle
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Eurovision favourites KAJ were ‘really nervous' before making final
Touted as the favourites to win, the comedy trio, made up of Kevin Holmstrom, Axel Ahman and Jakob Norrgard, aim to spread Nordic sauna culture to the rest of Europe with their Swedish language entry Bara Bada Bastu. The group, formed more than a decade ago in Finland, qualified for the last stage of the contest in Basel, Switzerland, in Tuesday's semi-final, along with Ukraine's Ziferblat with the song Bird Of Pray, and Estonia's Tommy Cash with Espresso Macchiato, among others. At their hotel in Basel on Wednesday, Norrgard told the PA news agency he 'got really nervous' when he saw a clip of them performing played back during the voting process. He said he 'felt like there were so many great acts', and wondered whether they might be the first Swedish representatives in more than a decade to not reach the final. Ahman said it is 'very, very surreal' to be touted as the ones to watch, because the trio come from a small Swedish-speaking region of Finland. He added that he did not care at first, but they have 'stayed there (in the odds) and even risen a bit lately, so let's see'. 'It's exciting times, but anything can happen, we've seen that so many times (at Eurovision),' he said. Sweden is joint record-holder for the most Eurovision wins, taking home seven trophies with mainly solo singers, including Loreen twice, and pop acts such as Abba, but this time Ahman said they have 'dared to try something new' with KAJ. Holmstrom said they also take being ambassadors for Nordic sauna culture 'very seriously'. 'We are hoping that people around Europe will take it seriously and consider the health benefits of going to the sauna every now and then,' he said, adding that it can help people mentally and physically. Their hotel in Basel does not have a sauna, but their hometown of Vora organised for someone to drive one to Switzerland for them to use. British fans will have to wait for the second semi-final on Thursday, when the UK's Remember Monday will perform What The Hell Just Happened?, to cast their votes for their favourite Eurovision act. Norrgard said: 'I think it's going really well for Remember Monday, it's so, so fun. We met them and talked to them a lot in Madrid, at the pre-parties, and we realised that we're basically the same, we're a trio, and we've been doing it for a long time. 'And we're really, both groups, really into musical theatre, so they're the female version of KAJ.' Tuesday's first semi-final also saw a pre-recorded message from Canadian singer Celine Dion, a former winner for Switzerland, saying the country has 'always held a special place in my heart' as she spoke in French and English. She said she would want 'nothing more but to be with you' in Basel as discussions continue with the organisers for her to make a stage comeback during Saturday's final amid her health issues. Also through on Tuesday was Dutch act Claude Kiambe, Poland's Justyna Steczkowska, and Icelandic electronic musician brothers Matthias Davio Matthiasson and Halfdan Helgi Matthiasson, who perform under the name VAEB. The other qualifiers were San Marino's Gabry Ponte, Albania's Shkodra Elektronike, Portugal's Napa, and Norway's Kyle Alessandro. The Grand Final on Saturday will see the 10 qualifiers from each semi-final perform alongside the 'big five' – France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom – and reigning champion Switzerland, who as host are guaranteed a slot after their act, Nemo, was victorious last year.
