Latest news with #EmmaGale
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Songwriter's 'incredible' Eurovision dream ends at semi-finals
A Weymouth songwriter said her Eurovision experience was 'just incredible' despite her tune falling at the final hurdle ahead of tonight's big show. As the Echo previously reported, Emma Gale has been working with artists in Croatia, Latvia and Norway to help create new songs for this year's contest which is hosted by Switzerland. Only Croatia's entry, Poison Cake by Marko Bosnjak, made it through to the semi-finals which took place in Basel on Tuesday night. Emma Gale at the Eurovision semi-finals in Basel, Switzerland (Image: Emma Gale) Unfortunately, the song was not chosen in the public votes - missing out on a spot in tonight's finals losing out to the likes of Ukraine, Estonia, Portugal, Albania, San Marino and Poland. Speaking about the experience, Emma, 55, said: 'The whole experience was just incredible. It's absolutely fine (the song not making it to the finals) and I'm so grateful for the opportunity. The Croatian writing team; Ben Pyne, Emma Gale, Bas Wissink, Marko Bošnjak, Filip Majdak (Image: Emma Gale) 'The atmosphere was fantastic - I was coming out saying that it was better than Glastonbury. There was such a feeling of love in the whole venue which is what Eurovision is all about. I can't wait for next year, I'm absolutely hooked. The stage of the Eurovision semi-finals and final in Basel (Image: Emma Gale) 'I want to thank the Echo and others for the local support and excitement over the past few months- it's meant a lot.' Emma added that there was some 'disappointing' news following the event after it was alleged people in Norway who voted for Croatia's song were receiving text confirmations that they voted for Israel's entry. She is hoping the team from Croatia launches an investigation into this 'for fairness and transparency'. She said: 'We're a little disappointed with the news since, but Marko feels the same and really upbeat which is great considering he didn't have his own country behind him. 'The shocker for us was Belgium not going through, as well as Cyprus, because the person who wrote the Cyprus song won the contest last year- and then it was Ukraine who went through which no one expected.' The crowd of the Eurovision semi-finals and final in Basel (Image: Emma Gale) Emma said that she has a lot planned over the next year, and she is hoping her Eurovision continues next year with a different country. She said: 'I've now signed with a publisher in Norway- I love getting concepts together and writing melodies. 'In June, I'll be heading to Latvia and Ireland, and then to Finland in August as well as other things planned not for Eurovision in Thailand and with K-Pop (Korean pop). 'I'm working at the moment to fund this, but the dream will to be called up to go to LA or somewhere and help write music.' Emma said the one to watch tonight was Ireland's entry, Laika Party by Emmy. The grand final of the contest will take place in St Jakobshalle, an indoor arena in Basel, tonight, Saturday, May 17. It will be broadcast live on BBC One and streaming service BBC iPlayer from 8pm.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Eurovision songwriter 'more determined' despite contest exit
A songwriter from Dorset says she has had the time of her life at the Eurovision Song Contest despite her song being knocked out in the semi-final Cake, co-written by Emma Gale, was sung by Croatian pop star Marko Bosnjak in the first of two rounds ahead of Saturday's grand Gale, from Weymouth, was in Basel for the performance on Tuesday, which she described as "flawless".Although Croatia failed to make it through, she said the "incredible" experience made her more determined to return next year. Introducing Bosnjak to UK viewers, BBC presenter Scott Mills said: "He's the first openly gay person in Croatia to be at the Eurovision Song Contest."This is Poison Cake - it's a song about standing up for yourself and getting sweet revenge via karma." The morning after the performance, Ms Gale told BBC Radio Solent's Dorset Breakfast show: "Going into that arena, with thousands of people all over the place listening to our songs, was absolutely incredible."I had to console my mum and my husband but I am genuinely not upset - I had the time of my life."It's made me more determined to get back there next year."I think we all knew we were never going to win but, after the performance last night, he was absolutely flawless, we thought we might have a good chance." Ms Gale had three songs shortlisted for this year's sung by Nora Jabri, came sixth in the Norwegian competition - Melodi Grand Prix.A third song had been a favourite in the Latvian contest but the singer was unable to perform due to Gale says she is now "back to square one" preparing for next year but hopes her Eurovision "brag status" will lead to more songwriting offers. Tuesday's Eurovision semi-final is available to watch on BBC iPlayer You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Eurovision songwriter 'exhausted' from contest excitement
A songwriter from Dorset whose work will be performed at the Eurovision Song Contest has said she is "not sleeping" amid the Gale's song, Poison Cake, will be sung by Croatian pop star Marko Bosnjak in the semi-finals in Basel on is the first of two semi-finals, each featuring 15 performers who will be whittled down to 10. The second semi-final takes place on Gale said: "To get as far as we've got, I feel like we've won already, but to get to the final - that would be a massive dream come true." Speaking ahead of her flight to Switzerland, she said: "I'm not sleeping at the moment - I'm exhausted from Eurovision fever. It's all very exciting."It will be my first experience of going to Eurovision and it's something we've been working towards all year."Speaking of Bosnjak, she said: "He's done an incredible job - I'm really happy, I'm ecstatic."He had flu at Dora (Croatia's Eurovision selection contest) and, despite winning, he cracked a note at the end and all the fans said his singing wasn't good."Every second is analysed of every step, and every interview." The grand final on Saturday will feature 26 nations, made up of the top 10 countries from each semi-final, along with United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France, Italy, and host country Switzerland. The first semi-final will be broadcast on iPlayer and BBC One, Radio 2 and BBC Sounds from 20:00 BST on Tuesday 13 May You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
