ESC Insight: Eurovision Song Contest Podcast

Ewan Spence
  • 4.8 (23)
  • PERFORMING ARTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
ESC Insight: Eurovision Song Contest Podcast

Join Ewan Spence and ESC Insight as they take you on the journey that is the Eurovision Song Contest. From an introduction to the contest and rules, through the songs chosen by each country to backstage at the stadium, this is your unofficial guide to one of the world's favourite television shows, with over 200 million viewers worldwide each year.

  1. ESC Insight Presets... Eurovision Masterpiece Collection: Loreen

    NOV 12

    ESC Insight Presets... Eurovision Masterpiece Collection: Loreen

    Welcome to the latest episode of the Eurovision Masterpiece Collection. There's more to our favourite singers than their Song Contest entries, so join David Horton as he highlights some of the best music away from the Eurovision stage. In our latest musical moment, David's audience picks out three favourites from Eurovision legend Loreen. Loreen first came to the attention of the Swedish public during the first season of Sweden's version of Pop Idol  (Idol 2024). She finished fourth, with a single released the following year. That led to her working in various presenting and production roles in Swedish television before entering Melodifestivalen 2011 with 'My Heart Is Refusing Me' reaching the Second Chance round. 2024 was the year of Euphoria. Winning Melodifestivalen, winning Eurovision, and charting across Europe (including a Top 3 in the UK charts, the highest of any non-UK entry since Johnny Logan's second Eurovision-winning song 'Hold Me Now'). As we now know, that wasn't the only record of Logan's that Loreen would challenge. With more Melodifestivalen entries, chart hits, and albums in the catalogue, which of Loreen's songs would you add to the Masterpiece Collection?

    5 min

  2. NOV 5

    Eurovision Chat Over Coffee, with Eurovision Reference Group Chair Bakel Walden

    As the Eurovision Song Contest moves forward and Basel 2025 comes into view, the events leading up to, during, and after the Song Contest's third visit to Malmö continue to echo around the community. Bakel Walden, the current chair of the Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group, returns to ESC Insight and joins Ewan Spence to talk about the state of the Contest as the momentum builds for another season. Ewan Spence and the ESC Insight team bring you the latest news from the world of the Eurovision Song Contest.

    40 min
  3. ESC Insight Presents.....Eurovision Wars: How To Politicise A Song

    OCT 21

    ESC Insight Presents.....Eurovision Wars: How To Politicise A Song

    In this episode of Eurovision Wars, we discuss 'October Rain' and 'Hurricane' from Israeli singer Eden Golan, and 'Wild West/Vestrið villt' from Palestinian singer Bashar Murad. What viewpoints did they represent, how did the community and the organisers react to these songs, and why do many consider them political songs?

    49 min

  4. OCT 11

    Eurovision Chat Over Coffee, Pan-Arcticvision's Artistic Director Amund Sjølie Sveen

    This weekend will see the second edition of the Pan-Arcticvision Song Contest. Ten performers taking to the stage, looking for the votes of the watching TV audiences from around the world, all to foster a sense of belonging and identity. The story of the Contest starts with the Faroe Islands and the difficulty it has being represented on the international stage. It is a similar story for many of the territories in the circumpolar north. Following on from last year's event in Norway, the Contest moves to Greenland and welcomes nine acts to the stage, including Evgeny Goman performing as one of many Russian Arctic Exiles. Ahead of the Contest, ESC Insight's Phil Dore sat down to talk about issues from cultural identity and representation, singing in native languages, and the impact of geographical distance in the North. You can follow the Contest, watch it live, and cast your vote from The Rest Of The World, at panarcticvision.org. Discover more about the Eurovision Song Contest and its wider impact on the cultural world by listening to the ESC Insight podcasts. You’ll find the show on iTunes, Google Podcasts, and Spotify. A direct RSS feed is available. We also have a regular email newsletter, which you can sign up for here.

    14 min
  5. ESC Insight Presets... Eurovision Masterpiece Collection: Duncan Laurence

    OCT 8

    ESC Insight Presets... Eurovision Masterpiece Collection: Duncan Laurence

    In our latest musical moment, David picks out three favourites from 2019’s winner, Duncan Laurence. His breakthrough appearance in The Netherlands was his appearance on The Voice. Coached by Eurovision Alumni Ilse DeLange, he reached the Semi Finals, which saw him decide to leave The Slick and pursue a solo career. Wind the clock forward a few years, and DeLange pitches him to AVROTROS as the Dutch representative for Eurovision 2019. Beyond that stage, which of his songs and performances belong in the Masterpiece Collection? And if you could add one more to the mix, which would you choose?

    5 min
  6. ESC Insight Presents.....Eurovision Wars: Malmö 2024 In Context

    SEP 30

    ESC Insight Presents.....Eurovision Wars: Malmö 2024 In Context

    Eurovision Wars is a series of podcasts exploring geopolitical themes as they emerged on the Eurovision Song Contest stage. For the first episode of season three, we place the Eurovision Song Contest of 2024 in its geopolitical context, looking back at the difficult and complex history of the Gaza Strip, the history of Israel's participation in the Song Contest, and the horrific events of October 7th. Hosted by Phil More, with Ana Oppeheim. Phil Dore and the ESC Insight team bring you the latest news from the world of the Eurovision Song Contest. Join us at www.escinsight.com.

    45 min
  7. ESC Insight Presets... Eurovision Masterpiece Collection: Anna Bergendahl

    SEP 21

    ESC Insight Presets... Eurovision Masterpiece Collection: Anna Bergendahl

    Welcome to the Eurovision Masterpiece Collection. There's more to our favourite singers than their Song Contest entries, so join David Horton as he highlights some of the best music away from the Eurovision stage. In our first musical snack, David picks out his personal favourites from Anna Bergendahl Starting out on TV4's Super Troupers in 2004, an appearance on Idol 2008 brought her wide recognition across Sweden. The international audience would meet her during Melodifestivalen 2010 and her subsequent trip to Oslo for the Eurovision Song Contest. She's been trying to get back ever since, and there have been a lot of potential songs alongside some great singles and fantastic deep-cuts on her albums. But which belong in the Masterpiece Collection? And if you could add one more to the mix, which would you choose? Hosted by David Horton, listen to more from David every Sundat at thedavidhortonshow.co.uk, and stay up to date with the latest news from the world of the Eurovision Song Contest here at escinsight.com.

    4 min

  8. SEP 12

    Eurovision Insight News Podcast: Reset The Song Contest Clock

    Eurovision Insight News Podcast: Reset The Song Contest Cloc

    15 min
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4.8
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

Join Ewan Spence and ESC Insight as they take you on the journey that is the Eurovision Song Contest. From an introduction to the contest and rules, through the songs chosen by each country to backstage at the stadium, this is your unofficial guide to one of the world's favourite television shows, with over 200 million viewers worldwide each year.

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