The Flemish broadcaster VRT launches the first out of four semifinals of Eurosong 2004 tonight. Seven songs will bid for a ticket to the final.
Although the first semifinal is the one with the least famous names, it features Eurosong 2004�s biggest surprise: the return of Nicole & Hugo! Together with six other artists they will compete for a ticket to the final that will be held on 15th February:
Yanah – Yes or no
Chris D. Morton – Every dead soldier
De Egels – Maria Maria Maria
Katia Berlingieri – Don't be scared
Xandee – 1 Life
Storm – Jij
Nicole & Hugo – Love is all around
Singer songwriter Yanah will bear the brunt in true Avril Lavigne style with Yes or no. Chris D. Morton, finalist of Idols, sings his anti-war ballad Every dead soldier.
Under pressure of VRT, De Egels will perform their Flemish rock song dressed! Earlier this week they caused some commotion by stating they would like to perform nude tonight. Next on stage is 19 year old Katia Berlingieri, singing the ballad Don't be scared.
The last three performers of the first semifinal can all be linked to the Eurovision Song Contest: Xandee started her career with Sergio, who represented Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2002. Together they formed the very successful dance formation Touch of Joy that made a comeback last year. Xandee goes dance with 1 Life, written by the Paelinck brothers who also wrote Sergio�s Sister, that ended 13th for Belgium in Tallinn, 2002.
Storm (Gertjan Heuvelmans), the in Flanders living Dutchman, already participated twice at the Dutch Nationaal Songfestival: solo in 1995 and as member of The Mango Nuts in 2003. He submitted the Dutch pop song Jij in both Flanders and the Netherlands but has only been selected in Flanders.
And last but not least: Nicole & Hugo. For the third time they will bid to represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest. The first time in 1971 ended in a disaster. Nicole & Hugo won the Belgian final with the song Goeiemorgen, morgen but Nicole became ill. Jacques Raymond and Lily Castel replaced the couple in the last resort.
In 1973 they got a second chance but, in spite off flashy purple suits and a legendary performance, Baby Baby got no further than a last place in Luxembourg. This year they�ll try it with Love is all around. Third time lucky?
Eurosong 2004: tonight at 20:15 CET on TV1.
