Bulgarian band SAFO have unveiled their new lead vocalist in a public presentation that also showcased the group's entry for the national selection. Igor Shabov takes the helm as the band's frontman, and at a special conference in the capital Sofia, the new line-up of SAFO performed Chuzhdo nebe (Foreign sky), the song that will rival 23 others in the Bulgarian semifinals this year.
The presentation was well attended by other members of Bulgaria's music scene, including the bands TE, D2 and Ahead, as well as Vassil Naydenov, Momchil and young talents from the very first series of Bulgarian Star Academy.
Igor explains: “I am really excited. I have always liked SAFO's music and now from a fan I became a part of the band”. He will now get the chance, along with 23 others, of representing his country at the Eurovision Song Contest in Athens this year. Their entry will also be the band's first single of 2006.
The first televised round of the selection process will take place on 25th February, where a panel will select the best 12 songs on a live TV show from the National Palace of Culture. Those 12 will continue to the Bulgarian final, to take place on 11th March. The eventual winner will have to take part in the international qualifier round in Athens, due to Kaffe's poor result for Bulgaria in 2005.
