The Eurovision Song Contest fever seems to be rising in France finally. Five branches of French Television have joined forces to come up with the perfect song to represent the country in Helsinki. France 2, France 3, France 4, France 5 and RFO are currently working together wishing to offer the world the best possible view of today's French music scene.
Each channel, according to their particular style, has chosen two artists that represent different music genres, thus wishing to offer their audience a good view of current music tendencies in France. Each selection was based on the originality of the song andthe artist's experience and scenic presence. The artists chosen by France 2 come from the wider French music market, France 3 chose from the new music scene, France 4 from rap and rock and France5 from the French pop scene.
The artists chosen by RFO represent ethnic sounds and they are the duo Medi-T and Valérie Louri, the singer and dancer from Martinique, one of the winners of the 9 semaines & 1 jour music contest.
Médi, of French-Italian-Algerian origin and Thierry for Martinique form the duo Medi-T since 1999. They write and perform their own songs and their multi-culturally influenced music reflects clearly their motto: "Approach all differences with music, without exception."
Valérie Louri, started her career as a dancer. She studied Modern Dance in New York at the Alvin Ailey School of Dance and the Broadway Dance Center. She returned to Martinique and immersed herself in the traditional music and dance of her homeland known as Bèlè. She then joined the group Bélya. Afterwards she moved to Paris where she performed in The legent of the lion king at Eurodisney. In 2003 she signed up with Hibiscus Records and released her first solo album Bay Lanmen.
Wide TV and internet coverage
Starting February 10th, all five TV channels will air ten shows presenting each of the artists, twice a day and for a period of four weeks leading up to the French final in March. The video clips will be available for a sneak preview on all five official websites, together with details on the artists. Visitors will be able to vote for their favorite entry in official polls on all five channel sites.
The French final will take place in March and will be broadcast by France 3. The winner will be decided by televoting and by a jury comprising of representatives of all five channels. France 4 will broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest semi final on May 10th and France 3 the final on May 12th. Last year it is estimated that more that 5.2 million viewers watched the Athens final.
Although Virginie Pouchin finished 22nd in the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest, France being one of the Big Four will compete directly on the final in Helsinki.
