The island nation confirmed that a singing contest will decide who will represent Cyprus in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon. This new approach focuses on fresh talent and budding vocalists to see who is right to enter the competition next year.
All Cypriots can apply, whether they’re island or UK Cypriots. People are saying that this is a brilliant chance for ambitions British Cypriot artists to showcase their talent to the masses as well as giving them the opportunity to fly the Cypriot flag at Eurovision.
Broadcasters CyBc announced that the Cypriot sing-off contest will air in January 2018. At LGR we’ve been looking over the ‘rules’ of the new singing contest. Firstly, each applicant has to submit a video audition via a private YouTube link that only CyBc can see and the singers can choose which song they want to sing. Afterwards, a limited number of entrants are chosen to audition for the judges. The judges will pick the finalists advancing to the Cypriot sing-off which will be aired on TV. The deadline is already looming for acts to enter the competition – all videos must be submitted by the 20th October 2017.
The public will vote for their favourite act and the jury will also decide which artist deserves to win. The votes will be combined to determine who will represent the country at Eurovision.
The Eurovision tune is expected to be recorded weeks after the Cypriot song contest final and will most probably be released in March.
The award-winning composer Alex Papaconstantinou, also known as Alex P, has been asked to compose the song. The Greek-Swedish producer is based in Stockholm and has co-written hits for Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias and loads more. Mr Alex P is known in Eurovision circles with a few Euro-stompers under his belt. He was responsible for Ivi Adamou’s ‘La La Love’ in the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest and Sarbel’s ‘Yasou Maria’ in 2007. His best result, which placed in the top 3, was for the Azerbaijan duo Aysel and Arash.
The Cypriot Eurovision delegation has said on Facebook that they’re hoping this new contest gets Cyprus into another Eurovision final.
