RTÉ Calls for Entries for Eurovision 2008

In a statement issued today RTÉ Television announced that it is inviting interested parties to submit an entry to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2008. The contest will take place in Serbia next May.

“Following a comprehensive review of the selection process of previous years,” a spokesperson told Hot Press, “RTÉ is this year inviting submissions based not only on song composition, but is encouraging inclusion of singer (s), visual presentation and proposed performance details.”

The deadline for submissions is Monday, 21 January 2008. The six best entries as judged by an expert group will compete in what RTÉ describes as a “gala Eurosong 2008 competition”, live on RTÉ Television next February. The winner will be chosen by public vote.

Earlier this year, a number of changes to the overall structure of the Eurovision Song Contest were adopted. These include the introduction of two semi-finals to the competition, in which every country (apart from the host nation, the UK, Germany, France and Spain) must now compete. “RTÉ appointed a consultative committee of experts from the music writing, music performance and dance arts to assist them in a review of the Irish selection process,” the spokesman continued. “The changes to this year’s Eurosong competition are based on its recommendations.”

Julian Vignoles, Assistant Commissioning Editor, RTÉ Entertainment said, “As the contest has become even more competitive with up to 42 countries entering and the introduction of two semi-finals, this year our focus is on visual presentation and stage appeal of the act, as well as finding a show-stopping song. In Eurosong 2008 RTÉ wants to give the best possible opportunity to Irish songwriters, singers, dancers and performance artists to deliver a really creative, competitive Irish entry. Ultimately, it will be up to the public to decide who will represent us in Serbia in May”.

While the new format may increase the likelihood of a successful Irish entry to Eurovision, there has already been some negative reaction to the changes, with one songwriter, who refused to be named, complaining bitterly to Hot Press.

“It means that the small guy has even less chance than ever this year,” he commented. “I may have a go, but there’s no way that I’ll be able to compete against highly professional people, who are already well established in the business. I don’t have a squad of designers and visualisers at my beck and call.”

Ireland’s entry will compete in one of the semi-finals on Thursday, the 22nd May, 2008. The two semi-finals are planned to take place simultaneously.

FULL ENTRY DETAILS
Songs cannot exceed 3 minutes in duration.
All song entries must be submitted on CD and be accompanied by six written copies of the song lyrics, details of the singer(s) (including written confirmation of their agreement and availability to sing/perform the song in accordance with these rules and the ESC 2008 rules), and any suggestions for staging of the song.
Submission of a video or DVD of a performance of the entry with proposed performers and staging is also encouraged.
Each composer can only enter one song (including co-writes).
· Where a singer has agreed to sing or perform on a song entry then that singer cannot submit a separate song entry of his/her own or sing or perform on any other song entry
· Entrants must be eligible to travel to Ireland for Eurosong 2008 in February and must also be eligible to travel to Serbia in May 2008.
· Closing Date noon on Monday, the 21st of January 2008
· Submissions to be sent to:
Fidelma Kelly
Entertainment Department
RTÉ Television
Donnybrook
Dublin 4

The consultative committee who formulated the new Irish Eurosong format consisted of:
Linda Martin, singer and ESC winner
Johnny Lappin, music publisher and IMRO board member
David Bolger, Artistic Director, Coiscéim Dance Company
Colman Clinch, Assistant Director of RAAP, the performers association
Kevin Linehan, Executive Producer, Music, RTÉ
Julian Vignoles, Assistant Commissioning Editor, Entertainment, RTÉ