ESC101 – A Eurovision History Podcast

In this week’s episode, we are exploring the life of Bobbejaan Schoepen, the Belgian representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 1957. Discover Bobbejaan’s music career, performing for over 60 years to everyone imaginable, including passersby, prisoners of war, royalty, and even amusement park guests! Listen to the whistling tunes of one of Belgium’s most successful amusement park owners, and discover what we think of Bobbejaan’s performance at the contest!

On this bonus episode of ESC101, we’re exploring the Pan Arctic Vision Song Contest, the show which features music and culture from across the arctic! Join us as we discover an art project aiming to promote arctic culture through an empowering Pan-Arctic identity and community! Explore the regions of the arctic in this musical showcase, and discover the sounds of the Circumpolar North! Pan Arctic Vision is a project by Nordting, hosted by local partners around the Arctic!

Video Link (Part I): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQUALvQgehQ

Video Link (Part II): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv686AZ2mpE

In this week’s episode, we are exploring the life of the host of the Eurovision Song Contest 1978, Léon Zitrone. Join us as we learn about Eurovision’s second male host, as well as the man who holds the honour of being the oldest host at the contest! After 63 and a half years of life experience, Léon brought authority and wisdom to the contest. Was it enough to win over audiences at home and abroad?

In this week’s episode, we are exploring the life of Conductor Martyn Ford, who conducted Cypriot entries in 1982 and 1986! Join us as we delve into the story of this British born musician and how they ended up conducting for Cyprus at the Eurovision Song Contest! Discover some of the famous names that Martyn worked with over the years, and find out what Martyn is up to in the 2020s!

In this week’s episode, we are returning to The Eurovision Travel Guide, our monthly series where we explore a country in the Eurovision Song Contest. Join us as we explore Malta, learning about some of their entries, their national selection methods, and some fascinating historical and musical notes! Discover Malta’s story at the contest, fighting for a spot on and off for 25 years, bringing the iconic powerhouses that we know and love today!

Grab your sunglasses as we set sail to the Caribbean! In this week’s episode, we’re looking back at the interval act of the Eurovision Song Contest 1980: The Dutch Rhythm Steel and Show Band! Accompanied by the Lee Jackson Dancers, this Surinamese-Dutch band brought the heat and love of the Dutch Caribbean to Eurovision. Join the party and groove to some authentic steel-drum perfection!

In this week’s episode, we are exploring the life of Anabela Braz Pires, Portugal’s representative at the 1993 Eurovision Song Contest in Millstreet, Ireland. Join us as we learn about their background and what we think of their entry! Discover Portugal’s second top ten placement since 1980 up to that point, and take in Anabela’s career after the contest!

In this week’s episode, we are returning to The Eurovision Travel Guide, our monthly series where we explore a country in the Eurovision Song Contest. Join us as we explore Estonia, learning about some of their entries, their national selection methods, and some fascinating historical and musical notes! Discover the journey of a post-soviet state emerging into a new European landscape!

In this week’s episode, we are exploring the story of the Royal Albert Hall, the venue of the Eurovision Song Contest 1968. Join us as we discover the regal history behind this Eurovision Venue, and we aren’t just talking about Eurovision Queens! This venue built in honour of Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert celebrates everything the Eurovision Song Contest stands for, the promotion of art without barriers! Grab your tuxedos and fancy ball gowns as we enter into Eurovision 1968!

In this week’s episode, we are celebrating one whole year of ESC101! Join us as we look back at the past year. Discover our favourite moments, delve into some listener statistics, and join the party! A sincere thank you to everyone who has supported the podcast!

In this week’s episode, we are reviewing and reacting to the 2024 edition of Eurovision Young Musicians, a biennial classical music competition for musicians aged 12 to 21. Join us as the Orchestra makes a comeback, taking center stage in Bodø, Norway. Meet the 11 contestants and find out which piece was our favourite!

In this week’s episode, we are exploring the life of Arlette Zola who represented Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest 1982. Discover her humble roots as a passionate singer discovered in a cafe who rushed to stardom…several times! Arlette taught us that we aren’t locked to one singular path in life, so let’s take a journey through the twists and turns of Arlette Zola!

In this week’s episode, we are exploring the life of the host of the Eurovision Song Contest 1959 & 1961, Jacqueline Joubert. Join us as we learn about her background and how they measure up in hosting the world’s largest international televised music competition!

In this week’s episode, we are exploring the Interval Act of the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest, Beacon Burning. Join us as we learn about the ancient traditions of Beacon Burning and how Norway turned a several thousand year old warning system into an artistic masterpiece set to music!

In this week’s episode, we are returning to the Eurovision Yearbook, exploring the life of Eurovision artist Birgit Brüel who represented Denmark in the 1965 contest. Join us as we learn about her counterculture background and how one of Denmark's first Jazz singers ended up fairing at the contest!

In this week’s episode, we are exploring the story of The Scandinavium, the venue which hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 1985 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Join us as we learn about how the venue was built, how it was used for the 1985 contest, and what its future will hold!

In this week’s episode, we are returning to The Eurovision Travel Guide, our monthly series where we explore a country in the Eurovision Song Contest. Join us as we explore Austria, learning about some of their entries, their national selection methods, and some fascinating historical and musical notes!

In this week’s episode, we are exploring the life of the host of the Eurovision Song Contest 1975, Karin Falck. Join us as we learn about their background and how they measure up in hosting the world’s largest international televised music competition! Learn about the life of Sweden’s first Eurovision host!

In this week’s episode, we are exploring the life of Conductor Paul Abela, who conducted Maltese entries in 1991, 1992, and 1996, as well as serving as the composer and studio arranger of Malta’s 2001 entry! Join us as we learn about their journey to become the conductor leading Malta back into the Eurovision Song Contest after their extended absence!

In this week’s episode, we are exploring the life of the literal Crown-wearing Eurovision Queen Margot Hielscher! Join us as we learn about the OG Eurovision Queen and how she transformed from a costume designer into a film star and later a Eurovision Icon! Get ready to pick up your Rotary Telephones and Jukebox Records as Margot graces us with her presence!

In this week’s episode, we are checking out one of Scotland’s iconic displays of culture and music, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Join us as we sample a taste of Scottish flavour and discover the roots of this fantastic display of Bagpipes and Drums guiding us to Eurovision victory!

In this week’s episode, we are returning to The Eurovision Travel Guide, our monthly series where we explore a country in the Eurovision Song Contest. Join us as we explore Yugoslavia, learning about some of their entries, their national selection methods, and some fascinating historical and musical notes! Discover the story of a country forever lost to time and take in the atmosphere of Yugoslav entries throughout the contest!

In this week’s episode, we are exploring the venue which hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994 (as well as 1995 & 1997), the Point Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. Join us as we learn about the starstruck life of a Train Depot turned Musical Venue and discover the home of Riverdance’s International Debut! Find out what happened to the venue after Eurovision and see how you can (technically) still visit the site today!

In this week’s episode, we are concluding our Eurovision 2024 coverage! Join us as we review the 25 acts that performed in the Grand Final and find out which acts were our favourites!

In this week’s episode, we are continuing our Eurovision 2024 coverage with part 4 of 5! Join us as we review the acts which did not make the Grand Final and find out which acts we thought should have gone through!

This episode is an informal discussion on both the positive and tense incidents in the 2024 edition of the contest. In this episode, we give our honest thoughts on the controversial incidents of the contest and we hope to provide a space to speak honestly about the EBU's lack of transparency and their need to improve.

In this week’s episode, we are continuing our Eurovision 2024 coverage! Join us in Part 3 as we review the Studio versions of the Auto Qualifying acts and find out which countries made our top 10 of the contest!

In this week’s episode, we are continuing our Eurovision 2024 coverage! Join us as we review the Studio versions of the Semi-Final 2 acts and find out which 10 acts are our favourites!

In this week’s episode, we are kicking off our Eurovision 2024 coverage! Join us as we review the Studio versions of the Semi-Final 1 acts and find out which 10 acts are our favourites!

In this week’s episode, we are returning to The Eurovision Travel Guide, our monthly series where we explore a country in the Eurovision Song Contest. Join us as we explore Sweden, learning about some of their entries, their national selection methods, and some fascinating historical and musical notes! Check out our favourite entries across the decades and prepare for this year’s upcoming contest in Malmö!

In this week’s episode, we are exploring the life of Kyriaki Papadopoulou, also known as Marinella, the very first artist to represent Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974! Join us as we learn about how Marinella was selected and what she ended up doing after her Eurovision debut! Get ready for the drama and scandal over Greece’s debut at Eurovision and clap along to her song “Wine, Sea, and my Boyfriend”!

In this week’s episode, we are checking out Kvalifikacija za Millstreet, the pre-selection show which chose 3 Eastern European countries to join the Eurovision family in 1993. Join us as we meet the 7 hopefuls that fought for one of the three open spots for the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Millstreet. Find out if we agree with the juries and see which countries almost ended up participating in the show but pulled out at the last minute!

In this week’s episode, we are exploring the life of the host of the Eurovision Song Contest 1967, Erica Vaal. Join us as we learn about her background and how she measures up in hosting the world’s largest international televised music competition!

In this week’s episode, we are returning to The Eurovision Travel Guide, our monthly series where we explore a country in the Eurovision Song Contest. Join us as we explore Moldova, learning about some of their entries, their national selection methods, and some fascinating historical and musical notes! From the crazy Zdob și Zdub to the wild duels of Pasha Parfeni, Moldova has that Eastern European spice that keeps on giving!

In this week’s episode, we are exploring the venue of the Eurovision Song Contest 1972, Usher Hall & Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland! Join us as we learn the history of Usher Hall, the venue which held the stage for the contest, and Edinburgh Castle, where the jury members watched the contest and voted on the entries! Find out why Scotland had to host on behalf of Monaco, and keep an eye out for the royal mystery of the hallowed halls of the Eurovision Song Contest!

In this week’s episode, we are returning to the Eurovision Yearbook, where we examine the life of a Eurovision artist! This week, we are exploring the life of Dragana Todorović, known as Baby Doll at the Eurovision Song Contest who represented Yugoslavia in 1991 with the song ‘Brazil’. Join us as we learn about Yugoslavia’s (technically but not really) last entry at the contest and learn about Baby Doll’s history with the contest!

Welcome to a bonus episode where we check out the Sammarinese national final Una Voce per San Marino 2024! Join us as we react to the national final show that decided who will represent San Marino at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmo!

In this week's episode, we are exploring the lives of the 5 musicians that comprised of the interval act for the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest. Join us as we learn about a Canadian, two Americans, a Dane, and a Frenchman teaming up to bring a Jazzy rendition of two songs from the 1920s and 1930s! Listen to the original songs and compare them to their Eurovision counterparts and see which one you prefer!

In this monthly series, we look at a country that has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest. This week's episode explores the country of Poland, home of delicious food and unstable political life! While most of Polish history is filled with invasions and shenanigans, Poland brings something different to the Eurovision Song Contest. From Polish milk-maids to spicy california-styled baybehs, join us as we look at Poland's time at Eurovision from its debut in 1994 until today, and keep an eye out for Eurovision's twin sister Intervision!

This week's episode looks at the life of Jean Claudric, the arranger and conductor of several Eurovision entries. Join us as we learn about the only person to conduct Eurovision's first and to date only North African entry in the contest.

This week we are exploring the venue that hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 1958, AVRO Studio 2 in Hilversum, The Netherlands! Join us as we explore the venue through an audio-guided tour of the facilities, including set designs and behind-the-scenes areas!

To follow along with photos, please visit the show notes page on our website! Link

Welcome to a bonus episode where we check out the Irish national final Eurosong 2024! Join us as we react to the national final show which decided who will represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmo!

Be sure to check out the Eirevision Podcast and their Eurosong 2024 coverage by clicking the link here

This week, we are exploring the story behind the band La Década Prodigiosa, simply known as La Década, who represented Spain at Eurovision in 1988. Join us as we learn about each member and what happened to this cover-band turned Eurovision entrant after their performance in Dublin!

In Episode 21, we sat down with Jack Eaton and Justin McArthur of Mates in Space, a P. Zinner Podcast! The original session lasted just under an hour and a half, and some of the material had to be cut due to time. This bonus episode features the extended cut of that session including some bonus material commenting on the astronauts featured in 2009 and 2022 and a reaction to an additional Eurovision entry!

Note: If you just wish to listen to the bonus material, skip to 46:30

Mates in Space: Link

P. Zinner & Co.: Link

In this week’s episode, we are diving into the world of space exploration in the Eurovision Song Contest. However, we are not undertaking this expedition alone! This week, we are joined by Jack Eaton and Justin McArthur of Mates in Space, a P. Zinner Podcast, to guide us through the stars of the Eurovision Song Contest. Join us as we explore the themes of outer space, and speculate as to what the contest would look like if it was hosted somewhere other than Earth!

Mates in Space Podcast: Link

P. Zinner & Co.: Link

In this monthly series, we look at a country that has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest. This week's episode explores the country of France, one of the founding countries of the contest and one of the Big 5! Join us in learning about how they change national selection methods like they change Prime Ministers, gasp at the spicy and scandalous moments in their history, and watch the dramatic developments of France itself as withdrawals, a new constitution, and stereotypes take hold of the French Fourth & Fifth Republic!

*Explicit Content Warning: Abuse/Kidnapping/Death*

In this week's episode of ESC101, we're diving into the life of Désirée Nosbusch, the youngest ever Eurovision host! We're turning back to 1984 to learn more about her unique hosting style as well as exploring her lengthy career in radio, television, and more.

In this week's episode, we are diving into the least controversial part of the 1991 Eurovision Song Contest...The Postcards! But beware...the postcards aren't all roses and sunshine, as we discover the inaccuracies and scandals behind the images featured on the postcard segments in between entries. Join us in learning more about the monuments featured on each entrant's card and see if you can count how many rants we go on this week!

*Correction Note: After publishing the episode, additional images were identified on Postcard No. 9, 10, 13, 15, and 20. Please check the show notes on our website for the updated information. Link to the Show Notes available here.

Do you remember the Wombles? In this week's episode, join us as we dive into the story behind the interval act of the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest. Learn all about the Wombles, a group of environmentally conscience creatures that started out as a children's novel and eventually became a TV series, a movie, a merchandise franchise, and a band headed by a controversial music producer!

In this monthly series, we look at a country that has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest. This week's episode of ESC101 explores the country of Croatia!. Join us in learning about their national selection process, their history with Eurovision as a former Yugoslav Republic, and hear my thoughts on the controversies, entries, and more!

In this week's episode, we're exploring the life of Michèle Torr, Luxembourg's Eurovision representative in 1966 and Monaco's Eurovision representative in 1977. Join us as we explore the life of one of the first counter-culture artists of the 1960s!

Welcome to a bonus episode where we check out the Czech national final ESCZ 2024! Join us as we react to the national final show which will decide who will represent Czechia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmo!

This is part II of our dive into the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2023. Join us as we comment on the live show, offering critiques, praise, and revealing the crimes that took place! Check out our thoughts on the entries and the interval acts and join us as we celebrate all 16 participating countries in the 21st edition of JESC!

Welcome to a two part episode where we review all 16 entries in this year's Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Nice, France. In Part I, we review the studio versions of each entry. Check out our thoughts on the entries and see if we have any favourites!

In this monthly series, we look at a country that has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest. This week's episode of ESC101 explores the country of Czechia, also known as the Czech Republic. Join us in learning about their national selection process, their history with Eurovision before joining, and hear my thoughts on all 11 entries (plus their 2020 submission) as we go through their time at Eurovision.

In this week's episode, we're exploring the life of Lill Lindfors, Sweden's Eurovision representative in 1966 and the host of the Contest in 1985. Join us as explore one of the most energetic and iconic Eurovision hosts of the 20th century, and see if you can figure out what Lill and her singing partner are talking about in their Eurovision entry!

In this week's episode of ESC101, we'll be exploring the venue of the 1969 Eurovision Song Contest. Join us as we peer into the 300 year old story behind the only Spanish venue to host the Eurovision Song Contest!

In this week's episode, we'll be taking a look at the postcards from the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest. Join us as we look at how each participating country was depicted, and see if you can spot the stereotypes and the obscure references used in each one!

In this monthly series, we look at a country that has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest. This week's episode of ESC101 explores the country of Lithuania. Join us in learning about their national selection process, some fun facts, and the dramatic developments of Eurovision's only non-winning Baltic country!

In this week's episode, we'll be exploring the life of Domenico Modugno, Italy's representative at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1958, 1959, and 1966. Join us as we explore the story of one of Eurovision's most famous artists which involves women, a Ferrari, two Grammys, and political activism!

In this week's episode, we'll be exploring the man behind song number 17 representing Zavattaland! Join us as we explore the interval act of 1962, revealing the 200 year old story of a family of circus entertainers whose legacy continues to this day.

In this week's episode, we take a look at the host of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1970. Join us as we look at (probably) the shortest introduction to the contest in history and marvel at the best way to retire from a career!

In this new monthly series, we'll look at a country that has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest. This week's episode of ESC101 explores the country of Israel. Join us in learning about their national selection process, some fun facts, and the dramatic developments of Eurovision's first non-European country to join the contest!

In this week's episode of ESC101, we're going to be exploring the story of Eurovision's first stage invader! Join us as we reveal the identity of the man with a message, storming onto the Eurovision stage and taking over the airwaves of Europe!

Show Notes: https://esc101podcast.wordpress.com/show-notes/

In this week's episode of ESC101, we are going to dive into the rules of the very first Eurovision Song Contest. Join us as we learn about why the contest was made in the first place, who could enter, and how the jury & voting system actually worked! Look out for some Eurovision news and find out more about this week's Song of the Week!

Show Notes: https://esc101podcast.wordpress.com/show-notes/

Welcome to the premier episode of ESC101! This episode, we're going to be talking about what this show is going to be all about and you'll get to meet the host of ESC101. There's also some Eurovision news and keep an eye out for this week's Song of the Week!

Show Notes: https://esc101podcast.wordpress.com/2023/09/01/episode-01-2023-who-the-hell-is-alexander/

Welcome to the trailer of ESC101!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esc101podcast/