ESC101 - A Eurovision History Podcast

In this week’s episode, we are exploring the story of the Festsaal, the venue within Hofburg Palace which hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 1967 in Vienna, Austria. Join us as we learn about the venue’s regal history and how it was transformed into an international musical experience with experimental staging and amateur scoreboard operators!

In this week’s episode, we are continuing our coverage of the 22nd edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest held in Madrid, Spain. Join us as we review the live show, where we give our thoughts on the 17 performances, the hosts, interval acts, and our reaction to the voting results! Let’s Bloom together as we celebrate this musical showcase of talented children across Europe!

Grab some popcorn and get comfy as we dive into this week’s episode exploring the Eurovision Movie! No, not the Fire Saga film from 2020, this Eurovision Film was made all the way back in 1998. Get ready to take flight in Europigeon! Join us as we follow the story of John Shuttleworth and his journey to become a Eurovision star! Movie Link: https://youtu.be/uSWt5h0cOmY

Welcome to a two-part episode where we’ll be taking a look at the upcoming Junior Eurovision Song Contest. This week, we are reviewing all 17 entries in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest by listening and reacting to the studio tracks! Find out our thoughts on the entries, and join us in wishing each artist good luck!

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 Hungary, learning about some of their entries, their national selection methods, and some fascinating historical and musical notes! Discover some absolutely emotional and impactful entries, and reminisce about some of their bes...

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 di...

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...

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 abroa...

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...

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 w...

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!