12points.tv

The big 5. Yesterday the five countries contributing most to the contest and therefor entitled to a final placing immediately, hit the stage for the first time.

This year we have to admit that the big five have all invested in quality, strong voices, experienced singers (with young German Roman Lob being the exception when it comes to much experience) and good songs. And, well, their long awaited first rehearsals mostly went well too. Not splendid in every detail, but it would be boring if there were to be nothing to improve still.

For all common countries the Baku experience has started last weekend, now the big five are getting ready to enter the home of Eurovision this year.

Today the second round of rehearsals start for all semi finalists. All rehearsals will be a bit shorter so more of them are fitted in a day too. Tomorrow this will continue and go on on Saturday and Sunday. In the weekend the big five (Spain, France, UK, Germany and Italy) will also start their rehearsals as well as host country Azerbaijan. Are they ready for it?

++ Jedward's new single ++ Anggun get's bored a lot  ++ Armenia fined ++ Fins and fashion ++ Zeljko in Spanish ++..

It's all about Euro 2012. Not only we have Eurovision coming up, there seems to be something going on with soccer as well. This did get noted by the Jedwards too. You might recognise the music to their single Put the green cape on, that was released today. "Here we come, here we come, we've got Europe on the run."

Anggun met with 12points.tv's reporter Rick to talk about her three decade-long career, her influences, and spider webs.

It took a few hours, but after trying to secure a time to meet with Anggun at the London Eurovision party, I was finally able to corner her a few minutes before she was due to go on stage. Sitting in a dark VIP lounge surrounded by Kaliopi's large entourage and Kati Wolf's manager eating gummi bears, it was too dark for me to even see the questions that I'd dutifully prepared to ask the Indonesian-born, French-residing superstar. Fortunately, Anggun is very chatty and I just let her lead the way. She's sung in 3 languages, performed at the Vatican and has constantly reinvented herself, and now with her ESC 2012 appearance, let's hope that her appearance in front of 150 million viewers will introduce a giant new audience to her talents.

++ Interval acts announced ++ Germany vs Azerbaijan  ++ First MF act announced for Stockholm Pride ++ Why we adore Litesound ++..

Today Eurovision.tv has revealed some news about the interval acts during Eurovision. Untill yesterday the presidential son-in-law had not yet received an invitation despite the fact that he announced his participation already a few months ago. Today at last the confirmation did come. Emin Agaralov will be joined by a mixture of foreign and local stars, from traditional to pop culture.

12points.tv reporter Rick was at the London Eurovision concert, and 2 days later still has no voice.

++ Ivi vs Ela ++ Getting prepared for Amsterdam!  ++ More keychanges will make the world a better place++ ..

Jedward have their Eurovision costume budget cut. In stead of the 14 costumes they wanted they will have to settle for seven. The twins told the Evening Herald, "We're going to go all out to make sure they look amazing. We want some LED lights put in them and have see-through trainers with maybe some fish in the soles. We're going to look awesome, it's what our fans expect of us." Let's see what the guys will be wearing this weekend. They are going to be one of the 24 acts at Eurovision in Concert in Amsterdam.

++ Most expensive contest ever! ++ New albums and singles released  ++ Finally a Eurovision song in Azerbaijani! ++..

"Blood of the European scum must be shed by the will of Allah.", that's the statement a Azeri terror group has released yeaterday. This message came shortly after a crackdown on the group by Azeri authorities. Extra measurements have been taken now to assure the safety of all artists participating.

++ German/Azeri war of words ++ Newcastle goes Eurovision  ++ Joan Franka's adorable video ++

Hello out there from 12points.tv HQ. We are busy preparing for some travels. Between us in the coming weeks we will be covering the Eurvision in Concert event in Amsterdam, the London Eurovision concert in ... you guessed it... London, and of course the big mother event of them all in Azerbaijan. And speaking of Azerbaijan...

++ Your daily Eurovision update ++ Scandal in Bulgaria ++ No scandal in Russia ++ 12points party successful again ++..

A BBC team traveled to Buranov, the home village of the grannies representing Russia this year to find out about their background. Viktor Drobysh, the composer of Party for everybody revealed: "One of the grannies, Natalia Pugachyova, has a very jealous husband, who plans to travel to Baku with her because he thinks that she might be having a lover there. Well, let him go with her. The Eurovision contest should by no means be a reason for divorce." Read more here.