Free ESC: Useful information about the ESC preheater

Free ESC
Things to know about the ESC preheater

Conchita Wurst and Steven Gätjen again moderate the “Free ESC”.

© ProSieben / Willi Weber

On May 15, ProSieben will present the second edition of “Free ESC”. What’s behind the show and which countries are participating?

On May 15, the second edition of “Free ESC” will be broadcast on ProSieben and on Joyn (live from 8:15 pm). A total of 16 musicians from different European countries will compete for points and the trophy. What does the show have in common with the “Eurovision Song Contest”, the final of which takes place on May 22nd, and which participants are taking part?

a review

The “Eurovision Song Contest 2020” had to be canceled due to the corona pandemic. Without further ado, Stefan Raab (54) set up an alternative program. On May 16, 2020, ProSieben broadcast the “Free European Song Contest”, or “Free ESC” for short, at prime time. Raab was on board as a producer and described the show in advance as “the birth of a new, free European song competition”. The show was moderated by Steven Gätjen (48) and the Austrian ESC winner from 2014, Conchita Wurst (32).

15 music stars, including Nico Santos (28) and Sarah Lombardi (28), competed for Croatia, Israel, Turkey, Denmark, Switzerland, Great Britain, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Bulgaria, Italy, Ireland and Kazakhstan and represented their respective homeland. Helge Schneider (65) was on stage for Germany – but he could not get the victory. In the end, Nico Santos took home the trophy for Spain.

The concept

The concept of the show remains in the second edition. The prominent musicians perform live in Cologne one after the other for their home country and with their songs. After the performances, the audience cast their votes. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, voting takes place via telephone and SMS. You cannot vote for your own country. At the end, local representatives of the respective countries announce the awarding of points, this year including Johnny Logan (66, Ireland), Lucas Cordalis (53, Greece), Sylvie Meis (43, Netherlands), Monica Ivancan (43, Croatia), Pietro Lombardi (28, Italy) or Nathan Evans (26, Scotland). Each country awards points 1 to 8, 10 and 12 points. Whoever scoops the most points wins the singing competition. The second edition will also be moderated by Conchita Wurst and Steven Gätjen.

The participants of the second “Free ESC”

16 countries start: Belgium: Milow (39), England: Mighty Oaks, France: Hugel (33), Greece: Sotiria (34), Ireland: Rea Garvey (48), Italy: Mandy Capristo (31), Croatia : Jasmin Wagner (41), Netherlands: Danny Vera (43), Austria: Mathea (22), Poland: Fantasy, Scotland: Amy Macdonald (33), Switzerland: Seven (42), Slovenia: Ben Dolic (24), Spain : Juan Daniél, Turkey: Elif (28). France, Slovenia, Belgium, Scotland and Greece are participating in the “Free ESC” for the first time. The audience will only find out about the participant for Germany on Saturday evening in the show. Stefan Raab reveals in advance: “This year too, there is a real legend going for Germany. He also looks incredibly good.”

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