About Instead We Made A Pod - A Eurovision Podcast
Hello and welcome to Instead We Made a Pod - a Eurovision podcast from The Phoenix ESC! Adam and MJ will be your hosts joined by guests and The Phoenix Team as we take you through the exciting twists and turns of everything Eurovision!
From rewatches of previous Grand Finals to all the upcoming news of the Eurovision season, we've got you covered!
Check us out on our socials here:
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/ThePhoenixESC
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thephoenixesc/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thephoenixesc
www.phoenixesc.com
Instead We Made a Pod is back with our latest instalment and this week it's time to head to Sweden for our review of Melodifestivalen 2025! 🇸🇪
12 artists will compete in Sweden's popular Melfest national final but only one will be crowned the winner and represent Sweden at Eurovision 2025 🎤
MJ and resident Phoenix expert Liv discuss their favourite competing entries across the heats and give their thoughts and predictions on who will win!
Can Måns Zelmerlöw seal a second Melfest victory and represent Sweden again? We'll find out on Saturday 8 March when the Melfest Final takes place at 20:00 CET live from the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm
Competing artists and songs:
John Lundvik - "Voice of the Silent"
Dolly Style - "Yihaa"
Greczula - "Believe Me"
Klara Hammarström - "On and On and On"
Scarlet - "Sweet N' Psycho"
Erik Segerstedt - "Show Me What Love Is"
Maja Ivarsson - "Kamikaze Life"
Meira Omar - "Hush Hush"
Måns Zelmerlöw - "Revolution"
Saga Ludvigsson - "Hate You So Much"
Annika Wickihalder - "Life Again"
Kaj - "Bara bada bastu"
Hosts - MJ & Liv
Produced by - Aaron (@Aaron_F320 (https://twitter.com/Aaron_F320))
Listen now to find out more and don't forget you can keep up with all the latest Eurovision news by following us @ThePhoenixESC (https://twitter.com/ThePhoenixESC)
Eurovision, Eurovision Song Contest, ESC, ESC2025, Eurovision 2025, Melfest 2025, Melodifestivalen, Mello, Melfest, National Final, Sweden, Stockholm, music analysis, songs, Måns Zelmerlöw, Phoenix ESC, finalkval, culture, entertainment
16 Feb 2025
Ukraine 🇺🇦 - Vidbir 2025
Episode 3 is here and this week we're bringing you our pre show thoughts, discussions and predictions on Ukraine's national final, Vidbir 2025 ! 🇺🇦
Adam and MJ are joined by previous Vidbir episode guest and friend of the show, ESC Gottem (@escgottem (https://x.com/escgottem)). They explore the mixed opinions surrounding the quality of this year's songs, highlight the wild card entry, and delve into specific tracks. The conversation also touches on the representation of post-punk music in Vidbir and concludes with predictions for the winner.
Ten artists competed in Ukraine's national final which took place on 8 February 2025 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Competing artists and songs:
Vlad Sheryf - Wind of Change
Abiye - Дім
MOLODI - my sea
Future Culture - Waste My Time
Masha Kondratenko - No Time to Cry
KHAYAT - HONOR
FIЇNKA - Культура
KRYLATA - STAY TRUE
Ziferblat - Bird of Pray
DK Energetyk - Сіль
Hosts - Adam P & MJ
Special Guest - ESC Gottem
Produced by - Aaron (@Aaron_F320 (https://twitter.com/Aaron_F320))
Listen now to find out more and don't forget you can keep up with all the latest Eurovision news by following us @ThePhoenixESC (https://twitter.com/ThePhoenixESC)
Vidbir 2025, Eurovision, Ukrainian music, national finals, music critique, song reviews, Masha Kondratenko, FIЇNKA, Vlad Sheryf, DK Energetyk, Vidbir, Eurovision 2025, ESC, ESC2025, Ukraine
4 Feb 2025
Ireland 🇮🇪 - Eurosong 2025
Episode 2 of Instead We Made a Pod's new season is here and this week we're bringing you our review of all things Eurosong 2025 ! 🇮🇪
Six artists will compete in Ireland's popular Late Late Show national final but only one will be crowned Bambi Thug's successor and represent Ireland at Eurovision 2025 🎤
Join Adam and MJ plus this week's special guest Alex Basmati from the amazing Eirevision podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/711bkfwUSjYZ9CGx3tQoSg?si=0eea08aa8e344306) (@eirevisionpod (https://x.com/EirevisionPod)) as they review each of the competing entries and give their thoughts and predictions on who will win!
The Late Late Show Eurosong 2025 will take place at RTÉ Television Centre, Dublin on Friday 7 February.
Competing artists and songs:
Bobbi Arlo - Powerplay
Reylta - Fire
Adgy - Run into the Night
Samantha Mumba - My Way
EMMY - Laika Party
NIYL - Growth
Hosts - Adam P & MJ
Special Guest - Alex Basmati
Produced by - Aaron (@Aaron_F320 (https://twitter.com/Aaron_F320))
Listen now to find out more and don't forget you can keep up with all the latest Eurovision news by following us @ThePhoenixESC (https://twitter.com/ThePhoenixESC)
Eurovision, Eurosong, Ireland, Ireland Eurosong, NIYL, EMMY, Samantha Mumba, Adgy, Bobbi Arlo, Reylta, music analysis, national final, Ireland, podcast, Eurovision 2025, Eurovision Song Contest, RTE, Eirevision, Late Late Show
23 Jan 2025
Finland 🇫🇮 - UMK 2025
The 2025 Eurovision season is here and Instead We Made a Pod is back for season 2!
We're kicking off the new Eurovision year with a brand new episode all about the upcoming Finnish National Final, UMK!
In this episode, MJ and Georga dive into UMK 2025, discussing the national final's songs, their impressions, and predictions.
Six artists will battle it out at the Nokia Arena in Tampere, on Saturday 8th February to become Finland's entry for Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland.
Competing artists:
NEEA RIVER - Nightmares
Nelli Matula - Hitaammin Hautaan
costee - Sekaisin
VIIVI - Aina
Goldielocks - Made Of
Erika Vikman - ICH KOMME
Hosts - MJ & Georga
Produced by - Aaron (@Aaron_F320 (https://twitter.com/Aaron_F320))
Listen now to find out more and don't forget you can keep up with all the latest Eurovision news by following us @ThePhoenixESC (https://twitter.com/ThePhoenixESC)
Eurovision, Eurovision 2025, UMK 2025, Finland, song reviews, national finals, Eurovision predictions, music analysis, pop songs, ballads, Eurovision Song Contest, music
27 Apr 2024
Internal Selections - 🇧🇪🇬🇷🇳🇱🇦🇺🇦🇹🇨🇭
We're back with a brand new episode and this week it's all about artists that were selected internally by their broadcasters. In this episode we're talking about:
Belgium 🇧🇪 - Mustii - Before The Party's Over
Greece 🇬🇷 - Marina Satti - ZARI
Netherlands 🇳🇱 - Joost Klein - Europapa
Australia 🇦🇺 - Electric Fields - One Milkali (One Blood)
Austria 🇦🇹 - Kaleen - We Will Rave
Switzerland 🇨🇭- Nemo - The Code
Hosts - Adam & MJ
Produced by - Aaron (@Aaron_F320 (https://twitter.com/Aaron_F320))
Listen now to find out more and don't forget you can keep up with all the latest Eurovision news by following us @ThePhoenixESC (https://twitter.com/ThePhoenixESC)
17 Apr 2024
London Eurovision Party 2024
As Eurovision draws ever closer, pre parties are in full swing. Recently MJ and Georga attended London Eurovision Party and in this episode they tell you all about their experience including discussing some acts for 2024 that we haven't talked about yet! 🇬🇧
If you would like a fabulous bracelet, you can find Georga's etsy store here: BraceletsByGeorga - Etsy (https://t.co/xA960jgj9T)
London Eurovision Party 2024 took place on 7 April at Outernet in London
Hosts - Adam & Georga
Produced by - Aaron (@Aaron_F320 (https://twitter.com/Aaron_F320))
Listen now to find out more and don't forget you can keep up with all the latest Eurovision news by following us @ThePhoenixESC (https://twitter.com/ThePhoenixESC)
BraceletsByGeorga - Etsy (https://t.co/xA960jgj9T)
19 Mar 2024
Sweden 🇸🇪 - Melodifestivalen 2024
We're back with a brand new episode and this week it's all about Sweden 🇸🇪 So grab your towels, it's time to talk everything Melodifestivalen!
Adam & MJ are here to take you through the Melfest final as hosts Sweden chose their artist for Malmö - including some behind the scenes info as MJ was a member of accredited online press for Mello this year!
A huge thanks to SVT for granting us online press accreditation this year and for the amazing shows!
Melodifestivalen 2024 took place on Saturday 9 March at Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.
Hosts - Adam & MJ
Produced by - Aaron (@Aaron_F320 (https://twitter.com/Aaron_F320))
Listen now to find out more and don't forget you can keep up with all the latest Eurovision news by following us @ThePhoenixESC (https://twitter.com/ThePhoenixESC)
13 Feb 2024
Finland 🇫🇮 - UMK 2024
We're back with another national final review and this week it's all about Finland 🇫🇮! That's right we're talking everything UMK (Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu).
In this episode MJ is joined by Phoenix's queen of the spreadsheet and UMK super fan Georga (@__georga (https://x.com/__georga?s=21&t=Z5-If-JU3m5sxM_BCAhn5Q)) to take you through everything that happened as Finland made their choice for Malmö 🇸🇪
UMK 2024 was held on 10 February 2024 at the Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland. Show clips are the property and copyright of broadcaster YLE.
Listen now to find out more and don't forget you can keep up with all the latest Eurovision news by following us @ThePhoenixESC (https://twitter.com/ThePhoenixESC)
8 Feb 2024
Ukraine 🇺🇦 - Vidbir 2024
In our latest episode we are talking everything Vidbir as last week Ukraine 🇺🇦 selected their entry for Eurovision 2024! 🇸🇪
Adam and MJ are joined by Gottem (@escgottem (https://twitter.com/escgottem)) as they discuss the high's and low's of Ukraine's National Final including what happened with the all important public vote...👀
Vidbir 2024 was held in Kyiv, Ukraine on 3rd February 2024 with the results show broadcast on 4th February 2024.
If you would like to make a donation, you can donate to Ukraine at the following link: https://war.ukraine.ua/donate/ (https://war.ukraine.ua/donate/)
Listen now to find out more and don't forget you can keep up with all the latest Eurovision news by following us @ThePhoenixESC (https://twitter.com/ThePhoenixESC)
19 Jan 2024
Eurosong 2024 🇮🇪 - Ailsha Interview
It's time to get excited for Ireland to select their entry for Eurovision 2024 and what better way to do this than to introduce one of the artists hoping to represent the emerald isle in Malmo.
Adam and MJ sat down with current favourite Ailsha (@ailshamusic (https://www.instagram.com/ailshamusic/?hl=en)) to find out more about her and her song 'Go Tobann'
Ireland's National Final 'Eurosong' takes place on 26th January from the RTÉ studios in Dublin.
Listen now to find out more and don't forget you can keep up with all the latest Eurovision news by following us @ThePhoenixESC (https://x.com/ThePhoenixESC?s=20)
*Information in episode correct at the time of recording
20 Dec 2023
Czechia 🇨🇿 - ESCZ 2024
National Final season for Eurovision 2024 is well and truly underway so we thought what better place to start than by reviewing the first one of the year!
That of course is ESCZ, the national final of Czechia 🇨🇿. This week Adam & MJ are joined by Gabe (@esc_Gabe) from ESC United who was in Prague for the final live from the Roxy.
Listen now to find out more and don't forget you can keep up with all the latest Eurovision news by following us @ThePhoenixESC (https://x.com/ThePhoenixESC?s=20)
All sound clips copy write ESCZ/ČT
8 Nov 2023
Rewatch Like a Phoenix - Eurovision 1981
We're back with another episode in our Rewatch Like a Phoenix Series!
This week Adam & MJ are joined by special guest Johnnie (@norparjohnnie) from ESC Pulse as we take you all the way back to Eurovision 1981, as decided by you our wonderful listeners.
How well do you know your Björn Skifs from your Bucks Fizz? Listen to this episode to find out more.
The Eurovision Song Contest 1981 was the 26th edition and was held on 4 April 1981 at the Royal Dublin Society in Dublin, Ireland after Johnny Logan won in 1980 with the song 'What's Another Year?'.
This was Ireland's second time hosting the contest.
Follow us @thephoenixesc (https://x.com/ThePhoenixESC?s=20) to keep up to date with all the latest Eurovision news and more!
25 Oct 2023
Rewatch Like a Phoenix - Eurovision 1996
This week we're going back to the 90s! Adam and MJ are joined by Adam O as we go all the way back to a time when people got dressed up fancy to go to Eurovision and the televote didn't even exist.
You guessed it, as voted by you, we're rewatching Eurovision 1996.
The Eurovision Song Contest 1996 was the 41st edition and was held on 18 May 1996 at the Oslo Spektrum in Oslo, Norway after Secret Garden won in 1995 with the sensational song 'Nocturne'.
This was Norway's second time hosting the contest.
Follow us @thephoenixesc (https://x.com/ThePhoenixESC?s=20) to keep up to date with all the latest Eurovision news and more!
11 Oct 2023
Rewatch Like a Phoenix - Eurovision 2009
It's the third episode in our Rewatch Like a Phoenix series and this week Adam and MJ are reliving Eurovision 2009 as chosen by you, our amazing listeners!
The Eurovision Song Contest 2009 was the 54th edition and was held on 16 May 2009 at the Olympiysky Arena in Moscow, Russia following Dima Bilan's win in 2008 with the song 'Believe'. This was Russia's first time hosting the contest.
Follow us @thephoenixesc (https://x.com/ThePhoenixESC?s=20) to keep up to date with all the latest Eurovision news and more!
27 Sept 2023
Rewatch Like a Phoenix - Eurovision 2018
It's the second episode of our Rewatch Like a Phoenix series and you guys chose Eurovision 2018 as the next year to rewatch!
This week Adam and MJ are joined by Phoenix Team Contributors Georga and Eleanor to talk all things 2018.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2018 was the 63rd edition and was held on 12 May 2018 at the Altice Arena in Lisbon, Portugal following Salvador Sobral's win in 2017 with the song Amar Pelos Dois. This was Portugal's first time hosting the contest.
Follow us @thephoenixesc (https://x.com/ThePhoenixESC?s=20) to keep up to date with all the latest Eurovision news and more!
13 Sept 2023
Rewatch Like a Phoenix - Eurovision 2023
In the first episode of our Rewatch Like a Phoenix series, Adam and MJ are joined by The Phoenix ESC's own AJ (@OneiroMou) to discuss all things Eurovision 2023 after rewatching the grand final.
The team talk about their memories of 2023, their individual top 5 and we get an insight from AJ on what it's like when Eurovision comes to your hometown!
Keep up to date with all the latest news and Eurovision coverage @thephoenixesc
30 Aug 2023
Preview - Instead We Made a Pod
We've made a podcast! 🥳
Welcome to the first instalment of Instead We Made a Pod - a brand new Eurovision podcast brought to you by The Phoenix ESC Team.
In this preview episode we introduce your wonderful hosts Adam & MJ who discuss their top 3 moments of Eurovision 2023 and give us a flavour of what is to come in our exciting new podcast series.
Follow us @thephoenixesc for more.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 45 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
66
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
60
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