It’s always late May on Île de Bezençon, the island has a growing collection of Eurovision songs, and it’s time to welcome another guest to our little musical oasis. This episode was recorded earlier this year, before the 2021 Contest in Rotterdam. Eurovision Insight Podcast: Eurovision Castaways with Alesia Michelle Our latest arrival on Île de Bezençon is a key member of the Eurovision fam, the wonderful Alesia Michelle! We talk about the distinctive tones of Swedish and British vocalists, enjoy a rock moment and contemplate what Måneskin could mean for bringing back the orchestra. Stay in ..read more

Ellie Chalkley is behind the customs desk as Sharleen remembers her school disco Eurovision moment, stalking Latvians in airports and the Big Balkan Ballad that changed it all. Eurovision Insight Podcast: Eurovision Castaways, with Sharleen Wright The ESC Insight crew are off to Île de Bezençon for the summer with their favourite Eurovision related songs and stories. Next up at the customs desk is Sharleen Wright who has tales of minor crimes and misdemeanours involving Tim Tams, watching the contest as a child in Australia and argues over whether or not Johnny Logan is cool. Keep  ..read more

After a short ‘in real life’ break, it’s time to return to the Île de Bezençon for the next episode in ESC Insight’s summer series. Everyone needs music on holiday, but because of some rather exquisite border rules, guests to the island can only bring eight Eurovision records and a luxury with them… and you need to get them past customs. Ellie Chalkley is still on border duty as John Paul Lucas remembers Malta, near-death experiences, and the wrong type of Eurovision fan. Eurovision Insight Podcast: Eurovision Castaways, with John Paul Lucas The ESC Insight crew continues ..read more

Time for our second visit to the Île de Bezençon, as the ESC Insight team gather for our little break over the summer months. Of course the strange rules of being on Eurovision Castaways means you can only have eight Eurovision records and a luxury… and you need to get them past customs. Ellie Chalkley returns to border duty as Ewan Spence reaches back to Bardo, further back to Gigliola Cinquetti, and forward to Poli Genova and Mika. Eurovision Insight Podcast: Eurovision Castaways, with Ewan Spence The ESC Insight crew are off to Île de Bezençon for the summer with t ..read more

Welcome to our new podcast series for the summer months. We’re all looking forward to a break, and the  ESC Insight crew are jetting in from all over the world to visit Île de Bezençon with their favourite Eurovision related songs and stories. Ellie Chalkley is on border duty as Lisa-Jayne Lewis takes us all the way from Christer Bjorkman to Conchita Wurst as she argues for her eight songs and a luxury to reach the island. Eurovision Insight Podcast: Eurovision Castaways, with Lisa-Jayne Lewis New for the Summer, the ESC Insight crew are off to Île de Bezençon with their favourite E ..read more

it’s always late May in Île de Bezençon, the island has a growing collection of Eurovision songs, and it’s time to welcome another guest to our little musical oasis. This episode was recorded earlier this year, before the sad news about the Café de Paris. Eurovision Insight Podcast: Eurovision Castaways with Rob Holley Our latest arrival on Île de Bezençon is Eurovision Again’s Rob Holley. He remembers his time in an Icelandic gym, returns to old Contests, and why the UK needs to strive for another Imaani. But will Ellie Chalkley allow his eight Eurovision tracks onto the island? Stay in tou ..read more

The calm tranquility of the Île de Bezençon awaits, as another Castaway brings their songs and luxuries to the customs desk. Eurovision Insight Podcast: Eurovision Castaways with Matt Baker The Île de Bezençon welcomes Matt Baker of the Second Cherry podcast and ESCXtra. Ellie Chalkley is here to sort out the paperwork as Matt commits mischief in Twonk, helps out in Kaunas and tells us how Eurovision helps you take things one step at a time. Stay in touch with the Eurovision Song Contest as we cover the first few months of the new season by listening to the ESC Insight podcast. You’ll find t ..read more

The Guardian’s Eurovision liveblogger Heidi Stephens joins Ellie Chalkley at the Île de Bezençon customs desk to talk dressing Måns Zelmerlow, why ‘eat my spaghetti’ is just like ‘zig a zig ah’, a Lithuanian warning from history, which UK Eurovision artists should do Strictly and the beauty of the energy of a contest host city Eurovision Insight Podcast: Eurovision Castaways with Heidi Stephens Heidi Stephens has eight records and a luxury. Ellie Chalkley has to decide if they can be taken past the customs desk and on to the Île de Bezençon. Stay in touch with the Eurovision Song Contest ove ..read more

During the first of Glasgow’s ‘Ne Party Pas Sans Moi‘ in January 2019, the mysterious and beautiful Île de Bezençon appeared on the stage, complete with Ellie Chalkley’s customs desk, and a visiting Elaine O’Neill with eight records and a luxury that will (hopefully) be welcomed on to the island. Eurovision Insight Podcast: Eurovision Castaways with Elaine O’Neill Île de Bezençon welcomes another visitor, as Elaine O’Neill brings her eight records and a luxury… if she can get them past the customs desk and Ellie Chalkley. Stay in touch with the Eurovision Song Contest over the summer months ..read more

We’ve had another visitor to the beautiful Île de Bezençon! Coinneach MacLeòid of Eurovision Choir 2019’s Scottish choir Alba joins us to talk about a formative mullet, late 80s video effects, Peak Schlager, singing ‘Spirit In The Sky‘ in Scots Gaelic with Keiino and the role of Going For Gold in European integration whilst commiserating over the Song Contest fortunes of Spain and the United Kindom. There’s also a Philip Kirkorov/Alla Pugacheva anecdote that may be one of the most piquant ever to grace the Île de Bezençon customs desk. Plus, we talk about how Coinneach and the choir Alba came ..read more