As their entry was one of the last to be released, Azerbaijan’s TuralTuranX also kept fans waiting to debut a live version of their Eurovision 2023 entry “Tell Me More,” taking the opportunity to perform a live version in front of Eurovision fans at the Israel Calling pre-party held this week.
Apart from the wish to see how their entry might translate to the live stage, TuralTuranX’s entry was also highly anticipated due to the group’s history of starting out as street performers in Baku, Azerbaijan.
TuralTuranX is comprise of the twin brothers, Tural Bagmanov and Turan Bagmanov from the northwestern town of Zaqatala, and have released a rock entry that is “heavily influenced by music of the late ’60s and early ’70s.”
“Tell Me More” was co-written by the twin brothers as well as their friends Nihad Aliyev and Tunar Taghiyev, and is Azerbaijan’s first 100% locally written and produced entry since the country’s debut at Eurovision 2008.
The brothers moved to Azerbaijan’s capital Baku a couple of years ago, and earned a following by performing as street magicians and performers.
TuralTuranX were one of five finalists alongside Azer Nasibov, Humay Aslanova and Amrah Musayev, Leyla Izzatova, and Mamagama.
In February 2023, Azerbaijan’s Head of Delegation Vasif Mammadov had to fight off allegations by singer Rauf Kingsley that Mamagama were a shoo-in due to links to Eldar Gasimov, the Azerbaijani Eurovision 2011 co-winner who is working with this year’s delegation.
Though Azerbaijan got their Eurovision appearances off to a flying start, including victory at Eurovision 2011 with Ell & Nikki’s “Running Scared,” the nation has been more of a mid-table finisher since Farid Mammadov’s “Hold Me” came in second at Eurovision 2013.
Since 2014, Chingiz’s 8th placed “Truth” at Eurovision 2019 is their highest finish, a streak that included a non-qualification with Aisel’s “X My Heart” narrowly failing at Eurovision 2018.
Held at Hangar 11 in Tel Aviv, Israel, Israel Calling is a regular fixture on the Eurovision pre-party circuit and featured 18 of the 37 participating Eurovision 2023 acts.
Though not necessarily an indication of the final staging, fans watch live performances at these pre-parties with interest, and the acts can use the opportunity to work on various aspects of their show (e.g. choreography, fan interaction).
ESC United plans to have several members on the ground at future pre-parties in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, so stay tuned for act interviews and live performances and more as we ramp up to the Eurovision Grand Final on May 13, 2023, in Liverpool.
For Eurovision 2023, Azerbaijan will perform in the second half of Semi-Final 1 on May 9, 2023.
What do #YOU think of TuralTuranX’s live performance? Do #YOU think they can be a shock qualifier for the Grand Final? Let us know in the comments below, on social media, or in our forum.
