Introduction

• Participant(s): Minus One
  
• Song: Alter Ego
  
• Writer(s): Thomas G:son & Minus One
  
• Composer(s): Thomas G:son & Minus One
  
• Broadcaster: CyBC
  
• Social media: 
• Team review: 

The Cypriot broadcaster CyBC has announced the rock group Minus One last year already in an internal selection. Last year CyBC has arranged a large scale national selection, at least Cyprus ended up in the Grand Final in Vienna. This year’s song “Alter Ego” has been released in early 2016. The group members are Francois Micheletto (lead singer), Constantinos Amerikanos, Harrys Pari, Antonis Loizides and Chris J.

The band Minus One was formed in 2009 and was known as a cover band which is not only playing rock but also other music genres. The band has already tried to enter the ESC in 2015 with the song “Shine” where they came 3rd.

The song “Alter Ego” has been co-written by the Swedish ESC guru Thomas G:son, who was also responsible for the production. He composed the winning entry “Euphoria” for Loreen in 2012. This year’s Cypriot entry has nothing typical Cypriot at all, it’s a glam rock number, which could have come from any country. The song is about a wild love with a rocky tune, many e-guitar sounds, but also has strong recognizable chorus. In a way it’s neither a real rock song nor a pop song. Let’s see if this Swedish-Cypriot combination works out for Cyprus. Good Luck!

History

• Debut: 1981
• Participations: 33
• Victories: 0
• Finals: 26
• Top 10: 9
• Chance for Top 10: 27 %

Cyprus joined the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981, seven years later than Greece. With the first Cypriot song “Monika” by Island Cyprus could achieve the 6th rank, which is not too bad for a debut year. Since then Cyprus is participating on a regular basis in the ESC. In 1988 the entry was disqualified in advance as the song has been published before the deadline. In other years Cyprus had to pause to the current EBU regulations.

Music from Cyprus has always been warm-hearted and showed all the enthusiasm of the composers and singers. Of course the music taste is similar to the neighbour country Greece. Sometimes the singers are well known in both countries and the singers are exchanged like Anna Vissi or Elpida. Both countries have often been criticised that they have been too generous with their 12 point to each other. But this phenomenon can also be noticed in the Balkan or Scandinavian countries. Greece is mostly set in the other Semi Final to avoid vote exchanges, but this year both countries will start in the Semi Final 1 in Stockholm.

In the past years Cyprus utilizes the free choice of language, Evridiki has once tried it in French with “Comme ci comme ca” and did not qualify for the Grand Final in Helsinki 2007. Every year Cyprus has to get through the qualification process, since the Semi Finals have been introduced. Cyprus took part in the Grand Final for 26 times and could reach the Top10 nine times. The chances for a Top10 placing is approximately 27%. The best place Cyprus could reach was the 5th place and at least for three times.