by Kevin Sherwin, freelance journalist
The Humans band will represent Romania to the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal. The band won the finals of the national Eurovision selection, with the song “Goodbye”.
At the end of those five semifinals of the national selection, which was a first for the Eurovision Romania’s history, 15 songs have raced in the Sunday’s final on the stage of the Polyvalent Hall in the Capital, in a show made by the Romanian public broadcaster: The HUMANS („Goodbye”); Eduard Santha („Mesom Romales”); Echoes („Mirror”); Alexia & Matei („Walking On Water”); Jukebox feat Bella Santiago („Auzi Cum bate”); MIHAI („Heaven”); Rafael & Andy („We Are one”); Ermino Sinni & Titziana Camelin („All The Love Away”); Vyros („La La La”); Xandra („Try”); Feli („Bună De Iubit”); Tiri („Deşert De Sentimente”); Claudia Andas („The One”); Dora Gaitanovici („Fără Tine”) and Teodora Dinu („Fly”)
“Goodbye” has been selected by televoting as the winner of the finals and will represent Romania in Lisbon in May.
“The Humans” is a funk-pop-rock band made of six members: Adi Tetrade (drums), Alin Neagoe (bass), Alexandru Matei (keyboards), Alex Cismaru (guitar), Adrian Tănase (voice), Cristina Caramarcu (voice).
“Goodbye” is a rock ballad, and lead singer Cristina Caramarcu is what I would describe as a “rock chick” with shades of Pat Benatar, Kim Carnes and Stevie Nicks. It was the result of a 100% televote and the Romanian public voted to send the band to Lisbon. They will now take part in a mini Eurovision tour visiting such cities as Amsterdam and London to promote the song.
Live from the Sala Polivalenta, they beat Alexia & Matei into second place with their song “Walking on Water.” Third place went to the Pre show favourite Feli with her song “Royalty.”
Some bands have been around for ever but The Humans were only formed 12 months ago and this is their first attempt at Selectia Nationala. They have been drawn in the first part of Semi Final 2 which will be broadcast on Thursday 10th of May at the Altice Arena in the Portuguese Capital of Lisbon.
According to TVR, the motto of the band is “We believe in Humanity”. “Their music is an assumed act of creation, not just imitation,” the organizers said.
The latest single released by the Humans, “Goodbye”, is composed by Alin Neagoe, Cristina Caramarcu and Alexandru Matei.
With a total of six top 10 placements, Romania’s best results at Eurovision have been 3rd in 2005 with Luminita Anghel & Sistem, 4th in 2006 with Mihai Traistariu, and 3rd in 2010 with Paula Seling & Ovi.
Joining Romania in Semi Final 2 will be Moldova who chose their act on Saturday night Doredos will sing “My Lucky Day” and hopefully both countries will be amongst the 10 Qualifiers that will take their place in the Grand Final on the 12th of May. This will be Romania’s 19th appearance at the Eurovision Song Contest having made their debut at the 1994 contest.
The Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Lisbon on the 8th, 10th & 12th of May. It is the first time Portugal have staged the contest after Salvador Sobral won with his song “Amar Pelos Dois” last year in Kiev.