“Titanic” Spirit on “Supernova” Stage: Did Miks Galvanovskis Deliver a “Gooseberry Kick”?
A memorable performance by Miks Galvanovskis during the “Supernova” semi-final has sparked conversation in Latvian pop culture, due to a subtle yet significant choreographic detail. The moment has drawn comparisons to a decades-old performance by a beloved Latvian group, highlighting the enduring impact of past entertainment trends.
Many may have forgotten, but the Latvian schlager music group “Titāniks” once enjoyed considerable popularity. The group’s leader, Sandis Kiops, frequently sought attention in the cultural and entertainment media, delighting audiences with various stunts and performances. Even as many of the showman’s antics from that era have faded from memory, the “gooseberry kick” has remained a fixture in the nation’s collective consciousness.
Miks Galvanovskis’s performance on the “Supernova” semi-final stage brought the move back into the spotlight. The performance is part of Latvia’s selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest, a major event in the European music calendar.
Galvanovskis is competing in “Supernova 2026” with the song “Cruel Angel.” Details about the song and his participation can be found here.
In a recent interview, Galvanovskis discussed the creation of “Cruel Angel,” explaining, “The song shows that you are the one who puts all these obstacles in your own way.” He added, “This song happened by accident. I was called at the last minute to a songwriting camp because they needed a vocalist, and this guy specifically wanted to function with me. We went, I met an American songwriter who was more focused on the lyrics. Because, let’s be honest – Latvian is my strong suit, and I can’t write those words so smoothly in English. It’s great that someone finally helped me with that. We wrote the song in English and [decided] – why not? That’s how I ended up here, and now I’m already growing into the song, I’m ready to place on a good show.”
Galvanovskis also shared his experience with the song’s production process, noting, “I’m very used to producers with live instruments. At the beginning of creating this song, everything was created on a computer. I wouldn’t even say it was a negative aspect, but it was a very interesting, cool and new experience for me – you can make music even without playing instruments. Of course, we then took everything over with instruments, [did] everything else, but it’s very impressive that it turns out – you can make a song these days without playing instruments.” He further explained the song’s message: “We reckon that someone else is the ‘Cruel Angel’ in our lives who pushes us down. But the song shows that you are the one who puts all these obstacles in your own way.” More on the artist’s perspective can be found here.
The reference to the “gooseberry kick” evokes a sense of nostalgia for a specific era of Latvian entertainment, demonstrating how past performances can continue to resonate with audiences today. Apollo.lv provides further details on the cultural significance of the moment.
