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It’s all go in Malmö…

Life inside the Eurovision bubble began last night. I arrived at the Malmö arena about 30 minutes before the first Jury final. Here’s the venue for the Eurovision Song Contest 2013…

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Compared to previous years the venue is quite small, but as always the atmosphere is great.  Last night I was there for the first Jury Final. In essence this is the run-through of the first semi-final which is recorded just in case the live satellite feed goes down tonight (you can watch it on BBC3 tonight at 8.00pm!). It is also the night that the international juries cast their votes. Once again this year the voting comprises 50% jury vote and 50% televoting. Over the years the juries (music professionals) have changed the fortunes of some songs quite dramatically. In 2011 our own entry, reformed boyband Blue, finished in fifth place on the public vote.  By the time the juries has had their say we finished in 11th.  So, the jury finals are quite important – and I guess they are the first real test for all the performers.

The show was great – and I’ll be giving you my thoughts on it this afternoon. Once again, it’s a slick production.  Here’s the arena, and me, after the show – you know, to prove that I am really here…

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Before leaving the venue a quick trip to the press centre and to pick up our pack of freebies (all very good quality this year!). The press centre, as some have commented, looks bigger than the arena! They might be right, but it’s fab.  A really interesting space in which to work, write, report, observe and get giddy.  Here’s a few pics of it (apols for my usual dodgy camera work)…

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It’s an intriguing space – and it’ll be great to report from there for you guys over the next few days.  See you later today for my run-through the runners and riders in the first semi-final of the Eurovision…