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Here is the hot, hot, hot second favourite this year (at the time of writing) – Sakis Rouvas. When he first represented Greece in 2004 he had an infectious song (8/10) and weak vocals (4/10). That was only good enough for 3rd place. There have been concerns about his vocals this time around – so let’s see how he did in his first rehearsal…

Personally, I would put this way ahead of Norway at this stage – it has great stage presence and the choreography is as dynamic as the song.

Estonia

I’m thinking of my good friend Paul Jordan at this point – who is an expert on all things Ukrainian and Estonian – he’s in the process of completing his PhD in that area. I think this is in contention…

(warning – this footage contains a Lilly Allen copycat fringe, in the absence of any strobe lighting)

Paul has arrived in Moscow and was gushing about the magnitude of the stage – I can’t wait to see it on Monday. Paul also said that this performance is strong – and so he’ll be waving his Estonian flag with pride. One to watch, and surely it will make it to the final.

Azerbaijan

I quite like this (“when I listen to it on my iPod” ©), but I think I have listened to it too many times over the last few months and so I’m a little bored with it now. My eurofan friends have warned me that the performers can’t deliver us a quality live vocal, so lets see…

I think that they can deliver – it’s just a shame that they have removed the crucial middle eight into the key change. Eurovision songs are well renowned for a key change, so it is more than noticeable that they have removed it. This song does remind me of the Greek entry from 2001…

Quartissimo & Martina’s first rehearsal for Slovenia

Poor Martina – trapped in a sleeping beauty’s glass coffin for half of the song…

And no vocal until half way through the song? You might think that’s rather odd for a song contest, but no – in 1995 Norway won the grand prix with a largely instrumental song…

 Is this ‘Love’ at first sight for Lithuania?

 

 Lithuania have sent the love child of Alicia Keys and Justin Timberlake to the Eurovision this year…

The piano refrain sounds like “Falling” by Alicia Keys, and Sasha Son is styled like JT. Is it me or can you start singing “we are the champions my friend” at some point in the melody – see if you can pick up that thread in the song.

Finally for now – from the bottom to The Toppers

Here’s what The Netherlands are offering this year…

Like a group of dads at the family disco, anyone? They’re massive stars in The Netherlands, apparently… but why is that backing singer selling cornettos on stage?

Here is the hot, hot favourite for the Contest this year – Alexander Ryback singing for Norway…

 

 

 

 

I wonder if Alexander has a signed letter from his mother to be there… he looks very young!  My good friend (and euro scholar) Professor Brian Singleton informs me that the Maltese singer thinks that he looks like Harry Potter – the early years.  I guess there is a touch of Daniel Radcliffe to him, but still – a saucer of milk for Chiara!

 

 

I’m the kiss of death when it comes to backing a winner – but does it sound like a winner to you?  Get involved and let me know.  The staging is all a bit chaotic for my liking – although the Cossack inspired choreography will curry favour from Eastern European viewers, I’m sure. 

 

The odds have narrowed even further so the bookies must like what they see.

 

Tonight, Matthew, I’m Ronan Keating…

 

This is Danish singer, Brinck…

 

 

You’d have to agree with me that he sounds a wee bit like Ronan Keating.  He might even look slightly like him?

 

 

Well – and this is where it gets really interesting – the song is written by Ronan Keating!  We might ask ourselves why Ronan himself is not singing for Denmark, or indeed representing his home turf with this song.  Some Irish eyes were raised at Ronan’s involvement with the Danish delegation, but perhaps he didn’t want to be the second turkey to represent Ireland in as many years… Dustin the Turkey didn’t exactly wow Europe last time around.  I guess Denmark have found one way to get some easy votes out of the Irish jury and televoters – and it stands a good chance of making an impression in the first semi-final (Tuesday 12 May).  And with Ronan Keating in mind…

 

Will Irish eyes be smiling?

 

 

Last year it was the rather odd choice of television personality and, erm, puppet “Dustin the Turkey” to fly the flag for Ireland.  He was always a controversial choice, and the viewers around Europe did not get the joke – mind you I struggled myself.  This year RTÉ (the Irish broadcaster) have sought to make amends by not sending a literal turkey… but is the song, performed by Sinead Mulvey and Black Daisy, set for a good stuffing?

 

 

Very derivative of P!nk and other female artists. It’s quite catchy, but I think it will struggle to get to the final.  Although I must be kind as Brian and myself have tickets for the final courtesy of the Irish Eurovision Fanclub.  I’ll have my flag ready for Sinead and the girls.

 

All the World’s a stage…

 

 

And finally today we have the Polish entry – a song which I quite like when I hear it on my iPod (other portable audio devices are available!).  However, at this early stage of rehearsals Lidia Kopania’s performance is pitchy and nervous.  I think it’s easy for us as television viewers to forget that performing on the Eurovision stage is a daunting prospect, and some artists will need rehearsal time to build their confidence.  I’m also reflecting on the size of the stage this year – it’s massive.  It feels like this performance is being overwhelmed by the size of the space in which they have to perform.  I’ll be interested to see the later rehearsal footage to see how it progresses.  See what you think…

 

 

And I have the first curse of my media interviews!  No sooner had I said in a radio interview with Dune FM this afternoon that I thought there were fewer novelties and distractions for the viewer to absorb, the Polish rehearsal throws in pointless ballet dancers as a sideline to the main performer.  I find it distracting and irritating – and it seems at odds with the song.  If you look closely at the backing singers I’m sure you can see them chuckle slightly when the dancers start ‘throwing some shapes’… isn’t that what ‘the kids’ say these days.  I’ll check with Tanya Byron…

 

See you for other well regarded songs from Azerbaijan, Greece, Ukraine and Estonia in the next post.

I know some people who love Maltesers.  I know loads of Eurofans who love one Maltese-er in particular – the representative for Malta, Chiara.

 

 

Now, if it’s true that God loves a trier then Chiara must feel blessed. This year marks Chiara’s third participation in Eurovision.  In 1998 she came third, in 2005 she came second – will she go one better in 2009 and claim victory at the grand prix de l’Eurovision?

 

Chiara is a seasoned performer, and as you will see from her first rehearsal yesterday, she has a powerful voice. 

 

 

It’s interesting that the arrangement of this song has been improved since it was selected. This is quite important as there is a ‘battle of the ballads’ amongst the favoured songs – including our own Jade Ewen for the UK. I have contacts with the Maltese delegation so hopefully I’ll be able to meet Chiara for one of my many blatant attempts to be seen with the runners and riders at this years Eurovision!

 

A warm reception for Iceland…

 

 

Interest in the Icelandic entry is building – and you can see why from the footage of the first rehearsal…

 

 

I have long believed that solo singers do really well when they are supported by excellent backing singers – and that is definitely what Iceland are doing here.  Last year Norway had an excellent song which was very well supported by powerful backing vocals and they snagged fifth place in the final.  Eagle-eyed fans might have noticed that it looks like Friðrik Ómar, lead singer on the 2008 Icelandic entry, is back at Eurovision – this time in a supporting role.  

 

The battle begins for Bosnia…

 

  

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina sent a slightly eccentgric entry to Belgrade last year. This year it is all more earnest and anthemic.  The group are Regina, and they are joined on stage by three drummers, for theatrical effect.  Choreography is effective but you will notice that there are some pitchy vocals at this early stage, and what sounds like someone dropping a drum…

 

 

One of my early favourites – and following the rehearsal yesterday it has jumped to fourth favourite with the bookies.  All eyes will be on the leading contender Norway at the rehearsals on Tuesday afternoon.  Let’s see if it can maintain its position…

 

It’s all go in Moscow with the first rehearsals underway for the semi-finals next week.  Some of my friends and Eurovision scholars are already in the city and in the Olimpiyski arena to watch the first rehearsals of all 42 countries.  Can you imagine!

By the time I get to Moscow next Sunday the majority of the rehearsals will be finished, although it was interesting last year to watch the dress rehearsals for the semi-finals and see that some of the performances and logistical transitions between entries were still a little rough around the edges.  That said, with the magic of television it all goes smoothly on the night.

I have no intention of subjecting you to the rehearsals of all the countries, instead I thought we could have a butchers at the cream of the crop – the favourites with the bookies – or some of the more interesting entries.  Here’s footage of what was going on on the first day of rehearsals…

 Hadise rehearses for Turkey…

Currently (and consistently) third fave with the bookies, behind Norway and Greece.  It’s a ‘Ronseal’ entry this year for Turkey – it does exactly what it says on the tin… very Turkish. Let’s not forget that Holly Valance did a cover version of “Kiss Kiss” all those years ago (which was originally a Turkish song), and there’s definitely a flavour of that here – as well as a little Shakira Shakira.  Neill Cockwill has put a few quid on this song after being subjected to it in our office since January!

Lovebugs get their campaign rolling for Switzerland…

 

Were you expecting that?  One of the more rockier numbers should hopefully get through the semis… Turkey did very well with a similar song last year.  Did you know that Celine Dion won for Switzerland in 1988 – beating the UK by one point?

Will you adore-a Andorra?

One for the Miley Cyrus/ Hannah Montana crowd?  A pleasant little ditty – with a catchy chorus. A friend of mine is convinced this will do rather well. I’m not completely convinced myself!

Viva La Diva for Sweden…

This will go one of two ways – the audience of Europe will love it or hate it. I know that Julie Climpson loves it – every time she passes my office and hears it she tells me that it’s her favourite! And you have to agree it’ll stand out for many reasons. 

At this early stage of rehearsals you notice things like the mike level for the backing singers isn’t strong enough in the mix – but it’ll get sorted as they refine the performance.

So there we are – day one of the rehearsals in Moscow. Last year I thought that the stage was stunning in the arena, and I think that the versatility of it this year is even more interesting… let’s hope that the performances will be just as dynamic.

Isn’t it funny how annual events seem to come round quicker each year – or am I just showing my age?  Whilst it only feels like a few short months since I was in Belgrade covering the Eurovision Song Contest in Serbia, it’s almost a year!  Indeed on 10 May I’m Moscow-bound to cover the build-up to, and broadcasts of, the Eurovision this year.

 

Getting tickets to attend the event has been a nightmare. Getting press accreditation was a challenge. Finding an apartment took three attempts… but I’ll discuss the logistics in more detail later, as I think it tells us much about the Russian approach to hosting the contest this year.

 

I thought that we could kick-off the blog this year with a timely mention of the UK entry this year.

 

As most of you will know by now, Andrew “the Lord” Lloyd Webber has penned our song, “It’s My Time”, with renowned lyricist Dianne Warren.  The song will be performed by Jade Ewen, who was selected via the BBC’s “Your Country Needs You” reality TV vehicle back in February.  Here are the results of what is widely seen by fans and commentators around Europe as the BBC taking the contest more seriously, by not sending a novelty song to Moscow…

What do you think, and how do you think we’ll do this year?  The UK finished in joint last place in 2008 – surely we’ll do better than that?  I guess all will be revealed on this blog during my adventures in Moscow.