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Well, today is a historic day for the Eurovision Song Contest. Firstly, it will be the 60^th Grand Final. This has been celebrated far and wide, and is a marker of how important it has become for popular culture in Europe since 1956. Secondly, it marks the first (and hopefully only) time that Australia will participate (although we are led to believe that is may become a permanent invitation) to mark the 60^th anniversary. Thirdly, this will be the biggest final ever – with (wait for it) 27 countries ready to entertain us this evening. Climb every mountain, indeed! 😀

Watching the dress rehearsal of the final yesterday afternoon did become something of an endurance test. I had walked around Vienna for a couple of hours before going to the press centre, and ultimately the arena. Once again we were watching from the standing area in front of the stage, which was great fun. The only thing is, after watching the performances for a couple of hours I was feeling a little fatigued! Yeah, I’d been on my feet for about six hours, but also getting through 27 songs is a test of resilience! For those watching at home tonight, at least you can refresh your drinks/nibbles/put the bins out during the songs which may not exactly float you boat. For us there is that sense of having to endure songs which you find a bit bland/boring/cringe.

I will be quite happy to never hear some of these songs again after tonight, but let’s stay on the positive side of things (or as Graham Norton would say, the left hand side of the scoreboard). As Europe decides tonight it is clear that there are a clutch of songs that will do well: Sweden, Russia, Italy, Australia, Estonia, Belgium, Norway amongst them. It might be a really close race, and what I like about the Grand Final in recent years is that most of the songs are really, really good. Yeah, some are a bit naff and a bit cringe, and yep, this might be how the UK’s entry might be seen, but all in all, we all have a thoroughly entertaining evening ahead of us.

There are a few things to look out for tonight: a wonderful opening sequence, with pre-recorded orchestra doing a “hooked on classics” kinda medley. Throw in some school kids, singing presenters and a flying Conchita, and you know that you’re in for an excellent evening!

No really, a flying Conchita, here filmed by me yesterday…

In this 60^th year, there can perhaps be no higher honour, or marker of pop culture, than to be immortalised in Lego. You know you’re special when this happens…

Finally from me for now, I want to give you a sense of the final few minutes before the live broadcasts start for you at home. For us in the venue there is a well planned warm-up of the audience. It’s much better than some we have seen over the years (the interminable Abba medley by various singers in Moscow, for example). For the final 15 minutes of the countdown to “going live” there is a fabulous montage on the big screens of Eurovision classics from across the decades. It is really effective, and gets the crowds singing, swaying and dancing along. And then, in the final sixty seconds we see this genius countdown of the previous winners (again filmed by moi)…

If that doesn’t stir your ardour for all things Eurovision, what will!? After that countdown tonight the arena, Europe and beyond, will get their Eurovision party started once again.

By the way, I found my red men yesterday…

… we are all hoping that Ireland gets the green light today…

Enjoy yourselves tonight! 😀 xx

Last night (Thursday) the line-up for the Grand Final on Saturday was completed, with the addition of the final ten qualifiers. I hope your favourite songs made it through. I forgot to post our predictions, but both Brian and I got 8/10. We had seats up in the gods of the arena, but the atmosphere was amazing and people were as enthusiastic in our not so cheap seats (100 euro, btw) as they were in the standing area…

With a clear view of the huge screens we were able to enjoy Måns Zelmerlöw’s performance as you see it at home. And boy, did it raise the roof! It is still the clear favourite to win on Saturday, and regular readers of this blog over the years will know that my default is basically that I am team Sverige every year, so it should come as no surprise that I want this song to win! Hopefully Måns is the man…

I was really disappointed that Malta didn’t make it into the final – but as I said in my review yesterday, it looked a bit too similar to Conchita’s staging last year. I was sitting next to a Maltese woman, and she looked in shock at their departure, poor thing.

I am gutted that Ireland didn’t make it through to the Grand Final on Saturday. That said, there is a far more important vote for Ireland today (Friday). Let’s hope that this time they get all the votes necessary to make some history…

With that in mind, you know that we are all about inclusivity here in the euro-bubble. And it goes without saying that all you reading are too. Something special happened when Conchita won the ESC last year, and it did bring to the forefront some interesting and much needed dialogues about tolerance and acceptance within Europe – particularly in relation to LGBT issues and human rights. As I said in a post recently, clearly the significance of her victory last year still resonates, in terms of human rights and LGBT issues. Indeed, at a meeting with Ban Ki-moon last year, he commented that her Eurovision victory really does send a “powerful message” for the promotion of respect for diversity.

Some gestures matter more than words, and one of the most ingenious ways of reflecting tolerance and acceptance is on the streets of Vienna this week. Literally – on the streets.

The traffic lights in the city have been modified, with the usual red and green lights now symbolising tolerance and love for same-sex couples. Deputy mayor Maria Vassilakou commented recently that “the city of Vienna is setting a signal for openness and tolerance” What a terrific idea! Quirky and fun, and yet underlying the point that, these days, these issues are as pedestrian as crossing the road…

(I need to find the red men! – I will try and find them today! :D)

Today I am finally going to explore this lovely city more widely. There will be a trip to the arena this afternoon to watch the first full run through of the Grand Final, but today is more about Vienna than Eurovision for me. As always, I have been invited to do some media. You might have heard me on BBC Radio Lancashire this morning? Also, I was approached to go on The One Show, but I can’t be in London and Vienna at the same time! Well done to Dr Eurovision on all that he has achieved here in Vienna. He is heading back to the UK today, and I know that he will be popping up on shows like BBC Breakfast and others over the course of the weekend. Me, I obviously have a face for radio! 😀

 

 

On Tuesday night we saw sixteen songs compete to get through to the grand final of ESC2015. Tonight seventeen will battle it out to be one of the ten songs making it to Saturday night. Yesterday I sat through the dress rehearsal in the arena, ahead of the second semi-final tonight on BBC3 at 8pm. And, ever the glutton for punishment, I watched it again today in the press centre, to see it on the big screen!

01 Lithuania

A bright and lively start from Lithuania. Remember there are eight couples/pairs in the contest, with more to follow tonight. Perhaps they will start to cancel each other out? Similarly cheery to recent entries from Malta (Gianluca, 2013) and Switzerland (Sebalter, 2014) that made it to the final, and I think this will. Or I am I going to be the kiss of death again tonight?! 😀

02 Ireland

Last year we sent a Molly to Eurovision, and this year Ireland have! I like this song. I get shades of Tori Amos, and it’s a very accomplished song from seventeen year old singer-songwriter Molly. She seems to have grown in confidence on camera, and I really hope that it goes through.

03 San Marino

Anita and Michele are representing San Marino this year. This pair are youthful and happy performers. You might find them a little ‘stage school’. The song is bonkers! The visual is stunning, but something doesn’t connect for me. Although they will do their mum’s proud…

04 Montenegro

You might get distracted by Knez’s rather sculpted eyebrows! This is a performance with vim and vigor. My bessie Rachel Rolfe has put money on this – does she know something we don’t? 😀

05 Malta

One of my pre-contest favourites. It keeps getting a great reaction from the audience, and again it is visually very strong. You might find the backdrop a little too similar to Conchita’s last year, but flames aside I hope it doesn’t crash and burn tonight.

06 Norway

This song is amazing. Nuff said! The presentation works better on your TV screen/tablet/computer than it does in the arena. Fantastic tone and harmonies from Mørland & Debrah. Stick with the song, it’s slow two-thirds before you get the big finish. Awesome. If I was a betting man…

07 Portugal

Poor thing. Leonor Andrade is the bookies favourite to come last, in a tussle with San Marino. You can kinda see why. Seems to lack a good hook, but Claudia Winkleman fans will be happy!

08 Czech Republic

If you like a bit of scruff (man with a beard) then this is probably your winner. Yet another duet, this time from Marta and Václav. There is poll here for “Eurovision’s next top male model” and you’ve guessed it – Václav is in the mix! There’s good chemistry from this pair, with tempestuous Marta throwing her shoes aside as the track reaches its peak. It certainly is a case of the battle for Eurovision’s top duet in this semi-final – will this make it through?

09 Israel

Back in 1984 Sweden won the Eurovision with the classic “ Diggiloo Diggiley”. One of the memorable things about the song (perhaps the most memorable!) was that the group, Herreys, wore golden boots. This year, sixteen year old Nadav does the same. It’s a fun song, and an enthusiastic performance. The song is a bit of a mash-up, with shades of old-school Justin Timberlake. I hope it goes though, or our boy will be less than golden…

10 Latvia

Aminata has one of the best vision-mixed songs on the screen tonight. Her song is contemporary, with another powerful vocal. You might find it a bit shouty. That said, great mix of visuals and vocals.

11 Azerbaijan

A bit like Spain, Azerbaijan seem to have found their niche by sending ballads each year. They also have a tendency to distract the eye and ear with some kind of sideshow that doesn’t necessarily add to the impact of the song. You might disagree with me, but that’s my view. Probably going through…

12 Iceland

Another youthful looking performer. Maria looks like Hannah Montana, and delivers a song very much in keeping with Miley Cyrus’ early career. Some of my students really like it, and that’s good as it’s probably aimed at them…

13 Sweden

My winner! The bookies current favourite. Excellent staging, great visuals, and one of those songs that you have heard before (shades of Avicci thrown in for good measure). I predicted this will win both the Swedish Melodifestivalen and Eurovision, back in March. Pity I didn’t put a bet on it doing the double – I wish I was a betting man now! 😀

14 Switzerland

It’s always a bit tricky when a song title is a bit prophetic. Remember, the UK sent Nicki French to ESC 2000 with ”Don’t Play That Song Again”. Guess what – Europe didn’t! The Swiss entry this year is “Time To Shine”, but will it shine brightly enough tonight?

15 Cyprus

There are a few songs which give me that ‘euro-tingle’, and this is one of them. A beautiful song, with a beautiful visual – all enhanced with audience participation and a sea of mobile phone torches. Should be popular with the juries, and I really hope with the public too – deserves to go through.

16 Slovenia

Another one of my early favourites. Trouble is I have now over-played it and I’m a bit bored of it now! It is a cool song, performed by another cool couple (in real life too, not just as performers). It will go through, but the staging doesn’t really do the song justice. BTW: the headphones are Maraaya and Raay’s trademark – because they always want to hear the music as it was recorded in the studio…

17 Poland

A nice effort from Poland, and for those in the mood for a gentle ballad it will be of interest. Not as full-throttle as many of the ballads, so it might do well.

 

So, that’s tonight’s line-up. Do we have winner in this semi-final?. I would like to think so. I want to go to Stockholm next year! Let me know what you think! 😀

Well we were up and at ‘em first thing today, arriving at the arena for the second rehearsal of the ‘big seven’ – expanded this year to include guest country Australia. I haven’t seen any of the previous rehearsals, so it was good to finally be in the arena in the standing area at the front, to see the artists do their thing.

Like I mentioned yesterday, the press centre is much busier this year (this was 10.00am!)…

The stage looks great in its various settings…

Entering the arena towards the end of Italy’s rehearsal, it sounded very good, the backdrop looks stunning, and Il Volo are suitably suited and booted. It’s currently second favourite with the bookies. I like the “popera” sound, and if you like a pop-opera crossover, like the similarly named (but ever so slightly older) Il Divo, then you will like this. I do, very much. The only issue I have with it is that full track (at 3 mins 40 seconds) has had to be cut back to three minutes, and some of the magic of the full version is lost. That said, if you’re hearing it for the first time then it’s all good, I guess. Back in 2011 France were the hot favourites with a similarly popera entry, and it didn’t do well. That was mainly because the male vocalist hit the wrong pitch from the start, and never really recovered (you could see the fear in his eyes!). Luckily, Il Volo will have no such worries – strength in numbers! Musketeers and all that…

Next up, Edurne for Spain. So much more than a frock and a wind machine for their staging of “Amanecer”. The song has flourishes of Madonna’s “Frozen” throughout, and is suitably epic. In the final this and Russia may count each other out slightly, but Edurne’s not giving up without a fight! Indeed, there is a rather interesting frock which will be discarded at some point in the proceedings, as will the male backing dancer’s top! It’s all very passionate, and there is an impressive section where Edurne is flung around by the backing dancer, and yet somehow her vocal remains impeccable! She’s got a strong core for sure! I hope it does well. Spain have found their niche in previous years, and songs and performances such as this have proved popular.

France is increasingly fancied in the press centre, and with the bookies. I think a bit of it is the effect of the euro-bubble. I’m not sure it will do as well as some expect. That said, the staging is visually very strong and Lisa Angell has a great set of pipes. What was great about her time on stage today was that, a) she only did a run-through twice (with most other countries doing three or four during their twenty minute slot), and b) she thanked all the technical staff for making her feel wonderful. Such generosity of spirit in a field of divas was probably very well received by the technical team.

Ann Sophie, representing Germany, was the surprise ticket for her home country. The original artist who was selected by the German public changed his mind on hearing that he had won, and so a slightly bemused Ann Sophie took his place. This was a very slick rehearsal, and she does a cracking vocal and confidently sashaying on stage. The backing singers are supporting her with great harmonies, and “Black Smoke” is a catchy pop song. I hope that Ann Sophie’s confident performance wins over the viewing public and national juries.

Australia have been invited to take part this year, as part of the 60^th anniversary celebrations. As you might know, the ESC is hugely popular down under, and every year it is broadcast ‘as live’ the following evening in Australia – they even televote for their own amusement! This year they are active participants, and popular with the bookies. It’s a good song, and Guy Sebastian is another fine vocalist. Reminiscent for me of Denmark’s Bruno Marrs sound-alike, Basim. It’ll do well, but I really hope it doesn’t win, as I don’t really like the gimmick. In the event that they do win, originally I was led to believe that the country that finishes as runner-up would host next year. Now I understand that it will be held in Germany.

(we had retired to the press centre, as there was a break in rehearsals, so I only watched this on the big screen :D)

Host country Austria have a familiar sounding song to represent them this year – and the hometown advantage should buoy The Makemakes. There was a brilliant moment this morning on Austrian breakfast television, where the presenters, one by one, gathered around a piano to sing the song, and were later joined by lead singer, Dodo. All such fun for that time in the morning! I can’t imagine BBC Breakfast doing something similar! Great stuff from Austria this year. Where’s my hat and my hipster hair…

And, finally the United Kingdom were also on stage today. Electro Velvet did four performances, and got more polished with each turn. I gotta say that I don’t think that it’s our worst ever UK entry, as some have suggested. I think Josh Dubovie in 2010 was much worse, and Daz Sampson in 2006 was total cringe, and don’t get me started on Scooch in 2007! I do like listening to the song in the car, in the office, etc. It’s got as few good hooks, for me – if somewhat bizarre lyrics.

However, (repeating a phrase I have used all week), the staging is a bit of a hot mess. Yes, do the flapping and retro stuff, but don’t wrap it up with sparkly, flashing neon frocks. It’s all a bit too fussy. To repeat, I really like the song – my Dad even thinks that it’s going to win – but my hunch is that this package (song and performance) might cause it to fall flat, and unfortunately struggle out of the bottom five in the final. I am ever the optimist, as you know, but I haven’t emailed John Cater this week to set a bet that it will get into the top ten. And I’m not even going to do a Paddy Ashdown either way (top or bottom). Still, time for some tweaks, so let’s see, and remain ever hopeful that the performers are not made to feel like a national embarrassment – because they do deserve better than that.

So, even with a few doubts about the UK presentation, I really think that the Big 7 have a great set of songs. I have confidence in them all, but alas that’s not enough for these artists on Saturday night!  I will see these guys again on Friday afternoon for the first run-through of the grand final line-up – and then we’ll know how they shape-up next to those entries that made it through the semi-finals… ‘citing! 😀

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have spent most of the last two days in the arena and press centre. I haven’t really had a chance to explore this lovely city yet. That will come in the days ahead, and I know that there has been a lot going on in the euro-bubble. I know that I feel like I’ve been making up for arriving slighly late on Monday – and that I’m all caught-up now (literally!).

I hope you enjoyed the show last night – and that your favourite songs got through. My ‘napkin of death’ predictions were a bit out, but I’ve figured my mistake this year is that I’m selecting songs that I like, rather than to progress at this stage. I will try and do a little better for tomorrow night’s second semi-final (of which I have just seen the first dress rehearsal – but more of that on Thursday morning). A few pics from my point of view last night…

Entry to the venue was quick and easy…

Inside the auditorium there was a fantastic buzz. It is the smallest I can remember, but that somehow added to the excitement – and probably why it was so hard to get tickets this year. Inside the view was good, from the main stage to the green room at the back of the arena (which as you can see is elevated this year above the audience, and with only the commentators booths behind them)…

I thought the whole visual design and effects, as well as the stage was stunning – I know it will have looked good on the telly. Two weeks of rehearsals, and about six weeks setting it up in Vienna results in a highly accomplished set of shows. We are all particularly taken by the amazing ball sculpture floating above the audience – it’s just stunning! I thought it was a visual effect when I saw it on screen! 😀

It was a quick two hour show – although I felt that the presenters were a little dull. C’mon ladies – more energy on Thursday night! My good friend Paul (Dr Eurovision) Jordan was once again doing his thang on BBC3 – and I know some of you thought he did a great job, so well done Paul! We could just see him from our seats doing the wrap-up interview as we left…

(yeah I know – not a great photie!)

It took less than twenty minutes to get back to our hotel, which was a relief as it would be an early start for us on Wednesday morning, as the ‘Big 7″ take to the stage for their second rehearsal slots. Like I said, at this point I really am von-trapped with all the cool stuff happening in and around the arena… and I’m loving it!

More soon…

 

 

 

(see what we did there?)

Once again your English/Irish posse have put their heads together to determine our choices for who is going through, and who is going home. Here are the results of the ‘all kinds of everything’ commentators from here in downtown Vienna. See if you agree, because, in a departure this year, Brian and I do not!

Phil says…	Brian says…
01 Moldova Going home 02 Armenia Going home 03 Belgium Going through 04 The Netherlands Going through 05 Finland Going home 06 Greece Going through 07 Estonia Going through 08 Macedonia Going through 09 Serbia Going home 10 Hungary Going home 11 Belarus Going through 12 Russia Going through 13 Denmark Going through 14 Albania Going home 15 Romania Going through 16 Georgia Going through	01 Moldova Going through 02 Armenia Going through 03 Belgium Going through 04 The Netherlands Going home 05 Finland Going home 06 Greece Going through 07 Estonia Going through 08 Macedonia Going home 09 Serbia Going through 10 Hungary Going home 11 Belarus Going home 12 Russia Going through 13 Denmark Going through 14 Albania Going home 15 Romania Going through 16 Georgia Going through

Time will tell, my friends.  Enjoy the show and have a wonderful evening, wherever you are watching tonight, at home or abroad, in the arena, or on the telly. 😀 x

 

It’s a very sunny Tuesday here in Vienna, with temperatures at the moment in the mid-20s. I have finally made it to the arena, collected my accreditation and I am now in-situ with Prof Brian Singleton in the press centre. We won’t make it into the arena until tonight, but we will be watching the last dress rehearsal this afternoon on the large screen in the press centre.

FYI, Brian will be tweeting throughout the contest representing our ERN (Eurovision Research Network) activities and opinions. Follow Brian @eurovisionern and retweet freely! We’re up and going as of now!

Here’s the scene from the press centre…

It’s a roomy and cool press centre, and already there is a nice background buzz about the place. It seems busier than normal at this time of the week than in previous years. It is normally on the Thursday of the second-semi that the press centre gets really busy. It’s going to be a comfortable place to report from this week.

A photo from our excursion into town last night of the cathedral, below. Beautiful building, and I’ll get more of a feel of the city and post more pics throughout the week.

More later…

 

How difficult can it be to get from departure point A (Southport), to destination B (Vienna). Erm, well extremely, as it happens! Prior to departure I had a frustrating Sunday afternoon trying to check-in online via the Brussels Airlines website. I cannot recommend their user interface! After a little bit of user error on my part I successfully managed to check-in for my connecting flight from Manchester to Brussels. Sorted. However, could I then book to get from Brussels to Vienna – no! Arriving at Manchester airport yesterday the problem was solved – I got the boarding card for Brussels to Vienna at regular check-in desk – simples! I thought that was me done with worrying about travel arrangements for the day. Erm, no!

I then had to get through Brussels Airport to my connecting flight. International connecting flights are usually quite straightforward to navigate, aren’t they. Erm, no – not here. With a window of just over 70 minutes to get from the plane to the gate there was a rather long wait for the bus taking us from the plane to the terminal, and then I was greeted by one of those queues that you see when you go to amusement parks like Alton Towers. You know the drill: you turn the corner expecting to see the Oblivion ride, for example, only to be faced with hundreds of people standing as far as the eye can see in front of you. Not what you need when you have such a short transfer window!

Many people, myself included, were slightly bemused when staff wearing ‘Happy To Help’ t-shirts told us that there was no queue jumping allowed, even if you have a 70 minute transfer window. Absolutely shocking! Well, you might have guessed how it played out – and yup, it doesn’t end well. Eventually made it to the gate – but too late.

This is a first for me – I have never missed a flight before. I’d probably be feeling a little more chilled about that but I was meeting my good friend Professor Brian Singleton at Vienna airport to catch our taxi to the hotel. It was also the plan for us to get to the arena for the first dress rehearsal of the first semi-final. Well, that didn’t happen! A five-hour layover in Brussels airport, saw me will eventually get me into Vienna about 5.30pm local time.

The hotel is comfy and I have a balcony! We are not staying in the centre of Austria, rather on the outskirts and quite near to the arena – which will be a bonus on the three evenings this week we will be there. Getting into the city is easy thanks to great subway links. We did venture out last night for dinner, which we had near to the Cathedral.

So, a long day for me yesterday, and unfortunately my friends, I have no pics from the arena and the first dress rehearsal. What I have done is to review the runners and riders for the first semi-final, which you can watch tonight (Tuesday) on BBC3 at 8pm.

01 Moldova

As I said during my panel at the recent 60^th Anniversary Conference for Eurovision held at Bafta a few weeks back, familiarity breeds popularity. We warm to some songs more quickly than others because we’ve heard it before, even though we haven’t (if you see what I mean!). This means that, once again this year, there are songs that have a whiff of other well known songs. For some it will be a bonus, but for others it might be a case of ‘heard it all before, don’t want to hear it again’ (you might remember the German entry from 2013, “Glorious” sounded a bit too similar to the previous winning song in 2012, “Euphoria” – it sank without a trace).

You will find our first song of 2015 rather familiar. Think Liberty X and their song “Just A Little”, and you’ll be bob on. It’s an up-tempo song, not a bad start.

02 Armenia

Armenia had a top five finish last year, and they might have been hoping to repeat that success in 2015. I can’t see it happening. In fact, I think it’s a hot mess! Nice idea to bring the six singers together from five different continents, but I just can’t warm to the track. Like a few songs this year, it’s a bit of a mash-up of different styles. Sadly it doesn’t work for me.

03 Belgium

Ok, bad experience in Belgium’s main airport today, but that said, this is a really good song. You will like the quirky performance style of our man Loïc Nottet, but the song is catchy and should do well for Belgium. I think it sounds a bit like Lorde’s “Royals”. One of the more contemporary songs on offer this year, and it should get to the final.

04 The Netherlands

I’ll have a consonant, consonant, vowel, consonant, consonant, consonant, consonant, vowel, consonant – please. And that should give us the name of our Dutch singer, Trijntje! She’s singing a laid-back mid-tempo song, with a few ‘new country’ shades in the mix. It’s an easy listen, and catchy – partly because of the repeated lyric “why-why-i-i-i, why-i-i-I”. I hope it gets though. After a runners-up result last year with the fabulous Common Linnets, it would be good to see The Netherlands consolidate their good run of the past couple of years.

05 Finland

This probably what you might consider an anti-Eurovision song. Finland has gone a bit punk on us, and with a track that doesn’t make ninety seconds. For some the fact that the bands are a group of musicians with down’s syndrome is a bit of interest. The betting odds say it’ll get though – I’m not so sure.

06 Greece

This is the fist time that Greece have sent a ballad to the contest since 2006. Ordinarily they have been a shoe-in to make it to the final. I think this is a tricky year for them, as there are much better ballads in the mix, and essentially in light of a pretty bland song, Maria might just be seen as another pretty singer in another pretty frock. Mind you, if it has a wind machine…

07 Estonia

Seven songs in and we get our first real contender to win the ESC this year. Whilst there are eight couples/duets in the contest this year, this is one of the top three (with Lithuania and Norway being the other two). A good double-hander from Elina and Stig will see them sail through to the final. It’s one of my top five of the year, probably top three.

08 Macedonia

Our first slightly ethnic entry of the year – and it finds Macedonia on familiar ground, onto which “Autumn Leaves” are falling. I like it, and think it will get to the final- nothing else sounds like it in this semi, so that will help. Although I hear from Brian that the song has had a remix and so I might have to rethink.

09 Serbia

Bojana’s song has one of the more ‘heal the world’ sentiments from the crop of songs this year – Russia will be on similar ground later in this semi-final. This song is all about beauty coming from inside, and all that jazz. It’s kinda inspirational and uplifting lyrics might chime with some, but the track is another mash-up of styles and it builds oddly for me. Serbia sat the contest out last year, and failed to qualify in 2013. Not sure that they will again this year. But if the sentiment connects, then it might.

10 Hungary

Boggie (all too close to typing bogie there!) is also tickling our socially conscious buttons with “Wars For Nothing”. A breathless and light vocal, mixed with the folky-vibe might be a bit too subtle set against some of the more powerful songs. It was top five in the final for them last year – that won’t be the case in 2015.

11 Belarus

A bit of a slow build for this song – perhaps a bit too long. A bit of a pedestrian song, which should actually be called “Thunder”, as that, rather than the title “Time”, gets more of a mention and is the real lyric hook. Some handclaps and a bit of a fiddle towards the end doesn’t save the song. Could well be taxi for Belarus…

12 Russia

Ok, setting aside all of our concerns about Russia’s political agenda and human right issues, this is one of five songs that will be battling to win on Saturday night. You want power? You want ballad. You’ve got it – it’s a power ballad. I’d say it’s the most powerful of the lot! (it’s carpets, it’s madness, it’s carpet madness!). From the rehearsal footage I viewed online via www.eurovision.tv it’s a great vocal, although the staging looked a bit dull. Yes, it was only rehearsal footage and tweaks will be made I guess. You might baulk at the all-too-obvious message from Russia this year – love us, and we love you – “a million voices” singing together. Well, not all the voices are similarly minded, so it will be interesting to see how the voting goes on Saturday night. I can’t see the expert juries marking it down, and a top five finish looks highly likely, with some giddy fans thinking it might just win. Well, for me it wins the battle of the ballads. Carpet madness, indeed! 😀

13 Denmark

And the award for the best act this year goes to this lot – Anti Social Media! Great name. A familiar theme once again for this song, as you have heard its type before. I’m channelling McFly for this one. Nice harmonies, familiar melody and tempo. They have sharp haircuts and sharp suites, and I can’t see any reason why we don’t see this again on Saturday night.

14 Albania

Reminds me of the song “Apricot Stone” from Oslo in 2010 – but at a slower tempo. Might be one for you to refresh your drink and top-up the snacks! Nice, but nice doesn’t win Eurovision.

15 Romania

My dear friend and colleague, Ruxandra, has doubts that her home country will make it to the final this year. If they don’t it would be a major upset, as Romania are one of the ‘bankers’ each year. Well, they might need the diaspora vote from around Europe, because it’s not one of their best entries.

16 Georgia

We end the first semi-final in fighting spirit with the first of two songs called “Warrior” this week. I actually prefer Malta’s effort on Thursday, but this is a spirited song and performance, and if it’s staged well then it should go through to the final on Saturday night.

So, there you have it, the first batch of euro-hopefuls ready to entertain us all tonight. Later today (Tuesday) I will be at the press centre to watch the final rehearsal for tonight, so I’ll update my review based on what I have seen, and not just what I have heard, so check back later for the sights and sounds of ESC 2015. Your local euro-pundits will also meet later to do our ‘napkin of death’. That will determine who we think is going through and who we think is going home. Who will be on your list? Why not leave me a comment with your top ten!

Stay tuned for more later…

What a great day in London last week for the Eurovision Song Contest 60th Anniversary Conference, and what an honor to have been invited to attend.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) convened a brilliant event, with an interesting mix of academics, journalists, winners of the ESC, as well as fans and people from the EBU who organise the contest.

The event took place at Bafta HQ – and this is the closest I will ever get to a Bafta, so “Dr Eurovsion” and I took the obligatory photo opp… (nice jackets, huh?!)

There were two excellent keynotes from my good friends Karen Fricker and Paul Jordan (names that will be familiar to regular readers of this blog over the years), as well as panels on ‘ritual’, ‘innovation’, and ‘inspiration’, in relation to the ESC. All lively discussions, and I had front row seats for the whole proceedings.

Thanks for the positive feedback from those of you who were watching my panel via the live streaming last Friday. Should you want to relive the day (I know some had a bit of technical difficulty accessing the feed), you can do so by clicking here. My panel is about 1 hr 10 mins in.

The panel on inspiration included Fraser Nelson, editor of The Spectator, (left) who showed a surprising affinity with the ESC! You might have seen some of his comments in the media? I thought his comments were well made! And he bashed the BBC on their poor performance in terms of our song selection in recent years, which to be fair they kinda deserve if you are a frustrated Eurovision fan, or music fan.

The panel on innovation brought out the EBU big-guns, including Jon Ola Sand – Executive Supervisor for the ESC (left)…

There were questions to the panel about the political undertones to the contest, and particularly the audience reaction (booing in the arena) to the Russian entry last year. The EBU maintained their line on the ESC being about the songs and not about the external politics. A difficult issue for some, but the point was made. There was also a bit of BBC bashing from the Q&A in the audience. Guy Freeman (second right) is Head of the BBC delegation, and many comments related to the seemingly indifferent attitude of the BBC to our song selection. There were repeated attempts by the moderator of the day, broadcaster Paddy O’Connell, to steer the topic away from the UK at Eurovision (he did a great job all day, btw), but those tricky questions and comments kept on coming! I quite like our entry this year, but we need not worry about the UK hosting the ESC next year. I think we’ll be off to Sweden again in 2016…

By mid-afternoon the energy levels at Bafta HQ were beginning to flag. But hang on, who is sitting three people away from me? Blimey – it’s only Conchita Wurst!

Conchita took to the stage to be interviewed by Paddy O’Connell, and she was on top form. And she’s funny! When asked why she kept her performance last year fairly simple on stage, she responded “Because I like to stand still”. Clearly the significance of her victory last year still resonates, in terms of human rights and LGBT issues. At a meeting with Ban Ki-moon last year, he commented that her Eurovision victory really does send a “powerful message” for the promotion of respect for diversity. 

By the evening I was on a train back to Southport, and I had also made it into the EBU’s press release! You can see that here. Awesome!

We have now had a few weeks of celebrating the 60th Anniversary. What’s great is that I now have a focus for my next phase of Eurovision research: the panel on ritual really didn’t get off the ground in terms of the focus I would have thought it would, and so I’ll be working on that in the near future. More importantly for now, it’s time to get ready for Austria – the first semi-final is just a few weeks away (19 May), with the grand final on 23 May. I’ll be in Vienna, and I’ve been accredited by the EBU to be there during the week for the build-up and rehearsals. Great stuff.

In the meantime, I’ll finish with a musical interlude from Conchita Wurst, with her new single, “We Are Unstoppable”. Well, we are you know…