{"id":1752,"date":"2019-05-14T00:09:39","date_gmt":"2019-05-13T23:09:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.edgehill.ac.uk\/eurovision\/?p=1752"},"modified":"2019-05-14T00:54:35","modified_gmt":"2019-05-13T23:54:35","slug":"esc2019-wake-me-up-before-a-eurovision-go-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edgehill.ac.uk\/eurovision\/2019\/05\/14\/esc2019-wake-me-up-before-a-eurovision-go-go\/","title":{"rendered":"ESC2019: Wake Me Up before a Eurovision go-go&#8230;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.edgehill.ac.uk\/eurovision\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2019\/05\/8dad3b7c-97a3-49fb-b4be-d537c5271b22.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-1767\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.edgehill.ac.uk\/eurovision\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2019\/05\/8dad3b7c-97a3-49fb-b4be-d537c5271b22-1024x538.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"307\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.edgehill.ac.uk\/eurovision\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2019\/05\/8dad3b7c-97a3-49fb-b4be-d537c5271b22-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.edgehill.ac.uk\/eurovision\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2019\/05\/8dad3b7c-97a3-49fb-b4be-d537c5271b22-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.edgehill.ac.uk\/eurovision\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2019\/05\/8dad3b7c-97a3-49fb-b4be-d537c5271b22-768x404.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.edgehill.ac.uk\/eurovision\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2019\/05\/8dad3b7c-97a3-49fb-b4be-d537c5271b22-500x263.jpg 500w, https:\/\/blogs.edgehill.ac.uk\/eurovision\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2019\/05\/8dad3b7c-97a3-49fb-b4be-d537c5271b22.jpg 1680w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Tonight sees the first of the two semi-finals. Fans in the UK will be watching on BBC4 at 8pm. I will do what I did last year which was to watch the live feed via the esc.tv YouTube channel on my telly. I can live without the dire commentary from Scott Mills. I&#8217;d rather just have super-fan Rylan on his own. Also, the Beeb don&#8217;t show the interval acts, and that&#8217;s a shame as some are quite good (yes, some have been *awful*, I know that!). I&#8217;m after as much of a complete ESC package as I can get, seeing as I&#8217;m not there.<\/p>\n<p>So, here are my thoughts on the songs taking to the stage on Tuesday night. And what a stunning stage it is!<\/p>\n<p><strong>01\u00a0 Cyprus<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Tamta \u2013 <em>Replay<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Cyprus ?? - Tamta - Replay - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/I61oQCgnjpI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Runners-up last year, Cyprus are hungry to go one better this year. So hungry to repeat the success of last year that they have pretty much sent the same song! <em>Replay\u00a0<\/em>is a <em>repeat!\u00a0<\/em>It uses the same songwriters and creative crew from last year. Casual viewers will have forgotten that, but this is essentially <em>Fuego <\/em>II. That said, I love it. The rehearsal footage sounds a bit pitchy, and the offstage backing vocalists seem to be doing the heavy lifting. Surely it\u2019ll make it to the final, but it sure ain\u2019t gonna win it.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Replay\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/2UOyQB26wSQzM0jiTcUg50?si=iGcaTh5gTXCu2NVHMEZ6aQ&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>02\u00a0 Montenegro<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>D mol \u2013 <em>Heaven<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Oh bless them. It\u2019s S Club 6 from Montenegro! A bunch of youthful singers in their late teens and early twenties, some of whom still study together. The song is called <em>Heaven<\/em>, but I think it\u2019s heading to Eurovision hell. All a bit bland, and with the often-killer draw of singing from second place, it\u2019s an early school night for Montenegro.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Heaven\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/3xiAusIKlqfnatyzEWzdtS?si=nrbDUxCgSwyVRBhCtWY5RQ&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>03\u00a0 Finland<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Darude feat. Sebastian Rejman &#8211; <em>Look Away<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Finland ?? - Darude feat. Sebastian Rejman - Look Away - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lVNu_6X8arI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Some of you aged (sorry, I mean evergreen) clubbers out there might remember Darude\u2019s breakout hit <em>Sandstorm,\u00a0<\/em>from 2000. This song feels suitably stuck back in the day, and a little old-fashioned. But, hey, if there\u2019s a big fanbase out there for Darude and Finish actor\/singer Sebastian, it might make it to the final, although I think it will get cancelled out by Estonia later in the draw. Oh, and our first sight of a needless backing dancer, who for whatever bonkers reason is swathed in emerald-green lighting \u2013 makes her look like the Wicked Witch of the West!<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Look Away\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/6Bo74efyPjwcWhXi7MGY6A?si=hS8sAZOwSACZEiuI_80OqA&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>04\u00a0Poland<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Tulia\u00a0 &#8211; <em>Fire of Love (Pali si\u0119)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Poland ?? - Tulia - Fire Of Love (Pali Si\u0119) - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_8kX-DZr40o?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Girl Power from Poland this year. The vocal is a bit shouty, and reminds me of Russia\u2019s t.A.T.u from way back in 2003. I like this bilingual song, but what\u2019s probably more memorable is the really quite bonkers styling. I\u2019m sure when we see the full performance it will all make more sense, but until then\u2026<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Fire Of Love (Pali Si\u0119)\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/39eYn0el1oFv3btrhTX74G?si=LfXlFcsASDW45dzyQuSV_g&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>05\u00a0 Slovenia<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Zala Kralj &amp; Ga\u0161per \u0160antl &#8211; <em>Sebi<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Slovenia ?? - Zala Kralj &amp; Ga\u0161per \u0160antl - Sebi - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/YkNZ5JM1Ss8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Another youthful performance, and a real-life couple. This is one of my top ten songs for sure this year, in the whole Contest. I really like the more ambient and chilled vibe of the song. Reminds me a little of the French entry from last year, <em>Merci\u00a0<\/em>by Madame Monsieur. Just lovely. But, oh man \u2013 that staging makes a laid-back track seem a bit dull. I was sure it was going to the final, I\u2019m not sure now.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Sebi\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/1kXDk1RaOZcIfxdQCVxMWK?si=Ehdixu5CQcKTzs5HuiNL0g&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>06\u00a0 Czech Republic<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Lake Malawi &#8211; <em>Friend of a Friend<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Czech Republic ?? - Lake Malawi - Friend Of A Friend - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/E63kzXA1pqY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>A funky little number for Czech Republic, with a youthful energy that the young people from Montenegro couldn\u2019t muster. I loves me some colour blocking, so that\u2019s my kind of staging. Oh, and this is the first performance this year with the ever-endangered backing singers. There are a number of entries where we will hear their live vocals, but they are singing from the side-lines out of view. Look to the very left of the stage and you will see the silhouette of the three-shadowy b-xox peeps. At least they made it to the stage! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n<p>The interestingly named Lake Malawi are surely sailing through to the final.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Friend of a Friend\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/2U7Zc6NrWQgUWdBAIFrzdI?si=fTgefhAQRYOAZ2uoTCc-Mw&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>07\u00a0 Hungary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Joci P\u00e1pai &#8211; <em>Az \u00e9n ap\u00e1m<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Hungary ?? - Joci P\u00e1pai - Az \u00e9n ap\u00e1m - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aHTSYXTzCZ8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Our first returning singer, Joci, represented Hugary in Kyiv in 2017. It\u2019s the first really anthemic and indigenous song of the Contest, although there are other songs to follow that are similar. That said, Hungary have qualified for the last eight years, and this guy has done it before, so it&#8217;s probs a safe bet that he&#8217;ll do it again. Joci\u2019s gone all Sandi Shaw on us \u2013 it&#8217;s our first barefoot performance of the Contest!<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Az \u00c9n Ap\u00e1m\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/0816B4MN0oYYK2kxvLcEcN?si=uVorJYJTQWioF9mbjazuEw&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>08 \u00a0Belarus<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>ZENA &#8211; <em>Like It<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Belarus ?? - ZENA - Like It - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MJdt3JIdmMQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Ooh, it\u2019s a bit pitchy and kitchen sinky, isn\u2019t it. I don\u2019t mind the song &#8211; I\u2019m just not sure I really like it that much (see what I did there! \ud83d\ude42 ).<\/p>\n<p>By now y&#8217;all have spotted that ESC2019 is all about the chillen, isn\u2019t it. Zena is 16 years young \u2013 and the youngest of the performers this year (that&#8217;s a hard-lived 16 years, isn&#8217;t it!?). Sometimes with age, there&#8217;s no experience. Good effort, but maybe not this time princess warrior (yes, I know it&#8217;s spelt differently!)&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Like It\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/6sGcFdmfVhmq09Dy1rQgAh?si=7CPDm2duQIyy7vVRhrLBhA&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>09\u00a0 Serbia<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Nevena Bo\u017eovi\u0107 &#8211; <em>Kruna (\u041a\u0440\u0443\u043d\u0430)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Serbia ?? - Nevena Bo\u017eovi\u0107 - Kruna - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PVHIrVvil4A?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Another returning performer from a few years back. Nevana didn\u2019t make it to the final last time, but I think she might this time \u2013 although the thing about being cancelled out by Hungary might be a factor? Nicely staged, powerful vocal. It made me laugh that she was a bit grumpy on the orange carpet at the opening ceremony on Sunday. She&#8217;s got a \u00a0face that likes to rest, let&#8217;s put it that way&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Kruna\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/0D0yCWxBoaQb55KN3xtvpS?si=AqhG94ZVTPOz1lzG8nAeGw&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>10 \u00a0Belgium<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Eliot &#8211; <em>Wake Up<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Belgium ?? - Eliot - Wake Up - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aJrLcRkCBo4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Belgium have found their groove at the ESC in recent years. They continue to send a decent mix of up-tempo songs and (dun-dun-duuur this year) a young performer. Eliot (no, not a typo!) is our youngest male performer. I\u2019d place it 10<sup>th<\/sup>\/11<sup>th\u00a0<\/sup>place overall, so it might sneak it into the final.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Wake Up\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/4oQQAaU8J9A3JckIuNYCTv?si=3NZ7S4g-TNq_9KKBxG7z7w&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>11\u00a0 Georgia<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Oto Nemsadze &#8211; <em>Keep on Going<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Georgia ?? - Oto Nemsadze - Keep On Going - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/G0w4_0N9fUs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Now Otto\u2019s song really does overlap with Hungary. The major difference is the final minute where the operatic backing vocals really kick-in, which does separate it. The really dynamic staging will help the cause. Otto seemed like one of the most genuine people at the opening ceremony. He was digging being a part of ESC 2019. Will Europe be digging him?<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Keep On Going\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/2vs3g4jUwlyhOv12wAtu2L?si=man351NnSWKJFkNYnPz5NA&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>12\u00a0 Australia<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kate Miller-Heidke &#8211; <em>Zero Gravity<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Australia ?? - Kate Miller-Heidke - Zero Gravity - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5YI623ePilI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>I must confess that when I listened to all the songs for the first time I thought this was one of the worst entries. The national final performance had copied what several Eurovision performances had done over the years \u2013 by putting the singer in a massive dress that\u2019s like 10 foot tall, and then had some stuff projected on it (think Cesar from Romania in 2013 and Elina from Estonia in 2018). Quite by chance (ahem) all these songs have the \u2018popera\u2019 sound, so perhaps bombastic songs such as these really lend themselves to some suitably diva-esque staging.<\/p>\n<p>So, previously it was a case for me of naff staging (been there, seen that) with the slightly over-used popera sound (been there, heard that).<\/p>\n<p>Well, cut to the rehearsals in Tel Aviv and it is a performance transformed, with probably the best staging I\u2019ve seen so far. The clever (implied) references to the musical <em>Wicked\u00a0<\/em>will entice those fans, and then there\u2019s the <em>Frozen <\/em>aspect, not to mention\u00a0<em>The Greatest Showman. <\/em>Ok, so the lawyers might be onto Australia for plagiarism, but for now this is one to watch and 100 percent through to the final. Oh, and that ear worm of \u2018Ze-e-e-e-e-e-e-e e-ro, Gra-a-a-a-a-a-avity\u2019 is gonna get into your head, trust me!<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Zero Gravity\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/4m5FlWpaOri9OrDUj1EoTg?si=q3MYqfeXQiOtoSi_XPwnvg&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>13\u00a0 Iceland<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Hatari &#8211; <em>Hatri\u00f0 mun sigra<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Iceland ?? - Hatari - Hatri\u00f0 mun sigra - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wKQCjARwLsU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>There are some entries in the Contest this year that are really engaging with modern themes of identity, acceptance and being true to one\u2019s self \u2013 I\u2019m thinking specifically of the French entry this year (more on that to follow). Then there are those that are just trying to court controversy by being seemingly boundary breaking. With their BDSM stylings and anti-capitalist lyrics (because you understand Icelandic, right?!) Hatari also think they are engaging with modern themes of identity. Well, maybe. The funny thing is that this has made it onto the ESC stage in a more tempered version than at the initial national final performance. The edges have been taken off it, and actually whilst it\u2019s going to appear edgy, I find it all rather childish. Yeah, it\u2019ll get to the final, but there\u2019s a bit of me hopes that it doesn\u2019t. BTW, I \u00a0love the track&#8217;s underlying pace and melody, but I don&#8217;t dig the vocal.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Hatri\u00f0 mun sigra\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/1JBqLoGfH1LnGTE0wzAatU?si=iifniFG6RtGCQDDHHsR6oA&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>14\u00a0 Estonia<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Victor Crone &#8211; <em>Storm<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Estonia ?? - Victor Crone - Storm - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cKpADQ3gAxo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>This is not the first time that Estonia have sent a Swedish singer to represent them at the ESC. Back in 2002 Sahlene represented them, which caused a little bit of controversy back in Estonia. Well, in 2019 it\u2019s the turn of Victor, with his mid-tempo pop song that should cancel out Finland\u2019s Darude. This song is also a little dated, but of the two I prefer this performance and performer.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Storm\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/5oFGpjPtk5R32LITfkkMLx?si=rp8MF8VaStOSKVXVAm4NFg&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>15 \u00a0Portugal<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Conan Osiris &#8211; <em>Telem\u00f3veis<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Portugal ?? - Conan Osiris - Telem\u00f3veis - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Q1tkstZdEjU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>OMG. I can\u2019t deal. I\u2019m like the Martian\u2019s when I hear this song.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Mars Attacks die aliens die\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aTe0MjAZvMU?start=73&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>I do like the singer, Conan, who seems like a more high-fashion version of former winner Conchita, and looks like the hair stylist on Queer Eye. But that song\u2026<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Telem\u00f3veis\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/3Nksy9eZWGUishMmnMDP8P?si=8CgfdVs0RIGzX8ZklX5oWw&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>16 \u00a0Greece<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Katerine Duska &#8211; <em>Better Love<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Greece ?? - Katerine Duska - Better Love - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-MSY13IfckU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>It was a bit of a shock when Greece failed to qualify last year. This year they are BACK, with a song that\u2019s got a whole load of familiar hooks \u2013 please tell me what they are! This is a really good pop song, a great vocal, a great place in the draw and great staging. Through for sure. In the parallel universe where Adele and Sam Smith had a child, their kid would sound like this.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Better Love\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/0QvJ5pNWlnMiLIxr7M6t3N?si=y9_dBFzuSUG2wO6qQkiYcg&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>17\u00a0 San Marino<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Serhat &#8211; <em>Say Na Na Na<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"San Marino ?? - Serhat - Say Na Na Na - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6xVYCjISkLA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>And for our final course, some fromage. You\u2019ve gotta love a bit of cheese at the end of a banquet. Bless him, Serhat represented San Marino a few year back, narrowly missing out on a\u00a0place in the final. Hey, you never know \u2013 by this time in the proceedings, and with next to no proper euro-pop\/euro-camp in this draw (this year in fact), we might all be saying yes, yes, yes\u2026 although it&#8217;s probs going to be no, no, no&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Say Na Na Na\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/1QiX3OmiJ3AyClandLJoEj?si=qfZkJg3tTTe3XFaWnb3djA&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Et voila!<\/p>\n<p>So these are our choices for tonight. I&#8217;ve got 11 on my list so I need to narrow it down to ten qualifiers. Remember I&#8217;m seeing what you see for the first time tonight &#8211; the full performances &#8211; so something might change. I will post my napkin of death during the interval, so pop by blog and see what I&#8217;ve decided, and see if we agree. But for now I fancy these countries:<\/p>\n<p>Cyprus, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Serbia, Belgium, Georgia, Australia, Iceland, Estonia, Greece. Happy to see Iceland out and Slovenia in, but Slovenia might be too dull. Let&#8217;s see&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Enjoy your first night in the euro-bubble. Have fun and speak tomorrow, eurochums!<\/p>\n<p>[\u2018Ze-e-e-e-e-e-e-e e-ro, Gra-a-a-a-a-a-avity\u2019]<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\ude42 xx<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tonight sees the first of the two semi-finals. Fans in the UK will be watching on BBC4 at 8pm. I will do what I did last year which was to watch the live feed via the esc.tv YouTube channel on my telly. 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I&#8217;d rather just [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":367,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1752","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>ESC2019: Wake Me Up before a Eurovision go-go... - Phil Jackson&#039;s Eurovision Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.edgehill.ac.uk\/eurovision\/2019\/05\/14\/esc2019-wake-me-up-before-a-eurovision-go-go\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"ESC2019: Wake Me Up before a Eurovision go-go... - Phil Jackson&#039;s Eurovision Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Tonight sees the first of the two semi-finals. 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