{"id":1826,"date":"2019-05-16T12:53:48","date_gmt":"2019-05-16T11:53:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.edgehill.ac.uk\/eurovision\/?p=1826"},"modified":"2019-05-17T00:25:36","modified_gmt":"2019-05-16T23:25:36","slug":"esc2019-who-will-keep-their-dream-alive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edgehill.ac.uk\/eurovision\/2019\/05\/16\/esc2019-who-will-keep-their-dream-alive\/","title":{"rendered":"ESC2019: who will keep their dream alive?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>After a marvelous first semi-final, let\u2019s see if the songs on offer tonight are Abba-dabba-do\u2019s, or Abba-dabba-don\u2019ts&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><strong>01\u00a0 Armenia<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Srbuk &#8211; <em>Walking Out<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Armenia ?? - Srbuk - Walking Out - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hKHsNcgfMk8?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 wouldn\u2019t have been my first choice to open this semi-final. The staging looks a bit dull, even with the pyrotechnics. It\u2019s not often that a song opening a semi-final doesn\u2019t make it \u2013 but I think, like Azerbaijan last year, this opener won\u2019t make the cut.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Walking Out\" 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\/5ilWyRLCjLzlWwjSwPasgl?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>02\u00a0 Ireland<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sarah McTernan &#8211; <em>22<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ireland ?? - Sarah McTernan - 22 - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Nh8iFJTxVHI?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 have been a huge fan of this song since I first heard it when it was released a couple of months ago. Based on this short clip it looks like a bit of a hot mess. Does the track really imbue that 50s malt shop era? Sarah is singing about being 22, not 1952! It all seems a bit disconnected between song and staging. A pity, as it\u2019s a nice song. Probs not going through to the final. Perhaps the juries will save it?<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: 22\" 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\/3ZBeBPho2tpNn6vHcic9Jd?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>03\u00a0 Moldova<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Anna Odobescu &#8211; <em>Stay<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Moldova ?? - Anna Odobescu - Stay - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/X3RauAppvCQ?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>Blimey, Anna gives it some welly. It&#8217;s not a terrible song, but what I can\u2019t get beyond is the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">daylight robbery<\/span> from Ukraine\u2019s performance from ESC2011\u2026<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Mika Newton - Angel (Ukraine) Live 2011 Eurovision Song Contest\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mx1wAj_oVdE?start=28&#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>O-M-G, the cheek! I don\u2019t mind an homage or a cheeky nod to something, but this is lazy, and a bit insulting to Eurofans who will know this is a bit of a rip-off. Perhaps for those who are not familiar, the backdrop will sell the song?\u00a0 Hmmm<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Stay\" 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\/78iJjN4KTvervCOGL5hZ6R?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>And now, may the fourth be with you\u2026<\/p>\n<p><strong>04\u00a0 Switzerland<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Luca H\u00e4nni &#8211; <em>She Got Me<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Switzerland ?? - Luca H\u00e4nni - She Got Me - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/j7zJoWwbz4Y?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>For me, this semi-final starts here. Prior to the Contest and seeing the rehearsal footage, I thought Switzerland were going to win, even ahead of the long time favourite from The Netherlands. You will hear shades of Cyprus\u2019s <em>Fuego <\/em>from last year, as well as a whiff of Tamta\u2019s <em>Replay <\/em>from the first semi-final this year. The Swiss staging looks good, but not as great as the music video. Kudos that they haven\u2019t just duplicated the music video on stage, but it&#8217;s a shame that they haven\u2019t done so\u2026<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Luca H\u00e4nni - She Got Me - Switzerland ??- Official Music Video - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6PxoMWtAC7M?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 had to do a double take \u2013 I thought I saw Strictly\u2019s Vincent and Flavia! Fab song.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: She Got Me\" 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\/6TNK1SFt77MvTFoiTloiFQ?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>05\u00a0 Latvia<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Carousel &#8211; <em>That Night<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Latvia ?? - Carousel - That Night - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TjDnAtgrJCo?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 you know that the juries are going to love this song \u2013 will the voting public? I don\u2019t mind it \u2013 it washes over me, in a good way. Shades of Norah Jones and Lilly Allen to the vocal and vibe. Simple staging, not a bad place in the draw. Things might just go Latvia\u2019s way.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: That Night\" 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\/2lXVZV4hnSlH1emXHocEUO?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>06\u00a0 Romania<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Ester Peony &#8211;\u00a0 <em>On A Sunday<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Romania ?? - Ester Peony - On A Sunday - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zWpqOA8rF5E?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>For many years Romania were an ESC banker, seemingly guaranteed a place in the Grand Final. Recently it\u2019s gone a bit Pete Tong. And I\u2019m not entirely sure how it will go this year. The song is OK, not particularly memorable, but it\u2019s hard to judge on such a small rehearsal clip on how this will translate tonight.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: On a Sunday\" 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\/67gDqPeyqOo3DKICrz5Y8Y?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>07\u00a0 Denmark<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Leonora &#8211; <em>Love Is Forever<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Denmark ?? - Leonora - Love Is Forever - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FQDkwuNjO8s?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>Je t\u2019aime! Je t\u2019aime! Je t\u2019aime! This is in my top five, and it was an immediate early favourite of mine. The song may be a little too sweet and Doris Day (RIP, lovely) for some, but for me the real genius of this entry is the staging. And what do most Eurovision winners have these days (?) \u2013 a performance tailored to the television viewer, and this does just that. Watch the national final performance and be charmed\u2026<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Leonora - Love Is Forever - Denmark ?? - Official Video - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fAdSQxaXsSk?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 really hope they don\u2019t mess with the format too much. They have added a couple of additional b-vox peeps. I hope this is a sleeper and makes it through. C\u2019mon Europe &#8211; and Australia!<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Love Is Forever\" 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\/43k9g3vEP8z0qgkoyHjWV3?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>08\u00a0 Sweden<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>John Lundvik &#8211; <em>Too Late for Love<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Sweden ?? - John Lundvik - Too Late For Love - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/y5w8qSEg9Ls?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>Regular readers will remember that I am slightly obsessed with Sweden\u2019s Melodifestivalen, which is their six week selection process that usually delivers them an excellent song and a great result at the ESC. After the shock of failing to qualify back in 2010, Sweden have been taking no chances, and have placed in the top ten eight times in the last nine years, and in the top five on five occasions, winning it twice. The best recent track record of any participating country. And they will maintain their track record with yet another top five finish. And you will not be surprised to hear me say that this might win ahead of Australia. FYI, during the voting at the Melodifestivalen final back in March, all of the international juries awarded it the maximum douze-points, the first time that had ever happened. Currently second with the bookies, I think it will eclipse The Netherlands tonight, as John and his awesome backing singer, The Mamas, and gonna slay the runway&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Too Late For 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\/6Jf8Y84YSdqeJfEPDJFEZu?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>09\u00a0 Austria<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>P\u00c6NDA &#8211; <em>Limits<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Austria - P\u00c6NDA - Limits - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/h5ppfP5pm9U?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>Hard to get much of a sense of the song in this clip. It gives a melodic and breathy vocal, and songs like this tend to do well with the juries. That said, it\u2019s another darkly staged song, following on from Sweden\u2019s rather dark staging. Looks quite effective, but it might get lost after Sweden\u2019s powerhouse, OR it&#8217;s a perfect change of pace.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Limits\" 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\/3BDkDocp0pBbZFfT0aNjdA?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>10\u00a0 Croatia<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Roko &#8211; <em>The Dream<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Croatia ?? - Roko - The Dream - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sWpRSYfY7O8?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>Roko certainly gives is some welly, and one of the best male vocals of the whole competition. Not sure if the whole angel wing thing will work for or against him. A bit twee, or visually effective? I think it\u2019ll be on my napkin of death, but I\u2019ll have to see the whole performance to decide.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: The Dream\" 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\/5H3QnsLU4k0tqGfiW6A6DW?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>11\u00a0 Malta<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Michela &#8211; Chameleon<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Malta ?? - Michela - Chameleon - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/AyXlDQx5ovM?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>The most contemporary song I think Malta have ever sent, this should easily be aiming for a top ten finish. This is a brilliant pop song and the staging is vibrant and highly effective. Love the whole thing, except the rather odd pronouncement of the word chameleon, and how it almost sound like she\u2019s singing karma chameleon. It is very hard for me to not sing karma chameleon, I must say!<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Chameleon\" 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\/3f2A1yImyhIh63zVioggr5?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>12\u00a0 Lithuania<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Jurij Veklenko <em>&#8211; Run With The Lions<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Lithuania ?? - Jurij Veklenko - Run With The Lions - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bvuRdplp8wc?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 feels a bit like Finland in the first semi-final, all a bit dated. Also, when you hear the full track there is a slightly odd falsetto in places. And black is the new black in a lot of the staging tonight, isn\u2019t it!<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Run With the Lions\" 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\/1PiZscF70USgrXYRNn9hoT?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>13\u00a0 Russia<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sergey Lazarev &#8211; <em>Scream<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Russia ?? - Sergey Lazarev - Scream - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4kk-tv3Zzk4?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>When he competed in ESC2016 Segei actually won the popular vote (televote), but finished in third place. The jury cost him that year. His previous entry,\u00a0<em>You Are The Only One, <\/em>had amazing staging, and a bombastic uptempo pop song. It\u2019s only flaw was the cringe-inducing lyric \u201cthunder and lightning it\u2019s getting exciting\u201d. That song is now one of my faves, although it wasn\u2019t at the time. I hope the staging is more impactful than the short clip. I loves me some Sergei, and the thought of nine or ten Segei\u2019s at the same time should be a dream come true, but is it really in this staging? If lightning strikes twice (see what I did there) Sergei will do well, but we\u2019re not heading to Russia next year. Sure to make it through.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: SCREAM\" 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\/3YZXQCUFSP8YffSegMm8xd?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>14\u00a0 Albania<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Jonida Maliqi &#8211; <em>Ktheju tok\u00ebs<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Albania ?? - Jonida Maliqi - Ktheju tok\u00ebs - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/P0lToVjUzDM?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>Unlike the first semi-final there aren\u2019t many songs not sung in English, and with that authentic indigenous sound, so Albania will certainly stand out. Not the most immediate songs to my ear, but I look forward to seeing the full performance. If a similar song for Serbia can make it to the final, perhaps this can also\u2026<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Ktheju Tok\u00ebs\" 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\/7p83db7oriaCul8WzoLr6f?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>15\u00a0 Norway<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>KEiiNO &#8211; <em>Spirit in the Sky<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Norway ?? - KEiiNO - Spirit In The Sky - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/64wttdCyxO4?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 bit like in the first semi-final, there needs to be a bit of retro Euro-fromage, and we get if from Norway in this semi-final. It\u2019s well-liked and will probably get through to the final, but I have to say I find it all a bit irritating \u2013 especially the vocal from the bald guy, which is all a bit like the Chef from The Muppets\u2026<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Spirit in the Sky\" 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\/7B7O5jgFpWfc9orZw6FN4K?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>16\u00a0 The Netherlands<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Duncan Laurence &#8211; <em>Arcade<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Netherlands ?? - Duncan Laurence - Arcade - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ReOcQVgIAFs?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 so we\u2019ve made it to the hot favourite. Fans of the music video will be hugely disappointed with this staging. You see, in the music video Duncan is naked throughout (tastefully done), submerged in water \u2013 it\u2019s all very moody and ethereal. I know some of you will now be searching for the music video on YouTube! I\u2019m a huge fan of the song, it\u2019s one of the best, and it\u2019s time for The Netherlands to win. The last time they did was back in 1975, with Teach In\u2019s delightfully named <em>Dina-A-Dong<\/em> (stop laughing at the back!). I think they will be waiting at least another year, because even though the juries will love it, and it will be up there with the best songs in the final, does the staging really do anything to attract the ear of the casual viewer? We shall see\u2026<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Arcade\" 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\/1Xi84slp6FryDSCbzq4UCD?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>17\u00a0 North Macedonia<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Tamara Todevska \u2013 <em>Proud<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"North Macedonia ?? - Tamara Todevska - Proud - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/e5yuP9deQB8?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>Newly named country, North Macedonia (FYROM no more) give us a bit of old-school balladeering, in an old-school gown (yikes). The lesser-spotted b-vox singers are in there somewhere. Doesn\u2019t Tamara look like a young Kim Wilde? Good to have a powerhouse ballad in the mix, but I don\u2019t think it will get through.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Proud\" 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\/4L2YQw0JBuYcS8M1uQKQjC?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>18\u00a0 Azerbaijan<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Chingiz \u2013 <em>Truth<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Azerbaijan ?? - Chingiz - Truth - Exclusive Rehearsal Clip - Eurovision 2019\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/o6Ib0C0PxN8?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 well fancied song that I don\u2019t quite get. I don\u2019t know why the title of the song isn\u2019t \u2018shut up\u2019, as it is the major phrase throughout. There\u2019s a total mismatch between the song and the staging, isn\u2019t there? I\u2019m not a fan but I think it will get through if the performance doesn\u2019t look as naff as this short clip makes it.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Truth - Radio Edit\" 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\/1pBieHBODFbJ6hjmnummIb?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>So, is there a winner in this half of the draw. There are some of the stronger songs in this draw, but overall it feels a bit more beige than the first semi-final. That said, if that was anything to go by it will be another cracking show tonight, which is at 8pm on BBC4 in the UK, which I will be watching. I will post my final napkin of death in the interval, but for now I\u2019m thinking\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Switzerland, Latvia, Denmark, Sweden, Croatia, Malta, Russia, Norway, The Netherlands, Azerbaijan<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s see if my mood changes on any of these (and the other) songs tonight once I, along with you, have seen the full performances.<\/p>\n<p>Enjoy the show, Eurofans! \ud83d\ude00 xx<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After a marvelous first semi-final, let\u2019s see if the songs on offer tonight are Abba-dabba-do\u2019s, or Abba-dabba-don\u2019ts&#8230; 01\u00a0 Armenia Srbuk &#8211; Walking Out This wouldn\u2019t have been my first choice to open this semi-final. The staging looks a bit dull, even with the pyrotechnics. It\u2019s not often that a song opening a semi-final doesn\u2019t make [&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-1826","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: who will keep their dream alive? - 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\/16\/esc2019-who-will-keep-their-dream-alive\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"ESC2019: who will keep their dream alive? - Phil Jackson&#039;s Eurovision Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"After a marvelous first semi-final, let\u2019s see if the songs on offer tonight are Abba-dabba-do\u2019s, or Abba-dabba-don\u2019ts&#8230; 01\u00a0 Armenia Srbuk &#8211; Walking Out This wouldn\u2019t have been my first choice to open this semi-final. 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