So here we go then, guys.\u00a0 It\u2019s the day of the ESC2013 Grand Final! How exciting!<\/p>\n
So, where will we be off to Denmark next year? It\u2019s looking highly likely!<\/p>\n
I travelled back from Malm\u00f6 yesterday, after a great week.\u00a0 I am slightly exhausted (in a good way) as there are long (exciting) days when you\u2019re there. I was up early every day to get to the Conference activities, and to cram in as much as I can into the week. This one was different than in previous years as my trip was much shorter. I usually go for the full week, staying for the final and then returning home. This year I have chosen to come home and watch the final on television, with my euro-buddies.\u00a0 You know, it really is true \u2013 once you have seen the rehearsals and the semi-finals, you really have seen everything, so sitting through the final dress rehearsal a few times can remove some of the magic.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m looking forward to watching from home tonight with a few friends, including my travel companion this week, great friend and Eurovision scholar \u2013 Professor Brian Singleton, and my \u2018Eurovision wife\u2019 Rachel Rolfe \u2013 my bessy for all things Eurovision since the 1990s. There are things to look out for: Benny and Bjorn from Abba have collaborated with hot Swedish DJ\/producer, Avicci on a new track \u2013 and we will hear that tonight \u2013 \u2018citing. Hopefully Graham Norton will be entertaining in his commentary, and avoid the urge to take another step towards morphing into Wogan.<\/p>\n
The final countdown has a list of songs that have been scheduled by the EBU. Upon qualification for the final, all countries randomly select their place in the first or second part of the draw.\u00a0 It is then the choice of the EBU to determine the running order.\u00a0 And they have done a great job. Over the course of the evening last night We listened to the songs back-to-back, and it is a great flow \u2013 not too many ballads bunched together. You will notice that the up-tempo sings and the ballads trade places \u2013 so the balance feels right.<\/p>\n
Great that Ireland are performing last. I would have loved the UK to have been later in the draw, but coming off the back of Romania it sounds refreshingly low-key. Reports from the Jury Final suggest that Bonnie might not have on top form vocally, but got an amazing reception in the arena.\u00a0 She\u2019ll do us proud \u2013 and I\u2019m sure, as Wogan would himself say \u2013 we\u2019ll cheer her on with word and gesture.<\/p>\n
There is a bit of a kafuffle in Turkey \u2013 who have chosen to not broadcast either the second semi-final, nor the final tonight. This is because of the kiss that the Finnish singer Krista has with the female backing singer. As I said in a recent post, there is a reason for this kiss \u2013 pop over to the ERN website and read Brian\u2019s post about the story, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Anyway, let’s make way for the music! It’s going to be a great show, so enjoy yourselves and see you tomorrow for my final thoughts on the ESC2013, and our next destination…<\/p>\n 01. France<\/strong><\/p>\n