Tonight we got to see the remaining six perform their demos to the judges for the first time in studio stage. The artists didn't know who the judges would be until they entered the stage so that gave them some extra excitement, too. And the judges finally saw the artists they had only heard on tape so far. As always the judges commented the song, the performance and gave the artists hints how to make it better for the live gig next week. Here's a short round up what was said and how the performances were.
LUCY WAS DRIVING - ALL AROUND THE UNIVERSE ***
Toni praised them and says he thinks they have a really good song in its genre. Some critic for the vocals that surely would sound fine if there were 300 girls screaming along but here in this studio one can hear everything. Aija thinks the chorus is a killer. She also likes the drum beat. She also criticized the vocals, as did Tomi. And finally they commented their look, the scarves especially, too cliche. They suggested them to perform in suits or something next time and this blogger thinks (remembering Subsonica a Sanremo...) that would be great! The contrast with the song and the look.
ELINA ORKONEVA - HE'S NOT MY MAN ****
Aija said she has liked the song since the beginning and it has a lot of good elements but she's been a bit worried if this is too "nice". She thinks Elina must be a bit nastier on stage. Tomi described he gets the feeling of sunshine and picnic and such when he'd like to get one of smugglers in the night and a little bit of danger. Well said, I think! Redrama also thinks it was well done but not enough, it should get to the next level. Toni and Tomi also agreed that Elina should take a step forward and be the Star of the show, now it looked like a band and she didn't come out as the lead singer. I agree on that, too. Afterwards Elina promises to bring out the rawness and roughness. Let's wait and see!
ILARI HÄMÄLÄINEN - SYTYTÄ MUT VAAN ***
Ilari tells his songs is inspired by Mötley Crue's Girls, girls, girls. Oh well. Tomi reminds the other judges before the performance he was the one who insisted on having this in the top-12 and is now a bit worried if people will understand the humor in this. And after the song the other agreed they got it now. Humor heavy. Redrama says this is so not his cup of tea but he likes it, well sung and well played. Aija says she's very impressed by the live performance, awesome! Toni said that if he had hair he would like to join the band. In general the judges were very taken by the whole thing. I was maybe a little less impressed. Maybe I lack the sense of heavy humor then?
ATLÉTICO KUMPULA - PAPERILYHTY **
The band said they haven't had time to get nervous as they have been busy doing gigs and recording. First of all I have to say I think Kyösti gave really poor vocals, and Janne more or less was the only living band member on the stage. For me a huge disappointment at this stage. Almost as static as Rautakoura in the first heat. And this song is barely 2 minutes long, how is that? And the judges? Redrama was also calling for some presence. It was too mild. Tomi was also asking them what they have thought about the presentation? Aija wasn't impressed either and Toni thought this was targeted for some elitistic artsy hipsters. Tomi further said he got a feeling all band members didn't want to be on stage performing this song, here and now. Autcsh!
Redrama further commented they didn't take any negative comments very kindly....Toni concluded it wasn't interesting. I guess they can forget all the support from the jury in the next step?
DIANDRA - COLLIDING INTO YOU ****
Diandra once again declared her love for Eurovision in the interview and hoped her grandfather can watch her in it next spring. Redrama praised her vocals and said he was convinced about her singing and likes the song but also said the song needs reproduction. Tomi said it was really good, and adviced them to even more highlight her vocals in the final production. Aija thought on the recorded version she sounded a bit bland but here and now live she sounded much better, and got into the song more. Toni said he's not a big fan of this particular song, that Diandra could sing something more challenging but thinks she can also make this one work, and make it better. Aija and Toni both think they should change the key to a higher one, so Diandra could really belt it out. He also hoped the final production would be more boombastic. More drama, as all the judges said in the final comment. Once again I agree. How come we got such great judges this year?!
ARION - LOST ***
Apparently the song's name has been changed into Lost instead of the original demo's Lost in the woods. If Atlético Kumpula barely made it to two minutes, these guys play it for five minutes! The guys surely know how to play their instruments and I like this sound of pop heavy, and the singer has a sweet pop voice even if he seems to be a bit "lost" not knowing what to do when he's not singing (and there's a lot of that in this song!). And when he sings he looks like suffering a lot so there's something to work out, me thinks. I liked they keyboards and those who understand about guitar solos say they're awesome so maybe they are. The judges liked it as expected. Tomi said they had created a big sound, and Redrama praised the singers saying often in these bands the singer is the weakest link but he was good, soulful. According him they also got groove despite being heavy, a swinging bass so to speak. Toni think the singer is heavy metal's Justin Bieber. In looks department, not in vocals. Aija also praises the singer saying he only needs a bit more self confidence. In the conclusion comments the judges further discussed the singer saying good things about him, and Redrama said this is the most international sounding of all these bands and even he likes it, even if he's not in the target group for heavy music. Aija and Redrama confessed being touched and with cold shivers...
Next week the live gig in Circus, Helsinki start. In the first one Iina Salin, Last Panda, Mikael Saari, Ilari Hämäläinen, Rautakoura and Diandra will be on stage. There's a televote + juryvote and two songs will qualify directly to the final. The other four will have a second chance later.
Comments