EUROVISION 2018 DAY 4: FIRST REHEARSAL FOR GEORGIA, POLAND, MALTA
Day 4 and today we will see the rest of the semi-finalists rehearse, aka the second half of the second semi-final and then we have a clearer picture of all acts. There have been some surprises already in both semis, as well as some letdowns (apparently Australia's Jeessica left the press center in tears last nigth after she came aware of the unison negative reception) so the competition is fierce in the first one, and those who thought the second one is the easy one - think again!
Georgia - Ethno-Jazz band Iriao - For you
Mystery revealed: only three band members are on stage singing, with added keyboardist and guitarist, Suits with white shirts, read and light blue turns red lighting. Apparently nice close ups but not so much camera contact so they are pretty much waisted. No show whatsoever, except some arm choreography towards the end it seems, let the music speak to itself. Some say they looked bored and forced to perform together... oops! On the other hand other reviewers say it's majestic and giving goosebumps. Go figure. Another very divisive entry for sure. Waterfall pyros and dry ice in the end. Some are sending this to final afteer all. Well, I think it always had an almost certain spot there even if it isn't among my favorites....
"Simple", "Basic", "Great vocals", "Goosebumps", "Classical", "Effective", "Spot on harmonies", "Il Volo-esque", "Calming"
Poland - Gromee feat. Lukas Meijer - Light me up
Is this JOWST vol.2? Apparently pretty much same color theme and staging. Gromee and Lukas have on stage with three backing singer girls and a bassist. All in black and the guys wearing their signature preacher hats. They try to get (inexisting) audience to jump and take part in the show so we won't see this in real action until the real shows. This is another act adapted straight from the national final to this stage. Lukas uses the catwalk while Gromee is behind his dj desk doing some weird dance moves aka dad dancing and waves with his hands. Add pyros.
Projections, LED screens (yes! they didn't manage without apparently, being the only one so far), holograms?, 3D effects, stunning laser light show, pumas?, pyros. Christabelle in black leather and purple, female dancer... a lot is going on underlining the mental illness theme perhaps? Is she eating a on-screen heart at one point? She handles the vocals as she always does in the end, and this might be the act with the most happening on stage but apparently it all goes together after all. More is more!
The Azerbaijani selection show for the represant was as long as the selection process for the five finalists. Kurt Calleja from Malta and Can Bonomo from Turkey were present with Ell/Nikki to see Sabina Babayeva to emerge as the winner after each and every finalist had done about zillion songs amongst other guests. Now the Azeri TV will shop around a suitable song for her.
Krista Siegfrids is delivering nice pop tunes one after another and this one is particularly catchy and soon you will be singing along..... Hopefully her Melodifestivalen entry will be equally good!
The Norwegian entries are now and there to listen, or here . This time Norway has only one off final with 11 songs and a live orchestra, so it will be interesting to hear how these songs will turn out as most are rather modern sounding and not so Eurovisionesque midtempo numbers. There could have been also only ten if they had dropped that joke entry from the line up. The old veterans Elisabeth and Tor have nothing to be ashamed among this lot. To be honest I didn't get excited by any of these really... Something is wrong in my books if a classic schlager like Heaven sounds almost the best... What's wrong Norway?
Małgorzata Jamroży aka Margaret has also been tipped for Eurovision and apparently she did turn it down but she'd be perfect. She's got a look and persona you can't unnotice nor forget, she's got hit songs, she has been voted or nominated for everything from Trendy artist to the Hope of the Year, Fashion Icon and Glamour Woman of the year besides the usual best video, song, album, debut..... Oh she's also a fashion designer! She's very clever with social medias and would surely use it to her advantage if selected for Stockholm 2016. Her debut album is titled Add the blonde , do we need to say more? Except it includes mostly Swedish written pop tunes like Tell me how are ya , Wasted , Start a fire and Heartbeat . And of course her debut single and internationally noticed Thank you very much that you can enjoy below with all its anti-textil feel. I think she's Eurovision perfection, she's cheeky and fun, can we have her?
Brand new studio album SEXORCISM is released tomorrow, 12 years and 5 days after their monstreous victory in Athens 2006 Eurovision song contest. It is quite possibly the most controversial Lordi album yet and already their 9th stuido album (plus three compilations and one Ep)
The 2016 Eurovision song contest organizers didn't manage it - or any of the previous ones either nor those offering them millions of dollars - but they seem to get together for birthdays, the way the old friends do. Back in 1999 they performed together in a private party for Görel Hansel's 50th birthday, and now to celebrate the first meeting of Björn and Benny 50 years ago. Venue was Stockholm's Bern's Salonger and once again in a private setting but today even they can't stop the cell phone videos and social medias. Enjoy the magic of Frida's and Agnetha's voices again.
The time has come. After all these years, 5,7 million visits, 12.000 articles I guess the time has come. As much as I love and care for Eurovision it just doesn't feel the same. The Corona years took their toll and the past two years and certain decisions have helped me to mature the idea that next year I will hear the songs for the first time in semi-final just like any so called local. The bubble has burst. Add the toxicity in social medias and fandom. The arrogant teenagers who saw their first contest somewhere 2017 or even 2021 who think they know it all and only their opinion matters. Did I mention the toxic atmosphere on social medias? I'm too old for that sh*t. It's been a long ride that took me to various Eurovision on spot as a fan and tourist, as a journalist, as a delegation member. I met some great people, made memories of lifetime. In stressful, sad periods of my life this blog has been my safe place, a place to escape and forget everything else for an hour o...
The old rivals have put their bras (or the lack of them) in peace and entered the studios together to record Blondie's boombastic Call me . Life could be worse.....
Today's funniest Eurovision related story comes from Belarus. Some sources claim Ivan wants to perform on stage naked and with live wolf or wolves. It surely would be a first on Eurovision stage! We have seen some forgotten underwear over the years, and some cardbox animals though..... Is it time to take things a bit further? No, according the rules live animals are not allowed, and Eurovision being a family show nudity won't do either. (It seems to be ok to be half naked if you are a dancer though..... )
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