EUROVISION 2023: THE PERFORMANCES BY FRANCE, GERMANY AND ITALY

While the acts in semi-final two are having their dress rehearsals in Liverpool, which I am not really following in any way let's sit back and have a look at the Big 5 performances by France, Germany and Italy in the first semi-final. Or actually in its Monday evening's second dress rehearsal.

How come this is so high in odds? I mean I like the song, and she's fabulous but here it's all very dark really, she does look dramatic rather than looking like she's enjoying the staging that much. Is it that her wonderful personality has enchanted the fandom? I don't quite see the European wide audiences voting for this more than barely Top-10 if lucky. I hope I am wrong.

From Lordi via AWS to Hatari and Blind Channel and now Lord of the Lost. Songs in this genre (loosely) have had mixed fortunes but I have a feeling this one is going to end up with the happier finishes. I think fandom is pretty much sleeping on this. Friends and people I know, non fans who only watch the Big Night, are mostly liked this one. if they manage to get their European wide fandom vote along with rock fans (like Lordi did) they could well squeeze into Top-10 and create some blood and glitter fights there as someone has to make way to them in that case. Is it France?

Being a huge Mengoni fan I might be partial but he's one of the most secure and seasoned artists here and it shows. He belts out with his song with emotion and power and needs to fireworks or glitter - his short is enough - while the song is just pouring out of him. But this time Italy does have a staging but it's so undertone that it's there but it doesn't take away attention from Marco for a second: Those two trampoline creatures in front of a giant moon is a nice touch. This is all elegant, stylish and simple yet effective. Bravo! Ant hose fans hating Italy "for sending a male ballad every year" stop for a moment and face the reality: This is Top-5 coming.

And if it doesn't he couldn't care less. He's off to sold out stadium tour at home and later in Italy and keeps producing and releasing multi platinum albums and streaming millions. You can join the fandom or just shut up.

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