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Tomorrow sees the 59th Eurovision Song Contest taking place in Copenhagen and judging by the two semi-finals held this week, Saturday night’s show will be even more of a surreal spectacular than usual.
The most talked about contestant this year is bearded Austrian drag artist Conchita Wurst who has gone from novelty act to potential winner in 24 hours. Big ballad Rise Like a Phoenix got a rapturous reception at last night’s second semi-final and Conchita is now looking like the hot favourite to win.
While the contest is famous for its kitsch appeal and over-the-top performances, politics does have a habit of leaking into the proceedings with the current tensions between Russia and Ukraine proving no exception.
Russia’s Tolmachevy Sisters were booed during the first semi-final on Tuesday when it was announced that they had progressed to Saturday night’s extravaganza. The Soviet siblings start their song Shine with their hair entwined while singing on a seesaw, which is pretty unusual even by Eurovision standards!
However, Ukraine is certainly giving them competition in the bizarre props department with singer Mariya Yaremchuk joined on stage by a running man in a giant hamster wheel. As with many things in Eurovision, it shouldn’t work but oddly it does, while the song Tick-Tock is a strong slice of dance-pop.
Meanwhile, with former front runner Armenia - peculiarly named balladeer Aram MP3 – slipping slightly in the betting, Dutch act The Common Linnets are on the rise with Calm After the Storm. The understated song, reminiscent of US country-pop group Lady Antebellum or even Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, stands out from all the wildly staged shenanigans.
While the contest is famous for its kitsch appeal and over-the-top performances, politics does have a habit of leaking into the proceedings with the current tensions between Russia and Ukraine proving no exception.
Russia’s Tolmachevy Sisters were booed during the first semi-final on Tuesday when it was announced that they had progressed to Saturday night’s extravaganza. The Soviet siblings start their song Shine with their hair entwined while singing on a seesaw, which is pretty unusual even by Eurovision standards!
However, Ukraine is certainly giving them competition in the bizarre props department with singer Mariya Yaremchuk joined on stage by a running man in a giant hamster wheel. As with many things in Eurovision, it shouldn’t work but oddly it does, while the song Tick-Tock is a strong slice of dance-pop.
Meanwhile, with former front runner Armenia - peculiarly named balladeer Aram MP3 – slipping slightly in the betting, Dutch act The Common Linnets are on the rise with Calm After the Storm. The understated song, reminiscent of US country-pop group Lady Antebellum or even Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, stands out from all the wildly staged shenanigans.
Perhaps most shockingly, the United Kingdom, last seen winning in 1997, is expected to finish with a top five placing this year thanks to Molly Smitten-Downes and her song Children of the Universe. The 27-year-old singer-songwriter was selected from the ‘BBC Introducing’ platform for emerging talent, marking a change of tactics following recent disappointing results from marquee names Bonnie Tyler, Engelbert Humperdinck and Blue.
Elsewhere, Sweden has chosen Sanna Nielsen, finally getting to fly their flag on her seventh attempt, with a ballad titled Undo which has already been a big hit at home. Could the strongly favoured song keep Eurovision in Scandinavia for a third year running? Alternatively, perhaps Denmark will score a home win with Cliché Love Song by Basim, a super-catchy Bruno Mars/Olly Murs type affair.
Other infectious tunes come courtesy of France’s Twin Twin with LMFAO style jokey track Moustache, whistling Swiss fiddler Sebalter’s Hunter of Stars and Greek floor-filler Rise Up by Freaky Fortune featuring Hackney rapper RiskyKidd.
Of course whoever wins, the real star of the night will be Eurovision itself - unpredictable, often baffling but totally unique... Enjoy the show!
Russell Iliffe
Elsewhere, Sweden has chosen Sanna Nielsen, finally getting to fly their flag on her seventh attempt, with a ballad titled Undo which has already been a big hit at home. Could the strongly favoured song keep Eurovision in Scandinavia for a third year running? Alternatively, perhaps Denmark will score a home win with Cliché Love Song by Basim, a super-catchy Bruno Mars/Olly Murs type affair.
Other infectious tunes come courtesy of France’s Twin Twin with LMFAO style jokey track Moustache, whistling Swiss fiddler Sebalter’s Hunter of Stars and Greek floor-filler Rise Up by Freaky Fortune featuring Hackney rapper RiskyKidd.
Of course whoever wins, the real star of the night will be Eurovision itself - unpredictable, often baffling but totally unique... Enjoy the show!
Russell Iliffe
