It’s the time of year when the Post-Eurovision depression is in full swing, but there’s no better cure than to reminisce! Together with ESCDaily Editor, Dennis Van Eersel, we will be discussing each of this year’s competing nations – from their results to how we think they could improve in the future!
Switzerland
Predictions, Personal Scores and Results
Anita:
Prediction: Top 10
Dennis:
Prediction: Top 10
Results: 3rd, Final
Did Switzerland live up to expectations?
D: Gjon’s Tears was one of the potential winners of Eurovision 2021 and he finished in the top 3 winning the bronze medal in Ahoy. So yes, he clearly lived up to the high expectations before the contest. However, when it comes to the presentation and staging I think Switzerland took many people by surprise with a concept we didn’t see coming.
A: I would say yes. Not only did it meet expectations, but it surprised many with the staging. For a song that was constantly compared to Arcade, it was also expected that Gjon would be behind a piano. He stepped out of his comfort zone and entered a more complex staging, and I personally loved it. I know there were people who didn’t enjoy it, but I really thought it was creative, innovative and unique. The purple lighting was incredible. Total highlight of the performance for me.
How do you personally feel about the song for Switzerland at Eurovision 2021?
A: Such a strong song from Switzerland, and you really get the feeling that a win could be around the corner for the nation after a couple of years of strong results. They are really putting the effort in now, and this song was no exception. Absolutely stunning, and easily one of the best Swiss entries we’ve seen at the modern day contest.
D: What can I say after those words by Anita to emphasize even more how good this entry was? The fact that the song was in the winner market and got compared to Arcade that often says enough as well. A true class entry and I think every listener will pick up that quality.
Could Switzerland have done anything different?
A: Even though the staging was polarising, I would say no, they shouldn’t have done anything different. They really took this song to the next level with such creative staging, and Gjon embraced it. Vocally, he was one of the best of this year’s contest, and I think for those reasons it had very strong jury appeal, but yet still had televote appeal. I think this year demonstrated that Switzerland is ready to step out of the box and try new things, and that’s why I do believe that if they keep sending strong songs such as these, they will score a win in the next few years.
D: I expected Gjon’s Tears to do a piano presentation but they tried to stay away from more Duncan Laurence comparisons I guess? It’s hard to criticize a choice that gave a nation a third place at Eurovision. So yes, they could have of course done anything different but it’s doubtful if it would have given them an even better result.
What can Switzerland do to ensure success in future years?
A: Switzerland seems to have a better grip on what constitutes a strong Eurovision song. Quality is coming first now, and I think that’s a result of removing the national final. The switch to internal selections really allowed the nation to focus on what’s important. I think they should stick with this method until they can comfortably host a national final with every entry as strong as the other.
D: Indeed. Keep up the current strategy please, with a 4th and 3rd place finish in the last two Eurovisions, Switzerland seems to have found the momentum in the contest now. Internally select a great singer and hook him/her up with a strong composition as well. It works better for them than the internet-based selections for a national final in other recent years.
Which was better, the live-on-tape performance or the actual performance?
A: This is an easy conclusion – the live Rotterdam performance was significantly better. Vocally, both were incredible, but in the back-up tape the props weren’t there, and the lighting was so harsh. Also, Gjon was more comfortable with the movement on stage by Rotterdam, so the performance was much more seamless.
D: Agreed with Anita of course, since Gjon stepped out of his comfort zone it makes so much sense that his performance months earlier for the back-up tape wasn;t as polished and easier to watch than the one in Rotterdam. It affected everything, working the camera, the vocals, the movements. Everything was better in Ahoy.