Rehearsals are in full swing at the moment in Rotterdam. In fact, all the participating countries in the first semi final have been on stage for the first time already so we can see the first contours on what that first semi will be like. In this chat conversation I had with Dennis van Eersel…
Read More
Since their return to the contest in 2011, Italy has proven to be a fierce competitor at the contest. A Eurovision win is imminent for the nation, who have sent many of their biggest stars over the years. Could they win this year with the rock group, MÃ¥neskin and their song Zitti e Buoni? Anita…
Read More
It’s almost non-news to say that Denmark is bringing the exact same stage show as in the national final. It’s another case of, don’t change things if they don’t need to be changed. The retro upbeat number works well with the retro themed backing screens and colourful lights. It’s a confident performance of a decent…
Read More
Well, we may have just found a winner. Switzerland has been a strong favourite since they revealed their song, and while they went down a few places in the odds, I suspect they will be rising to the top again. This is a truly spectacular performance that is totally unique in the field. Many expected…
Read More
The queen of the night is coming! Samanta is bringing the fierceness on stage while in a long emerald green dress. She has three backing singers/dancers on stage with her, also wearing the same shade of green. The visors that they used in the performance of Still Breathing last year are back, but lord knows…
Read More
Finland have now cemented themselves as qualifiers. The rock performance was very similar to the national final, but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The group is spread out on stage, with the two singers at the front interacting well with each other. The camera work is good, with shots of the band members…
Read More
Bulgaria is a hot favourite at this year’s competition, hoping to win with VICTORIA and her song Growing Up is Getting Old. VICTORIA is on stage on a raised platform that looks like a cliff face, and towards the front, sand is pouring down. It’s not a visual effect, as VICTORIA stands up during the…
Read More
Portugal has kept things somewhat similar to their national final performance, with The Black Mamba performing in black and white for the start of their performance. The colour appears, and so does a live orchestra – well, at least on the backing screens! It’s a nice effect, and it does make the stage seem fuller.…
Read More
The Albanian entry Karma has had a visual upgrade since we last saw it in the national final. Anxhela is on stage alone, but she manages to command the stage all by herself. Some of the longer camera shots did make the stage look empty, and that could have been remedied with smoke throughout the…
Read More
Georgia is offering up one of the simplest songs this year, and they also have the staging to match. Tornike delivers his song on stage alone, wearing a white button up and black pants. The staging is dark and moody, especially in the first half of the song. Because of the darkness, it makes it…
Read More