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!
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?
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!
My flying reporter Robert managed to get hold on Pasha Parfeni from Moldova today who has become during this week pretty big favorite to do well. How did he end up in Eurovision, what his goals are and is his granny better than the ones from Buranovo? And will we get a cover album full of Eurovision later on? Find it out here: Why do you want to participate in Eurovision? That's a very difficult question... I want to be a star! A worldstar, ha ha! But I know it's not easy even in Eurovision, only Celine Dion and ABBA have made it. But I can make myself a bit more known, it's good for promotion. After Eurovision I will finish my album and my promo-CD already has nine songs. We will recod maybe 4-5 more and it will make a good album. With what result will you be happy here? Happy? … Top-10! Then I'll be absolutely happy! So if you don't get to the final you will be totally depressed? Yes, maybe... Yes, it would be hard. For me and my team. What are y
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..... )
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
No more leave me alones as Eurovision 2007 veteran Hanna Pakarinen has published in her Youtube channel a video unboxing the Finnish state's maternity box aka layette set thus announcing she's due to have a baby later this spring. Congratulations!
Summertime is the time for cover versions and remixes. The late 1980's war of the boombs is over when Samantha and Sabrina put their bras together and cover Blondie's Call me in peace and harmony. Amore, chiamami!
This is one of the songs that make me think of sweaty summer nights, humid air and being slightly drunk... I wonder where that all comes from? Anyways. Kylie Minogue recorded On a night like this, maybe not first but better than Pandora or Anna Vissi . And Lord which is actually great!
Eurovision song contest 2005 winner Helena Paparizou has been enjoying Top-5 hits every year since 2003 with the exception of 2010 and 2014, this latest one being already her 27th! And Haide is charting also in Bulgaria and Finland, of all places. The catchiness of her hits has changed less over the years than her face.... Here's the English version , below the Greek version.
Update! Another thing got Swedes talking last night: Carola's boobs when she was giving away an award. This is not the first time her boombs cause headlines; her misfortunate adventures in the 80's in Japan wer explained with her boobs being too big for Japanese market. Ok.... Or was it the song ? Anyways, Carola apologies and says she thinks the dress is stylish and elegant (even her friends said so) and she's a mature woman in her 40s, not a 16-year-old girl and looks like one. The Swedish Oscars, Guldbagge awards were given out last night. Carola was there as a guest star to sing Barbra Streisand's The way we were when honoring the movie stars who passed away during 2012. However, the cameras were too much on Carola, not on the stars showed in photos in the background and that upset many viewers as that part of the show was to celebrate them, not Carola. Oh well... The producer of the show tells in Aftonbladet the part of the show was made the sam
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