The crowd gathers for the first semi-final! Ah the joys of holding Eurovision in a proper venue. The crowd was all so orderly this year. Now if everyone would just stop smoking…
Pre-show warm up entertainment. The show was missing one important element. Where is Henric the stage manager? Sure we practiced the countdown and were all told what to do. But it just wasn’t the same without the cool Swede. I felt lost when the show started. Bring back Henric!
So the fan zone is right up the front of the stage and all these people are in the section behind. Would I gloat? Never!
I just love the light in this photo.
Moldova started the show with an upbeat number, the raunchy I Want Your Love. The fumes from all those fireworks went right up my nose! Eduard is actually Ukrainian but had no success with their national selections in previous years, somehow he has had more luck with Moldova.
Armenia emerge from the fog to Face the Shadow. Genealogy includes singers of Armenian background from various countries, including our first Australian of the contest. This was a great concept, only did anyone consider whether their voices really worked together? So glad it made the Final though as it’s a classic Eurovision number!
Belgium was a clear favourite for tonight’s semi final. It was no surprise that they made it through.
Trijntje from The Netherlands really put her all into signing this very catchy number. But the poor staging really let her down. What was with those costumes and the poor choreography? It all looked very last minute, and not a sequin to be seen! She may have had more luck getting through to the Final as a solo act.
Finland made a blatant attempt to get the novelty / social / sympathy vote with PNK, a punk rock band of men with intellectual disability. And it failed dismally. Apparently they are very popular at home, but Finns can’t vote for their own act. (And even if they could let’s face it, Australia probably has a larger ESC viewing audience).
A ballad for Greece this year and a sequinned dress barely held together. It worked for them and they’re through to the Final.
An interesting duet from Estonia. I would have thought it’s a bit downbeat for Eurovision but it made the Final. Sometimes different works.
An amazing background for F.Y.R. Macedonia and very cool dancers. Combined with singing in a heavy accent, this was a great number in the spirit of Eurovision.
Serbia. Wow! Bojana has a great voice and was very well received by the audience, along with her camp backing dancers. She seemed really relaxed and enjoyed her time on stage, waving to the audience before and after her song.
One may have thought that the preachy lyrics of Hungary’s song about peace and justice may not have gone down very well with the European audience. Let’s face it the history of this part of the world inspired Game of Thrones. It was a surprise addition to the Final.
A soloist and a violin. Sometimes less is more. “Time is like thunder”, sure, it makes absolutely no sense but who cares when it’s such a catchy tune, belted out with loads of charisma?
After last year’s debacle, Russia’s entry for 2015 could not possibly be badly received, notably co-penned by an Australian who also features as a backing singer. A Million Voices is a strong contest favourite. It’s a powerful song well performed and well staged. Whether it wins or not, it will remain a strong favourite with the ESC fans.
Denmark’s fun, boppy, summer pop song by its home grown version of One Direction reminds me of 60’s pop bands like the Kinks or even the Monkees. Which were all well before the time of any of these band members. And possibly also their mothers…
Thank goodness we’re getting to the end. My feet have gone numb. But who could notice such mundane things when Elhaida has such a strong voice? I loved this song from Albania the first time I heard the recording and the live version just blew me away. A worthy contender for the final!
A band with a great melody and a big heart. They are connected with many local charities including All Over Again which supports children left alone by parents working over the border.
Nina’s costume probably blew Georgia’s ESC budget, but who needs backing dancers with such an outfit? I think she looks like an evil version of Avril Levigne.
So the first semi final is over and 10 songs selected for the Final. What a night! This year the Green Room is up behind the audience and is open, so the artists can see the audience and the stage. We Aussies were so excited when Guy Sebastian was interviewed in the Green Room, I don’t have a clue what he said but at least he could see us all waving the flag and cheering him on.
Can’t wait to do it all again on Thursday night!
