Eurovision Chat

The 2nd semi-final just ended and with its end the 25 positions for the Grand Final of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest have been filled in.

The lucky 10 are as follows:

• Azerbaijan
• Croatia
• Ukraine
• Lithuania
• Albania
• Moldova
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Norway
• Greece

The battle seems to be between Greece and Norway. Are we going to see Greece hosting the European extravaganza for a second time in 5 years? We’ll see on Saturday.

10 out of 18 counties performing at the First Eurovision Semi-final made it to the Final on Saturday later this week. The happy artists who managed to win their way to the top are as follows:

• Turkey: Hadise — Düm Tek Tek
• Sweden: Malena Ernman — La Voix
• Israel: Noa & Mira Awad — Noa & Mira Awad
• Portugal: Flor-de-lis — Todas As Ruas Do Amor
• Malta: Chiara — What If We
• Finland: Waldo’s People — Lose Control
• Bosnia & Herzegovina: Regina — Bistra Voda
• Romania: Elena — The Balkan Girls
• Armenia: Inga & Anush — Jan Jan
• Iceland: Yohanna — Is It True?

These guys can have a rest of two days and enjoy Moscow. They will join the UK, Spain, France, Germany and Russia at the Final on Saturday.

19 other countries compete on Thursday.

Do I need to say that most of the songs performed tonight were terrible? Perhaps the most fascinating thing on stage was the performance of the Russian military choir accompanied by a balalaika player and t.A.T.u appearing a bit later with their hit “Nas ne Dogonyat” (“They’re Not Gonna Get Us”).

Especially terrible was Krassimir and his Illusion, or as some commentators said “it was the most kitsch performance tonight”. Hadise from Turkey had the b est voice not being able to sing a single note correctly, but she was the first to qualify. Armenia was quite a disgrace too, but the two sisters made it to the top ten too. Of course I hope to see more quality music in a couple of days.

It took me a while to think through the welcome party we had yesterday in Moscow. An amazing 2-(was it more)-hour show in the Russian capital marked the official opening of the European song contest 2009.

Stars such as Phillip Kirkorov, Alsu, the German popular band from the 70s Genghis Khan, and Lys Assia sang and made people forget at least for a while about the word economic crisis.

The winner of the 1991 Eurovision, the Swedish singer Carola also performed her hit from 2007 Invincible. The heart of the mountain, who brought Eurovision to Ukraine in 2004, the wild dancer Ukraine rocked the stage with her rhythm for the joy of the crazy mob.

t.A.t.U sang their hit from 2003 Ne ver’, ne boisya, ne prosi – the once rebellious girls now looked a bit more appeased. A more rebellious artist, though, went on stage to present her/his rebellious of the time “Viva la Diva” – yes, you know I mean Dana International. Other legendary artists went on stage to remind us of the good old days of Eurovision…

Well, watching all these singers, whatever they do, I can’t help thinking about Sir Terry Wogan and his brilliant witted comments in the 70s and 80s. So, think twice before you pack your suitcases for Moscow. As you know it is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Though it’s an amazing place and you might have the urge to drop in at the Palace.

The second dress rehearsal for the Eurovision Song Contest starts just minutes ago. A spectacular hall welcomes the viewer, but the hosts Natalya Vodyanova and Andrey Malakhov seem to be a bit embarrased. Hopefully the two following rehearsals will give them some self-confidence.

The show opens with Montenegro – an upbeat dance song. For a change, the singer feels at ease with her English and at least we can understand something. It might well be because the text is timple enough… Get Out of My Life and Andrea Demirovic.

I have recently spoken to a friend of mine, who lives in Moscow. She’s been working in the Russian capital for a year now and is also trying to bribe me into going to Moscow too. It’s such a paradise, she often says. I guess it’s true, but it’s also true that Moscow is of the most expensive cities in the world as well. Still, my friend assures me that you on live on about 1000 Euros per month, if you pay for bills, transport, etc, well, basically, live on the cheap and still okay.

As you are probably planning a Eurovision trip, you might be interested in some tips on how to financially survive in Moscow. Here is a piece of UNcommon sense to make your life easier in Moscow, if you still have any doubts whether to go or not.

• coach surfing: CouchSurfing is a very popular method of travelling in staying abroad. It is a worldwide network for making connections between travellers, tourists, students, adventure-seekers… and local people in the places they visit.
• hitch-hike: If you are a lover of hitch-hiking, this method will help you move round without paying. I know a person who got from Portugal to Ukraine hitch-hiking, but he is an extreme case. A way to travel better still is..
• low-cost flights: you don’t need to be told that the second best way to travel is with a low-cost air company. (The ultimate best is the free trip, of course)
• sandwiches to go: you can make your own sandwiches while in Moscow – buy and bring the lightest foods, suck as packed cheese, and you’ll make it!
• volunteer as part of the Eurovision organisation: get in touch with the organisers of the contest. They might need volunteers. Chances grow if you speak more than two languages.
• get something to do in Moscow: you should have already done this… at least a month before the show. Ideally, if you can afford a place to stay, you can combine a part-time job and watching the rehearsals.
• drink a lot … and you won’t be able to care less where you are.
• Have a go with Moscow famous museums, libraries and bookstores.. These are free places, where you can spend hours on end, not spending a single ruble, having some time away from the Press Centre.
• don’t miss the countries’ parties every night – but choose carefully! Most countries offer food, but others rely on buffet only. Select the countries with the best PR and the most massive promo campaign – they are sure to spend money on the promo party at the Eurovision village as well

and finally…

• marry a Russian girl / boy. If they are rich – all for the better!

Now you are equipped with all necessary skills and information for a successful survival in Moscow. Good luck!

After a short break, here I am again, ready to sum up the full participants’ list for ESC 2009 in Moscow, which will take place from 12 to 16 May. Explore the participants and share your opinions on the new contenders for the Eurovision trophy.

Semi-Final 1, 12 May 2009:

1. Montenegro: Andrea Demirovic — Just Get Out of My Life
2. Czech Republic: Gipsy.cz — Aven Romale
3. Belgium: Copycat — Copycat
4. Belarus: Petr Elfimov — Eyes That Never Lie
5. Sweden : Malena Ernman — La Voix
6. Armenia : Inga & Anush — Jan Jan
7. Andorra : Susanne Georgi — La Teva Decisió (Get A Life)
8. Switzerland : Lovebugs — The Highest Heights
9. Turkey: Hadise — Düm Tek Tek
10. Israel: Noa & Mira Awad — There Must Be Another Way
11. Bulgaria: Krassimir Avramov — Illusion
12. Iceland: Yohanna — Is It True?
13. Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: Next Time — Neshto Shto Ke Ostane
14. Romania: Elena — The Balkan Girls
15. Finland: Waldo’s People — Lose Control
16. Portugal: Flor-de-lis — Todas As Ruas Do Amor
17. Malta: Chiara — What If We
18. Bosnia & Herzegovina: Regina — Bistra Voda

Semi-Final 2, 14 May 2009:

1. Croatia: Igor Cukrov feat. Andrea — Liepa Tena
2. Ireland: Sinéad Mulvey & Black Daisy — Et Cetera
3. Latvia: Intars Busulis — Probka
4. Serbia: Marko Kon & Milaan — Cipela
5. Poland: Lidia Kopania — I Don’t Wanna Leave
6. Norway: Alexander Rybak — Fairytale
7. Cyprus: Christina Metaxa — Firefly
8. Slovakia: Kamil Mikulchík & Nela Pocisková — Le? Tmou
9. Denmark: Brinck — Believe Again
10. Slovenia: Quartissimo feat. Martina — Love Symphony
11. Hungary: Zoli Ádok — Dance With Me
12. Azerbaijan: AySel & Arash — Always
13. Greece: Sakis Rouvas — This Is Our Night
14. Lithuania: Sasha Son — Love
15. Moldova: Nelly Ciobanu — Hora Din Moldova
16. Albania: Kejsi Tola — Carry Me In Your Dreams
17. Ukraine: Svetlana Loboda — Be my Valentine! (Anti-crisis Girl)
18. Estonia: Urban Symphony — Rändajad
19. The Netherlands: The Toppers – Shine

FINAL, 16 May 2009:

• France: Patricia Kaas — Et S’il Fallait Le Faire
• Spain: Soraya — La Noche Es Para Mí (The Night Is For Me)
• United Kingdom: Jade Ewen — It’s My Time
• Germany: Alex Swings Oscar Sings! — Miss Kiss Kiss Bang
• Russia: Anastasia Prikhodko — Mamo

After wabbling for a while whether or not to participate in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest, Georgia came up with a fascinating disco way of making up for their political argument with Russia. As we don’t want to mess with politics, we’ll only let you wonder what Stephane & 3G intend to say with their Eurovision song We Don’t Wanna Put In…

Here’s the entry itself:

Stephane & 3G will represent Georgia in Russia, after they did not succeed to get the ticket to Belgrade last year, when they came 4th in the Georgian national selection. Now the quartet (Stephane himself and three charming ladies) are happy to go for the victory in May.

No matter what the controversy resulting from the ambiguous meaning of the title, thought to contain reference to the former Russian president Vladimir Putin, the lyrics have not been changed to far. There is still one possibility: at the HoD meeting (mid-March), when all heads of delegation gather in Moscow, they can vote if the song in any way breaches the rules of the Contest. Some may consider that the Georgian entry violates the rule that songs should not express any political messages. If Georgia is pressed to introduce last-minute changes to the lyrics, they might not be able to get back in the show on time. This might practically mean banishing for the Georgian participants. Not that we wish so.

We personally consider that it is a nice peaceful song, which induces happiness and free boogie between nations, rather than anything else. I hope that everyone else will join us in this opinion.

This-year’s band consists of Nini Badurashvili, Tako Gachechiladze and Kristine Imedadze and of course the popular producer, performer and composer Stephane Mgebrishvili. This is the third time Georgia takes part in the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2007, the fantastically talented, flamboyant, and amazingly cheerful Sopho got her country to 12th position with the song “My Story”.

A fairytale country like Norway cannot but select a fairytale song for the 2009 Eurovision. The actor, singer and composer Alexander Rybak won exactly with such a fairy song — Fairytale. This is one of the best entries I’ve heard so far, and it is definitely worth listening again and again:

Alexander has such a professional and confident yet playful poise about himself, which is sure to bring Norge one of the top positions in Moscow. The lyrics is so simple yet down-to-earth and genuine, telling a lovely story of love. Not to mention the amazing violin performance, which took my breath away. All this seems to have been enough to beat the other seven competing Norwegian entries.

Tonight Sofia saw a two-hour show, produced by the Bulgarian National TV, which selected the country’s winner for the Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow this year. After 12 performances, the winner was chosen by audience voting – so finally, Krassimir Avramov with Illusion will represent the Balkan country in May 2009. Krasi took over the competition with 55.52%. Krassi Avramov a.k.a. The Voice, who lives and successfully works in the US, came up with a grand show. His voice reaching extremely high octaves, the impressive dancers and the folklore elements did win him the trophy.

Three of the 12 participating songs were produced by the Bulgarian media:
Poli Genova — One Lifetime is not is not Enough — Poli is a former BonBon (remember that they were the first Bulgarian participants in the Junior Eurovision in Rotterdam, 2007)
Mariana Popova — Crazy – who took part in the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest in Athens but with little success. The only noticeable thing of the 2006 Bulgarian entry was the participation of the scandalous transsexual pop-folk star Azis. Today, Mariana’s techno solo was nothing to remember, really.
Grafa – Vrag (Enemy) – one of the kids of the Bulgarian pop music, who took of his music career, when he was 8 or so, and now, in his early thirties, has already celebrated 20 years on stage.

The rest of the other noticeable entries at the Final were the following:

Nora - a former Music Idol participant closed the competition. Her powerful voice, however, was not enough to win her the ticket to Moscow.

Lyubo Savov – the father of Dian Savov, one of last-year’s DJs flying the Bulgarian flag in Belgrade last year, also decided to challenge the first place in the national selection tonight.

Moscow came to Sofia in the face of the winner of various European prizes, and Ani Lorak’s producer Phillipp Kirkorov, who came specially for the show. He performed several hits, one of them the Russian version of Brotherhood of Man’s hit “Save your kisses for Me”. The happiest were my mum’s generation though.

Among those attending the contest in the hall were Stoyan and Elitsa (Bulgarian reps in ESC 2007) and Joanna (the charming vocal, ESC 2008). Deep Zone came out to announce the winner and wish them good luck.

I couldn’t help but noticing that most of the finalist songs were ballads, most were sung in English, and 90% of them had no idea what Eurovision means. All this resulting in an attitude of eternal satisfaction that I did not watch the national final live but stayed at home and viewed it from my cosy sofa. The only entry I felt sorry for not seeing live was the winning entry indeed. So, go for it, Krassi!

Bulgaria will participate in the first Semi-Final on 12 May 2009. So far the countries best result has been in its third year in 2007, when Stoyan Yankoulov and Elitsa Todorova reached top 5.

My personal favourite is Right On Time, but most of the members of the Facebook group Eurovision Song Contest 2009 – Greek Entry would rather support This is our night. Or you might take a fancy to Out of control, with its up-beat tempo, which changes several times during the song. Make sure to check out the discussions, even if your Greek is not good enough.

And the aim – the aim is clear – to bring Greece to the top of 54th Eurovision. As ERT online reported, Sakis said that “Every day I wake up and go to bed with this thought.” Who else can do it but Sakis, who has so many years of experience at the Eurovision stage?!

Here is some more detail on the entries:

Out of control
Composer: Dimitris Kontopoulos
Lyrics: Alexandra Zakka

Right on time
Composer: Dimitris Kontopoulos
Lyrics: Craig Porteils and Cameron Giles-Webb

This is our night
Composer: Dimitris Kontopoulos
Lyrics: Craig Porteils and Cameron Giles-Webb

Whichever of the three entries you prefer, the Greeks know how do throw a party and to make the best of a show. On 18 February a grand (as always) spectacle, will be held in Athens Arena in the Greek capital, when one of the three songs will receive the ticket to Moscow. It will be selected by a 50-50 jury-audience blend voting. Special guests of the show will be the representatives of Cyprus, Montenegro, Belarus and perhaps Malta.