EUROVISION 2009 - MOSCOW, RUSSIA

Yep - though Eurocamp was a partial result of the Orange revolution wasn't it? The Ukrainian organisers promised more hotels room than actually were available - because the revolution delayed construction and licensing. One major chain hotel remained closed during the 2005 event because it wasn't licensed - forcing the Greek, British and other delegations to be moved into the best hotel in Kiev (with the organisers or the EBU bearing the costs)

I think that increasing from 6 the 8 the number of performers is unlikely to cause major accommodation issues. However if they all need to be heard it will increase the complexities of sound and mic coverage.

Yep - I agree - though one of the issues with Hero was that whilst many of us love Charlotte Pirelli - she is undeniably quite a "striking" performer (bordering on quite scary!)

I think Mans has a much less polarising view - he has a more conventional look.

The song was outclassed by the production IMHO - though I am still humming it.



Traditional high energy pop (with the exception of Tornero a few years ago?) hasn't done well. Slovenia and Belgium have entered quite a few recently and not got past the semis with them - and Sweden only scraped to the final with Hero as a result of the wildcard.

I think Alcazar appeal to those of us who know them and have heard them before, but I'm not sure they have universal "first sight" appeal. Personally I preferred their previous entries (Sinner nor a Saint, Alcastar) - they sound weaker vocally this year.




Can't stand Amy Diamond's faux American singing voice - very whiny and not pleasant to listen to.

Agree about Markoolio - though it felt to me that it was far too Swedish-funny (like After Dark's last effort - all based around Swedish TV personalities and with huge double entendres)



Lena Ph was the best in recent years I think. Loved the way they dropped in retrospective "look back" sequences. Also her performance of "Ja angra ingenting" (apologies for spelling) during the final was brilliant! (Loved the walking on the audience bit)

"We don't wanna Put In" - Georgian entry selected last night.

Looks like Greece also selected - Sakis Rouvas - This is our night

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WZplKvlS0M

(Although I think it looks like he is miming!). I'm not a fan of the song - wonder how it will do?

I like this actually, no doubt 12 points from Cyprus... yawn!

Very cute singer though!

He presented the contest in 2006, and he came 3rd in Istanbul in 2004 representing Greece with "Shake it" - so he has major Eurovision form. (Helena Papirizou who won for Greece a year later in Kiev had also come third at her first attempt, when she was lead singer of Antique in 2001 in Copenhagen)

Think he's a former gymnast - and he's certainly not afraid of open shirts...

Ireland now selected as well - Et Cetera

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRwad26jd3A

Easily better then any of our recent attempts, but still probably too generic to have a big chance of winning.

Funny how you mention Tornero, that was one of my favourites in the 2006 ESC.

Last year I was ever so disappointed that Charlotte Perrelli's "Hero" did so badly in the final, that should have won. I voted for that song.

What about the Ukraine entry by Verka Serduchka "Dancing Lasha Tumbai" in 2007? That was high energy pop, wasn't it? It was the runner-up that year.

That's not bad actually, 200% better then the Turkey LOL!

Look like this year's contest will have a number of strong songs from countries who more or less gave up last year such as Ireland, Malta and the UK.

...and a lot of bad songs from countries that were really good last year like Ukraine (awful songs in their final) and Armenia.

And you can't say that Malta gave up last year! Vodka was superb!

It felt more of a novelty to me than a traditional pop song. I know it made more sense to those who have more in common with Ukraine and "got" the joke more than the rest of us, and it was well done. However it struck me as more in the Dustin the Turkey / Alf Poier camp than a standard song.

Vodka was the best of a bad bunch of songs last year. Sadly Malta now has to battle to get into the final so it needs a strong song and a strong singer. I'm hoping my home island gets through this time.