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This is a popular topic that is fast moving Guest - before posting, please ensure that you check out the first post in the topic for a quick reminder of guidelines, and importantly a summary of the known facts and information so far. Thanks. - Thread starter Jonathan
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Eurovision 2021
jon81uk
TS Member
Croatia was robbed.
I didn't like Belgium but can see why others do.
Australia's song was pretty good but maybe the telephone votes didn't like the fact they didn't do it live?
I liked North Macedonia, it felt like the main male lead in a musical, but I can see why it didn't go through.
Loved Irelands staging, but she did seem a little out of breath.
Malta will probably win the contest though?
I didn't like Belgium but can see why others do.
Australia's song was pretty good but maybe the telephone votes didn't like the fact they didn't do it live?
I liked North Macedonia, it felt like the main male lead in a musical, but I can see why it didn't go through.
Loved Irelands staging, but she did seem a little out of breath.
Malta will probably win the contest though?
Jonathan
TS Member
Just for a little more context on Malta, Destiny won Junior Eurovision in 2015 when she was just 13 years old with this.
She's now 18, and that voice last night was arguably the best of the 16 semi-finalists, and one of the best this year. Absolutely excellent.
Regarding Ireland, what they could've possibly done instead is have some similar visuals from the video on the back wall and have Lesley do some stuff on stage that would've left her slightly less out-of-breath. Not a fan of Belgium, though the cinematography used was pretty decent, especially that long zoom from the rear of the arena to the stage. Not surprised that North Macedonia and Slovenia didn't go through - North Macedonia felt rather musical theatre/Disney, and it wasn't too bad, though I'm not shocked it didn't qualify.
In sad news, a member of Iceland's act has tested positive for COVID. They've made the difficult decision to not perform in the live shows, and will instead be using their live-on-tape recording from the second rehearsals last week. I'm devastated for them, though there was always the chance it'd happen to someone. I'm still hopeful they'll qualify, but I'm not sure they'll do quite as well as may have been expected.
She's now 18, and that voice last night was arguably the best of the 16 semi-finalists, and one of the best this year. Absolutely excellent.
Regarding Ireland, what they could've possibly done instead is have some similar visuals from the video on the back wall and have Lesley do some stuff on stage that would've left her slightly less out-of-breath. Not a fan of Belgium, though the cinematography used was pretty decent, especially that long zoom from the rear of the arena to the stage. Not surprised that North Macedonia and Slovenia didn't go through - North Macedonia felt rather musical theatre/Disney, and it wasn't too bad, though I'm not shocked it didn't qualify.
In sad news, a member of Iceland's act has tested positive for COVID. They've made the difficult decision to not perform in the live shows, and will instead be using their live-on-tape recording from the second rehearsals last week. I'm devastated for them, though there was always the chance it'd happen to someone. I'm still hopeful they'll qualify, but I'm not sure they'll do quite as well as may have been expected.
jon81uk
TS Member
Thats a shame, but unfortuantly I don't think Daði og Gagnamagnið have as good a song this year as they did last year anyway.
Jonathan
TS Member
Worth noting that Vasil is gay, and I think was one of the first publicly out celebrities in North Macedonia.
jon81uk
TS Member
Yes I remember hearing that on Tuesday, it's a fantastic thing that he is putting himself out there and the lyrics really do feel like they mean something to him.
I mean... It is Eurovision
Didn’t like Germany’s entry at all to begin with but is has really grown on me! Though admittedly as pointed out to me by @Craig the other day it is like watching The Wiggles
Germany's entry is now one of my favourites, it won't win but its such a great message and who doesn't love a tap break and a ukulele solo!
and yes Eurovision is always camp, but this year it just felt a couple of the song lyrics had a lot of meaning too.
Jonathan
TS Member
He was interview for Attitude magazine not long ago, and the article was fantastic, showing him to be so incredibly open & eloquent about his experiences of growing up gay.
Jonathan
TS Member
So, SF2 time tonight. Here are my reviews. It should be noted that Iceland will be using the performance recorded from their second rehearsal tonight and (if they qualify) the final owing to one of their band members testing positive for COVID.
01 – San Marino (‘Adrenalina’ by Senhit)
When this dropped, I did NOT expect Flo-Rida to appear in the video. Now he’s confirmed to be in Rotterdam, people will watch. It’s excellent, and Senhit is a performer with so much character. It’s qualifying, and will surely give San Marino their best ever result. Top 10, maybe?
02 – Estonia (‘The Lucky One’ by Uku Suviste)
Of the songs in the semi death slots this year, this is the best one. Uku’s excellent. The staging does seem interesting, but I think it works. Not sure of its chances at qualifying, but I think it’s in with a shot, despite being in the death slot.
03 – Czech Republic (‘Omaga’ by Benny Cristo)
Benny’s a good performer, and does well on stage, but I’m just not warming to it for some reason. The staging itself feels a bit flat for such an upbeat song, and I’m concerned it won’t help its chances of qualification very much.
04 – Greece (‘Last Dance’ by Stefania)
Stefania’s great. She performs the song very well. The staging does involve green-screen effects, which work quite well, but it feels a little flat in places from what I’ve seen so far. In full broadcast version, it should be fine, and I think Greece are very likely to qualify.
05 – Austria (‘Amen’ by Vincent Bueno)
I like a power ballad, and Vincent sells it this year. I didn’t think much of it, but the staging has REALLY helped to elevate it in a big way. The same happened with Conchita in 2014. I don’t see this doing as well, but its chances of qualification are improved on before.
06 – Poland (‘The Ride’ by Rafał)
When I saw the video, I instantly thought ‘douchebag’. My view hasn’t changed. There’s little variation in melody, the staging is messy, and I don’t know what Rafał is wearing. Won’t be unhappy if this doesn’t qualify.
07 – Moldova (‘Sugar’ by Natalia Gordienko)
The music video was interesting, and I think quite dynamic. This hasn’t translated to the stage. It just feels rather static, despite Natalia’s very good vocals. I thought it was definitely going through, but I’m a bit more on the fence now.
08 – Iceland (’10 Years’ by Daði og Gagnamagnið)
Last year’s favourite is back. It’s very characterful, and staged very well. Daði is incredibly talented, and that’s clear throughout. I’m not sure people will warm to it as much as Think About Things, but it’s qualifying and will give Iceland an excellent finish.
09 – Serbia (‘Loco Loco’ by Hurricane)
There’s a hurricane brewing halfway through this semi, and Serbia deliver big-time. It’s loud, it’s in-your-face, and it works. Vocals are so on point throughout, with harmonies being excellent. It’s qualifying without a doubt, and should finish well for Serbia.
10 – Georgia (‘You’ by Tornike Kipiani)
It’s quite a comedown from Serbia. Tornike is a good vocalist, but the staging feels rather dreary, even for a ballad. I see VERY little chance of this qualifying, if at all.
11 – Albania (‘Karma’ by Anxhela Peristeri)
Albania are underrated. Anxhela is superb, and owns the stage really well. It’s an excellent song, and while the staging seems rather minimalist so far, it kinda works for it. I’d be very happy to see this qualify, and I think it probably will after Georgia.
12 – Portugal (‘Love Is On My Side’ by The Black Mamba)
The first song Portugal have sent a song entirely in another language. It’s a ballad, yes, but it’s performed quite well. It’s gone up in the odds by quite a bit during rehearsals, which is good for them. I wouldn’t be surprised if it didn’t qualify, but I’d equally be happy if it did.
13 – Bulgaria (‘Growing Up Is Getting Old’ by Victoria)
Yet another ballad, but it’s a good one. The staging is simple, but Victoria seems to sell it well, and she’s a really good performer. It’s one of the favourites to win, and while I don’t think it will, I think the top 10 is definitely beckoning.
14 – Finland (‘Dark Side’ by Blind Channel)
You can rely on Finland to produce excellent rock songs for Eurovision. It’s got real Linkin Park VIBES, and they perform it really well indeed. So much energy, and going after a couple of ballads will help. Qualifying for sure, and a good shout for the top 10.
15 – Latvia (‘The Moon Is Rising’ by Samanta Tīna)
Samanta is a great performer, there’s no doubt about that, and the staging does help the song a bit. I’m slightly concerned, though, that coming after Finland may hurt its chances. Two loud songs together might not work. On the fence regarding qualification.
16 – Switzerland (‘Tout l’univers’ by Gjon’s Tears)
Vocally, Gjon is absolutely perfect. The song is so, so good. The staging, though? From the clips we’ve seen, it doesn’t seem to make all that much sense, and it may not really connect with the audience as much as hoped. It’s qualifying, and should get Top 5 at the very least.
17 – Denmark (‘Øve os på hinanden) by Fyr & Flamme)
It’s very disco, and it’s nice to see Denmark performing in their own language for the first time since 1997. I’m still not overly keen on it, but there’s no denying it’s well-performed, and the staging’s half-decent. Will it qualify? I don’t know, and I’m not too fussed either way.
01 – San Marino (‘Adrenalina’ by Senhit)
When this dropped, I did NOT expect Flo-Rida to appear in the video. Now he’s confirmed to be in Rotterdam, people will watch. It’s excellent, and Senhit is a performer with so much character. It’s qualifying, and will surely give San Marino their best ever result. Top 10, maybe?
02 – Estonia (‘The Lucky One’ by Uku Suviste)
Of the songs in the semi death slots this year, this is the best one. Uku’s excellent. The staging does seem interesting, but I think it works. Not sure of its chances at qualifying, but I think it’s in with a shot, despite being in the death slot.
03 – Czech Republic (‘Omaga’ by Benny Cristo)
Benny’s a good performer, and does well on stage, but I’m just not warming to it for some reason. The staging itself feels a bit flat for such an upbeat song, and I’m concerned it won’t help its chances of qualification very much.
04 – Greece (‘Last Dance’ by Stefania)
Stefania’s great. She performs the song very well. The staging does involve green-screen effects, which work quite well, but it feels a little flat in places from what I’ve seen so far. In full broadcast version, it should be fine, and I think Greece are very likely to qualify.
05 – Austria (‘Amen’ by Vincent Bueno)
I like a power ballad, and Vincent sells it this year. I didn’t think much of it, but the staging has REALLY helped to elevate it in a big way. The same happened with Conchita in 2014. I don’t see this doing as well, but its chances of qualification are improved on before.
06 – Poland (‘The Ride’ by Rafał)
When I saw the video, I instantly thought ‘douchebag’. My view hasn’t changed. There’s little variation in melody, the staging is messy, and I don’t know what Rafał is wearing. Won’t be unhappy if this doesn’t qualify.
07 – Moldova (‘Sugar’ by Natalia Gordienko)
The music video was interesting, and I think quite dynamic. This hasn’t translated to the stage. It just feels rather static, despite Natalia’s very good vocals. I thought it was definitely going through, but I’m a bit more on the fence now.
08 – Iceland (’10 Years’ by Daði og Gagnamagnið)
Last year’s favourite is back. It’s very characterful, and staged very well. Daði is incredibly talented, and that’s clear throughout. I’m not sure people will warm to it as much as Think About Things, but it’s qualifying and will give Iceland an excellent finish.
09 – Serbia (‘Loco Loco’ by Hurricane)
There’s a hurricane brewing halfway through this semi, and Serbia deliver big-time. It’s loud, it’s in-your-face, and it works. Vocals are so on point throughout, with harmonies being excellent. It’s qualifying without a doubt, and should finish well for Serbia.
10 – Georgia (‘You’ by Tornike Kipiani)
It’s quite a comedown from Serbia. Tornike is a good vocalist, but the staging feels rather dreary, even for a ballad. I see VERY little chance of this qualifying, if at all.
11 – Albania (‘Karma’ by Anxhela Peristeri)
Albania are underrated. Anxhela is superb, and owns the stage really well. It’s an excellent song, and while the staging seems rather minimalist so far, it kinda works for it. I’d be very happy to see this qualify, and I think it probably will after Georgia.
12 – Portugal (‘Love Is On My Side’ by The Black Mamba)
The first song Portugal have sent a song entirely in another language. It’s a ballad, yes, but it’s performed quite well. It’s gone up in the odds by quite a bit during rehearsals, which is good for them. I wouldn’t be surprised if it didn’t qualify, but I’d equally be happy if it did.
13 – Bulgaria (‘Growing Up Is Getting Old’ by Victoria)
Yet another ballad, but it’s a good one. The staging is simple, but Victoria seems to sell it well, and she’s a really good performer. It’s one of the favourites to win, and while I don’t think it will, I think the top 10 is definitely beckoning.
14 – Finland (‘Dark Side’ by Blind Channel)
You can rely on Finland to produce excellent rock songs for Eurovision. It’s got real Linkin Park VIBES, and they perform it really well indeed. So much energy, and going after a couple of ballads will help. Qualifying for sure, and a good shout for the top 10.
15 – Latvia (‘The Moon Is Rising’ by Samanta Tīna)
Samanta is a great performer, there’s no doubt about that, and the staging does help the song a bit. I’m slightly concerned, though, that coming after Finland may hurt its chances. Two loud songs together might not work. On the fence regarding qualification.
16 – Switzerland (‘Tout l’univers’ by Gjon’s Tears)
Vocally, Gjon is absolutely perfect. The song is so, so good. The staging, though? From the clips we’ve seen, it doesn’t seem to make all that much sense, and it may not really connect with the audience as much as hoped. It’s qualifying, and should get Top 5 at the very least.
17 – Denmark (‘Øve os på hinanden) by Fyr & Flamme)
It’s very disco, and it’s nice to see Denmark performing in their own language for the first time since 1997. I’m still not overly keen on it, but there’s no denying it’s well-performed, and the staging’s half-decent. Will it qualify? I don’t know, and I’m not too fussed either way.
jon81uk
TS Member
I really wasn't taken by this semi-final as much as the first.
Love Iceland but its not as good as their song last year.
Switzerland makes me cry a little, its a good ballad.
Georgia was a terrible come down and they should have "read the room" a little and tried to do something to it.
I didn't get why so many people liked Moldova, maybe it is better with the video?
Quite a few songs were very samey.
Love Iceland but its not as good as their song last year.
Switzerland makes me cry a little, its a good ballad.
Georgia was a terrible come down and they should have "read the room" a little and tried to do something to it.
I didn't get why so many people liked Moldova, maybe it is better with the video?
Quite a few songs were very samey.
Jonathan
TS Member
Well, last night was fun, wasn't it? I managed to get 9/10 qualifiers, putting Austria through ahead of Moldova. I'm still disappointed by Moldova. The video was wacky with dancing ice cream cones, and they brought none of that. Georgia was just...really flat, and offered nothing. The producers putting it after the high-energy song from Serbia was a wise decision, but I don't think putting it anywhere else would've saved it, either.
After the semi had finished, I was frantically refreshing every page waiting for the running order to come up, and we eventually got it.
After the semi had finished, I was frantically refreshing every page waiting for the running order to come up, and we eventually got it.
jon81uk
TS Member
Yep I think we had an alright song but the staging and performance weren't great.
Also worth noting all the bottom four songs went straight to the final, if they had to do the semi-finals maybe they wouldn't have got through?
Other thoughts I've seen mentioned,
most winning Eurovision songs are in a minor key, we often enter songs in a major key.
Do non-English speakers know what "Embers" means, was the concept of the song lost? Whereas the top three were non-English songs but it didn't feel like they relied upon the meaning being important.
I was shocked at how few points Malta got in the televote.
John
TS Member
Delving deeper into the results gives an even more damning assessment of our entry this year. In the public votes a massive 60% of countries ranked us in the bottom 2 of the 26 finalists. The best (well, least bad) position was 14th, from Malta, no other country put the UK higher than 20th.
The juries were slightly less harsh, with the Polish jury ranking us 11th, just one place outside the points. Even so, our average placing was frankly dreadful with more than half of countries ranking the UK 20th or lower.
The full breakdown, if you can stomach it, can be found here:
https://escxtra.com/2021/05/23/televoting-united-kingdom-eurovision-202/amp/
The juries were slightly less harsh, with the Polish jury ranking us 11th, just one place outside the points. Even so, our average placing was frankly dreadful with more than half of countries ranking the UK 20th or lower.
The full breakdown, if you can stomach it, can be found here:
https://escxtra.com/2021/05/23/televoting-united-kingdom-eurovision-202/amp/