OK, so it's time for me to post my thoughts on each entry this year.
Semi-Final 1
01 – Albania (‘Sekret’ by Ronela Hajati)
Albania finally open an ESC show! It’s an excellent Balkan banger, and Ronela flawlessly nails it on stage. This is surely going to qualify – something Albania have often struggled with in the past – and finish well. Could potentially be a dark horse for the top 10?
02 – Latvia (‘Eat Your Salad’ by Citi Zēni)
It’s certainly quite a funky entry, but I’m not sure following Albania will help it all that much. Plus you just know the crowd will shout
that vulgar opening line! Borderline qualifier for me.
03 – Lithuania (‘Sentimentai’ by Monika Liu)
It’s got a really sultry quality to it that I’m sure juries will love, though I’m a bit worried about the televote. Monika is a very good performer, so that’ll surely help it along. Hopeful that Lithuania will qualify.
04 – Switzerland (‘Boys Do Cry’ by Marius Bear)
I like a song with a good message – emphasising that boys are allowed to be emotional is important. It just feels a bit dead in terms of atmosphere, and I’m concerned that staging options could be limited. Another borderline qualifier.
05 – Slovenia (‘Disko’ by LPS)
A group of high school students at Eurovision. It’s an…interesting choice. Will surely stand out after the quietness of Switzerland, though given who follows them, I’m a bit unsure. It’s a decent song, I must admit, but it’s a likely NQ.
06 – Ukraine (‘Stefania’ by Ukraine)
The current favourite, though surely aided by the ongoing situation. It feels different to what we’ve seen in the past from Ukraine, and will definitely stand out among the rest. Safe qualifier, safe bet for the top 5, potential winner.
07 – Bulgaria (‘Intention’ by Intelligent Music Project)
I must confess this has grown on me, but I’m still not keen on it. The lyrics make hardly any sense, for starters, and it just feels rather dated overall. I’m sorry, Bulgaria, but I really don’t rate your chances of qualifying this year.
08 – Netherlands (‘De diepte’ by S10)
We have Dutch at Eurovision for the first time since their derided 2010 entry. This is much better! It’ll stand out after Bulgaria, and could be a calm before the storm of Moldova. Staging will be key, but I can see this doing well.
09 – Moldova (‘Trenulețul’ by Zdob și Zdub and Frații Advahov)
Moldova have gone to the wacky once again by bringing back some old friends. Being positioned between two female-led ballads will definitely help it, but I think it would qualify wherever it were put in the running order.
10 – Portugal (‘Saudade, saudade’ by Maro)
A calming influence after Moldova. Maro is a good vocalist, and the song shouldn’t require too much staging to help it succeed. It didn’t need much at Festival da Canção! Might be a bit overrated, but still solid enough to hopefully give them consecutive qualifications.
11 – Croatia (‘Guilty Pleasure’ by Mia Dimšić)
Croatia have been down in the doldrums for quite a while at Eurovision, and need something to help their fortunes change. I doubt this will be it. While Mia is good, I don’t think it’s a good enough entry for the final. Borderline at best.
12 – Denmark (‘The Show’ by Reddi)
This is an interesting one. Starts off as a ballad, then transforms after the first chorus into a pop-rock song. Oh, and it’s an all-female group. I have a soft spot for it, but I’m not sold on its chances. It’s a shame, really, as I’ve often liked Denmark’s entries.
13 – Austria (‘Halo’ by Lumix feat. Pia Maria)
Austria have come with a banger. I really rated its chances…until reports of Pia’s live vocals were made known. It’s now slipped from a near-certain qualifier to something more borderline, and if the live vocals aren’t sorted, then it’s going to struggle to qualify.
14 – Iceland (‘Með hækkandi sól’ by Systur)
Iceland have had a good few years at Eurovision, but sadly, I see this ending with Systur. It’s a perfectly decent song, with lovely harmonies, but it just feels a bit bland. Coming after Austria won’t help its chances, either, which is a shame.
15 – Greece (‘Die Together’ by Amanda Georgiadi Tenfjord)
Another popular entry. Greece have done a decent job this year, and Amanda’s vocals are excellent, with a nice build towards the climax. I do feel, though, that it’s perhaps not as good as its position in the odds suggests it is. However, it’s surely going to qualify!
16 – Norway (‘Give That Wolf A Banana’ by Subwoolfer)
Seen as a bit of a joke entry by some. But is it? I’d say it’s a bit of a stretch, though I can see where some people are coming from. Juries probably won’t like it as much as the televote, but even so, I think it’s qualifying without too much difficulty.
17 – Armenia (‘Snap’ by Rosa Linn)
Ending the semi on a ballad is unusual, but it suggests that Armenia may be bringing some insane staging to Turin. Rosa’s vocals are very good, and I’m getting Lumineers VIBES from the song. It’s grown on me, and I think it’ll qualify & do well.
Semi-Final 2
01 – Finland (‘Jezebel’ by The Rasmus)
The band of ‘In the Shadows’ fame is here for Finland! Great choice to open the semi, though I have a niggling feeling that it may be a borderline qualifier for some reason – frustratingly, I can’t quite put my finger on why. Still a qualifier for me, though!
02 – Israel (‘I.M’ by Michael Ben David)
High-camp and then some. It feels rather cheesy, though, and it’s not something I’m really all that sold on. It’s decent, but doesn’t do anything for me, and I think it’ll struggle to get out of the semi.
03 – Serbia (‘In corpore sano’ by Konstrakta)
Serbian healthcare, handwashing, and Meghan Markle. Not things you’d expect in a song at Eurovision, I’m certain! It’s certainly one of the quirkier entries this year, and with a catchy hook, I think it’s likely that it’ll qualify.
04 – Azerbaijan (‘Fade to Black’ by Nadir Rustamli)
Oh dear, Azerbaijan. What have you done? Nadir’s got good vocals, but the song is just dreary as hell, and I honestly think Azerbaijan are likely staring non-qualification in the face for only the second time in their Eurovision history.
05 – Georgia (‘Lock Me In’ by Circus Mircus)
Another somewhat quirky entry, and once again, it’s from Georgia. They last qualified in 2016, and will Circus Mircus change this? Erm…Possibly. It’s different, and it should stand out between two somewhat more bland entries. Borderline qualifier.
06 – Malta (‘I Am What I Am’ by Emma Muscat)
Nice vocals, boring song. That’s basically it. It’s like a faux-inspirational song from a Disney knock-off studio for which you wouldn’t even find the DVD for £1 in Poundland. Can’t see this qualifying.
07 – San Marino (‘Stripper’ by Achille Lauro)
I like this, I really do, but I think San Marino may struggle once again. I enjoy a good rock song, and this is one, but I’m not sure fans will respond to it. Juries are unlikely to give it many points, so qualification is sadly borderline. The staging is something, though!
08 – Australia (‘Not the Same’ by Sheldon Riley)
Sheldon’s song speaks about his personal struggles growing up gay and autistic in a conservative religious household. He might be my long-lost brother. Seriously, though, it’s excellent, and I’d be really shocked if it failed to qualify.
09 – Cyprus (‘Ela’ by Andromecha)
Perfectly pleasant, and it’s nice to have Cyprus singing partially in Greek again. Not sure it’ll cut it at Eurovision, though, despite Andromecha’s vocals. I suspect it’ll qualify, but it may not do well in the final. Which would be a shame, as Cyprus have been good lately.
10 – Ireland (‘That’s Rich’ by Brooke)
Ireland chose the best option in their national final. It’s good, and the chorus is quite catchy, but there are concerns about Brooke’s vocals. If she can sort them out so they’re not as shaky, then I think this has a good shot of qualifying.
11 – North Macedonia (‘Circles’ by Andrea)
I have a soft spot for North Macedonia, but they always struggle, and I doubt they’ll qualify once again this year. It’s a good song, and Andrea performs it well, but I don’t think it’ll stand out enough. Also, I’m not sure if staging will elevate it enough to qualify.
12 – Estonia (‘Hope’ by Stefan)
We don’t get enough Western stuff at Eurovision. This is very good from Estonia. Great vocals, for starters, and the chorus should be quite memorable. Pretty sure it’ll qualify and give Estona another decent finish.
13 – Romania (‘Llámame’ by WRS)
It’s not the first time Romania have sent a song that’s partially in Spanish. Sadly, it’s not that good. It’s repetitive to the point of boredom, and I just don’t think it’s all that memorable. Romania’s downward spiral continues.
14 – Poland (‘River’ by Ochman)
Well, Poland, I’m surprised. You’re sending a solid ballad! It builds well, and Ochman’s vocals are superb. My only concern is that the staging might be a bit too static, but even so, it’s certainly qualifying and giving them their best finish in years.
15 – Montenegro (‘Breathe’ by Vladana)
Montenegro make their return with a personal song about a difficult family ordeal that Vladana had in 2021. It’s powerful and emotional, with excellent vocals. They’ve often struggled to qualify, but I think they’re in with a good chance this year.
16 – Belgium (‘Miss You’ by Jérémie Makiese)
Jérémie is a good singer, and the song is quite decent, but I’m just not a fan of the general genre. I feel it’s lacking something, though I can’t quite put my finger on exactly what that is. Not bothered either way if it qualifies or not.
17 – Sweden (‘Hold Me Closer’ by Cornelia Jakobs)
A perennial favourite, and this year is no exception. Cornelia is excellent, and the staging is unlikely to change very much (if at all) from Melfest, as per usual. Guaranteed qualifier, and definite top 5, with winning potential.
18 – Czech Republic (‘Lights Off’ by We Are Domi)
Ending the SF with a dance track isn’t a bad idea, and this is decent. It progresses well, and the vocals go quite nicely with it. Not sure on qualification, but being the closing song for the semi will definitely help its chances improve.
Big Five
France (‘Fulenn’ by Alvan & Ahez)
Controversially, this is the first time French won’t feature at any Eurovision, with this year’s French entry being sung in Breton. It feels somewhat moody, but it’s performed well. Whilst it’s not quite as good as last year, it should still finish well.
Germany (‘Rockstars’ by Malik Harris)
Germany, Germany, Germany. When are you going to send a decent entry for once? It’s bland as hell, and involves rap, which is a genre I really don’t like very much. Malik’s a decent performer, but I think it’s bottom 5 YET AGAIN for Germany.
Italy (‘Brividi’ by Mahmood & Blanco)
We haven’t had a host country with an entry this popular since 2012. Mahmood & Blanco have great chemistry together, and the song is beautiful. I’m still not sure how well it’ll do in Turin, but I think top 10 is a probable result.
Spain (‘SloMo’ by Chanel)
More of this please, Spain! Chanel has performed this flawlessly every time, and the choreography is brilliant. If Spain keep this standard up in their national finals, we’re in for a good few years from them. Surely a candidate for the top 10!
United Kingdom (‘Space Man’ by Sam Ryder)
Out of nowhere we’ve got this. Sam is a really likeable performer, and put so much effort into promoting his song – not seen from the UK for years. It’s a great song, too, and I’m certain it’ll give the UK its best finish in years. Definitely overdue!
This year's contest is being held in Turin following Italy's win last year, and the semi-finals are on Tuesday 10th and Thursday 12th May, with the final on Saturday 14th May. The semis will be on BBC Three, and the final - as per usual - on BBC One. There were originally to be 41 countries, but this has dropped to 40 following Russia's disqualification after their invasion of Ukraine. Highlights so far include:
