Time to hand the stage over to one of this year’s more noticeable entries – subtelty has never been understood by the Belarussians, and this year’s entry is no exception. I Love Belarus is so over the top and kitsch that it’s borderline cool and ridiculous! Flanked by four backing singers in outfits in black, white… Read more
Maja Keuc is perhaps the voice of today’s rehearsals and anticipation surrounding her performance was huge. Needless to say, she did not disappoint turning in one stellar performance after the other leaving fans and press alike enraptured in the hall. Sensual, slinky, foxy are all adjectives that set the tone for Slovenia’s effort this year… Read more
Having failed to get to the final since 2007, the pressure must surely be palpable for Vlatko and his dancers. If he feels the pressure, he certainly didn’t let it show, giving us a very professional first rehearsal. Vlatko is wearing a black mid length jacket, white shirt and dark blue jeans. His dancers (5… Read more
With fresh faced Eric riding high on favourite lists both with fans and bookmakers alike, his rehearsal was by far the most anticipated of the day. Plagued by numerous hitches, the first rehearsal was far from satisfactory, no doubt leaving SVT demanding answers as to what went wrong. Eric Saade was wearing the same outfit… Read more
Mika’s victory was controversial this year owing to speculation and rumours of vote rigging and favouritism. Would her first rehearsal be just as messy as the national final? The staging of the Ukranian act is very simple, the number opening with piercing blue rays of light shining down on Mika. The big talking point of… Read more
Next up after the powerballad from Austria is the Netherlands with their musical version of the Three Musketeers performing their anthemic pop-rock number giving a great contrast which should work in 3JS’ favour. The number is nicely staged, bathed in purple with yellow spotlights shining on the artists. The three backing singers stand towards the… Read more
As some may or may not remember, Dino provided Bosnia with one of their best ever placings since their debut in 1993. That time he sang referring to french grammar, back for another crack at the whip, he uses maths in the entry Love In Rewind. The number opens with a simple yet effective intro with Dino calling… Read more
This year’s Greek entry hasn’t figured so highly on the odds lists of various bookmakers compared with previous years – fan response to the number is also quite lukewarm. Hopefully today’s first rehearsal will provide us with some indication as to why. The atmosphere is set on stage with purple colours and a backdrop consisting… Read more
Evelina has an act that is, in many respects, completel different from all of the other acts to rehearse today. Her act was free of gimmickery, stash and glitter, with only a grand piano accompanying her. Evelina takes to the stage wearing a classically elegant floor length white gown, with ruffles down the back of… Read more
The Hungarian entry this year is apparently dividing fans of the competition, with some convinced that she will storm to victory, whereas others are certain that she’ll fail to qualify, becoming this year’s Kate Ryan. One thing is certain – with little footage available, Kati’s rehearsal is without doubt a baptism of fire today, with huge… Read more
Could Sjonni’s Friends be the first Icelandic act to come home with a Eurovision Victory under their belts? The story behind their effort this year is certainly emotive enough, but the band also have ample talent to draw upon. The main circular stage is bathed in a warm yellow glow with huge green cocentric patterns… Read more
Chirpy Glen Vella from Malta was the first artist to kick start day 2 – and what a cracking start! He provided us with exactly the wake up call that was needed. The whole group begin their show with their backs turned to the audience, the stage submerged in darkness. As soon as the first… Read more
With numbers in rock, retro, pure pop and ethnic styles, Finland’s Paradise Oskar and Da Da Dam was a nice way of rounding off rehearsals on day 1. The entry has been praised by some for its simpleness and honesty, whereas others have been quick to brand it naive and boring. How would the young performer come across on… Read more
Hot on the heels of Serbia was Russia with young Alexey Vorobyov, or Alex Sparrow as he is calling himself in Düsseldorf. Expectations were sky high, with rumours of a completely revamped stage show and choreography. Needless to say, Russia didn’t disappoint. The staging of Get You is quite impressive, with a platform up on… Read more
Not content with winning the whole shebang in 2009 with a landslide victory, former winner Alexander Rybak will also be present in Düsseldorf this year, albeit on the other side of the stage. The young artist has been drafted in by NRK as a kind of roving reporter this year to follow Stella and her… Read more
One of the most memorable elements of Eric Saade’s stageshow was when he kicked the glass panes of the cage surrounding him on stage, causing them to shatter. While the votes poured in during the final of Melodifestivalen, Eric had to receive treatment for a shard of glass in his eye. Although risky, Eric still… Read more
Stella Mwangi has had a rather hectic time of it lately, busy with filming the music video to her hit Haba Haba. What otherwise could have turned into rather a sombre affair on a cold and still winterlike afternoon in Oslo, turned out to be the complete opposite, with hundreds of fans turning up to help… Read more
As we all know, young Eric Saade won the hearts of the Swedish public with his catchy entry Popular last month in Globen. Many say that the choreography of his number was just as decisive for his triumph as the song itself. But clouds are now gathering on Eric’s horizon mere weeks before the contest… Read more
The earthquake and tsunami tragedy that shook Japan a few weeks ago continues to make its mark around the world, with stars flocking together in droves to arrange benefit concerts. Stars in the Netherlands are now the latest to contribute to focus awareness on the plight of the Japanese. This year’s Dutch Eurovision entrants 3JS… Read more
With just over a month to go before Stella Mwangi takes to the stage in Düsseldorf in attempt to bring Norway from the first semi final to the final, a new, reworked version of Haba Haba has been released. Following Stella’s numerous performances of her winning entry, much criticism has been aimed how flat she has… Read more
Flemish singer Bob Benny, who twice represented Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest has died after a long bout of ill health, aged 84. The singer enjoyed immense popularity in the 50’s and 60’s, with some of his biggest hits being Waar en Waneer and Hou Toch Van Mij. He got his major breakthrough in… Read more
Since representing the Netherlands in 1994 with Waar is de Zon?, Willeke Alberti shyed away from the spotlight. Although no longer in the public eye as at much as before, the popular songstress has nevertheless maintained her career. She is now enjoying renewed success with young Belgian schlager singer Christoff. With public appearances and gigs almost… Read more
The Netherlands apparently can’t get enough of 3JS, and since the selection of Je Vecht Nooit Alleen in the Nationaal Songfestival on the 30th of January, the group have achieved something of a unique feat with their entry. The original Dutch version took little time to make its impact on the Dutch chart, rapidly climbing… Read more
Several Norwegian artists who have participated in both the national selection and who have represented Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest have combined forces to record a single which is to be released in order to raise money to help the victims of the Japanese earthquake. The single The Earth is Trembling was released at… Read more
It has been known for quite some time now that young tenor Amaury Vassili will be flying the tricolor this year for France in Düsseldorf with the Corsican language entry Sognu. A 30 second clip was previously available on Youtube. Tonight, the entry will be presented to French viewers. Tonight sees the official presentation to… Read more
Portugal has previously competed at the Eurovision Song Contest on 44 occasions, with only a 6th place from 1996 to show as their best placing. They hope to change all that however with the selection of Homens Da Luta tonight to perform at Düsseldorf. Portugal has managed to succesfully qualify from the semi finals for the last… Read more