Tonight, saw the UK choose their act for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. With the choice of six songs, the public had a wide variety of genres to chose from and ultimately it was SuRie, who won the spot for Lisbon.
UK’s national final, Eurovision: You Decide was hosted by Eurovision Super-fan Mel Geidroyc with the help of Swedish sensation and Eurovision winner Måns Zelmerlöw at the Brighton Dome. Poignant for Eurovision fans, as it held the contest back in 1974, but Måns can also feel reflective as this is the backdrop for his country’s first ever win at Eurovision.
ABBA won the contest with Waterloo in a vintage year for the contest. Set against the backdrop of the Brighton Dome, former Eurovision winners; future Hollywood starlets and a knitted sweater wearing Manband fought it out to win in 1974. Yet superstars (and troupers) ABBA won the contest, which made this an obvious choice of venue for the UK to hold their national selection.
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The Show
Moments before the show, a peaceful demonstration outside the venue call for a end to Brexit, something that has plagued the UK since the vote took place back in 2016. Many fans were seen in the audience waving EU flags, apparently given out by those out who were conducting the demonstration.
To start of the show Måns and Lucie Jones (UK 2017 representative) perform a melody and tribute to that super-group. The show was comprised of six acts, all of which performed live to impress the expert panel as well as the voting jury and UK public. Making up the panel at the live Broadcast were, former The Saturday’s singer Rochelle Humes; McFly frontman Tom Fletcher and X-Factor favourite Rylan.
The Acts
Raya – Crazy
Icelandic Eurovision veteran Greta Salome is credited as one of the songwriters. Raya impressed the panel with her dancing and singing ability, which is not overly surprising as she has been a backing singer/dancer for some of the biggest artists in the UK including Little Mix.
Liam Tamne – Astronaut
Liam gave us an emotional performance, which the expert panel appreciated, but thought it wasn’t instant enough to make an impact on the Eurovision stage.
Asanda – Legends
The pre-contest favourite was well received in the hall, and the panel seemed to think that this would be a great Eurovision song as it has the instant appeal that Liam’s song didn’t have.
Jaz Ellington – You
The Voice star certainly impressed with his faultless vocals, which isn’t a surprise for anyone who has watched his previous live performances. Yet the judges thought that maybe it wasn’t the best time to send a ballad after Salvador’s win last year.
SuRie – Storm
SuRie had been backing singer for both Loic and Blanche (Belgium 2015 and 2017) and it was easy to tell that this put her in a good position, coming into the Eurovision: You Decide final. She was probably the most confident performer on stage tonight, and had the biggest audience reaction. The panel loved the song, Rochelle Humes did ask her to think about interacting with the crowd more in the last minute of the song.
Goldstone- I Feel the Love
Compared to O’G3NE, their harmonies where nice and definitely impressive, but not on the level of the Dutch siblings. Although Rylan did think they were a better version of the ‘Dutch Sisters’ last year, to many people’s dismay.
Although there was a hint that a scoreboard may be involved it didn’t appear in the end. The winner was announced as it has been in the last two years.
SuRie won and will compete for the UK after being a backing sing for Belgium in 2015 and 2017, she now gets her moment in the spotlight. Will she be able to better Lucie’s 15th place performance and even give the UK, their best result since Jade Ewen’s 5th place in 2009?
Poll
Are you happy with the winner, or is there another entry you wish had won? Let us know!
