Eurovision and "proper music"
M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool, 13th May 2023 Well, I definitely have to start off with a “we’re not worthy” at the BBC. I was never one to complain about the licence fee before this (BBC has by far the best children’s programming in the world, and that’s worth it in itself) but now I’ll quite … Continue reading Eurovision 2023: Cha Cha Poe
Liverpool, 12th May 2023 In spite of this semi being less of a done deal than SF1, I got a slightly more impressive 8/10 last night. When Albania was first announced I thought for a moment they were running a practice vote again. Did not see that one coming! Let’s see what we could have … Continue reading Eurovision 2023: Semi 2 thoughts and Grand Final Predictions
Liverpool, 11th May 2023 Yesterday’s Jury Show Tech Rehearsal (Tickemaster says “Evening Preview” on the tickets) was again excellent, so in order of likelihood, he’s what I predict for tonight: But! Only the top three, maybe four are locks. And interestingly, everyone has very different opinions on the other six so tonight will almost be … Continue reading Eurovision 2023: Gawaarrrrrn then, Semi 2 Predictions
Liverpool, 10th May 2023 I knew when the first three qualifiers were announced that I would be killing some of my darlings. With so many locks, those last few places were (almost) anyone’s. The sad thing about (almost) everyone we lost, is that (almost) everyone brought their A-game performance-wise, and it became a very hard … Continue reading Eurovision 2023: Calm Down! Post Semi 1 Mortem
Liverpool, 9th May 2023 So I arrived in Liverpool yesterday with Mini LLPP, who is skiving off school today to get the coach home, and…just wow. While this year’s line up might not have fully delivered, Liverpool and the BBC have completely blown me away. I’m calling it now – best host city ever, and … Continue reading Eurovision 2023: Ehhhhhhhm….Semi 1 Predictions
Lancing, 6th April 2023 Well, sorry to be a Debbie Downer but I had wanted a lot more from this contest. I’m going to be in Liverpool this year as accredited press again, and I’m going to all three jury shows as well. A crying shame I won’t have a better set of songs to … Continue reading Eurovision 2023 Preview: 1976 Coming Back
Lancing, 9th March 2023 After the name of just about every female artist in the UK being in the mix these last few weeks, our artist is Mae Muller with I Wrote A Song: I’m going to be completely honest and a bad patriot. After absolutely nailing it with Sam last year, we’ve blown it … Continue reading The UK Entry 2023: False dawn, then.
Wembley Conference Centre, London, 7th May 1977 If you’re around my age, 1998 might not seem that long ago. But we are actually closer to 2047 than we are to 1998. I’m not just quoting years to be clever. Prior to 1998 we actually hosted four times in ten years and you can definitely draw … Continue reading Eurovision 1977: The Crotch Shots
In this series, I take a look at a maligned piece of work by an artist – or even an artist themselves – and then explain why I quite like it/them. Elton John’s back catalogue is one I’m very familiar with, as he’s a big favourite of my parents. Given the sheer size of it … Continue reading In Defence Of…21 at 33 by Elton John
National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, 9th May 1998 With the recently announced news that the United Kingdom will be hosting 2023 (if you’d told me that this time last year…) I thought it would be timely to re-visit our last hosting. I have a good living memory of this, and I can remember a lot of … Continue reading Eurovision 1998: Britain, Britain, Britain!
PalaOlimpico, Turin, 14th May 2022 After 2021, there were plenty of murmurs about Italy hosting again after the 1991 debacle. Younger fans were excited about their stan country doing the honours, but for older ones like me, the memories are still raw. But I allowed myself to give them a chance. After all, it was … Continue reading Eurovision 2022: The Black Rainbow of Doom
Ross-on-Wye, 15th May 2022 Before I publish a full review of 2022 (which normally takes a couple of weeks) I need to say my piece about the UK last night while it’s still fresh. I had had a sense of foreboding before the voting. I’ve been here before, with You’re Not Alone, Storm and Embers. … Continue reading The UK: We Got Back Up Again
Lancing, 13th May 2022 I seem to be pretty astute with my predictions this year, as I got a 7/10 last night, which gives me 15/20 overall, the highest I’ve had by a ways and 2/3 out of those five incorrect were on almosts no-one’s lists. But! It was also not the seven that I … Continue reading Eurovision 2022: Semi 2 thoughts and Grand Final predictions
Lancing, 12th May 2022 Semi 2 is incoming in a few hours, so here’s my ten once again with the big caveat of not having seen them performed yet, so I am allowed to change my mind until the voting: Sweden Serbia Ireland Poland Finland Czechia Australia San Marino Estonia Georgia This time I’ve listed … Continue reading Eurovision 2022: Semi 2 Preview and Probably Poor Takes
Lancing, 11th May 2022 Well. I’ll save you from a full rant on RAI for now (but UGH. Big work needed for the final, which is probably too late to implement) but I do have to put in a well done to the BBC. The coverage was mostly respectful and I was especially pleased at … Continue reading Eurovision 2022: Semi 1 thoughts
London, 9th May 2021 Well I called it some months ago. Not the result, but the fact that RAI would be less-than-impressive when being re-entrusted with hosting again, and that would put sticks in the wheels of several counties. I’m not here to go into the trials and tribulations of rehearsal week, although I must … Continue reading Eurovision 2022: Semi 1 Preview and Predictions
Lancing, 5th April 2022 This is the third one of these I am writing in the COVID era, and guess what? I’ve actually got COVID this time! Thanks to the three jabs, I am only mildly unwell and using the isolation time to have a long-overdue blog sesh. Last year, nearly everyone brought their A-game … Continue reading Eurovision 2022 Preview: Death of the Fembop, rise of the Sadbois.
The UK’s release was the worst-kept secret for the last week, but here it is. I’m putting out there – this is our year. Not to win, silly, but to finally get that good result that we badly need to change perceptions about the contest – both from us and towards us. It helps a … Continue reading The UK entry 2022: Yes to the Please.
Eriksmassen Alvsjo, Stockholm, 22nd March 1975 If you’re coming from the perspective of a 2010’s fan, I expect you’re feeling excited about seeing Sweden’s first time hosting. I’m afraid I’m about to piss all over that particular bonfire. At this point in time, Eurovision definitely did not have the mega status that it enjoys nowadays … Continue reading Eurovision 1975: Can I get three points on the Turkey?
Malmo Isstadion, Malmo, 9th May 1992 Well, it couldn’t get much worse than 1991. Could it? There was a lot of enthusiasm about going back to Sweden after their 1985 spectacular, which in spite of its flaws was still a benchmark for how to host. Let’s conveniently ignore the meh-ness of 1975. So 1992 opens … Continue reading Eurovision 1992: The Beige Viking Ship
Worthing, 16th June 2021 I know I’m not as fast on the uptake as other bloggers but sadly I have to eat. Mini LLPP also managed to break her arm in a fairly major way the day after the contest, so the week after that involved a lot of ferrying between home, school, and hospital … Continue reading Eurovision 2021: We’re Back, Bitches!
Lancing, 21st May 2021 On the whole, being a Eurofan is great. But there are days that make you question why you love this contest of ours, and last night’s bloodbath was sadly one of them. Let me count the non-qualifying ways first: Estonia – The Slovenia of SF2; death slot for a song that … Continue reading Eurovision 2021: Semi 2 thoughts and Grand Final preview
Lancing, 20th May 2020 8/10 correct for Semi 1 was not a bad score overall, and it would have been 9/10 had I not been swayed/misled last minute by Australia. So what’s my prediction (more like wish list) for tonight? San Marino Czechia Greece Poland Iceland Portugal Bulgaria Finland Switzerland Denmark The locks here are … Continue reading Eurovision 2021: Semi 2 Preview and Predictions
Lancing, 19th May 2021 I’m glad BBC4 had Bob Ross on before that Semi, as any more excitement would have fair finished me off! It was just so good to see Eurovision back again, which makes me a bit more forgiving about some of the shortcomings of last night. But only a bit! What would … Continue reading Eurovision 2021: Semi 1 thoughts
Lancing, 17th May 2021 It’s finally Eurovision Week, for the first time in two years! As you’ve probably noticed straight away, this blog is not coming to you from Rotterdam. I suppose I could have pushed for accreditation but given how fragile the COVID situation still is, I don’t think anyone but the most essential … Continue reading Eurovision 2021: Semi 1 Preview and Predictions
At Home (still…) 22nd March 2021 First of all, What. A. Great. Year. we’ve got coming up! I’ve bonded with 2021 very readily. Unlike last year, I have commuting time to do my blind listening on Spotify, and Twitter time to see the fandom’s reactions to the entries. And hoo boy, I’m really not on … Continue reading Eurovision 2021 Preview: Unpopular Opinions Ahead
James Newman has dropped his 2021 entry here. Have a listen: First off, I was really glad to hear he was going to be back and I don’t understand what the delay in announcing this was about. He clearly wanted to do it, so why the dithering, BBC? I think most Brits were very nervous … Continue reading The UK entry 2021. It’s not half bad…
RDS Simmonscourt, 4th April 1981 I have a “big” birthday this week and what better way to mark it than by finally publishing the contest of my birth year? And a year where my home country won, to boot? Not that they deserved it though… It’s ten years since Ireland last hosted, and it’s very … Continue reading Eurovision 1981: How to market Velcro
Palais du Centenaire, Brussels, 9th May 1987 Firstly, sincere apologies for the lack of blog action in recent months. Along with many people, 2020 has thrown some fairly major curveballs into my life and my head has just not been in the right place for writing a frivolous blog. Thankfully we are healthy and in … Continue reading Eurovision 1987: Is that an Anus in the Air?
Yesterday the EBU announced that backing vocals could now be added to the instrumental backing tracks, and I am NOT here for this decision. I understand the logistical difficulties, and I’ve already discussed why bringing back the orchestra isn’t feasible, as lovely as it is. However I had hoped that the EBU may consider making … Continue reading Backing Singers: An Obituary
As most fans are by now well aware, Will Ferrell has been working on a Eurovision parody film, which will be released on Netflix on June 26th. Here is “their” entry. …and here’s the trailer Imma get straight to the point and say that I think this is brilliant. It’s a well observed, astute parody … Continue reading VOLCANIC PROTECTOR MAN
At Home, 11th May 2020 Today I should have been cycling (well, mostly taking the train, especially with this wind) to Harwich ready for my night ferry to Rotterdam. Obviously that’s not happening today, so instead I’m going to give my verdict on the year that wasn’t. Some commentators feel it is unfair to rank … Continue reading Eurovision 2020: What Might Have Been
At home, 28th April 2020 If you missed Part 1 yesterday, you can find it here Absolute Guilty Pleasure Austria 1983 – Westend “Hurricane” Vying with “Pump Pump” here, but this is just so 80’s, so Austrian and so naff in every way. But I love it, especially the dancing and Gary Lux’s porn star … Continue reading The 30 Day Eurovision Challenge – Part 2
At home, 27th April 2020 When I saw the 30 Day Eurovision Challenge on Twitter, I knew there was no way I could do it justice in 280 characters per tweet. So here it is in blog form. Your favourite song of 2020 Iceland – Dadi og Gagnamagnio “Think About Things” The biggest tragedy of … Continue reading The 30 Day Eurovision Challenge – Part 1
When I was in Tel Aviv, I quickly discovered that the city was very cycle friendly, particularly the route from my hostel to the arena which followed the seafront, through the port and then through a park. Thanks to the local Boris Bike system, I was able to pick up and drop off bikes as … Continue reading Rotterdam by bike – it’s still on! (sort of)
The Dome, Brighton, 6th April 1974 I’m very chuffed that such esteemed international event (I say that in total seriousness!) made it to Brighton which is only about 20 miles from where I live. Brighton generally looks like a sleepy seaside town in the travelogue but nowadays has a huge LGBT scene and I’m sure … Continue reading Eurovision 1974: Not All About Agnetha
The least surprising news of today is that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Eurovision is cancelled. It was very clear that it would not go ahead this year in its current form, but I had been hopeful for a remote version of it. The technology is there, it would have been a huge … Continue reading Eurovision 2020: Sad but necessary
(yes I know that’s an Irish song, but “No Dream Impossible” was a bit too generous and overused) Here we go! I’ll be completely honest – when I first heard the leak of this song, the day before it was officially announced, my first idea for the headline was “The UK: Why Do I Always … Continue reading The UK entry 2020: Do I Dream?
Scandinavium, Gothenburg, 4th May 1985 If you take the 20 years from about 2000 to now, not a huge amount has changed in Eurovision in production terms. That’s partly down to the EBU more deciding how things should be done rather than the hosting nation, but the main reason why I love the period from … Continue reading Eurovision 1985: Supersize Me, Part 1.
Editorial Note: I have used the word “schizophrenia” here as a means of concisely describing Ted’s symptoms in a manner that laypeople can understand, especially in reference to his delusions and hearing voices. He was never formally diagnosed in his lifetime, and in fact Schizophrenia itself does not have an exact medical definition. Mind.org.uk has … Continue reading Ted Gardestad: I Want A Moon Of My Own
The Point Theatre, Dublin, 30th April 1994 The EBU must have breathed a sigh of relief when RTE decided, after last year’s logistical nightmare of Millstreet, to host in the much more accessible Dublin. I’m torn on whether this is really an improvement though. Dublin, as hospitable as it is, just lacks the heart and … Continue reading Eurovision 1994: Fast Legs Time
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