Eurovision and "proper music"
Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, 3rd April 1971 After the delightful and contest-saving 1970 edition, all eyes were back on the contest again and RTE had a lot on their plate with their first (of very many) hostings. Having watched 1981 long before this, it’s fascinating to see how much Ireland moves on as a country, and … Continue reading Eurovision 1971: All The Crescendos
St Jakobshalle, Basel, 13th May 2025 The EBU had some crisis management to do after last year, and it looked like they were doing a reasonable job of it (let’s ignore “doesn’t matter if you’re good or brutal”) right up until the voting in which, spoiler alert, disaster was narrowly averted. But that’s hardly SRG … Continue reading Eurovision 2025: Disaster Averted?
Lancing, 16th May 2025 “Confident calls”? Pah! I still wound up with a paltry 6/10 last night and both L Baltics did indeed make it. But in my defence, I haven’t seen many people get more than 7. That’s how wild this year has been so far, and declaring a winner seems even more difficult. … Continue reading Eurovision 2025 – Semi 2 Hindsights and Grand Final Predictions
Lancing, 15th May 2025 This one feels a lot easier to predict, mainly because I don’t have so many favourites in this Semi and can actually guess with my head. In order of likelihood: Malta were in there right up until I saw the tech rehearsal gossip, but could make it yet at the expense … Continue reading Eurovision 2025 – Semi 2 Confident Calls
Lancing, 14th May 2025 10 through, 5 gone, and our first impressions of the hosting. So what do I think?From what I’d seen during rehearsal week, I really hadn’t been impressed with the hosting. It looked like a straight Sweden reboot. Boy was I pleasantly surprised last night. SRG SSR have indeed taken the Malmo … Continue reading Eurovision 2025 – Semi 1 Monitoring and Evaluation (yes I should have started work by now)
Lancing, 13th May 2025 My prediction for tonight, apropos of very little, and in order of likelihood: Which would leave Norway, Iceland, Poland, Croatia and San Marino out on their ear. Rehearsals have – rightly – been kept closer to the proverbial chest than before, which doesn’t give me loads to go on here other … Continue reading Eurovision 2025 – Semi One Wishful Thinkings
Lancing, 17th April 2025 We’re a month out today, so how has this field fared in the Twingo Test? (And, new for 2025, the Berlingo Bevaluation™!) While it’s not an exceptional edition overall, when compiling my ranking I realised that, once the wheat was sorted from the chaff, I had a very strong Top 10 … Continue reading Eurovision 2025 Preview: Smut!
Lancing, 7th March 2025 Our Eurovision entry has dropped and it is “What The Hell Just Happened” by Remember Monday We have struggled to replicate the dizzying heights of 2022, and while I don’t think this going to do what Ar Sam did, I’m hoping it’s the step back in the right direction that we … Continue reading The UK Entry 2025: Thumbs Up, Mostly
Sportpaleis Antwerpen, 17th January 2025 With one thing or another, I’m not likely to be making a Contest trip in the next couple of years. But I did do another First last weekend – seeing a Eurovision act outside the contest.Clouseau, as you probably know, were Belgium’s entry in the 1991 contest. I like Geef … Continue reading A Trip to Inspect Clouseau
Teatro Real, Madrid, 29th March 1969 After the sparkling and bang-up-to-date 1968 edition, I’m rather excited about this second edition in colour, although that dampens a bit when the austere organ opening starts up, and dampens further when I see the set. At least it’s wide and spacious, but the Teatro Real looks more like … Continue reading Eurovision 1969: You Get A Win! You Get A Win!
Malmo Arena, 11th May 2024 Firstly, if you’ve arrived at this blog looking for my views on the political machinations of this year, or my opinion of the Netherlands drama, much like Hooverphonic, you’re in the wrong place. I decided to keep those away from the main review blog for the sake of concision and … Continue reading Eurovision 2024: Crisis? What Crisis?
Lancing, 24th May 2024 Before I put the review blog up for this year (that makes it sound like it’s almost ready, when it’s anything but…), I had been uhming and ahhing about how and when to address the big issues of this year. I eventually decided that a separate post would be better. My … Continue reading Addressing Elephants In The Room
***EDITORIAL NOTE: FOR THOSE READING RETROSPECTIVELY, THIS BLOG WENT LIVE EARLY IN THE MORNING ON 10th MAY, BEFORE THE EVENTS OF THE DAY HAD FULLY UNFOLDED. A PROPER REVIEW BLOG AND OPINIONS ON THE SITUATION WILL FOLLOW IN DUE COURSE*** Lancing, 10th May 2024 Apologies if you heard screaming last night from wherever you are … Continue reading Eurovision 2024: Semi 2 Shameless Campaign for Fully Live Vocals and Grand Final Thoughts
Lancing, 9th May 2024 Well firstly I have plenty to say about SVT’s efforts this year, which I’ll mostly save for the main review blog. The stage looks SPECTACULAR and Petra is still at the very top of her game – aaaand that’s the only positives I have so far. Malmo is giving strong 1992 … Continue reading Eurovision 2024: Semi 1 Postmortem & Semi 2 Wild Guesses
Lancing, 7th May 2024 It’s holy week again, so who are the likely qualifiers for tonight? Firstly, I’m delighted to be able to include Ireland here as an almost-lock. What a step forward they’ve made, and Bambie Thug will be a fantastic addition to the final. Otherwise, this is not the strongest semi we’ve ever … Continue reading Eurovision 2024: Semi 1 barely predictions
Lancing, 11th April 2024 It’s a month to go, so after a couple of weaker years, what’s in store for 2024? Well, the craziness brought on by televote-only semis (grr) continues into this year, but overall I think this is a stronger line up than the last couple of years with plenty to like. I … Continue reading Eurovision 2024 Preview: The Party Isn’t Over
Lancing, 1st March 2024 The UK entry this year, as we’ve known for a while but only heard in full today, is Dizzy by Olly Alexander. Olly is the Biggest Name we’ve had for quite some time and securing him shows the major steps forward that the UK has been making since 2022. Not quite … Continue reading The UK Entry 2024: Back On Track?
Point Theatre, Dublin, 13th May 1995 As much as I loved “Rock n Roll Kids”, I’d much rather be watching this from Hungary or even Poland. Christ knows how it would have turned out, but there is only so much Irish hosting I can take. They do a sound job every time and the Point … Continue reading Eurovision 1995: TEH CELTIC ANGST
Oslo Spektrum, 18th May 1996 In case you haven’t already worked it out, I don’t write or publish these blogs in chronological order. I go more on inclination – so if I’m short on time, a nice late 60’s/early 70’s contest. For a nice long evening in, a classic 70’s or 80’s. But I’m having … Continue reading Eurovision 1996: The Turd In The Cage
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
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