Can you believe it's time for my annual Eurovision post already? Honestly, on the whole, I'm a little unimpressed with the songs this year. Usually I struggle to whittle my favourites down but this year it was easy peasy because there are just far too many ballads being allowed! Anyway, ahead of tomorrow's final, here are my five favourite acts from this year's competition.
Time by O. Torvald for Ukraine
First up is the host country itself, Ukraine, with the standard rock song that we have come to expect and love from at least one country every year.
I Feel Alive by IMRI for Israel
Another year, another solid entry from Israel. They just never let me down at Eurovision.
Lights and Shadows by OG3NE for The Netherlands
The Netherlands have gone a little bit country again this year. I loved it when they did it in 2014 and I love it now.
Occidentali's Karma by Francesco Gabbani for Italy
Look, truthfully I have absolutely no idea what is going on here but it's upbeat and I can't resist a dancing gorilla. I just can't.
Yodel It! by Ilinca ft. Alex Florea for Romania
And my number one favourite act this year is easily this offering from Romania. If you're not doing a yodel/rap genre mash up at Eurovision then what exactly are you doing at Eurovision??
That's right, gang. It's that time of year again! Time for me to share my favourite acts who will be competing at tomorrow's Eurovision grand final! I've been dutifully watching the two semi-finals (which you'll probably be more than aware of if you're following me on Twitter) and, of course, the six acts who will automatically make it through to tomorrow's show, to bring you my top picks.
There are actually quite a few acts I enjoyed this year who haven't made it to the list (such as Sweden and France and, yes, even the UK) but without further ado, here are my top five faves for this year's competition!
Alter Ego - Minus One for Cyprus
I am a big fan of countries sending rock bands to Eurovision now. Definitely the Lordi effect. I love the howling, I love the main singer's little cardigan thing, I love that that one guy just has a blue beard. Look, the most important question for any Eurovision song should always be: 'why not?' and they are embodying that.
Loin D'ici - ZOË for Austria
She's just so cute. I can't handle it. That's basically it to be honest. This whole thing is so adorable and I am a sucker for it.
Made of Stars - Hovi Star for Israel
As a general rule I am 100% against ballads at Eurovision. But there's always an exception to the rule, isn't there? And I kind of just love the random circus act going on in the background. It doesn't get more Eurovision than a random circus act going on in the background. (It's not a patch on last year's entry from Israel though lbr.)
Midnight Gold - Nika Kocharov and Young Georgian Lolitaz for Georgia
I would just like to know if these guys are aware that they are performing at Eurovision? Don't get me wrong, this is some excellent indie rock and I think it's really great. I'm just not entirely convinced that these guys didn't somehow accidentally end up representing Georgia this year?
What's the Pressure - Laura Tesoro for Belgium
And back to classic Eurovision at its absolute finest. We've definitely all heard that bass line before but hey, there's nothing wrong with that! This has a real Michael Jackson vibe about it, which is definitely why I like it so much. Honestly, I think this one might be my number one favourite.
And just for good measure I thought I'd throw in my favourite act that unfortunately did not make it through to tomorrow night's final:
Help You Fly - IVAN for Belarus
What were the people of Europe thinking not voting this through to the final??? Honestly, I feel like people are taking this thing a little too seriously this year and if we can't have a naked guy caressing a wolf in the Eurovision grand final then what exactly is the point of this competition anyway?
If you are at all interested in Eurovision then I absolutely suggest following me on Twitter because I will likely have some Opinions tomorrow evening. And if you are not even slightly interested in Eurovision then I will ask you: 'what do you do without all this glitter in your life?'
Those of you who follow me on Twitter might have noticed that I've been pretty enthusiastic about watching the Eurovision semi-finals this week. Last year I blogged about my five favourite Eurovision acts the day after the grand final but this year I thought I'd share my faves before the grand final because honestly, doesn't that feel a little bit more professional for some reason? IDK.
Why are there 7 (+1) faves this year instead of 5? Look, if we can let Australia compete in a Europe based singing contest then I can let me have 7 (+1) faves instead of 5 this year.
Let's deal with the pesky +1 first because you're probably wondering what on earth it's doing there.
Special mention goes to I Want Your Love by Eduard Romanyuta for Moldova!
Moldova isn't in my actual top 7 because it isn't actually going to be in the grand final tomorrow night. EUROPE DID NOT VOTE THIS THROUGH TO THE GRAND FINAL. I'm really mad about it and I loved Moldova's song too much to not include it in this list so it gets a special mention instead. I would have voted you through to the grand final, Moldova!
Now we can get on to the actual list (which is in no particular order.)
1. Rhythm Inside by Loïc Nottet for Belgium
I actually think I would like Belgium's song even if it weren't a Eurovision song, which is pretty much the highest compliment I can pay a Eurovision song. When I first watched it I couldn't quite figure out why I loved it so much but then James Dawson described Loïc Nottet as 'Boy-Lorde' on Twitter, and everything made sense. 2. Beauty Never Lies by Bojana Stamenov for Serbia
This one starts off a little ballad-y but don't give up on it! It gets real at about the 1:55 mark and I LOVE IT. I feel like this might be a real contender but what do I know? I liked Moldova's song so clearly I know nothing about what the rest of Europe wants.
3. Warrior by Nina Sublatti for Georgia
The award for best outfit goes to Nina Sublatti, that's for sure. There are actually two songs called 'Warrior' in the contest this year but I can't remember who sang the other one or what country it was for or even if they got through to the grand final. This one is better.
4. Golden Boy by Nadav Guedj for Israel
This is what I'm talking about when I talk about Eurovision! It's so boyband, so energetic, SO GREAT. There are so many boring ballads and serious songs this year and I am so grateful to Israel for actually getting into the Euro-trash spirit and sending this glorious entrant. 5. Heroes by Måns Zelmerlöw for Sweden
Okay so this one is a little bit on the ballad-y side too but it's so catchy! And look at how he interacts with the projections! He's having fun and so am I. Maybe he's not having as much fun as Israel's contestant but I mean, who is?
6. Still In Love With You by Electro Velvet for the UK
In a surprising turn of events I actually really like our song this year. I wasn't so keen when I first heard it a few months ago but I've listened to it a few times today and it's actually just really fun. I like it. It certainly won't win, but hopefully we'll get a few points!
7. Tonight Again by Guy Sebastian for Australia
Now, what Australia has done here is made the mistake of just sending a really good song. I like this song. I would listen to this song on Spotify. I might even download it. But it's not going to win Eurovision. Sorry, Australia. I do really it though and I hope you enjoy taking part in Eurovision for the first (and last, let's be real) time!
What do you think of my choices? Is there anyone you really liked who I haven't included here? Or do you honestly just not care one bit about Eurovision? (Don't worry, this will be the last post about it until next year.)
I'm actually having a little Eurovision party tomorrow with a few of my friends but I'm sure I'll be tweeting about it too if those of you following me on Twitter aren't bored of that already.
I love the Eurovision Song Contest. The glitter, the dancers, the weird songs, France absolutely refusing to speak in English while not giving the UK any points, it's everything I love and more. And this year the UK actually had a pretty good song! We got 40 whole points! That's a lot for us. You can't go into Eurovision blindly thinking your act is the best though, that's no fun, so today, riding off the back of my favourite act winning last night (yay Austria!) I thought I'd give you my five favourite acts from last night's show.
5. Something Better performed by Softengine for Finland
I watched the final with my dad last night and while Softengine were performing he turned to me and said 'some of the songs are a bit too good for Eurovision this year, aren't they?'. I definitely agree. Eurovision is about disco! Glitter! Trapeze artists! But this year a few genuinely good bands seem to have snuck in and I really just genuinely like this song a lot.
4. My Słowianie - We Are Slavic performed by Donatan & Cleo for Poland
Poland went full Eurovision for this act and I love it. I'm not sure any other act matched this for pure camp factor this year and I for one am powerless when it comes to girls stomping around in cute skirts while their mates seductively complete household chores. It's just so Eurovision. Also the song is catchy as heck in my opinion. I'll definitely be singing it next time I'm washing my clothes in a wooden bucket.
3. No Prejudice performed by Pollapönk for Iceland
All week I have been affectionately referring to Pollapönk as 'The Icelandic Wiggles' because I mean, just look at those amazing costumes. I've also had the chorus of this song stuck in my head all week, not that I'm complaining. It's just a fun song with a really great message. It's another act that I think is just perfectly Eurovision and I am a BIG fan.
2. Calm After the Storm performed by The Common Linnets for The Netherlands
This is another song that was 'too good for Eurovision', in fact in my opinion this is THE song that was too good for Eurovision. I'm a country music fan anyway but when I watched their semi-final performance I could tell that The Netherlands were going to give Austria a run for their money with this one. I wanted Austria to win with all of my heart but if The Netherlands had won with this gorgeous song then I wouldn't have been able to argue. I'll be downloading their album asap.
1. Rise Like a Phoenix performed by Conchita Wurst for Austria
Anyone who is following me on Twitter already knows how much I wanted Austria to win last night. I think I actually stopped breathing a little bit when it was announced that they had already won before the last few countries had even given their points. The song is beautiful, Conchita's voice is beautiful, and the message that Europe has sent by choosing her as their winner is even more beautiful. I'm listening to the song again right now and tearing up a little just remembering the speech Conchita gave last night. I can't wait to see her perform Rise Like a Phoenix again at next year's competition in Austria!
Are you a Eurovision fan? If you are then who were your favourite acts? Let me know in the comments!
