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Eurovision 2021

979 replies

JaquelineBeanstalk · 18/05/2021 19:35

OK, I know I'm probably talking to a niche market, but any other euroviz fans out there? Scorecards ready for the first semi-final? got your tree up? bets placed? predictions?

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ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere · 20/05/2021 00:17

I can sort of see the thinking behind Ireland’s staging. In their minds it was radical and ingenious and would really stand out against the hi-tech computer visuals of other countries. I’ve definitely seen lo-fi analogue effects in various media in recent years which have had an amazing impact and gone viral.

The problem was that a) hardly anyone else seems to have used computer effects this year b) Ireland’s lo-fi business wasn’t actually much cop c) too much time spent rehearsing the business, not enough time practicing staying in tune.

mathanxiety · 20/05/2021 01:57

Yes, a poor vocal performance. And tbh, the song wasn't all that either.

MotherOfGodWeeFella · 20/05/2021 11:34

Ready for tonight? From what I recall of a preview event I "attended", the second semi final is stronger. I may be wrong or feel differently after seeing it!

Raahh · 20/05/2021 11:38

I am looking forward to tonight- do feel so sorry for Iceland though.

OublietteBravo · 20/05/2021 11:58

I’m looking forward to tonight as well. I actually think it’s the weaker semi, making it more difficult to predict.

Switzerland, Bulgaria, Iceland, San Marino, Finland and Greece are almost certainly going to qualify. Georgia and Poland are going home.

Serbia will probably qualify. The final three qualifiers could be any combination of Albania, Austria, Denmark, Moldova and Portugal.

Latvia, Czech Republic and Estonia are probably going home. But any one of these could be a surprise qualifier.

MotherOfGodWeeFella · 20/05/2021 12:02

The Danish entry is an 80s throwback iirc.

RaptorInaPorkPieHat · 20/05/2021 12:55

Duncan Laurence has tested positive for Covid Sad

Obviously it won't impact on the contest, but he was due to appear (as the current winner usually does). Fingers crossed there aren't anymore positive tests.

eurovision.tv/mediacentre/release/ebu-statement-duncan-laurence-tests-positive-for-covid-19

OnlyheretovoteonAIBU · 20/05/2021 14:07

I genuinely don’t understand the love people seem to have for the Ukrainian entry, I just listened to it and feel like I heard a totally different song. It’s a woman yelling in Ukrainian faster and faster and gave me a bit of a headache Confused

I love Malta’s song, it’s been stuck in my head all morning.

OnlyheretovoteonAIBU · 20/05/2021 14:10

[quote RaptorInaPorkPieHat]Duncan Laurence has tested positive for Covid Sad

Obviously it won't impact on the contest, but he was due to appear (as the current winner usually does). Fingers crossed there aren't anymore positive tests.

eurovision.tv/mediacentre/release/ebu-statement-duncan-laurence-tests-positive-for-covid-19[/quote]
That’s a shame for him but at least he’s already had the experience of performing live (and winning) Eurovision.

I feel very sorry for Iceland on the other hand Sad

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JaquelineBeanstalk · 20/05/2021 14:34

How are they all testing positive? Surely they are taking every precaution! Could they not have been vaccinated a few months ago?

I hated Shum when I first heard it, dismissed it as "the Ukranian nose-flute". But it has really grown on me, and they seem like a cool group! I actually have a bet on it to be the winner Grin

I can't find a link but have look for their cover of Dancing Lasha Mumbai)

Meanwhile, I picked up a green shirt in TK Maxx and shall be dressing up as Katrina later.

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Sakura7 · 20/05/2021 14:46

As an Irish Eurovision fan I'm disappointed, but well used to it. What's worse is that we actually put some effort in for a change, but it really didn't work at all. The vocals were shocking.

I love Italy and will be rooting for them to win.

I don't get the love for Ukraine.

The UK entry is decent this year, I could see it opening the final.

ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere · 20/05/2021 14:54

The Icelandic contingent and Duncan Lawrence are too young to have been routinely vaccinated in their respective countries I think.

Sakura7 · 20/05/2021 14:56

Also I hated Norway when it was first chosen, but it's now a massive guilty pleasure Blush

LookItsMeAgain · 20/05/2021 15:00

So, both Iceland (one of the favourites to win) and the United Kingdom entries have tested positive for Covid and the EBU will use the recording of their songs from the practice session.

Does anyone know if they get through to the Final on Saturday, if they will still use the recorded rehearsal footage or will they be disqualified for some reason?? We are entering uncharted waters here and I'm genuinely interested.

LookItsMeAgain · 20/05/2021 15:07

@JaquelineBeanstalk

I’ve rewatched last nights semi. Oh dear, Ireland’s staging when compared to every other competitor was just woeful!
I think that the staging was trying to compete with Mans Zelmerlow's really futuristic computer generated animations except that for Ireland they seemed to hire the same animators who did Wolfwalkers or similar (really angular animations) and it just didn't work. God bless her but she really did give it her all on the night. The commentators on the BBC said that she did a "Tough Mudder" and was doing it barefoot too! She sounded exhausted by the end of the song.

I cannot warm to the Ukraine entry though.

Which country had the backing track of a full choir?? I don't think entries that use tricks like that should be allowed. It should be whatever you can fit on stage by way of singers and the backing track should just be the instruments (unless you are fortunate to have talented singers and players who can appear on stage).

I miss the old style where all songs were played by an orchestra.
That's oldschool Grin

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 20/05/2021 15:13

Hello all, loving the commentary!

Ireland's entry was woeful. Too fast, too frantic, partly out of tune and the staging was confusing.

I like Sweden (if I'm right), the guy in the red velvet and bling who reminds me of the Weekend.
I like Belgium a lot, the quartet or quintet all in black in their forties or thereabouts. I don't expect them to do well, I expect they will get lost in the crowd on Saturday, but I was glad they got through.
I thought Croatia were quite good, but they didn't make it.
The rest of them I didn't particular care for. My DD tells me that Tuesday's show was the stronger of the two semi-finals. Her favourites were Ukraine and Australia and she loves Italy.

covetingthepreciousthings · 20/05/2021 15:47

@LookItsMeAgain

So, both Iceland (one of the favourites to win) and the United Kingdom entries have tested positive for Covid and the EBU will use the recording of their songs from the practice session.

Does anyone know if they get through to the Final on Saturday, if they will still use the recorded rehearsal footage or will they be disqualified for some reason?? We are entering uncharted waters here and I'm genuinely interested.

Has our entry tested positive too!?

Really gutted for Iceland, they were robbed last year, their entry was brilliant.

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 20/05/2021 15:55

Yes, it was indeed! Loved it too.

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 20/05/2021 15:58

@IsFuzzyBeagMise

Hello all, loving the commentary!

Ireland's entry was woeful. Too fast, too frantic, partly out of tune and the staging was confusing.

I like Sweden (if I'm right), the guy in the red velvet and bling who reminds me of the Weekend.
I like Belgium a lot, the quartet or quintet all in black in their forties or thereabouts. I don't expect them to do well, I expect they will get lost in the crowd on Saturday, but I was glad they got through.
I thought Croatia were quite good, but they didn't make it.
The rest of them I didn't particular care for. My DD tells me that Tuesday's show was the stronger of the two semi-finals. Her favourites were Ukraine and Australia and she loves Italy.

Oh! I forgot the guy in the yellow suit, The Roop. He's brilliant too.
Sakura7 · 20/05/2021 16:13

What does everyone think of France? It's very high in the betting but I just can't see it getting anywhere close to winning.

OublietteBravo · 20/05/2021 16:24

I love the French song. So it almost certain won’t win Grin. It is likely to stand out. She’s the only female performing a solo ballad this year IIRC. And he stage performance from the French selection was very good. She has presence.

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JaquelineBeanstalk · 20/05/2021 16:24

Love Voila. It's everything you want from a French song, and I think it has instant appeal, plus you only need to know one word of French and you can sing along to at least cinquante pour cent. She's a great singer, and does a fab Piaf-style delivery which is full of passion.

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IsFuzzyBeagMise · 20/05/2021 16:35

I just watched the French entry. I love it! Definitely, it's up there at the top for me.
Yes, she's like a modern-day Edith Piaf.

banivani · 20/05/2021 17:18

Oh god it’s Thursday already! Must go for my walk now so I’m ready!

Sakura7 · 20/05/2021 17:31

Ok France obviously has appeal!

I like the idea of France winning after such a long time, but the song doesn't really do much for me personally.