OOH AAH JUST A LITTLE BIT!

The good and the great from every corner of our ever growing continent have been pruning, preening and perfecting their performances for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Following a hugely successful win for Sweden last year, the land of ABBA welcomes the world to Malmo for what is still the campest, kitschest and most colossal song competition in the world.

 

The preparations have been long underway and this year include for the first time a free app which once downloaded will enable you to vote for your favourite song. True to form this year’s entries included mad, mediocre and mind blowingly moronic music offered by 39 national broadcasters who all think their offering will scoop the Eurovision crown.  The UK are proudly represented by international songstress Bonnie Tyler singing the distinctive ‘Believe in Me’. Performing since the age of seventeen and having sold over 20 million records the enormity of carrying our nation’s hopes at the contest doesn’t phase this musical maestro.

‘What makes our entry special is that we have a beautiful song appealing to a wide variety of people across borders, age groups and other dividing lines’ Bonnie went on, ‘I want to thank my fans for their unwavering support and love and ask them to spread the word about my song.’

As the contest’s rules state we can’t vote in the UK for our own song (shame!) we preview some of the movers and groovers that have hoped to make it to the final this Saturday. Tuesday this week saw the first semi final with the second on Thursday. As we went to press before this we have included some of the best from both.

 


BELGIUM
Roberto Bellarosa singing Love Kills

I have been covering Eurovision long enough to know a good entry when I see one.  As soon as I heard this handsome eighteen-year-old belt out Belgium’s catchy entry I was sure it was destined to do well. Singing since the age of nine, he won ‘The Voice’ in his home country. I will be shocked when you are reading this if Roberto hadn’t made it to the final from Tuesday.

 


DENMARK
Emmelie de Forest singing Only Teardrops

Surely another qualifier from Tuesday. In the Danish national final this strong well executed song garnered a staggering 50% of the televoting. Singing without shoes, Emmelie said this makes her feel closer to the ground and earth and more relaxed. Performing in English and barefoot maybe she is trying to emulate Sandie Shaw’s UK win from 1967

 


AZERBAIJAN
Farid Mammadov singing Hold Me

Combining good music with good looks this moody melodramatic song is the best male ballad this year. Already well know in his home country and taking his inspiration from Azerbaijani folk music, hoping to have qualified from Thursday, sporty Farid will get his fare share of votes from his female fans and the boys alike. Watch out for this one.

 


FINLAND
Krista Siegfrids singing Marry Me

Courting the controversy, this got a full page write up in last week’s Independent on Sunday as it carries a coded gay message. Krista says her song is a protest against the Finnish parliment which voted out gay marriage last year. This thumping dance anthem seems to be about a girl bagging her man but there’s a twist with a much expected lesbian kiss.

 


SPAIN
ESDM singing Contigo Hasta El Final

An Irish rather than Spanish sounding intro leads into a simple song with a less cluttered stage performance than many this year.  Formed by Raquel del Rosario from the Canary Islands ESDM is also made up by Juan Suarez and David Feito. Underpinned by Celtic bagpipes this quality song builds up to an uptempo rock finish. Is sure to stand out in the final.

 


FRANCE
Amandine Bourgeois singing L’enfer Et Moi

Having won French Pop Idol five years ago Amandine released her debut album in 2009 which went gold when her second was recorded in the famous Abbey Road studios. With her warm hoarse tones, she hopes to continue her success in representing France this year. This tempestuous song wouldn’t be out of place as the theme for the next James Bond film! Could it give the French their first victory since 1977?

 

• West End Eurovision takes place at the Dominion Theatre on Thursday 23rd May from 11.30pm, raising funds for The Make A Difference Trust. Hosted by West End favourite Richard Gauntlett with celebrity guest hosts Sinitta, Christopher Biggins, Kerry Ellis and Harriet Thorpe, and judges Russell Grant, Jodie Prenger and Rylan Clark.

• Eurovision will be showing at a number of bars across the gay scene on the evening of Saturday 18th May, starting 8pm.  

• For more info on all the songs and how to download the app simply go to eurovision.tv Here’s wishing Bonnie Tyler all the best for Saturday night – let’s see her bring back the trophy to Britain. I’ll be backstage at the contest so look out for my exclusive report in next week’s QX!

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