Last night another 10 entrants secured their place in the grand Eurovision Song Contest Final in Tel Aviv this weekend.
The odds suggest there are three clear front runners: Australia, the Netherlands and Sweden.
Australia is one of the contest’s more controversial entrants, with many feeling their place in the competition is unjustified.
But Kate Miller-Heidke’s larger than life Zero Gravity is among bookies favourites, currently coming in at 6/1. Overloaded with ice queen and Disney vibes, it’s not surprising the entry is popular with many traditional Eurovision fans.
Why did Ireland miss out?
Ireland was knocked out the contest last night with Sarah McTernan’s performance of 22.
This is now the sixth year in a row the country have missed out on a place in the final. Surprising, considering Ireland have won the contest seven times. That’s more than any other country.
McTernan’s performance was visually stunning. The 1950’s diner style vibes were wonderful. That alone should have been enough to hold the song. But it wasn’t. Why? Sadly, whilst 22 is visually great its musically lacking. And quite a bit.
What wins: Performance or song?
A quick look over the competitions previous winners gives some guidance. Israel’s 2018 entry Toy had both. Netta’s stage presence was larger than life, but her vocals were pretty powerful too.
Conchita Wurst’s Rise Like a Phoenix for Austria in 2014 was no visual spectacle. Rather, a power ballad which required no onstage distraction.
Then there’s Lordi’s Hard Rock Hallelujah which won the competition in 2006. The heavy metal band certainly took their attire very seriously and gave a performance that was frankly visually quite scary. But the song itself is an anthem in its own right.
Ultimately, I think this year’s Eurovision Song Contest winner will need to provide both. A striking stage performance that viewers watching at home can’t help but watch (rather than watch it being tweeted about).
But they also need a song that’s catchy. A song that’s a bit different. A song that we’ll still be talking about when we’re writing about the Eurovision Song Contest in ten years time.
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StandfirstAustralia are one of the favourites for this year's Eurovision song contest.
Last night another 10 entrants secured their place in the grand Eurovision Song Contest Final in Tel Aviv this weekend.
The odds suggest there are three clear front runners: Australia, the Netherlands and Sweden.
Australia is one of the contest’s more controversial entrants, with many feeling their place in the competition is unjustified.
But Kate Miller-Heidke’s larger than life Zero Gravity is among bookies favourites, currently coming in at 6/1. Overloaded with ice queen and Disney vibes, it’s not surprising the entry is popular with many traditional Eurovision fans.
Why did Ireland miss out?
Ireland was knocked out the contest last night with Sarah McTernan’s performance of 22.
This is now the sixth year in a row the country have missed out on a place in the final. Surprising, considering Ireland have won the contest seven times. That’s more than any other country.
McTernan’s performance was visually stunning. The 1950’s diner style vibes were wonderful. That alone should have been enough to hold the song. But it wasn’t. Why? Sadly, whilst 22 is visually great its musically lacking. And quite a bit.
What wins: Performance or song?
A quick look over the competitions previous winners gives some guidance. Israel’s 2018 entry Toy had both. Netta’s stage presence was larger than life, but her vocals were pretty powerful too.
Conchita Wurst’s Rise Like a Phoenix for Austria in 2014 was no visual spectacle. Rather, a power ballad which required no onstage distraction.
Then there’s Lordi’s Hard Rock Hallelujah which won the competition in 2006. The heavy metal band certainly took their attire very seriously and gave a performance that was frankly visually quite scary. But the song itself is an anthem in its own right.
Ultimately, I think this year’s Eurovision Song Contest winner will need to provide both. A striking stage performance that viewers watching at home can’t help but watch (rather than watch it being tweeted about).
But they also need a song that’s catchy. A song that’s a bit different. A song that we’ll still be talking about when we’re writing about the Eurovision Song Contest in ten years time.
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