Armenia are making this look effortless. Even number two position in the draw isn’t going to hurt them. They’re clearly sailing through to the final regardless of tribal loyalties around Europe. They start with the Armenian equivalent of a snake charmer on a penny whistle. Our lead vocalist Eva isn’t even giving it her all and she’s already better than most we’ve seen. She has three backing singers one of whom is an interesting shape of woman. They perform against three props. The middle one is clearly meant to be an apricot stone. The others bugger knows. One could be a rock or could be a particularly gnarly piece of Thornton’s special toffee. The third thing is something that currently defies description but could well be a piece of rockery with a water feature that they’ve purloined from the garden of one of the more well to do suburbs of Oslo on their way to the arena. I’m convinced these three objects have yet more of a role in the performance. Possibly the apricot stone is going to open to reveal Ngorno Karabach with a message saying “It’s ours so f**k you”. That’s clearly intended to be the message of the song. One male dancer choreographs his way around the stage with a jar he nicked off Ali Baba. There’s obviously deep symbolism going on here or it could be a Big Issue pitch.
Nick: I’m getting just the faintest, faintest whiff of “Genuine Title Contender” out of this rehearsal. There’s an oversized apricot stone at the back of the stage which hasn’t done any ‘business’ yet – but I’d stake my sofa that it’s going to at some point. I’d also stake my sofa that Eva isn’t going to be wearing today’s chavtastic cropped tracksuit for her televised performances.
Mmm. Interesting. Kinda sorta kinda feel that I should have used my skill and judgement and seen this one coming. This is a fine performance. One to watch!
Phil: It is a very polished rehearsal I will grant it that. At least Eva didnt hold back on the high notes at the end, which is always a good thing because it means that she is totally prepared for this contest. They say Azerbaijan have bought this contest already, but on that evidence it seems that Armenia are doing a good job of resting it from their grasp ( shockingly!!). Eva looks great on stage even in her civvies and she sounded note perfect on the video that I saw (Thanks Luke). Assured, confident, not being choked to death by dry ice – all adds up to a definite qualifer and possibly the best thing I have seen at *this* contest so far…
Although I remain to be convinced about the shell that is on the stage at the moment, me thinks they are holding something back?!