Am sat here in the cosiness of the press centre again, just watching them rehearse for the final time. the acts aren’t all in their best frocks this time round. I think if I were one of the artists, I’d be getting a little bored of it all right now. But, on the other hand, you’re going to be famous for a few more hours, so darn well make the most of it.
Here’s just a flavour of what’s going on. Magdalena from Poland wasn’t in costume, and seemed fairly competent. Stella Mwangi was a bit off key at times, but sold it really well.
Aurela Gaçe from Albania is in a pink jacket, which contrasts, erm, interestingly, with her bright red hair. Armenia’s song is a bit of a dog’s breakfast this time round, as opposed to the dog’s dinner it’s been all other times. I think if this qualifies, it may call into question the voting system.
Turkey will definitely be in the final. Like another song I bigged-up yesterday, Turkey will make the final because they’ve entered a good song. They won’t qualify just because it’s Turkey. But they will qualify because they have a woman in a cage.
The break after Turkey is worth watching. ‘The Happy Wanderer’ is performed like never before. It was recorded at the exclusive Welcome Party, and apparently got in everyone’s way.
Serbia continues to entertain and makes the resistance smile. The artist formerly known as Alex Sparrow was in some MC Hammer style parachute pants made of what looked like towelling. All very odd, but another cert for the final.
The fragrant Anna Rossinelli was in costume. Her song is really pleasant and I would love it to get through. It’s a classic easy-listening summer hit, but maybe not quite right for Eurovision. Sopho from Eldrine belted out her song again. The complete opposite of Switzerland. Contest in the Georgian seaside resort of Batumi anyone?
Finland will be through. Everyone likes this; it’s annoyingly catchy, and not in a measles sort of way. I know Malta is really enthusiastic about Eurovision, and we’d all love to see a contest there, but it ain’t gonna be in 2012.
Sadly, dear reader, it is at this point that I must leave you. The resistance needs to get back to its foxhole in the Dorf, in readiness for tonight’s festivities. as ever, may the best songs qualify, and you might get a word from me sometime later.
Stay lucky/Aros yn lwcus/Viibimise õnnelik/დარჩენა გაუმართლა/Vera heppinn
‘metnik