Oh it’s all so busy here! I’ve missed a bit as I took some time out to record a podcast for ESC Insight earlier on, so I missed most of the Danish rehearsal. I also wanted to catch Molly & TwinTwin in their press conferences so I also missed most of Italy too.
Molly did a very charming press conference, she has a really nice outlook, and it was nice to see the BBC embracing this with Guy in the chair too. Usually at this point it’s all a bit embarrassing but it’s a good year to be a UK Eurovision fan. Molly indicated she was holding back in this first rehearsal, but it looked pretty polished to be honest. TwinTwin’s conference was bonkers. Well, the bits where I wasn’t swooning at Patrick, anyway.
Denmark is similar to the national final. From what I heard it sounded a little ropey vocally, but this is just the first rehearsal. An enormous banner of Basim was unfurled toward the end, probably for the people in the cheap seats to get a better view. It plummets to the ground at the end. Portentous?
Italy was more controlled from Emma, which is a good thing, she’s engaging with the camera better than we’ve seen at times. The backdrop is white and gold, with an emblem not unlike a holiday market copy of a cheap Versace t-shirt, as if to hammer home the fact it’s Italian.
Finally for today, and this year, was Ruth for Spain. It’s good but a little shouty at times but definitely reigned in a lot with the aid of a static mic stand. There’s a backdrop of rain, of course, and the backing vocals have changed somewhat to add to the overall effect. I love this, but it could finish anywhere from first to last.
So that’s it from the press centre for now. Some of the team have already clocked off to head for a break before the red carpet. They’ve not invited us up it this year, but we are promised a finger-buffet at the EuroClub, where my husband to be shall be entertaining the masses later. I’ll keep his seat warm for him.
Monty x
