Ukraine
So there’s a watermill on the outskirts of Donetsk that’s missing it’s wheel just at the moment. It can be found lolling around the Eurovision stage attached to a handsome male Ukrainian dancer. Even by Eurovision standards, this is totally silly. I’m all for trying something new and artistic but this is just distracting. Maybe that’s the point, despite the makeover it’s still musically lacking for me. You can’t polish a turd but you can roll it in glitter can’t you? The problem is it doesn’t always stick does it? Russia have done a much better job at making it stick this year. Mariya was a little off in the earlier run through but recovered by the end. This shouldn’t qualify but it will.
Belgium
I’m afraid I’m with That Monty on this. I can’t abide it. Axel can surely sing well and the performance is fine with the dancer adding to rather than distracting from the song. However it’s all too overblown and angst ridden for me and I wouldn’t like it to win. I thought I was going to be more scared of it winning after watching the run through today but I’m less so. He didn’t stand out from the crowd enough though admittedly there is a certain uniqueness to him that’s going to attract the televoters rewarding the sentiment and jurors rewarding the vocal ability.
Moldova
Ooh two of my least favourite songs back to back in this semi. I’ll be running to the bar and the loo at this point on Tuesday. Come to think of it, is there a bar in the arena, sorry temporary structure? (Mild panic setting in at the thought of a dry live show). I find this song ugly, the melody is excruciating to my ears and Cristina’s vocal doesn’t help. It’s just about in tune but veering on the shouty side and I fear a migraine coming on. I was just wondering how old she may be when I realised it’s been discussed already on this very blog. Could be anywhere between 20 and 50. They obviously drew lots for the theme with the gladiator warrior princes one being picked out. I’ve mild interest in one of the dancers but this shouldn’t qualify if it were down to me.
San Marino
Bless Valentina, she’s shoved that white frock through the boil cycle on her washing machine a couple of times after that romp on the Rimini mudflats. She’s also lightened her hair, bleached her teeth and lost a couple of kilos. Bravo. She’s also bringing her best effort yet IMHO and I’d love her to make it. It’s all very warm and inoffensive and the staging is opulent though a tad cruise ship cabaret. The projections onto the stage floor are impressive and the colours of the them and the fabric behind seem to mirror the colours of the San Marino flag. She’s in good voice to be honest and I’m hoping she’s third time lucky. After all that work she’s put in she does deserve a shot at the final.