Armenia is next and this will keep your attention in an entirely different way. I’m not a fan of the highly contrived nature of this number, though top marks for trailing it in a way to provoke the neighbours then trimming back the more obvious references to neatly comply with all the rules.
On stage it’s Fifty Shades of Purple with the six hitherto unknown to each other singers parading in what I presume are Armenian influenced costumes and accessories. They move around the stage in a complicated choreography, interacting at times with the projection on the stage floor and shot from above. Patterned circles twist around in an evocation of the passage of time and the backdrop and floor are heavy with symbolism; trees bending in the wind, that kind of thing. At one point the stage turns into a big neon map of the world and each of the singers moves to stand in position of where they have been summoned from.
It’s an innovative way of presenting your ancestral reach around the globe, and a shameless plug for diaspora voting. One chap needs to improve his geography though as whilst most are in the right place he keeps ending up in the middle of the Atlantic. Maybe he works on a cruise ship? It’s vocally competent, if a little over-earnestly emoted at times. I have to say it’s come up in my estimation, they really have polished a turd, but it’s not quite been rolled in glitter. A moody feel for song two, which provides a nice contrast, but I’m not sure this is enough to finish higher than 18th if it qualifies.
Monty x