Iceland
Normally it goes the other way for me when a song is changed from original language to English but in the case of Iceland it’s much improved. This is not really my bag musically but I’m really liking the energy and colour and it’s definitely catchy. Electric coloured graphics from the backdrop here in a very busy staging. The blocks of colour morph into coloured sweets that scatter all over the stage floor like a cascade of M&M’s in the long shots. Good job I’m no longer hungry. Despite the nice staging I’m failing to see enough votes for this come Tuesday.
Albania
My surprise of the day so far. I’d not warmed to this much in the run up but this was charming today and the staging worked very well. Hersi on the box adds extra dimension to staging with a camera appearing from under the stage to capture the front shots. I’ve only just noticed the water feature towards the front of the stage, the Danes do love to be surrounded by the stuff don’t they. It allows some of the backdrop and lighting to be reflected back, again adding dimension. This isn’t particularly instant so may struggle for televotes but I’d imagine juries will be kinder to it. Hersi’s voice is distinctive and I’d like this to qualify though I’m not sure it will.