The Eurovision Song Contest 2019 was the 64th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.
It took place in Tel Aviv, Israel, following the country’s victory at the 2018 contest with the song “Toy” by Netta.
Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC/Kan), the contest was held at Expo Tel Aviv, and consisted of two semi-finals on 14 and 16 May, and a final on 18 May 2019.
The three live shows were presented by Israeli television presenters Erez Tal, Assi Azar and Lucy Ayoub, and Israeli model Bar Refaeli.
Forty-one countries participated in the contest, with Bulgaria and Ukraine not returning after their participation in the previous edition. Members of Bulgaria’s delegation had been moved to other projects, while Ukraine, which had originally planned to participate, ultimately withdrew as a result of a controversy surrounding its national selection.
The winner was the Netherlands with the song “Arcade”, performed by Duncan Laurence and written by Laurence along with Joel Sjöö, Wouter Hardy and Will Knox.
The EBU reported that the contest had an audience of 182 million viewers in 40 European markets, a decrease of 4 million viewers from the previous edition. However, an increase of two percent in the 15–24 year old age range was reported.
The lead-up to the contest was met with controversy on multiple fronts, primarily on issues surrounding the Israeli–Palestinian conflict – this eventually led to demonstrations by interval act performer Madonna and Icelandic entrants Hatari during the broadcast of the final.
Prediction time:
I have a small problem with this semi. I can’t see all Scandi countries qualifying.
Last year they were also in the same semi and managed to qualify, all of them. But last year was a much weaker semi than this year.
As Sweden is definitely qualifying, I have to figure out between Norway and Denmark.
Than there is the question whether I should go with the 5/5 split or the 4/6 split.
Another issue is what to do with Austria – personally I love the song and from what I read, they managed to make song works in a staging that just sell the song.
In short the prediction below, or at least part of it, is not going to happen:
Switzerland
Romania
Sweden
Austria
Malta
Russia
Norway
The Netherlands
North Macedonia
Azerbaijan
Denmark may sneak in instead of one of the above.
Enjoy the show
It’s the same here, with 6-7 I think will make it, and 5 maybes
Armenia + fine vocals but having her alone on stage is wrong.
Also a questionable fashion choice.
She looks desperate
Ireland – I like the pop-art vibe of this but can we have a better song.
It’s just a forgettable song that lacks of energy
Moldova – old fashioned ballad and she is off key, sometimes. I think her backing singers are helping her a bit
Switzerland -he is the male Eleni. The whole performance scream Fuego, with a little less passion.
He is a bit breathy, but he is doing just fine
Latvia – a perfect lounge music. That says it all about it chances. Musically not a bad song, just not enough for this competition
Denmark – it’s almost childish and very sweet but it is also very calculated.
Is there a hidden backing singer?
Austria – this utlize the stage in right way.
Not sure if this strong enough to go through, though
Malta – this is cool. It works to a certain level. She is a bit static for the song, but she should qualify
Lithuania – I just had my toilet break.
Rule 2525 of Eurovision is that you are not allowed to be boring
Russia – he is starting off key and too low in the mix.
And the staging is a let down. Bring You Are the only one back, which I never like. Show you how much I dislike this one
Russia – Sergey and Co have been channelling Chess the musical … just not as well.
Albania – is too dark and not working, no matter how ethnics it sounds.
Vocally is this just not good.
Apparently the collums at the side of the stage can move
Norway – who thought that placing them on 3 side of the stage was a good idea?
Now they are together but there is no chemistry between them.
And that bridge is a miss
The Netherlands – too many wide shots.
But he performed it well although not giving you the goosebumps the song gave me at first listen
North Macedonia – a classic Eurovision ballad. She sing it well and they didn’t bricked the staging up.
She sings this well
I found both Sweden and Netherlands (who I had predicted as 1 and 2 respectively in this semi) quite underwhelming. Russia too. It wouldn’t surprise me if Switzerland have won this semi?
Azerbaijan – it lacks some of the energy from the video and Hiden backing singers were doing some of the singing for him
My predicted qualifiers are the same as Mo’s (I’ve not changed my 10 since before the contest started but I’ve changed the order a bit).
Netherlands
Azerbaijan
Sweden
Switzerland
Russia
Denmark
Malta
Norway
North Macedonia
Armenia
I don’t rate Netherlands that much but it was probably tonight’s winner. Australia FTW on Saturday.
After watching the performances, I don’t think Romania is qualifying and Denmark are but I am less certain about Norway and Austria
8/10 – missing on Albania and Denmark.
All Scandi are through, which I didn’t think will be possible.
3/7 split – Can’t remember the last time this happened.
Last 6 songs performed have qualified
9/10, and I so almost swapped out Armenia for Albania! (Armenia were my 10th place prediction)
Got 9 out of 10 – really did not see Albania qualifying (I had Romania in the last place but it was a bit of a guess to be honest). Like Darren below I was very underwhelmed with both Sweden and Netherlands and just don’t understand where the hype is coming from on these two. Russia was well-performed but is as cold and calculated as a song can be. Be fun to see him come third again in the final! Actually the surprise of the night for me was North Macedonia which came across as a solid well-sung if unspectacular song.
I’ve been very underwhelmed with both semi-finals to be honest. Australia has been my favourite since it was picked (because I’m a sucker for popera) and with the staging now I hope it goes all the way. Especially as it will annoy the bejesus out of Phil if it wins!!! 😉
But then I was the same about Israel and Cyprus last year and don’t get started on that rubbish from Portugal in 2017. Clearly the public/juries/fans of Eurovision and I have had a parting of the ways in the last few years.