A night with a legend

Monty

Monty and JessicaBom dia, OnEuropeans! Tudo bem? Well, there I as bemoaning my lack of party invites and I only go and get to one of the best experience s of all my Eurovision career! Backstage with the legend Simone de Oliveira, Portugal’s First Lady of Song, after her tribute concert in the Eurovision Village last night. But more of that later.

Blue carpet

After leaving rehearsals we schlepped it over to the Blue Carpet event at MAAT in Belem. It was scorchio! The sun beating down on us as we waited for the artists to have their own moment in the sun.

SuRieThe parade of artists was in great spirits. It’s the first I’ve done since Düsseldorf in 2011, and I’d forgotten how much fun it was. I managed to get my selfies with most artists, deploying a ruse I was after photos with everyone with beards. As the UK was last but one alphabetically it took an age for SuRie to get even onto that carpet, but she looked resplendent and the BBC delegation were loving every moment.

Some 5 hours later and fatigued despite the best efforts of the lovely Portuguese volunteers to keep us hydrated it was decidedly Super Bock O’clock, so we headed for sustenance and into the Eurovision Village.

Village voice

SimoneTonight’s concert was much anticipated; a tribute to Portugal’s 1965 and 1969 entrant who has gone on to enjoy a spectacular career here. At 80 Simone de Oliveira is a kind of hero for all of us who enjoy the good life; still smoking (although health warning, do give it up like I did 14 years ago), drinking whisky, and dining at the same restaurant in the Bairro Alto every night. She took to the stage with guests who performed duets with her in a hugely emotional show.

Her voice, now deep with the husk of life, still belts out and she performs with such passion.

I’m not ashamed to say I had a moment or two, dear reader; the legendary singer (think a kind of Shirley Bassey meets Edith Piaf as a measure of her stature) performing my favourite ever Portuguese song, in the middle of one of Lisbon’s grandest squares. At the bloodyfucking Eurovision in Portugal! But this wasn’t the end to the excitement.

Back stage

CrispsThanks to the very kind invitation of also legendary composer and last night’s conductor Nuno Feist we were whisked backstage for an audience with the great lady! What a moment to savour! In person she was kind, gracious, very present, and laughed heartily when I told her in my pigeon Portuguese she was Nossa Senhora d’Eurovisão. What a moment to cherish from this wonderful Eurovision.

After Simone popped home we sat in her dressing room scoffing the remains of her rider; a cheese bap and an untouched plate of crisps. But the night was yet young, so we headed to get our first glimpse of this year’s EuroClub.

In the club

Rylan and MontyYou can see why access is limited; the dance floor isn’t exactly huge, but it was kicking. There’s an area upstairs reserved for delegations, but a lovely area outside on the terrace where we spent most of our evening. We bumped into Rylan, the new UK commentator, who was great fun. I’m not sure how it happened but I did end up being asked to feel for his nipple, which bizarrely wasn’t to be found.

Bed later than intended, and now at the Arena for the first dress rehearsal of the first semi-final. Blimey! How did that happen?

Monty x

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