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.
Well Netta has started live = The Irish party at their embassy may have taken its toill on me but for you I shall me blogging…..
For the record — 7 glasses of chewy red wine and a very large Jameson.. but hey, who says I don’t entertain. On Screen Netta has performed Toy and the hosts are on stage
I think that they are starting – yes yes they are – With a postcard – for Cyprus
Tamta comes on stage to riotous applause in the press centre. However, Tamta is singing very flat indeed and it’s noticeable in the press centre. It looks OK but those vocals. She should still qualify though but not as highly.
And next its all 6 of D Mol on the beach. That’ll be nice for them
Oh my god this is absolutely awful. Six teenagers on stage pretending to be in tune and in a band. After the big yay that is Cyprus this sort of fails badly. It has no redeeming features and just passes me by in a sea of meh.
1. Cyprus
2. Montenegro
Finland next….
It really is one phrase of music repeated for three minutes and that is really annoying, There is nothing new on stage, the singers, for what they are, are ignoring the dancer which means the whole thing is disconnected.
1. Cyprus
2. Finland
3. Montenegro
Poland Next, This is definitely a different vibe from the Finns. It is, though, just all 4 of them on stage singing the song, lack of movement on there but they are certainly different amd the change of gear is evident. I still think that they are lagging behind the others in this semi final though.
1. Cyprus
2. Poland
3. Finland
4. Montenegro
Slovenia are next and this just doesn’t do anything for me. They may be doing the soft voice thing but it sounds as though they are mumbling through the song. There is a constiutency for this, granted, but i’m not sure the juries are going to see this for what it is.
1. Cyprus
2. Poland
3. Finland
4. Slovenia
5. Montenegro
Czech REpublic next – and No, I can’t hear it for the record. He actually sounds like the mockney bit when he speaks in English. Having said that, though, the band come across as likable on stage and the tv effects look really good and look really good on screen. The overall look is decent enough to overlook the holes in the song because they are performing the arse off this song. Best so far.
1. Czech Republis
2. Cyprus
3. Poland
4. Finland
5. Slovenia
6. Montenegro
Now there is some forced fun in the Green Room. Water Torture is a lot better than this,
Hungary next. Joci sings down the pipes and knows who is constituency is. Those that love Ethnic are going to love this song but the question is, are the juries?. They should go for the good song, well written and well performed which means that it should do well in this bit – are the televoters that sophisticated? – Not so sure.
1. Czech Republic
2. Hungary
3. Cyprus
4. .Poland
5. Finland
6. Slovenia
7. Montenegro
Belarus next ZENA provides a breath of fresh air after all of the emoting in this semi final. She is singing it nicely but the look she is giving is problematic for me. There is a lot going on here and it could be that the juries see a mess but the televiters will see something polished,
Not sure where to rank this after everything that has gone before so far, – Having said that, she’s a little off key towards the end of the song. Marked down for me.
1. Czech Republic
2. Hungary
3. Cyprus
4. Belarus
5. Poland
6. Finland
7. Slovenia
8. Montenegro
Serbia next. This is a decent balkan ballad sung semi decently by Nevena. There is a couple of duff notes here and there but thats what is to be expected by someone who is not the greatest singer. Having said that, it’s going to have it’s cheering clack in the hall but the juries will have noticed the bad notes.
1. Czech Republic
2. Hungary
3. Cyprus
4. Belarus
5. Poland
6. Serbia
7. Finland
8. Slovenia
9. Montenegro
Belgium is really a song that you can slit your wrists by. Eliot isnt really selling this song to me and looks a little bit hideous. The drummers are, to me, superfluous and not needed. My issue with this song isnt the song its the staging, Eliot looks bored and it isn’t really the kind of thing that would get the juries marking this highly. The song is well written…. it’s just boring. Not helped with a couple of bum notes if we are being honest.
This is in danger of not qualifying on this performance.
1. Czech Republic
2. Hungary
3. Cyprus
4. Belarus
5. Belgium
6. Poland
7. Serbia
8. Finland
9. Slovenia
10. Montenegro
Georgia next, this is a great song and a great staging and has risen through the ranks this week. Oto and his backing singers are doing a cracking job on this. Is this a qualifier in plain sight? = More than likely as the audience in the hall were into this song. The Juries are going to hear a well crafted song. Chances are it will get hardly anything from the televoters as they will not get it – but as soon as the chior comes in this lifts it.
1. Czech Republic
2. Georgia
3. Hungary
4. Cyprus
5. Belarus
7. Belgium
8. Poland
9. Serbia
10. Finland
11. Slovenia
12. Montenegro
Australia looks fucking ridiculous. It’s a song that the fans have latched onto cos it’s Australia innit but, if we boil it down, its a woman warbling on a bungee stick. Yes she’s doing a cracking job right now but there is just nothing to it other than the visuals. I feel that it’s going to qualify based on being Australia, and it shoudn’t
1. Czech Republic
2. Georgia
3. Hungary
4. Cyprus
5. Belarus
6. Australia
7. Belgium
8. Poland
9. Serbia
10. Finland
11. Slovenia
12. Montenegro
Another quick break while we see what is going on in the green room. Whoopee!
Iceland after a break and there is no doubt that this has just pissed over Australia and virtually everything else in the contest. The press room has gone earlily quiet as everyone is watching this and rightly so. Whatever you think of it, it certainly has the “oh my god what is that” factor. I still think its pretty boys trying to be edgy but what do I know. Sailing through.
1. Czech Republic
2. Georgia
3. Hungary
4. Iceland
5. Cyprus
6. Belarus
7. Australia
8. Belgium
9. Poland
10. Serbia
11. Finland
12. Slovenia
13. Montenegro
Estonia – Going through Id’ have thought. The effect worked and Victor looked good.
1. Czech Republic
2. Georgia
3. Hungary
4. Iceland
5. Estonia
6. Cyprus
7. Belarus
8. Australia
9. Belgium
10. Poland
11. Serbia
12. Finland
13. Slovenia
14. Montenegro
Song 15 and it’s Portugal. This just looks like a bag of shite compared to what has gone on before. This is art, yes, but it’s not a song for this contest and just looks and feels silly. This is clearly borderline depending on what the Juries have seen.
1. Czech Republic
2. Georgia
3. Hungary
4. Iceland
5. Estonia
6. Cyprus
7. Belarus
8. Australia
9. Belgium
10. Poland
11. Portugal
12. Serbia
13. Finland
14. Slovenia
15. Montenegro
Song 16 and it’s the Greek throw-everything-at-the contest song. This is just messy on stage and despite the Greek cheering section in the press centre it is purely just a song that passes everyone by. The juries are going to see a mess on stage and should mark this down accordingly. Televoters, though, still not so sure.
1. Czech Republic
2. Georgia
3. Hungary
4. Iceland
5. Estonia
6. Cyprus
7. Belarus
8. Australia
9. Greece
10. Belgium
11. Poland
12. Portugal
13. Serbia
14. Finland
15. Slovenia
16. Montenegro
17th and last is Serhat. This is clearly qualifying by a mile. The ironic vote and those that know this contest are going to push this over the line. It’s kitch and should have no redeeming features what so ever but, Serhat. That’s all you need to know. Juries are going to hate it, hence 12th. But Televoters are going to absolutely love it.
1. Czech Republic
2. Georgia
3. Hungary
4. Iceland
5. Estonia
6. Cyprus
7. Belarus
8. Australia
9. Greece
10. Belgium
11. Poland
12. San Marino
13. Portugal
14. Serbia
15. Finland
16. Slovenia
17. Montenegro
And that’s it for tonight – I have no clue as to what on earth is happening but there is certainly a semi final dress rehearsal that has just happened and anything could literally happen.
My votes are purely based on a juror voting one against another and they are bound to be completely wrong but, hell, that’s why you come.
Mo will be back for a live blog of the actual semi final tomorrow and I may have sobered up by then…. who knows – but thank you for watching and listening.
Thank you for your insight! Your page has clearly been popular this evening due to the occasional error appearing…
For the record — 7 glasses of chewy red wine and a very large Jameson.. but hey, who says I don’t entertain. On Screen Netta has performed Toy and the hosts are on stage
And next its all 6 of D Mol on the beach. That’ll be nice for them
I think that they are starting – yes yes they are – With a postcard – for Cyprus
Well Netta has started live = The Irish party at their embassy may have taken its toill on me but for you I shall me blogging…..
Now there is some forced fun in the Green Room. Water Torture is a lot better than this,
Tamta comes on stage to riotous applause in the press centre. However, Tamta is singing very flat indeed and it’s noticeable in the press centre. It looks OK but those vocals. She should still qualify though but not as highly.
Finland next….
It really is one phrase of music repeated for three minutes and that is really annoying, There is nothing new on stage, the singers, for what they are, are ignoring the dancer which means the whole thing is disconnected.
1. Cyprus
2. Finland
3. Montenegro
Poland Next, This is definitely a different vibe from the Finns. It is, though, just all 4 of them on stage singing the song, lack of movement on there but they are certainly different amd the change of gear is evident. I still think that they are lagging behind the others in this semi final though.
1. Cyprus
2. Poland
3. Finland
4. Montenegro
Oh my god this is absolutely awful. Six teenagers on stage pretending to be in tune and in a band. After the big yay that is Cyprus this sort of fails badly. It has no redeeming features and just passes me by in a sea of meh.
1. Cyprus
2. Montenegro
Czech REpublic next – and No, I can’t hear it for the record. He actually sounds like the mockney bit when he speaks in English. Having said that, though, the band come across as likable on stage and the tv effects look really good and look really good on screen. The overall look is decent enough to overlook the holes in the song because they are performing the arse off this song. Best so far.
1. Czech Republis
2. Cyprus
3. Poland
4. Finland
5. Slovenia
6. Montenegro
Hungary next. Joci sings down the pipes and knows who is constituency is. Those that love Ethnic are going to love this song but the question is, are the juries?. They should go for the good song, well written and well performed which means that it should do well in this bit – are the televoters that sophisticated? – Not so sure.
1. Czech Republic
2. Hungary
3. Cyprus
4. .Poland
5. Finland
6. Slovenia
7. Montenegro
Slovenia are next and this just doesn’t do anything for me. They may be doing the soft voice thing but it sounds as though they are mumbling through the song. There is a constiutency for this, granted, but i’m not sure the juries are going to see this for what it is.
1. Cyprus
2. Poland
3. Finland
4. Slovenia
5. Montenegro
Belgium is really a song that you can slit your wrists by. Eliot isnt really selling this song to me and looks a little bit hideous. The drummers are, to me, superfluous and not needed. My issue with this song isnt the song its the staging, Eliot looks bored and it isn’t really the kind of thing that would get the juries marking this highly. The song is well written…. it’s just boring. Not helped with a couple of bum notes if we are being honest.
This is in danger of not qualifying on this performance.
1. Czech Republic
2. Hungary
3. Cyprus
4. Belarus
5. Belgium
6. Poland
7. Serbia
8. Finland
9. Slovenia
10. Montenegro
Australia looks fucking ridiculous. It’s a song that the fans have latched onto cos it’s Australia innit but, if we boil it down, its a woman warbling on a bungee stick. Yes she’s doing a cracking job right now but there is just nothing to it other than the visuals. I feel that it’s going to qualify based on being Australia, and it shoudn’t
1. Czech Republic
2. Georgia
3. Hungary
4. Cyprus
5. Belarus
6. Australia
7. Belgium
8. Poland
9. Serbia
10. Finland
11. Slovenia
12. Montenegro
Estonia – Going through Id’ have thought. The effect worked and Victor looked good.
1. Czech Republic
2. Georgia
3. Hungary
4. Iceland
5. Estonia
6. Cyprus
7. Belarus
8. Australia
9. Belgium
10. Poland
11. Serbia
12. Finland
13. Slovenia
14. Montenegro
Iceland after a break and there is no doubt that this has just pissed over Australia and virtually everything else in the contest. The press room has gone earlily quiet as everyone is watching this and rightly so. Whatever you think of it, it certainly has the “oh my god what is that” factor. I still think its pretty boys trying to be edgy but what do I know. Sailing through.
1. Czech Republic
2. Georgia
3. Hungary
4. Iceland
5. Cyprus
6. Belarus
7. Australia
8. Belgium
9. Poland
10. Serbia
11. Finland
12. Slovenia
13. Montenegro
Serbia next. This is a decent balkan ballad sung semi decently by Nevena. There is a couple of duff notes here and there but thats what is to be expected by someone who is not the greatest singer. Having said that, it’s going to have it’s cheering clack in the hall but the juries will have noticed the bad notes.
1. Czech Republic
2. Hungary
3. Cyprus
4. Belarus
5. Poland
6. Serbia
7. Finland
8. Slovenia
9. Montenegro
Belarus next ZENA provides a breath of fresh air after all of the emoting in this semi final. She is singing it nicely but the look she is giving is problematic for me. There is a lot going on here and it could be that the juries see a mess but the televiters will see something polished,
Not sure where to rank this after everything that has gone before so far, – Having said that, she’s a little off key towards the end of the song. Marked down for me.
1. Czech Republic
2. Hungary
3. Cyprus
4. Belarus
5. Poland
6. Finland
7. Slovenia
8. Montenegro
Georgia next, this is a great song and a great staging and has risen through the ranks this week. Oto and his backing singers are doing a cracking job on this. Is this a qualifier in plain sight? = More than likely as the audience in the hall were into this song. The Juries are going to hear a well crafted song. Chances are it will get hardly anything from the televoters as they will not get it – but as soon as the chior comes in this lifts it.
1. Czech Republic
2. Georgia
3. Hungary
4. Cyprus
5. Belarus
7. Belgium
8. Poland
9. Serbia
10. Finland
11. Slovenia
12. Montenegro
Song 15 and it’s Portugal. This just looks like a bag of shite compared to what has gone on before. This is art, yes, but it’s not a song for this contest and just looks and feels silly. This is clearly borderline depending on what the Juries have seen.
1. Czech Republic
2. Georgia
3. Hungary
4. Iceland
5. Estonia
6. Cyprus
7. Belarus
8. Australia
9. Belgium
10. Poland
11. Portugal
12. Serbia
13. Finland
14. Slovenia
15. Montenegro
Song 16 and it’s the Greek throw-everything-at-the contest song. This is just messy on stage and despite the Greek cheering section in the press centre it is purely just a song that passes everyone by. The juries are going to see a mess on stage and should mark this down accordingly. Televoters, though, still not so sure.
1. Czech Republic
2. Georgia
3. Hungary
4. Iceland
5. Estonia
6. Cyprus
7. Belarus
8. Australia
9. Greece
10. Belgium
11. Poland
12. Portugal
13. Serbia
14. Finland
15. Slovenia
16. Montenegro
Another quick break while we see what is going on in the green room. Whoopee!
17th and last is Serhat. This is clearly qualifying by a mile. The ironic vote and those that know this contest are going to push this over the line. It’s kitch and should have no redeeming features what so ever but, Serhat. That’s all you need to know. Juries are going to hate it, hence 12th. But Televoters are going to absolutely love it.
1. Czech Republic
2. Georgia
3. Hungary
4. Iceland
5. Estonia
6. Cyprus
7. Belarus
8. Australia
9. Greece
10. Belgium
11. Poland
12. San Marino
13. Portugal
14. Serbia
15. Finland
16. Slovenia
17. Montenegro
Thank you for your insight! Your page has clearly been popular this evening due to the occasional error appearing…