2,452 posts
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Post by theatremadness on May 9, 2017 22:57:29 GMT
Is UK allowed in it or have we been put in the corner? We (the UK) pay so much money to Eurovision that we get fast-tracked straight to the final. Tonight was the first of the semi-finals! |
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Post by d'James on May 10, 2017 10:34:13 GMT
Awww I loved them.
Anyway, I feel the semi-finals can take the fun out of the final. Of course it can knock out awful songs but it also means that the final is missing wacky performances (like Montenegro). Only a small percentage of people who watch the final watch the semis, so they can often get the idea that Eurovision is too 'serious' or 'not as fun as it used to be.'
I think the Jury system is what creates the 'upsets' according to what I've read. Finland apparently messed up their Jury performance and Australia didn't mess his up so the point from the Jury got him through and Finland knocked out.
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4,987 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on May 10, 2017 11:05:24 GMT
It's the only time of the year when I have an interest in pop music
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Post by oxfordsimon on May 10, 2017 11:09:02 GMT
I am still at a loss to explain how Greece got through - the singing was consistently out of tune. She wasn't capable of singing the big notes in the chorus - so opted for a lower line in the harmony. However she couldn't sing that in tune either - so it clashed horribly with the backing singer.
It was far more painful than the dull Australian.
Yay for Moldova though!!
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8,157 posts
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Post by alece10 on May 10, 2017 11:54:02 GMT
It's lost its fun. Too many "proper" songs. Rubbish songs but "proper" I miss the days of the mad acts and cheesy Eurovision disco numbers. Also most were solo acts with no backing band or dancers doing bizarre stuff in the background.
Do these countries think its a serious contest for some reason?
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2017 13:02:58 GMT
After seeing the dress rehearsal video of our song, I can't stop singing it! It's got great staging and has a big impact. Lucie Jones sings the heck out of it with fantastic vocals. I really hope she at least ends up on the left side of the scoreboard.
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2,302 posts
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Post by Tibidabo on May 10, 2017 13:45:20 GMT
So much Eurovision lurrrve on here! We are a house divided - half go so far as going to see the British entry being chosen and the other half escapes the looooooooooooong Saturday evening by disappearing off to the theatre. No one's going to vote for us anyway this year.....again! And did someone spell Austria wrong?  |
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21 posts
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Post by Angram on May 10, 2017 16:57:38 GMT
I am still at a loss to explain how Greece got through Possibly (ok - definitely) because Cyprus were in the same semi-final - though Moldova managed to get through without Romanian votes. I loved the Portuguese entry, a sweet song without any distracting dancers, flashy graphics, etc. Disappointed that Finland missed out. I'll be very surprised if Italy doesn't win on Saturday, it's catchy and has instant appeal, bearing in mind that most people just tune in for the final (whereas some of us not only watch the semis but also quite a few of the national selection shows..... #unashamedeurovisionnerd) |
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2017 17:32:40 GMT
The biggest distraction with Portugal was the guy singing it. What was with all twitching and affected style of singing it.
I thought the actual song was very sweet and his voice suited it, but it was far better when you just listened and didn't see him.
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240 posts
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Post by Anniek on May 11, 2017 7:47:31 GMT
I was such a fan of Croatia's song this year, until I read that the singer has been accused for homophobic comments and even 'won' prices for being the most homophobic person of the year etc. So now I have to boycot them. It's beyond me that all those Eastern countries which mainly have quite an anti-lgbt attitude over themselves most of the time sends the most camp entries anyway.. Yaye for me living in the UK as hopefully now I can vote for my homecountry the Netherlands!  |
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8,157 posts
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Post by alece10 on May 11, 2017 8:12:03 GMT
I also like Portugals song, it was quitelling sweet but the singer was most peculiar. Odd faxial espressions and hand gestures. Like someone was operating him as a puppet. Sandy Shaw could have sung about him.
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Post by oxfordsimon on May 11, 2017 12:40:14 GMT
I really don't get the Italy song. It was much better before it was cut down to the 3 minute version. People will remember it because of the gimmick of the gorilla - but the staging doesn't work and the song is not really of winning quality.
Portugal is a joy to listen to - I can ignore the affected performance style because his vocals just win me over.
One of my favourites is Nathan Trent for Austria - I could listen to his voice over and over (and have been doing so...) I fear that it is not Eurovision enough to resonate with the voters or juries - but it is one of the most chart ready songs this year.
Israel was a favourite but he isn't strong enough in the live version for it to stand any chance - which is a shame as it is a good upbeat number.
Of those at the top of the betting, I would be far happier to see Bulgaria or Portugal take the win than Italy. Sweden will do well - but they should have kept the original lyrics - just to shock everyone! It had far more impact when it was more adult. It needs sex - and it is a bit vanilla now
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Post by oxfordsimon on May 11, 2017 12:41:08 GMT
Yaye for me living in the UK as hopefully now I can vote for my homecountry the Netherlands! Can you explain the name of the Netherlands act? |
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240 posts
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Post by Anniek on May 11, 2017 13:09:25 GMT
Yaye for me living in the UK as hopefully now I can vote for my homecountry the Netherlands! Can you explain the name of the Netherlands act? So G3NE comes from the word genes as they're sisters. O is the bloodgroup/ bloodtype of their mum (which unfortunately is very ill since a few years) and the 3 is for them being a trio of singing sisters. Their dad writes most of their songs, so the whole family is captured in the name/product O'G3NE. They used to be famous under the name 'Lisa, Amy en (and) Shelley' and participated at the JESC 10 years ago (came in 11th). After that they made a few albums focussed on small kids/early teens, before re-appearing as O'G3NE in the Voice of Holland which they won as the first trio ever. So let's hope they qualify tonight and have a good result on Saturday! Im actually starting to like the Dutch entries myself lately. Besides Trijntje in 2015, I think that Anouk, O'G3NE, Common linnets and Douwe Bob were good entries. |
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Post by oxfordsimon on May 11, 2017 13:15:13 GMT
Thanks Anniek - It all makes sense - but it is one of those names that appears impossible to say unless you already know it.
I think they will qualify but I find the harmonies a bit too much for my taste. I can appreciate the technique involved - but it is not a sound I enjoy.
I really did rank Douwe Bob last year - was one of my favourites.
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240 posts
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Post by Anniek on May 11, 2017 13:38:01 GMT
I didnt like him as much as O'G3NE but he was a good entry musically wise. It has to be your cup of tea, but what I can really recommend is them doing 'echoing'. Basically each of them sing a word (of a few words) and it mixes so well: now I stop this promo-train |
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247 posts
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Post by barelyathletic on May 11, 2017 16:30:20 GMT
I actually quite like Italy's song. But tonight Finland is the best. A beautiful, simple ballad called Blackbird. A complete lack of typical Eurovision songs for me Blackbird won't sing.  |
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247 posts
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Post by barelyathletic on May 11, 2017 16:32:59 GMT
Just looking forward to seeing Lucie Jones kill it to be honest, bloody love her! She is a star and the staging is amazing. Blows everybody else out of the water. Currently 5th favourite. |
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204 posts
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Post by Sue on May 11, 2017 16:56:51 GMT
I love the Eurovision! I'll be fixed to my TV screen all night. Got the fizz, got the nibbles and I've even got my squeeze there too-I've worn her down over the years so it'll be even sweeter this year!
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Post by Montmartre on May 11, 2017 17:24:44 GMT
I liked Cyprus
Also Finland (sadly out) and UK.
Part 2 tonight.
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5,059 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on May 11, 2017 17:53:59 GMT
I wonder if there is going to be a Brexit backlash, Greece might rather vote for Turkey than us. We know how political these awards are with the example ai just gave, the Balkans always sticking together, like the former Eastern Bloc and the Scandanavians.
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2017 20:43:13 GMT
Not many decent songs tonight.... Netherlands for me.
What the hell was Croatia all about??
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345 posts
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Post by johartuk on May 11, 2017 21:14:41 GMT
Not many decent songs tonight.... Netherlands for me. What the hell was Croatia all about?? No idea, but he's through to the final! |
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2017 21:20:37 GMT
Lucie Jones is now in the top 5 favourites to Win! Hurrah! Our staging is so different to everything else.
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Post by oxfordsimon on May 11, 2017 23:13:11 GMT
For all the talk of SF2 being the stronger, I thought it was a pretty weak evening.
Delighted for Nathan Trent - Austria - that has been a favourite since first listen.
We have 2 gimmick acts through - Croatia and Roumania. Croatia worked in the studio version as you didn't see him - and he is not a natural stage beast. Roumania - well yodelling and rap should never been heard together ever again - but we have to deal with it on Saturday.
It isn't a vintage year for me - a lot of very middle of the road stuff plus acts with very little credibility making the final. And what is it with all the bad notes? So much out of tune stuff.
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