For the first time in Eurovision history, Sweden are the only Nordic country in the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest. But why?
Elliot Harris looks at what could be a turning point in the region's relationship with Eurovision.
Agnete couldn't secure Norway a place in the Grand Final with her song "Ice Breaker"
Scandanavia – a region in Northern Europe known for fjords,
the Blue Lagoon and the birthplace of modern day flatpack furniture, but they
have also dominated. In the last 10 years a Scandinavian nation has won
Eurovision five times, Sweden twice (2012, 2015) then Finland (2006) Denmark
(2013) and Norway (2009) and for a long time they seemed untouchable, as a
region, more often than not, if not winning, qualifying into the Grand Final
and being high on the scoreboard.
But this year, which is slowly becoming a year of firsts,
threw up another one which no one before the contest saw coming, for the first
time since the introduction of the semi-finals back in 2004, no Scandinavian
country entering at the semi-finals has qualified for the Grand Final, meaning
Sweden and young Frans, will be flying solo for Scandinavia after Agente of
Norway, Greta of Iceland, Sandjha of Finland and Lighthouse X of Denmark were
all eliminated in the semi-finals.
What could of caused this we wonder. Although none of the
four countries eliminated had a perfect qualification record (Only Norway and
Sweden advanced from the semis last year) there were still some strong entries
from this region, with Greta Salome’s folksy Of Monsters And Men style “Hear
Them Calling” a huge fan favourite and dark horse for the title and who’s
elimination sparked tremendous outcry and distain amongst Eurovision fans
across the continent, same for Agente with the song “Icebreaker” performing in
the second semi-final, many were certain and convinced we would hear Mans and
Petra shout Norway at some point but alas it never came. Even our head producer Rob dubbed it a
contender for the title when it first was selected back on Super Saturday (27th
February)
So it begs the question, have the Scandanavian countries
become, dare I say it, lazy in selecting their artists? All five nations have
national selection formats, and they have all turned out winners or top 5
finishers in the past, so has the standard dropped in Scandinavia? Are they
relying on their allies too much to vote them through? Norway and Denmark
performed in semi-final 2 and Iceland and Finland semi-final 1, with Iceland
and Finland having the added bonus of Sweden voting in semi-final 1 also. Or
are the Eurovision voters getting sick of Scandanavia dominating and look
elsewhere?
Remember five of the ten winners have been from the region. Or on a
less negative note, have the rest of continent just rose their game and their
entries? There are arguments for both sides and right now I don’t know why all
four countries have been eliminated and I guess we never will know.
All we know for certain is come Saturday night Frans will
not have his neighbourly friends in the green room with him which could work in
Sweden’s favour, with only Sweden representing Scandavia, the likes of Finland
and Norway won’t have to decide who to award the highest mark to -Sweden or
Denmark like they have in previous years, and considering those four countries
account to 96 points in the top marks Sweden could have a nice little nest egg
there in case they fall short in our countries and regions.
Well there we go – 5 Nordic/Scandinavian countries began
Eurovision 2016 and one is left for the final, will the same happen next year?
We don’t know but this could the start of a shift in Eurovision dominance just
maybe I can pack for a warmer climate for Eurovision 2017, unless we return to
Sweden again!
Ahead of Saturday's Grand Final, our own Noa had the chance to chat with the Swiss entrant for Eurovision 2016, the lovely Rykka.
Was it your idea to enter the selection
with the song or did some one have approached you to enter?
I had just spent all year working on my new
record, and I thought it would be an amazing adventure. I was right, it worked!
I have a lot of new music that is all ready to go.
So "The last of our kind" , Can
you explain about the message of the song and how did you come up with
the idea to write about this message?
The message of The Last Of Our Kind is to
always stand up for love above all. Stand up for yourself and for people and
other beings who can’t stand up for themselves. Standing up for love also
sometimes means to go against your own ego and really search to find the truth.
We already know you are Swiss-Canadian, how
do you think that mix of being influenced by both cultures comes out in
your singing /songwriting? (sorry if that question too deep haha)
I grew up in a community where everyone I
knew had a guitar. I’m wildly inspired by my peers in both Switzerland and
Canada.
What are your plans for the performance and
staging in Stockholm? Is it gonna be similar to the national final one, or
did you completely change it?
Yes! It’s different than the one at the
national preselection in Kreuzlingen. Of course there will be surprises! I’m
working on a dress with LYN Lingerie, it will be a collaboration. LYN x RYKKA!
I’ve had meetings with the team at the Swiss Television SRF and worked on the
style and mood and what will happen on stage with them. It was really a team
effort, and it was so great to be so involved, I love that stuff!
Who are you inspirations when it comes to
singing\songwriting?
I love St.Vincent, Goldfrapp, Fleetwood
Mac, Hanne Hukkelberg… It’s a wide range, but I like music that is a little bit
weird and not so mainstream. I think that even though I tried to make a pop
record, it’s still pretty weird J
Final Question : What can we expect from
you after Eurovision ? any plans for new music,a tour perhaps?
I’ll release my brand new record and tour
with my band. Don't forget you can find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram too.
"My name is Callum Rowe and I’m just about still clinging
onto my teenage years.
I’ve been a Eurovision fan all my life having always made an
effort to watch all the shows, but it took me until 2013 until I started to
follow the Contest all-year-round. It was Emmelie de Forest’s victory that
converted me to become a so-called Eurofan and I’m happy to live with that
label attached to me.
I discovered after Emmelie’s victory that there was a whole
different side to Eurovision that 99% of people don’t realise there is; host
city selections, Semi-Final running order allocations, national selections and
so on. These all opened my eyes to everything else that goes on before the three
main shows in May.
Eurovision brings together 40 or so nations and their
differing cultures, music genres and performers, but it also brings Europe
together as a whole. It’s an event that everyone can watch together with their
friends and family and enjoy the music on offer. That’s what Eurovision is all
about to me; the element of happiness that we can all feel when we are with the
people we love and music from across a continent is played and performed.
What’s not to love? It’s beautiful!
My favourite song from Eurovision is A Monster Like Me by
Mørland & Debrah Scarlett. The mystery of the ballad from the first line
when Mørland sings of a secret from his youth which builds to a crescendo of
himself and Debrah singing at the top of their voices sends shivers down my
spine each time I hear it"
In this blog Elliot Harris gives us his views on the first run throughs from the songs in the second half of Semi Final 1. You can find the link to PART 1 here.
Gabriela Guncikova –
I Stand – CZECH REPUBLIC
Kicking off day two of rehearsals were the Czech Republic with
Gabriela’s rather simple ballad and the staging somewhat reflected that. There
was a lot of pink, a lot of purple and the geometric triangles and shapes which
have been a staple in her promotion in the run up to Stockholm, she was in a
simple white dress also which changes into different colours from the lights,
one moment it was white, the next it was purple. Gabriela’s staging the wowed a
lot of people on social media and if it all goes right on the night is looking
like a certain finalist qualifier rather than someone on the borderline.
Minus One – Alter Ego
– CYPRUS
Minus One were a outside dark horse for the title leading
into Eurovision 2016 and they have a song worthy of winning, however there is a
lot going on stage, lots of flashing and colour changing lights, the other band
members apart from the lead vocals are all in cages, giving a somewhat Manga
(Turkey 2010) feel, digitally projected wolves appear on the LED screens also,
vocally sounded ok as well, I’m sure pyrotechnics and smoke will be added in
for later run through also as that is the one thing I expected from Minus One –
fire!
Zoe – Loin D’ici –
AUSTRIA
Eurovision’s sweetheart Zoe from Austria was next, and
firstly the treadmill was not in sight today but she has already said the treadmill
will be used in the final performance so there’s an addition for later in the
week. As for the day itself Zoe came out in a gorgeous off colours pink/peach
coloured dress with lots of layers, the staging behind was similar to the
national final but toned down and altered as she explained to us in an
interview. Overall her staging has bolstered her chances of qualifying.
Juri Pootsmann – Play
– ESTONIA
Juri was next on stage and again it was similar copy and
paster style from Eesti Laul for Stockholm, the colour schemes of red and blue
interchanging was present again, this time whoever adding the suits of playing
cards on the screens at times, decked out in a royal blue suit, the whole song
and staging gave a very cool jazz club/James Bond style vibe, now where’s my
Martini gone?
Samra – Miracle –
AZERBAIJAN
Now it soon become apparent, mainly through people in
Stockholm announcing Miss Samra is currently unwell which affected her first
practice vocally, however the staging itself is still rather dull, the main
colour scheme seemed to be beige and gold or that parts and in true Azerbaijan
style, they have backing dancers which are not for a song like this, they all
interact with the backing singers at times also, however from the footage seen
it looks like they’ve learnt from last year and stay Samra during the whole
performance so credit for them learning from their mistakes I guess.
Highway – The Real
Thing – MONTENEGRO
Highway were next on stage and there footage looked okay,
very apparent to what I personally expected, lots of lights, not too much going
on, they have a female backing dancer which is shown in the music video also,
she is illuminated in red for the performance, but although the staging is good
and in some ways simple, although im expecting more smoke and pyro in future
run through, there’s nothing jaw droopingly amazing to pull this through the
semi and into the final.
Greta Salome – Hear Them Calling – ICELAND
Again not much has changed with this staging, the screen
behind her is still present and the second chorus of her batting away the hands
and the girl running into her remains, however she now starts on the floor and
after the second chorus drops the to the floor. Also we didn’t see this but her
Snapchat before Stockholm showed other walking and a camera circling her around
the two minute mark in the song, again national final staging worked so need to
fix it and if she hits all her cues and marks it’s a winner.
Deen & Dalal ft.
Anna Rucher and Jala – Ljubav Je – BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
Well…this was different. Bosnia are back after three years
and they’ve come back with barbed wire and a giant of tin foil it looks like.
Deen and Dalal are either side of the barbed wire fence reaching for each
other, Anna is playing slightly infront and (sadly) Jala is still there for his
literal 15 seconds of Eurovision fame, lighting is a simple blue and black
scheme, will much change between now and next Tuesday? I doubt it and if so
it’s being left behind.
Ira Losco – Walk On
Water – MALTA
Lastly it was Ira’s turn, and they said it would be
expensive and one to watch, she will be wearing a giant projection map coat on
stage which will change – think Wiktoria in Melodifestivalen but bigger,
colours wree changing from red to blues and yellows, the dancer from the video
will be on stage giving some frantic and to be more blunt off putting dancing,
that could harm her in the long run but it’s looking vocally and performance
wise Malta will safely be in the final this time round.
Eurovision fortnight has begun! And we plan to bring you
news from the rehearsals and our opinions for the duration. Here are Elliot Harris thoughts from day one from the 30 seconds clips released by Eurovision.tv.
Sandjha – Sing It Away – FINLAND
The opening song of Eurovision 2016 is coming from Sandjha,
the funk soul diva from Finland, she shocked the continent when she won UMK
over heavy favourites Saara Aalto and Mikaeel Saari and she did it again – with
her rather risqué dancing and backing singers.
Let me explain, Sandjha, decked out in a pale blue open back jumpsuit, is there
giving it her all like in UMK, the backing singers have lost the rather frumpy
and mum like outfits from the selection and instead in all leather tops and
trousers, and then suddenly it becomes Poland 2014 esque, we have Sandjha
grinded on by one of her backing dancers and one of them lowering beneath her
singing whilst making eye contact, is this what happens normally on a girls
night out in Finland? This may be a shock tactic to push the male vote as right
now Finland stand rather borderline but I don’t see this advancing.
Argo – Uptopian Land – GREECE
Argo followed and this was the first time I have heard any
of their vocals or performance live and for what’s it’s worth, it was ok, I am
not a fan of the song from the start but the staging elevates it SLIGHTLY for
me. I am unsure if they will stick with this but all six members were wearing
all white on stage whilst behind them a gold spiral with circling and flaring
out golden shards on a black backdrop (I assuming to signify the sun they
mention in their song) the traditional guitar style instrument is present on
stage along with a large drum and some tradition dancing also, well I am to
assume it’s traditional as the rest of the song fits that theme, overall, the
staging and performance outweighs the song, so the jury may give it some of
their lower marks but I don’t see the public pushing it enough to see it into
the final.
Lidia Isac – Falling Stars – MOLDOVA
Lidia from Moldova had maybe one of the most stand out
components from today’s run through, a backing dancer with an astronaut helmet!
Yep, showcasing some Montenegro 2013 inspiration, the space man has followed
her from the music video to Stockholm. Lidia practiced in a tan coloured knee
length dress with white sneakers, although we can somewhat assume this is not
her outfit for the big night, there was a lot more movement think the big white dress may be gone and may
be choosing the outfit style seen in her first music video. The staging looks
Montenegro 2013 meets Lithuania 2014 in reagrds to the duo on stage and behind
them as expected, an array of stars and blues and purples. I really love this
song so hoping for the best.
Freddie – Pioneer – HUNGARY
Not much to comment on about this, same format as the
national final, three backing vocalists to the right of him and a person
playing a giant drum off to the left, but it worked for A Dal so don’t fix what
isn’t broken I guess, the floor also resembles lava at parts of the song I have
been told although that was available to be seen in the footage Eurovision have
released, guess it’ll be a nice surprise on the night for us.
Nina Kralijic – Lighthouse – CROATIA
A big favourite of mine this year and maybe the one I was
most intrigued about their staging, going on the name and lyrics they could do
a lot, or get a lot wrong and this was one of the most talked about staging’s
of the day. Ok maybe not the staging but more so the outfit of choice. Nina has
gone for this black and white huge thing with what look like Venetia ice cream
ripples on the shoulders, giving her no shape and making her look like a badly
wrapped Christmas present, thankfully it is ripped off her and will reveal a
different outfit underneath, we don’t what the other will look like but if it’s
as bad as that – Barbara Dex winner 2016. Apart from that crashing waves can be
seen and the lighting is simple so maybe it looks like they are letting her
voice do the talking, which is not a bad thing given Nina has some vocals on
her!
Douwe Bob – Slow Down – THE NETHERLANDS
This looked like the most put together, nothing will change
in the next eight days style of staging, very reminiscent of the video released
with the song, a country western bar feel, I described it like an open mic in a
Texas or Tennessee bar and it’s rather cute and clean. The screens behind them
turned into clockwork pieces and gears at one point which is a nice touch for
the song title, not sure if it improves or elevates the song at all, but at
least it was well thought out and organised.
Iveta Mukuchyan – LoveWave – ARMENIA
Wonder Woman has arrived! I jest but Iveta was looking like
she was missing half her outfit, opting for her outfit of choice for the big
stage a simple black leotard and cape, I don’t mind it but looks rather simple,
I joked it was to cover the bad song going on around her, the colours were a
deep blue which seemed to engulf her which is a positive and her vocals were
pretty good, doesn’t change my thoughts on LoveWave however and would prefer
the cape round the waist as obviously a wind machine will be in effect.
Serhat – I Didn’t Know – SAN MARINO
Was as expected from San Marino since they went disco, five
female backing dancers, some cheesy dancing, the screen behind him projects
more female backing also, which is clever without breaking the six person on
stage rule, I think it’ll be a big hit with the older generation for the fun
and nostalgic factor but that’s it, also at the end of the song all the woman
crowding round him and some looking at him almost lustfully is a little creepy,
but I’ll be far too creeped out by then, sorry San Marino but think semi-finals
in all you’re getting.
Sergey Lazarev – You Are The Only One – RUSSIA
Last of the day and the one everyone had been waiting,
Sergey had wowed with his official video and again the staging was very wow,
but familiar. A large rectangular on stage set and not using anything else,
where have I seen that? All links to Mans’ aside, it’s a complex routine
performed well and can see the time has been spent perfecting it and as usual
his vocals, on point, his backing vocalists also shone, the dancing was
slightly out of sync and needs tightening as do some of his on screen
interactions, but on the televisions screens this’ll look amazing and no doubt
ANOTHER top 5 finish for Russia.
We asked you guys for your thoughts on today’s staging highs
and lows and Jack Walker from England has been in touch and said the following;
“Netherlands + Armenia were the stand-outs, Hungary +
Moldova weren't bad either but a tad disappointed with Russia's staging”
Do you agree or disagree? Let us know and let us know your
thoughts on the remaining 33 songs to reveal their staging and you can feature
in our future blogs which we will bringing you DAILY during the Eurovision
fortnight.
On April 22nd 2016, the world of Eurovision was dealt a blow
they had never experienced before and one I never, ever saw coming. For the
first time in the history of the organisation, the EBU (European Broadcasting
Union) had forcibly removed a broadcaster, from the EBU and in turn Eurovision,
the country I am referring to is of course Romania, just three weeks before the
contest.
News of worries that Romania would be removed from
Eurovision surfaced when it was reported that Televiziunea Romania (TVR) the
national broadcaster Romania had accumulated debt and therefore owed the EBU in
the region of 14.5 million Euros on the 19th April, saying that had set a
deadline for the debt to be cleared by the following day or face exclusion from
the contest.
Ovidiu Anton had already been selected at Romania's entry
There had been no news of when this had been agreed prior
but that the money owed stretched back as far as 2007. Now on the first reading
of this, although I knew there’s no way they can clear this debt magically a
day after it has become blatant public knowledge, but I never thought the EBU
would carry through this punishment – at least for this year. But alas they
have and the record equalling year of 43 participating countries are no more,
and this will be the first time since their debut back in 1993 that Romania
will not be participating and the first time since 2002 they will not feature
in the Grand Final.
Since their exclusion there has been a lot of finger
pointing and playing the blame game and opinions expressed over the decision from
many, from the respective Moldovan and Russian participants Lidia Isac and
Sergey Lazarev. As well as on social media, to the Eurovision community on social
media, mostly through Facebook and Twitter, some blame the EBU for this, some
TVR and some splitting the blame. However, Eurovision stars and fans all agreed
on a unified statement amongst everyone
is there is one innocent bystander caught in the crossfire – Ovidiu Antion.
Ovidiu was due to compete for Romania, after winning the
national selection in March with rock style dramatic track “Moment Of Silence”
he was due to perform 12th in the second semi final. He had also appeared at
several pre party events including London, where I attended myself and I have
to admit, I was a big fan of the stage show esque drama of the song and live,
he delivered the same power and emotion from the studio version, he was
understandably upset by the decision and is now expressed and believed to be
taking legal action against the decision, whether he sought legal action against
TVR or EBU or both organisations are still not 100% clear.
The TVR Broadcast Centre in Bucharest, Romania
In the days that followed and when all the dust and initial shock had settled, Ovidiu
was thrown a lifeline – albeit a bizarre one, from his country's neighbours
Moldova. Moldova (who have awarded Romania 12 points in the final every year
they have competed) had their broadcaster TVM (Tele-Radio Moldova) offer Ovidiu
to opportunity to perform with Lidia Isac in her Eurovision entry “Falling
Stars” turning it into a duet. Although I was unsure if this was even allowed
at this stage, Ovidiu replied shortly after declining the invitation saying he
also wanted to sing Moment Of Silence and he did not want to impact his hurt
onto Lidia’s performance – I was all for a duet, so hopefully they might release
one after the contest?
Earlier in the week also it came out that private Romanian
channel Pro TV had requested the rights to broadcast Eurovision to the EBU,
although this initial request was rejected.
Also as one final point the EBU is not just for Eurovision,
they control all broadcasting of all events, so the Olympics in Rio De Janiero
in a few months time, rhe European Championship in France just beforehand-
Romania have no right to broadcast ANY of these events and as of when they can
return to EBU status and Eurovision as a whole is a mystery, hopefully 2017 but
I’m not putting my money on anything just yet.
