Eurovision Song Contest 2017

Caoimhgh1n · 01-05-2017 09:49PM

overmantle wrote: »

What's wrong with the voting is that so many people live in adjacent countries in Europe so they are actually voting from their own country, from the country in which they are now residing. Perhaps with all the Irish in Australia, we might get a few votes for Ireland.....lol

Australia is performing in the first half of semifinal 1. Ireland is performing in the first half of semifinal 2. Neither country can vote for each other until the final.

Stevecw · 02-05-2017 10:16PM

We have an air balloon involved this year it seems!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qglb2vro94w

Caoimhgh1n · 02-05-2017 10:20PM

I've watched all of the rehearsals (between 30s - 3m depending on what I could find) and lots of performances have let me down so far. I am looking forward to watching Belarus and Estonia tomorrow, as well as Bulgaria.

Busi_Girl08 · 02-05-2017 10:47PM

Stevecw wrote: »

We have an air balloon involved this year it seems!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qglb2vro94w

Probably some of the best staging we've had in years.

Caoimhgh1n · 02-05-2017 10:48PM

Busi_Girl08 wrote: »

Probably some of the best staging we've had in years.

The best since Jedward 2011 and 2012 in my opinion.

T0001 · 02-05-2017 11:08PM

If the balloon rose as the son progressed or if the backing singers appeared near the end in their own balloons it would be a show stopper. I love the idea of the balloon and think it works well, but it seems a bit gimmicky at the moment. It's like one of those things they'll show in 10 years in a montage during a 70th anniversary special.

I loved Brendan's performance on the Late Late Show and our odds of qualifying increased dramatically to 7th in the SF but have fallen back to 12th/13th after the rehersal. I think the song is nice and deserves a spot in the final.

Stevecw · 02-05-2017 11:52PM

Good that it seems RTE are spending a bit of money on the staging, it does look impressive.

But the song just is nowhere near good enough to make any kind of impression. Not a chance we will get out of the semi final yet again.

He seems a decent singer, but the song is so forgettable. Any Eurovision song needs to make an impact in the 1st 30 seconds to at the latest a minute. If not it will be ignored and forgotten.
Our song falls into that trap, it's boring and forgettable for about 2 minutes, then the key changes, backing singers kick in...he sings really well and it turns into a very good song for the last minute or so but it's far far too late.

yerwanthere123 · 06-05-2017 01:23PM

Kinda shocking to see how much Belgium faded once we'd seen it performed live, it's as low as 80/1 now in some of the odds. Pleasing to see Finland make something of a comeback. It's not going to win or anything but it's up to 8th favourite.

Can anyone see anybody besides Italy winning? Just can't see it myself.

Caoimhgh1n · 06-05-2017 01:38PM

I'm personally not the biggest fan of Italy's song..

Bulgaria and Portugal are looking strong, and I would much rather see one of those two win. There are many others I wouldn't mind winning ahead of Italy, but can't see it happening.

If anybody else is going to take it, it will probably be Portugal or Bulgaria..

T0001 · 06-05-2017 02:33PM

Portugal and BUlgaria are the biggest challengers. Personally I like Italy's song the best and I'll probably vote for them but I'll send a vote for Portugal aswell. I think it's a fantastic song and I know its a song contest but Portugal are due a win in fairness haha!

Just saw Ireland's second rehearsal and I have to say the song and staging are looking very well. Saw a short video from the Eurovision production team and the stagin is working well. The song has grown on me. It deserves to qualify as far as I'm concerned. I always think a good way to judge is look at the comments of blog posts etc and we've crept into qualifiers in about 8th/9th so here's hoping!

yerwanthere123 · 06-05-2017 02:47PM

Caoimhgh1n wrote: »

I'm personally not the biggest fan of Italy's song..

Bulgaria and Portugal are looking strong, and I would much rather see one of those two win. There are many others I wouldn't mind winning ahead of Italy, but can't see it happening.

If anybody else is going to take it, it will probably be Portugal or Bulgaria..

I've no idea how Portugal will go down tbh, yeah I can see it doing well but at the same time I wouldn't be surprised if it flopped a la France 2011. Plus we're yet to see the performer himself in action on the Eurovision stage as his sister had been standing in for him at rehearsals. I'm also unconvinced he can win the televote. So yeah, we'll see how it goes.

I would be thrilled for Portugal if they could do it though, how amazing would it be for them to win on their 49th attempt, particularly considering they're yet to even finish in the top 5?

06-05-2017 08:47PM

Caoimhgh1n · 06-05-2017 09:10PM

Just did it there, these are my results. Based on rehearsals and live performances.

My top 26.

1. Bulgaria
2. Albania
3. France
4. Estonia
5. Belgium
6. Georgia
7. Netherlands
8. Azerbaijan
9. Poland
10. Romania
11. Latvia
12. Moldova
13. Ireland
14. Germany
15. Switzerland
16. Finland
17. Czech Republic
18. United Kingdom
19. Greece
20. Armenia
21. Belarus
22. Australia
23. Denmark
24. Austria
25. Portugal
26. FYR Macedonia

06-05-2017 10:06PM

Funny how tastes differ; five of your top 10 are in my bottom 11.

Though I do The Netherlands will be much better live than the studio version is.

4068ac1elhodqr · 06-05-2017 10:47PM

Think I've already got the Netherlands single up in the attic, from back in the 80-90's.
The MTV video was the three of them yelling on a nice sun-setting beach,
yet for the Wilson Philips 45's sleeve they'll all cowboyed up, with not a horse between them.

07-05-2017 12:08PM

Interesting running order development: the "big 5" have all drawn their halves for the final and Italy is the only one who drew the first half! :eek: Shouldn't be that much of a problem, considering Conchita and Måns Zelmerlow both won from first half draws.....but still, not ideal for them. Especially if the producers decide to put him on in the first 1- 5 songs for some reason.

It's good news for France and the UK though. (Spain and Germany really haven't a hope of doing well regardless of what half they were put in).

Caoimhgh1n · 07-05-2017 12:12PM

I doubt they'd do that, they probably want Italy to win. It will be 12/13 most likely.

I agree, the United Kingdom and France are good songs anyway, but being in the second half will only help them. Nothing can save Spain from last place, or second last if they're lucky.

I like Germany, but fear it won't do too well.

Caoimhgh1n · 07-05-2017 04:12PM

Anybody watching the red carpet?

Caoimhgh1n · 08-05-2017 05:50PM

Rehearsal for the first semi-final took place today. The jury semi-final will be on later today.

ebbsy · 08-05-2017 08:10PM

What we should have sent is a bearded lady in a wheelchair on ice skates.

With a violin.

yerwanthere123 · 08-05-2017 08:29PM

ebbsy wrote: »

What we should have sent is a bearded lady in a wheelchair on ice skates.

With a violin.

Repeating what's been done before rarely works. So nice try

Looking forward to the first semi tomorrow, a lot of the songs I haven't seen since they were selected, so they'll be relatively new to me tomorrow night. Haven't yet made my predictions for who'll get through, I might give it a whirl later.

Caprica · 09-05-2017 12:52AM

Really looking forward to the semi final's now. Plenty of good songs taking part. My top songs, based on the studio versions, are;

12 Armenia
10 Azerbaijan
08 Belgium
07 Bulgaria
06 France
05 Italy
04 Hungary
03 Portugal
02 United Kingdom
01 Estonia

From some of the fan polls have Italy with a runaway a victory. The wiwiblogs guys have been greatly impressed with the UK. One song that has risen through the ranks for me, is Portugal, it seems to be getting a very good reaction during the rehearsals. A few weeks back I wouldn't have it making the final but I now think they could be on for a best placement ever. I really like the Belgian song but her performances have been a bit ropey in rehearsals, there may be a chance they may not make it.

I hope Ireland get through. They seem to have put effort and expense into the staging, which is unusual for RTE.

4068ac1elhodqr · 09-05-2017 02:10AM

This is SF1 in sequence of the average 'odds to win' as decided by the bookies, whom are sometimes a useful tool in predicting winning order.

Some surprises with theirs, hence I've put in [brackets] my idea of what the odds and position should be with brief comment.
Based on studio versions/official videos.

Armenia 3.20 [ 10.0, top 6 position ] Very ethnic, nice 35hz bass drop 1m:01sec, but tires quickly with weak noisy bridge.
Portugal 5.50 [ 6.0, top 5 ] Pleasant enough, may attract the bulk of the over 35's votes, won't excite the 20-somethings.
Sweden 4.33 [ 3.0, top 3 ] One for the Maroon5 fans, suited to the target audience.
Greece 10 [ 8, top 8 ] Another bangin' tune for the yoof, above average, should qualify.
Azerbaijan 10 [ 7, top 7 ] Roxette meets the LostBoys (electro-producers)
Finland 13 [ 120, near bottom ] sleepytimes.
Australia 17 [ 7, top 3 ] catchy, outperforms his youthful age
Belgium 17 [ 25, midway ] Good hooks but diminishes on each repeat listen, lacks vocal dynamics.
Moldova 41 [ 41, lower regions ] cheesy cheese with cheese on top, great video.
Latvia 67 [ 35, midway ] Lively, but over-use of the 4sec loop may loose points.
Poland 67 [ 80, lower regions ] too slow getting started hard to get excited about this.
Georgia 81 [ 120, near bottom ] But J'Bond's soundtrack producers may offer her a contract
Cyprus 101 [ 85, mid-lower ] Verse Backtrack lifted from a Smashing Pumpkins track, Chorus bit better but lacks range, good ending.
Iceland 126 [ 175 ] Not sure what's going on here, next.
Albania 126 [ 12, top 7 ] bookies have this over tenfold higher than should be, vocal from 2:11-2:33 should qualify it.
Montenegro 126 [ 175 ] More cheese, and not the nice type. May suit the EV however, who knows as the Chorus is catchy like a bad cold.
Czech Republic 151 [ 6.0, top 3 ] bookies over-priced it, should do well - if not time for EV to retire.
Slovenia 151 [ 195, possible last position ] high-school audition feel about it, wouldn't make it past R1 of x-factor.

gmisk · 09-05-2017 08:44AM

Still in shock to see how Belgium's odds have sky rocketed love the studio version..then I watched rehearsal...shocking.
I did put a sneaky bets on Netherlands to finish top 5, Azerbaijan to finish top 5 and Macedonia to finish top 10.
I can see why the Italian song is a clear favourite that chorus is very catchy.
I have to say the Sweden song would have been about my 3rd favourite from melodifestivalen but i can still see it finishing in top 3 very easily

Amik · 09-05-2017 02:33PM

Ryleigh Gorgeous Bingo wrote: »

Georgia 81 [ 120, near bottom ] But J'Bond's soundtrack producers may offer her a contract
Czech Republic 151 [ 6.0, top 3 ] bookies over-priced it, should do well - if not time for EV to retire.

Agree with you 100% on Czech Republic, I find the song very catchy and like what I've seen in the rehearsals. I've placed a small bet on her to qualify.

Another long shot bet I've placed is on Georgia. She has sounded and looked surprisngly well at the rehearsals. Quite a few Eastern European countries voting in this semi that may help her progress to the Final.

gmisk · 09-05-2017 04:21PM

Amik wrote: »

Agree with you 100% on Czech Republic, I find the song very catchy and like what I've seen in the rehearsals. I've placed a small bet on her to qualify.

Another long shot bet I've placed is on Georgia. She has sounded and looked surprisngly well at the rehearsals. Quite a few Eastern European countries voting in this semi that may help her progress to the Final.

The Czech song isn't too bad.....9/1 I did the same.....

Amik · 09-05-2017 04:38PM

gmisk wrote: »

The Czech song isn't too bad.....9/1 I did the same.....

I got it at 12/1 this afternoon.

Only problem is the Czech diaspora isn't very large. Fingers crossed though!

Welsh Megaman · 09-05-2017 05:20PM

Tonight's the night!

Caoimhgh1n · 09-05-2017 07:08PM

Only 50 minutes to go!

The BBC will not be showing the intervals, but their own short sketches.

yerwanthere123 · 09-05-2017 07:09PM

Just under an hour to go, here are my predictions for the night. As always, it's really hard to pick!

Qualifying:
Sweden
Australia
Finland
Azerbaijan
Portugal
Belgium
Armenia
Moldova
Cyprus
Latvia

Out
Slovenia
Albania
Czech Republic
Iceland
Poland
Montenegro
Georgia
Greece

It was really hard because the standard is so low, there's maybe 5 or 6 decent songs and then it was just trying to sift through the sh*te. I know Poland have their diaspora but I don't think they'll be able to rescue it tonight. Had a hard time choosing between Greece and Latvia, given Greece only missed out for the first time ever last year, but their song is so painfully average I think they'll miss out again. May revise my prediction after I've seen them all on stage but for now I'll stick with them. Looking forward to it now!

Eurovision Song Contest 2017

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