Eurovision 2016 - The Review
Yesterday unfortunately marked the end of the 6 month camp fest that is Eurovision. As we all cry into our flags and start the countdown to Festival I Këngës, it's time to go back and review the best moments of this year's Eurovision Song Contest.
Let's start of by taking a look at my personal top 23:
Let's also bear in mind that I made this the day after Albania released their revamp, because Përallë was easily my 2nd favourite. I was so disappointed when they revamped it, and THEY LOST THE VIOLINS.
I was also in the minority of people that really liked Belgium even before the staging saved it. Yes, it may sound like a rip off of a few songs but she brought energy to her performance in the Belgium NF. As well as that, there was nothing bad about the song at all, she can sing, and it was a great beat. What was the problem?
It may come as a shock to some the Austria was my top, but there's just something about the song that's so simplistic, yet so sophisticated. The pounding beat underneath the pizzicato violins sounds vintage but in a good way, and Zoë is such a nice person, and the fan favourite. If I were to nit pick, I would have made the stage more mystical and dreamy (BUT NOT STARS), rather then cute fantasyland. I knew this would not be the winner, however much I enjoyed it, it just wouldn't fare well across Europe. Don't fret though Zoë, I bought your CD, and have become a big fan :)
Yes, I put Bosnia and Herzegovia in my 2nd place. I can already see the "WTF?" Faces from everyone reading, but I really, really love every part they've put into it, especially the "battle" between Ana on Cello and Jala rapping. Even though I don't really understand what they're talking about, I can understand enough just through their voices, which I think is an achievement. For me, it's just such a shame that their staging ruined the effect. The barbed wire just looked a bit cheap and tacky, which I believe is also where Cyprus fell down. They were In my third place until they preformed in cages. What does being behind poles of metal have to do with life being a miracle? Being restricted to a box isn't living the life of Rock and Roll, but mind you, nor is doing Eurovision!
Next I put Italy with "No Degree Of Separation", mainly because I have a soft spot of Italian entries, and because the song is just so pretty. There was a bit of head scratching by fans when she put one chorus into English, but I was fine with that, as long as it didn't turn out like Albania's, which luckily it didn't. I did, however, have a problem with the staging.
What the heck is that?
This probably gets the award for worst stage of them all, going by the rule of if you can't think of anything to put on your stage, put a tree in there. If she'd have had a stage like in her music video, it would have been so, so much better.
Why did she give the camera a plum?
I'll say that since I made this, United Kingdom have moved up a lot in my list. I guess I was still annoyed they won the selection, but the song really is a grower, and even if the staging was dull, believe (in) me, the Children Of The Universe really should have voted this higher. It goes to show us how much Europe really does hate us, but then again, maybe we shouldn't decide whether we want to leave it's union a month after..
Now, you may notice something different on my list. Have you?
I made this list before Romania were forcibly withdrawn from the contest, for continuous non payments to the EBU. Because of this, TVR lost the rights to participate and broadcast Eurovision, as well as broadcast European sporting events, and potentially the Olympics if they aren't careful. All I can say on this matter is how sorry I feel for Ovidiu, the singer of Romania's entry this year "moment of silence". The poor guy won his national selection, and went on the promotional tour, why can't they just let 'em off once more so this guy can live his dream? I know SVT have nothing to do with this, but it seems quite anti "Come Together" to me..
I also put Australia rather low in my ranking, mainly because the song is so dull. Even the staging was terrible, with Dami sitting on a box for the majority of her 3 minutes. It amazes me how she came second with such a beige performance.
Now, let's chat about the most shocking moments of this year!
Iveta shows the Nagorno-Karabakh flag
It seems as though some choe to rebel against the "restricted flags" recommendations this year, Joe wearing a Welsh scarf in the grand final, and Agnete waving a Sami flag, but some took it a step further, with Armenian singer Iveta Mukuchyan displaying the flag of disputed territory Nagorno-Karabakh during the recap of her performance, an action which caused Azerbaijani journalists to call for the EBU to take serious actions against the Armenian delegation during the qualifiers press conference. Samra, Azerbaijan's entrance this year responded simply with "The Eurovision Song Contest is about music".
Belarus' IVAN is naked with wolves
It wouldn't be Eurovision without a jokey act wanting to be taken seriously. It didn't stop IVAN when his proposal to sing naked surrounded by live was stopped by the EBU, as his song began with a hologram of him doing just that. Luckily for Europe, this didn't qualify for the grand final.
Well, it had to happen to someone, right?
Petra and Måns' hosting skills
SVT definitely raised our expectations when they announced that last year's winner Måns, and Swedish treasure Petra would be hosting, and boy, did they smash it! Bringing both humour and sophistication to the evening, Petra and Måns exchanged witty remarks, and completed interviews flawlessly, with the exception of the Carola-Loreen interview, where they must have been tight for time, as Måns pretty much cut off each former winner as they were singing "Hallelujah" and "Waterloo".
Lynda Woodruff slays us all
Lynda woodruff has become something Eurovision Icon, with her mispronounced country names and over excitement.
New voting system - Hit or Miss?
2016 saw SVT introduce a new voting system, in which each act got two scores juries and public each got a separate set of points to allocate to their favourite. Whilst Austrialia won the jury vote, Russia won the televote, yet neither of them won..
Malta gives 12 points to The UK
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
Ukraine's Jamala wins
It came as a shock go a lot of people when favourite Sergey Lazerav could not get enough points from the televote to overtake Jamala, giving Ukraine their second win since 2004.
I loved Jamala's performance, and how she puts so much of her soul into this song, especially as it tells a very personal story. Jamala won with 534, achieving to date the highest point total in the history of Eurovision, however with the new voting system, this wasn't difficult. I'm now going to count Ann-Marie David as the ultimate Eurovision champion, with the highest percentage of a vote ever. That way, all Is kept fair.
 |
| The moment Ukraine realise they've won |
I will also write a full review for Jamala's 1994, which will be up sometime this week :)
http://youtu.be/B-rnM-MwRHY
