Eurovision superfan Paul G Sheridan of RTÉ TV's Entertainment department takes a look at the contenders taking part in tonight's first semi-final of Eurovision 2011.
It’s that time of year again, and in Düsseldorf, delegations from 43 countries descended on the Fortuna Arena just over a week ago to go through intense rehearsals for their performances.
This week, it all comes to a head as the first semi-final happens on tonight. Nineteen countries will appear in each of the two semis this week. Ten from each group (the ten highest scoring entries from the national juries and televoters combined) will proceed to Saturday’s Grand Final to join the ‘Big 5’ countries – that’s France, Italy, United Kingdom, Germany and Spain. That will see 25 nations competing this weekend.
And so to tonight....
In appearance order, the countries taking part are: Poland, Norway, Albania, Armenia, Turkey, Serbia, Russia, Switzerland, Georgia, Finland, Malta, San Marino, Croatia, Iceland, Hungary, Portugal, Lithuania, Azerbaijan and Greece.
Poland kick off proceedings with the sultry Magdalena Tul, performing her own composition Jestem (I am), with five dancers/singers. A upbeat song with a good melody, and a sure qualifier.
Next is Norway, with Kenyan-born Stella Mwangi singing Haba Haba, the title of which is Swahili for ‘little by little’. Stella wrote the semi-autobiographical lyrics. The verses are in English with the Swahili refrain. This has proved extremely popular with pundits and fans alike since it won the Norwegian final in February. This, too, will be in the Final.
Albania has sent one of their top artists, Aurela Gaçe, to sing Feel The Passion. It’s a strong contender, and Aurela gives it her all. This is Albania’s eighth contest entry, and they’ve only failed to qualify in that time on two occasions, in 2006/07.
Now to Armenia, who made their contest début in 2006, and have qualified every year so far, and their five entries have all finished in the top ten in the Final. However, their song this year, Boom Boom, sung by the popular Emmy, is pretty weak by previous standards, but with the powerful Eastern European vote, it might scrape through.
Turkey has once again sent a rock band to represent the country. Yüksek Sadakat are a 5-piece outfit who are extremely successful in their home country. Composed by one of the band members, this song will rock the house. One for the Final, without a doubt.
Serbia has sent 22-year-old Nina, whose real name is Danica Radojicic, with the song Caroban (Magical). An uplifting number, which would have not been out of place in 1967, and their look (Nina plus her three female backing singers) is straight out of the late ’60s. It’s well sung, and it’s a sure qualifier.
Russia won this contest in 2008 with Dima Bilan and Believe, which was a rather downbeat ballad. Their song last year in Oslo was a dirge – and yet it qualified, such is the power of Russia in this event! Alexey Vorobyov is 23, and an actor and composer as well as a singer. For international purposes, he also calls himself Alex Sparrow. With Lady Gaga’s songwriter responsible for this year’s entry, Get You, and with Alexey’s looks as well as his voice, we will certainly see this in Saturday’s Final.
Switzerland next, with a simple ballad sung by 23-year-old Anna Rossinelli. A pleasant number which Anna sings well, but it’s doubtful whether this will progress.
Georgia are making their fourth Eurovision appearance this year. Another country which has qualified each year since 2007, this will be no different. Six-piece band Eldrine offer a rock number called One More Day, which will doubtless get a huge Eastern vote.
Finland, winners with Lordi five years ago, have sent a young man of 20 with a song with the title Da Da Dam, about a ‘junior eco-warrior’. Paradise Oskar is the stage name of the composer/lyricist Axel Ehnström, who is totally alone on the stage with his guitar. A dark horse, beautifully sung, and on its way to the bigger event on Saturday.
Malta could be dubbed ‘the most successful country at Eurovision never to have won’. Sadly, they’re not going to do it this year with this effort, One Life, sung by Glen Vella, who turns 28 on Saturday. Songs like this are heard each year, and do not progress beyond the semi-final. Sorry, Malta, this isn’t your year either.
Twelfth in line for the first semi, and taking part for the second time is the tiny republic of San Marino. Italian-Eritrean singer Senit is the performer of Stand By, which surprisingly is not in their national language (Italian). A big ballad which Senit sings well, but not a qualifier this time.
Croatia has sent 22-year-old Daria Kinzer, who won the local ‘You’re A Star’-type show in a bid to find the singer to represent the former Yugoslav state. Again, the song Celebrate is a winner with fans, which usually means that it is not with the public at large, and certainly not with the juries in my opinion.
Iceland is represented by a six-piece line-up, Sjonni’s Friends, who came together after the death of their singer/songwriter friend in January, Sjonni Brink, who was originally to perform the song he wrote with his wife. Coming Home is a folk ballad, but not strong enough to qualify on this occasion.
Kati Wolf is up next for Hungary with the strong upbeat What About My Dreams?, which is already a winner with fans and critics, but it’s doubtful whether this will win the overall event. We will see it in the final though.
The entry for Portugal is about the economic struggle that the country is going through right now, from the six-piece Homens da Luta (The Men of the Struggle). Called A Luta É Alegria (The Struggle is Joy), one of the verses translates as: ‘There’s no point in tightening the belt, there’s no point in complaining, there’s no point in frowning, and rage is pointless – it won’t help you’. A ‘nil pointer’ is ever there was one, but stranger things have happened.
Lithuania have sent a mesmerising ballad with a French title, C’est Ma Vie, sung by Evelina Sašenko. Evelina has powerful vocal ability, but unfortunately this song is not going to set the crowd alight.
One of the strongest contenders this year is the pen-ultimate song in the first semi-final. Azerbaijan made their début in 2008, each song qualifying for the final, and finishing in the top ten. This will be no exception, though the chemistry between Ell and Nikki is rather dubious, but we will see this in the final, and possibly in the top five on Saturday.
The entry from Greece closes the first semi. Cypriot performer Loukas Yiorkas, in a duet with Greek rapper Stereo Mike, will go down well with the voters, as Greece always qualifies from the semi-finals (since 2004), and finish in the top ten. The trend will continue with their entry, Watch My Dance.
Enjoy the show everyone and tune in tomorrow for my preview of the all important second semi on Thursday when Jedward will take their chance with the voting European public.
Paul G Sheridan
