All aboard the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 (Lisbon, Portugal)

[shah]

I didn't notice a new ESC thread, so it's about time I started one to post some news and updates .

The first song has been already selected! Traditionally, Albania was the first to pick their entry. This year we are spared a diva with an uberdramatik ballad that would be unsuccessfully translated into English, as it's a man who intends to sing in Albanian. Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuZoTKTbwUA

Actually, a quality track, fingers crossed!

The following countries have chosen their artists: Australia (Jessica Mauboy), Austria (Cesar Sampson; the title of the song has been revealed, as well); Azerbaijan (Aisel), Belgium (Laura Groeseneken), Finland (Saara Aalto), The Netherlands (Waylon, 1/2 of The Common Linnets).

More to come from January onwards!

 

[allezfred]

Bring on the Eurovoids!

 

[rfisher]

I don't normally follow Eurovision, but when did Australia become part of Europe? Did I miss some significant geographical shift?

 

[Finnice]

Saara Aalto FIN will have three final entries to select of. It will be a complerely different system than before.
@rfisher, Australia has taken part a couple of years and made the party even merrier!

 

[DimaToe]

So even without knowing anything about the singer or song. I have a feeling that Russia is gonna win in Lisbon

 

[MarieM]

OMG this time France is playing it. Two primes with 9 songs to chose from, 4 advance to the final that's gonna be next saturday.

My favorite song of those two nights is called "Mercy" : https://youtu.be/c-5UnMdKg70

I also loved another song called Rêves de gamin : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoG5cmcHd38

But my personal heart favorite : Lisbao Jerusalem : https://youtu.be/JpqO8BBhPU4 and its live version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiTqJaBezIo

 

[Nmsis]

Other faves :

Lisandro Cuxi : Eva

Emmy Liyanna : Ok ou KO

Malo : Ciao

Max Cinnamon : Ailleurs

That makes 7 out of 8 songs of the final.
Each has its fans and it's going to be a tough win.
8th is Louka's Mamma Mia but it is not a fan favorite.

Igit's Lisboa-Jerusalem is the most poetic but my fave is Madame-Monsieur's Mercy. I also like Emmy Liyanna's OK ou KO.

 

[MarieM]

I want Madame Monsieur but I fear we'll have to let Lisandro go with a dreadfull song...

 

[shah]

Off to youtube to listen to all these songs .

 

[MarieM]

If anyone likes Ciao please let me know why. I just can't with this song, I don't understand one word when he sings.

 

[allezfred]

UK selection on 7 February. More info on artists:

https://eurovision.tv/story/songs-and-acts-united-kingdom-2018

Anybody have any idea who these people are?

 

[SHARPIE]

UK selection on 7 February. More info on artists:

https://eurovision.tv/story/songs-and-acts-united-kingdom-2018

Anybody have any idea who these people are?

Err no....

 

[nuge]

Don't like any of them

 

[MarieM]

UK doesn't want to win, right?

 

[allezfred]

UK doesn't want to win, right?

No, they want to be able to complain how nobody votes for them because of politiks. If they won they wouldn’t be able to do that.

 

[MarieM]

Well Mercy won't be sent. France TV already decided so. They didn't even SHOW their live final song in the recap. Missed them. Of course, it's scandalous.

Oh my. They did win. Despite everything that was made to make dear Lisandro win with a bad song. Not that they stand a chance, but it was the best song of the lot.

 

[allezfred]

Yulia Samoylova has been picked again to represent Russia this year. Let’s hope her song isn’t as shite as the one she was given in 2017.

 

[Garden Kitty]

Tweet from Johnny Weir:

Had the funniest dream I was hosting Eurovision in full Liberace regalia. Douze points!

 

[Finnice]

Do not put any ideas to the organizer's heads!

 

[sweetsparky]

I like Spanish song. I know is so sweet my teeth should be just rotting. I know people voted it cause the young singers (Alfred and Amaia aka Almaia) romance background in the song contest program for new singers, but I like it. I can´t deny it. Apocalypse should be close but I hope it waits until Olys (and Eurovision) end.

Tu canción (your song) Alfred and Amaia.

 

[allezfred]

Ryan O’Shaughnessy for Ireland. Expect an acoustic guitar ballad.

 

[shah]

The Czech entry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLGfxc3eTNw (I find both the guy and the song extremely irritating)
The Swiss entry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXOlPGnkZFY (a radio-friendly pop/rock song, which does not stand out, but does not bother you either)
The Maltese entry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyrC8jJ8eb8 (these rhymes, even worse than fire/desire combo ; btw, Rihanna wants her sticks'n'stones back )

Madame Monsieur and Eugent remain my top choices so far.

British songs are generally pretty plain, that's why I guess Asanda's "Legends" stands a chance of winning as something less ordinary.

 

[allezfred]

British Final is on tomorrow, I think. Can’t ever remember it being on a Wednesday before...

 

[Lorac]

UK selection on 7 February. More info on artists:

https://eurovision.tv/story/songs-and-acts-united-kingdom-2018

Anybody have any idea who these people are?

None whatsoever

British Final is on tomorrow, I think. Can’t ever remember it being on a Wednesday before...

Probably hoping more people will be in on a Wednesday and might tune in

 

[shah]

UK have decided, it's Surie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLGEx2x8xoo. Such a shame that Asanda was so poor live as Surie's song is a sure bottom 3 candidate .

 

[shah]

Yesterday, the Polish entry was selected: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQLmYaSCDYw

I am not a fan of such radio-friendly cliche pop/dance tunes, I guess it does not really stand out among thousands of similar song, but Europe might appreciate it (hopefully).

Btw, as many as 29 songs have been already chosen/revealed, some of them being quality contenders (The Netherlands, France, Italy, Latvia), some of them being simply tragic (Estonia - faux opera, so wrong on so many levels, great voice notwithstanding; Belarus, UK, San Marino).

 

[Finnice]

The Finnish entry waa decided yesterday. Saara Aalto and Monsters.

 

[shah]

The Finnish entry waa decided yesterday. Saara Aalto and Monsters.

A perfect choice, with Domino being in close second. Nevertheless, I'm worried about the staging of Monsters and its rather poor live rendition. Plenty of things to work on during the next two months, but I definitely see a top 10 material in her .

 

[cocotaffy]

Here is a nice little video compiling all the entries as of the 1st of March:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=474&v=VZ6oryIsFMc

France might actually have a chance this year. There are quite a bit of potential hilarious performances in all of those. I love it. I hope most of the ballads won't be selected, so boring. Also What's the background story with the Spain lovey dovey couple singing in each other's mouth ??? I got diabetes watching it.

 

[allezfred]

Benjamin Ingrosso for Sweden and Alexander Rybak is back for Norway.