Ewan Spence
Who impressed me the most? The production team
Let’s begin at the top.Sweden’s ‘I Can’t Go On’ starts from backstage and walks out into the arena. It was drawn in the first half.
Placing Robin Bengtsson first in the running order creates an obvious visual narrative, strong imagery for the audience back home, and makes the switch from the opening ceremonies of Semi Final 1 into the main Contest. It also highlights the power of the producers to shape the story of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. The random draw for the running order has been consigned to the dusty shelf that contains 100% televoting, the orchestra, and having to wear a dinner jacket to be in the audience.
The Song Contest has to evolve, but the ability to place favoured songs in prime positions, to tweak emotions through the night, and to set the stage for the perceived big numbers means that watching rehearsals is not just about individual songs, but how they flow into each other and how that affects their chances of winning. Looking at Semi Final 1 it feels like the production team have been as equitable as possible, but I can’t help feeling a little bit manipulated.
Richard Taylor
For me Semi Final 1 is very top heavy. The majority of the favourites are in the first half of this semi final after we’ve seen the first set of run throughs. The only true highlight from the second half is Moldova. The Sunstroke Project brought to the stage their National Final performance with no changes – something others have done like Sweden. This has worked for both Moldova and Sweden – why change something that isn’t broken?
Australia brought a turntable to the stage after Sweden had it’s travelators on to begin with. I love this format as it brings a 3D element to the performance – how Isaiah manages to keep composed throughout without getting dizzy is beyond me, yet I applaud him for been able to focus at the same time.
Finland completely upped the game for me after not particularly been a fan of the song before arriving in Kyiv. Norma John brought a dark, eerie and emotional aspect to the contest that is few and far between within in this semi final. This is much needed after Slavko – although there is nothing wrong with the fun of ‘Space‘.
Belgium on the other hand has sadly failed to go on stage and replicate their official video after no National Final staging to go on. Please don’t see this as negative because for me, these are valid suggestions on how the overall performance could be greatly improved. It’s a great radio song, however Blanche appears so alone on stage without the additional backing singers or dancers. Also, the lighting and graphics could replicate the video visuals a lot more.
Ross Middleton
Even though I don’t have first hand experience of the rehearsals there are still some clear winners and losers from semi one. A song that has grown in my estimation almost every day since that first listen has to be Finland. They’ve shown great courage of their convictions to stick with a slightly heightened version of their UMK performance. Massive respect to them for believing in their vision and building on the haunting feel of the staging they had in February.
The same can be said of the literal show stoppers Latvia. Setting aside any potential phallic visions the pimped up version of the Supernova staging enhances the performance and Agnese’s arresting look is attention grabbing without being off putting. Both will safely qualify.
In terms of disappointments it would be remiss not to mention Belgium. Not exactly surprising given Blanche’s preview performances, it seems she’s not being offered enough support to improve staging and her confidence. Another country that surprisingly fell flat for me was Georgia. I’ve had a fondness for this discount Bond theme since January and whilst expectations were already low they still under delivered. The very basic light show adds nothing to Tamara’s live performance and it would seem Sacha Jean Baptiste’s efforts have mainly gone into Armenia & Bulgaria. Georgia has been a little neglected and any slim, chance of them qualifying is dead.
Read more from Ross at his new Eurovision blog, Pif Paf Blog.
Sharleen Wright
Whilst I tend to agree that the semi final 1 is top heavy, I do expect that the odds remain with the second half to produce an equal or more number of qualifiers, which plays well for the my own highlights advantage – the closing entry – Latvia.
I have indicated elsewhere that I was disappointed with the selection of Triana Park and their song ‘Line’ for Eurovision. Its admittedly not by any judgement of the entry alone, but the fact I have been familiar with their work for some years now, calling myself a casual fan. As such, I am able to compare this with their previous national final entries and find the 2017 contribution wanting.
I want no more however – what we see now on the Eurovision stage is the band at full flight – genuine, energetic, authentic and frankly, just the way this semi should end, with an exciting, unique ‘banger’ of a tune. Its punk attitude in a bright accessible pop-electro-rock package, and just like Georgia last year, could surprise us all with a qualification for the plucky Baltic nation.
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The contest was more fun with a random draw, just as it was with a single set of votes gradually building to a possibly close finish. I hope those things are brought back from the shelf in my lifetime, as well one more UK win.