Support ESC Insight on Patreon

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily News From Lisbon, Monday 30th April Written by on April 30, 2018 | 4 Comments

Stay up to date with all the news from backstage at Eurovision 2018 with the daily ESC Insight podcast. Add the RSS Feed to your favourite podcast application, or click here to follow us in iTunes and never miss an episode.

ESC Insight has arrived in Lisbon, and the next two weeks will be full of opinions, thoughts, and editorial around this year’s Song Contest. But first, what are the team expecting from the Song Contest, what is Suzy expecting Portugal to offer us, and what do we think of the first day of rehearsals?

Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily News From Lisbon, Monday 30th April

Welcome to Lisbon! ESC Insight has arrived in Lisbon as the first rehearsals get under way. Our first daily podcast from the Big Orange Sofa in Lisbon with expectations, explanations, and the excitement of the first day of rehearsals.

Now we are reporting from backstage at Eurovision, remember to stay up to date with all the Eurovision news by subscribing to the ESC Insight podcast. You’ll find the show in iTunes, and a direct RSS feed is also available. We also have a regular email newsletter which you can sign up to here.

About The Author: Ewan Spence

British Academy (BAFTA) nominated broadcaster and writer Ewan Spence is the voice behind The Unofficial Eurovision Song Contest Podcast and one of the driving forces behind ESC Insight. Having had an online presence since 1994, he is a noted commentator around the intersection of the media, internet, technology, mobility and how it affects us all. Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, his work has appeared on the BBC, The Stage, STV, and The Times. You can follow Ewan on Twitter (@ewan) and Facebook (facebook.com/ewanspence).

Read more from this author...

You Can Support ESC Insight on Patreon

ESC Insight's Patreon page is now live; click here to see what it's all about, and how you can get involved and directly support our coverage of your Eurovision Song Contest.

If You Like This...

Have Your Say

4 responses to “Eurovision Insight Podcast: Daily News From Lisbon, Monday 30th April”

  1. Seán T says:

    This is the first year in a long time I haven’t really had the time to follow the national finals in depth and it’s only really now I’m listening to 70% of the songs. I saw a bit of noise about the first semi-final being competitive but I’m blown away by how strong the field is.

    That said, so I’d like to throw in a couple of harsh realities. I’ve seen some very strong first halves in Eurovision before. Really strong first halves followed by woeful second halves. Sadly however no more than 5 songs will come from the first half of any semi. Just doesn’t happen.

    Therefore from the early reports it feels (outside the bubble and taking my own feelings into account) that Azerbaijan (never miss a final), Czechia, Israel, Estonia and Bulgaria will qualify. I really don’t believe there is room for Albania or Lithuania here as though they are very good songs, they are far from the strength they need to be.

  2. Mark says:

    “I’ll give you something away … it’s awful” – thanks Lisa-Jane for playing the 1980s Nina Myskow role, because it gets boring when everyone seems to think that everything is slaying and on point.

  3. Ben Cook says:

    Sean – you’re absolutely right, though it’s surely going to happen at some point. This year’s first semi will really test the rule to the limit.

    I reckon 6 will go through including Bulgaria – which is technically inbetween the two halves! I also don’t think Azerbaijan are 100% certain to go through. Though they have always qualified, they often only just scrape through. Lithuania are sending possibly their best entry ever this year IMO. And if they can finish top 10 with Donny Montell then they can qualify with this. If they were consistently sending strong entries they’d be doing better than they do as they have the diaspora!

    Keep up the good work ESC Insight team – your daily podcasts are essential listening for us not lucky enough to be in the press centre! Felt like you rushed through the rehearsal review a bit though.. I’m quite happy for you to ramble on and give away as many spoilers as you like!

  4. Seán T says:

    I think to Ben’s point, if 6 go through we’ll be all debating whether 10th is first or second half!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *