It’s the day of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, and I have very little idea what to expect. Mainly because I have heard nothing of the songs, watched none of the rehearsal snippets, nor followed the national finals or dissected the various three-minute masterpieces for review.
I’m going into Junior Eurovision 2023 as “clean” as possible. And it’s glorious.
What Madness Is This?
For those of us who follow the Eurovision Song Contest in any great depth, the season from September 1st to the middle of May is a long one. It’s an enjoyable march, as we go from 10,000 submitted songs down to a single winner. There’s a huge amount of music to enjoy, drama to follow, and art to critique.
Already we have France’s song for Malmö 2024. I’ve got my notes on “what I thought of it on my very first listen”, I have a rough idea of what my comments could be come Juke Box Jury, and it’s at the top of my Top One playlist.
Malta may not have called its song, but we’ve been through the Semi Finals and the list has been finalised for its Grand Final. The Matt Blxck storyline from last year continues, now with an added touch of Sean Banan.
I’m very much embedded in the Eurovision season with all the wonder, grandeur, and endurance that demands.
Speaking of endurance… here’s the Sanremo Press Room (Image Ewan Spence)
Make November May… A Bit
Junior Eurovision is different, at least for me. There was a time when I would be following November’s Contest with the same intensity as May’s. if you’re going to be commentating on the live radio broadcast you have little choice but to have everything available for almost instant recall.
The BBC have the UK broadcast microphone now (which I think means I was replaced by HRVY), so there’s no need to work on the “big book of artist facts.” There’s also the coronavirus lockdown’s personal impact. During that period, when time was more malleable, Junior Eurovision seemed to sneak up on me. Given the opportunity of going in knowing nothing… I did.
And I’ve continued to do that over the last few years. After all, almost everyone experiences the Eurovision Song Contest this way in May. Many follow their own National Final and selections as well, but for the vast majority, the Song Contest is a single joyous night of music.
I can’t get that in May. But I can get it in November.
The Best Of Both Worlds
It’s the perfect balance for me right now. I get to soak in an entire season of music, and I get to enjoy the magical moment of surprise as the songs arrive on stage.
Thanks, Junior Eurovision. Now don’t let me down.