Eurovision Song Contest - Semi Final 2 (Thursday 12th May 2011)

[Corki]

So, after the rather mediocre first semi-final on Tuesday, it is time to get ready for the second semi-final from Düsseldorf, Germany. Eurovision is now into its 56th year, and it is still going strong. Yet again, I will be your host for this evening's entertainment, passing my glorious comments on tonight's proceedings! Hopefully tonight will be better than the poor showing on Tuesday night - even if Jedward are involved for Ireland!

 

So, just a quick reminder on how tonight will work. 5 countries (Germany, last year's winner, the UK, France, Spain and Italy) are all guarenteed a place in the final as the Big 5 as it is this year, along with the 10 that qualified from Tuesday night. However, the remaining 19 countries out of the 38 that have entered battle it out for the remaining 10 places. And you can vote while you listen, which is new this year. As is the national jury system in addition to the public vote.

 

So, go and grab something to drink and eat, and let's enjoy the evening's entertainment. Not long left to go now!

 

Not long to go now...

 

And in the meantime, feel free to get involved in the general Eurovision Song Contest thread that has been running! And there will also be a thread where you can vote for your favourite to determine what DM thinks is the winning song.

[Corki]

And the build up to the second semi-final begins!

[Niniel]

No popcorn today but I´m here and I hope to see something more interesting today.

[Corki]

Former winner Dana International is back for Israel!

[Raena]

I read in a Swedish paper that our contestant is threatening to walk off the stage if there are still problems (I didn't watch on Tuesday but I gather there were lots of problems with the broadcast).

[Corki]

The sound was pretty awful on Tuesday. It is so much better tonight so I can't see that happening!

[Niniel]

Everything for publicity! (But there were great problems last semi.)

 

This semi starts better then the last one I think. Both Neatherlands and Bosnia were ok.

[killuliu]

Wasn't it so that the speaker/anchormen/whatever couldn't be heard? I heard that the songs itself were fine, but to Finland at least the speaker couldn't be heard. After second or so song the Finnish speaker decided that if the sounds won't work, she will call to Finland and do the speaking via cellphone, thus resulting in horrible voice quality and a monology of some two or so hours.

[Corki]

1. Bosnia and Herzegovina

- Is she actually playing her keyboard? Or just pretending to do so?

- a bit folky...and a bit boring

- at least the sound quality is better tonight!

- *waves back* since they like waving

 

 

2. Austria

- a lot of love for Austria at the start...

- nice and simplistic without the music at the beginning

- some good legs as well!

- strong vocals...and a good job on the song

- and as soon as I typed that, she started wobbling on the vocals

- if she polishes the song, it's quite a good song and performance!

 

 

3. Netherlands

- 6 years since they last qualified for the final...

- that one guitarist seems to be enjoying his 3 minutes of fame

- music is a bit monotonous

- and song isn't that great

- ...so it should now be 7 years since their last appearance in the final

- though the crowd seemed to like it

 

 

4. Belgium

- time for some a capella

- it has to be better than last year, which I ripped to shreds - much to Mystica's annoyance!

- that brunette looks like my flatmate...but about 15 years younger!

- I do like the concept...

- it might go through for its novelty factor

- jury is currently out on whether I like it...

- at least it is better than last year's tripe!

 

 

5. Slovakia

- a wind machine...

- one sings, one looks pretty - I like!

- yet more good legs as well!

- oh, you want me to comment on the music!

- not too bad

- chorus is better than the verses

- and that drum beat is slightly annoying

[Graendals favourite]

again I forgot this before I remembered it. Now I missed four, though Slovakia certainly looked very good!

[Corki]

You didn't miss much!

[Niniel]

I would be good if Eric could sing properly ( ) but this should take us to the finale. Go Sweden!

[Raena]

I find it amusing that Sweden breaks a glass cage on the stage, and the next contestants (Cyprus) are barefoot.

[Majsju]

There is nothing good about Swedens entry. Kid can't sing, can't really pronounce english words, and the song is just 80s disco with some "modern" sounds thrown in. Only Portugal has a worse song this year, but at least they had some humour.

[Corki]

6. Ukraine

- Ukraine usually do good songs...well, they have done so in recent years

- and a sand artist to add to the list of strange stage accompaniments of recent years

- and is she about to take off? Oh, the song is called Angel

- I think the sand artist is more interesting than the song

- though she isn't a bad singer

 

 

7. Moldova

- this group represented Moldova back in Eurovision 2005

- though they have got rid of their drumming granny

- though we have upgraded to a unicycling trumpeter!

- lots of flashing light that hurts the eyes!

- and what stupid hats!

- the unicyclist looks lost...very lost!

- try again next year, Moldova!

 

 

8. Sweden

- it isn't ABBA-like! Shock horror!

- needs to be a bit stronger vocally

- either he needs to be stronger or tone down the music

- Europe seems to like it...

- ...I am not convinced

- that's it - look him away!

 

 

9. Cyprus

- lovely Greek feel to the song to begin with

- are they stuck in some mud?

- is that Cyprus' shot put challenger for London 2012?

- very intense feel to the song

- but I am liking it

 

 

10. Bulgaria

- like the music

- and the vocals are growing on me too...

- is Pink having an influence on Eurovision this year with another look-a-like?

- a good performance

[Corki]

11. Macedonia

- interesting "ballet" dancers in the background

- or are they what Macedonian medical staff look like?

- going to appeal to the Russian vote!

- must have a bit of accordion

- and is the megaphone the Eurovision prop of choice this year?

- not a very good song at all!

 

 

12. Israel

- it's Dana International, Eurovision icon!

- hasn't changed much since 1998?

- even if she looks like a fish!

- nice little pop tune

- huge cheer from the crowd!

- did like that a lot!

 

 

13. Slovenia

- have been told this is Slovenia's answer to Christina Aguilera

- and it is quite a good comparison

- not a bad song

- good vocals

- until that bit near the end when she went a bit quiet

- definitely liking that

 

 

14. Romania

- if Blue don't win for the UK, at least we can back Romania with David from Newcastle!

- that is quite a pair of trousers! Though he needs the pinstripe jacket to match!

- very Eurovision-y

- though a bit same-y in places

- nice and upbeat in feel

 

 

15. Estonia

- sounds like Estonia have splashed out on the props!

- an interesting song...

- and doesn't it sound like some other song, though I can't tell which one

- I don't like her vocals one bit as they can be too screechy...

- ...but the song has potential

- and is more Eurovision-y than Romania's

[Corki]

16. Belarus

- really? You love Belarus?

- she has quite a deep voice

- are all those light to cover up a poor song?

- try again next year

- plenty of effort though

 

 

17. Latvia

- as Scott Mills said on the TV commentary, that is beyond orange in terms of a tan!

- take away the unnecessary "oohs" and "aahs" at the end and it is nice pop song

- stop warbling and ruining the song

- and the rap style part was not needed

- song had potential but got ruined

 

 

18. Denmark

- they describe themselves as between Justin Beiber and Radiohead...

- ...so I don't know what to expect!

- is the lead singer trying to beat Jedward on the quiff stakes?

- actually a very good little pop song

- an easy beat to tap along to

- plenty of energy

- I have no idea where they are in the odds, but do I see potential winners? I think so!

 

 

19. Ireland

- Jedward must be thinking they can win after some of the rubbish that Europe has offered this year

- Eurovision's most successful country ever...and Jedward are representing them...

- umm...you don't get outsung by your backing singers!

- too much energy!

- who is the backing singer who is actually the lead singer?

- why on earth are Europe cheering??

[Corki]

I should never say this, but Blue must have a massive chance of winning for the UK as this has been two awful semi-finals.

[Corki]

Now time to pick 10 songs that you think will get through. Now, like Tuesday, this is going to be extremely difficult...

[Corki]

And I am one short...that is how bad it is!

[Majsju]

Hm...

 

Ireland

Denmark

Moldova

Austria

Cyprus

Estonia

Romania

Slovakia (just because, you know, hot twins)

Slovenia

Bosnia

[Corki]

And the ten I would pick to qualify would be:

 

1. Austria

2. Slovakia

3. Cyprus

4. Bulgaria

5. Israel

6. Slovenia

7. Denmark

8. Estonia

9. Ukraine - just for the sand!

10. Romania - just to make numbers up!

 

And I have this feeling that Ireland will go through...

[Graendals favourite]

Well, I liked to a reasonable degree Slovakia, Ukraine, Moldova, Estonia and Ireland. If I must make a four, and I missed the first four, I'd tag in Sweden, Slovenia, Romania, Latvia and Denmark.

[Niniel]

Well, like tuesday, I can´t possible pick ten. With so many countries in this competition - why are there so many bad songs/artists? I think Danmark was ok. Irland - don´t know if I should laugh or cry - but compared to the others - why not?

 

I pick Bosnia, Belarus and Danmark. I have to vote Sweden, right?

[Raena]

Very hard to pick ten...

 

Estonia

Ireland

Israel

Austria

Slovakia

Moldova

Sweden

Cyprus

Bosnia

Romania