Melodifestivalen 2014 - Running order revealed

Earlier today, SVT announced the running order of the Melodifestivalen 2014 contestants.

Semi-final 1: Malmö 1/2
1. ”To the End” - Yohio
2. ”Aleo” - Mahan Moin
3. ”Bröder” - Linus Svenning
4. ”Casanova” - Elisa Lindström
5. ”Bedroom” - Alvaro Estrella
6. ”Songbird” - Ellen Benediktson
7. ”Bygdens son” - Sylvester Schlegel
8. ”Survivor” - Helena Paparizou

Semi-final 2: Linköping 8/2
1. ”Love Trigger” - JEM
2. ”Hallelujah” - The Refreshments
3. ”Glow” - Manda
4. ”Efter solsken” - Panetoz
5. ”I Am Somebody” - Pink Pistols
6. ”Undo” - Sanna Nielsen
7. ”Set Yourself Free” - Little Great Things
8. ”När änglarna går hem” - Martin Stenmarck

Semi-final 3: Göteborg 15/2
1. ”Echo” - Outtrigger
2. ”Red” - EKO
3. ”Yes We Can” - Oscar Zia
4. ”Burning Alive” - Shirley Clamp
5. ”All We Are” - State of Drama
6. ”En enkel sång” - CajsaStina Åkerström
7. ”Busy Doin’ Nothin’” - Ace Wilder
8. ”Around the World” - dr. alban & Jessica Folcker

Semi-final 4: Örnsköldsvik 22/2
1. ”Blame It On The Disco” - Alcazar
2. ”Fight Me If You Dare” - I.D.A
3. ”Hollow” - Janet Leon
4. ”Raise Your Hands” - Ammotrack
5. ”Hela natten” - Josef Johansson
6. ”Ta mig” - Linda Bengtzing
7. ”En himmelsk sång” - Ellinore Holmer
8. ”Natural” - Anton Ewald

Just two comments. Helena Paparizou performs last in her semi. Alcazar perform first in their semi. Someone wants them in the final... ;)

Alcazar - Back in full action!

Photo: Tess' instagram

Aah! They.Are.Back. And not only in Melodifestivalen! And that's the best part! They are 100% back! All three of them are fully focused on the group! They are going to release a new album!! When? No idea. I'm hoping sometime after Melodifestivalen, in spring. New album, new gigs, new interviews!! That comeback makes me wonder. When did they decide to come back? I think I read it on Aftonbladet or on Expressen that after the interval act last February they wanted to take part again. So those faces Andreas made while we were talking back then might have been actual hints! Or maybe not. And then they posted a couple of photos in the studio! The first one was in April if I recall correctly and the second one around September (?). Which could possibly mean that they were recording the mello song (in the last one)!

Melodifestivalen! I'm glad I waited until today to make this post coz Andreas blogged about it! He describes "Blame It On The Disco" as a real Alcazar-song and that we should be prepared for an amazing show! What else can I ask for? :D He also says that he'll be blogging all the time about their mello journey (of course!). Too excited already!

I'm just quite pissed at SVT. They put Helena in Malmö's semi (I might make it to the reheasal though) and Alcazar in Örnsköldsvik! Really? Why don't you send them to Kiruna next time? -.- So they have to make it to the final so I can get to see them performing in Friends Arena!

I guess that's all I wanted to say. For now. I hope I didn't forget about anything. Needless to say that I haven't stopped listening to them since yesterday, right?

Melodifestivalen 2014: The artists, the songs, the composers - Heats 3 & 4

The alarm clock went off at 9:40 in the morning. Turned it off. 10:07, fuck! The artist presentation! Well I tuned in kinda late. Actually, too late. But it didn't matter. I checked on facebook and I got what I needed. I also did a check on Alcazar's instagram just to get some hints. Where they back in Stockholm or still in Kalmar (they're having Christmas shows there)? Still in Kalmar. "Ok, they're not in.". Yeah right! The moment I tuned in at SVT's webcast I heard Gustav Dahlander saying something like "There is one more artist who didn't make it today. The song is called "Blame It On The Disco" and it's performed by Alcazar!"! And there it hit me. There is a lot to say about that but I'll do it tomorrow. Let's go to the semis.

Photo: Linwall Sven

Semi-final 3, Gothenburg 15/2

• All We Are
Artist: State of Drama
Composers: Göran Werner, Sanken Sandqvist, Emil Gullhamn, Sebastian Hallifax

• Around the World
Artist: Dr. Alban & Jessica Folcker
Composers: dr. alban, Jakke Erixson, Karl-Ola Kjellholm

• Burning Alive
Artist: Shirley Clamp
Composers: Bobby Ljunggren, Marcos Ubeda, Sharon Vaughn, Henrik Wikström

• Busy Doin’ Nothin’
Artist: Ace Wilder
Composers: Ace Wilder, Joy Deb, Linnéa Deb

• Echo
Artist: Outtrigger
Composers: Joy Deb, Linnéa Deb, Anton Malmberg Hård Af Segerstad, Outtrigger Kontaktperson:

• En enkel sång
Artist: CajsaStina Åkerström
Composer: CajsaStina Åkerström

• Red
Artist: EKO
Composers: Linnéa Deb, Joy Deb, Anna Lidman, Hannes Lundberg, Michael Ottosson

• Yes We Can
Artist: Oscar Zia
Composers: Fredrik Kempe, David Kreuger, Hamed "K-One” Pirouzpanah

So, a bunch of artists that come back! Shirley Clamp, State of Drama and Oscar Zia (well sort of comeback). There are no "standard qualifiers" here. Based just on their names, that is. I'm saying Oscar Zia will make it since the little girls are gonna vote like crazy for him. I really like the team begind Shirley's song! I'm really hoping for some good schlager!! The rest of them... Well I can't say anything yet.

Photo: Stefan Mattsson

Semi-final 4, Örnsköldsvik 22/2

• Blame It On The Disco
Artist: Alcazar
Composers: Fredrik Kempe, David Kreuger, Hamed "K-One” Pirouzpanah

• En himmelsk sång
Artist: Ellinore Holmer
Composers: Ellinore Holmer, Vanna Rosenberg, Åsa Schmalenbach, Josefina Sanner, Henrik Wikström, Amir Aly

• Fight Me If You Dare
Artist: I.D.A
Composers: Albin Nicklasson, Nicklas Laine, Louise Frick Sveen

• Hela natten
Artist: Josef Johansson
Composers: Peter Boström, Thomas G:son, Josef Johansson, Peo Thyrén

• Hollow
Artist: Janet Leon
Composers: Karl-Ola Kjellholm, Jimmy Jansson, Louise Winter

• Natural
Artist: Anton Ewald
Composers: John Lundvik

• Raise Your Hands
Artist: Ammotrack
Composers: Jari Kujansuu, Thomas Johansson, Calle Kindbom, Mikael de Bruin

• Ta mig
Artist: Linda Bengtzing
Composers: Nicke Borg, Jojo Borg Larsson

A-L-C-A-Z-A-R! So I was wrong when I said they won't be in. So much for posting about Tess' plans everywhere! xD I guess somehow she'll find a way to do both! "Blame It On The Disco"! Sounds really "Alcazar" but I really don't like seeing Fredrik Kempe's name there. It just doesn't feel right. Alcazar don't do Kempe's music. Of course, Andreas said it's a real party song so that gives me hope. Can't wait for that!

Then we have Linda Bengtzing!! I love the schlager queen! But again, Nicke Borg is behind the song? Are we really talking about a turbo schlager a la Linda song? Please don't be a ballad!

Anton Ewald and Janet Leon are also coming back. As far as I'm concerned, Alcazar and Linda B to the final!

More info about my Alcazar tomorrow! There's a lot to say. You can find that info basically in every swedish website but there's no way I'll leave them without a blog post dedicated to them! ;)

Melodifestivalen 2014: The artists, the songs, the composers - Heats 1 & 2

Here we are! The artists of the first two semis are revealed! And of course Helena Paparizou was one of them. ;) Also, the expected Yohio and Sanna Nielsen. And many unknown artists (to me).

Photo: Lina Siksjö

Semi-final 1: Malmö 1/2

• Aleo
Artist: Mahan Moin
Composers: Mahan Moin, Anderz Wrethov

• Bedroom
Artist: Alvaro Estrella
Composers: Jakke Erixson, Jon Bordon, Lauren Francis, Kristofer Östergren

• Bröder
Artist: Linus Svenning
Composer: Fredrik Kempe

• Bygdens son
 Artist: Sylvester Schlegel
Composer: Sylvester Schlegel

• Casanova
Artist: Elisa Lindström
Composers: Ingela ”Pling” Forsman, Bobby Ljunggren, Jimmy Jansson

• Songbird
Artist: Ellen Benediktson
Composers: Sharon Vaughn, Johan Fransson, Tim Larsson, Tobias Lundgren

• Survivor
Artist: Helena Paparizou
Composers: Bobby Ljunggren, Henrik Wikström, Karl-Ola Kjellholm, Sharon Vaughn

• To the End
Artist: YOHIO
Composers: Andreas Johnson, Johan Lyander, Peter Kvint, YOHIO

Yeah, apart from Helena and Yohio I have no idea who the rest are! And if I just stick to the names then it's Helena and Yohio to the final! It's all about the songs though so I can't be sure about anything. It's the Swedes who vote after all. If you know what I mean. ;) I'm sad that Helena competes in Malmö and not in Linköping. But I totally expected it right after I found out (last night) that she'd be in today's press conference. Now she will either open the semi or perform last. She and Yohio will be the ones who'll share the spots 1 and 8. Who knows... I might repeat last year's craziness... Love Malmö!

Photo: Lina Siksjö

Semi-final 2, Linköping 8/2

• Efter solsken
Artist: Panetoz
Composers: Johan Hirvi, Mats Lie Skåre, Nebeyu Baheru, Njol Badjie, Pa Modou Badjie

• Glow
 Artist: Manda
Composers: Joy Deb, Linnéa Deb, Melanie Wehbe, Charlie Mason

• I Am Somebody
Artist: Pink Pistols
Composers: Joakim Törnqvist, Nestor Geli, Per Ivar Hed, Susie Päivärinta, Tord Bäckström

• Love Trigger
 Artist: JEM
Composers: Thomas G:son, Peter Boström, Julimar ”J-Son” Santos

• När änglarna går hem
Artist: Martin Stenmarck
Composers: Andreas Öhrn, Alexander Bard, Martin Stenmarck, Peter Boström

• Set Yourself Free
 Artist: Little Great Things
Composers: Charlie Grönvall, Cristoffer Wernqvist, Felix Grönvall, Adam Dahlström

• Hallelujah
Artist: The Refreshments
Composer: Joakim Arnell

• Undo
Artist: Sanna Nielsen
Composers: Fredrik Kempe, David Kreuger, Hamed "K-One” Pirouzpanah

Ok I didn't get Helena in "my" semi but I got Sanna Nielsen! And Martin Stenmarck! Funny that the last time I got to see Sanna was in April 2011, with Martin in Kvällen Är Din! Now I'll get to see them again! What can I say about the second semi? Again, I only know Sanna and Martin! And I've just heard of Panetoz... I'd say it's Sanna and Martin to the final. Based on my taste, that is. :P Sanna's song seems to be a ballad. That's the vibe I get by the title. But then I see Fredrik Kempe's name there and it screams schlager. We'll see...

EDIT: I just watched a video from TV4 and Sanna confirms it's a ballad!

Generally I'm not too excited about the names. 16 artists are revealed and I only care about 3 of them. Hopefully the songs will be good.

On Thursday we'll know the rest of the contestants. Expressen and Aftonbladet are sure that Alcazar are in. I'm not. At all. Tess is supposed to be in Thailand for two months during the mello season. I doubt she'll be going back and forth for Melodifestivalen. And I've posted this on many groups on fb and on escunited.com. Imagine if they're actually in! xD That would be awesome but I'll also be pissed coz they'll definitely be in Gothenburg's semi (again!). And neither Helena or my Alcazar will be in "my" semi! Grrr!

Melodifestivalen 2014: Artists to be announced next week

Next Tuesday, 26th of November and Thursday, 28th of November at 9:50 CET, SVT will announce the artists that will compete at Melodifestivalen 2014! There will be a live webcast (here).

On Tuesday, we have the press conference of the artists that will compete in Malmö and Linköping! Fingers crossed that Helena Paparizou will compete in Linköping's semi! I got my ticket (first row!) so I really want her to compete in Lkpg but I doubt it. I bet they put her in Gothenburg's semi! And yes, I am 100% sure that she's in. I know it. I can bet my life on it. ;)

I'm also pretty sure that YOHIO (meh), Sanna Nielsen (yay!) and Linda Bengtzing (yay!!) are in. But I don't bet my life on these 3. I don't know it for fact. ;)

And on Thursday, we have the press conference of the artists that will compete in Gothenburg and Örnsköldsvik.

Tick tock, tick tock...

Melodifestivalen 2014 - The hosts

Photo: Johan Paulin/SVT

"I'll try to keep up with everything from now on." The last phrase of my last post. On September 18th. Obviously things don't always go as planned.

So, earlier today SVT announced the hosts of Melodifestivalen 2014. Nour El Refai and Anders Jansson. Uhm... where is Petra Mede?! I don't know... The first impression wasn't good. Anders is a giant, Nour is "tiny". Sure, that's not a reason for not liking them. But if we just focus on their looks and how they look together when standing next to each other, well, it's not a good picture. I have no idea about their professional lives even though they both played their own parts in Melodifestivalen 2008. I can't say I remember them though... 

Right now I'm really skeptical... We'll see... I'm mostly interested in the artists. There's a lot going on and I really wanna talk about it but I will wait until the 25th of November. That's when we'll have the official announcement! The artist I mostly wanna talk about is Helena Paparizou! Obviously! Less than two weeks left!

Melodifestivalen 2014 - 2628 songs were sent to SVT

Reading a specific part of SVT's article made me laugh! "Quality before quantity. Just like last year"! Seriously? Looking back at 2013 makes me see that Melodifestivalen 2013 was the worst mello ever! Song-wise, that is. I can't find 5 songs that I'm still listening to! And we had 32!

This year they got themselves 2628 songs. How hard is to pick 32 decent to great songs? All I need is 31 schlagertastic songs and a great one to send to Copenhagen!

Oh and something I wanted to comment. The cities!

• Semi 1: 1st February, Malmö, Malmö Arena
• Semi 2: 8th February, Linköping, Cloetta Center
• Semi 3: 15 February, Göteborg, Scandinavium
• Semi 4: 22 February, Örnsköldsvik, Fjällräven Center
• Andra chansen: 1st March, Lidköping, Sparbanken Lidköping Arena
• Final: 8th March, Stockholm, Friends Arena 

2011: I live in Stockholm, Linköping hosts a semi
2012: I live in Linköping, no semi here
2013: I live in Linköping, no semi here
2014: I live in Linköping, Lkpg gets to host a mello semi!
FUCKING FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!
So I'm going to one semi and the final this time. Which means I need money. Which means I can say goodbye to Copenhagen.
Donations anyone? Anyone?

And I wish they take the final back to Globen someday... That's where it belongs... 

PS There is lots of news about Eurovision. 3 countries picked their artists, we're going to Copenhagen etc but I won't comment on any of these. I'll try to keep up with everything from now on. 

Israel 2000, Russia 2003, Finland 2013 - Was Putin behind the 2003 incident?

It’s time for some “conspiracy” (probably not the right word here) theories. I'm not into politics. Like, at all but these thoughts came because I watched the first semi-final of 2013 again. More specifically because of the serbian entry. 

That thing with Russia (well Putin) going all anti-gay, really anti-gay, made me think about t.A.T.u. and 2003. Remember how EBU was threatening to stop the broadcast if the girls tried to kiss on stage? Why? We already had a gay kiss between two guys back in 2000. Israel’s entry (at 1:15). It was a very brief kiss and definitely not a close-up but it happened. 2013 and Krista Siegfrids kissed her female backing vocalist. EBU had no problem in both cases. But they did have a problem in 2003? With the russian entry? I mean couldn’t Putin be behind this do-not-kiss-on-stage-or-we-will-stop-the-broadcast thing? Unless of course we (well you) already knew about this. I never read anything about Putin giving such “orders” to EBU in order to prevent t.A.T.u. from kissing and to be honest I didn’t do any research on the subject. And all that info I know about the russian entry in 2003 is stuff that I read on various websites either in 2003 or a couple of years later. My memory is kinda blurry since it was my 2nd ESC and it also was 10 years ago.

I mean why on earth would EBU have a problem with it in the first place? The majority of the eurofans are gay! So couldn’t the actual problem coming from Russia and Putin themselves and not really from the EBU? Like “I don’t want my country to present anything gay-ish to a European contest”. Thoughts anyone?

PS Yeah I think it's time to start blogging again.

Eurovision Song Contest: 2012 VS 2013

If a country didn't compete in one of these 2 years, there will be no points given to any of them.

1	Albania	0
-	Armenia	-
0	Austria	1
0	Azerbaijan	1
1	Belarus	0
0	Belgium	1
-	Bosnia & Herzegovina	-
1	Bulgaria	0
1	Croatia	0
1	Cyprus	0
0	Denmark	1
1	Estonia	0
0	Finland	1
1	France	0
0	FYROM	1
0	Georgia	1
0	Germany	1
1	Greece	0
0	Hungary	1
1	Iceland	0
0	Ireland	1
0	Israel	1
1	Italy	0
1	Latvia	0
1	Lithuania	0
0	Malta	1
0 0	Moldova Montenegro	1 1
0	The Netherlands	1
0	Norway	1
-	Poland	-
-	Portugal	-
1	Romania	0
0	Russia	1
0	San Marino	1
0	Serbia	1
-	Slovakia	-
0	Slovenia	1
1	Spain	0
1	Sweden	0
1	Switzerland	0
-	Turkey	-
0	Ukraine	1
0	United Kingdom	1
16	TOTAL	22

Ok I'm surprised. 2013 won? Wow.

I met Pastora Soler!

(maybe I should reveal myself someday... maybe not. for now, here's the "proof" of the meeting. but then again I might have gotten these via mail... but no. we actually met)

As a decent eurofan with the favourite ESC country being Spain, I watch every year the spanish selection. Well ok, not every year. 2011 was the first time. 2011 was also the first time I saw Pastora (not in person of course). 11/2/2011 when she performed "La Mala Costumbre" in the semi-final of the spanish preselection. That's when I became a fan, a few months later I wrote this post (I have linked you back to this too many times) then in December 2011 TVE announces that Pastora will represent them in ESC 2012 and here we are, 24th May 2013 (yeah 25th at this moment). I met Pastora! One thing left now (even though meeting her was the biggest dream), watch her performing live. Someday...

So, how it all happened? I can't go into details but somewhere around last September or October I saw a post by Tony Sanchez Ohlsson that they'll be recording new songs with Pastora in Madrid, Milan and Stockholm. Stockholm! They came to Stockholm on Wednesday and I made a flash trip today and I met them. We talked for about 15 minutes and then they left for the studio. She's exactly as I thought she'd be. Extremely friendly and nice! I asked her if she'll ever come back to Eurovision. She said no. She loved the experience but she wouldn't do it again. Of course she said "you never know" (I mean she was also saying no before but she did it!) but for now she doesn't want to do it again. I don't blame her... 18th in the televoting, 5th in the juries, 10th place overall. The juries saved her. Only the juries...

Anyway, these recordings here in Stockholm are the last ones and then the album is complete. Release date, September 17th according to them. The date might change but that's what they told me today.

Strange, I'm reading the text again and I seem too calm. Well I am right now. But for about 3 hours before I met them I was so freakin' nervous! Couldn't eat, couldn't do anything. But as I said Pastora, Tony and Chelu (her brother) were (are!) so friendly so I forgot about everything when I saw them. Took photos, she signed the promo and the album and I asked her to record a message for a friend in Greece who wants to meet her. Stupid me. I gave the green light to Pastora before the camera started recording and I missed the "Hola Lina" -.- meh. I couldn't ask her to do it again so...

Yeah, I met Pastora Soler! :D Really really really happy but also tired (that's why there are no crazy and extatic lines).

A HUGE THANKS to Tony!! He knows... :)

ESC 2013 - Final results

Photo: Sander Hesterman (EBU)

Yes it's one of "those" moments. Alright. I loved the opening! That artist-parade was awesome! Petra Mede is definitely the best ESC hostess ever! Lynda Woodruff! Love this character! The part with the ABBA-castle and their clothes was hilarious! Liked Loreen's interval and finally we got to listen to the original version of "Euphoria"! Then we had the "big" interval act. Totally loved it! Loved the way the Swedes joked about themselves. And apart from Krista's kiss on stage, we had another gay kiss. This time a male gay kiss. Way to go EBU! Oh and of course Carola!! Another hilarious moment! She was part of the interval act for a few seconds. And people kept saying that they let Loreen open the 1st semi and kept Carola for the final's interval act. But Loreen was in the final and Carola's "performance" was what? 5 seconds? Anyway...

Worst part of the night? Eric Saade. Why on earth did they use him in the green room? He was horrible. He looked at his manus many more times than Danny during all 6 nights of mello! And finally, we had Sarah Dawn Finer performing ABBA's "The Winner Takes It All". Amazing!

The voting part. There were a few problems there... Connection problems and not only. I really didn't like that they announced the winner before the voting was over. Yes it was obvious that Denmark won but we still had a few more countries to go. Seriously what was that? I hope they drop it next year!

So yeah, Denmark won! 3 things I correctly predicted this year. Azerbaijan finishing in the top 5, Greece finishing in the top 7 and Spain in bottom 5. My winner was Norway. Obviously. But I'm also fine with Denmark. Margaret did a great job and 4th place is great! Positively surprised by Malta and Hungary's places in the top 10! Kinda expected this result for Germany. But not that bad. And definitely I didn't see Finland finishing in the bottom 5. I didn't expect a top 10 but a top 15. Sweden's 14th place is ok I guess but I think they deserved a top 10. Also surprised by Ireland's last place! Really? UK 19th... oh well... Emmelie won! Congratulations Denmark!

It's Copenhagen 2014 and I'm going! Don't know how but I am! I experienced some of the ESC this year. Two days and I almost got depressed when I had to leave Malmö. Next year I'm going. Period.

ESC 2013 - Semi-final 2 results

Now this is a "I don't know where to start" moment! Just wow! Loved the opening act! And I wanted to comment that on the first semi's post but I forgot to do it. Love the graphics this year. And the "post cards". And for some reason I really like that sound right before the playback of each song begins. Also, the way they announce the results. No stupid buttons (2009), no stupid "are you excited? who's gonna be next?" and such stuff. Quick announcement without any unnecessary comments. Well done on that!

Now the results.

Hungary
Azerbaijan
Georgia
Romania
Norway
Iceland
Armenia
Finland
Malta
Greece

I predicted right 6/10 which is bad. Shocker of the night in a positive way, Hungary. Shockers of the night in a negative way, Armenia and Romania! What are these two doing in the final? Huge shock on non-qualification, Israel! I can't believe Israel is out! I got 7/10 from my wantlist and Israel and Switzerland were the 2 out of 4 that I really wanted in the final. Norway and Finland made it. But I have to admit I almost got a heart attack until Finlands announcement! 8th! But Krista made it! I'm also happy for Malta!

I was glad to see Lys Assia back and healthy! Petra was awesome as always! Lynda Woodruff too! What a character! Hahahaha That thing with Bonnie Tyler cracked me up! The interval act with Darin and Agnes was like watching Melodifestivalen. I only loved Agnes' "Release Me".

Finally, I wanna make a comment on the history that Krista wrote tonight! The kiss! She did it and not only we saw it, but it was also a close-up! I just couldn't believe it!

iltasanomat.fi

10 years ago EBU warned t.A.T.u. that they'll play the dress rehearsal video if they try to kiss during the live performance and today, Krista kissed her backing vocalist! Kudos to her for daring to do it. I've said before I'm not a big fan of the "use" of the kiss but I really don't mind seeing it. ;)


And I just saw that the running order for the final is revealed! Norway performs 24th! Between Italy and Georgia and Finland performs 4th between Moldova and Spain. So yay to both! Denmark's at 18 between Hungary and Iceland so it's good for them too. France will open the contest. huhu I won't comment the rest. I really need to go to bed!

ESC 2013 - Semi-final 2

Quick post with my predictions and wishes.

Second Semi-Final

1. Latvia
2. San Marino
3. FYROM
4. Azerbaijan
5. Finland
6. Malta
7. Bulgaria
8. Iceland
9. Greece
10. Israel
11. Armenia
12. Hungary
13. Norway
14. Albania
15. Georgia
16. Switzerland
17. Romania

The 10 countries I think that will make it to the final are (random order):

Israel
Greece
Azerbaijan
Georgia
Norway
Finland
Switzerland
FYROM
San Marino
Malta

The 10 countries I want to see in the final are (random order):

Norway
Finland
Israel
Switzerland
Hungary
Malta
San Marino
Azerbaijan
Iceland
Greece

Yeah I only care about 4. These are Norway, Finland, Israel and Switzerland. I hope I have better luck with my favourites this time.

ESC 2013 - Rehearsals Day 8

Day 8... It doesn't sound right. It's more like a Day 10 but on Monday and yesterday we had only dress rehearsals, the jury rehearsal and of course the semi. So I can't count them... Whatever. It doesn't really matter!

DAY 8

Spain - ESDM - "Contigo Hasta El Final" (2nd rehearsal) 
Raquel changed the dress and she's also barefoot. She walks down the catwalk near the end of the song, they play with those "flying lanterns" and then she goes back to finish the song. I like the song but the whole performance (along with the song) doesn't stand out. It's a bottom 5. Unfortunately.

France - Amandine Bourgeois - "L'Enfer Et Moi" (2nd rehearsal) 
I like the outfit but that's it. Ok and the music of the song. But the performance? No. Not at all! Amandine is overacting! I really don't like it!

Germany - Cascada - "Glorious" (2nd rehearsal)
What the hell are they doing?????? Where is the second half of the first verse????? Are you kidding me? You cut the best part of the song just to keep the instrumental part after the first chorus and istead of -AT LEAST- taking advantage of it, Natalie just stands there and claps her hands? PLEASE! For 2,5 minutes Natalie just stands there and they're only using the stairs for the "we are glo-glo-glo-glo-glo-glo" part! Wow right? Yeah I know it's the same as the NF performance but this is bad! Really bad! And with the first half draw, it's the right side of the scoreboard for Germany! :(

Sweden - Robin Stjernberg - "You" (2nd rehearsal)
That outfit... So bad... But I like the performance. They've done some changes but I think it looks really nice. Love the fireworks! Wish he could change that outfit though...

United Kingdom - Bonnie Tyler - "Believe In Me" (2nd rehearsal)
Amazing Bonnie Tyler! Love that performance. Not a big fan of the song coz it's not my cup of tea but I really like what I see! And I totally love the outfit! Hope it goes well for the UK.

Italy - Marco Mengoni - "L'Essenziale" (2nd rehearsal)
That's not his stage outfit right? He looks like he's dressed to go for a walk. The performance is too static. And he's also using the catwalk in the end. I would like to see him sitting at the piano. I think it'd have been much better...

ESC 2013 - Semi-final 1 Results

*Sigh...*

I didn't ask for much. I just wanted 4 countries in the final and I didn't really care about the rest. Only one made it. I got 8/10 (prediction) and 7/10 (wantlist). Those 3 that stayed out of the semi were my absolute favourites! Austria, sLOVEnia and Serbia. The 4th was Denmark. Well, in my overall top 10 Denmark is acutally higher than Serbia but whatever. Voted for Austria and sLOVEnia but... :/

Moldova
Lithuania
Ireland
Estonia
Belarus
Denmark
Russia
Belgium
Ukraine
The Netherlands

Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania and Moldova please thank each other! And Belgium making it? Wow.

Pff... poor Natália and Hannah... I'm sad but since the 2011 thing with Dana these things don't affect me that much anymore...

Let's forget about the results for a while. The opening was good. I've seen it live in Melodifestivalen's final. Petra Mede was awesome! Even though I felt like she's trying too much to have a good english accent. I don't think she needs to do that. But she was awesome! The best hostess! Loved the video with the old entries! Lynda Woodruff! Simply amAYzyiiing! The interval act was boring. I wasn't really paying attention. And the australian video was also nice. I think that was all right?

Austria... :( sLOVEnia... :(

ESC 2013 - Semi-final 1

Less than one hour before the first semi (yay!) and it's time to guess the 10 finalists! So it's just a quick post.

First Semi-Final

1. Austria
2. Estonia
3. Slovenia
4. Croatia
5. Denmark
6. Russia
7. Ukraine
8. The Netherlands
9. Montenegro
10. Lithuania
11. Belarus
12. Moldova
13. Ireland
14. Cyprus
15. Belgium
16. Serbia

So the 10 countries I think that will make it to the final are (random order):

Austria
Denmark
Russia
Ukraine
Belarus
Moldova
Ireland
Serbia
Estonia
Lithuania

The 10 countries I want to see in the final are (random order):

Austria
sLOVEnia
Denmark
Moldova
Serbia
Ireland
The Netherlands
Russia
Ukraine
Belarus

Please people vote for AUSTRIA and SLOVENIA!!!