Our Last ratings for the ESC 2019
Like every year we take a closer look what to expect from this year’s Grand Final’s entries. When it’s getting exciting it’s good to know what we think and it can help you to vote for the one or other song. All review should not be taken too seriously
Like every year we take a closer look what to expect from this year’s Grand Final’s entries. When it’s getting exciting it’s good to know what we think and it can help you to vote for the one or other song. All review should not be taken too seriously :-)
What a colourful stage performance! The title and the motto of the song is “Chameleon” and that’s why the colours change every two seconds. So your TV is not broken. Michaela had several attempts in previous Maltese finals, so she brings a lot of stage experience on stage. The coolness of the video clip could not be brought on stage, but Michaela tries hard. It look that she does not feel comfortable. Putting Malta on position #1 is a brave decision.
2. Albania – from another planet
The Albanian entries always have something mystic and exotic, so this year Jonida gives her best to bring traditional elements on stage. In her outfit she looks like Cleopatra and there is an impressive stage with pyrotechnic to give an atmosphere somewhere on another planet. Weird that they have put this song on position #2 as the TV viewers will still be sober.
3. Czech Republic – cutie in a yellow pullover
This fresh and unpretentious song from a friend of a friend has become a hit in Tel Aviv already. The three young guys whose band name was inspired by an African lake have a cool stage performance in the 60’s style. It looks the cute lead singer Albert is jumping from window to window in an easy way, of course this is a trick. You will definitely remember the yellow pullover, which has seldomly be seen on a Eurovision stage and the earworm “friend of a friend of a friend of a friend…”.Hats off guys.
4. Germany – black and intimate
There have been a lot of discussions if the two S!sters will use the rotating stage or not. In the first rehearsal there were many images of different women, also kissing, big letters with the word “sorry” - they have left off all this. Now you can only see the two girls Laurita and Carlotta in close up on the big LED screens. And everything seems to be reduced, black is the colour of the night. S!sters also use the catwalk to be in the crowd. In the odds Germany is on the last place. Let’s cross our fingers that this won’t be reality.
5. Russia – the man in the mirror
Sergej has a certain charisma and one of the greatest male voices this year. A bit strange is the usage of all the mirrors. It seems that Sergej sings with himself in a choir, but there is a real choir behind the scene. “Scream” is more an anthem than a ballad and cannot really be compared to his last entry in 2016. He is one of the top favourites this year.
6. Denmark – love, peace and happiness
If you are not in a good mood listen to this piece of music! The lovely Leonora sings a really lovely song about love. Her whole attitude is cute and she will certainly gain a lot of hearts with her performance. Leonora sings also in Danish and French. Sitting on the oversized chair is a unique thing on an ESC stage. Love for everybody, sugar and sunshine…good that we have such heart-warming songs this year.
7. San Marino – from outsider to black horse
The surprise of the year: San Marino made it into the Grand Final! Lovely Serhat convinces with his experience and charisma. When he appears on stage everybody feels home and believes what he is singing about. For Serhat a big came true, reaching the Grand Final with a self-composed song at his second attempt in the ESC. His charismatic dark voice and the dance rhythm encourage people to leave the glass on the table and to dance instead. This year this entry can be taken as the dark horse. Go for gold Serhat!
8. North Macedonia – a surprise with style
Another heart-breaking song is coming from North Macedonia this year. And you are reading right – North Macedonia – a new name for a country which is taking part for the 19th time in the ESC. For Tamara it’s the second time on a Eurovision stage. This time she is back with more class and style. A song for the rights of women – goose-bumps are guaranteed. Tamara is also one of the best dressed woman tonight. A great entry deserves a top placing.
9. Sweden – Knäckebröd meets gospel
Oh Sweden! As always on of the aspirants for the top 3. Everything is perfect and convincing. A very sympathetic singer and a great choir from Atlanta, USA called “Mamas”, these are four ladies from a gospel choir. John Lundvik has composed not only this song, but also the UK song, this has never happened before in the ESC history. The Sweden always have a very good hand when it comes to choose the right song for Eurovision.
10. Slovenia – Lofi for everybody
This is the absolute contrast to the song before. The duo of Zala and Gašper will present a lofi song, which means a simple song without any paraphernalia. This is a reduction to the minimum, very decent and dreamy, almost spherical atmosphere on stage. What a blessing after all the agitated songs before. The big question is still – are they a couple, or not?
11. Cyprus – The dancing gauchos
Cyprus is back with an up to date dance number. Like last year they decided to send something sexy to Eurovision. The four background dancers with their black hats come from Sweden, but look like gauchos. Tamta should have sung last year’s “Fuego” originally, now she made it to the ESC 2019 with another song. The striking interlude is very modern and the choreography is perfect. If this will reach to top last year’s placing (#2) is the question.
12. The Netherlands – The flying Dutchman
The very sympathetic singer Duncan has convinced all betting offices and fan clubs being the biggest hope to win this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. But will the juries and the televoters have the same opinion? Duncan sings very well and his stage performance is convincing, plain but attractive. The melody does not go out of your head. Amsterdam 2020?
This Greek entry has nothing really Greek. It’s a very contemporary piece of music with a high level of artistic expression. The Katerina sings like Amy Winehouse and wears some kitschy outfit and the background singers show an elaborated stage show with epees. The entire stage develops to a big flower at the end. Great entry, 12 points for the conversion on stage.
14. Israel – The Israeli Freddie Mercury
The entry from the host country is always something special. In recent years the host countries did not shape up very well, maybe due to the fact that they have just won the year before. But it also happened that the host country wins again, also Israel in 1979. This song is far away from winning. It seems that the Israelis did not want to win again directly. The opera voice from Kobi in addition with a tragic song seems a bit old fashioned – there is a lot of Freddie Mercury in it. This is the total opposite of “Toy” from last year. Let’s hope for the best.
15. Norway – the typical ESC song
This is a really typical Eurovision song as it used to be ten to twenty years ago. There is everything in it, a catchy melody, danceable beats and a traditional joik singing. This is a great ESC party song, but a bit too kitschy to win the ESC, as it has been heard too often in the Eurovision before. The three guys from KEiiNo look great on stage and will definitely bring the arena to boil.
16. United Kingdom – the cup of tea break
This is the second song from the Swedish composer and singer John Lundvik. But it will be sung by Michael Rice. The song also has something from an anthem and appears a bit too much wanted. He sings very well, but the melody is exchangeable and the entire arrangement is a bit boring. So time for a cup of tea.
17. Iceland – Leather, latex and SM
Everybody who has fallen asleep already will wake up for sure! Once Paul Oscar (1997) shocked Europe with his extraordinary performance on the white sofa. But this was nothing compared what we have this year. Leather, latex, SM and screaming it the new motto in Iceland. This performance is family friendly though, but elderly people might get something to drink…a whisky or similar. If Iceland wins, it would be the first time. Finland has won with a Hard Rock band and the monsters, so why not Iceland with SM?
18. Estonia – a storm without wind
After the shocking Icelandic performance people will discuss it probably so that the Estonian song might be overheard. Even if the singer Victor is a very nice guy, the song will probably not remembered after the show. The simple sound sequences seem to be from a children song. A bit too simply even for ESC. We will probably not see Estonia on the left side of the scoreboard this year.
19. Belarus – great background dancers
The striking white boots of ZENA are a bit distracting. The simple copy of a Britney Spears song can’t be overseen. The best part of this entry are the highly talented background dancers who make the show. They are acrobatic and sexy and perfectly deflect from the song. What was the title again?
20. Azerbaijan – the future is now
Chingiz is a really cool guy with a great song. He was able to climb up the odds from day to day. So more and more people believe in this song. The stage performance is a bit different, using two robots with lasers. Unfortunately, his face is not illuminated well, but this should diminish his chance tonight. There is also a traditional Azerbaijani part in this modern arrangement. Also one of the top acts tonight.
21. France – tolerance and acceptance
This entry from France will cause a lot of discussions for sure. First of all there is the controversial singer Bilal who has a tragic story. He is wearing a blond wig with long hair and loves the androgynous style, Conchita Wurst is one of his big idols. The song is about tolerance and accepting the other’s differences two striking background dancers underline the meaning of the song. In the moment you think this looks strange the words “tolerance” appear on the LED screens and you ask yourself, how tolerant am I? Will the message be understood?
22. Italy – cool, cooler, soldi
Also the Italian entry belongs to the favourites this year. The cool singer Mahmood, who has won the San Remo Festival is doing the stage show in his own way. There is not much put on stage beside of the background dancers. This is cool, but misses out a bit warmness of the Italian lifestyle. The song has been #1 in Italy for weeks. Will Europe be ready for this rap song, as well?
For Nevena it’s the second time on a Eurovision stage. In 2013 she did not make it into the Grand Final, but this time as a solo artist she did. Now she also sings half English and Serbian, which is a big plus. She looks great in one of the most glamorous outfits of the night. The stage is illuminated and turns around her. This song will probably need a bit to be effective, but regrettably not by first hearing as it is a bit too gloomy.
24. Switzerland – Latin lover from Bern
With this entry Switzerland has made a wise choice. Switzerland did not reach the Grand Final in 2014 for the last time. Now Switzerland is back with new energy and enthusiasm. Luca Hänni is very popular in the German speaking countries and has a cool up-tempo song with an elaborated choreography. The Latino flair has been substituted with a contemporary background and outfits. This entry will do well! Hopp Schwiiz!
25. Australia – flying through space
When Australia determined this song for Eurovision, most of the people saw it as laughing stock. A singer on a whipping pole can’t come far. But nobody expected how this performance could be transferred on the Eurovision stage. All of a sudden the stage show has impressed and let the mouths open, because people were elated. The performance even overlays the humours “popera” song. This entire presentation should not be underestimated. Kate and her background singers are flying through space and loose gravity. Such a stage performance has never been seen like this on a Eurovision stage, Madonna once had this pole dancing in her rebel heart tour. Everybody is talking about The Netherlands might win, but nobody had Australia on their mind.
26. Spain – party in the dollhouse
Often Spain sends party songs to Eurovision. The Spanish know how to party. This time the attractive singer Miki and his background singers use a dollhouse background and don’t stand still. The ska influence of Miki and his band is unmistakably. The last start position is a very good place to stay in mind of the televoters. And they are already over the first drink.
