Last Ratings for the Grand Final
Now it's time to take a look at this year's performers of the Eurovision Song Contest. The reviews should not always be taken seriously at 100%.
01 Belgium – Super Trouper Laura
Laura is always in a good mood and she knows how to act in front of a camera. Her stage show is choreographed to the utmost possible. There is dancing, singing and smiling – all in one. Even if the song is not a 100% happy song– only 43% maybe. Nevertheless, this is a good opener for the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest.
02 Czech Republic – A new star is born
She has been treated as one of the favourites very early before her stage performance has been revealed. Now we can say that this beautiful woman can sing even better than expected. “I Stand” is one of the few ballads this year and an especial wonderfully as well. Gabriela has an incredibly clear voice and her terrific stage. This could be the great day for the Czech Republic – it’s a Top 5 candidate. Congratulations!
03 Netherlands – The longest sound breaker in ESC history
This is another country song from the Netherlands. The Common Linnets have made a huge career after their appearance at the ESC with a country song. This year, it’s the same music genre, but a bit happier and easier. The friendly guy Douwe Bob is flipping around with his guitar and the stage looks like a music bar. Nice and solid with an extra-long 5 sec. sound break – probably the longest ever.
04 Azerbaijan – The Florence Foster Jenkins from the Caucasus
This is indeed a really good radio song, which is not that convincing by first hearing. Samra had immense problems to find the right tone in the rehearsals. She has improved her singing a lot and is playing with the most different outfits. She also brought some sexy background dancers to give it more speed, such a choreography has never been seen before with entries from Azerbaijan.
05 Hungary – Bonnie Tyler’s sexy son
The former jeans model Freddie has already received a huge media interest beforehand. He is probably the most handsome guy of this ESC. Beside of his eye-catcher looks, his song is also a kind of ear-catcher. A solid stage performance, a normal outfit in jeans (what else a former jeans model) which has been criticised a lot by the Swedish media. Freddie appears very sympathetic and authentic. With his raucous voice he could be the son of Bonnie Tyler.
06 Italy- Live broadcast from the Ruccola gardener
It’s great to see that Italy is so eager to participate in the ESC again. Italy made a long pause from 1998 – 2010, but came back with a lot of new energy. The lovely singer Francesca has become second in the San Remo Festival this year. This is a perfect song for the summer 2016, the video clip is brilliantly made, the stage performance appears a bit too kitschy with flowers and gardening equipment. Another pity is that the song does have an English title and some parts will be sung in English, what a shame for a song from Italy.
07 Israel – The shiny diamond boy
In Israel Hovi is a big star already Now it’s his chance to become popular all over Europe and even beyond. His nice ballad “Made Of Stars” is fervently sung by him, on a dark stage with shiny stars and an acrobatic gymwheel in the background. There is also a little “Moltiva” in this song. A great performance can be expected. What a brave and cool guy.
08 Bulgaria – The Queen of the stage
This young lady called Poli Genova and has already sung for Bulgaria back in 2011, unfortunately she did not make it into the Grand Final. This time it’s a totally different story. Poli Genova is a well-known face in her home right now country and even hosted the Junior ESC in Sofia last year. Now she is back on the ESC stage with a powerful dance song. It’s rocky, catchy and electrifying. In the bets she is already in the Top 10. She has been seen on many parties those days and does not lose interest or energy. Don’t underestimate Bulgaria this year!
09 Sweden – The hush puppy flatmate from the Villa Villekulla
The Swedes have fallen in love with this 7 years old guy singing the “Zlatko-song” back in 2006. Now this cute guy is back – representing the host country Sweden, what a step! He looks like a flatmate from Pippi Longstocking in Villa Villekulla. He could win the Swedish national final with ease. “If I Were Sorry” is an unpretentious song, a bit like “Catch & Relase” by Matt Simons. There might be one or other Swede in the Globe Arena, so it’s to be expected that there will be a huge storm of applause. Cool performance!
10 Germany – The Manga-Gremlins show
The young German singer Jamie-Lee is doing a great job on stage. Exactly like in the national final in Germany. This has been criticised a lot that this stare stage setting is being taken for this ultra-modern stage which can deliver every possible graphic element of desire. Jamie-Lee’s voice is great, even if she appears a bit immature. The only striking and memorable element of her performance is the headpiece – a far-east inspired fashion.
11 France – Great smile – great party
This charming guy will bring happiness and party mood into the Europeans – and Australian living rooms. Amir spreads out so much positive energy. He is being handled as one of the favourites tonight. France has been dreaming of getting back the ESC crown since 1977 – this year might be the year for France! Watch out! Bonne chance!
12 Poland – The Polish Dracula
This entry is very special. First of all there is this guy named Michal, who really looks like Gary Oldman in Bram Stroker’s movie “Dracula” from 1992. Michal’s song is not scary at all – it’s a beautiful ballad, which sounds similar to Richard Sanderson’s “Reality”. In Poland he convinced a lot of people with his singing qualities even if people criticised him a lot, maybe it’s the Katie Boyle effect, there is a surprise. Now Michael is going to conquer Europe.
13 Australia – The Sydney Opera House as a dress
Dami Im is one of the most popular singers in Australia. After winning the X-Factor show her career take a big step forward. Australia is now facing a wave of Eurovision enthusiasm. Last year there were over 5 million TV spectators for the Grand Final when Australia debuted. Dami, who originally comes from South Korea even appears a bit shy, she does not move a lot on stage. Her white dress looks like a shiny Sydney Opera House – a bit over the top. This is one of the big favourites this year. And the Australians would not have come Stockholm, without the intention to win. Having such a great entry from Australia in the contest should inspire other countries to send high quality songs to the ESC to be successful. 행운을 빌어 요
14 Cyprus – Hard tones from the sunny island
This year we don’t hear any bouzouki or drama ballad from Cyprus – it’s just pure rock with a little hint of pop. Thanks to the Swedish composer Thomas G:sson this song has been revamped to an international level which has been recognized by the televoters and juries already. There are metal cages on stage and the group of Minus One is doing a great job.
15 Serbia – The Serbian Amy Winehouse
Sanjha is one of the singers with the most energy here in Stockholm. She has been performing, rehearsing, singing, dancing and performing, singing and dancing again and has always been seen smiling. And there is also a certain similarity with Amy Winehouse from her looks and behaviour on stage. All this press bustle Sanjha can really sing away. This song spreads out a special energy of its own. It’s about the abuse of women in relationships. It’s strong contender for one the top placings this year. A little bit of the “Molitva” choreography is also been used by her with the backing singers.
16 Lithuania – The Baltic stork’s nest
Sometimes little things can destroy everything. In this case it’s the hair fashion of the handsome singer Donny Montell. He has been changing it several times recently and is now sticking to the curly look, which is absolutely inappropriate. Why did he choose this mop? Otherwise he would look so cool, now it looks like a bird’s-nest. The Swedish influence in the production and composition is obvious and this one could end up very high. Let’s wait for the returning stork to land it’s nest.
17 Croatia – The Alien from Uranus
The lovely Nina probably has the most uncommon outfit tonight. She really looks like the Queen of a far-away galaxy with extreme white hair and a strange cape. Later on she throws down her coat and is showing another alien-like dress. Her song “Lighthouse” is so lovely, but the stage design does not really match with the song. This song has been one of the favourites in the bets in the beginning, but has fallen down dramatically. She has been criticised a lot in her home country, but who cares – she reached the Grand Final and can show off tonight!
18 Russia – The Tower of Babel
The Russians want to win again. They have put everything what they have in this song and stage performance like in the opening of the Olympic Games in Sotchi. Even if it’s just a simple visual trick, the effect on TV is immense. It looks like Sergey could jump from asteroid to asteroid. In the rehearsals he has even fallen down. Last year Måns has a special LED wall for his performance, this year this should be topped by Sergey. The experience taught us that the same recipe does not work a second time nowadays, this might have worked in the 90’s, but not in 2016. This Russian entry is far over the top. Instead of singing Sergey is busy with climbing up the asteroids. And nobody will remember the melody afterwards. Sometimes less is more – what a risky tower of Babel.
19 Spain – The bouncy ball show
Barei is filled with energy and dances along wherever she appeared here in Stockholm. Her song “Say Yay” is really danceable and is very convincing in the Globe Arena. There is a break in the song, which make the viewers think that there is a technical error, but that’s the part of the show. The rhythm is catching and crowd will freak out with this entry. Spain has send similar songs in the past which did not reach the Top 5 positions. Let’s hope it can be reached this time. Go Barei!
20 Latvia – The yellow submarine
Justs is a real cool guy who has been tramping from Riga to Paris and made music on the streets. He is an easy going guy with whom everybody could have a great night out. Justs is also singing a powerful song with the senor sound of a submarine. This tone is accompanied by a cool rhythm and Justs’s strong voice is very pleasant. This guy deserves a place in the Top 10.
This is one of the best entries this year- maybe the winner. Even if the topic is gloomy: the deportation of the Crimea Tartars in 1944. Beside of this dark chapter in history, the talented and highly awarded singer Jamala is interpreting this song in a very convincing and touching way. This will be supported by the wonderful illumination of the stage. She sings with such a verve and emotion that goose bumps appear on your arms for sure. The electro styled rhythm appears cool and pleasant. On the illuminated floor there are flower elements which form the roots of a wonderful blooming tree at the climax of the song. If you concentrate on the performance with the historic background it will blow you away. Kiev 2017.
22 Malta – The Sound of a Duck family
This is Ira Loco’s 2nd attempt to bring the crown of Eurovision to Malta. 2002 she made a 2nd place already with “7th Wonder”. This time she is doing something more contemporary with “Walk On Water”, which is a modern pop song co-written by Swedish composers. Is this as good as “7th Wonder”? Everything could be so nice, if there was not the bothersome sound of a duck family all song long.
23 Georgia – 3 minutes brilliant madness
The song is about the morning after great night out – sex, drugs and Rock’n Roll. The Cypriot rock song can be taken as a proof that this music has it’s listeners at Eurovision. And rock music has always played a role in the ESC, remember Lordi in 2006 with “Hard Rock Hallelujah”. The Georgian rock song is a much cooler one – it will blow you away. The singers will be freaking out and it all ends in an insane tone sequence.
24 Austria – The little snow white
Zoë is such a super sweet girl – singing a French song for Austria what an unusual combination! But this works very well and has become a kind of fan favourite here in Stockholm. There are flowers in the background, she is smiling and catching the attention of the audience immediately, as “Loin D’Ici” is so different from all the others. It’s quite obvious that the style of Alizée and Vanessa Paradis has been taken as role model. In addition the overall concept is filed.
25 United Kingdom – Coldplay for runaways
These two sympathetic guys have convinced the Brits in the national final and even got support by Robbie Williams and Katrina & The Waves. The song sounds like a song from Coldplay. It’s also a great starting position for the UK as the pubs have just closed and people come home they can a least watch their own entry.
26 Armenia – Sex, Light and Sound
This is obviously one of the sexiest women of this year’s ESC – Iveta. She loves to show off on stage and is wearing a very sexy bustier and is showing her long legs in all shades. Her stage appearance could be compared with the one from Madonna or Beyoncé. This has something bombastic and is very catchy. One of the best acts this year and a winning candidate.
Related News
The Video Clip
The Interview
The Show
61st Eurovision Song Contest
Semi Final 1 - 10th May 2016
Semi Final 2 - 12th May 2016
Grand Final - 14th May 2016
Location - Globe Arena / Stockholm
Host Broadcaster - SVT
Hosts - Petra Mede & Måns Zelmerlöw
