Final dress rehearsal: ESC 2004
May. 15th, 2004 06:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jawnbcWell all that’s left is the live event. After 3 dress rehearsals, here’s my overall impression of each of this year’s finalists.
The 2004 Eurovision Song Contest could be won by a number of performers. Here’s quick run-down on the first half of the draw:
Spain: Ramon was in good voice (with a few rough bits), and the performance is an excellent first song of the night. Probably not a winner, but should finish just outside the top 10. As a Big 4 country, they’re in the final every year anyway. 11-15.
Austria: Tie Break remain very inconsistent. One strong singer, 2 weaker ones, and they sound good or bad—not in-between. May finish last; will almost certainly be near the bottom, if not the bottom.
Norway: Knut Anders Sørum is one of the better singers this year, and he’s been very consistent this week—without seeming stiff or cold. A very pleasant song, but there are a lot of ballads this year and this might get lost in the crowd: a shame really. Probably on the edge of relegation for next year, 11-15.
France: Jonatan Cerrada sings well, but this is easily the worst staging of the year. They seem intent on making an artistic statement; admirable. But when you can’t be relegated, what risk is there? 16-20.
Serbia & Montenegro: Željko Joksimovia is a definite contenders. Great performance, compelling song—but having already sung in the qualifier, will it hurt or help? I predict top 3.
Malta: In life, shit happens. Julie’s microphone seems always too soft; Ludwig’s too loud. I’m beginning to think the problem isn’t technical--and regardless, in life sometimes you have to suck it up and get over (or through) it. They’d better sing tonight with big smiles if they want to have any chance. All the frowning and arm flapping makes them look like whingers. They shouldn’t be--they’re contenders to win if they work through it. Top 5.
Netherlands: A nice enough song by a couple of nice enough-seeming fellas, but nothing special. I think bottom 5; this year has too much talent for them to do much better.
Germany: Ah Max, the dood who sings like Van Morrison but is afraid of. . .something. He keeps his eyes closed like a new born puppy. Cute, but not a way to win when pretty much everyone else seems to love performing. However with each rehearsal he opens his eyes more and sings better. Mid-teens.
Albania: She’s cute, she can sing, but she seems in danger of catching too much of her own buzz. Top 10 unless she goes over-the-top tonite. Or chokes.
Ukraine: The production of the year and she’s a very good singer. But I suspect this will lose just enough momentum from the semi-final to keep it out fo the top 3. I predict top 5.
Croatia: One of the best singers this year, with a nice song. Too strong a year to be merely nice: bottom 5.
Bosnia: Every year we have an Oh-So-Gay performer and it’s Deen’s turn this year. We love him for it, but this is all fluff--under which there’s a fair bit of talent. Bottom 5 as well.
Belgium: Having been near the top of the online polls for several months (Serbia’s replaced it on some; Greece on most others), gives Xandee a handicap. But from looking too frantic and busy in rehearsal #1, she looks sharp today--even with a wee stumble. Top 10 barring some tragedy.
Russia: Looking better and better, and we can’t overlook the Russian minorities in the former Soviet countries. Top 10, probably undeservedly.
Macedonia: This guy is great and it’s a great track--if Serbia wasn’t here this could be a contender. But I think might just catch the tip of the top 5. Please.
Greece: Hawt, a great performer, but merely a good singer--no one seems to notice. I kinda forgot too. Top 3, maybe the winner?
Iceland: Another great singer and a lovely song. Might squeeze into the top 10, but probably 11-15.
Ireland: I’ve had many reservations about Chris Doran this year (and I still think Ireland should send one of their many professional singers rather than You’re a Star winners), but he was very, very good this afternoon. Probably 11-15; maybe top 10. Agus Tá failte romhat Chris
Poland: I really, really dislike this. They are talented, but this song is loathesome. Bottom 5.
UK: Classic euro-anthem, but James Fox seems to give it about 50%. Borders on cheesy. But at least it won’t get null points encore: mid teens.
Cyprus: Another contender, certainly top 3. Who knew a really slow power ballad would sound unique at Eurovision. I think singing a verse in Greek (which she did in the Cypriot national final and in one of yesterday’s dress rehearsals) worked really well--do it tonite and it may put her over the top.
Turkey: Every year an “anti-Eurovision” song does well. Last year it was Alf Poer’s quasi-rap about animal rights (6th); a few years ago Brainstorm got Latvia to #3. On record I thought these guys sounded like a frat rock band; but in da house they rawwwwq. Top 5. Oh, and 2 really cute boyz covered in tattoos, we hate that.
Romania: Last year they got top 10 with a solid performance of a good song, but with perhaps the worst choreography. This year they’ve probably overdone the dance routine, but sounds very good, looks very good and they get lots of regional support. Top 10.
Sweden: Until today I thought this was typical Swedish iceberg rock: sounds perfect, but soulless. Today she let it rip and was excellent. Singing last also means she’ll be fresh in voter’s minds. Top 5 quite possibly.
The contenders: Greece, Cyprus, Serbia, maybe Malta or Ukraine. But televoting is so unpredictable.
Based on what I’ve seen, the winner will be . . .Serbia. Regional voting could put them over the top, with Cyprus 2nd and Greece 3rd.
My choice: Cyprus. But then I picked Lisa Andraes based on the shitty national selection video months ago.
The 2004 Eurovision Song Contest could be won by a number of performers. Here’s quick run-down on the first half of the draw:
Spain: Ramon was in good voice (with a few rough bits), and the performance is an excellent first song of the night. Probably not a winner, but should finish just outside the top 10. As a Big 4 country, they’re in the final every year anyway. 11-15.
Austria: Tie Break remain very inconsistent. One strong singer, 2 weaker ones, and they sound good or bad—not in-between. May finish last; will almost certainly be near the bottom, if not the bottom.
Norway: Knut Anders Sørum is one of the better singers this year, and he’s been very consistent this week—without seeming stiff or cold. A very pleasant song, but there are a lot of ballads this year and this might get lost in the crowd: a shame really. Probably on the edge of relegation for next year, 11-15.
France: Jonatan Cerrada sings well, but this is easily the worst staging of the year. They seem intent on making an artistic statement; admirable. But when you can’t be relegated, what risk is there? 16-20.
Serbia & Montenegro: Željko Joksimovia is a definite contenders. Great performance, compelling song—but having already sung in the qualifier, will it hurt or help? I predict top 3.
Malta: In life, shit happens. Julie’s microphone seems always too soft; Ludwig’s too loud. I’m beginning to think the problem isn’t technical--and regardless, in life sometimes you have to suck it up and get over (or through) it. They’d better sing tonight with big smiles if they want to have any chance. All the frowning and arm flapping makes them look like whingers. They shouldn’t be--they’re contenders to win if they work through it. Top 5.
Netherlands: A nice enough song by a couple of nice enough-seeming fellas, but nothing special. I think bottom 5; this year has too much talent for them to do much better.
Germany: Ah Max, the dood who sings like Van Morrison but is afraid of. . .something. He keeps his eyes closed like a new born puppy. Cute, but not a way to win when pretty much everyone else seems to love performing. However with each rehearsal he opens his eyes more and sings better. Mid-teens.
Albania: She’s cute, she can sing, but she seems in danger of catching too much of her own buzz. Top 10 unless she goes over-the-top tonite. Or chokes.
Ukraine: The production of the year and she’s a very good singer. But I suspect this will lose just enough momentum from the semi-final to keep it out fo the top 3. I predict top 5.
Croatia: One of the best singers this year, with a nice song. Too strong a year to be merely nice: bottom 5.
Bosnia: Every year we have an Oh-So-Gay performer and it’s Deen’s turn this year. We love him for it, but this is all fluff--under which there’s a fair bit of talent. Bottom 5 as well.
Belgium: Having been near the top of the online polls for several months (Serbia’s replaced it on some; Greece on most others), gives Xandee a handicap. But from looking too frantic and busy in rehearsal #1, she looks sharp today--even with a wee stumble. Top 10 barring some tragedy.
Russia: Looking better and better, and we can’t overlook the Russian minorities in the former Soviet countries. Top 10, probably undeservedly.
Macedonia: This guy is great and it’s a great track--if Serbia wasn’t here this could be a contender. But I think might just catch the tip of the top 5. Please.
Greece: Hawt, a great performer, but merely a good singer--no one seems to notice. I kinda forgot too. Top 3, maybe the winner?
Iceland: Another great singer and a lovely song. Might squeeze into the top 10, but probably 11-15.
Ireland: I’ve had many reservations about Chris Doran this year (and I still think Ireland should send one of their many professional singers rather than You’re a Star winners), but he was very, very good this afternoon. Probably 11-15; maybe top 10. Agus Tá failte romhat Chris
Poland: I really, really dislike this. They are talented, but this song is loathesome. Bottom 5.
UK: Classic euro-anthem, but James Fox seems to give it about 50%. Borders on cheesy. But at least it won’t get null points encore: mid teens.
Cyprus: Another contender, certainly top 3. Who knew a really slow power ballad would sound unique at Eurovision. I think singing a verse in Greek (which she did in the Cypriot national final and in one of yesterday’s dress rehearsals) worked really well--do it tonite and it may put her over the top.
Turkey: Every year an “anti-Eurovision” song does well. Last year it was Alf Poer’s quasi-rap about animal rights (6th); a few years ago Brainstorm got Latvia to #3. On record I thought these guys sounded like a frat rock band; but in da house they rawwwwq. Top 5. Oh, and 2 really cute boyz covered in tattoos, we hate that.
Romania: Last year they got top 10 with a solid performance of a good song, but with perhaps the worst choreography. This year they’ve probably overdone the dance routine, but sounds very good, looks very good and they get lots of regional support. Top 10.
Sweden: Until today I thought this was typical Swedish iceberg rock: sounds perfect, but soulless. Today she let it rip and was excellent. Singing last also means she’ll be fresh in voter’s minds. Top 5 quite possibly.
The contenders: Greece, Cyprus, Serbia, maybe Malta or Ukraine. But televoting is so unpredictable.
Based on what I’ve seen, the winner will be . . .Serbia. Regional voting could put them over the top, with Cyprus 2nd and Greece 3rd.
My choice: Cyprus. But then I picked Lisa Andraes based on the shitty national selection video months ago.
