Eurovision Song Contest

[Kumquatqueen]

Sweden did nothing for me. She sounded incredibly strained and at odds with the song.

I can only assume she performed better on the night she performed for the jury. The sound balance was ropey, too.

 

[PennameWombat]

Australia had a lot of post-WWII European migration, and I think that had a lot to do with ESC taking off here. Our multicultural/multilingual broadcasting channel, SBS, started broadcasting it back in 1983, and both SBS and the contest became more mainstream here over the years.

Australia actually performing in the contest was originally going to be a one-off thing for the 60th anniversary, but it went down well enough that SBS and the EBU agreed to keep Australia in for another 8 years. This is the last year of this agreement, so it's not clear whether we'll continue to be part of the contest (though it'll be a bit awkward if we win this year and then drop out!)

For Americans, the best-known Eurovision alumni would probably be Abba and Celine Dion. (Not counting Flo Rida who was already big before his Eurovision cameo in 2021.)

Although I now live in Oz, I don’t follow ESC any more than I did when I lived in the US. But I agree with this analysis of the local attitudes.

Despite that, I’ve been aware of it for a long time, but my only direct memory or experience or interest in it was being in Helsinki, Finland, while the Grand Final was happening in Athens in May of 2006. It was impossible to not be involved in discussions about it, seeing it on television and otherwise having it be a Big Deal.

For the ESC cognoscenti, you’re likely to know what that means. For the rest, that year was the one time Finland’s entry was victorious, who that year the amazing Lordi and who won with Hard Rock Hallelujah.

It was a big deal to all of the locals.

 

[PennameWombat]

Not sure how Israel manages to qualify. Pretty sure it's in Asia. Come to think of it, not sure how the UK manages to qualify either.

Israel is also part of Europe, UEFA, when it comes to soccer (football), not the AFA (Asian Football Association.) They‘re in the UEFA groups for World Cup qualification and their clubs play in the UEFA tournaments (Champions and Europa League/Conference.)

And, Australia is part of Asia, when it comes to football. They decided that offered more opportunities to qualify for the World Cup as Asia gets multiple places, whereas Oceania, where they were, doesn’t get even a single guaranteed spot. The Oceania qualification winner has to play off against a borderline country from one of the larger Associations for a single spot.

 

[Anastasia1999]

Congratulations to Sweden.

Lords of the Lost were gracious in their defeat. They will enjoy their festival summer in Germany and Europe and then they go on tour with Iron Maiden.

 

[Klqka]

Lord of the Lost being last is a travesty. Best band and song by far, it was almost unfair how ahead of the game they were compared to the rest. Which is a given, considering how well-established they are.
Kudos to Finland and Norway, shame for Moldova, France, Portugal and Albania.