Eurovision Song Contest

[nice90sguy]

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.

 

[Emilymcplugger]

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.)

Amazing to think that ABBA’s success started at Eurovision.

As I remembered it’s Eurovision I’ve got GOLD on now whilst I do the garden.

Fun Fact: when I was six I remember walking out of our house and hearing the beginning of Fernando playing coming from the park at the end of our road. Even now when I hear that introduction it takes me back there…and I’m six all over again.

 

[Bramblethorn]

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.

They're both members of the European Broadcasting Union, which is the main requirement (give or take Australia).

 

[nice90sguy]

The beautiful, wistful Monica Zetterlund, one of the finest Jazz singers of the 1960's, always gives me goosebumps.

Here she is with Sweden's 1963 Eurovision entry:

And her she is performing with the incomparable Bill Evans Trio. Yes, she was that well-respected in the jazz world:

 

[Bramblethorn]

Oh, I forgot Julio Iglesias! He performed in Eurovision early in his career, though as he only finished fourth I'm not sure how much it contributed to his later success.

 

[Emilymcplugger]

Oh, I forgot Julio Iglesias! He performed in Eurovision early in his career, though as he only finished fourth I'm not sure how much it contributed to his later success.

Yeah, he got beat by Dana and ALL KINDS OF EVERYTHING.

Apparently Ireland were so broke they made sure they didn’t win the next year with the song MY LOVELY HORSE by The Fathers.

True story…ish.

 

[Anastasia1999]

a great and uplifting tune to dance to! Last year’s winner

 

[djrip]

I protest. We know all about the superb owl. We also know all about the Sus anal bum party.

I'll take Anal Bum Cover for 200, Trebek

 

[Kumquatqueen]

It's not just a gay thing in the UK, though it's camp as hell. It seems to have dawned on the UK that most countries get a decent popular singer involved and play the song on radio, so the audiences will have heard it.

Last year was great with Sam Ryder singing his little heart out and nearly winning - so there will be millions watching. Tickets to see any of the perfs live in Liverpool sold out in about half an hour.

I generally join people online and enjoy whisky and Eurovision bingo on my sofa, but the new neighbours have invited everyone to their party. I think I'll stay home though - they're a sweet bunch but I'm twice their age.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

Stopped watching it like 15 years ago. It is a glamourous festival of shit music and political correctness. Considering that most people listen to shit music, it is still quite popular, I suppose.

 

[nice90sguy]

they're a sweet bunch but I'm twice their age.

Yeah, watching it with a bunch of ten-year-olds won't be much fun

 

[Blind_Justice]

Unless I fall asleep after running a three-hour D&D extravaganza, I'll give it a watch

 

[Blind_Justice]

Yay for Voyager!!

 

[Blind_Justice]

That's A LOT of hard tekkno/electro this year. My subwoofer gets a decent workout. Totally not my type of noise though.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

Italian stallion guy just tweeted a pic of himself topless on a bed with his fly open. Trying to snag a few more votes?

Norway is catchy.

 

[Blind_Justice]

I'm not the biggest LotL fan, but if there's even a bit of justice in this world, they'll nab a spot in the Top Ten. How about it, Miss Bram? Ready to rack up a crippling phone bill?

 

[AlinaX]

I like the Unicorn. Nice voice / song.

 

[Blind_Justice]

UK's entry was definitely NOT chosen for her voice. Call me sexist all you want.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I'm not the biggest LotL fan, but if there's even a bit of justice in this world, they'll nab a spot in the Top Ten. How about it, Miss Bram? Ready to rack up a crippling phone bill?

It'll be my first time voting. I can afford the thirteen bucks!

Not my favourite of their songs but probably the most Eurovision-friendly.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

Tried voting for Norway and Ukraine, but didn't have extra credit on my phone and couldn't be arsed to sort it out.

The household jury are moaning about how unmemorable Sweden and Italy were. One is having to do it all sober thanks to antibiotics.

Have to admit to having a tear in the eye during Never Walk Alone.

 

[RosewoodTulip]

I tried to vote and just got the engaged tone. Can't believe there wasn't an easier way.
I'm also shocked at German's poor score. I thought their song was great

 

[shymalea]

Belgium was very good!

 

[Bramblethorn]

I liked Loreen's 2012 winner "Euphoria" but her song this year did nothing for me. Apparently the juries feel very differently.

edit: and the voting public too. Welp, I'm going back to bed and I'll be ordering my "Lord of the Last" T-shirt as soon as it goes up in their web store.

 

[RosewoodTulip]

Finland should have won even though my faves were Croatia, Moldova, Australia, Germany and Austria. The whole voting this year was off. So many good songs with low scores.

 

[Blind_Justice]

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

This was not a good year for rock@ESC. LotL got done dirty. I've waited years to see some legit good guitar bands show up and that's what they get? I'm happy to see Voyager get their points, been a fan since V.