The Hug That Says 1000 Words

The big thing in EuroWorld this week was Eurovision in Concert featuring 25 of this year’s acts.  A good party was had by all I am sure.  I attended the smaller start-up event in Riga last week and have since written up an article asking simply - Why Bother with all these preview events.  While I was not there in Amsterdam myself, I’ve been keeping up to date with all the media work from the show and I’ve picked out my top 5 media moments from the show.  

The Aram/Conchita Hug

All out Eurovision media warguns were ready to blast Aram mp3 on his views on sexuality after previously making comments referring to Conchita that were published online.  It appears though that it is love, not hate, from the Armenian, and Wiwibloggs managed to snap the moment the two embraced.  Awwww.

Schlagerboy Orgasms

Having followed our friends the Schlagerboys around there Eurovision travels, we know they love a big hand-holding key change.  Even before the concert itself on the Friday pre-party they got this from Maribelle.  Then while being ‘press’ they got us even more of those awkward photos of EuroCelebs holding faces on sticks.  Got to love them.  

The Latvian/Maltese Jam Session

Getting the bus together, Jöran from our Latvian foreigners and Richard from our Maltese travellers have a little bit of time to meet each other.  It’s a learning experience for Jöran, but it ends in sing-a-long country style to make everybody happy.  There was some Jöran/Ruth improvisation going on as well during the day.  

Ewan’s Traditional Timelapse

Here Ewan has once again stuck his little camera on the wall of the arena and let it take photographs whenever it thought something interesting happened.  Here is the result. There will be some Terry Vision coming online later in the week (although he snuck into this video with Paula Seling already), as well as a special podcast featuring Conchita Wurst on Thursday.  Keep your eyes open.

The Wiwi Interviews

Wiwibloggs have been going around the press room for some interviews in their straight-talking way as always.  We can confirm that Twin Twin are single, as is Dilara, and Molly gave back the honest opinion about her reservations about Eurovision as well.

First Eurovision, then the Universe

Some big news came out for Molly this year representing the UK.  She’s got herself a record deal with Warner Bros, and the track will be released on April 28th, giving just enough time to gain momentum before the contest.  You can listen to the studio version and see the single cover here. 

Trying to make bigger things of the contest too comes from Danish Social Democratic EU Parliament candidate Lasse Quvang Rasmussen, who believes Russia should have their Eurovision entry withdrawn after their political actions in recent months.  DR have said this is an EBU decision, who of course are being quiet.  

Plus, make sure to listen to some of those artists that you may have missed out on post-contest now continuing in their careers.  It’s a Norwegian double this week from Tooji and Stella Mwangi, , maybe you can even help the lovely Finnish 2010 group Kuunkuiskaajat who are trying to fund their next album.  

5 more off-on season things to do

Find your favourite Minipop

Ben Morris is the fantastic graphic designer who once again has created Minipop Icons off all the artists in Eurovision this year.  Why not download your favourite and share it across social media, or support Ben’s project and buy a T-Shirt to model around Copenhagen.   Why not listen to Ben on this week’s Juke Box Jury too.  

Find your favourite Eurovision themed videos  

The build up to the contest means we get some bizarre videos released.  The Greek team have remashed up some of the most recent Eurovision winners in a medley, and there is now an acapella Evolution of Eurovision video as well to amuse you.  If that fails you, try out Sanna Nielsen in the gym.

Get your betting tips  

While not necessarily recommending you to bet, the analysis on the contest and the contenders by Sofabet are always well informed.  We equally think you should keep an eye on ESCTips (who also offer a podcast…)  

Whet your EuroFanCafe excitement

For the price of 200 DKK all accredited press, fans and current OGAE members can pre-order their tickets now for the Euro Fan Cafe this year.  And, if you want to make sure that you are getting a good deal out of this, then check out this expansive programme.  And expect more to be added to this in the future as well.  Brilliant work.  

Simulate your results

If you want to find a way to predict the results of Eurovision 2014, why not run the Eurovision 2014 Voting Simulator?  This can use betting odds to calculate the likelihood of songs winning the contest to work out something approximating to a result in May.  Now, the standard deviation for variance is as always too high, but it is worth a play to see what results come up. My first attempt had Armenia winning the televote with a 130 point margin, but finishing 2nd last with the juries, leaving it open for Sweden by one point with a 12 points from Ukraine, as Norway ended up 2nd after needing just one point more for victory.  Stranger things have happened…

Wonderful Wonderful Copenhagen

As we learnt from the rehearsal schedule revealed this week, on May 1st this year there will be no rehearsals at all.  Oh dear. Us at Insight don’t know what we should do with this newly found day off, so let’s look at possible day trips from Copenhagen.

Helsingor

North along the coast from Copenhagen is the old fort town of Helsingor on one side of the Öresund Strait.  Known of course for the setting of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.  Helsingor has a wonderful Kronberg Castle to explore, as well as adorable seaside shopping.  The adventurers can even walk on the relatively cheap ferries to Helsingborg in Sweden for a little taste of country hopping.  From Copenhagen give 45 minutes to arrive in Helsingor.

Roskilde

More famous for the rock festival in the summer, Roskilde just 35 km from Copenhagen is a haven for Viking exploration, including the VIking Ship Museum which has of course original Viking time ships.  There is also the Cathedral where 1000 years of Danish Kings and Queens are buried.  25 minutes on the train from Copenhagen.

Malmö

Maybe you missed it last year, and if so have a visit to awesome Malmö, just a short train hop away from Copenhagen after all.  Visit the Västra Hamnen area to see the reclaimed area now a modern sustainable living area, and promenade down the Fan Mile that once was.  Also just 25 minutes from Copenhagen.

Robertson’s Reflection

Hopefully above I was able to give some detail to what I thought the highlights from all the videos and drama were from the media session in Amsterdam.

Here is where I get to write about what I thought stood out from the performances.  For a fair few this year, we have not seen them before perform infront of the live audience, so we are very much learning about how these songs work on the stage still.

Better than I expected

Spain - Ruth confirmed in an earlier interview in Amsterdam that Dancing in the Rain has been sitting in her proverbial chest of drawers for three years until now.  It’s not a song prescribed to the contest, and for me lacks a melody and natural build in the emotions which we would expect. However, Ruth is more than able to confuse our senses into thinking it’s wonderful and passionate by the way she uses her voice.  More screamy Spanish jury fodder and fanwank here, could impress the public too I think, and the new voting rules will suit this.

Greece - I’m fairly fond of the Greek entry anyway, but I’m extra impressed by the live vocals which are relatively challenging for something in this genre.  Not much here to suggest anything with the stage design, although they have confirmed some ‘rise up’ elements, which I think will work well to make it less static.  One for the Eurovision parties and then to be played all summer long.

Austria - When you realise the song as late as Austria did, you wan to make the best impact on first impressions.  When I first heard it on Austrian radio one Tuesday morning, it was a meh response.  Live is a whole different ball game.  It is such a performance song, and one snug around Conchita’s voice.  Regardless of PR pros or cons, I have full faith that this will be nailed 4 nights in a row, and I hope it does itself proud as a well-constructed song.  

Worse than I expected

UK - I think this is more of a horses-for-courses kind of problem.  It’s great on the tv screens, and great with the live backing, but there just isn’t enough oomph in the track on the gig scene.  It starts so promising, but after 20 seconds of Molly’s starting mumble bits the impact is lost.  Needs the big sweeping camera shots to give the anthemic feel, and a little less reverb for Molly to make it feel just right.  She’s doing fine, but it’s clear that it’s a bit dull in this setting.  Still putting this just above half way in the final.  Listen here.

Armenia - This seems to confirm all my worst fears about this song.  It’s a world class video, and 99% of people have only seen that.  On stage, with Aram mp3 alone, I don’t think he has worked out yet what to do.  This will need some spectacular stage effects and camera movements to give it energy, as none exudes during the performance.  Stuck in the rut of the melody, rather than rising through it.  Reminds me of Sognu at this point, just with some more diaspora.  Also, on a brief aside about the booing; get a grip Eurovision fans.  Pick and choose the battles.  The gay following of Eurovision is fast becoming a parody of itself which is as negative as it positive.

Azerbaijan - Similar to Armenia, I have Start a Fire in the same vain of not having a clear performance aspect to the song, despite being beautiful.  Dilara has been talked up as an excellent performer, but I fear this song doesn’t let her explode and work to her strengths.  Azerbaijan are of course kings at the stage show, so it will be interesting to see what happens with that, but this is a lot more insular than I expected and I don’t see many neutral televoters for the Caspian Sea nation this year.