And here comes the last lot:
IRELAND - Ryan Dolan - Only love survives
Ireland may be the surprise of this season as their song is gaining fans day by day. The act on stage really works and even if filled with some Eurovision clichées in some strange it works and looks fresh. The drummer boys with bodypaint drum their thing on the catwalk in the beginning, then join the others on stage and keep banging and jumping and waving their hands in perfect harmony with Ryan, who is in top form. This is old and new, heard and unheard in one package. Everything works. I wouldn't be surprised if this was the shock winner of this edition, stranger things has happened over the years. But maybe not. This number works best when it is also seen, listening only isn't that strong (so the total contrast of Serbia but more of that in a bit...)
CYPRUS - Despina Olympiou - An me thimasai
She's alone in the blue lit simple stage, singing her beautiful ballad in a sexy dress. Class. Nothing else is neede. She has a wonderful voice and Greek sounds very nice sung by her. Being sandwiched between two rather similar uptempo numbers she might benefit from that. Otherwise it might be a bit difficutl to reach the dinal as this song needs further listening to be appreciated. And modern human beings have the concentration time of a 2-year-old. That is something like 30 seconds. But I enjoy full three minutes of this. Stay tuned for a Despina interview tomorrow!
BELGIUM - Roberto Bellarosa - Love kills
Belgium also has aminly blue lit stage but the lyrics of the songs are projected there. If love survives in Ireland in Belgium it kills. Roberto sings like he knows something about it. The new arrangement of the song is great and he handles his vocals fine. Give the guy something he can feel, namely votes! He deserved´s the final. And I thought this even before we did this wonderful interview with him. Here.
SERBIA - Moje 3 - Ljubav je svuda
The Serbian girls might be front runners for the Barbada Dex award this year but they look kinda cute, like candy. Including their three backing ladies who help them in this battle between good and bad (I guess). If Ireland needs to be seen to be fully appreciated, unfortunately I still think this one is better when you hear it only. I love to listen to it, it's a great song, love it. But something in the performance puts me off. Sadly. The backing stays purple but there surely is enough cclor in their outfits. But good song, well sung, a sure finalist.
Comments