Eurovision Song Contest 2012

[vivalaradio]

My official CD arrived today from Play!

[jruk2007]

Official album is now on Spotify with a few tracks missing, presumably from countries that don't want their songs to get any promotion (naturally the UK is one of them). Loreen's isn't one of them so I finally get to hear the studio version in HQ!

[cjwhite1]

Official album is now on Spotify with a few tracks missing, presumably from countries that don't want their songs to get any promotion (naturally the UK is one of them). Loreen's isn't one of them so I finally get to hear the studio version in HQ!

Yes! Greece in HQ! Still my dark horse...

[Charley]

At the very start of this YouTube video Ivi Adamou does a live performance of La La Love. It's with a band rather than a backing track and she's not dancing, but it'll give you an idea of how she sounds live.

PS: You can still enter the Popjustice 12 Points vote for a couple of days! If you're a new member or a resident, don't hesitate to do so at http://www.popjustice.com/forum/thre...g-Contest-2012!

[stevo_1988]

She's sounding good! Perhaps not perfect but a far cry from the 'hot mess' everyone was predicting this to be!! Go on girl - I think Cyprus may surprise a few people this year.

[jruk2007]

Meanwhile, rehearsals have started and it looks like Greece could be the 'hot mess', dance routine and vocals were both pretty bad.

Romania and Iceland were the best by a very long way.

[phily693]

For once I'm very excited for the Eurovision, and it helps I listened to the songs first rather than just on the night(s). Some strong standouts, though how many of them will make it through to the final is another story (I'm still not over Kate Ryan not even getting to the final).

Sweden's is fantastic as many have mentioned, it's almost too good for Eurovision in that sense. I really like Norway's, the beat in the verses is very reminiscent of Benny Benassi's Satisfaction. France and Ukraine's entries are actually pretty good too, usually France doesn't give a shit. I've definitely heard Ukraine's before, it's very familiar sounding. France cleverly has used the whistle thing that was so prominent in songs last year, and it too sounds familiar.

I love the idea of Bulgaria's entry, it's very clever. I did something like that for a Valentine's card once, it was a joke one before you go off judging me for being cheesy. Romania's is exactly what I've been wanting them to do for quite some time. It's current, it's fresh and it could be a European hit overnight. I've already seen it on the music channels here, I actually thought it was this year's novelty Romanian dance track.

I like Slovakia's purely because of how different to the rest it is. It stands out, maybe not for the right reasons for some people. Though it's sound is very typical for a current rock song. I could picture You Me At Six releasing it. I'm surprised Greece have entered such a strong song considering their current situation. Though her performance on the night could be the decider, she sounds like she heavily relies on being auto-tuned. Am I the only who hears Vanessa Hudgens in her vocals at times?

As for my favourite entry, I think it may be Cyprus. It's instant, catchy and current. It has RedOne written all over it, though apparently it has nothing to do with him, it's just a very good copycat. It's the type of song I'd have on my iPod.

I'm loving how many Euro-pop/dance influenced songs there are, a few years ago we were saturated with ballads and songs with guitars and other instruments, which to me isn't very Eurovision. In saying that, I do like Azerbaijan's and Belgium's entries and they are slower songs. The production on some songs is just fantastic. It's obvious the success of Inna/Edward Maya/Alexandra Stan throughout Europe has had an effect on the sound of many countries' song choices this year.

[Charley]

I'm really rooting for Cyprus, I've become soooooooooooooo addicted to the song!

Here's the first rehearsal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLek5-aKT2o

(Though it goes without saying that Loreen should still win OBVIOUSLY)

[Resi12]

That Facebook song is so awful but I can't help but sing "uh oh oh ohhh" in my head. UGH!

[Monkey0]

Today I read an article about Azerbaijan's preparations for Eurovision and I can't say I'm excited and will enjoy watching it this year. Forced evictions, demoliton of entire neighborhoods, mass shootings of stray dogs and current regime is using Eurovision as propaganda tool. They even build national museum of Azerbaijan's performances at Eurovision (yes, museum for four performances!). The costs are very high.

[phily693]

Today I read an article about Azerbaijan's preparations for Eurovision and I can't say I'm excited and will enjoy watching it this year. Forced evictions, demoliton of entire neighborhoods, mass shootings of stray dogs and current regime is using Eurovision as propaganda tool. They even build national museum of Azerbaijan's performances at Eurovision (yes, museum for four performances!). The costs are very high.

Did you enjoy watching the Beijing Olympics by any chance? Same kinda thing went on.

They have a shitload of money (well their governement does) at a time when a lot of countries don't and they want to show off.

[Resi12]

Oh my.. that's horrible. What a mess!

[phily693]

It's the sad reality of the world we live in. We're lucky in that if if were to ever happen in our own country... well it wouldn't.

[cjwhite1]

All these HQ rehearsal vids are making me stupidly excited. Less than a week till it all kicks off!!

Norway may have officially overtaken Greece as my dark horse... excellent first rehearsal. Strong vocals I think, eye-wateringly tight trousers too...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eafjl6bssSY&feature=plcp

[cjwhite1]

So bad! Bye bye esctoday.com...

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/05/17...f-homosexuals/

[stevo_1988]

Absolute f*****s!! This makes me really sad, and angry all at the same time. Surely the internet is the one domain where anybody can say what they like, don't attack it just coz you don't agree with it!!!! Go off to your own little corner of the internet and complain about it like everyone else! Grrr...

Anyhoo, on a brighter note, Cyprus' second rehersal was today, and i think it's fair to say she's killing it! So excited now for tuesday, and just really hope that she goes through.

http://youtu.be/NyouqDt7Anc

[ssa]

I only follow the Swedish selection usually.

The Italian song is not as good as the first choice and I just hope she improves her pronounciation.
Still, I'm not too fond of what we have sent.

Sweden is perfection, for the first time. She's clearly holding back in the reharsals, and I want her to win just because I'll be in Stockholm for 7 months next year, from February [Melodifestivalen] until the summer.
She may just be a little awkward for the public, but I'm confident.

Cyprus is adorable, though. That'd be my second choice.

[WowWowWowWow]

I really don't mean to sound like an asshole when I ask this, but I honestly don't know anything about technology and web stuff, so here goes: Do people not back up their websites after 12 years' worth of posts?

[cjwhite1]

I really don't mean to sound like an asshole when I ask this, but I honestly don't know anything about technology and web stuff, so here goes: Do people not back up their websites after 12 years' worth of posts?

You'd think so? However I work for a website and it does seem plausible that things can just get removed, it's not realistic to back things up after a point. I think. Ish.


Anyone else ever so slightly thinking.... Loreen maybe isn't looking/sounding/standing out as such a clear winner right now?

[jruk2007]

From watching the rehearsals, she is clearly not putting everything into her performance yet which is understandable but there are many good entries like Cyprus, Romania and Norway that are and they work far better live than I thought they would so no, she isn't standing out as much as she was.

I still think she will win because she is the only one that I can see being popular amongst both the juries and the voters but it won't be a huge margin. Spain, Italy, UK and Serbia will get a lot of jury points but not many votes (other than Serbia getting votes from its neighbours) whereas, Russia, Cyprus, Norway and Greece will be the opposite.

[cjwhite1]

From watching the rehearsals, she is clearly not putting everything into her performance yet which is understandable but there are many good entries like Cyprus, Romania and Norway that are and they work far better live than I thought they would so no, she isn't standing out as much as she was.

I still think she will win because she is the only one that I can see being popular amongst both the juries and the voters but it won't be a huge margin. Spain, Italy, UK and Serbia will get a lot of jury points but not many votes (other than Serbia getting votes from its neighbours) whereas, Russia, Cyprus, Norway and Greece will be the opposite.

I'd agree with that, and yeah she will obviously belt it out better in the final. I don't know, the song whilst still being amazing, plus the performance, just isn't standing out for me right now. Still rooting for a win though! Well after UK, obviously.

[Bleu Noir]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5_tqyCjFZ8

Nina Badric's 'Nebo' (Croatia) is to me by far and way the best song in the competition but it may not even make the final according to predictions. If it was 1977 she'd win!

Nice video too, easy on the eye, as is Nina herself.

[WowWowWowWow]

I hate the slow-motion effect at the end of "Euphoria." Just... why?

[stevo_1988]

I wouldn't be so quick to rule out Croatia Bleu Noir, whilst not my cup of tea, the Juries will probably lap this up. They're the people who got Lithuania and Slovenia (??) to the final last year when they were rank outsiders. Didn't the Jury even have the latter 1st in its respecitve semi? Anything can happen.

I know what you guys mean about Loreen not standing out as much as we would have hoped, just watched her second rehersal from today and there's bit when she's not even singing at the mo, so either she is just saving it all for the night, or she's having some problems with staging etc.

For all us UKer's 'The Hump' has his first rehersal today, so we'll finally be able to know what sort of thing we'll be opening the show with in a week's time!

Cyprus still for the win! That is all

[cjwhite1]

Actually very impressed with Loreens 2nd rehearsal, sharp and back to being totally mesmerising. Might have to revoke my earlier post!

I don't think it's 100% she has it in the bag though. A poor placing... Imagine, Kate Ryan mark 2!