Two-Horse Race?

May 7, 2019 by Matt Rickard

Tuesday has long been marked in the diary as a red-letter day. It brings with it the first sightings of The Netherlands, Russia, Malta and Azerbaijan – all of which offer potential to shake things up at the head of the market. But unlike most momentous days, it starts with a whimper:

Croatia

“I have a dream. A dream as beautiful as it is extreme,” starts a prone Roko, acutely aware of his song’s limitations. He is shorn of his wings for the first minute and there are some nice overhead shots. Unfortunately, it all becomes very earnest, very quickly and even the return of his wings halfway through fails to help him soar. Like him, the market remains on the floor.

Malta

Malta is interesting. Michela’s staging is cool. She starts by looking absent-mindedly out of her window, before we are invited into her kaleidoscopic imagination. This is visually arresting, and the song feels fresh following Croatia. There are vocal issues, which are disguised by clever backstage assistance, but this is going in the right direction. Malta drifts after a shaky first rehearsal but quickly bounces back, nibbled at 24 on the Outright and rapidly trading odds-on for the Top 10.

Lithuania

Understated from Lithuania, who despite a ‘friendly’ semi-final are pretty loveless across all the markets. This is nicely sung by a twinkly-eyed Jurijus, but this is a background radio track and the chatter in the press room is about what’s next than what is currently on stage.

Russia

Russia is available to back at 5.1 moments before nine different Sergeys takes to the stage. The price is backed in quickly, matched at 4.3, but quickly heads back, available at 6.8 at time of writing. This is surprisingly underplayed by Russia. Fokas employs his old standards, projections, mirrors and, of-course boxes, but forgets any emotional connection. This song needed more.

Albania

When the most exciting moment is an Albanian eagle swooping from the depths of Jonida’s gown, we know we have reached a new staging low. Everything about this is 90s, so instead of an elegant Balkan ballad, we get Kat Slater (UK soap opera Eastenders actress for those who need to check the reference), complete with tattoos, trout pout and wet-look, slicked back hair.

Norway

After lunch comes Norway and rather than the fan-anticipated Frozen meets The Lion King, we get an empty stage, three disparate performers and little to no interplay. This was never going to be the jury choice, but the move to give this a sheen of quality seems misplaced. The market agrees and Keiino’s price drifts across all markets.

Netherlands

Duncan is sat alone at a piano on a very lonely stage. As a concept, the piano is a nice visual trigger, reinforcing the artistry and distinguishing him from the pack. As ever, he is vocally sound but there is work needed on camera angles and connection. The market has long been convinced by ‘Arcade’ and, despite a half-point drift, there is nothing in this to change that point of view.

North Macedonia

Tamara is another with great vocal chops and for a change, Macedonia doesn’t waste its opportunity. While there are elements that feel redundant, such as Sergey’s abandoned hall of mirrors, this is a good platform to get the country back to the Grand Final.

Azerbaijan

In the end, it’s not until the final performance of the day that the market finally goes haywire with Chingiz, who is backed into 14s on the Outright. This is a decent, contemporary song matched with a visually-striking show, complete with robotic arms, beating hearts and an outer-body, beam-me-up effect. It looks good but rather than the complete package, it feels confused, with little narrative or connection to the song.