Planning the perfect Eurovision Party.

Posted on May 12, 2011 by jamieonline

For anyone out there who has not yet hosted or been to a Eurovision Song Contest party – 2011 is the year. It is a must in everyone’s calendar. You do not need to love the contest, or the music or the voting – but a party to remember the night by will be more fun than you’d initially imagine.

Here is my list of essentials to make your party go with a swing:

The infamous scoreboard. We included all guests with a country but also left a space for a phone vote. There is nothing more entertaining than calling someone (another party, a friend, or as we did, my mum) to get their votes. True-Eurovision style). Put them on loud-speaker for extra effect!

Crazy guests willing to dress up and brings flags. Flags are a must!

A trophy for the winner. (Blue Peter would be proud).

Food to represent the countries particpating in the contest. Ideas here.

Some great tips for making flags from food of that nation.

Dance moves… There’s nothing better than dressing just like the performer of that year.

Recreating Spain's entry in 2008 (Rodolfo Chikilicuatre)

None other than Ukraine's Verka Serduchka, the 2007 entrant.

: Bosnia’s 2008 entry. The girl with the apple dress. Memorable….Haha

Scoresheets (and guests who are really putting the effort into it).

A good imagination is always needed. Look at these countries. Can you guess which country they represent?

A tricky one. This is Oliver. He's hungry... Get it? Hungary. (sigh)

Very clever. Crow. Asia.......Croatia.

An easy one but fab. FIN-land.

I would love to have a Eurovision party this year. But….. I’m going to the real thing! Look out for me in the crowd of 24,000 people!! Enjoy the show.

Déjà vu, Düsseldorf (Semi Final 2).

Posted on May 11, 2011 by jamieonline

Part two here, guys. The first semi final has been and gone. #2 is coming up. Do you want to know what you can expect from the second Eurovision Semi Final of 2011? This post gives a summary of the entries in the Semi Final 2 (Thursday 12th May). This is my attempt to show how all the styles and songs have been heard before in one form or another.

The 56th Eurovision Song Contest in Germany is taking place this week. Songs from all around Europe will be competing to make it to the Grand Final on Saturday 14th May. Each song has been written for the contest. They must be original. But, just how original can music be these days? During the national final season (from October to April) there was a lot of debate about ‘certain entries’ being rather similar to other songs.

It is 2011 after all and when it comes to music it is quite a challenge to write a piece of music which bears no resemblance to another piece. There are only so many notes after all.

Bosnia & Herzegovina: This is a tricking one to compare to others. It’s quite an old-fashioned melody. It gets you tapping along from the beginning, but it wouldn’t have been out-of-place in the Eurovision 1976.
Austria: This to me has all the ingredients of an X Factor/Pop Idol finalist song. It’s like the winning song: Gentle start, it builds, the gospel choir join in and she ends with big notes. All that’s missing is Simon Cowell and the judges panel.
The Netherlands: Take That in 10 years time and this is what they’ll be singing.
Belgium: Tree huggers. Unbearable a capella.
Slovakia: Not that different from The Saturdays mixed with a little of The Corrs.
Ukraine: Zzzzzzzzzzzzz. Girly girly, whiny whiny. I’m glad there aren’t too many songs like this one.
Moldova: I could imagine Madness doing this, but then I hear the strong eastern accents…..
Sweden: The first 10 seconds always make me think of the X Files theme tune. You’ll agree! Backstreet Boys? Hmmmmm – Just a little bit.
Cyprus: Typical Cyprus.
Bulgaria: Sounds a bit like Pink. What da’ ya reckon?
FYRO Macedonia: Rock from the Balkans. It’s been heard before.
Israel: Typical Eurovision here. Dana is back with song with all Eurovision ingredients included. You’ll be singing along with it instantly. “Ding Dong!”
Slovenia: Anastasia sings for Slovenia.
Romania: Scissors Sister doing a swinging number? A Brit representing Romania….. what!!??!!
Estonia: Individual and mysterious. Typically girl band-ish in the chorus, but great throughout.
Belarus: This sounds like some communist anthem! Unbelievable. Who will vote for a song called ‘I Love Belarus’……? You’ll be able to picture people marching to the chorus.
Latvia: The Latvian version of Blue (minus 2). If you close your eyes it really could be Blue.
Denmark: OK, this is the one that most people have been commenting on. I’ve heard hundreds of people saying it, so I’ll say it too. It sounds ‘similar’ to Andreas Johnson’s ‘Sing For Me’ song from the Melodifestival (Sweden’s national final) from a few years ago. But, it’s a different tempo, got more than enough differences and is damn good. Instantly familiar when you here it. A possible winner!
Ireland: It’s all been seen and heard before on X Factor (in the UK). I’m just thankful that they’re representing Ireland and not the UK in Eurovision. Oh the shame!

Who do I think will make the final? Moldova, Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Latvia, Romania, Sweden and Slovenia.

Déjà vu, Düsseldorf (Semi Final 1).

Posted on May 10, 2011 by jamieonline

Want to know what you can expect from the first Eurovision Semi Final of 2011? This post gives a summary of the entries in tonight’s Semi Final 1 (Tuesday 10th May). This is my attempt to show how all the styles and songs have been heard before in one form or another.

It is 2011 after all and when it comes to music it is quite a challenge to write a piece of music which bears no resemblance to another piece. There are only so many notes after all.

Poland: The most difficult to compare in this semi final. It’s very Melodifestival though.
Norway: Shakira’s 2010 World Cup anthem, say no more. This was an easy one to compare.
Albania: Shouty shouty Albania. Back with more of the same. The Albanian ingredients.
Armenia: Oh, oh, oh. Kalomira (Greece 2008) meets Marie N (Latvia’s 2002 winner).
Turkey: There must be so many songs that sound like this. It instantly sounds familiar. Another group for Turkey. It’s safe to say that they’ve found a ‘comfort zone’ in the Eurovision.
Serbia: Hairspray – Easy!!
Russia: This sounds like it was written by Stock Aitken & Waterman. It is typical 1980s pop (at it’s worst). However it is more than a little reminiscent of Sweden’s *** from Melodifestival 20** in his singing style.
Switzerland: Germany 2010 take Two. At least leave it longer than a year before you try to immitate the winning song.
Georgia: I don’t listen to music like this so cannot compare it. (Ouch).
Finland: Belgium 2010 Take Two meets James Blunt.
Malta: Think Michael Jackson meets Dana international and this is what you get.
San Marino: Welcome to the ‘Best Hits from Cruise Liners 1975’.
Croatia: It’s not that different to typical pop from this mid 90s. This could be Scooch 15 years ago.
Iceland: Close your eyes at the beginning and it could (yes, it really could) sound like it’s from Take That’s album. But, then after about 40 seconds it gets too jolly.
Hungary: Jennifer Rush springs to mind when this song is playing. Welcome back to the Power of Love. Then suddenly it turns into a Whitney Houston track at about 1:02 (oh dear).
Portugal: Political chanting….. It kind of swings along though. Not sure why this is even in Eurovision.
Lithuania: Andrew Lloyd Webber meets Babelfish translate in French.
Azerbaijan: H & Claire (from Steps) meets High School Musical.
Greece: UK 1994 meets Greek haunting music.

Who do I think will make the final? Turkey, Russia, Finland, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Greece, Georgia, Iceland, Norway, Serbia.

Look out for Déjà vu, Düsseldorf (Semi Final 2)…. coming before Thursday.

Eurovision 2011: The ones to watch.

Posted on April 22, 2011 by jamieonline

The Eurovision Song Contest 2011 is just weeks away. The songs are all selected. The acts are preparing and putting the final touches to their songs and stage routines. Who will win? This year the race is open wide. There is no clear favourite, which is a good thing.

Here are five songs that are worth keeping an eye on…. They could do very well.

Denmark: A Friend in London – “New Tomorrow”.

The song has caused some controversy with some people claiming it is too similar to other songs. Then again, in 2011 it’s quite a challenge to create a unique song. This is my favourite song of 2011. A dark horse. (Best bit to watch is after 2:00 – It will look amazing on stage in Germany in May).

France: Amaury Vassili – “Sognu”

France have raised the bar for this contest! This is undoubtedly their best entry since 2002. Paris 2012 is sounding a strong possibility. The song is anthemic! It reminds me of Bolero. Torvel and Dean skating around would not surprise me. Think Bolero/Vangelis and this is what you get.

United Kingdom: Blue – “I Can”

Finally, something to be proud of. The United Kingdom could win Eurovision again. This is the UK’s best chance since winning in 1997. After years of people saying that the UK should send an established act – here we have it. They can sing. They have the image. They have the stage presence and experience. They’ll go down well in Dusseldorf.

Estonia: Getter Jaani – “Rockerfeller Street”

Highly rated on lots of websites. A good bet in this year’s contest. Estonia wouldn’t surprise me by winning. The song really grows on you. It could look great on stage. How it comes across on TV will play a huge part it its success.

Norway: Stella Mwangi – “Haba Haba”

This song is addictive. Once heard it stays in your head, whether you like it or not. Norway could take the crown (but, she’ll have to hit some notes on the night and sway the juries). It doesn’t sound particularly Norweigan… But hey. It does sound more than a little reminiscent of Shakira’s World Cup 2010 anthem “Waka Waka”.

They are the five I’ll be keeping an eye on. Closely followed by Bosnia-Herzegovina, Poland and Hungary. It’s Eurovision and nothing can be discounted.

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