Eurovision 2013

[mendeleyev]

There are some really good music threads here and I only decided to post this separately due to the fact that it is a music contest and the results can change with each competition.

Voice of Russia Radio:
The International song contest "Eurovision-2013" is to officially open in the Swedish city of Malmo. The ceremony will be held on Sunday evening at the city’s opera house.

The current competition is the 58th Eurovision contest and will feature artists from 39 countries.

Two semifinals will be held on the 14th and 16th of May and the final on May 18th.

All of these shows will be broadcast live.

Sweden has hosted the Eurovision competition four times: in 1975, 1985, 1992 and 2000.

The competition is considered one of the world’s most popular non-sport events with an audience of over 100 million people around the world.

This year, Russia is being represented by 22-year-old Dina Garipova of Zelenodol'sk in the Republic of Tatarstan. She will perform the song "What If".

[Anotherkiwi]

The International song contest "Eurovision-2013" is to officially open in the Swedish city of Malmo. The ceremony will be held on Sunday evening at the city’s opera house.

The current competition is the 58th Eurovision contest and will feature artists from 39 countries.

This year, Russia is being represented by 22-year-old Dina Garipova of Zelenodol'sk in the Republic of Tatarstan. She will perform the song "What If".

Very nice voice for a nice ballad...and she looks OK too (although ML might categorise her as "slightly chubby"). 

[Boethius]

My better half described Ukraine's entry as "a voiceless bird".


My favourite (yet unperformed) is Iceland's entry.

[Shadow]

For the first time in 9 years the Dutch entry passed to the finals.
The singer is a female rocker, who used an old song from long time ago, which was almost disqualified as songs should be new and unknown, but managed to ge through on a technicality of the song not being released on any album.
She has declared winning is not het goal as she would rather stay with her 4 children.
In between all the glitter and glamour the Dutch entry stands out in many ways.
Yet the song itself has merit.

[The Natural]

Here on TV they said both Russia and Ukraine are among the favourites. Saw the Ukrainian one yesterday, beautiful gal carried out by a huge guy standing 239 cm. Did she qualify? I don't know as I don't follow this too closely. But we here in the old world prefer quality, so we cheer for the best looking gal 

[Shadow]

Here on TV they said both Russia and Ukraine are among the favourites. Saw the Ukrainian one yesterday, beautiful gal carried out by a huge guy standing 239 cm. Did she qualify? I don't know as I don't follow this too closely. But we here in the old world prefer quality, so we cheer for the best looking gal 

The general opinion is that most male fans cheer for the best looking guys....

[Boethius]

Here on TV they said both Russia and Ukraine are among the favourites. Saw the Ukrainian one yesterday, beautiful gal carried out by a huge guy standing 239 cm. Did she qualify? I don't know as I don't follow this too closely. But we here in the old world prefer quality, so we cheer for the best looking gal 

She did make it to the next round, although she has no discernible singing talent.

[mendeleyev]

Interesting BBC piece...

The Eurovision Song Contest was started in the 1950s with the noble aim of bringing the countries of Europe together after WWII.

But many of the competition's regular viewers have more than a sneaking suspicion that all is not equal when it comes to the voting patterns.

From Scandinavian mutual back-slapping to former Eastern bloc favouritism, the accusations of bias usually come thick and fast as soon as the judges register their scores.

The introduction of a combination of televoting and jury votes has altered voting patterns but, according to Dr Derek Gatherer, it has not ended regional bloc voting.

He has made a statistical study of how Eurovision votes are cast, in the hope of finding out what's really going on.

Using his calculations, Mr Gatherer predicts Russia will win the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest.

Rest of the article and his calculations on video here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22560481

[Shadow]

We are able to predict the top 3 points given by any country.
It has been that way long before the East-European countries joined, Spain will always give points to Portugal and Norway to Sweden.

Another interesting thing is that the amount of immigrants plays a role. For instance Turkey and Russia are sure bets to get points from Germany.

The re-introduction of a jury was to counter accusations the SMS voting system was rigged, It does not help a lot, as the basic idea a victory is bought rather than earned continues.

However with all negative publicity, complaints of bad music and worse performers and accusations of it being a 'hidden' gay parade the event continues to draw a huge amount of viewers and publicity.

[The Natural]

We are able to predict the top 3 points given by any country.
It has been that way long before the East-European countries joined, Spain will always give points to Portugal and Norway to Sweden.

Yes, but usually not the other way around. Big Brother don't want little Brother to get ahead 

[Vasilisa]

I can't say I like any songs this year for some reason.

[Vasilisa]

Very nice voice for a nice ballad...and she looks OK too (although ML might categorise her as "slightly chubby"). 

I bet you she doesn't care about how ML might categorise her.
 Let's not even start how she might categorise ML...

[Boethius]

My daughter tells me Denmark won, followed by Azerbaijan and then Ukraine. 

[Shadow]

Russia was fifth. the Dutch in ninth just beat Belgium.

As usual neighbours showed their likings, with also Belgium and Holland giving each other 12 points.

Theme of the night: female performers in what seemed to be wedding dresses.

Why Azerbeidjan did not win: The act included a man in a glass cage. Everyone waited for him to turn in to a bear or tiger but it did not happen.

Why Denmark did win: they are not in financial trouble.

Best Greek song: Belarus.
Best song for tourism: Greece (title:alcohol is free)
Kick-in-the-nuts award: Romania
Copy-paste award: Germany (song was very close to last years winner)