Eurovision, First Semi-Final notes
Very glad to see Cyprus and Iceland making the final. Cyprus' song was easier to focus on without the distraction of the Snow White video. Ireland was, of course, much more expected, and their stage show was fantastic! With a large on-stage water fountain!
Really surprised Albania made it through. Their singer has a spectacular voice, but the staging was deeply underwhelming, and the song still doesn't do a whole lot for me. Russia and Greece were givens.
Among those that didn't make it through: Just as glad that Austria's entry is out. Israel's clown video boded ill but the stage show was rather charming and brought out the personification elements more. Belgium was sweet, the second-best, lyrically, of the broken relationships song, but I'm not surprised it didn't get voted through. Latvia's is the entry I would most like to have seen in the final which didn't make it; really charming meta-song.
Nina Zilli, Italy's singer, is a really, really good interviewee.
Really surprised Albania made it through. Their singer has a spectacular voice, but the staging was deeply underwhelming, and the song still doesn't do a whole lot for me. Russia and Greece were givens.
Among those that didn't make it through: Just as glad that Austria's entry is out. Israel's clown video boded ill but the stage show was rather charming and brought out the personification elements more. Belgium was sweet, the second-best, lyrically, of the broken relationships song, but I'm not surprised it didn't get voted through. Latvia's is the entry I would most like to have seen in the final which didn't make it; really charming meta-song.
Nina Zilli, Italy's singer, is a really, really good interviewee.