Special Event: Live Stream: The Grand Final (2023 Eurovision Song Contest)
May 13, 2023 7:48 AM - Subscribe

Good evening, Europe! Good morning, Australia! The Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest airs TODAY, Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 2100 CEST / 3:00pm EDT. The Big Five and last year's winner, Ukraine, already secured their spot in the final. The other twenty finalists made it through one of the two semifinals for their spot in the lineup tonight. There have been many memorable acts this year, but only one can be the Eurovision 2023 winner. Who will it be?

HOW TO WATCH LIVE:

Viewers outside of the United States can watch via the official livestream for the Grand Final from the Eurovision YouTube Channel.

For those of us unlucky enough to be geoblocked, and without an official national broadcaster, you can watch it via the Swedish National Broadcaster (SVT)’s official stream. American viewers can watch live with a subscription to Peacock, NBC's streaming service.

===============
RUNNING ORDER:
===============
1. Austria - Teya and Salena - "Who the Hell Is Edgar?"
2. Portugal - Mimicat - "Ai coração"
3. Switzerland - Remo Forrer - "Watergun"
4. Poland - Blanka - "Solo"
5. Serbia - Luke Black - "Samo mi se spava" (Само ми се спава)
6. France - La Zarra - "Évidemment"
7. Cyprus - Andrew Lambrou - "Break a Broken Heart"
8. Spain - Blanca Paloma - "Eaea"
9. Sweden - Loreen - "Tattoo"
10. Albania - Albina and Familja Kelmendi - "Duje"
11. Italy - Marco Mengoni - "Due vite"
12. Estonia - Alika - "Bridges"
13. Finland - Käärijä - "Cha Cha Cha"
14. Czech Republic - Vesna - "My Sister's Crown"
15. Australia - Voyager - "Promise"
16. Belgium - Gustaph - "Because of You"
17. Armenia - Brunette - "Future Lover"
18. Moldova - Pasha Parfeni - "Soarele și luna"
19. Ukraine - Tvorchi - "Heart of Steel"
20. Norway - Alessandra - "Queen of Kings"
21. Germany - Lord of the Lost - "Blood & Glitter"
22. Lithuania - Monika Linkytė - "Stay"
23. Israel - Noa Kirel - "Unicorn"
24. Slovenia - Joker Out - "Carpe Diem"
25. Croatia - Let 3 - "Mama ŠČ!"
26. United Kingdom - Mae Muller - "I Wrote a Song"
posted by PearlRose (726 comments total) 12 users marked this as a favorite
 
Since I mentioned my Eurovision Baking in the last couple threads, today I thought it was only fair to share a picture of the goodies.

Got my setup for the official stream all ready, and the SVT app on our Apple TV is also ready to go as a backup.

Thank goodness Austria isn't in the death slot, but I'm sad that Portugal is.
posted by May Kasahara at 9:52 AM on May 13, 2023 [10 favorites]


May Kasahara, those look amazing! I hit up our local Greek/Mediterranean deli this morning and got zaatar flatbread, lebni, ajvar, garlic dip, cukes, tomatoes, peppers, olives, apricots, and pistachio nougat to go with vinho verde.
Not loving the lineup either because I want my favorites to stand out and they’re kind of clustered together. Alas.
But we have snacks!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 10:21 AM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


I like a lot of this year's songs! Austria and Croatia are probably my favorites, but that Finland-Czech Republic -Australia-Belgium run in the middle is going to be a blast. And "I Wrote A Song" is a fun one to end on (certainly the better of the break up pop entries this year). And there are only a few clear "time to take a bathroom and/or snack break" duds, at least in my opinion.

Looking forward to seeing Kalush Orchestra (not loving this year's entry from Ukraine, alas).
posted by the primroses were over at 10:22 AM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Eurovision 2023: Fan takes contest-themed knitted dress to Liverpool

It's on at midday here (thank you for the Sweden links) and I'm going back and forth between watching it vs. going outside on a beautiful day when my favorite festival is going on, especially when it's like 4 hours long. I notice the Sweden semifinals are still online and wonder if they'll have the final airing up later as well?
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:41 AM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Yes, the Swedish Television broadcasting folks will air the final live. I won't be able to stick around for more than half of it because A. bedtime and B. 4 hours??? No thank you.

I am having a pre-final dinner of frozen cheese broccoli pie (heated) with cherry tomatoes and sliced raw carrots. My Eurovision snack is a bowl of discount chocolate Easter eggs (was so happy to find a blend that included almonds, my favourite). As y'all can tell, I don't really cook. But I am happy enough with what I have on hand for tonight.

May Kasahara, your food looks delicious. Orange Dinosaur Slide, your food sounds delicious.

Note: I will be plenty snarky tonight but if I think something is silly and you do not, that does not make you silly. It probably makes me narrow minded or something. I missed the second night of the semi-finals so a bunch of these competitors will be new to me and will probably be wearing outfits I want to make fun of. One can only hope.

I have fond memories of Sweden's disappointing entry in 2008. "I Love Europe" was not great. But the outfits of the singing dancers were awesomely awful, IMHO. (At about 2:24 the dancers pull flag fabric out of their skirts. Check it out!)
posted by Bella Donna at 11:29 AM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


My 7-year-old son has been allowed to stay up to watch, the first evs for something that starts at ten in the evening, and it’ll be interesting to see how long he lasts. He thinks Käärijä might win, like most people in Finland, and like most Finns he also fears Sweden will take top prize.

He’s been hanging out with me in the kitchen while I clean up, and we’re waiting for the all clear from his mom that our 3-year-old is asleep, because she sleeps in a room next to the living room, but I fear my wife might have fallen asleep herself while ensleepening our daughter.

Finland is pretty gripped with Eurovision fever, which is fairly unusual. Normally the Finns are pessimistic, but this time they really feel like they have a shot. I saw a few people in lime green boleros while out and about, including one which looked self-knitted, and pictures of Käärijä are all over Helsinki, especially on advertisement screens.

Oh, I hear my wife has gone into the living room, let the party start! Well, the quiet party, as we don’t want to wake the 3-year-old.
posted by Kattullus at 11:43 AM on May 13, 2023 [11 favorites]


I stayed up entirely too late last night because we went to Shakespeare in the Park and then my spouse wanted to play Breath of the Wild until the wee hours. I am normally highly encouraging of these sorts of endeavours but oh my god I am so tired.

Went to the grocery store once for snacks, then again a bit ago because I really can't eat the entire international section at Aldi and not hate my stomach afterward. (It pains me to admit that I might be getting old.) I have eaten far too many snacks this week, and too little actual meals. Or vegetables. But I digress.

Watching solo again this time, which I think I like best, honestly. Since I needed to recap for friends and the spouse afterward, I think I watched the first semi three times? I've only seen the second semi once, which is a shame because I like to go back and rewatch a few to catch all the details I inevitably miss the first time. Especially when there are people in the room with me!

But whatever. I've done some dishes, some laundry, and some meal prep -- and also forced myself to eat something resembling an actual meal. Snacks are at the ready, the spouse bought me some kind of margarita drink to enjoy later, and I have the big, beautiful new TV ready for the SVT app.

Eurovision 2023, you are a big beautiful frenzy, and I am going to cry because it happened and because it's over. Also probably during parts of it, because I've cried already during both semis and a lot of the Ukraine tributes really pull at my heartstrings.
posted by PearlRose at 11:54 AM on May 13, 2023 [6 favorites]


The host for the US is again Jimmy Weir, which makes me very happy. He did an excellent job last year.
posted by meese at 11:58 AM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Hi FanFare! Watching alone this year as not well so can join you guys. Watching on the YouTube livestream as don’t want French commentary.
posted by ellieBOA at 12:00 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Watching on BBC1 from my sofa in London. They just warned for "repetitive flashing images"-- do they know something about Let 3 that we don't???
posted by Pallas Athena at 12:01 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Aw man! Swedish feed is already not loading for me :(
posted by jenfullmoon at 12:01 PM on May 13, 2023


Ha! It took me a second but that would be very on brand for Let 3, wouldn't it?
posted by PearlRose at 12:02 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Kalush Orchestra are great!
posted by ellieBOA at 12:02 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Is the opening act the winners from last year? Like, I think so but I'm not sure.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:03 PM on May 13, 2023


I love this opening version of Stephania with special guests so much!
posted by the primroses were over at 12:03 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


And, yes, Bella Donna, they are
posted by the primroses were over at 12:04 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


It loaded!
posted by jenfullmoon at 12:04 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Never mind the Swedish announcer just confirmed my guess.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:04 PM on May 13, 2023


The bucket hats! They're perfect!
posted by PearlRose at 12:04 PM on May 13, 2023


Hope you are taking good care, ellieBOA!
posted by mochapickle at 12:04 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


Thanks, the primroses were over!
posted by Bella Donna at 12:04 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


It's not fair for a song with this tempo to make me cry
posted by meese at 12:05 PM on May 13, 2023 [7 favorites]


Return of the pink bucket hat!
posted by May Kasahara at 12:06 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Same, meese!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 12:06 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Now it goes a little more downtempo and yup, more crying. It's beautiful and weird and defiant.
posted by PearlRose at 12:07 PM on May 13, 2023


huh, the princess of wales guested on the opening song, didn’t expect that
posted by Kattullus at 12:07 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


I think it's some sort of law that during Eurovision at least one person on stage must be wearing neon pink at all times.
posted by mochapickle at 12:07 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Hahaha, the three fans each in a CHA shirt
posted by the primroses were over at 12:08 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


Go_A!!!!
posted by meese at 12:09 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


Aw, flag parade time! Everyone looks so good. AHHHH! HELLO Go_A. I missed you!
posted by PearlRose at 12:09 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


I have no idea what is going on with these mini musical performances in the midst of the introductions, but the lighting and video screen production on this is fucking insane!
posted by hippybear at 12:10 PM on May 13, 2023


GET IT, FINLAND!
posted by mochapickle at 12:10 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


I know Moldova (or whover) will try to outcult Go_A tonight, but honestly, they’re the only cult I’d happily let sacrifice me to their gods
posted by Kattullus at 12:10 PM on May 13, 2023 [6 favorites]


I am legally obligated to root for Loreen as a dual citizen. If she wins, she will be the first woman to win Eurovision twice, according to the cheerful Swedish announcer.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:11 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


I didn't like Jamala's song very much back in 2016, but it hits so differently now.
posted by PearlRose at 12:11 PM on May 13, 2023


ok we've got one on the floor, but it's opening parade so it doesn't count.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 12:12 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


JAMALA I STILL LOVE YOU <3
posted by May Kasahara at 12:12 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


The mini musical performances are from earlier Eurovision winners or contestants as best I can tell.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:12 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


VERKA!!!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 12:13 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


ok we've got one on the floor, but it's opening parade so it doesn't count

Stop reading my brain!
posted by PearlRose at 12:13 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Oooh, can't wait to watch! I haven't had a chance to see the semis, so this is a first listen for most of them. It's great to see some of the old Ukrainian songs. Lasha Tumbai!!
posted by gemmy at 12:13 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


VERKA is like when TeleTubbies grow up.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:14 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


VERKA. And mother? Ahhhh! Still the entry I show friends who wonder what I'm on when I try to tell them just how special Eurovision is.
posted by PearlRose at 12:14 PM on May 13, 2023


verka!!!!!!!!!! and her guitar granny. EPIC
posted by Pallas Athena at 12:14 PM on May 13, 2023


Graham and Hannah. Wow. Bringing out the big guns.
posted by gemmy at 12:15 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Oh, Hannah's dress! DIVINE!
posted by mochapickle at 12:15 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


Mel Giedroyc is a great choice to stand in for Graham Norton while he’s doing the big job (for those of us watching the UK version) .
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 12:15 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Oh so jealous of you in the UK! I love Mel!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 12:16 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


I saw an interview with Norton where he was saying this would be a very different Eurovision for him because normally he's in the skybox up above commenting for a BBC audience, but since they're hosting this year he's on the floor and he has to behave better.
posted by hippybear at 12:17 PM on May 13, 2023 [7 favorites]


Oooof. The crowd is not feeling the Irish record, but welcome back Luxembourg. I hope you have enough glitter prepared.
posted by PearlRose at 12:18 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


That is the biggest cheer Luxembourg has gotten since…

…probably ever?

Yeah, ever.
posted by Kattullus at 12:18 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Feel free to note which country is second only to Ireland in winning over the years. :-)
posted by Bella Donna at 12:18 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Sounded like both cheers and boos for the rest of the world vote, which, fair
posted by the primroses were over at 12:19 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


All right, Austria. Let's do this!

poepoepoepoepoe...
posted by PearlRose at 12:19 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


I still think it's weird that Israel and Australia get to compete. I gotta get with the times.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:20 PM on May 13, 2023


I love this.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:21 PM on May 13, 2023


I really feel that Austria missed a trick by not having the dancers in costume as Edgar Allan Poe
posted by Kattullus at 12:22 PM on May 13, 2023 [8 favorites]


I love these women so much, but does the sound mixing sound worse than it did in the semi to anyone else? I hope they don't suffer for technical difficulties
posted by the primroses were over at 12:23 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Still love the 'ugh'.
posted by rjs at 12:23 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Now it's getting weird instead of fun for me. Oh well.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:23 PM on May 13, 2023


Their faces aren't on the LED screen, so I'll wait to start the count.

God, I love this song. It comes across as lighthearted but there's a scathing social critique in there. Austria, thank you so much for this. I don't love that you had to open the show, but thank you for sending something that got me thinking. While also being catchy as ...poe.
posted by PearlRose at 12:23 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Oh so jealous of you in the UK!

Since the UK are hosting, the BBC feed is on the YouTube livestream!
posted by ellieBOA at 12:23 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


I liked that, Austria. Nice.
posted by gemmy at 12:24 PM on May 13, 2023


well done Austria, that was ravin'
posted by Pallas Athena at 12:24 PM on May 13, 2023


Loved Austria! C'mon Mimicat!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 12:24 PM on May 13, 2023


Yeah, I agree that the sound mix didn't do Austria any favors :(
posted by May Kasahara at 12:24 PM on May 13, 2023


Australia competes because it's a commonwealth country, but I have no idea why Israel is there.
posted by hippybear at 12:24 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Also, I hadn’t realized before that they’re singing to an exorcist, “oh, padre”
posted by Kattullus at 12:25 PM on May 13, 2023


OMG did y'all already know that Mimicat is a professional real estate agent?
posted by Bella Donna at 12:25 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


I kept myself pure for the final. Am enjoying the Austrians, maybe too esoteric for a win?
posted by biffa at 12:25 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


GODDAMMIT SOMEONE'S CALLING ME WHILE EDGAR IS ON hope the pause button works and I can't not take this call either :P
posted by jenfullmoon at 12:25 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


The American feed's closed captioning is so helpful: >>(MUSIC).
posted by mochapickle at 12:26 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Canada is a commonwealth country, isn't it? It's not part of the contest.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:26 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


All right, Portugal! Show 'em how its done.

I wish it had a little something extra, some pyro, or maybe her in a contrasting color. But she's doing a lot with what she's been given to work with and I love how much charisma there is here. I can't believe she's a relative unknown before this.
posted by PearlRose at 12:26 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Portugal bringing the energy today!
posted by May Kasahara at 12:27 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


I like Portugal anyway, but she does a great job of selling it too.
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 12:27 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


hippybear: Australia competes because it's a commonwealth country, but I have no idea why Israel is there.

Israel is there because it’s a member of the European Broadcasting Union, which puts on Eurovision, but Australia’s there essentially because it was weirdly popular there for decades until the EBU decided to invite them to join.
posted by Kattullus at 12:27 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


I have no doubt that if Canada gave a shit, they could have someone there somehow.
posted by hippybear at 12:27 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


I like her voice, and the guitar was great. That was fun!
posted by gemmy at 12:27 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Israel is kind of culturally European -- lot of of Jewish folks of European descent. Plus all their neighbors kind of hate them and so, Europe lets them do programming and stuff with them so they don't have to work out contracts for this all on their own since they don't really have another region.

EDIT - what Kattullus said!
posted by PearlRose at 12:28 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Ok, first snack break opportunity, sorry Switzerland
posted by the primroses were over at 12:28 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


Australia signed a 10 year automatic qualification contract that expires this year, so as of next year they’ll have to go through the semi finals.
posted by ellieBOA at 12:29 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Yeah, so, if I were to go pick up a pizza, is there an intermission during the acts or...?
posted by mochapickle at 12:30 PM on May 13, 2023


It's really hard me to enjoy Switzerland's song, given the global political context. "I don't wanna be a soldier," you say, while the rightful hosting country is fighting for its life. Anyone know how the song has been received in Ukraine?
posted by meese at 12:30 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Not exactly. They've gone through the semis each year since their debut in 2015. But they're an associate member, not a full EBU member so they have to be invited. Invitation expires this year, and we're all hoping it gets extended. Australia really gets the memo.
posted by PearlRose at 12:30 PM on May 13, 2023 [7 favorites]


Seems like Mimicat brought a bit more energy in this show than in the semis. Love the spirit and choreography.
posted by jackbishop at 12:31 PM on May 13, 2023


Switzerland is the intermission.

(Serious answer: yes, every three to four acts or so, but they're fairly short)
posted by May Kasahara at 12:31 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Switzerland's song is growing on me (but maybe that's just because there were so many ballads in the 2nd semi-final, and this one stands out in the field).
posted by rjs at 12:31 PM on May 13, 2023


Oh, I didn't know that about Australia. Good thing they went so hard this year!
posted by the primroses were over at 12:32 PM on May 13, 2023


meese, good point.
posted by rjs at 12:32 PM on May 13, 2023


Show is split at half way, IE after 13 performers.
posted by biffa at 12:32 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Link to rough timestamp of events in the grand final, gleaned from the rehearsals yesterday. Accurate within 2-3 minutes, I used theirs for both semis.
posted by PearlRose at 12:32 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Poland requests that you take an intermission during Blanca's song.

Or, at least, the Polish people I've seen on Tumblr.
posted by meese at 12:33 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


I think Portugal's entry was a tribute to Mimicat's ability to sell a song. It wasn't the most melodically interesting number, but she made it fun.

I think Switzerland still has mandatory National Service, so every young person has to pick up a gun whether they like it or not. The song is easier to understand in that context (for me)
posted by Pallas Athena at 12:33 PM on May 13, 2023 [6 favorites]


Spouse said that Switzerland might be less cheesy if English isn't your first language. I still can't get over a Swiss boy mooning dramatically about war. But his vocals are really good.
posted by PearlRose at 12:33 PM on May 13, 2023


This whole song feels like a FANTA commercial.
posted by mochapickle at 12:34 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Thanks, PearlRose. You are so on top of this!

Miss Poland's number is not really doing it for me. Good snack break for sure.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:35 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Thanks for the correction PearlRose, glad I’ve only told one person that misremembered “fact” 😂
posted by ellieBOA at 12:35 PM on May 13, 2023


Poland: Hmm.. lots of hands on crotches for a song about gettin' down solo
posted by Pallas Athena at 12:35 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


I have no idea how Poland qualified from the semifinal. Presumably Blanca got a bunch of votes from the key demographic of “dad awkwardly hovering in the living room doorway”.
posted by Kattullus at 12:35 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Poland, like Switzerland, is sort of fine. But surely not going to stand out from the pack.
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 12:35 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Sudden Dance Break - #1

Poland is just not my fave. There are several other acts later in the order that do bops, pop, dance breaks, vocals and everything much better than this one. It's not my fave.
posted by PearlRose at 12:36 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Man, all those pink-smoke transitions in Poland's. Still feels kinda like something Britney decided not to record in her heyday.
posted by jackbishop at 12:36 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


And we have one on the floor!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 12:37 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


I suppose it was too much to hope for another weird performance arty rant about health insurance from Serbia.
posted by hfnuala at 12:37 PM on May 13, 2023 [8 favorites]


So Johnny Weir just had this weird thing where someone was holding a mic up for him? And then he called attention to it, and the hand with the mic went away?
posted by meese at 12:37 PM on May 13, 2023


Is Serbia the first of the “singing lying down” songs? If you didn’t watch the semifinals, prepare for LOTS of that.
posted by Kattullus at 12:37 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


First prone singer of the evening!
posted by jackbishop at 12:37 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


From the semis pink and people on the floor are this year's themes.
posted by hfnuala at 12:38 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


The Swedish announcer says this song is like a tribute to a 70s rock opera.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:38 PM on May 13, 2023


I like Luke! I like the staging -- it's fun.

But this song is a bit painful to listen to. It's not him, or bad vocals or anything. The genre is just not to my taste. (Reminds me a bit of Iceland 2019. Lovely band, cannot make it through the song.)
posted by PearlRose at 12:38 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Ooh, wonder if it's Phantom of the Paradise.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 12:39 PM on May 13, 2023


Poland went for an updated buck's fizz dress pull there. That's all I have to say.
posted by biffa at 12:39 PM on May 13, 2023


Serbia's song sounds like the boring track I don't really care for on an experimental album that I otherwise completely love.
posted by meese at 12:39 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


I will say this for the Serbian song, it both feels like a song from about 1990, and what I thought the music of the future would sound like in 1990.
posted by Kattullus at 12:39 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


There was a tiny tribute to Thriller in there. Dunno if it was on purpose or not. Loved it.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:40 PM on May 13, 2023


I'm really excited about France's song. Hope she's in better tune than she was in the rehearsal clip.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 12:40 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


I'm going to assume Serbia is offering a review of Matrix 4.
posted by biffa at 12:41 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Serbia sounds like B-side INXS? But I like the dancers, the smoke in the breathing tubes.
posted by mochapickle at 12:41 PM on May 13, 2023


Love the fancy hat riding hat combo from France in the postcard.

(I quite like this song, Very French.)
posted by hfnuala at 12:41 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Trust the French to send someone who can make a sparkly sequined dress look chic.
posted by Kattullus at 12:41 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


I think if someone described the Serbian performance to me, I would expect to enjoy it more than I actually did.
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 12:42 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


France! No need for the Effiel Tower -- La Zarra is all the tower you need!

I miss the Breton witches but this is so well put together. Dramatic! Sparkly! FRENCH.
posted by PearlRose at 12:42 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


Not lying down, but honorary mention for starting on the knees.
posted by meese at 12:42 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


France is opting for Very Much Not On The Floor, Merci.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 12:42 PM on May 13, 2023 [7 favorites]


Well, France is already the opposite of lying down.
posted by May Kasahara at 12:42 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


Hope no one turns the wind machine on by accident right now!
posted by carrienation at 12:43 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


Perhaps it's a tribute to Joan of Arc, whose feet were also on fire.
posted by Grangousier at 12:43 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


Wow, super dress. She sounds great, and the "Lady GaGa mixed with Edith Piaf " (per the Swedish commentators) feels right on.
posted by gemmy at 12:44 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


omg, I love France! Like, the disco, the orchestral bits, the minor notes? Fabulous, all of it.
posted by mochapickle at 12:44 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Breton witches??? someone link??

This song is definitely extremely French, she's doing the Edith Piaf uvula gargle on the r
posted by Pallas Athena at 12:44 PM on May 13, 2023


Oh, I love this one. The staging has elevated it greatly in my eyes (pun wholly intended).
posted by PearlRose at 12:44 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


France and Portugal have my favorite performers doing songs I'm more or less indifferent to
posted by the primroses were over at 12:45 PM on May 13, 2023


Down with the monarchy!
posted by ellieBOA at 12:45 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Yeah, France had very clever staging. Limited her mobility with the big-dress and pillar bit, but they designed a good stageshow around it even if she couldn't move.
posted by jackbishop at 12:45 PM on May 13, 2023


That footage of Charles and Camilla is so odd, right? Camilla looks bewildered.
posted by mochapickle at 12:46 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Breton witches from 2022
posted by the primroses were over at 12:46 PM on May 13, 2023 [6 favorites]


(I'm geoblocked, or otherwise I would totally find you a link to France's 2022 entry. It was such a good concept but ...needed better live vocals. AHEM.) rehearsal clip placeholder.

Grazie, the primroses were over! You've saved me and my 294928 tabs open.
posted by PearlRose at 12:46 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


The Swedish announcer is saying that his group is staying at the Hotel Titanic in Liverpool and they're hoping Finland isn't the iceberg.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:47 PM on May 13, 2023 [7 favorites]


Cypress has vertical flames! Get your bingo cards ready.
posted by mochapickle at 12:47 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


I love the Banana Wolves walking past the King and Queen.
posted by May Kasahara at 12:47 PM on May 13, 2023 [7 favorites]


Breton witches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO07xLUlK2g from last year.

(My French teacher wasn't convinced Breton was a language to sing in, France is still pretty unreconstructed when it comes to minority languages so I was impressed by the entry.)
posted by hfnuala at 12:48 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Cyprus, something for the other dads.
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 12:48 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


This song is another good bathroom break opportunity--one of my least favorite.
posted by carrienation at 12:48 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


I bounced hard off of Cyprus in the videos and semis. He's not a bad singer, but the song feels like industrial-grade extruded sadboy music product.
posted by jackbishop at 12:48 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


I didn't know Imagine Dragons were from Cypress. I though they were Mormon.
posted by hippybear at 12:48 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


I think Charles and Camilla came by last week when they were getting everything ready to open and they've managed to reuse it creatively in ...so many promotional videos since then. I'm impressed by the marketing team this year!
posted by PearlRose at 12:48 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


This should be the theme song for toxic relationships on the green.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:49 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Cyprus probably has the best Sad Boy Ballad in this year's show, but it's still a Sad Boy Ballad.
posted by May Kasahara at 12:49 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Oh, see, last time I thought the falsetto was just nerves but it's a CHOICE. Huh.

FLAMES! YAY!
posted by mochapickle at 12:50 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Needs more floor, Cyprus.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 12:50 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


The song seemed better in Semifinal 2. I'm going to chalk it up to that being a weaker semi combined with his very pretty biceps.

He sounded better on Thursday, too. I don't remember the vocals being this jarring.
posted by PearlRose at 12:50 PM on May 13, 2023


There are a number of perfectly fine Pop songs in the competition - BUT

#EuroVision isn't just about good songs.

It's about the evolution of music to it's most Gayest, Joyful, Cukoobanapants, form.

Whatever wins should be the aural equivalent of the Power Rangers of pop, but only if the resulting final form was a Platypus the size of Godzilla.

Pop at it's most evolved.
posted by Faintdreams at 12:51 PM on May 13, 2023 [7 favorites]


Needs more fringe.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:52 PM on May 13, 2023


Me gusta mucho, España!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 12:53 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


I really like how Arabic-inflected this song is (at least to my ears).
posted by carrienation at 12:54 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


This is an extremely good entry from the Witches Performing Rituals On Stage subgenre.
posted by meese at 12:54 PM on May 13, 2023 [7 favorites]


Oh, I was wondering why the postcard seemed new. Hello, Spain. I appreciate that you didn't double down and try to send the same genre as last year.

The eaea trills have no business being as catchy as they are. On paper, I will say that this song is good. She sings so well! The staging is appropiately dramatic! Her shirt looks like a beating heart -- that is not a "safe" outfit. There's smoke and dancers and the camerawork is on point.

I just don't like the song very much. Another one that isn't quite to my taste. At least my Eurovision expectations taste, at least.
posted by PearlRose at 12:54 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


BANANAWOLVES!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 12:54 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Spain:

"When I die, Bury me on the moon, so I may see you every night."

That is actually really beautiful.

Wont win though.
posted by Faintdreams at 12:55 PM on May 13, 2023 [9 favorites]


Oh, right! I forgot about the obligatory Jr. Eurovision recap. It's cute but still not for me.
posted by PearlRose at 12:56 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Sweden's a floor one, no?
posted by mochapickle at 12:57 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Those "#€%& nails.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:57 PM on May 13, 2023


As a Swede in the US, I obviously have to root for Loreen. And I love her!! But... it's just not as good of a song as Euphoria when she won. I am not super interested in the staging and the outfit, and I'm not sure the nails do her any favors, honestly....
posted by gemmy at 12:58 PM on May 13, 2023 [7 favorites]


Lissandro can do one.
posted by biffa at 12:58 PM on May 13, 2023


Sure is! That's 2 on the floor!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 12:58 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Totally agree with you, gemmy.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:59 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


(I suspect several of the On The Floors got taken out in the semis.)
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 12:59 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


Oh, Sweden. I don't normally like power ballad-type songs but you make me like this. She's so professional -- I can't look away from her on stage. She makes me have emotions -- I believe the character she is playing in this song.

The staging is dramatic but my spouse compared it to a panini press and now I can't stop thinking about making sandwiches for everyone on stage.
posted by PearlRose at 12:59 PM on May 13, 2023 [9 favorites]


Sound mix letting Sweden down too
posted by the primroses were over at 1:00 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Still floored by Loreen's voice (no pun intended).
posted by May Kasahara at 1:00 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


So this song has been stuck in my head. I don't love the Mad Max vibe but I found myself humming to it this morning -- it has staying power.
posted by mochapickle at 1:00 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Is Sweden's song inspired by Dune? Is that what I just heard?
posted by meese at 1:00 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


I like this but I wish her lyrics were clearer.
posted by hfnuala at 1:01 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Sweden is jawdroppingly good.
posted by Faintdreams at 1:01 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Popbitch linked above said Loreen's stage-show has been nicknamed the "Travel Toastie Maker".
posted by ellieBOA at 1:01 PM on May 13, 2023 [6 favorites]


sandwiches for everyone on stage

ITYM "from everyone on stage".

(Subwolfer's there and they're hungry.)
posted by jackbishop at 1:01 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Hahahahahaha. Please hug your husband for me or not. I love that so much. It made me laugh out loud.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:01 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Sweden wants to win desperately. I think next year is the 50th anniversary of their first win with ABBA and Waterloo, so maybe that's why they've pulled out all the stops this year?
posted by PearlRose at 1:02 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Albania! Go go go!
posted by mochapickle at 1:03 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Albania my beloved. Perform that ritual, cancel out Spain's magic!
posted by meese at 1:04 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Yeah, Albania was one of the entries from the 2nd semi-finals that I really liked.
posted by rjs at 1:04 PM on May 13, 2023


Would Sweden winning mean maybe an actual performance reunion of ABBA? I saw Frankie Goes To Hollywood was having a "never ever" reunion for this here in Liverpool.
posted by hippybear at 1:04 PM on May 13, 2023


Albania is folk-goth and I think I'm into it
posted by Pallas Athena at 1:04 PM on May 13, 2023


On the news, I was given to understand that the Swedish government or at least the national broadcasting officials would be pretty okay if Sweden does not win because the production is so expensive that something will have to be cut in the budget to be able to pay for it if Sweden is host next year. That was kind of disappointing to hear. Not surprising exactly but a drag.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:04 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Really like Albania overall. Great song, striking staging. In my top ten for sure.
posted by May Kasahara at 1:05 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


That is literally the plot of the Netflix Eurovision movie, I am glad they did not go so far as to blow up Loreen
posted by the primroses were over at 1:05 PM on May 13, 2023 [8 favorites]


Nice to see that the mom in the Albanian group can be picked out thanks to her haircut. Some looks are international.

They're so cute. I love how they just all up and decided to do Eurovision together to support their daughter -- the lead singer. They're fun and it's a lovely little breath of fresh air.
posted by PearlRose at 1:06 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


This Albania performance feels even more confident and fun this time?

Also: Flames! Wind machines!
posted by mochapickle at 1:06 PM on May 13, 2023


I doubt ABBA would do a reunion. Maybe the holographs could perform.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:07 PM on May 13, 2023


Albania is delivering what the Fremen might develop once the plants have taken.
posted by biffa at 1:07 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


The Albanian family were the cutest.
posted by Faintdreams at 1:07 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


I like that Albania’s singer is wearing superdramatic 80s fantasy tv show clothes, and then the back-up singers are dressed like the staff of a regional tapas chain.
posted by Kattullus at 1:07 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


Italy's isn't normally my style, but I found myself singing along to it a lot. Hope he does well!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 1:08 PM on May 13, 2023


Who me? Oh, I'm just being handsome and enigmatic in Italy on a motorcycle. No biggie.
posted by mochapickle at 1:08 PM on May 13, 2023 [6 favorites]


That top is a Eurovision top.

(I like this song.)
posted by hfnuala at 1:08 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


Much like Cyprus, Italy has sent a very attractive man with a mediocre song
posted by the primroses were over at 1:08 PM on May 13, 2023 [7 favorites]


Italy, once again, sending beautiful Italian ballads with staging that has me scratching my head slightly.
posted by PearlRose at 1:09 PM on May 13, 2023


YES YES YES LYING DOWN ON TRAMPOLINES
posted by meese at 1:09 PM on May 13, 2023 [6 favorites]


the Italian trampoline is the best part of the song
posted by Pallas Athena at 1:09 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


I swear someone wore it last year.
posted by biffa at 1:09 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


I don't mind the song but the trampoline people in the back are dumb.
posted by hippybear at 1:10 PM on May 13, 2023


This sparkly man can sing
posted by meese at 1:10 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


Marco makes me remember my Italian boyfriend from when I was like 18. [sigh...] I think that's why I like this, 'cause the song isn't my cup of tea, but I find myself liking it.
posted by gemmy at 1:10 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


I am glad they did not go so far as to blow up Loreen

I am just glad her set did not flatten her or anyone else.
She’s compared her set design to a giant hamburger. But unlike the bun of a Whopper or Big Mac, Loreen‘s gigantic overhead screen weighs a whopping 1.8 tonnes. That, it’s now clear, will pose some problems for the Swedish delegation if Loreen wins Melodifestivalen and competes at Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:10 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Okay, now Italy has the best Sad Boy Ballad. At least, I assume that's what that was.
posted by May Kasahara at 1:10 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


The trampoline trick, does anyone else remember that from Only Murders?
posted by mochapickle at 1:11 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Okay, we're nearly halfway through this mess, time to find the adult drinks. Estonia next. Another lovely ballad that I will have a hard time remembering during the recap.
posted by PearlRose at 1:11 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Estonia's ghost piano is stupid.
posted by Faintdreams at 1:11 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


I gotta say, if you have a chance to send a postcard from any locale in Tallinn, why choose the TV tower?
posted by jackbishop at 1:12 PM on May 13, 2023


I have to say drone technology has brought a lot to these interstitials.
posted by hippybear at 1:12 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


I LOVE ESTONIA'S HAUNTED PIANO GIRL. She looks like Carly Rae, she sighs like Tori. We cool.
posted by mochapickle at 1:12 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Ok, I don't think Estonia is popular in general, but I love her and her player piano bit. My favorite of the ballads, fight me!
posted by the primroses were over at 1:13 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


I really want to know if she’s actually playing the piano, or just pretending to play the ghost piano. That I’m thinking about this instead of paying attention to the song says something about how much it’s grabbing me.
posted by Kattullus at 1:13 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Did anyone else notice that the piano had "ESTONIA" on the side?
posted by May Kasahara at 1:13 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


BUT LITHUANIA!

Glitter cannons at ten paces, primroses?
posted by PearlRose at 1:14 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Those pianos have disks you can put in them and they play themselves, like new tech for player piano technology.

I don't know what they're doing here exactly, but it certainly looks like one of those in action.
posted by hippybear at 1:14 PM on May 13, 2023


Pretending. No live playing of instruments on stage. :(
posted by PearlRose at 1:14 PM on May 13, 2023


Also please add a half point for the piano, which is lying on the floor.
posted by mochapickle at 1:14 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Oh Lithuania is also good, actually. I think we can form an alliance?
posted by the primroses were over at 1:15 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


My wife pointed out how strange her semi-suit-jacket-dress is, and now that’s all I can think of.

Edit: The song just ended and I wouldn’t be able to tell you anything about it.
posted by Kattullus at 1:15 PM on May 13, 2023


Needed more fringe.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:15 PM on May 13, 2023


Finland Woot !!
posted by Faintdreams at 1:15 PM on May 13, 2023


SUOMI!!!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 1:15 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Oh yay. Cha Cha Cha, come and deliver us
posted by meese at 1:15 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


CHA CHA CHA
posted by Kattullus at 1:15 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


And now poor Estonia is about to be overshadowed by Big Brother Finland.
posted by PearlRose at 1:15 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Yes, bring it Finland
posted by the primroses were over at 1:16 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


STOP TALKING DURING THE DAMN SONG SWEDISH COMMENTARY.
posted by PearlRose at 1:16 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Everyone in this room is so ready for Finland.
posted by May Kasahara at 1:16 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


LOVE this so much. ChaChaCha!!
posted by gemmy at 1:17 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Silly set designers, don't you know flimsy crate isn't enough to hold Finnish Hulk?!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 1:17 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


Finland!!
posted by ellieBOA at 1:17 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


HUMAN CENTIPEDE

WHO NEEDS TO LIE DOWN WHEN YOU CAN FORM A HUMAN CENTIPEDE
posted by Kattullus at 1:18 PM on May 13, 2023 [8 favorites]


Anyone know about this guy's chest tattoo? The human centipede part is so weird but I like the song.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:18 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Are they chanting Chuff?
posted by biffa at 1:18 PM on May 13, 2023


Don't let Trent see this industrial pop performance or the next tour NIN will all be wearing dayglo.
posted by hippybear at 1:19 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


The choreography is bonkers! But the song is great.
posted by ellieBOA at 1:19 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


FINLAND IS DEMENTED AND I AM HERE FOR IT.
posted by Faintdreams at 1:19 PM on May 13, 2023 [7 favorites]


It was CRAZY FUN!
posted by Bella Donna at 1:19 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Käärijä really nailed the performance, much better than in the semifinal. Finland is starting to believe.
posted by Kattullus at 1:19 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


The Finland Tourism Board phones are lighting up!

Sauna Ferris Wheels! Shiny neon pleatherette! CHA CHA CHA!
posted by mochapickle at 1:19 PM on May 13, 2023 [6 favorites]


Every time I hop on social media, I see just how taken everyone is with Finland. It's crazy, it's party indeed.
posted by PearlRose at 1:19 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Finland definitely benefits from coming after the kinda unmemorable stageshows of Italy and Estonia. Breath of fresh air.
posted by jackbishop at 1:19 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Czechia is so good too, we are in a sweet spot of the line up!
posted by the primroses were over at 1:21 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


The chest tattoo is Rammstein’s logo according to Popbitch.
posted by ellieBOA at 1:21 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Love Czechia but I think following Finland is a poison slot
posted by Pallas Athena at 1:21 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Oooh goody Czechia has the bestest hair choreography evah.
posted by Faintdreams at 1:21 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Czechia. I feel the power in this one. It's strong but also feminine. It's not afraid of anything and I too want to join the Eastern European sisterhood. Direct the anger toward the system! BREAK THE CHAINS.
posted by PearlRose at 1:21 PM on May 13, 2023 [8 favorites]


We've really shifted into a new gear with the last two
posted by villanelles at dawn at 1:22 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Now I want to grow a long braid so I can carry it like Czechia's witches.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 1:22 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Czechia, love love love, just gorgeous!
posted by mochapickle at 1:22 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


You can just buy a long braid to wear. I'm sure many of these performers did that.
posted by hippybear at 1:23 PM on May 13, 2023


There's so many good entries this year. I'm going to have a tough time predicting a winner.
posted by May Kasahara at 1:23 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


I think Czechia is going to do pretty well, just for political reasons alone.
posted by meese at 1:23 PM on May 13, 2023


AHHH AUSTRALIA. We are in the goooooood stretch of the show.
posted by PearlRose at 1:24 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


AUSTRALIA!!!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 1:24 PM on May 13, 2023


And now Australia's high energy and sparkly houndstooth. Truly a wonderful time to be alive.
posted by the primroses were over at 1:24 PM on May 13, 2023 [6 favorites]


BEARD GLITTER!!!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 1:25 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Ziplining with a long beard could go terribly wrong and those Aussies fear NOTHING.
posted by mochapickle at 1:25 PM on May 13, 2023


These drone shots are so heady. I feel like I haven't seen things like this much before, but maybe I'm just in a silo?
posted by hippybear at 1:25 PM on May 13, 2023


The sequined houndstooth is fantastic. I liked the song before, but the staging makes me want to grab a keytar and go back to the futuuuuuure.
posted by PearlRose at 1:26 PM on May 13, 2023 [6 favorites]


Synthesizer riding shotgun!
posted by carrienation at 1:26 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Glitter in beards is an old-school drag queen move historically.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:26 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Also, do we have performing venues like this in the US? Is this lighting rig and floor and wall part of the hall or just for this event? Surely they didn't build the LED strips into the seating just for this...
posted by hippybear at 1:27 PM on May 13, 2023


Is this performance even better than the semi final somehow!??
posted by meese at 1:27 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


as an 80s kid I used to love those cars with the pop-up headlights. I thought they were the coolest thing.
posted by Pallas Athena at 1:27 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


This is a motion picture
posted by villanelles at dawn at 1:27 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Anyone know the make of car they have there? My wife is convinced it looks a lot like her first car, a T-top Nissan Pulsar.
posted by jackbishop at 1:27 PM on May 13, 2023


meese: They were totally saving some of it for the Final. I thought the semi was great, but daaaaaaaaang, this is on FIRE.
posted by PearlRose at 1:28 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Well Australia sure kicked ass!
posted by Faintdreams at 1:28 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


I hadn't seen this before. It's so great.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:28 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Australia was fire. Very fun!!
posted by gemmy at 1:29 PM on May 13, 2023


I think this is the first time I think Australia have a good shot at winning Eurovision. It’s not my bag, but they do their thing really well, and their thing is broadly popular.
posted by Kattullus at 1:29 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Aww. Belgium is a beautiful teddy bear of a human being. He comes across as gracious and charming in every interview I've read.

He also believes in the Power of a Nice Hat.
posted by PearlRose at 1:29 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


Belgium, CARRY ON, GUSTAPH!
posted by mochapickle at 1:29 PM on May 13, 2023


Proud member of the Gustaph Scouts!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 1:29 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


This is Simply Red with the serial numbers filed off.
posted by Grangousier at 1:29 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Vogue your way into our hearts, Gustaph!
posted by jackbishop at 1:29 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


" It's like everything we've heard at a bar mitzvah in the 90s" --Johnny Weir's (complimentary?) description of Belgium.
posted by meese at 1:30 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


That Australia entry sounded much like a cult band that I love, Fair To Midland. I wonder if the rest of their music sounds like that.
posted by hippybear at 1:30 PM on May 13, 2023


Late to the thread, so just as a catch-up:

What was the guy in Kalush Orchestra wearing during the opening? I thought he maybe had serious full-body tattoing but I think it might actually have been a kind of silk scarf, full face body suit or something...?!

Did anyone else notice that the piano had "ESTONIA" on the side?

Estonia is actually a make of pianos! (From Estonia, obvs, though I don't know why they call them Estonia rather than Eesti, which is Estonian for Estonia....).

Graham Norton's definitely noticeably restrained in his commentary on the BBC tonight, presumably because he's representing the host nation he's been told not to take the piss out of it all too much for fear of offending the guests. Does take the shine off a bit.

I just seem to be spending the whole show thinking about how you design and stage manage something like this, when you don't even know which songs will be in the final, in which order, until a couple of days before. Who's the poor bastard sitting up all night going "OK, team 1, you take the ghost piano off while team 2 are ready with the plait extensions and team 3 are lining up the big car" And where does it all get stored before/after the 3 minutes it spends on stage? The logistics blow my mind.
posted by penguin pie at 1:30 PM on May 13, 2023 [6 favorites]


And Gustaph! Another catchy number in a row, so good.
posted by gemmy at 1:30 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Oh wow, it's like Jimmy Somerville only without the falsetto.
posted by hippybear at 1:30 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Is this lighting rig and floor and wall part of the hall or just for this event?

It’s being held in a concert arena, the Liverpool M&S Bank Arena.
posted by ellieBOA at 1:31 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Gustaph elevated this song. He is fantastic. The staging is fun! It's upbeat and I appreciate a good professional up there, working the crowd, working their pants off. It's so retro.
posted by PearlRose at 1:31 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


I just seem to be spending the whole show thinking about how you design and stage manage something like this

It's a production on a level that if they had to do it eight nights a week would break the crew.
posted by hippybear at 1:31 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


I'm here for the pink and the hat. Love the other singers too.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:32 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Loving Belgium!
posted by ellieBOA at 1:32 PM on May 13, 2023


The Swedish crew praised the hell out of the BBC and how it has run the production during the first semi final.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:33 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


I love the Belgium Entry. Love it. love it. LOVE IT.
posted by Faintdreams at 1:34 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Johnny Weir now has a bunch of European snacks and pastries, and now I am very mad at myself for not stopping at the German bakery I passed this morning.
posted by meese at 1:35 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Hahahaha Polish butterchurner spotted!
posted by gemmy at 1:35 PM on May 13, 2023 [6 favorites]


Yeah, my complaints about the sound on a couple songs aside, Liverpool has been a hell of a Eurovision from a production standpoint.
posted by the primroses were over at 1:36 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Oh gawd, the logistics for travel if Australia wins are TERRIFYING.
posted by Faintdreams at 1:36 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Behind the scenes look at the stage changeover. The logistics are fascinating.
posted by PearlRose at 1:36 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


That's 3OTF!!!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 1:36 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


If Australia wins, we'll have a situation like the UK and Ukraine this year. I think they've made arrangements with Germany to host on their behalf.
posted by PearlRose at 1:37 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


So lying down is the new standing up, is it? Young people and their fads!
posted by Grangousier at 1:37 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


I was a bit meh on Australia but I liked Gustaph a lot.
posted by biffa at 1:37 PM on May 13, 2023


Lying down!
posted by Bella Donna at 1:37 PM on May 13, 2023


Wow that's amazing, PearlRose - and the stage even gets swept between each act!
posted by penguin pie at 1:39 PM on May 13, 2023


Sad girl ballad not my thing.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:40 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Random dance break #2 has been unleased!

Armenia is kind of corny for the frst 2/3rds or so of the song. But that rap part at the end, it makes me feel something. The emotion there feels much more genuine than everything before that. (Apparently there's a lot of pressure in Armenian culture to find a partner and settle down.)
posted by PearlRose at 1:40 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


You’re not fooling anyone with your smile, Mr. Moldova, there are human bodies under those trees you’re planting.
posted by Kattullus at 1:41 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Moldovias energy is fantastic.
posted by Faintdreams at 1:41 PM on May 13, 2023


Moldova! Y'know, I really have to visit a country that sends punk/folk train fanatics on year and Sauron-worshipping warlocks the next.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 1:41 PM on May 13, 2023 [8 favorites]


Moldova, for such a tiny nation, they really get Eurovision. They're clearly preparing the next ritual sacrifice to ensure their continued success.
posted by PearlRose at 1:42 PM on May 13, 2023 [6 favorites]


I like this. And yet, NEEDS MORE FRINGE.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:42 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


The antler hats are divine, I am so here for Moldova
posted by the primroses were over at 1:42 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Are there cultural allusions happening here I don't understand, or is this just generically batshit insane?
posted by hippybear at 1:43 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


I’d say Moldova was guilty of appropriation if I was surer about exactly who they are appropriating from
posted by Phanx at 1:43 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Por qué no los dos? (Seriously I have no idea.)
posted by the primroses were over at 1:43 PM on May 13, 2023


I was curious about the Australian performance, and according to the Guardian "There’s also a total ban on any instruments being plugged in because the logistics challenge would be too much. So all music is pre-recorded.” So air keytar it was, then.
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 1:44 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


I pretty much always love Moldova's entries. I always vote for them but they haven't won yet.
posted by hfnuala at 1:44 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


I love the flute man from Moldova.
posted by Faintdreams at 1:44 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Yup! It's based on an old Romanian folk tale about the Sun and the Moon, and the flute player is portraying Statu-Palmă-Barbă-Cot ("Palm-tall, cubit-long-beard"), a helpful nature spirit from Romanian folklore.
posted by PearlRose at 1:44 PM on May 13, 2023 [9 favorites]


The qualifiers in Ukraine were in a bomb shelter. My God.
posted by meese at 1:45 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


I certainly didn’t expect, in the year of our Lordi 2023, that the stage show of a Eurovision entry would remind me of 1990s cult classic movie Lawnmower Man
posted by Kattullus at 1:48 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


The bionic energy and literal hearts on their shirts are an interesting stylistic choice. R&B is woefully underepresented at Eurovision. Ukraine keeps doing whatever they feel like and it works.
posted by PearlRose at 1:48 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


When I heard recordings of this song, I didn't really feel anything for it... But the way it's performed live, I'm really feeling it. Ooh.
posted by meese at 1:49 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Ukraine's staging is phenomenal

That is something that looks really easy but to do seamlessly is very very difficult.
posted by Faintdreams at 1:49 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


HELL YEAH NORWAY, VIKING TIME
posted by meese at 1:49 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


I kept calling this a "piking virate" queen of kings power ballad, and now I cannot describe it correctly.
posted by PearlRose at 1:50 PM on May 13, 2023 [7 favorites]


I'm also rooting for the official bisexual of Eurovision 2023. Go queen!
posted by Bella Donna at 1:50 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


Maybe all the Banana Wolves needed was a longboat.
posted by May Kasahara at 1:51 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


Ukraine were big fans of the additional Cyborg footage in the Snyder Justice League movie.
posted by biffa at 1:51 PM on May 13, 2023


LOVE! GO NORWAY!
posted by mochapickle at 1:52 PM on May 13, 2023


Ooh I did like Norway. Them and Belgium for me so far though I admit my attention has been spotty, it's all blurring into one this year...
posted by penguin pie at 1:52 PM on May 13, 2023


It works, but I always get a giggle out of Norway's backup dancers with their light sticks. They're making sure the boat doesn't head aground!
posted by PearlRose at 1:52 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Germany looks like it's gonna be weird! HOORAY!
posted by mochapickle at 1:53 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Oh, Germany. You saw how well Spain and the UK did last year and got all lonely at the bottom?
posted by PearlRose at 1:53 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


I've been looking forward to Germany! Bring it!
posted by May Kasahara at 1:53 PM on May 13, 2023


Graham actually gave a warning for dogs and hearing aids ahead of Norway's high note.
posted by biffa at 1:54 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


What is it about the lead singer for Germany that makes him look like a giant teddy bear, despite everything? He looks so kind
posted by meese at 1:54 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


Say what? Hahaha. OK. Way to go, Germany! Confuse the hell out of everyone!
posted by gemmy at 1:54 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Oh! Saint and sinner. I confess, I heard it as "Satan's sinner" which makes about as much sense?
posted by PearlRose at 1:55 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


GLAMMSTEIN
posted by Kattullus at 1:55 PM on May 13, 2023 [11 favorites]


During the semi, it was revealed that the frontman for Germany has a sizeable collection of Disney mugs. He really is a softie.
posted by PearlRose at 1:55 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


I'm confused for sure.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:55 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


His balls look like 2 boiled eggs in a latex hankie.
posted by biffa at 1:56 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


rawk! I like their pyramid set and pyrotechnics
posted by the primroses were over at 1:56 PM on May 13, 2023


FLAMES! They're expected but they are excellent
posted by mochapickle at 1:56 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


During the intro video I was all "oh, the beardy-face has to be the drummer" and I was right!
posted by hippybear at 1:56 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Remember, this is the same country that sent Jendrik aka I Don't Feel Hate in 2021 oh my gawd the pain.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 1:57 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Could use more glitter but the pyro works. They're so beautifully German.
posted by PearlRose at 1:57 PM on May 13, 2023


I want Germany to win. I really do. And no, metal is not my thing at all.
posted by May Kasahara at 1:57 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Ah, yes. Another balld, but with a lovely little bit of uniquely only-in-Lithuania flavor.
posted by PearlRose at 1:58 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Please no. But I applaud your enthusiasm May Kasahara!
posted by Bella Donna at 1:58 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Don't Feel Hate was...

Words fail.

Yeesh, the memory.
posted by meese at 1:58 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Blood and Glitter is a surprising metal Bop.
posted by Faintdreams at 1:59 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


I want Germany to win.

Graham does not.
posted by biffa at 1:59 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Does Lithuania make anyone else cry?
posted by mochapickle at 1:59 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


I'm like 20 minutes behind everyone else here watching (see above phone call about someone having medical issues and I could not rudely ignore it), but the lack of played instruments thing reminds me of these musical instruments straight up being made up.
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:00 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


The song, I mean. Not the country.
posted by mochapickle at 2:00 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Time to go brush my teeth. Not my fav.
posted by Bella Donna at 2:01 PM on May 13, 2023


Because I know you're asking -- the ČIŪTO TŪTO? Are part of Lithuanian folk sutras -- there's no translation, and they're commonly used as filler phrases in lullabies. But they were used as part of a Lithuania folk music tradtion, a way they would communicate and spread oral folktales when they were largely pagan.

It's beautiful.
posted by PearlRose at 2:01 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


Dunno about the Gastro Distress Pose on the high notes here.
posted by ominous_paws at 2:02 PM on May 13, 2023


During Israel, I mean.
posted by Bella Donna at 2:02 PM on May 13, 2023


I feel like the lighting designer for Lithuania handed in their plans and the Big Boss Lighting Designer was like "You know you can have as many colours and flashing things as you like?" and Lithuania were like "No, we want some simple line drawings rotating around, thanks."
posted by penguin pie at 2:02 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


OTF +1!
posted by mochapickle at 2:02 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


At midnight, pretty much on the dot, my 7-year-old drifted off, appropriately fairytale timing for Eurovision.
posted by Kattullus at 2:02 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


Oh wait, maybe not?
posted by mochapickle at 2:02 PM on May 13, 2023


One of our local radio stations plays Snap occasionally, and I feel like they could plausibly add this year's Lithuania entry to the rotation.
posted by the primroses were over at 2:02 PM on May 13, 2023


I can never remember anything about Israel's actual song because it's crowded out of my head by off-color comments about bisexual women interested in joining a couple for a threesome.
posted by jackbishop at 2:03 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Just realized that Israel is fulfilling the obligatory Celine Dion Slot this year (modernized, of course).
posted by May Kasahara at 2:03 PM on May 13, 2023


(BTW, if that is what this song is about, sorry, Noa, you're lovely, but my wife and I are holding out for Tilda Swinton)
posted by jackbishop at 2:04 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


4OTF!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 2:04 PM on May 13, 2023


Dance Break #3. Israel was the first nation to pick their artist for 2023, and one of the last to release a song.

I find that it's three very interesting songs that all kind of got smooshed together because they couldn't get three minutes out of any one of them.

Also, IT'S A SONG CALLED UNICORN. WHERE ARE MY RAINBOW LAZERBEAMS? WHY IS YOUR FACE ON THE LED? STOP TRYING TO MAKE UNICORNS "MATURE". (I mean, you can but isn't that when traditionally, unicorns try to murder you?)
posted by PearlRose at 2:04 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Does she know what a unicorn is dating wise?
posted by hfnuala at 2:04 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


I know it’s petty, but I don’t like Israel’s facial expressions.
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 2:05 PM on May 13, 2023


I’m still so weirded out by the fact that the Israeli singer hypes up her dancing, and then she’s a bad dancer. Does Israel have no good dancers who can sing that song?
posted by Kattullus at 2:05 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


Oh hello Slovenian disco rooftop pinball boys.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 2:06 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


ON WEDNESDAYS WE PLAY PINBALL ON A ROOFTOP
posted by mochapickle at 2:06 PM on May 13, 2023 [7 favorites]


Out of the male acts, Slovenia's is the most adorable.
posted by May Kasahara at 2:07 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Do i... Love these guys?
posted by ominous_paws at 2:07 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


THE WINK
posted by ominous_paws at 2:07 PM on May 13, 2023


They're good kids
posted by villanelles at dawn at 2:08 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


We're on song #24 and I am already exhausted. Slovenia is cute! They are pretty, pretty boys. I like their "raided grandma's closet" chic looks. It's more upbeat than I remember.

But it just feels a little underwhelming compared to several other songs we've just heard.
posted by PearlRose at 2:08 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Yeah, I think their finals performance stepped it up a bit? I like it!
posted by mochapickle at 2:08 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


This feels derivative of Måneskin somehow, maybe the clothes and setup/interaction between the members?
posted by gemmy at 2:08 PM on May 13, 2023


For all that they look like a bunch of jocks who formed a band to get chicks, Slovenia are oddly charming.
posted by Kattullus at 2:09 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Croatia! I AM READY BUT NOT READY for this.
posted by PearlRose at 2:09 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


C'mon Croatia, leave it all on the floor!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 2:10 PM on May 13, 2023


Nan's Ferdinand?
posted by ominous_paws at 2:10 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


TRAKTORA!
posted by the primroses were over at 2:10 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


TRAKTORA!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 2:11 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


The lead singer for Croatia got sick right after the Semi. He sounds a little better today!

It takes so much planning and thought to make it look this random and weird. TRAKTORA.
posted by PearlRose at 2:11 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Nan's Ferdinand?

*snork!*
posted by mochapickle at 2:11 PM on May 13, 2023


This is the first Eurovision song that reminds me of Cardiacs, even if only a little bit.
posted by Grangousier at 2:11 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Another band on the floor! +4?
posted by PearlRose at 2:12 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Well Slovenia were a banal disappointment. Croatia have me hooked on their potential.
posted by biffa at 2:12 PM on May 13, 2023


Psihopat. It's catchy!
posted by Bella Donna at 2:12 PM on May 13, 2023


(the mad transition bit)
posted by Grangousier at 2:12 PM on May 13, 2023


The Croatian entry will be my go-to clip from now on when an innocent soul asks me what Eurovision is all about, taking over from Krassimir.
posted by Kattullus at 2:12 PM on May 13, 2023 [8 favorites]


Croatia's Village People, but I can't tell what the occupations are supposed to be.
posted by hippybear at 2:13 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Do any of the other feeds mention, um, context?
posted by mochapickle at 2:13 PM on May 13, 2023


That felt like it got the bonkers quotient agreeably over the line for the night.
posted by penguin pie at 2:13 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Croatia, I was not ready but thank you for doing your nation proud.
posted by PearlRose at 2:13 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


Oh, Mae. I want to like this song -- the studio version is so much fun!

But I am not feeling the live version. The UK might need to get cozy back on the right hand side of the board.
posted by PearlRose at 2:15 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


Apparently the head of Belarus gave Putin a tractor as a gift. That song was the result. Putin is not mentioned by name but apparently the psychopath part is a dead giveaway.
posted by Bella Donna at 2:15 PM on May 13, 2023 [7 favorites]


The UK clearly channeling Terry Gilliam here. Not too shabby.
posted by May Kasahara at 2:15 PM on May 13, 2023


Yeah, this is definitely lacking voom. Is it the sound mix? It's just kind of flat... (not in the notes, just the energy...)
posted by penguin pie at 2:16 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Having watched Eurovision on and off for several decades, I honestly think this years production values have been off the chart Excellant for everyone.

Staging for everything has been ::chef kiss: en pointe.
posted by Faintdreams at 2:17 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


Face on the LED, check! Pink for days, check! She isn't on the floor - but the dancers are. Any other things overlooked on the bingo card?
posted by PearlRose at 2:17 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


The UK's song sounds like a less soulless version of Poland's.
posted by meese at 2:17 PM on May 13, 2023


Eesh, yeah, the live performance here is a bit lacking... too bad
posted by the primroses were over at 2:17 PM on May 13, 2023


UK very similar to Poland... except Poland maybe slightly catchier?

Rap break is crinnnge
posted by Pallas Athena at 2:17 PM on May 13, 2023


It sounds eurovisiony but it's very boring?
posted by ominous_paws at 2:17 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Yeah, this UK song could be performed better. This feels low energy compared to what has come before.
posted by hippybear at 2:17 PM on May 13, 2023


Ooooooooh no the rap
posted by ominous_paws at 2:18 PM on May 13, 2023


This is my first time hearing the UK entry and it sounds very TikTok - I mean that as a compliment!
posted by Faintdreams at 2:18 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Ooh Alesha's dress!
posted by penguin pie at 2:18 PM on May 13, 2023


Did she write THIS song specifically when she was 8
posted by ominous_paws at 2:18 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


I think bubblegum pink smoke should count in the flame category!
posted by mochapickle at 2:18 PM on May 13, 2023


Welp, my imaginary money is on Finland, Sweden, maybe Australia for the dark horse potential. It sure as heck doesn't feel like the year of the sad boy ballad.
posted by PearlRose at 2:19 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Here's a link with more context about the Let 3 song from Croatia.
posted by Bella Donna at 2:19 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


I decided to keep score this time, so here's my list.

Every one's a winner but this is a contest so here we go:

1. Croatia
2. Czechia
3. Norway
4. Portugal
5. Moldova
6. Germany
7. Finland
8. Australia
9. Belgium
10. Austria
11. Spain
12. France
13. Albania
14. Lithuania
15. Ukraine
16. Italy

Forgettable songs, but liked the singers:

17. Sweden
18. Estonia
19. Cyprus
20. Switzerland

Didn't hate:

21. UK
22. Slovenia
23. Armenia
24. Serbia

Didn't care enough to either hate or rate:

Poland, Israel
posted by rjs at 2:19 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


My money’s on Belgium.
posted by Phanx at 2:20 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


I want Croatia to be this year's Konstraka and make a surprise top five placement.
posted by PearlRose at 2:20 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


UK sound was a bit off.

Lots of excitement in the arena!
posted by biffa at 2:20 PM on May 13, 2023


Anyone voting?
posted by Bella Donna at 2:20 PM on May 13, 2023


My Top 5
Finland
Australia
Belgium
Czechia
Albania

Honorable Mentions
Croatia
Sweden
posted by gemmy at 2:20 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


ISTR Belarus was ejected for an overtly poltiical entry in '21. What are the rules on that? Is it only really shitty politics they punish? Croatia seems to be skirting the line a bit if not (I know, we all hate Putin and Lukashenko, so who's going to enforce that rule?).
posted by jackbishop at 2:21 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


I can't see FInland or Austria winning. They're just too silly. Wonderful and crowd-pleasing but not winners. Czechia seems like they have a real chance.
posted by jackbishop at 2:23 PM on May 13, 2023


In terms of what stands out in my memory, I liked Gustaph. Poe for the poe poe Poe's.
posted by biffa at 2:24 PM on May 13, 2023


re: Croatia - apparently:
In December 2006, the members of Let 3 were sanctioned by police after performing naked at an open-air concert in Varaždin. The band's defence that they had not been naked because they had corks in their anuses did not convince the judge; the court found them guilty and fined each member 350 HRK (€47.78).
posted by Grangousier at 2:24 PM on May 13, 2023 [7 favorites]


I’m trying to vote via the app but the texts keep not delivering? My girlfriend won’t let me vote for the UK even though I live in France, am voting from a French number and am a French citizen 😂
posted by ellieBOA at 2:24 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


In alphabetical order I'm rooting for Australia, Belgium, Croatia, and Portugal.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 2:25 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


I voted for Finland with my Icelandic SIM, and Croatia with my Finnish SIM card.
posted by Kattullus at 2:25 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


The bulk of my votes went to:
- Austria
- France
- Czechia
- Germany

With a few left over for:
- Portugal
- Albania
- Finland

So, so many good entries this year. Excited to see how the vote shakes out. I'm sure I won't be disappointed with whoever gets the crystal microphone.
posted by May Kasahara at 2:26 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


A shout out to my brother in law Bob, doing the sound. He has done sound for news TV, sports events, big entertainment shows, royal bits and pieces - but Eurovision has taken nearly five weeks of setup and he’s done with hotel room living. It’s a complicated one behind the scenes.
posted by rongorongo at 2:26 PM on May 13, 2023 [9 favorites]


I would like Croatia, Czechia or Austria to win, but I think Finland, Norway or Australia have a better chance (and I would be happy with any of them). A few others I'd also put in the running though, it's a good year!
posted by the primroses were over at 2:27 PM on May 13, 2023


In no particular order, I think I’ll throw a vote each at:

Czechia
Belgium
Norway
Croatia
Germany

Thanks to Bob and all his colleagues!
posted by penguin pie at 2:27 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


New outfit!
posted by rjs at 2:28 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


I would be voting for Finland and Ukraine.
posted by ellieBOA at 2:28 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


So Belgium, Austria, Also Norway and Finland. I guess Croatia as five, but felt they didn't quite takeoff
posted by biffa at 2:29 PM on May 13, 2023


Sam Ryder is such a charming individual. I could listen to him for days.
posted by PearlRose at 2:29 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


It turns out Loreen is also bisexual. I feel so seen. :-)
posted by Bella Donna at 2:30 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Good to see a wheelchair-using person on stage in this number.
posted by jackbishop at 2:30 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


I just submitted my votes from "Rest of World." This is the first time I have voted in Eurovision since 1987, which makes me happy.

My votes primarily went to Finland, Australia, Belgium, and Czechia, with a few votes to Sweden, Croatia, and Albania.
posted by gemmy at 2:31 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


Honestly, I think Ukraine is a contender. And no one would begrudge them another win. Well, no country that’s taking part this year.
posted by Kattullus at 2:31 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Sam Ryder is such a charming individual. I could listen to him for days.

And I’ve liked nearly every song he’s released since Eurovision! This came out yesterday and it’s a good one too.
posted by ellieBOA at 2:31 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Rest of the world here; I went Austria, Australia, Czechia, Finland, Germany, Norway, and two votes for Croatia
posted by villanelles at dawn at 2:32 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Is that Roger Taylor on drums?
posted by biffa at 2:32 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Yeah, I liked the Ukraine performance more when they showed part of it again. I bet they'll do well.
posted by mochapickle at 2:32 PM on May 13, 2023


Is Sam Ryder auditioning to be the latest stand-in Queen vocalist?
posted by Grangousier at 2:32 PM on May 13, 2023


I hope Moldova gets a bunch of votes. I don't expect it to win but it was great.
posted by Bella Donna at 2:33 PM on May 13, 2023


Is that Roger Taylor on drums?

Yes!
posted by ellieBOA at 2:33 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


For nakedly political reasons, I would love it if Ukraine won for as long as the war drags on.
posted by meese at 2:34 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


jackbishop: Belarus's entry was a hot mess. It was really obviously propaganda and the lyrics had stuff about their leader being the best or you were an idiot for not being in line? Like so obvious I can't speak Belarussian but it was pretty hard to give a different not political context to.

Croatia has a touch of it, but it's very read between the lines, and on a surface level read, is about mama and a new tractor. The lyrics on paper are kind of banal. It's reading in between the lines, and looking at their performance history that makes it political. I will also say that Let 3 kind of flew under the radar and have sarted pushing the political button more and more as fans have latched onto it.

As always, Eurovision tries not to be political but it's nearly impossible not to be. But I'd say Let 3 is closer to Jamala's 1944 if anything. (Also a political song, but one that's based on her family history officially, so it skirted the line quite a bit.)
posted by PearlRose at 2:35 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


Thanks so much for organising this delightful thread, PearlRose! Off to bed now. Thanks fellow commenters for making me laugh so often. Good night!
posted by Bella Donna at 2:36 PM on May 13, 2023 [10 favorites]


Goodnight Bella Donna!
posted by mochapickle at 2:38 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


If you want to pass the time, and since I mentioned him above, you could do worse than watch Krassimir Avramov’s classic Eurovision song Illusion
posted by Kattullus at 2:38 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


The rest of world vits at are definitely going to mess with the odds this year which is fantastic.

Except for a few obvious non contenders, it's almost anyone's competition !
posted by Faintdreams at 2:39 PM on May 13, 2023


Goodnight Bella Donna!
posted by biffa at 2:40 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Goodnight Bella Donna! Dream colourful Europop dreams
posted by Pallas Athena at 2:40 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


I may have caught up now. So now it's just people talking....? Maybe I'll go out and find out who wins later.
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:40 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Bonne nuit Bella Donna!
posted by ellieBOA at 2:42 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Is that Roger Taylor on drums?

Yes!


Taylor is in Queen, not Yes.
posted by hippybear at 2:43 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


No, there'll be some other singing to fill the gap. Liverpudlian singers I think.
posted by biffa at 2:43 PM on May 13, 2023


It's kind of filler at the moment - gotta give the fans time to vote. Some of the interval acts are quite good, and I'm really looking forward to the one with the cute dork from Iceland, the pokemon nerd from Italy and the chicken lady that won for Israel. (1000 internet points if you guess the artist correctly.)

Anyway, past participants who are all very cool are doing a fun interval in a bit, otherwise, come back in 20 for the suspensful as heck voting reveal.
posted by PearlRose at 2:43 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Buona notte Bella Donna!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 2:43 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


Liverpudlian singers I think.

Finally back from Hollywood, I believe.
posted by hippybear at 2:44 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


One last link about Let 3 plus a fun tweet. xoxo
posted by Bella Donna at 2:45 PM on May 13, 2023


I took notes this year. Before I delete them...

  • Austria - Good and upbeat, fun.
  • Portugal - Mimicat - That was good. Her voice is great.
  • Switzerland - boring boy ballad but good effort by Remo
  • Poland - Blanca - She's cute, but that's a bland generic pop
  • Serbia - Laying down #1! Cool staging. Interesting, but not the greatest...
  • France - La Zarra. Oooh that dress!! Very French, she sounds great. Nice beat. Like it a lot!
  • Cyprus - Nice opening. He sounds decent. But still a pretty bland boy pop song.
  • Spain - Meh. Perfectly servicable bland pop.
  • Sweden - Laying down #2! Box #1. I love her, and the performance was great. Song isn't all that, sadly.
  • Albania - The family makes me happy. Interesting fusion pop, fun staging, and the beat is catchy. Good!
  • Italy - Nostalgia... It's OK, he looks and sounds good but... eh not my cup of tea.
  • Estonia - Cute. Nice voice. Better than Poland but still bland and forgettable.
  • Finland - I love him! So catchy and his outfit is fire! God what a great change of pace. It's crazy! It's party!
  • Czechia - Uber catchy. I like this a lot. Good message, really love the hair choreography!
  • Australia - Ah the 80s. KEYTAR! GLITTER! Love it so much. Super fun and good performance. Will be a staple in clubs.
  • Belgium - Gustaph! Love his voice. The song is great too. Another fun and catchy one!
  • Armenia - Laying down #3! She sounds pretty good. It's Ok, a bit boring again.
  • Moldova- Fun staging. Love the visuals. Interesting and catchy song. Pretty good!
  • Ukraine - Woah, neat. I like it. Not my normal typo music, but good and good performance.
  • Norway - Folk song meets school choir meets metal. Pretty good.
  • Germany - Say what? Hahah. Ok. Totally Eurovision, made me happy. Good? Not so much?
  • Lithuania - Good singing, but boring sad girl pop. I kinda fell asleep...
  • Israel - Box #2. Almost laying down #4? Not a fan of the voice. Song is meh.
  • Slovenia - Meh. Feels derivative of Måneskin somehow, maybe the clothes? Song is OK.
  • Croatia - YES! Gotta love some political humor songs. Eurovision weirdness distilled!
  • UK - Well. It's OK. Not really a fan of the performance or song, sadly.

  • posted by gemmy at 2:46 PM on May 13, 2023 [7 favorites]


    Next Interval Act:

    The Liverpool Songbook
    Liverpool isn’t known as the music capital of the world for nothing. To celebrate the city’s rich contributions to popular music, six Eurovision legends return to perform some classic hits that originated in and around the city. Mahmood pays tribute to John Lennon, Cornelia Jakobs revives a Mel C chart-topper, Netta spins us round, Dadi Freyr makes us whole again, local legend Sonia revives her 1993 Eurovision belter and Duncan Lawrence brings the house down with a powerful rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone.
    posted by PearlRose at 2:46 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    During the semis it seemed like people singing on the floor would be the secret theme of 2023. But looking back at the GF performers, maybe the secret secret theme was the witches we met along the way!
    posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 2:46 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


    I thought we all learned during Covid that no one actually likes Imagine when anybody but John Lennon’s singing
    posted by Kattullus at 2:47 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Word. I really like Mahmood and Soldi was my favorite of 2019, but Imagine is kind of a snooze of a song.
    posted by PearlRose at 2:48 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Okay, but Ukrainian music is so good, I want more of that
    posted by meese at 2:48 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Yeah, he sang that like he had a gun in his back!
    posted by carrienation at 2:49 PM on May 13, 2023


    I am so distacted by Netta's blow-up crab leg wings.
    posted by PearlRose at 2:49 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    OKAY THIS WOMAN AND GET INFLATING WINGS WIN

    SHE WINS
    posted by meese at 2:49 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    Oh I don't know. There's a cover of Imagine by A Perfect Circle that is pretty boss, IMO.
    posted by hippybear at 2:49 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    So um...inflatable shiny wings and "Right Round?"
    posted by jenfullmoon at 2:50 PM on May 13, 2023


    Hi Daði!
    posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 2:50 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


    Youtube stream is suddenly out of sync and very fuzzy sound.
    posted by JanetLand at 2:50 PM on May 13, 2023


    Man, Dead Or Alive was a bit of a gateway drug to get rock friends of mine into synth pop. Somehow.
    posted by hippybear at 2:50 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Dadi Freyr finally gets to perform on a Eurovision stage! I'm totally crying a little.
    posted by PearlRose at 2:50 PM on May 13, 2023 [7 favorites]


    YES DAOI FREYR IS ON THIS I LOVE HIM
    posted by jenfullmoon at 2:51 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Aww lovely geeky Icelandic guy with the Being John Malkovic backdrop :)
    posted by penguin pie at 2:51 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    We missed you, Daði!
    posted by gemmy at 2:51 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


    SO MANY GAGNAMANIO ALL OF A SUDDEN IN THE FACE SWEATSHIRTS
    posted by jenfullmoon at 2:51 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Lying down in water is taking things pretty far
    posted by meese at 2:52 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


    Sweden 2022, please don't electrocute yourself!
    posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 2:52 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


    At least someone gave this lady a chair!
    posted by carrienation at 2:52 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    This video on politics and Eurovision especially queerness is very good.
    posted by hfnuala at 2:52 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    My wife had started to read a book, and when I alerted her to Daði Freyr being on stage, she said “what?!” wanting to keep reading, but then broke out in a big smile at seeing Daði on screen.

    Then she asked me what song that was, because I’m pretty sure no one outside Britain remembers Whole Again or, indeed, Atomic Kitten.

    Good song though.
    posted by Kattullus at 2:52 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    What's with sudden water feature? Cornelia, you okay? I am so confused by this staging.
    posted by PearlRose at 2:52 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    I love Cornelia. And one more on the floor!
    posted by gemmy at 2:53 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    And now Terry's voice in the background!
    posted by penguin pie at 2:53 PM on May 13, 2023


    I'm just dazzled by how much work it would take to fill a temporary pool (and remove it!) in the middle of a crowd.
    posted by mochapickle at 2:54 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


    The '93's on the back of the dancers' jackets is a fun touch. That also makes me feel ancient.
    posted by PearlRose at 2:54 PM on May 13, 2023


    Well, THAT was an entrance!
    posted by hippybear at 2:55 PM on May 13, 2023


    Are these the first shirtless male backup dancers of the show? I haven't kept track.
    posted by May Kasahara at 2:55 PM on May 13, 2023


    Not fucking Sonia!
    posted by biffa at 2:55 PM on May 13, 2023


    Does anyone need an explanation as to why a Dutchman singing a song from an American musical is the best of Liverpool music, because I'm not sure I have the energy?
    posted by Grangousier at 2:56 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    Oh dear. They're going to slowly strangle the life out of You'll Never Walk Alone.
    posted by hippybear at 2:56 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    RUSLANA!
    posted by Kattullus at 2:57 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Duncan, you are the reason for the sad boy ballad trend. I am holding you personally responsible for the current glut.
    posted by PearlRose at 2:57 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


    Someone hand a bloody microphone to Hannah Waddingham for the last chorus!
    posted by penguin pie at 2:57 PM on May 13, 2023 [6 favorites]


    It... sounds like he learnt the notes for You'll Never Walk Alone but didn't bother to to learn the rhythm? People wanted to sing along and his long pauses killed the energy.
    posted by Pallas Athena at 2:58 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    Now do Fields of Athenry.
    posted by biffa at 2:58 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    Surely they meant this performance to be Ferry Cross The Mersey....
    posted by hippybear at 2:58 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Canada is a commonwealth country, isn't it? It's not part of the contest

    Canada is getting its own Eurovision show later this year, it will be called Eurovision Canada
    posted by seawallrunner at 2:58 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    My "who will win" list basically comes from subtracting out everyone I think can't win, which would be:

    Austria, Croatia, and Finland: fun but too silly.
    Armenia, Cyprus, Estonia, Italy, Serbia, and Sweden: not bringing anything really new and exciting to the table.
    Israel, Poland, and UK: very by-the-book pop, feeling like an ephemeral radio hit.
    Spain: felt kinda like it hit the same broad genre as Albania but not as well?
    Slovenia: same broad genre as Australia but not as good.

    That leaves 12 possibilities in my mind: Portugal, Switzerland, France, Albania, Czechia, Australia, Belgium, Moldova, Ukraine, Norway, Germany, or Lithuania.

    But, hell, I don't know from nothing, and I could just as easily be surprised.
    posted by jackbishop at 2:58 PM on May 13, 2023


    Can I please get a height comparison between Daoi and this guy in all black? They both seem really, really tall.
    posted by jenfullmoon at 2:59 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Daði is 6ft 9.9in tall apparently, that's all I can help you with...
    posted by penguin pie at 3:00 PM on May 13, 2023


    6 foot 10 inches? That's.... really really tall.
    posted by hippybear at 3:02 PM on May 13, 2023


    It's been generally a lot more entertaining this year, I think. And usually the banter bits between the songs make me want to gnaw off bits of my own anatomy, and even those weren't so bad.
    posted by Grangousier at 3:02 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    I really need the Italian guy to be cast in a Guadagnino movie
    posted by villanelles at dawn at 3:02 PM on May 13, 2023


    You'll Never Walk Alone forced me to walk to the kitchen for a 3rd gin and tonic. Now I'm fortified for the suspenseful vote reveal.
    posted by the primroses were over at 3:02 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


    this guy in all black

    Duncan Laurence is 5’10/178cm apparently.
    posted by ellieBOA at 3:02 PM on May 13, 2023


    So the top of Duncan's head comes up to Daði's shoulders. Maybe a bit lower.
    posted by hippybear at 3:04 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    So this is a massive live stress test for lots of countries Telecommunications networks.

    So glad I don't work in live tech support anymore!
    posted by Faintdreams at 3:05 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Okay, voting is over. Time for the obligatory ABBA got its start in Eurovision reminder before we go to the jury vote to give everyone time to count the televote.
    posted by PearlRose at 3:06 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    I want to give a medal to the team who dressed Hannah throughout the semis and today. They understand cheeky goddess chic.
    posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 3:06 PM on May 13, 2023 [13 favorites]


    If you want to know where Finland is mentally right now, my wife, who I’m declaring a representative sample of all Finns, is staying awake even though she has a long workday tomorrow, because, and I quote, “if things turn out really badly for Finland I want to be awake for it”.
    posted by Kattullus at 3:07 PM on May 13, 2023 [13 favorites]


    With Bjorn reminding us how Eurovision was a major launcher for acts... I'm left to ask, whatever happened to Jedward?
    posted by hippybear at 3:07 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    They didn't mention Celine Dion :o
    posted by May Kasahara at 3:08 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    a 3rd gin and tonic.

    I've been laying off but remembered the crusted port we decanted last week needs using up...
    posted by biffa at 3:08 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    I feel like Hannah is starting a major career boost. She hosted that big awards show earlier this year and did an opening number where she had to hit a hella high note within the first ten minutes of the show, and that's usually reserved for the 11 o'clock number. She's super great, and I want to see her win all the everything.
    posted by hippybear at 3:08 PM on May 13, 2023 [6 favorites]


    Snark aside, I do appreciate that so many past Eurovision contestants want to come back year after year. People don't want to revisit experiences that ended poorly for them, so I'm glad it's a continued source of good memories for so many.
    posted by PearlRose at 3:08 PM on May 13, 2023 [6 favorites]


    Martin the vote manager is like the token straight person, here to manage the numbers while the rest of us just get silly.
    posted by meese at 3:09 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    I want to give a medal to the team who dressed Hannah throughout the semis and today. They understand cheeky goddess chic.

    I just can't imagine the amount of tit tape and self-confidence required to go on global TV in those frocks but she's just glorious.
    posted by penguin pie at 3:10 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


    Ukraine's spokesperson's dress is AMAZING!
    posted by hippybear at 3:10 PM on May 13, 2023


    This blue Ukraine dress is lovely except her sleeves seem to be sagging off her boobs :/
    posted by jenfullmoon at 3:11 PM on May 13, 2023


    Latvia is one of those Salad Boys from 2022!
    posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 3:11 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    FINLAND’S FIRST POINTS! YAY NETHERLANDS!
    posted by Kattullus at 3:12 PM on May 13, 2023


    Oh god. I haven't watched this in a couple of years, and I forgot about this voting thing.
    posted by hippybear at 3:12 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    The vote presenting representatives are a whole slate of familiar faces! I love it. S10, you were amazing.
    posted by PearlRose at 3:12 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    I hate the juries taste. They add to the suspense, but they hate fun.
    posted by the primroses were over at 3:13 PM on May 13, 2023 [8 favorites]


    Let's hope the audience vote sets things right.
    posted by May Kasahara at 3:14 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    Well, the juries like Sweden a lot.
    posted by hfnuala at 3:15 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    How does that girl do anything with those long of nails?!
    posted by jenfullmoon at 3:15 PM on May 13, 2023


    The Swedish commentary is really jazzed by all the points they're getting.
    posted by PearlRose at 3:15 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    I hate the juries taste. They add to the suspense, but they hate fun.

    Yeah, but they've been sat in a cupboard with green screen all night for twenty seconds of international fame followed by being totally forgotten. You have to feel for them.
    posted by Grangousier at 3:15 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    The national juries are really going for Sweden. The question is whether any other song can stay close enough to “Tattoo” to overtake Loreen in the popular vote.
    posted by Kattullus at 3:16 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Ah, San Marino making sure they don't get invaded for another year.

    I love Hannah's attitude to booing. There have been years that needed that energy and didn't get it.
    posted by hfnuala at 3:17 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


    Nice insult on "the beard...and Graham, you look great too!"
    posted by jenfullmoon at 3:17 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    How does that girl do anything with those long of nails?!

    Court stenagrophy has evolved a lot!

    I was thinking the same thing, really. But those things, you put them on for a night, then you take them off.
    posted by hippybear at 3:17 PM on May 13, 2023


    Oh I like the representatives of the juries! And the whole vote reveal process. I just dislike their taste. (I like Sweden fine, but the top ten right now is underwhelming.)
    posted by the primroses were over at 3:19 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


    And with another look, those don't look like fake nails, but actual fingertip covers?
    posted by hippybear at 3:19 PM on May 13, 2023


    God, I hope she takes them off soon. Otherwise I shudder to think what happens after she pees.
    posted by jenfullmoon at 3:19 PM on May 13, 2023


    Grangousier, I don't believe the announcers are on the national juries, they are often previous performers nowadays and they used to be tv anchor types when I were young.
    posted by hfnuala at 3:19 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    Oh wow. Hambursch. That's such an accent, I'm delighted!
    posted by hippybear at 3:21 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Between Gustaph and the 12 for Austria, I am starting to really like Belgium tastes.
    posted by jackbishop at 3:21 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    Oh, hello Portugal! Another familiar face with good taste.
    posted by PearlRose at 3:22 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Same for Portugal, Mimicat and 12 for Australia!
    posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 3:22 PM on May 13, 2023


    LOL @ Australia getting interrupted in mid-sandwich to celebrate their 12 points
    posted by Pallas Athena at 3:23 PM on May 13, 2023 [6 favorites]


    Italy should not be doing this well this year.
    posted by May Kasahara at 3:23 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Would Loreen be the first performer to win two Eurovisions if, as seems likely, she wins this one?
    posted by jackbishop at 3:23 PM on May 13, 2023


    How can they be hungry at this hour? It's like 5am in Australia!
    posted by hippybear at 3:23 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    If you’re wondering why the Estonian points presenter was a strange man with no presentation skills, he was Ragnar Klavan, a soccer player who played for Liverpool.
    posted by Kattullus at 3:24 PM on May 13, 2023 [10 favorites]


    Oh, I was just talking about the way that they have to set up the link and everything (when I was young they were definitely all sitting in cupboards in the studios of the national TV stations, but nowadays they might well be standing on the roof, that's true) and then have a tiny amount of airtime. And a lot of them do mug it up, which is equal parts fun and excruciating. But it's all part of the fun. In some ways I enjoy the voting bit even more than the singing bit. But I'm a very odd person, I know that.

    I do miss Europe, a lot. I say that every year, but it's true.
    posted by Grangousier at 3:24 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    First female. Johnny Logan has won twice for Ireland as a performer, three times if you count his one songwriting win as well.
    posted by PearlRose at 3:24 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    I want Poland's hoodie.
    posted by May Kasahara at 3:25 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    Johnny Logan won twice and I'm pretty certain he wrote a 3rd winner.
    posted by hfnuala at 3:25 PM on May 13, 2023


    I just don't get the love for Israel...
    posted by gemmy at 3:26 PM on May 13, 2023 [6 favorites]


    I'm okay with Italy getting all the jury points -- they eat up ballads. But Isarel? Really?!
    posted by PearlRose at 3:26 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    The jury votes make no sense to me so must be wheels within wheels.
    posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 3:27 PM on May 13, 2023




    Neither Italy or Israel were very good at all--I can't remember Italy's at all, and I only remember Israel's because it was so cringe. I can't say I really get the love for Sweden either, but at least she can sing.
    posted by carrienation at 3:28 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


    This is disappointing. Only one of my top five are in the top eight. Suella needs to get rid of juries.
    posted by biffa at 3:28 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    So if Sweden doesn't do well with the televote, Finland is tops of the "fun" acts for now. (Credit where credit is due to Belgium and Portugal's juries their selections for 12 points.)
    posted by the primroses were over at 3:29 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Suella needs to get rid of juries.
    In prior times, that would have been a joke...
    posted by Grangousier at 3:29 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    Does "I'm in a meditational state" mean 'tripping balls'?
    posted by biffa at 3:30 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    Every time I've watched Eurovision, the jury votes have been inexplicable and enraging, but then the popular vote fixes things.
    posted by meese at 3:30 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Iceland, I love you even more now.
    posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 3:31 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    Iceland wins.
    posted by May Kasahara at 3:31 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


    I think her "meditational state" comment was a reaction to a very odd question for a previous winner...
    posted by gemmy at 3:31 PM on May 13, 2023


    The Icelandic jury vote gimp!!
    posted by Pallas Athena at 3:31 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


    And Iceland always makes the most of their jury selection announcement
    posted by the primroses were over at 3:31 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    I want the jacket that the Cypriot announcer is wearing.
    posted by PearlRose at 3:32 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    the primroses are over: And Iceland always makes the most of their jury selection announcement

    this year it’s all we’ve got
    posted by Kattullus at 3:33 PM on May 13, 2023 [9 favorites]


    "We only have a short time here, Hatari" as the guy takes off Bane mask (?) after Bane mask (?). "He's like the slowest stripper in the world."
    posted by jenfullmoon at 3:33 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


    Oh hai, Bananawolf!
    posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 3:33 PM on May 13, 2023


    Keith!!
    posted by May Kasahara at 3:33 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    NORWAY JURY FOR THE WIN

    FOR THE FINNISH WIN
    posted by Kattullus at 3:33 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    Excellent taste, half of Subwoofer.
    posted by PearlRose at 3:34 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Good job bananawolf!
    posted by the primroses were over at 3:34 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    GIVE THAT WOLF A BANANA GUY! UNMASKED!
    posted by jenfullmoon at 3:34 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    Yeah, those nails look like they are fingertip covers that go fully down below the second knuckle. They are really amazing props. I wonder what they look like in real life.

    Also, Italy Man is far too handsome. Goodness.
    posted by hippybear at 3:34 PM on May 13, 2023


    I love how the Australian announcers are always punchy AF from being drunk and awake all night.
    posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 3:35 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


    Great article, ellieBOA - she comes across as such a decent human, and I love that she's happy to just guffaw heartily and own the space on stage. Not many people who could guffaw with such poise and grace.
    posted by penguin pie at 3:36 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    I want the Australian announcer's dress
    posted by the primroses were over at 3:36 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    I'm glad someone gave Belgium 12 points for his precious adorable reaction to it.
    posted by PearlRose at 3:36 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


    Yeah, there was foot-unstableness happening with Australia.
    posted by hippybear at 3:36 PM on May 13, 2023


    Wait, don't Israel and Cyprus typically vote for each other? Did they have a tiff?
    posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 3:39 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Sweden, Finland, Norway... they're so tight.
    posted by hippybear at 3:39 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    “Lovely! Lovely! Mother Sweden!”

    What I believe the Finnish announcer said when Sweden gave Finland 12 points.
    posted by Kattullus at 3:39 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    I want the Australian announcer's dress

    Mel says she's an Oscar winning costume designer, so your chances may be slim.
    posted by biffa at 3:40 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    The crowd clearly loves Finland, if the stadium had the deciding vote
    posted by the primroses were over at 3:40 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


    Can someone remind me how they announce the public vote?

    I remember it being quite suspenseful last year, but can't remember how it played out.
    posted by penguin pie at 3:40 PM on May 13, 2023


    Oh, hello there, Georiga. Excellent taste. Belgium! Gustaph is so joyful. I love it!
    posted by PearlRose at 3:41 PM on May 13, 2023


    I love the Georgian announcer, cheerfully reviving steampunk from the dead
    posted by Pallas Athena at 3:41 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    The inexplicable and traditional Lithuania-Georgia 12 point voteswap doesn’t seem to be in effect tonight.
    posted by Kattullus at 3:41 PM on May 13, 2023


    GEORGIA 2022! Merci, Circus Mircus!
    posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 3:41 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    I want the Australian announcer's dress

    She tagged the brand in her instagram story.
    posted by ellieBOA at 3:41 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    Georgia is a steampunker?
    posted by jenfullmoon at 3:41 PM on May 13, 2023


    What they did last year doesn't mean they'll do it this year.

    I remember in years past sitting through zero point votes over and over as each country voted entry by entry.

    They're avoiding that this year.
    posted by hippybear at 3:42 PM on May 13, 2023


    Public vote goes from last with the juries to top with the juries. If you're good at math, you can figure out the winner before the votes end because there's only so many points to give and the pool gets smaller and smaller near the end.
    posted by PearlRose at 3:42 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Gustaph looks like he gives good hugs.
    posted by Kattullus at 3:43 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    If you're good at math slash not exhausted!
    posted by ellieBOA at 3:43 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    Or sliiiightly tipsy like I am. Spouse came home from work and immediately set to making pina coladas before disappearing away to play more Zelda.
    posted by PearlRose at 3:44 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    Stop telling the CHA CHA CHAs to calm down, this is censorship
    posted by the primroses were over at 3:46 PM on May 13, 2023 [7 favorites]


    Well, the Tears Of The Kingdom is because they didn't win Eurovision.
    posted by hippybear at 3:46 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    I'm surprised Germany is doing this badly with the juries. I was expecting it to be polarizing, but not universally disliked.
    posted by jackbishop at 3:46 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    D'ye suppose Catherine has been enjoying the libations in hospitality this evening?
    posted by Grangousier at 3:46 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    Hi, Catherine Tate! And Catherine Tate's boobies!
    posted by jenfullmoon at 3:46 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


    (Seriously, that's like RenFaire pushup....I must respect the effort.)
    posted by jenfullmoon at 3:47 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Is anyone as nonplussed as our household about the popularity of Sweden in judges votes? It really wasn't anything special from where we were sitting?!
    posted by freya_lamb at 3:48 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    I don't want to be the one just commenting on female presenters' figures but Catherine Tate's rack was arranged in a way that made it quite hard to ignore there.

    Ha: On preview I'm clearly not the only one.
    posted by penguin pie at 3:48 PM on May 13, 2023


    The Swedish announcers are marveling at the 15 (!) 12 point votes for Loreen.
    posted by gemmy at 3:48 PM on May 13, 2023


    Wait her nails are made out of stone? I need more information Loreen.
    posted by the primroses were over at 3:49 PM on May 13, 2023


    "Are we seriously talking about nails now?" I would like to know more, please (see bathroom remarks).
    posted by jenfullmoon at 3:49 PM on May 13, 2023


    Here we go, nailbiting time.
    posted by May Kasahara at 3:49 PM on May 13, 2023


    Neighbors banging on the wall as I chant "CHA CHA CHA"
    posted by villanelles at dawn at 3:49 PM on May 13, 2023 [10 favorites]


    (No Loreen-related pun intended.)
    posted by May Kasahara at 3:49 PM on May 13, 2023


    I've always felt that there's no point in looking for logic in the opinions of Eurovision voting (either mode), and it's best to just let it wash over you and enjoy the texture of the thing. A bit like watching a David Lynch movie, but with a scoreboard.
    posted by Grangousier at 3:50 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


    It seems like a big ask for Finland to beat Sweden by 190 points in the popular vote. I wouldn’t be surprised if Finland narrowed the gap considerably, but not by 190 points. Ah well, it was nice to dream.

    As for Finland’s mental state, as represented by my wife, the nation has gone to sleep.
    posted by Kattullus at 3:50 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


    Glad no one got null points, that always bums me out
    posted by the primroses were over at 3:51 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


    Wait, Germany is lowest and not the UK out of spite? I guess "Blood and Glitter" did not catch on?
    posted by jenfullmoon at 3:51 PM on May 13, 2023


    oh UK
    posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 3:52 PM on May 13, 2023


    freya_lamb, sometimes it means it was performed better in rehearsals. But, yeah, often I don't see what criteria the juries use.
    posted by hfnuala at 3:52 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Aww, poor UK. I'm sorry but it was kind of to be expected.
    posted by PearlRose at 3:52 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    HI NORWAY!
    posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 3:53 PM on May 13, 2023


    Wow, Norway!
    posted by rjs at 3:53 PM on May 13, 2023


    Norway and Croatia getting some rightful love!!!
    posted by Pallas Athena at 3:53 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


    Norway! THE PUBLIC VOTE HAS TASTE.
    posted by PearlRose at 3:53 PM on May 13, 2023


    Some justice for Norway
    posted by villanelles at dawn at 3:54 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Did the French singer give Europe the finger?
    posted by biffa at 3:55 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    Czechia deserved better!
    posted by Pallas Athena at 3:55 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    Poor Spain.
    posted by hippybear at 3:56 PM on May 13, 2023


    Yeah, they really did.
    posted by jackbishop at 3:56 PM on May 13, 2023


    Ouch, Spain.
    posted by the primroses were over at 3:56 PM on May 13, 2023


    What? Am really surprised Austria got so few public votes.
    posted by hfnuala at 3:56 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    Just 16 points for Austria?!
    posted by May Kasahara at 3:56 PM on May 13, 2023


    Austria deserved better too. But going first is a death slot
    posted by Pallas Athena at 3:56 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    Johnny Weir threw his pillow on the floor, on response to the Spain points.
    posted by meese at 3:56 PM on May 13, 2023


    nooooooooooooooooooo Australia
    posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 3:57 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Really? 16 for Austria from the televote? History will not look kindly upon us.
    posted by the primroses were over at 3:57 PM on May 13, 2023 [6 favorites]


    Belgium and Australia also popular in the arena and not so much in the public vote.
    posted by hfnuala at 3:57 PM on May 13, 2023


    I’m really surprised Australia didn’t do better from he popular vote. Don’t 12-year-old boys vote in this thing?
    posted by Kattullus at 3:57 PM on May 13, 2023


    Australia just looked so darn happy to get any points at all. Good for them.
    posted by PearlRose at 3:57 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    FINLAND!
    posted by gemmy at 3:58 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Basically everyone voted for Finland.
    posted by Grangousier at 3:58 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    376 points?!

    That’s a lot. But probably not enough.

    But YAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYY
    posted by Kattullus at 3:58 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    FINN HULK SMASH
    posted by Pallas Athena at 3:58 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Finland!
    posted by rjs at 3:58 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Ooft! Presumably Sweden will take over again once they get their points but good to see a contender.

    Now I remember why it was so suspenseful last year!
    posted by penguin pie at 3:58 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


    Good job, Finland!
    posted by May Kasahara at 3:58 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Finland swallows the public vote, as expected. GO FINLAND.
    posted by PearlRose at 3:58 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    KEEBLER FINNISH HULK
    posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 3:58 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    CHACHACHA!!!!
    posted by the primroses were over at 3:58 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    Poor Ukraine but yay Finland!
    posted by ellieBOA at 3:59 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    CHACHACHA
    posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 4:00 PM on May 13, 2023


    I can't even remember Israel's song.
    posted by penguin pie at 4:00 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Italy beat Cha Cha Cha?
    posted by jenfullmoon at 4:00 PM on May 13, 2023


    I'm so glad it turned out to be amazingly exciting as per usual!
    Hurrah for Loreeen!

    Still. CHACHACHA!
    posted by gemmy at 4:02 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Yup, Sweden. Ah well, great performer, great performance, okay song.
    posted by Kattullus at 4:02 PM on May 13, 2023


    mmmmmeh
    posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 4:02 PM on May 13, 2023


    Cha Cha Cha beat Italy
    posted by ellieBOA at 4:02 PM on May 13, 2023


    Someone go wake Bella Donna!
    posted by mochapickle at 4:02 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


    Welp, there it is. The nails have it.
    posted by May Kasahara at 4:02 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    Sweden wins!
    posted by PearlRose at 4:02 PM on May 13, 2023


    Ahh, not my favorite song but good for Loreen
    posted by the primroses were over at 4:02 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    This is gonna be massive for Dune 2's box office
    posted by villanelles at dawn at 4:03 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Cha Cha Cha/Finland came in second to Sweden who was the favourite for bookies and juries.
    posted by ellieBOA at 4:03 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    She really looks like someone who's just been woken up in the deepest part of her afternoon nap.
    posted by penguin pie at 4:03 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    *sigh* I guess it's Sweden's year. Darn it, I wanted Cha Cha Cha.
    posted by jenfullmoon at 4:03 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


    And in 30 years we'll have a Loreen musical on Broadway!
    posted by hippybear at 4:03 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    So this means Sweden hosting 50th anniversary of Abba winning, which will be a thing.
    posted by hfnuala at 4:03 PM on May 13, 2023 [11 favorites]


    Finland should be so proud of himself. Verka came in second and she's Eurovision royality. It was a damn fine run.
    posted by PearlRose at 4:03 PM on May 13, 2023 [6 favorites]


    Yeah, and I'm off to bed. Thanks again for hosting this, PearlRose, and thank you all for your company.
    posted by rjs at 4:03 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    Boo. I really wanted to see a Finland-hosted Eurovision.
    posted by freya_lamb at 4:03 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


    Wow. Wow. Wow.

    Those final votes. What a ride
    posted by Faintdreams at 4:04 PM on May 13, 2023


    Yeah, and I'm off to bed. Thanks again for hosting this, PearlRose, and thank you all for your company.

    Ditto! Night everyone.
    posted by ellieBOA at 4:04 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Thank you all. We were all winners!
    ChaChaCha 4Eva!
    posted by gemmy at 4:05 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


    Australia and Finland commiserating there over the injustice
    posted by the primroses were over at 4:05 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    I hope Cha Cha Cha guy is okay. He looked kind of crushed. :-(
    posted by meese at 4:05 PM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


    That was fun, good night everyone.
    posted by hfnuala at 4:05 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Goodnight goodnight to everyone! Thank you for hosting, PearlRose!

    CHA CHA CHA!
    posted by mochapickle at 4:07 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    Finland looks so devastated. Hell, I want to give him a hug through the TV. You did good, kid. Best finish for Finland in twenty-one years. That is not letting your nation down.
    posted by PearlRose at 4:07 PM on May 13, 2023 [7 favorites]


    Australia and Croatia got left side scores, so that's something. Thanks for the fun day, PearlRose!
    posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 4:08 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    Thank you all again for a fun thread! And thanks to our host, PearlRose!
    posted by May Kasahara at 4:08 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


    Thanks, PearlRose! And everyone for the company!
    posted by penguin pie at 4:09 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    Finnish elves didn't go far enough!
    posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 4:10 PM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]


    It was wonderful hanging out with you all! See you next year for ABBA's 50th.
    posted by meese at 4:10 PM on May 13, 2023 [8 favorites]


    Still musing on the stage management... I wonder if backstage gets a tip-off about who's won before it's announced on stage so they can get the right set ready to go back on? Or is there someone back there with a headset barking instructions to the crew to move possible winners' sets back and forth as each score is announced, to try and make sure they've got the eventual winner handy by the end?!
    posted by penguin pie at 4:12 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    There shouldn't be juries in the future. Eurovision songs should succeed or fail by their capacity to delight people.
    posted by Pallas Athena at 4:13 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    Yes, abolish the electoral college!
    posted by villanelles at dawn at 4:14 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


    All right, I'm out to go festival-ing. Night/day, all!
    posted by jenfullmoon at 4:14 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    This is gonna be massive for Dune 2's box office

    The Bene Gesserit are gonna be pissed off about the Czech entry doing badly.
    posted by biffa at 4:41 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    So, this is the first time I've watched Eurovision live instead of just clips and highlights.

    I did not realize they just... do the same thing again.

    Like, same song, same choreography, same costumes.

    Not really sure what the point of a semi-final is then,
    posted by madajb at 10:30 PM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


    We did like the older winners performing.

    Some of those acts could have dropped right into this years performance and done pretty well.
    posted by madajb at 10:31 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    I kinda want to see the Eurovision Juniors competition.

    Precocious French Elvis? More of that please.
    posted by madajb at 10:34 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]


    The breakdown of the results has been released, and Eurovision World has a good visualizer.

    One thing that jumps out is that “Tattoo” didn’t get 12 points from any of the public votes, but enough second and third place finishes to push Loreen to a comfortable victory.

    The funniest single result is that the Finnish public gave a grand total of zero votes to the Swedish song, despite it coming first in the jury selection. I think the psychology behind that is not that the Finns didn’t like it, but that people here knew that if Käärijä was going to win, it would be very, very tight, and they wouldn’t have been able to live with themselves if their vote had given the win to Sweden over Finland.

    Meanwhile, both the jury and the public across the Baltic Sea gave the proverbial douse points to their neighbors, because they knew they were going to win and could therefore afford to be generous.
    posted by Kattullus at 1:25 AM on May 14, 2023 [5 favorites]


    Precocious French Elvis? More of that please.

    That is the exact opposite of my take.
    posted by biffa at 5:07 AM on May 14, 2023


    I think a Eurovision Seniors competition might be fun.
    posted by Phanx at 5:19 AM on May 14, 2023 [3 favorites]


    Like, same song, same choreography, same costumes.

    And then the winner gets to do it a third time. Not a stripped-down spontaneous acoustic version, not a full-band-but-just-singing-into-the-microphone version, but the same “Hang on we have to set up the props and get the spinning camera out” version.
    posted by Etrigan at 6:53 AM on May 14, 2023 [1 favorite]


    Lots of people don't bother watching the semis, but they exist because otherwise the final would be insanely long (and it is already 4 hours long) I have found watching the semis gives me a chance to appreciate songs that aren't the really over the top performances and therefore makes the final feel less like a slog.

    The public vote only for semis really did clear out a lot of the sad boy ballads, which made for a more consistent tone in the final.

    (I'm old enough that I remember in the 80s when the winner's reprise was often the song sung in English instead of native tongue. I'm not old enough to remember the precise reasons why Abba got to sing in English in the 70s but later only Ireland, UK and Malta could.)
    posted by hfnuala at 6:56 AM on May 14, 2023 [5 favorites]


    From way, way, way up thread:

    So Johnny Weir just had this weird thing where someone was holding a mic up for him? And then he called attention to it, and the hand with the mic went away?

    He was trying to make a thing out of a moment in the immediately previous song where for a moment one of the backup dancers held the mic for the singer. I remember noticing it more in the semis - she handed the mic off to a dancer in order to better complete some choreography, then for a line or two he's holding it for her before handing it back altogether.

    Anyway, it was around this point in the show my friends and I realized NBC/Peacock was cutting away to Johnny Weir during times that Hannah Waddingham would be on, and we collectively decided we wanted Hannah over Johnny so we changed feeds. (There were enough of us in the room to make our own snark!)
    posted by dnash at 7:48 AM on May 14, 2023


    I agree that it's weird that they all just do the number the same time, 2-3x over.
    posted by jenfullmoon at 8:08 AM on May 14, 2023


    Anyway, it was around this point in the show my friends and I realized NBC/Peacock was cutting away to Johnny Weir during times that Hannah Waddingham would be on, and we collectively decided we wanted Hannah over Johnny so we changed feeds. (There were enough of us in the room to make our own snark!)

    I was reading this thread while time-shifting the final last night on Peacock and could not figure out what the hell people were talking about re Johnny Weir. Were they broadcasting it on NBC as well, or did we just get lucky and happened into the raw/UK feed?
    posted by Etrigan at 8:29 AM on May 14, 2023


    Peacock had two feeds available, one with Johnny and one without. I might watch the one with Johnny later, because I do like him, but didn't find his commentary particularly helpful or interesting last year.
    posted by the primroses were over at 8:35 AM on May 14, 2023 [1 favorite]


    I actually really like that they do the same song a couple of times. There's always a few songs that don't make it out of the semis that I find myself really liking!

    My ADHD brain appreciates the chance for a rewatch since I always miss something on the first watch. It also extends the fun, which is a definite bonus for me.

    Yesterday, since I'd watched the semis, I kind of knew which acts were not my faves, so I used those moments to post trivia and stuff here in the thread. I'm a great big nerd about it though, and I realize not everyone shares my special interest in it.

    Anyway, many people skip watching the semis and only watch the final. Some skip the whole voting sequence and just watch the acts. Enjoy it however you like. I'm just glad there are options.
    posted by PearlRose at 8:42 AM on May 14, 2023 [4 favorites]


    Tumblr is absolutely livid about the results. If you search the Eurovision tags, it takes you a very long time to get to anything except posts about Finland losing.
    posted by meese at 11:40 AM on May 14, 2023 [2 favorites]


    Like, same song

    Its a song contest, not a group contest. Its right in the title, the Eurovision Song Contest.

    I guess they do the semi as there are loads of countries eligible and not enough TV time. Plus now they can milk it for a more drawn out event. Plus it weeds out the absolute tosh.
    posted by biffa at 1:41 PM on May 14, 2023 [1 favorite]


    The public vote only for semis really did clear out a lot of the sad boy ballads, which made for a more consistent tone in the final.


    Way better this way! Eurovision is for bops.
    posted by ellieBOA at 1:50 PM on May 14, 2023 [5 favorites]


    A few hot takes I’ve seen on TikTok think the jury vote was given more weight to get Sweden to host for the 50 year anniversary of ABBA’s win.
    posted by ellieBOA at 5:57 PM on May 14, 2023


    I've seen those hot takes, as well. Kind of a tough environment in which Finland loses. Good news for ABBA nostalgists.
    posted by They sucked his brains out! at 7:25 PM on May 14, 2023


    Given that Australia always crashes out in the public vote despite sending excellent songs, I imagine that if they put more weight on the jury that we might as well stop going. And, honestly, that might be a reason to not renew the invitation - despite our best efforts, the European public clearly haven't warmed to Australian acts.
    posted by Merus at 7:39 PM on May 14, 2023


    (I'm old enough that I remember in the 80s when the winner's reprise was often the song sung in English instead of native tongue. I'm not old enough to remember the precise reasons why Abba got to sing in English in the 70s but later only Ireland, UK and Malta could.)

    Yes! I was thinking the same thing too - the final performance by the winner was often the English language version of the original (I was thinking primarily of Diggiloo Diggiley, 1984, where the English version is... odd to me.)

    If I remember right, 1966-1972 the rule was that you had to sing in one of your country's official languages. They removed the rule but then Abba came in and crushed it in English in 1974. So then they re-instituted the rule again from 1977-1999. Since then, you have to have vocals and lyrics, but there is no rule about which language you should be using.
    posted by gemmy at 2:33 PM on May 15, 2023 [2 favorites]


    We skipped over this on Saturday (since it was filler in the deadspace) but I think it's worth noting that the "Liverpool songbook" presentation eschewed Paul McCartney's entire oeuvre in favour of Mel C, Dead or Alive, Sonia and Atomic Kitten. I'm not even a McCartney fan but wanted to note a pretty impressive commitment to shite.
    posted by biffa at 4:04 PM on May 15, 2023 [1 favorite]


    I think it's possible that Paul McCartney has received adequate appreciation that an effort to highlight the diversity of the town's contribution doesn't need to necessarily include him...
    posted by midmarch snowman at 11:17 PM on May 15, 2023 [2 favorites]


    I could up with my brother in law on his experiences working on the show. He normally works on large live-TV events but had never done anything of the complexity of Eurovision before. The event is ultimately managed by the European Broadcasting Union who go to whatever country is hosting the event and help make it happen. The people involved, like the contestants, come from all over the place - over time they have built up an incredible competence at doing the song contest.

    Consider the complexity: a four hour long live final with dozens of performers, speaking dozens of languages and a stage change every 4 or 5 minutes. A vast global audience who are in turn all receiving their individual stream of events - from countries who are also expected to contribute to the judging of the show. All in front of a very, very lively, stadium sized local audience.

    The month long set-up was necessary to work out how the show would be expected to go - but also to rehearse what should happen under a wide range of contingencies: a stage invasion, a total power outage, etc. Despite a month living in a Premier Inn Bob loved the event for the way the performers all absolutely went for it, for the audience and for the city of Liverpool (his first visit). And yes - having a live performance from somebody semi-immersed in a pool or water, did create a few nightmares.

    In production terms, the competition has come a long, long way from its beginnings. Here is a reconstruction of the first one from 1956 - at that stage getting a performer on stage seems to have involved putting them in a dinner jacket, sticking them in front of a curtain, a microphone to hold and then strike up the orchestra.
    posted by rongorongo at 12:06 AM on May 16, 2023 [6 favorites]


    the "Liverpool songbook" presentation eschewed Paul McCartney's entire oeuvre

    They really should have gone with a Beatles song, even if it was one of the ones that everyone knows was written by only one of them.
    posted by Etrigan at 5:19 AM on May 16, 2023


    the diversity of the town's contribution

    Atomic Kitten though? I mean, Sonia was shite as well, but at least she was Eurovision shite.
    posted by biffa at 6:27 AM on May 16, 2023


    the "Liverpool songbook" presentation eschewed Paul McCartney's entire oeuvre

    Go Fug Yourself wondered if it was a rights issue?
    posted by ellieBOA at 8:43 AM on May 16, 2023 [2 favorites]


    One story from the semifinals might have a nice coda. The Danish contestant, Reiley, is from the Faroe Islands, which is an autonomous part of Denmark, an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, north of Britain. The Faroese state broadcaster, KVF, has decided to apply for independent membership of the European Broadcasting Union, and try to convince the EBU to allow the Faroe Islands to take part in Eurovision separately from Denmark. Presumably, poor result aside, the Faroese enjoyed having one of their own in the competition. This would be a bit like Northern Ireland or Wales sending their own representative, though the Faroe Islands are more autonomous than either, both in terms of government and culture, due to having a separate language and just being really far away from Denmark. Hopefully the EBU will decide that they are autonomous enough for them to count as a separate country for the purposes of Eurovision rules.
    posted by Kattullus at 11:26 PM on May 16, 2023 [5 favorites]


    Yay! I have a close family friend from the Faroe Islands, and went to her wedding there when I was 13, and recently her gen Z kids have been travelling there and posting photos of it on instagram, it’s a beautiful country and I was so happy to see Reiley representing.
    posted by ellieBOA at 4:37 AM on May 17, 2023 [2 favorites]




    spamandkimchi made an excellent post about Croatia's Let 3 on the Blue that includes an in-depth article from ESC Insight, a website that makes my dorky heart swoon.

    Which led me to these:
    What Is Post Eurovision Depression and How To Address It

    Talking About Our Experiences With Post Eurovision Depression

    Now it's only 51 days until Heavy Metal Knitting!
    posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 9:09 AM on May 17, 2023 [3 favorites]


    Here's an adorable story about Israel's singer on her flight home... A fairly prominent rabbi in business class noticed that all the TV screens said "Mazal tov to Noa, we're proud of you!" so he asked the passenger next to him if she knew who this Noa was. She said, "It's me!"
    posted by Mchelly at 4:17 PM on May 17, 2023 [3 favorites]


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