Reports from Copenhagen
The
Preview Jump
to latest update - May 19th
It hardly seems a
year since the last Eurovision bash which, in case you forget, was in
Stockholm, but here it is again. Denmark carried off the crown last
year with "Fly on the Wings of Love" sung by the Olsen
Brothers - an international hit in many countries, but the 12 point
vote for it from the United Kingdom didn't get it a UK release. The
Olsens will be on stage again on May 12th opening the show, with
Denmark's more widely released music export, Aqua, as the interval act.
Before Aqua's zany
tunes, there's the 23 contest entries. As ever, a mixed bunch with
more in English than ever before. There's also been a rule change -
countries who come lower than 15th place don't get to go to next
year's party (unless its UK, Spain, France, or Germany), so the
pressure is on.
The venue is the
biggest ever - Parken in Copenhagen is a 38,000 seat soccer stadium -
and the organisers expect to to the usual zillion worldwide viewers
by offering it via Yahoo on the internet. What's in store? It starts
low key with the Dutch entry from Michelle #1, inspired by her
leaving home.
British commentator
Wogan may get a treat with Bosnia's song Hano. The singer, Nino,
dressed just like comedian Ali G in the Bosnian final. An unusual
rhythmic song.
The
dark horse for me is Norway. Haldor Lægreid gives a terrific
performance of the sad ballad, "On My Own". He's sung in
many musicals and the experience shows. William Hill had this at 20/1
- a good bet methinks.
The next stand-out
song is Lady Alpine Blue by Russia's Mumiy Troll. they're very big in
Russia, but it hasn't stopped them from entering a cheap copy of
"My Star", last year's Latvian entry by Brainstorm. Russia
may flop, unlike the next song, "Listen to your heartbeat"
by Sweden's Friends. This is unashamedly an ABBA-clone complete with
keyboardist, and blond & brunette girl singers. The ABBA-like
song is so immediately catchy that this song must be a strong favourite.
Lithuania prove
they've got style with Skamp - this more funky sound may do well, but
neighbours Latvia have a joker in "Too Much" from Arnis
Mednis. He tells how his "life is a like a cabaret".
Entered as a joke, the joke could be on him, but I like it, and Wogan
will love the yodelling & accordion bits (ah, the old melodion!).
I well remember seeing Croatia's Vanna in hip-hop band ET way back in
1994. Now she's working with Croatia's Pete Waterman, Tonci Huljic,
who is behind Bond. Perhaps that explains the excess of violins in
"Strings of My Heart". Not to my taste, but very well done.
Portugal's MTM is
only worth mentioning as the most likely last place. Pretty
uninteresting duet that came out of 50 televised entries!
Ireland plays safe
with a dull ballad, Spain sends a would-be Ricky Martin, while France
sends a Celine Dion/Lara Fabian clone in Natasha St Pier. She was in
the London version of "Notre Dame de Paris", and her slow
romantic chanson sounds a little old-fashioned. Would've won in the
70's, but today who knows?, but it's my favourite - but ignore the
English version, it has no magic.
I'm
doubly proud of the United Kingdom entry because 16-year old Lindsay
comes from my home town of Sheffield, and because we're both British.
Unfortunately the British press prefer to knock British efforts -
so-called newspaper Daily Star slammed 'No Dream Impossible" the
worst British entry ever. I guess the hack who wrote that bile will
still be blagging a free seat come Saturday night like he did in Jerusalem.
Its a good song,
just not good enough, and overshadowed by the similar next one up,
"Energy" from Slovenia's Nusa Derenda. This should do well
- uptempo, loud, and a stunning singer. Germany's hopes lay in
Michelle, whose tabloid-friendly rags to unhappy riches story is
bigger than this diminutive singer. Nice schlager song, but nothing special.
Malta has a cheery
summery song in "Another summer night", and Greece provides
many fans favourite - Antique with "Die for you". They
should score well from Sweden where Nikos & Elena grew up, and
where they have had hits, but I think the fans will be disappointed.
After Denmark's
song comes your chance to vote and watch Aqua.
For some Aqua may
be the highlight Just remember you can't vote for "Barbie Girl".
Who'll win?
Well everyone
thought Denmark would score poorly last year, yet it won, so who
knows, but I think France, Sweden, and Norway are the contenders,
with Turkey & Portugal vying for last place. UK? - about 12th.
Update
May 6th 7pm
Its a cool sunny
evening here. Old friends & acquaintances have been renewed in
the Press Centre and we've seen inside the hall. There's still grass
there! They plan to cover it around Thursday. The stage isn't very
ready yet, but has a white central staircase. The roof is partly back
each day to let in the sun for the grass. Its huge, of course. 38,000
will be in on Saturday - 25,000 tickets are sold for Friday's
rehearsal. The press centre is a bit chaotic. Only 10 international
lines, and not yet working, and no PA system in the conference room.
Photo shoot area has no lighting!
On the plus side we
have a free bus pass, and a free copy of Johnny Logan's latest album.
We are invited to his show Wednesday at midnight.
The programme
(60Kr) says each song will have a firework display!
And I saw my first
performer at the airport - Latvia. Too Much, I say!
Update
May 7th 11am
Rehearsals have
just begun, and here are the first pictures, showing the stage with
the Dutch Michelle singing.
Its not to well lit
yet, and is an awfully long way away!
Back later
Update
May 8th 6pm
Monday night saw
the Mayor's party. Most of the acts were there, and we had plenty of
food, and drinks.
We were entertained
by some well-known Danish acts: I'll mention my favourite Ann-Louise,
and there was even Sissel from Norway there - part of the 1986
interval act.
Rehearsals continue
today Tuesday. Lyndsay seems confident in her Press Conference but
has little to say - says she's proud to sing for Britain.
Slovenia has a gimmick. Tiny Nusa is lifted up by her backing singers
during the song. Very strong. Her English lyricist is Lucienne
Lonchina from Bristol, UK, and says Nusa has learned the song
phonetically. However Nusa speaks good English.
Natasha St Pier
(Above Right) was very confident in her packed Press Conference.
She's from New Brunswick in Canada, but one of her parents in from
Quebec. Flattered to be compared to Celine Dion, she has been singing
for 8 years even though she is only 20. I caught her comparing notes
Monday with the lead singer of Mumiy Troll.
On Monday Friends
were in fine form, and we were happy to be compared to ABBA.
Norway's Haldor
sang very well. He was in a musical, Atlantis, in Copenhagen for two
years, so feels at home. On Wednesday he combines his party with
Johnny Logan's.
Slovenia
has a party tonight.
Update May 11th 6pm
Sorry I haven't had
time for updates, but its been crazy.
Just seen the first
full dress rehearsal delayed for an hour until 4pm by a computer
cable problem, and it was great - stage is fairly simple - bit dark
with staircase which isn't used, but there is a trap door the acts
come through.
The Olsens open the
show with their new single, and then the presenters Soren &
Natasja begin their rather awful rhyming introduction - yes folks
they swallowed a rhyming dictionary, and before I forget watch out
for the trophy being dropped as a joke. They didn't actually do it,
but the signs are there.
Lyndsay
looks great, and performs well, Spain is really hot - two blond
girls in gold furiously dance on either side of David in black. it storms!
Nusa for Slovenia
seems to be in motorcycling gear - yellow shiny bodice. Really
powerful, and she is lifted by dancers in the piano bit as the camera
follows the piano.
Russia looks better
than ever, Latvia provides the humour - very well performed silly
song. Lithuania seems to have borrowed some of Jonathan king's
coloured wigs for backing singers, but he is here in Copenhagen.
Skamp certainly do have style - Erica is in gold, and performs well -
only slightly different to the CD version.
Vanna
looks stunning. Last night's Croatian party was jammed, but she had
time for us, as did flame haired backing singer Alenka who remembered
me from previous years. She backs many a Croatian star.
And friends - well
they are perfect - the girls doing great moves and sounding superb.
After this rehearsal I'd put money on one of Spain, Sweden, Slovenia,
Norway or maybe Denmark. I'd love to say UK, but it just doesn't
quite make it for me despite Lyndsay's exuberant performance.
Aqua perform a
medley of the hits during the voting and are just right for the show.
So to the low points:
The terrible
rhyming jokes in the presentation
Turkey - despite
the English bit still a bit dull, and
Portugal still two
guys in black & white shouting at each other.
I hope to add more
in the next 24 hours, but don't count on it - its gonna be busy.
Update
May 12th 5pm
We've now seen
three rehearsals - are we mad? - and are waiting for the big one
tonight. Before I forget, I'll mention Aqua use some bad language,
and some provocative gestures during their performance which is
otherwise terrific with strobe lighting and flames & fireworks.
Pity they couldn't avoid the f word.
What else? - well
last nights audience were terrible - very restless, but this
morning's were better. The Parken security are ugly. No cameras, and
no drinks can be taken in. Quite annoying.
The monitors
actually show the stage quite bright, even though it looks dim in the
hall (or on your camera)
The audience seem
to love Denmark, Sweden, Malta, Estonia, and Spain. Based on this I
forecast Sweden to win. the fun is in guessing those relegated by
scoring low. One list has Bosnia, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia,
Croatia,Turkey, & Portugal
The rhyming
presenters seem OK to Danes, so I will give you a quote "Never
mind the weather, never mind the rain, here we are together with
38,000 Danes". There's also some terrible magic, and breaking
the trophy as forecast.
Reprise clips are
interesting - France goes for ending "I am what I am, my life is
my soul", Germany has Michelle going into English, 'To live for
love means you'll never die", whilst UK has Lyndsay prancing
around the stage. She has a red top, grey jacket & jeans - red
shoes. Not well received in the hall. France has a red dress - moves
little, as does Minnie Mouse - sorry - Michelle (actually I love her
squeaky voice). Poland cones in with some animal's coat, and throws
it off, but he's no Danijela. Norway's Haldor in white looks
increasingly like John Inman (ie camp), but really knows how to
perform. Greece - she in white, he in black. Elena gyrates a bit.
Some support in the hall. Vanna is in gold matching her hair. Good
performer, but not one Tonci's best.
So I forecast
Sweden. Blond Nina is in red leather, and Kim in red leather trousers
& a light top. Very Abba moves. They mumble some words but it
doesn't seem to matter.
May the best song win.
Hope for another
report after the show.
Update May
19th
OK, its a week
after the show! You all know Estonia won with "Everybody"
sung by Dave Benton & Tanel Padar
The
press centre closed at 2am on the Saturday night, so there was no
chance of putting anything up, so here's my thoughts a week on about
that night.
Well, the crowd
were certainly lively. Plenty of Mexican waves. We were in our seats
well in advance, and saw the warm-up act, which started well with the
winner of the Children's Melodi Grand Prix, 15-year old Sisse, with a
lively dance number. Then some 40 minutes of two Danes with The
Cardboard Box Show. This seemed great to the Danes.
It seemed an
eternity before they were playing our tune, and we were off on
another three-hour roller-coaster ride that is the Eurovision Song
Contest. Everybody performed well, but I have to say I found the
crowd's rowdiness almost unbearable. I was pleased I'd watched
quieter rehearsals. Pretty soon we were into Aqua's interval act.
They still used bad language, but the BBC in the UK cut the sound! If
only they had a wider brief!
The voting! - where
was the green room? Did you see Brainstorm's lead singer with the
Latvian votes?, or Corinne Hermes for France. Marlayne did the Dutch
votes again. Veteran Colin Berry did the UK votes once more.
To get some
on-stage winning pictures you had to sneak out during the voting, and
this we did when it was obvious Estonia couldn't lose. We were
escorted close to the stage as the last votes were coming in to get
involved in the stage scrum. You'll see those pictures elsewhere, but
then the scene moved to a chaotic Press Conference in the Press
Centre. Then there was the official party - which seemed to be in
corridors of the Parken. Antique, Nusa Derenda, 2Tricky and a few
others were there, but it was a pretty paltry affair. A better time
was had, apparently, at the Admiral Hotel.
Next day - another
fine one - there was the noon press conference by the winners.
Estonian TV were determined to host it next year, but had only a tiny
budget. The Estonian Prime Minister was in support. Nobody asked if
this would help them join the European Union (one of the daft
questions from Saturday night!). Tanel Padar & Dave Benton had
only done the one CD together, and yes last year's Estonian entrant
Ines (Tanel's girlfriend) was in the audience. There's a picture of
her coming up too. There was plenty of pictures taken of the duo with
the trophy.
Then it was off to
the airport. Vlado Janevski came over to wish us well. He represented
Macedonia in 1998, and was along for all the fun. Then we found the
British team was on our plane. Lyndsay came through the plane twice
to thank the people she'd met for our support. Terry Wogan told me
regarding his commentary, "Trust me, you missed nothing - same
old rubbish".
And it was back to reality!
visits
to this page between April 26th, 2001 and May 14th 2002 when
counting stopped.