Eurovision Song Contest 2015

[Tender Branson]

The Eurovision Song Contest 2015 will be the 60th edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest.

The contest will take place in Vienna, Austria, following Conchita Wurst's victory in the 2014 edition with the song "Rise Like a Phoenix".

This will be the second time that Austria will host the contest after holding its 1967 edition also in Vienna.

The contest will consist of two semi-finals which will take place on 19 and 21 May, and a final on 23 May 2015.

The shows will be presented by Mirjam Weichselbraun, Alice Tumler and Arabella Kiesbauer.

Forty countries will participate in the contest, with Australia debuting as a guest entrant, and Cyprus, the Czech Republic, and Serbia returning.

Ukraine, however, announced their withdrawal due to financial and political reasons.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_Song_Contest_2015

[Tender Branson]

Funny (or weird) thing happened yesterday when the German entry was about to be selected:

Singer wins national finals to represent Germany at Eurovision Song Contest, declines to go

BERLIN — Andreas Kuemmert got handed what many musicians would consider a dream ticket, winning the popular vote to represent Germany at this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

But to the shock of his fans, the 28-year-old rock and blues singer passed up the chance to sing for his country at the Vienna finals in May.

The annual competition regularly draws more than 100 million viewers with its mix of glitz and kitsch.

Kuemmert, whose voice had wowed national audiences, told German television viewers that "I'm overwhelmed by your affection" before adding: "I'm not really in the right state to accept this."

Instead, he handed the title to 24-year-old runner-up Ann Sophie, who tearfully accepted.

Kuemmert was suffering from high fever during Thursday's national final. The singer hasn't commented further on his decision.

http://www.startribune.com/world/295340211.html

[Tender Branson]

Hopefully we can win that thing once again and join the handful of countries that managed to win 2 contests in a row ...

I'm rooting for "The Makemakes", which is a pretty cool band:



Even though "Million €uro Smile" won't be their Contest song, it's an example of their style:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EeG-LwAdoM

There are currently 6 acts in the pre-selection for Austria, with the finalist picked next Friday.

[Tender Branson]

There are currently 6 acts in the pre-selection for Austria, with the finalist picked next Friday.

The songs have been presented yesterday and my favourites for the Austrian choice are:

1) The Makemakes: „I Am Yours“

http://songcontest.orf.at/videos/stories/2697835

2) DAWA: „Feel Alive“

http://songcontest.orf.at/videos/stories/2697825

3) Zoe: „Quel Filou“ (a song in French)

http://songcontest.orf.at/videos/stories/2697837

4) Folkshilfe: „Who You Are“

http://songcontest.orf.at/videos/stories/2697830

[Türkisblau]

Good to know that others on Atlas love Eurovision as well. I attentively watched last year's.

Hyped.

[Tender Branson]

"The Makemakes" were chosen yesterday to represent Austria with their song "I'm yours":



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-93NUU9MUY

But the Indy-band DAWA made it surprisingly close with their song "Feel alive":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoZ0XnyBL0I

There was a run-off held between the 2 bands and DAWA lost only because of the Austrian TV audience vote while being strong with the International jury from 10 countries.

[morgieb]

Guy Sebastian to dominate.

[Platypus]

Well, we have a song...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7MwzRBEY_M

Not a fan of the vocal gymnastics, but otherwise I think I like it well enough - certainly glad not to be embarrassed by it, anyway.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I'm actually kind of surprised how light and peppy it is... and that I don't hate it. I was terrified they'd go the same route of the terrible song they chose for Mauboy last year.

[Platypus]

I really like them:

Iceland
Belarus
Russia
Australia
Estonia
Sweden
Georgia
Belgium

I like them well enough, but not crazy for them:

Cyprus
Netherlands
Moldova
Serbia
Spain
Austria
Macedonia
Poland
Latvia
Azerbaijan
Norway
Slovenia

No idea what I think:

United Kingdom
Ireland
Germany
Denmark
Israel
Albania
Czech Republic

I don't like them:

France
Hungary
Romania
Armenia
Switzerland
Italy
Malta
Greece

Just bad:

San Marino
Lithuania
Portugal

----------------

Montenegro hasn't revealed their song for whatever reason.

Sweden and Italy are the hot faves to win, and I get why. Italy does nothing for me, although good on them for singing in Italian I guess. Sweden is just bizarre but in a really good way. Australia and Estonia are considered the next most likely, which is making me a bit happy because I have a sneaky suspicion that our song will do very well with the juries. Slovenia, Norway, Finland, and Azerbaijan are the possible-but-improbables, and I think at least Finland can be actively discounted. Yes, they'll get some public support because good for them giving it a go, but not enough to win, and nothing from the juries.

Portugal is the longest odds, and it is pretty bloody terrible so fair enough,

[morgieb]

I really like them:

Iceland
Belarus
Russia
Australia
Estonia
Sweden
Georgia
Belgium

I like them well enough, but not crazy for them:

Cyprus
Netherlands
Moldova
Serbia
Spain
Austria
Macedonia
Poland
Latvia
Azerbaijan
Norway
Slovenia

No idea what I think:

United Kingdom
Ireland
Germany
Denmark
Israel
Albania
Czech Republic

I don't like them:

France
Hungary
Romania
Armenia
Switzerland
Italy
Malta
Greece

Just bad:

San Marino
Lithuania
Portugal

----------------

Montenegro hasn't revealed their song for whatever reason.

Sweden and Italy are the hot faves to win, and I get why. Italy does nothing for me, although good on them for singing in Italian I guess. Sweden is just bizarre but in a really good way. Australia and Estonia are considered the next most likely, which is making me a bit happy because I have a sneaky suspicion that our song will do very well with the juries. Slovenia, Norway, Finland, and Azerbaijan are the possible-but-improbables, and I think at least Finland can be actively discounted. Yes, they'll get some public support because good for them giving it a go, but not enough to win, and nothing from the juries.

Portugal is the longest odds, and it is pretty bloody terrible so fair enough,

Ehhh? Jury wise, Australia will be screwed by a lack of alliances with other European countries.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I think our lack of alliances actually helps us, rather than hurts.

[Tender Branson]

The Final is today.

Anyone watching ?

Estonia or Norway should win, IMO.

[Tender Branson]

It's also ridiculous that Ireland with Molly Sterling was eliminated in the semis.

[Tender Branson]

The video postcard for Malta was shot here in Zell am See btw.

The candidate for Malta went skydiving here at the airport ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l_lV2_5f0M

[Clyde1998]

It's also ridiculous that Ireland with Molly Sterling was eliminated in the semis.

Agreed - it was one of the few songs that wasn't out of key.

I think Sweden will win it tonight.

[Tender Branson]

It's also ridiculous that Ireland with Molly Sterling was eliminated in the semis.

Agreed - it was one of the few songs that wasn't out of key.

I think Sweden will win it tonight.

Nah... Sweden is overrated by the bookies I think.

I think an outsider like one of the 3 Baltic countries will win it.

Anyway, it starts in ca. 5 minutes.

[Tender Branson]

If anyone wants to watch live (via BBC one & English commentary):

http://en.firstonetv.com/stream/uk/8

[Platypus]

Australia was flawless and has done us proud no matter the result.

My top 5 on the night, in no particular order:

Belgium, Italy, Georgia, Australia, and Russia.

Sweden's song was great, staging awesome, but... he isn't a good singer.

[SATW]

Israel

[Clyde1998]

Top 3 for me: Sweden, Russia, Italy.

[Clyde1998]

Finally time for the votes!

[morgieb]

Christ guys Russia was very average.

[Clyde1998]

Christ guys Russia was very average.

Welcome to the Eurovision Political Contest, Australia!

[morgieb]

Christ guys Russia was very average.

Welcome to the Eurovision Political Contest, Australia!

I know how Eurovision works.

But they're getting big votes from everywhere.