Vienna 2015: Semi final one rehearsed!

Is Polina our winner?

Unfortunately, this blogger isn't in Vienna although I have been paying close attention to the rehearsals. The 16 countries who will compete in the first semi final  have now all rehearsed and it seems Russia are the most popular. Polina looks stunning - the staging is amazing and damn, A Million Voices is a friggin' awesome song! I'm going to be so annoyed if she gets booed next week.....

Elhaida from Albania also rehearsed today and it's still looking like Albania might get their best placing ever. Georgia and Romania also look really promising. With regards to yesterday, I think Estonia and Armenia are looking the strongest. They'll both be in the final. Finland is so just bizarre and random that I'm actually liking it now. Are PKN going to make the final? Greece is also looking very strong - I just hope the song will be memorable enough... the overall reaction of Greece's rehearsal was very positive though.

Now everyone's talking about Trijntje's dress. My first reaction was huh? but hey, she looks gorgeous and she's confident in her own body - so that's all that matters. I'd take my hat of to her if I had one. The staging is apparently a bit random so there's some work to be done it seems... Why ay ay ay couldn't they keep it simple?

Belgium looked good but maybe there's too much happening? It might be messy. And I'm afraid Serbia won't be qualfirying. Maybe 15 years ago that song would've fared better. Or maybe not. So judging from the first rehearsals I think; Russia, Estonia and Georgia are the best. Georgia could be a dark horse. Love the eye!!! And maybe even Romania?! Voltaj were fab! The song has a message that'll touch a lot of people.  I hate to say it but Serbia really is looking awful.. Bojana is much better than the song. Hungary looks okay but the song? Me thinks viewers will fall asleep halfway through their performance. But we won't be failing asleep during Moldova! Whether you like Eduard's song or not, they're putting on one heck of a show! More to follow in the coming days....

Photos from Eurovision.tv

REVIEWING THE CLASS OF 2015: MOLDOVA!

Moldova opted for Ukrainian heartthrob (yes, that's arguable...) Eduard Romanyuta to represent their country in Vienna. Or did they? Rumours regarding a voting scandal circulated following his win however nothing was proved. Anyway, this is what my little team of reviews think about Moldova's effort...

Ana: This is the most dated entry this year. Maybe 20 years ago it would be OK but not in 2015. The staging is awful and his vocals aren't even good. I can’t imagine this in the final. No way. 1/10

Ilkar: Apparently his video is from his old song. Well, anything is better than his embarrassing stage show in the Moldovan final that would have been the other option I guess. (Let me correct myself: After re-watching the video even the stage show would have been better preview) Expect that in Vienna. With poor vocals and one of the worst songs this year. This is old and unoriginal in every way. 1/10

Jack: Moldova will open the first semi final and therefore officially open the 2015 contest. It's obvious most people hate this song, and even though I don't like it much, I can't deny how catchy the chorus is.. In a year of ballads and mid-tempos, could Moldova be a shock qualifier? I still wish Sunstroke Project won Moldova's national final as Day After Day was epic and would've been a perfect opener! Oh well.. 2/10

Jess: This was one of my favourites in the selection even before the live audition stage, therefore I was so pleased when he was picked. The only thing I would say is that Eduard needs to work on his live vocals a little bit. 7/10

John: Ok, leaving aside the boyband-sounding voice, the pretty image and posturing ie, a sure-fire protegé for Louis Walsh's stable of artists, I actually think this song has something to offer. Or maybe it's just the clever video. It could just have enough going for it to surprise a multitude of cynics on the big night ! 6/10

OUR VERDICT - 17/50
OVERALL SCORE - 3.4/10

Moldova: Eduard Romanyuta wants your love!

The official video-clip for Eduard Romanyuta's entry has just been released. I Want Your Love isn't getting much love from the fans so far.. but what do you think? Are Moldova being underrated? It's starting to grow on me a little bit, I guess... Enjoy the video-clip HERE!

EDUARD ROMANYUTA TO REPRESENT MOLDOVA!

Eduard Romanyuta has won Moldova's selection. I heard the song once and hated it. Let's see if it's a grower... Sunstroke Project managed third place and DoReDoS came 2nd - both great songs, yet they pick this dud. Sorry Moldova, but I am really not impressed. On the positive note though, Ukraine will kinda be represented in Vienna ;-)

Update - well some people are accusing Eduard, or his associates, of rigging the vote somehow. Hmmm. 

Moldova: Eduard Romanyuta accused of plagiarism!

Eduard Romanyuta won the first semi final in Moldova earlier this week and is therefore one of the favourites to represent the country in Vienna. However something rather interesting has come to light today. His song is a blatant copy of Mariah Carey’s I Want Your Love, according to Moldovan press. There is already a video of the two songs side by side, do you think this is a case of plagiarism? Or has he been targeted unfairly? LISTEN HERE! This begs the question - what will happen if he wins on Saturday?