A spectacular dress rehearsal from Baku...
The holy week has arrived in Eurofandom, with today the 1st of 6 days of action. The first verdict of this year's contest has been made during tonight's semifinal dress rehearsals, with 21 juries around Europe tuning into what is the most important rehearsal for the 18 participating countries in semifinal 1. Hereby, my take on this event.
OA | It's You and Me!
++ Engelbert furious ++ the interval act revealed ++ Torino 2013?! ++..
Yesterday and today orange has been the color. After the rather disastrous official opening party on Saturday, the Dutch stood out with the best party in baku so far, yesterday evening. The Dutch delegation had invited several other delegations at a club on the boulevard in central Baku. A lovely open air atmosphere, with nice drinks and finger food and a very good set of Eurovision perfromances by several of the invited 2012 artists. Ofcourse Joan Franka presented her song too, which was not only met by enthousiasme by the guests to the party but also the Azeri crowd that was following the mini concert from the boulevard. Watch a clip from her performance here.
Today Joan visisted the Maiden Tower in the beautiful old town, together with the Dutch press before we all wet for a traditional cup of Azerbaijani tea in an even more traditional Azeri restaurant. Joan being the princess in a 1001 night fairytale.
All that is missing from Jedward's Twitter feed is "HI WE LOVE OUR FANS AND WE'RE ABOUT TO GO TO THE TOILET OK!"
OA | Youtube says Russia will win
++ Loreen will not win ++ the Opening Party ++ the last day of rehearsals ++..
Today is the last day of rehearsing, tomorrow the first official dress rehearsal will kick off! The big five and Azerbaijan finally had their first rehearsals too. All rehearsals can be seen here. Our opinion about the Big five performances you can find here. The opening party last night has been summed up by us in twelve points.... see our snapshots here. In the mean time we are also getting ready for the Dutch party. we're excited, last year that was definitely the party to beat!
The international press in the last few days has not been kind to Azerbaijan, and even Iran has their own spin on the country.
The big 5. Yesterday the five countries contributing most to the contest and therefor entitled to a final placing immediately, hit the stage for the first time.
This year we have to admit that the big five have all invested in quality, strong voices, experienced singers (with young German Roman Lob being the exception when it comes to much experience) and good songs. And, well, their long awaited first rehearsals mostly went well too. Not splendid in every detail, but it would be boring if there were to be nothing to improve still.
OA | Our view from the press centre
++ Don't play that song again ++ Graham Norton believes in Jedward ++ No Fairytale ++ Engelbert enters at 64 in UK charts ++..
Another rehearsal day has come. All rehearsals can be seen here. This will be the first day the big five and Azerbajan will rehearse. And also tonight the official opening party will be held in the Euroclub. Opening parties are the official kick off of the Eurovision week, where the hosting city welcomes the delegations. Yesterday evening Eurovision DJ Lars Peter dared to play an Armenian song in the Euroclub, Apricot Stone. He survived this, but the dancefloor emptied immediately. Today the Euroclub management has told the Eurovision DJ's that this is strictly forbidden from now on.
Betting odds say Loreen will walk away with Eurovision 2012, but a week is a long time in Azerbaijan.
It's you an me, and everybody out there! Joan Franka's second rehearsal went much better than the first one. We're happy.
It's been a while since the Netherlands made it to the final. In fact the only time we did, was back in 2004, which officially makes the Netherlands the country doing worst of all in the contest. Some of the years behind us we had already given up the hope to make it, some we were hopeful. Part of the group of people behind this website is Dutch, so that is why I am writing in the 'we'-form. This year we were more excited about the song You And Me, than we've been for a long time. And the second dress rehearsal made us even happier. She did a great job and it's filmed way better than the first rehearsal. Her big smile sells the song better than anything, and with the abundant close up shots he could show off just that smile and win the hearts of the tv audience.
But, well, we are Dutch, so biased. Let's see what others are thinking.....
Roving reporter Roy took Tooji outside the Crystal Hall for a great interview among Baku's glittering skyline.
