Eurovision Semi Final 1 promptly commenced at 10pm (9pm Europe time/ 8pm UK time) with the opening theme and big screen folk dress music introduction. There was a brief rap dancing performer on stage. There were still many empty seats in the venue. 

18 songs were going to compete and 10 would qualify to Saturday's Grand Final. 
 
 
 

The first performer was SWEDEN. This was a very slick choreographed routine similar to their national finals. Crowds were really into it making a great start to the night. 

 

Next was a power ballad from GEORGIA that could have been a James Bond theme song. 

 

AUSTRALIA never impressed me in their audio version but the staging was quite impressive multi motion big screen images of the performer.

 

ALBANIA was ok but not expected to qualify. MONTENEGRO was a rather bizarre head spinning routine with a giant ponytail. 

 

The big crowd favourite after Sweden was BELGIUM. Crowds were loving it and clapping along as we were entertained to a light show to represent the 'city lights' in the song. 

 

FINLAND had good vocal talent but borderline to qualify.    AZERBAIJAN was a bit odd. You had a man with a horse head standing on top of a ladder. I didnt get it. All a bit abstract. 

 

PORTUGAL was a crowd favourite but I dont get this slow ballad. He was on the smaller stage in the crowd as people waved the phone lights. 

 

GREECE was another one whose audio did not impress me but their staging turned it around as she was on an escalator lift box with two topless guys dancing in a pond of water. 

 

Next up was my big fave MOLDOVA. From the polls they were borderline to qualify but they went down very well in the venue. Crowds were lapping it up with their upbeat song, sax player, dancing brides, and crazy conga dance line. 

 
 
 

ICELAND was nice but she could have done a better job. In her video she uses blue face paint but this was more toned down and a let down. CYPRUS had interesting dance moves. 

 

Another favourite of mine was ARMENIA. This is ethno pop sounding. In their video they have six people with one giant ribbon wrapping them all around their waist. Unlike most acts they didnt copy their promo video or national selection and did an original routine. However I preferred their promo video and would have preferred to see that. The crowd did seem to love it though. 

 
 

SLOVENIA has good vocals and is a returning artist from 2005 but again borderline to qualify which he didnt in 2005 with a better song. LATVIA was some strange florescent show with on ok song. 

 
 

Here is a video recap compilation I made of all songs (12 mins) https://youtu.be/2CMphtdcRQY

and the recap during voting showing artists in the Green Room (6 mins) https://youtu.be/HuQ8IJekKcI  

Annoyingly two loud Azeri's sat behind me and spoke during the whole thing in speaker volume and can even be heard during some of my videos. I was going to tell them to shut up but they are probably accustomed to talking like that and would start arguing with me. 

Verka Serduchka made a return appearance on the video screens followed by last years winner Jamala who sang her winning song from last year followed by a new song. 

Jamala video (2 mins) https://youtu.be/WA-_l7q-gmw

 
 

Here is a video of the 10 finalists being revealed https://youtu.be/lKrI8_O_7vM

 
 

Sweden, Australia, Belgium, Azerbaijan, Portugal, Greece, Poland, Moldova, Cyprus, and Armenia qualified. 

Sweden was easily expected to qualify. I was glad my two favourites Armenia and Moldova made it thru. I was sad that Georgia didnt as the polls were accurate in saying it wouldnt qualify. 

 
 

We all crowded into the metro home and I was back in my hotel by 1.30am. 

The experience in the hall is nothing like watching it on tv. First you have all the logistical work of seeing the boom cameras and cameramen running on stage, along with the stage hands between acts clearing the stage and preparing for the next act. 

But the big difference is the atmosphere and crowd reaction singing, clapping, cheering which doesnt even come across on tv. It was an enjoyable evening and my first Eurovision experience. I'd just wished my friend was with me for it who would be arriving for Thursdays second semi final. 


 


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