Eurovision 2019: Narrowing down the field

After a colorful first semifinal Tuesday evening in Tel Aviv, the 10 countries selected to go on to the finale are Greece, Belarus, Serbia, Cyprus, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Australia, Iceland, San Marino and Slovenia.

The seven countries eliminated from the competition are Poland, Portugal, Montenegro, Finland, Hungary, Belgium and Georgia.

Elaborate productions

2019 marks a return of dazzle at Eurovision from a big LED screen. The most spectacular effects were employed in Australia’s entry (article picture). Kate Miller-Heidke’s “Zero Gravity” is all about the show, with the opera singer and two female acrobats resembling puppets impaled on poles, swaying this way and that as though floating in outer space. If only for its impeccable kitsch, the act was bound to go on to the finale, and with it, Australia maintains its unbroken streak of always qualifying.

Hatari is an award-winning performance collective from Iceland

With Hatari’s song “Hate Will Win,” Iceland’s entry has no less elaborate production values. In the background, red chains pulling on the LED screens seem to suggest that people have become machines. Hatari growls and screams a song of protest against capitalism. The three-piece band is supported by three backing dancers, all clad in rubber outfits, harnesses, masks and chains.

Estonia’s Victor Crone has a far less forbidding message. In his upbeat ditty, despair gives way to fragile hope, then consolation and confidence. Crone’s background as a writer of music in Tennessee, New York and at the Capitol Records in Los Angeles is apparent.

Nevena Bozovic of Serbia

Surprising results

Serbia’s entry, Nevena Bozovic, wears a black gown with one leg exposed. With much waving of her braceleted arms and tossing of hair, she sings her ballad “Kruna” (Crown) as background colors from the LED screen swirl and spiral in a vortex up to the heavens.

In “Better Love,” Greece’s Katerine Duska, with her husky, dark, versatile voice, delivers a celebration of femininity. She is backed up in her all-female act by sword-bearing dancers in diaphanous chiffon-clad gowns who cavort before a flower motif backdrop of lilies.

Certainly the biggest surprise of the evening was the qualification of Serhat from San Marino. His song “Say Na Na Na” is all fluff and no content before a candy-striped LED backdrop, This is the second Eurovision entry for the songwriter, music producer, TV host and producer.

An unambiguous text: “Say Na Na Na” from the tiny country of San Marino

In “Friend Of A Friend,” the Czech Republic’s young band Lake Malawi issue forth pure, feel-good pop, with lead singer Albert Cerny jumping between rectangular lit boxes.  

The qualifiers also include a love song from Slovenia: singer Zala Kralj guitarist Gasper Santl perform “Sebi” on a dark stage. A colorful galaxy unfolds in the background, but the couple don’t budge from their position at center stage and gaze into each other’s eyes throughout the three minute song.

Netta’s triumphant return

Netta’s return

Opening this year’s songfest with the motto “Dare to Dream,” Netta, last year’s Eurovision winner, dazzled with a performance of her winning song “Toy,” flanked by an army of dancers all wearing her trademark red garb.

Voting in the first semifinal was allowed for the participating countries, joined by Israel, Spain and France. Their decision determines half of the final result, the other half determined by judges, experts in the music industry named by the participating public broadcasters.

The second semifinal for the Eurovision song contest will be held on Thursday, the grand final on Saturday, May 18. 

Article source: https://www.dw.com/en/eurovision-2019-narrowing-down-the-field/a-48739655?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf