Oslo 2010: Final dress rehearsal two

Welcome Europe-for 50% of the Eurovision votes, this is it! Tomorrow, 39 juries will convene to watch this tape and award their marks for the 55th Eurovision Song Contest.



1. Safura – Drip Drop

Safura on stage going for the votes she’ll need if she wants to win. She is better, but the backing singer is still singing the high note. I won’t rule this out completely, but similarly I think it’s lost the odds-on favourite tag due to the draw.


2. Daniel Diges – Algo Pequeñito

Rapturous applause for Daniel Diges in the press room! That was fantastic from start to finish, and excellently performed. We’ve waited 55 years for the curse of song two to be broken…


3. Didrik Solli-Tangen – My Heart is Yours

Didrik is obviously nervous, and to be honest you would be when you know that the Crown Princess will be there on the night, have the hopes of a nation on your shoulders, and are performing on home turf! It was fine for 2 minutes and 30, but then he misses his word, and isn’t hitting the last note.


4. Sunstroke Project and Olia Tira: Run Away

In an opening of contrasts, this is another one as we take our first delve into the first pop number of the contest. Upbeat, lively, and energetic this is going down well. They might not win, but they are a lot of fun!


5. Jon Lilygreen & The Islanders – Life Looks Better In Spring

This is cute, honest, and beautifully performed. Who would have thought that Cyprus would be charming Europe in a Eurovision final?! It’s such a lovely story about how they got here, and possibly it could get better.


Vukašin Brajić – Thunder And Lightning

We are seeing a very relaxed Vukašin tonight- it’s almost as if the pressure is off now he’s qualified and he is going to enjoy the whole experience, and fair play to him! A good effort.


7. Tom Dice – Me and My Guitar

The third guitar song in a row is now performed by Tom Dice, alone, on the catwalk. He has two backing singers hidden on the stage, but the lighting and camera work make it almost impossible to see them. It’s a very simple performance that deserves to do well.


8. Milan Stanković – Ovo Je Balkan

Pressure off for Milan too, and he’s having a lot of fun on stage. Watch this song- it’s up-tempo, and happy enough that I firmly believe it’s got a real chance at the top five, especially with only one other Balkan country in the final.


9. 3 + 2 – Butterflies

Are you “imaygening”? We are! It’s a little off-key at the start, but this is one of the best entries Belarus has ever sent, and is deservedly in the final. They give a solid performance, and are well-received.


10. Niamh Kavanagh – It’s For You

Nervous people in the press centre about this vocal- but no need to be. Niamh delivers an excellent performance, and although she isn’t hitting the final note bang on, she is getting 2/3 seconds of it to disguise the fact that it’s not sung until the end. She might not win it, but Ireland are back in the game and should be very proud.


11. Giorgos Alkaios & Friends – OPA

Everybody say “OPA”! This is full of energy and gets everyone here going. They have added pyros off of the drums during the instrumental bit towards the end for a bigger effect. No-one is ruling this out!


12. Josh Dubovie – That Sounds Good To Me

You cannot fault Josh for effort- he is giving it everything on this song and, as a person, deserves to do well- the song is dated, though, and it might just be too retro for most of Europe.

Most of Europe goes to a commercial break here, but for those who don’t you’ll get Graham Norton being interviewed!


Sofia Nizharadze – Shine

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again- how does she sing this whilst being thrown around the stage?! It’s a faultless vocal, performed almost effortlessly- but with power. Georgia could be on for their best ever finish.


14. maNga – We Could Be The Same

This is one of the best performances of the song maNga have given. The girl is also getting more sparks out of the grinding, although the pyro shot isn’t quite getting caught. Turkey will get a consistent amount of votes, but might just fall short of a victory.


15. Juliana Pasha – It’s All About You

Juliana has found some “umph” from somewhere, and it’s making all the difference! Unfortunately for her it’s in a bit of an up-tempo sandwich, but good none the less. Outsider for the top 10.


16. Hera Björk – Je Ne Sais Quoi

It’s got the fan vote for sure! Hera is going for it, and the audience are lapping it up! This won’t win, but it is pleasing.


17. Alyosha – Sweet People

One word for this- power! She sings the pants off of this song, and juries will like that- although, there’s just one of her in contrast to a lot of the other entries. After all the controversy, could this do well?


18. Jessy Matador – Alllez, ola, olé

This is upbeat, but still a bit of a mess on stage- and the haka attempt at the end is just a bit out of place.


19. Paula Seling & Ovi – Playing With Fire

I’m putting this in “the potential winner” category. There’s enough about the song to make people vote- it’s performed by two competent singers who are doing a duet as it should be, and nailing the live version! When they leave the piano and join the dance routine it adds an extra kick.


20. Peter Nalitch & Friends: Lost And Forgotten

It’s certainly different to the other songs in the final, give it that! I’m not sure they could perform it much better either, but there’s only going to be limited appeal.


21. Eva Rivas – Apricot Stone

This song is in serious contention to win the whole thing. Eva is a confident performer, singing a catchy tune, with a good enough diaspora to get it up there. Dangerous!


22. Lena – Satellite


23. Filipa Azevedo – Há Dias Assim


24. Harel Skaat – Milim

25. Chanée & N’evergreen – In A Moment Like This