Eurovision 2018 • General Discussion

QUALIFIERS:

This is honestly the only qualifier I'm somewhat unhappy about. Switzerland should've taken its place. I just wasn't connecting with him. Maybe it's just my taste. Perhaps because this song sounds so different from your average pop song that it gained appeal. The soul sound was done right, and it showed in their qualification. Nice staging with the descending platform, too.

Oh, I would kill to see her perform live! Those projections did not detract from her performance. In fact, it actually helped. The camera work still managed to put more focus on Elina while fascinating the viewer with the beautiful graphics. I also loved the choreography of her arms when she was 'splashing' her dress near the end. And she has a stunning opera voice that will surely stand out in the Grand Final. She's my winner of this semifinal.

My thoughts on this song went from warm to hot! Eleni brought the (almost) full package: a catchy song that's a potential summer anthem, a stunning stage performance (lights, graphics, choreography on point), and an energetic and powerful stage presence out of Eleni. Her voice is a minor flaw when she has all of Europe turned up to an eleven! I hope the bookies got this right, and I would be pleased to see this win if not Estonia.

Before the show, I thought this would be a sure non-qualifier. Little did I know my opinions would be swayed. Ieva has such a tender voice that keeps me quiet, wanting to listen for more of that sweetness. The Lithuanian part near the end didn't feel out of place. The overlays of the different people really brought it home, but the icing on the cake was that moment on the bridge with her husband. I nearly cried. It's just so beautiful.

This was expected, but it deserved to qualify. I loved the sass she showed with her different facial expressions. I appreciated the song for still connecting to something ethnic. The end result came out better than expected. Also, she had chicken noises! The televoters would eat that fried chicken up.

I'm pleased that Mikolas was able to follow Gabriela's footsteps. This was the only act in this semifinal that went for a humorous route, so that's how it stood out. It wasn't just humor though. The choreography was competent (Mikolas' injury helped it look less desperate I guess) and carried the essence of the song. This was also the most mainstream-sounding and catchiest song. Czechia should get their best result so far this year.

When I saw this performance in my computer screen, I was shook. Bulgaria really put their efforts in captivating their viewers with split screens, overlaps, but most importantly, Equinox themselves. Every member got a chance to shine both as individuals and together. The folk notes at the beginning and end are so powerful. Bulgaria maybe looking at another top 5 finish. Also... USA! USA! USA! You can win, too!

Yes daddy! I mean what? Sorry, he's just so goddamn handsome charming. A simple staging is all he needs for one of the best voices of the show. And those rock star high notes in the end? It's like I'm in heaven listening to this rock and roll angel. I was worried he wouldn't qualify, but after the flatness of the first two acts, he was the first act to really grab attention right from the first second. Bonus points for being non-English.

The 'Saara is second' saga continues when she gets announced 'second' to last. She had such a daring performance (the wheel, the handheld pyro, the trust fall) and it showed she ain't scared no more. The song on its own isn't a contender, but with such an ambitious performance, Saara may have a shot... at another second place?

The biggest surprise of the night, and a deserved qualification to add. Before the show, I wrote this off as a non-qualifier. However, when I saw it live, I was mesmerized. Ryan knows how to connect to the camera without making it uncomfortable (take notes Alekseev), to the girl at the piano, and to the audience. The way the camera moved gave me Common Linnets vibes. Those elements were appropriate for a soft song like "Together," and those could have swayed the juries toward his favor. He was also a young man with a guitar singing a ballad (see Tom Dice). And to appeal to the televote, we've got a couple of affectionate men dancing. It was gorgeous. Ireland snatched my attention. Congrats!

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NON-QUALIFIERS:

The staging and the beginning with her laying down looked promising, but Aisel wasn't at the top of her game. Regardless of running order, I think she would have failed to qualify. Her voice was not at its prime. She was assigned to sing a song that didn't suit her, and that was Azerbaijan's downfall. I think Azerbaijan got complacent. This should be a wake-up call. I expect a comeback next year.

Following up after a weak opening should've been Iceland's opportunity, but the song just wasn't engaging. Ari tried his best, but in this bloodbath, "Our Choice" was a lost baby. The ballad was just too plain.

After three top ten finishes, I had high hopes for Belgium. They produced one of the edition's best songs. The problem is conveying that song appropriately and effectively. Belgium suffered there. I thought Sennek's vocals were shaky and not every syllable was pronounced correctly. Then there's the staging that was just as shaky. Other than the beginning, nothing landed. I was disinterested in watching the performance. They should've had better staging.

Worst of the night. There was so much cringe all around. He should've brought the light-up bodysuit. Enough said.

Basically a similar critique as Belgium: one of the best songs, but that staging and performance was awful. The beginning effects were so cool, but then it took a massive nosedive. Marija's voice started to falter before the first pre-chorus. The choreography was messy. Marija's dresses were ill-fitting and unflattering. GET IT TOGETHER, MACEDONIA!

It doesn't matter how talented a singer is if the song on its own doesn't deliver. I've said it a few times, but Franka deserved a better song. You could try to mend the gap with staging, but it just looked empty and forgettable. The spoken word part didn't help. The performance left me indifferent. Non-qualification deserved.

Belgium, Macedonia, and Greece were all in my pre-show top 5 because the songs were some of the best this year. What do they have in common? The staging sucked. Greece had so much potential in terms of staging, but they threw their chances away with something so boring. "Oniro mou" is so musically dynamic, and we see Yianna in a static position with little movements here and there. Having Yianna all alone on stage was the wrong way to go. The song is so Greek, the performance needed to rely on a strong ethnic identity, not a blue hand (too vague). It's their second NQ in three years. I know it can do better.

I was almost convinced when that build-up started happening, but once the climax hit, I got musical blue balls. It just didn't strike me right to the core of my soul. It's nice to sing in your own language, but I think it's only effective when the impact of the entire song transcends past the words and toward feelings. Albania succeeded with it, Armenia failed. The stage looked cool with the pillars in a circular formation though.

I AM SO SAD! From the beginning, Switzerland surprisingly got me hooked with the few pauses. I could already tell Zibbz worked hard on this, so hard the guy even broke one of his drumsticks. Coco showed a strong personality with her attitude and swagger. The best part is the bridge, when she directly spoke to the audience and lit up that flare as that powerful woman she is. If there was a time when Switzerland deserved to return to the final, it should've been this year.