Got a TV Licence?
You need one to watch live TV on any channel or device, and BBC programmes on iPlayer. It’s the law.
Find out more
Summary
- The contest takes place in Tel Aviv in Israel
- Michael Rice is representing the UK
- The contest is televised on BBC One at 8pm
Live Reporting
By Emma Saunders and Helen Bushby
All times stated are UK
Iceland
Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest
Copyright: AFP
Iceland’s contribution to
this year’s contest is a thunderous techno ear-bleeder whose title, Hatrio mun sigra, means “hate will prevail.”It’s performed by
Hatari, an art collective from Reykjavik whose penchant for spikes, buckles and
BDSM have made them quite the talking point.Hatari have been
quite outspoken about Israel’s hosting of this year’s contest, leading some to
predict their final performance may include a political statement – something
frowned upon by the competition’s organisers.Then again, their
presence here at all is a provocation in itself. If you’re of a sensitive
disposition, this might be a good time to go and put the kettle on.By the way, the masked drummer on top of the cage is the son of Iceland’s ambassador in London.
United Kingdom
Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest
Copyright: Getty Images
Michael Rice is a pleasant young chap we would love to see do well with his uplifting ballad
Bigger Than Us.But the organisers have done him no favours putting him
after Norway’s euphoric performance.Bigger Than
Us, which begins with Rice looking awfully lonely alone on a very big stage, looks muted and under-powered in contrast, even after he is joined by five gospel singers.Not only that, but what’s coming up next – Iceland’s Hatari – might wipe it from
voters’ minds altogether.By the way, 21-year-old Michael wasn’t even born the last time the UK won Eurovision in 1997.
Video content
Video caption: Eurovision 2019: UK entry Michael Rice says it’s about time we had a decent song Norway
Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest
Copyright: Norway
Norwegian trio KEiiNO was formed last
year and comprises of Tom Hugo, Alexandra Rotan and rapper Fred Buljo.All of them are fab, but it’s the latter’s joik – a traditional song form
performed by the Sami people of northern Scandinavia – that makes their act
truly memorable.The mix of Nordic folk and pounding disco makes Spirit in the Sky one of the
more striking numbers in this year’s competition.The song – whose writers include Hugo’s husband Alex Olsson – also has some wonderfully
barking lyrics about running with demons and dancing with fairies.Readers’ photos: Face paints to the ready
Copyright: Jamie Gater
Image caption: “I wonder who will win..?” Jamie Gater sent us this lovely photo of a child with a Union Flag painted on his face, so we know who he’s rooting for.
The Onions family from Shrewsbury also got in touch – they asked us to tell you they’re sitting ready with
scorecards and gin and tonics and are feeling optimistic: “Fingers crossed for the UK.” They signed it: Matt, Cathryn & Maddison xxIsrael
Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest
Copyright: EPA
Kobi Marimi looks genuinely delighted in his Mr Peabody dickie-bow to be
representing his country in the city he was born in, with an operatic ballad called
Home.If you enjoyed seeing Captain Netta jet in earlier on, by
the way, last year’s winner will be back later to sing her latest single.Copyright: EPA
Greece
Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest
Copyright: EPA
Female fencers,
epic epualettes and dancers dressed as yellow dusters ensure Greece’s entry is quite the visual feast.There’s also a
spot of the Jess Glynnes about Montreal-born singer Katerine Duska’s impressive, if rather nasal, vocal gymnastics.Better Love,
which Duska co-wrote with Fame Academy alumnus David Sneddon in just two weeks,
is a soaring anthem that largely consists of its title being continuously
repeated.Fans of The Prisoner,
meanwhile, will appreciate the large white balloon that gets thrown into the
audience.Netherlands
Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest
Copyright: Getty Images
Duncan Laurence has been favourite to win for months with
Arcade, a heartfelt piano ballad about a failed romance.Seated alone at a keyboard in the middle of the stage, he
lets his song – and the occasional smouldering glance – do all the talking.The only flourish is a spherical chandelier that descends from the rafters when
the tune hits peak poignancy.The Netherlands has won the contest on four occasions,
though one of those wins was down to a never-repeated four-way tie.More of your photos!
Copyright: Paula
Paula in Fyvie tells us she’s “having a great time. Feeling the euro vision vibes. Xxx”.
Lovely to see you’re remembering Sir Terry Wogan too.
Cyprus
Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest
Copyright: AFP
Despite entering Eurovision a whopping 35 times, Cyprus has
yet to notch up a single victory.But they keep on coming back and have another credible song on
their hands this year in catchy floor-filler Replay.With her thigh-high boots, suspenders and wet-look gamine crop,
Georgia-born singer Tamta Goduadze seems to be inviting comparisons with headline act Madonna.Her performance, meanwhile, includes a Velcro-assisted
garment remove that calls to mind those legendary Bucks Fizz skirts.Cyprus finished an impressive second last year with Fuego, a dance
track with which Replay shares two songwriters and a lot more besides.Google geekery
The Google News Initiative has tracked searches
for Eurovision entrants from outside their home country to find out who would be the winner if that was the way the contest was decided.Cheers and chocolate cake – your photos
Copyright: Charles Pottle and Julian McDougall
Charles Pottle is enjoying a drink with friends in Italy, while Julia McDougall is about to have a large slice of his Eurovision cake. We’re jealous!
Slovenia
Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest
Copyright: Getty Images
Amidst this year’s fiery
spectacle, tight choreography and slick computer graphics, the studied
minimalism of Slovenia’s entry comes as a blessed relief.Real-life couple Zala Kralj and Gasper Santl remain stock
still throughout Sebi, a lo-fi slice of melancholy electronica whose title means
Oneself.Lorde-alike Zala
and tousel-haired Gaspar met through Instagram in 2017 and became a duo on and
off stage.Slovenia have yet to win
Eurovision and have only two seventh-place finishes to show for their 24 years
of participation.Raise a glass to Sir Terry
Copyright: BBC
Graham Norton has just toasted the late, great broadcaster and Eurovision host Sir Terry Wogan, for song number nine from Sweden – he always toasts him at this point in the contest. Cheers Graham!
Sweden
Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest
Copyright: Getty Images
Too Late
For Love is a soaring slice of polished pop from a country who always pull it
out of the bag when Eurovision comes around.They’ve won
the contest six times, most recently with Mans Zelmerlow’s Heroes in 2015, and have
only failed to qualify for the final once.Small wonder they’ve been tipped to do well again this year, with presenter Rylan Clark-Neal among those predicting at least a top five finish.
John Lundvik was born in London and was adopted
by Swedish ex-pats when he was a baby. He went on to be a champion sprinter
before becoming a singer.He also co-wrote the UK’s song this year but chose to sing this one because it suited his voice better.
Zelmerlow will be on the show later as part of an all-star segment
featuring previous contest favourites, while Rylan will reveal the UK’s votes: “This is Rylan calling!”Sweepstakes aplenty from you at home
Copyright: Anna McMurray
In another reader’s photo, there’s a big old sweepstake going on in the McMurray household in east London, with a HUGE £4 up for grabs, folks!
North Macedonia
Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest
Copyright: Getty Images
Tamara Todevska is no stranger to Eurovision. She was part of a trio who sang
for what was then the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in 2008 and has been
a backing singer on two other occasions.Now she finally gets the spotlight to herself with Proud, a rousing
anthem to female self-empowerment she dedicates to her daughter Hana “and everyone out there fighting for their dreams”.Multiple
projections seem to be very in much in vogue this year, as shown by the six
Tamaras she has behind her.North Macedonia’s
appearance in the Eurovision final comes just a few months on from the country’s
new name being approved by the international community.Ssh! Don’t wake the young fan in this reader’s photo
Copyright: Raphael Cohen
Aah, Raphael Cohen sent us this picture – who are the puppy and baby voting for?
San Marino
Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest
Copyright: EPA
The biggest surprise of Tuesday’s first semi-final was
undoubtedly the moment San Marino was named among the qualifiers.The tiny republic has only made the final once before, so it was
quite the shock when 54-year-old Serhat went through.With its disco stylings, trite lyrics and shorts-wearing backing
dancers, Na Na Na is Eurovision at its unabashedly cheesiest.Before he became a singer, Serhat graduated as a dentist from Istanbul
University. Maybe they should put up a plaque.Denmark
Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest
Copyright: Getty Images
If Amelie had a playlist,
Denmark’s entry Love is Forever would definitely be on it.A quirky, perky paean to love
sung in four different languages, it comes with a massive chair that makes
20-year-old skater-turned-singer Leonora look like one of The Borrowers.You’d have trouble getting
that thing back from Ikea, even if it did come in a flat pack. And don’t even
think about the table that goes with it.Co-writer Lise Cabble
also pitched in on Only Teardrops, the song that brought Denmark their last win in
2013.Russia
Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest
Copyright: Getty Images
Russia have a heavy hitter this year in homegrown superstar Sergey
Lazarev, who came third when he last competed in 2016.They’ll be hoping for the same if not better with Scream, a
dramatic ballad Lazarev performs before a wall of mirrors that gradually take
on lives of their own.At one point, the 35-year-old former gymnast stands behind
one of those rain windows Joey had in his apartment in Friends.Lazarev’s other interests include a canine treats business
called Poodle-Strudel, which really does take the biscuit.
Eurovision 2019: Latest updates
0 Comments: