Preview of the Grand Final of the 2016 Eurovision

26 countries are going to sing in the grand final of the 2016 Eurovision Song contest but in the midst of the 26 finalists we already have 6 known qualifiers which consists of the big 5 (Spain, France, Italy, United Kingdom and Germany) and last year's winning country, Sweden.

This year, all the 6 automatic qualifiers had sent song which could be considered strong enough to land in the top 20 if they could win the hearts of the fan during the live performance in Stockholm. To add the matter of a fact we do not need to wait for the grand final to see all the automatic qualifiers perform as France, Spain and Sweden will be performing in the first semi final while Germany, Italy and United Kingdom will do the same thing at the second semi-final.

1.Sweden-Frans-If I were Sorry

Sweden is sending something different this year, if they won with an upbeat song last year then they sent something in contrast to it which is an electronic folk.They chose their entry through the famous Swedish national selection, Melodifestivalen and 17 year old Frans, managed to win it. The song shows that people could ask for forgiveness through many ways and from this song, we know that someone could rob a bank or a post office to be forgiven even though it is actually a bizarre way to earn forgiveness. If Frans could throw a wondrous performance with this simple folk song, he could give a good place for the host country. 

2.France-Amir-J'ai Cherche

If France sent a ballad last year, then it is an upbeat song this year and the upbeat song is something which could lighten up your mood and maybe help you find what you have been searching for. Amir's vocals live are totally on point and the song itself has the ingredients to land in the top 5 as the French and English language really synchronizes with the beat of the song. Many odds has predicted that this entry has a really high potential to win the contest and who knows that France could find what every participating country have been searching for, which is winning this year's contest. If Amir could amaze us in Stockholm, then who knows that we would be going to France for next year's Eurovision?

3.Germany- Jamie-Lee Kriewitz - Ghost

Germany serves us a song with an eerie yet mysterious atmosphere titled 'Ghost', we could actually feel that atmosphere from the title of the song itself. Jamie-Lee's vocals really blends in with the song, as it gives us the creepy yet comfortable feeling when we listen to it. If Jamie could throw an eerie and memorable performance in Stockholm, then who knows that Germany could land in the top 10 as this song could be seen in good position in many tops. Maybe we could see a creepy performance in Stockholm later?

4.Italy-Francesca Michielin-No Degree Of Separation

Francesca Michielin is going to sing No Degree Of Separation which was the runner up of this year's Sanremo. The song has a wonderful message about humanity, it shows that we should not be racist, we should not discriminate others and we should treat people like humans as there is no degree of separation between us and we are the world's people, even though we are different we are the same. The best thing is that the last chorus of the song is sung in English which really expresses the beautiful meaning of the song. Francesca's majestic vocals really sychronizes with the wonderful ballad and it is also a potential winner, as it is seen in high places in odds and tops. If she could serve us a wonderful live, then there are high chances for her to land in the top 5.

5. Spain-Barei-Say Yay!

After decades of joining Eurovision, Spain had finally sent a song which is being sung in full English and this attempt of theirs did a great job. They selected their entry through their national final, Objectivo Eurovision and they made a great choice as this song managed to stay strong. The song this year is an upbeat dance song which has a wonderful beat, you could feel alive again when you hear it as it really lightens your mood and makes you have the feeling of wanting to dance to it. It could be seen in high places in many tops and who knows that Spain could land in the top 10 this year. Barei has the catchy songs, catchy vocals and she just needs to give us an indedible performance to get a good place in the contest.

6.United Kingdom- Joe & Jake - You're Not Alone

United Kingdom opt for a national selection this year and they selected their entry through the national final 'Eurovision: You Decide' and Joe & Jake won the contest among the six songs in the national final. The song has a high potential to do well in Stockholm and this is not a bad choice, as the song is really memorable and it is something that you feel like you want to sing and dance to. The vocals of this duo are totally on point as it really synchronizes with the song. If they could give us a wonderful show in Stockholm, then there are chances for them to do much better than last year.

Well, that is the preview that we have for all the auto-qualifiers and when you come to one point, the contest this year is going to be a tough one as we have a large stock of majestic songs this year. Lets just hope for the best and hope that would have a spectacular show this year. 

Preview of the second semi-final (Part 2)

Now we've reviewed the first half of the second-semi final, we're back to review the final part of the semi-final participants.

                                          

19 countries will participate in Semi Final 2 but only 10 will advance to the Grand Final. Semi Final 2 will be taking place on Thursday 12th May.

11 - Albania - Eneda Tarifa - Fairytale

Albania once again selected their Eurovision entrant via Festivali i Këngës and chose 34 year-old Eneda Tarifa to represent the country with "Fairytale" - the same title that won the contest for Norway back in 2009. I really preferred this before the revamp into English, and it seems that many also believe this as Albania is currently low down in the betting odds, being 39th out of 43. I unfortunately doubt a qualification for Albania in 2016.

12 - Bulgaria - Poli Genova - If Love Was A Crime

After a two year break from Eurovision, Bulgaria is back to the contest, sending ESC 2011 representative and JESC 2015 "hostess with the mostest" Poli Genova with "If Love Was A Crime". I believe that this could do very well for Bulgaria, maybe even getting them their best result since their most recent appearance in the Grand Final in 2007. Could we be heading off to Sofia for Eurovision 2017?

13 - Denmark - Lighthouse X - Soldiers of Love

Denmark held another edition of Dansk Melodi Grand Prix to decide their entry for Eurovision, choosing three-piece boyband Lighthouse X with "Soldiers of Love". After a non-qualification in 2015 with a boyband, I was quite surprised with the choice of Lighthouse X, especially with the presence of the other 2 superfinalists, Simone and Anja Nissen, but only time will tell whether Denmark will qualify for the Grand Final again.

14 - Georgia - Nika Kocharov & Young Georgian Lolitaz - Midnight Gold

Unlike most people, I actually really like Georgia's entry this year, more than Nina Sublatti last year. Nika & YGL were internally selected by the Georgian broadcaster, but had a national final with 5 songs from the band to decide which song would represent Georgia at Eurovision. The winner was "Midnight Gold", met with bad reception from fans and press, but after a revamp more people warmed up to the song. Even though a qualification for Georgia this year seems unlikely, I wish them the best of luck.

15 - Romania - Ovidiu Anton - Moment of Silence

With a national selection full of broken legs and thousands of Euros wasted, Ovidiu Anton was victorious with his drama-filled song "Moment of Silence". With this being the official song from Romania, many are doubtful over Romania keeping their 100% qualification record as the song is by no means one of the favourites. Ovidiu's voice is very good but with this song Romania could destroy their 100% qualification record.

16 - Slovenia - ManuElla - Blue and Red

ManuElla was selected to represent Slovenia through EMA, a national final with 10 songs. With all the hype surrounding the 2015 Slovenian entrants, Maraaya, ManuElla hasn't brought a song that can bring the same hype, and with some questionable lyrics (e.g. cause blue is blue and red is red) and with the song being 37th out of 43 in the betting odds to win Eurovision, this could possibly bring Slovenia their first non-qualification for 3 years.

17 - Norway - Agnete - Icebreaker

10 songs competed to represent Norway at Eurovision 2016 and the winner emerged as 21 year-old Agnete with the song "Icebreaker". Agnete will be a familiar face to Melodi Grand Prix watchers, as the winner of Junior Melodi Grand Prix 2008 and 2nd place in Melodi Grand Prix 2011 as part of The BlackSheeps. "Icebreaker" is a quite divisive song, with many being thrown by the tempo change that occurs at the start of the chorus. I think the song is very good once you get over the tempo change.

18 - Ukraine - Jamala - 1944

Ukraine returned from their 1 year break from Eurovision with a national final, which let a combined vote from the public and a jury choose Jamala and her heartfelt song "1944", about Stalin's mass deportation of 240,000 Crimean Tatars and her grandmother's heartache of this event. With lyrics such as "When strangers are coming, they come to your house, they kill you all and say we're (the Russians) not guilty", Jamala doesn't hide her heartache during the performance. "1944" could do very well for Ukraine.

19 - Belgium - Laura Tesoro - What's The Pressure

The final song competing in the semi-finals is Belgium, who chose Laura Tesoro with "What's The Pressure", a funk-filled dance song guaranteed to get people up and dancing in their living rooms all across Europe and the world. Many have warmed up to this song, and with a new and fresh artist like Laura, this could have a Bojana-style success. Good luck Belgium!

Preview of the second semi-final (Part 1)

The second semi-final of this year's Eurovision is going to be as competitive as the first one and with no doubt, the result might be heartbreaking yet unexpectable but before we get the details, lets do a preview on this semi-final with the information that we have in hand and lets take a look at the countries that would be participating in this semi-final:

 So, 19 countries would be participating in this semi-final and I would be doing a review on 10 out of the 19 songs. 

1. Australia-Dami Im-Sound of Silence

Australia is still in Eurovision and I must say that this year's entry is a really powerful one, I just can't describe the love that I have towards this song. I believe that this song could qualify as Dami's vocals are totally on point and it really synchronizes with the song, the song is a strong one in my opinion, so I think that Australia could proceed to the Grand Final.

2.Belarus-Ivan-Help You Fly

If I have to tell you something about this entry, then I must say that I doubt that he would qualify due to various reasons. The song might not be forgettable but I think that it is not strong enough to go to the final, as there are better songs. The next problem is that, his vocals needs to be enhanced as it isn't that strong. Well, when you come to one point I must say that the only way for Belarus to get a good place in the semi-final is by doing enhancements on his vocals and there should be a good live performance. 

3.Ireland-Nicky Byrne-Sunlight

Ireland, sent Nicky Byrne who used to be a part of Westlife and he was also their spokesperson back in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The song itself is good and his vocals live was on point, I think that if he could bring out a good live in Stockholm, Ireland would surely qualify and if he could build the wonderful atmosphere when he sings, then he might do really well. This song has the potential to qualify and I must say that it has the potential to receive the golden ticket to the grand final.

4.Israel-Hovi Star-Made of Stars

I must say that this is something like a slower and softer version compared to the previous one but this is actually a good ballad, Hovi's vocals really blends in with the song too. This version actually suits me really well, albeit I like both of the versions equally. The lyrics are really good and it also has a good choice of words, which is what I love about this song. For the live, I hope that there would be a white grand piano with a starry night setting and there are chances for this to qualify if he manages to do well live.

5.Latvia-Justs-Heartbeat

Latvia is sending another masterpiece but this time, we have a good singer with a cute face which is a real adavantage. The song is an upbeat and I must say that it is powerful, which means that it has a high chance to qualify. The song was co-wrote by Aminata and I must say that she did a great job in writing, as Justs vocals blends in with the song perfectly and I could feel the heartbeat in this song.

6.Lithuania-Donny Montell-I've been waiting for this night

Donny Montell is back in Eurovision and I must say that his song this year is better than his entry back in 2012, which was titled Love Is Blind. His entry this year is a really good floorfiller and I must say that there are really high chances for him to qualify this year, as the song is really unforgettable and catchy. If he manages to throw a good performance in Stockholm, then I must say that this song could receive the golden ticket to the grand final. 

7.Macedonia-Kaliopi-Dona

In this semi-final, we are having another 2012 alumni and this time it is Kaliopi, who sung Crno I Belo in Baku. This song is totally different from her 2012 entry as this is more of a ballad while Crno I Belo, is a combination of a number of genres. The ballad is powerful and I immediately have the chorus stuck in my head after listening to it once, her vocals also blends in with the song. I hope that this could qualify, as Kaliopi didn't let me down this year with her song and I hope that she would do the same thing with her live performance.

8.Poland-Michal Szpak-Colour of Your Life

 

Poland sends an emotional ballad which is being sung by Michal Szpak, the song itself is okay and I must say that Michal really expresses his feelings through this song. Through this song, I could imagine a person who is being asked about their true colours, wether it is black or it is white, it is similar to finding the true nature of someone wether it is good or it is bad. The song is good but I still doubt that it would qualify, as I had seen it placing low in many tops and I don't find it strong enough.

9.Serbia-ZAA Sanja Vučić- Goodbye (Shelter)

Serbia is sending a powerful and emotional song this year and I must say that this song has really high chances to qualify.  Sanja's vocals are totally on point and I must say that projects the song really well, as her voice really blends in with the song. I believe that this entry has high chances to say goodbye to the semi-final and find a shelter in the grand final.

10.Switzerland-Rykka-We're The Last Of Our Kind 

Switzerland sends a powerful upbeat song to the contest, the song is actually memorable yet fabulous and I think that there are chances for her to qualify. The only problem that I have with her is that, her vocals are kind off messy and it needs a bit of enhancements in order for it to get a good place.

Well, that's my preview for the first half of the second semi-final of the 2016 Eurovision song contest that would be held on  12 May 2016.

Written by: Alex (@Eurovision_Indonesia)