It scarcely seems a few weeks since I was sending a similar post from Helsinki, but it must be a whole year as here I am in Belgrade for a fortnight of Eurovision insanity.

Belgrade isn't a city you'd visit as a tourist for its aesthetic beauty. It is predictably "Eastern Bloc" in its appearance, but there is something harsh and gritty about the architectural style which I find somehow appealing, and the people seem very welcoming, which I haven't been able to say about every former Eastern Bloc country I've visited.

As with last year, I have unilaterally declared myself as Tipsheet Eurovision correspondent, so as the days go on and start blending into each other till I hardly know where I am any more, I shall no doubt be sending the occasional post, or perhaps even bombarding you with posts, if there is anything of interest, and attempting to keep my sentences shorter than this one.

This event gets bigger and bigger. Rehearsals started yesterday, and the contest isn't until the 24th. I got into the press centre this morning, and the first thing I was greeted with was that bloody turkey rehearsing for Ireland. Things can only get better. I hope.

We look forward with huge anticipation Anthony - being the ONLY music site to take the event seriously (with tongue in cheek) and as, this year, I won't be able to come to Belgrade, we rely on you and Glenn to keep us up to speed on the gossip and the hints.

I still reckon Dima will win for Russia with a far worse song than his glorious No2 from 2 years ago but a much weaker field of competition.

I do think the pirates (Latvia?) with their Adam Ant ripoff could surprise everyone.

Not the turkey please.

Hello from Belgrade too! Almost at the end of day 2 rehearsals so that means we are nearing the end of the first set of semi finalists.

Yesterday Norway stood out as the best performance, and Belgium was also good. Today Ireland was very good, and Dustin the Turkeys press conference was hilarious. He said "A British journalist had the nerve to say i'm a novelty act - novelty act!! And they then send Andy Abraham, that guy used to pick up rubbish, now he sings it!" The conference was full of witty comments.

Dima Bilan is on next for Russia, looking forward to seeing that one.

Now, I am warming to Dustin the Turkey after hearing his hilarious press conference, although I have to add that I am not entirely sure he is a real talking turkey, and suspect there may have been a man hiding under the table!

Speaking through a puppet gives great scope for being far more controversial than the normal bland platitudes we get at these things, and the UK got more than its fair share of the jibes. One journalist announced himself as being from the UK. Dustin said "Sorry?" and getting the repeat, said "I heard you the first time. I just meant I'm sorry." He described Andy Abraham as "a very boring man" and added "he used to collect rubbish and now he sings it"

When someone told him they couldn't believe they were talking to a dummy, he replied, "Nor can I"

He was asked, given the popularity of Eurovision amongst the gay community, whether he was a hen man or a cock man, which brought the house down.

I bumped into the Irish delegation in the early hours, staggering into their hotel. If I were a tabloid jounalist I would tell you that their head of delegation had to be carried inside. The truth is he did make it unaided. Just. They are a fun crowd, and though I don't much appreciate these joke songs at Eurovision, and I don't think the humour will travel well, I wouldn't begrudge them securing a place at the final.

JK, I disagreed with your belief in a Russian victory, but the signs at rehearsals were most encouraging. The backing singers have been beefed up with some rousing operatic voices. Early days, but I predict a highly effective, and possibly dramatic stage performance, though I would need to wait for the first dress rehearsal, as there is a very fine line between a winning visual performance and going over the top.

Sweden just rehearsed. I know this song is well thought of by some Tipsters, and certainly Charlotte is a safe pair of hands. I'd have been putting my mortgage on it ten years ago, but I can't help thinking these Swedish Schlager thumpers have had their day. I would still predict a top six placing for it though.

Still wouldn't want to stick my neck out and predict a winner. We'll see what today brings.

The only problem with this year's venue is the distance between the arena and press centre. We are used to them being in the same complex or at least reasonably close, whereas this year they are half a mile apart which makes the normal rush from rehearsal to conference difficult for most and nigh on impossible for an out of condition 30 fags a day porker such as myself.

Luckily they are shown on screen in the centre, where I am currently watching the Ukranian rehearsal. Ani Lorak is a great performer, possessing both the singing skills and innate stage presence which are often lacking in Eurovision performers. The all important visual impression is also effective. It's all done with mirrors, and the routine is suitably slick. A cert for top ten in the final and could be a contender. I am not a massive fan of the actual song, but plenty are.

And if anyone is thinking Ani Lorak doesn't sound very Ukranian, it is her real name spelt backwards.

Is it that time again already?? I haven't heard any of the Eurovision songs yet. I'll have to go find the website and check them out.

I am always stunned this time of year, when Anthony, and now Glen, send their Eurovision posts, as to the amount of rehersals involved.
Do the acts notably change during this period or go through the motions?

The Cat wrote:
Is it that time again already?? I haven't heard any of the Eurovision songs yet. I'll have to go find the website and check them out.

Is it that time again already?? I haven't heard any of the Eurovision songs yet. I'll have to go avoid all the websites so as NOT to check them out !!!

The reason Belgrade does not look like the usual 'eastern block' country, is because Yugoslavia was not
under Stalin/USSR and a non-aligned socialist country

I know its petty but I hate it when 'reporters' dont do their homework!!!


Good Luck Andy(UK entry) with Eurovision!!!

Mart wrote:
I am always stunned this time of year, when Anthony, and now Glen, send their Eurovision posts, as to the amount of rehersals involved.
Do the acts notably change during this period or go through the motions?
It very much varies from act to act, Mart. Some singers start weakly and build up to a peak for the big night, others occasionally do the reverse unfortunately, and once in a blue moon you get the genuinely talented who have the luxury of singing effortlessly. It is very rare that anything would change dramatically in the arrangement or presentation of the songs, as they have been pretty much fixed before arrival at the venue.

There are also a lot of technical issues: sound, lighting, direction, not to mention the logistics of how to get the props on and off stage in less than a minute. This is a particular problem this year, due to a number of weird and wonderful contraptions. The Greeks have a bizarre and enormous metal box which opens up like a pop up book to reveal a huge heart, on a base of something which I really can't make out.

The attempts to get it off stage bordered on the slapstick. I'm not sure that will appear on the night.

The Cat wrote:
Is it that time again already?? I haven't heard any of the Eurovision songs yet. I'll have to go find the website and check them out.
The best one is the official website. www.eurovision.tv/page/medialounge

Go on, you too ITK. You know you want to really

I often remember the bizarre occurrences more than the songs.

What I will remember most about today is getting off the tram, and preparing to cross the road to the press centre to find the traffic lights on fire.

Not every day that happens.

Aww gawd Anthony! Trams are a nightmare, and I speak as one that got out the wrong side of one and walked into the path of another one in Northern Germany( I lived as one can tell!)

The trams are not too bad here, Mart, and more importantly they are free with press accreditation.

There is not too much to report since I was last here. The Latvian pirates have just been rehearsing. It is either loved or hated by the assembled press and fans here, which is no bad thing with phone voting. It was great in the hall, but reports suggest it was weaker on TV. I did have concerns about the vocals before arriving in Belgrade. I still think it is one of half a dozen still in with a chance, but others believe it won't qualify from its semi final. The vampires from Switzerland didn't make it last year, despite my predictions to the contrary. You never know with these novelty songs.

The UK delegation has not arrived yet, but with the luxury of being a "Big Four" country, their first rehearsal isn't until Saturday afternoon. I have never known so much apathy about a UK entry, even amongst the UK press/fans. Scooch was awful last year, but at least we could amuse ourselves criticizing the ludicrous nature of the song. This year's mediocrity is inspiring no-one.

www.myspace.com/melodycouk wrote:
The reason Belgrade does not look like the usual 'eastern block' country, is because Yugoslavia was not
under Stalin/USSR and a non-aligned socialist country

I know its petty but I hate it when 'reporters' dont do their homework!!!


Good Luck Andy(UK entry) with Eurovision!!!
I'm fully aware of the history of Yugoslavia, thanks. It wasn't in the Warsaw Pact, but was regarded as being behind the iron curtain.

So there!

the Moldova song is quite beautiful. I bet it doesn't qualify. The winner will probably be some kind of pap.

Denise wrote:
the Moldova song is quite beautiful. I bet it doesn't qualify. The winner will probably be some kind of pap.
Music, like any art form, is subjective, Denise. Moldova is one of my least favourite songs, but I can see the appeal. Its jazz style is simply not to my taste, but don't be so sure it won't qualify. The midweek audience which votes on the semis is a different demographic from the Saturday evening crowd, and arguably more sophisticated. A blues song from Hungary came third in the semis last year but fared much worse on the big night.

As for the winner being pap, this is again subjective. I found last year's winner from Serbia a beautiful melody, and Lordi and Dima Bilan came first and second in 2006, again both credible efforts. If trashy Europop wins this year, let's remember it is by popular vote, and who are we to criticize other people's tastes, though I probably would!

Senhora Do Mar, by Vania Fernandes from Portugal.

A lovely rehearsal, and one of the best Portuguese entries in many years. Vania is a larger lady, but Marija from Serbia last year proved that the viewers of Europe are less fickle than I gave them credit for, and that conventional superficial beauty is not a must.

The song has a delightful melody and echoes hints of the Fado tradition, yet was composed by a Slovenian. I have to hold my hands up and confess that I am not a genuine muso like many on this board, but I should imagine it is impressive for a composer to tap in to a different culture and produce something so plausible.

It is the last song on in the second semi final, and I desperately hope that its good draw will see Portugal break their duck and make it through a semi-final.

A good song with a very popular sentiment. I think they've tapped into the mood of most Europeans.

Peace will come.

I like it.

JC wrote:
A good song with a very popular sentiment. I think they've tapped into the mood of most Europeans.

Ah, the beauty of Eurovision. I think it is dreadful and amateurish, sounding like a playground chant composed by an eight year old, but it could easily be me ending up with egg on my face.