Some thoughts on the UK entry for 2015

Well the BBC has finally revealed who is representing the UK at Eurovision in Vienna. Alexandra Burke? Lulu? Kylie? Er, no.

It's fair to say that Electro Velvet has received mixed reactions from fans with many loving it and others absolutely hating it. That's Eurovision for you!

The Charleston vibe isn't really my thing but I do quite like this, it's quirky and different. In a year where most of the songs chosen have been a bit of a snoozefest, this stands out. Saying that, I don't know if it will woo the voters. The key is how it'll be staged - with a maximum of six people on stage it won't have the impressive impact of the video. Then there's the slightly trickier issue of the live performance - can they pull it off?

What struck me has been the vitriol directed towards the BBC, Electro Velvet and even some huffy tweets directed at me. If I didn't like the entry I would say so. It's not my favourite but we've sent worse. I imagine it'll come across as fun on the night.

There is a question here about how the UK act is chosen and that's something the BBC should review. I do think we need to be bolder and send more daring choices or even something which is more reflective of the UK music scene.

The UK song might not be everyone's cup of tea but I think a sense of perspective is needed. If another country had entered this song I doubt the criticism would be as prominent. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Eurovision is a TV show, it's not for the fans. It's harsh but true and time we all accepted that.

The BBC have got it wrong in the past. I can understand disappointment and wanting to rally behind the UK entry. I'm a Eurovision fan, unashamedly so, but the fan community also does itself no favours. There's a slightly manic element of our community which leaves me a little uncomfortable - as highlighted in Roy Delaney's excellent article on ESC Insight. When people are dropping the c-bomb on public forums, over a difference of opinion in music, it's time for a reality check.

Now, where did I leave my dancing shoes?

Every day is a school day...

I'm delighted to have been offered the opportunity to run a short course on Eurovision at City Lit in London in March. The course will chart the highs and lows of 60 years of Eurovision and will begin on Sunday 15 March from 14:00-17:00. It will take place each Sunday until 29 March.

Specific topics that will be covered:

- Gender and sexual identity
- Politics
- Social change
- Broadcasting history
- National identity and nation branding
- Culture

More details can be found here - go on, sign up! There might even be a special guest from Eurovision itself...

Australia in Austria!

This is one of the more surreal blogs I've posted... 

Australians have been loyal and enthusiastic fans of Eurovision over the years and this year it seems that the EBU is rewarding them for their unwavering support. Australia, yes AUSTRALIA have been invited to enter the Eurovision Song Contest!

It might seem a little ridiculous at first but Eurovision already has entrants which lie outwith the conventional borders of Europe; Azerbaijan and Israel. In 1980 Morocco entered and there were plans for Tunisia and Lebanon to take to the stage once upon a time.

Whilst many say that political tensions come to the foreground when it comes to Eurovision, I think it unites us. Having a country over the other side of the world take part is entirely in-keeping with the general ethos of the competition. Eurovision is huge down under, 3 million people watched the show last year. With so many European expats (and those Aussies of European descent) it makes sense for Australia to be invited to the party. The more the merrier I say!

In the press release Executive Supervisor of the ESC, Jon Ola Sand said “At the very heart of the Eurovision Song Contest is the importance of bringing countries together to celebrate diversity, music and culture. We have admired and respected SBS’s support of Eurovision for many years now and wanted to extend the invitation for Australia to join us in this special 60th Anniversary of the Contest. It would be remiss of us to throw the world’s biggest party and not invite our Australian friends, who have such a long history and connection with Eurovision” - couldn't agree more Jon Ola! 

This isn't the first time that Australia has featured in Eurovision; practically every year the presenters make reference to those watching Down Under. In 2013 a tribute to Australia's love of the contest was shown during the semi finals, and Australian singer Jessica Mauboy performed as the interval act in the second semi final in 2014. Australian singers have participated for other countries in the Eurovision Song Contest in the past including Olivia Newton John and Gina G for the UK and Jane Comerford who was part of Germany’s 2006 entrants Texas Lightning.

It'll be typical, Australia will enter for a bit of fun and probably win the damn thing! Should Australia win the contest it has been agreed that the broadcaster, SBS, will co-host the contest in a European city with another EBU member - a chance for the BBC to show off its technical skills perhaps?

Happy new year!

Happy new year everyone! I cannot believe that it's 2015 already and that the Eurovision season is already under way. Last week Albania and Belarus chose their respective entries for Vienna and in the coming weeks the season will really kick off - and of course all eyes will turn to Sweden and to Melodifestivalen next month.

 

2014 was a bittersweet year in many ways. In terms of Eurovision work, it was a really successful year for me; I was busier than ever and I finally published my book. It hasn't exactly set the charts on fire but it was only ever intended as something for my CV and I'm glad to have finished the damn thing. On a personal level, 2014 was especially challenging with illness in my family and re-locating to London. I am now looking forward, with optimism, to 2015 and all that lies ahead.

 

2015 will see the 60th Eurovision Song Contest take place and there are various rumours currently going around about what is planned to mark the occasion. I think it's fair to say that the plans will include a little more than the montage shown at the start of the 1995 contest! More details to follow soon once they are confirmed.

 

I'm currently undertaking Dry January which is a campaign led by Alcohol Concern. I wanted a challenge and anyone who knows me will know that this is a challenge! Hopefully it'll help me with my marathon training which has now begun. I'm going to be running London, Edinburgh, Reykjavík and Dublin. If that doesn't help me to shed the lbs then I don't know what will! I'm looking forward to attending Eurofest at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern on 23rd January - stone cold sober!

 

Thanks for reading and I wish everyone a happy 2015 - let the Eurovision countdown begin! 

The winner takes it all!

A colleague of mine from the BBC was very busy during Eurovision this year - chasing various artists for a autographs. However, unlike most signed programme booklets, this one is for a very special cause. All proceeds will go towards Oxfam in support of the 100k Trailtrekker (rather them than me!)

The programme booklet has been signed by the majority of artists in the contest this year, including of course the winner, Conchita Wurst! It's a unique item and will be a collectable in years to come. If you want to get your hands on it and support a good cause at the same time you can bid for it here.

Good luck to all the Trailtrekkers and well done to Laurence for arranging this - what a lovely idea!