FEATURE__ THE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2016
The musical highlight of the year is almost upon us.
pop track titled ‘You’re Not Alone’. Bringing back the You Decide
No, not the Grammy’s, it’s not even The X Factor final – it’s
format after a six year break and putting the selection process
the Eurovision Song Contest! Now in its 61st year, and with a
firmly back in the voting public’s hands is likely to pay off for the
worldwide audience of over 500 million worldwide, the Contest
UK, who have previously sent big names like Bonnie Tyler and
is more popular than ever. It’s camp, it’s fun, it’s everything you
Engelbert Humperdinck to the Contest to often woeful results.
could ever want from a cheesy europop competition.
Who could forget last year’s cringeworthy finish at almost at the
This year the competition returns to Sweden thanks to Måns
bottom of the table for Electro Velvet?
Zelmerlöw who (with an Avicii-style anthem, never-before-seen
Speaking of dramatic changes, this year the Swedish
visuals and chiseled good looks) stormed to victory last year in
broadcasters who are producing the show have announced one
Vienna. Next month the reigning champ will co-host the Contest
of the biggest shake-ups to the contest in its history: a complete
in Stockholm alongside Petra Mede (who eagle-eyed viewers
overhaul of the voting process. Until now, most of us spent the
will remember as the 2013 presenter). The Swedes have been one of the hottest contenders in recent memory. At the turn of the Millennium, Sweden were the surprise winners with Charlotte Nielsen, following fellow diva Carola’s win in 1991, the gold-shoed Hereys brothers in 1984, and of course the iconic ABBA victory with ‘Waterloo’ in 1974. Throwing the 2012 winner Loreen’s ‘Euphoria’ into the mix, Sweden now sit on the cusp of matching the record set by Ireland who have won the Contest seven times compared to Sweden’s more modest six. For Ireland, some will say the finger has finally been pulled out following the threat of having its pristine title taken away. This year’s entry is former Westlife star Nicky Byrne, who will be performing ‘Sunlight’. The track is co-written with Lord of the Dance composer Ronan Hardiman, and Wayne Hector, a songwriter best known for his work with Nicki Minaj, One Direction and Olly Murs. ‘Sunlight’ has been well received by fans.
The UK reaches the Eurovision final every single year, not because they are consistently amazing (they aren’t) but as one of the so-called Big Five the UK is granted a space in every final . Who could forget last year’s cringeworthy finish at almost at the bottom of the table for Electro Velvet?
It’s a refreshing departure from recent Irish
night of the Eurovision final labouring through two hours of results, with clear favourites often obvious from the start. This year each country’s independent panel of experts will vote and their points, ranging from one to twelve, will be delivered via satellite by each country’s spokespeople, but then the total public vote will be added in a shock new move that will rank each country by total points received. Working from the lowest-scoring country to the highest will mean huge leaps and jumps across the leaderboard in the final part of the Contest, injecting a new energy, drama and excitement. Eurovision has delivered some historic moments to living rooms around the world, particularly its celebration of LGBT culture. Dana International became the first transsexual act in the Contest’s history, winning in Birmingham in 1997 with her legendary hit ‘Diva’. Conchita Wurst - the bearded drag queen with a Bond theme ballad to rival Adele’s - was a runaway winner two years ago, while Eurovision’s first and second gay kiss were broadcast
entries and stands a good chance of winning. Despite a back-to-
the year before that. Conchita may have been the most famous
back winning streak in the 90’s, Ireland has continuously fallen
drag queen to compete, but she wasn’t the first. Ukraine’s Verka
short over the past 15 years. Only Jedward saved face with their
Serduchka came second place in Helskinki in 2007, whilst in
joke act ‘Lipstick’, which saw the Dublin duo finish eighth in
2002 Slovenia sent Sestre, a cabin crew-themed trio who Sir Terry
Düsseldorf in 2011.
Wogan suggested should be hired by Richard Branson.
The UK reaches the Eurovision final every single year, not because they are consistently amazing (they aren’t) but as one of the so-called Big Five the UK is granted a space in every final alongside Italy, France, Spain and Germany. This is thanks to
THE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2016
their contributions to the European Broadcasting Union, who
Hosts: Måns Zelmerlöw & Petra Mede
organise the Contest. This year, former The Voice rivals Joe and
Venue: Globen Arena, Stockholm
Jake are the British entry. They will be competing with an upbeat
Grand Final: 14th May 8pm (BBC One and RTE 1)
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