The Eurovision Song Contest

Most years you can only shake your head at the way countries award their points at the Eurovision Song Contest. The 2011 competition was no exception. In fact, this year it appeared worse then normal. Neighbourly voting was so obvious, even the large crowd at the Esprit Arena in Düsseldorf began booing as each result was announced.Why were even surprised that Cyprus awarded its twelve points to Greece? Or that the Scandinavian countries were an exclusive club, giving their highest points to their neighbours? Then, of course, there were the Eastern European, Balkan and Eurasian countries all trading

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]1. Azerbaijan: Ell and Nikki – Running Scared Pts. 2212. Italy: Raphael Gualazzi - Madness of Love Pts. 1893. Sweden: Eric Saade – Popular Pts. 1854. Ukraine: Mika Newton  Angel Pts. 1595.

The second semi-final of the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest took place earlier today and ten more countries will join those who qualified from the first semi-final on Tuesday. Among those who will perform in Saturday’s Final are Jedward, the X-Factor rejects from Ireland. To many people, not a surprise, but here’s the lucky ten: Estonia: Rockefeller Street by Getter Jaani (sings 8th in Final) Romania: Change by Hotel FM (sings 17th in Final) Moldova: So Lucky by Zdob si Zdub (sings 15th in Final) Ireland: Lipstick by Jedward (sings 6th in Final) Bosnia

Simon Webbe, Lee Ryan, Duncan James and Antony Costa of British band Blue pose for Attitude Magazine ahead of their Eurovision appearance where they will be singing I Can.

Based in the United States as I am, I have only just caught up with Blue’s performance of I Can on The Paul O’Grady Show. Although I didn’t need any more convincing that this is the winning song, this live performance has really sealed the deal. Powerful singing to a song that you can’t get out of your head is what Eurovision is all about. I Can has this in abundance. If Blue perform it this well (bring back a few of those fist pumps, please) at the Final, then Eurovision will be coming to the UK in 2012. All the bullshit about the group’s participation being a mistake

Over the past few weeks members of the OGAE (Organisation Generale des Amateurs de l’Eurovision), a worldwide Eurovision Song Contest fanclub, have been adding their voices to the predictions for the winner of the 2011 competition. With only a few of the member clubs left to vote, the current leader is the entry representing Hungary: What About My Dreams? sung by Kati Wolf. [There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.] This conflicts with recent betting odds which place France as the favourite to win, with Hungary as fifth favourite. However

The UK Midweek Music Chart has revealed that I Can by Blue has entered the Top 10 at Number 7. Complaints of lack of airplay for the UK’s 2011 Eurovision Song Contest entry, while no doubt justified, haven’t stopped both fans and casual listeners from picking up the track. As one of the UK’s best entries in years, will Blue continue to sell enough copies of I Can to see it rise further up the chart by Sunday? If I Can is your favourite song, why not vote for it in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest Poll? [There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry