Anyone else? :-D

Risking to appear chauvinistic, two acts in semifinals won me over for actual performance that stood above the rest: Softengine (FI) & Sebalter (CH), wow!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHzbt-t-eo4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FTrglTLRXI

I was actually very lukewarm towards both before the semifinal performance, not finding the songs necessarily infect, but in terms of stage presence, musical quality and meshing of the band members just quite thin, somehow lacking.

I fell in love with Softengine's intense sincerity and truth in their interpretation, and Sebalter's violin solo to the camera must be one of the most charming demonstrations of pure joy to be there ever has been in ESC!!

If either wins, I shall be most pleased - not to mention the rarity that music is self composed for both.

My top five ranking probably is:

- FI / CH
- Hungary
- Armenia - maybe it's the dubstep thrown into mix though a little weird! :-p
- Netherlands

Out of straight qualifiers, also look forward to ES, and especially IT - though both songs suffer in my taste investing way most interest in the climax of the chorus. But Emma - thanks for singing in Italian, my favorite lyrical language, and what a voice!

Must dash off now for a bit to prepare for evening's hosting duties, but would love to hear whom you might be rooting for and why!

Good luck with everyone whose country is in the final, and a fun evening regardless!! :-D

My son (10) keeps playing that sodding Sebalter whistling song, its doing my head in :)

Thank God he's not singing the Polish one :)

It is either Sweden or Austria who are going to win. They are the best amongst the ones that are most popular. Greece has a terrible one.

I like Finland to but it won't win. Rock never does.

Guys...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAh9NRGNhUU ? :)

Is it me or is the Klingon chick on keyboards kinda hot?

:))))

Or is it nostalgia for 80s monsters? :) Barbie Wilde's Female Cenobite is much hotter :)

Yeah could be, kinda have a longing for the Borg queen too LOL

Lordi in 2006 was awesome, but usually the songs in this 'thing' are beyond awful. The winner last year was pretty decent though.

Not heard a single song this year, and that's probably the best based on previous experience ;)

actually one of the worst german entries ever in my oppinion together with last years and most likely this years too

but 2010 was hyped into oblivion without much deliverance of said hype

I second this.

Okay, sometimes. But they were in costumes and more of a "thing".

Lordi should make a return, they would own.

What, people still care about the ESC?!