Eurovision 2021 Semi-Final 1: How They Stack Up

Let's take a look at ten of the first semi-finalists for the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest and some personal thoughts on what might and might not qualify for the Grand Final on May 22.

1. Lithuania: The Roop - Discoteque

Like many of the artists this year, The Roop return and this, their 2021 effort, was one of the early favourites but has recently faded in the face of more supposedly-popular entries.

The whole concept showcases the quirkiness that the modern day Contest demands: crazy choreography and staging, bright costumes and a song that worms its way into your head whether you want it to or not!

Consequently, I can see this qualifying for the final with ease. Once there, it's the type of presentation and song that is likely to stick in the memory of the casual viewer. It should do well and a Top 10 place is not out of the question.

2. Slovenia: Ana Soklič - Amen

Ana is back in the competition too and has, unfortunately, been hidden away in position two by the producers - the notoriously difficult Eurovision starting place. 

Ana is no slouch in the vocal department though and sings Amen - a big, ballsy ballad - with great aplomb. The backing track emits some distinct gospel vibes throughout and Ana takes us and the song to church! 

However, although she is probably the one of the most accomplished vocalists in the competition, she is going to need some divine intervention to help her through to the final. This semi-final looks tough and I feel Ana will be one of its casualties.

3. Russia: Manizha - Russian Woman

Manizha replaces Little Big as Russia's Eurovision representative with an empowering anthem aggrandizing the development of the Russian Woman.

Even after hearing the song several times, it's still not one which has climbed my personal ranking very far. At first, I didn't care for it at all but once it reaches its 'Fiddler on the Roof' style refrain, it becomes a little more tolerable. 

Whether Europe will tolerate it enough to push it through to the final is debatable. Personally, I wouldn't miss it at all but Russia is one of those countries which somehow gets through to the final come what may. A borderline finalist.

4. Sweden: Tusse - Voices

Another production line entry from Sweden as young Congolese/Swedish singer Tusse confidently brings Voices to the Eurovision stage.

He is a product of the Idol factory, winning the country's version back in 2019 and has since successfully woven his way through the Melodifestivalen minefield.

Now, there's a lot to be said for Sweden's Eurovision selection process as the country's recent successes can attest. However, now and again, the technique can throw up something so formulaic it could have been written by a robot. Voices has that quality about it.

No surprises here from Sweden (even the obligatory key change), but with their track record, I've no doubt it will qualify and feature in the overall Top 10.

5. Australia: Montaigne - Technicolour

See the main page review here.

6.  North Macedonia: Vasil - Here I Stand

Vasil is another survivor from the 2020 contest and this time around he is singing Here I Stand, a song which he has also written for the event.

Now, there's no denying that Vasil can sing. He is a classically trained baritone which is more than evident from this somewhat overblown ballad. To be honest, you would more likely hear this on a Disney movie soundtrack or as part of a West End musical rather than on the Eurovision stage.

There is nothing wrong with it, per say. It's just likely to be forgotten among more striking up-tempo entries in what has become a tough semi-final. A non qualifier, I feel.  

7. Ireland: Lesley Roy - Maps

Ireland offers up Maps this year as its entry and the returning Lesley Roy should be heading in the direction to the final if her live vocals hold up.

It's a perky bop of a song which should get you strutting your stuff around the kitchen, even if you don't know what the heck Lesley is going on about.

Her diction isn't so great - or it might just be my aging ears - so it's tough to make out where her maps are taking her.

A berth in the final should be her final destination, but this is one of those entries that could just as easily be left at the starting gate.

8. Cyprus: Elena Tsagrinou - El diablo

Cyprus has decided to go with a bop-by-numbers composition called El diablo sung by Greek singer, Elena Tsagrinou - so expect 12 points from Greece!

The track ran into trouble early on when the Church of Cyprus and many members of the Cypriot public objected to the lyrics concerning love of "el diablo". Nothing came of it, but what's more surprising is that Lady Gaga hasn't had something to say about the song, as you would be forgiven for thinking that - in part - you're listening to Bad Romance.

Nevertheless, it's well executed and has become one of the favourites to raise the Eurovision trophy. A definite qualifier and a Top 5 pick.

9. Norway: TIX - Fallen Angel

TIX's win at this year's Melodi Grandi Prix upset all the KEiiNO fans but, hey, Fallen Angel (Ut av mørket) is the better song.

Written by the phenomenally successful TIX, the track is somewhat autobiographical, as it deals with his depression caused by childhood bullying over his affliction from Tourette Syndrome.

That said, the song is an impressive composition in its own right; a soaring ballad with a memorable chorus and impactful presentation. It's the sort of package that Eurovision is all about, helped by the relatable back story which is very much an in focus topic.

The staging is a little overblown for my liking but I hope this entry does very well. A qualifier that deserves a Top 10 ranking at the least. 

10. Croatia: Albina - Tick-Tock

Having won Dora 2021, the Croatian preselection process, Albina's Tick-Tock faces off against its "banger" competitors in this semi-final.

In that quest, it could do really well as Croatia is presenting one of its strongest entries in years, courtesy of the attractive Albina. This anthemic dance track contains a very catchy chorus and feels like a radio hit, which I mean as a compliment. 

Croatia has not done well for several years, but if Tick-Tock progresses to the final – undoubtedly! – it could be on track to its strongest placing in more than a decade. Yeah, qualifier.

Lack of time has prevented any further reviews this year, but currently the bookies favour two of the Big Five countries to raise the winner's trophy: Italy or France. Could it be either of them or will we be heading to Valetta in Malta for the 2022 contest. All will be revealed on May 22!

Lost and Found / Eye Cue / North Macedonia | Review

Eye Cue: will they lose or find a place in the finals?

Over the years, North Macedonia has suffered a 'crossover' problem at Eurovision: much of their output has been lapped up by their Balkan neighbours but those voters further afield have been much less willing to award their entries many points.

Consequently, since 2008, they have only managed to progress to the Grand Final on one occasion when Kaliopi rose to 13th place with Crno i belo. It doesn't mean that their entire Eurovision back catalogue is dross as many of their songs have been reasonably acceptable. It's just that a lot of their entries sound 'foreign' to those listening outside of the Balkans.

Performed in English, co-written and produced by celebrated North Macedonian songwriter Darko Dimitrov, Eye Cue's Lost and Found appears to be an effort to focus on this predicament.

There’s much to enjoy about this song even if it sounds somewhat confusing. Eye Cue deliver a contemporary performance and the entry is a much more international production that’s only somewhat impaired by the fact that it sounds as if they have welded two or three different songs together. It moves from reggae to dubstep to dance to rock/pop without too much effort but it does sound rather clunky. Even so, it’s modern and is certainly a lot more accessible than many previous North Macedonian entries.

There is a concern, though, that in attempting to attract a wider audience, North Macedonia may have now caused themselves to become too inconspicuous. In a way, it's a no-win situation for the country. However, this style of song could be a much easier sell than an ethnic foreign language track like 2013's Pred da se razdeni, but it looks as if it's going to encounter a lot of opposition this year.

It would be a pity if North Macedonia missed out on the Grand Final once more, as there is a lot to like about this. At the moment, it’s an entry that is a borderline qualifier – and Semi-Final 1 seems to have many of those.

Image: Andres Putting Eurovision.tv

North Macedonia 

Artist: Eye Cue

Song: Lost and Found 

Semi-Final 1 | Second Half

Eurovision 2016: Spotlight on Poland; North Macedonia; San Marino

Poland: Michał Szpak with Colour of Your Life

The Poles may have made a notorious display a couple of years ago with their busty milkmaids act, but just as in 2015 the country has returned to something much more familiar for Eurovision: the love ballad.

Titled Colour of Your Love, the vocals are provided by Michał Szpak - another former contestant of a reality TV show, this time the runner-up on Poland's version of The X-Factor  in 2011. There's no doubting he can sing well live and this ballad is the type of entry that can live or die by the type of performance level it is given. As such, expect a passionate and captivating presentation to help separate it from the pack.

Although it may not be the song that many were expecting to win the Polish national final, it's definitely the type of entry which has the credentials to appeal to the Eurovision jurors (as well as the far flung diaspora of Polish voters across Europe).

Appearance: Semi-Final 2, performing 2nd

Image by Eliza2foryou (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

North Macedonia: Kaliopi with Dona

Look who's back on the Eurovision stage? Yes, it's one of North Macedonia's biggest stars and (fairly) recent Contest graduate, Kaliopi.

If you know your Eurovision, you'll recall that she was North Macedonia's representative in 2012, performing Crno i Belo (Black and White) when Azerbaijan staged the competition in Baku. On that occasion, she managed to climb to a respectable thirteenth place, but can she better that feat this year?

While you know that she will give Dona - an opulent and extravagant ballad - her all, this could easily be one of this year's semi-final casualties. Unfortunately, it sounds much more dated than her 2012 effort, although singing in her native language definitely sets it apart from the parade of English entries.

However, in the improbable event that Kaliopi's popularity helps propel her into the Final alongside more fancied competitors, there's really no chance of North Macedonia climbing too far on the scoreboard.

Appearance: Semi-Final 2, performing 8th.

San Marino: Serhat with I Didn't Know  

San Marino famously made it to the Eurovision final two years ago when Valentina Monetta secured 24th place with her song, Maybe. This year Serhat, a Turkish television presenter and self-proclaimed singer, will try to better that effort with his (now) disco-flavoured comic turn called I Didn't Know.

Originally billed as a full-blown ballad, the song was quickly revamped when it was greeted with derision and disbelief by many die-hard Eurovision fans. The entire (now withdrawn) original video was surreal on a  grand scale, with Serhat wearing a monocle holster in some kind of outlandish dream sequence video.

San Marino thought better of all that and, as a way of trying to rescue the song, a disco backing track has been added. It hasn't helped. Serhat's vocal abilities still make him sound like the miracle love child of Telly Savalas and Lee Marvin in need of a salt water gargle.

As a result, I Didn't Know is now camper than a row of tents (and that's saying something for Eurovision) and will very probably emerge as 2016's comic turn - if it hasn't already. Entertaining: yes. A winner: definitely not.

Appearance: Semi-Final 1, performing 8th.

Image by Albin Olsson (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons



What are your thoughts about these entries?

Eurovision 2013: North Macedonia: Pred da se razdeni

North Macedonia has made the decision to send a duet (of sorts) as its Eurovision entry this year. Esma and Lozano will sing Pred da se razdeni (Before the Sunrise : Пред да се раздени).

The North Macedonian entry has not been without controversy. Originally, the pair were to sing the superior Imperija (Empire), but the video upset their Greek neighbours and a substantial section of its own population. The song was dumped and replaced with this disjointed duet.

Apparently, Esma is of Gypsy descent and the track endeavours to blend her ethnic vocals with Lozano's pop sensibilities. Unfortunately, for me, it does not work. What could have been a likely qualifier has been substituted with this incoherent mess. It has the sound of two songs mashed together, but instead of blending, it has become a Frankenstein's monster of a track. Quite frankly, Esma adds nothing to it apart from much wailing and should have been dropped like Imperija.

I'd be surprised to see this in the Final. Should it make it through, it's likely to finish on the bottom right of the scoreboard.

Esma and Lozano take to the stage on May 16, performing third in the second semi-final.

Do you think the duo will qualify?