Thoughts on the UK Eurovision Finalists

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All of this has to be taken with a pinch of salt, partly because we’ve not really heard any of the acts sing, nor seen how they perform live. That will happen next week on the first ‘live’ show of the season – I’m assuming they want a final with three contestants like Strictly Come Dancing and the I’ll Do Anything shows.

So these thoughts are from a Eurovision observer – I make no allowances for the taste of the UK public, or how the voting over five weeks will break down. If I had the six of them in front of me, who would I choose?

The Emperors of Soul

Right then, problem number one. Bands really don’t win Eurovision. Lordi I suspect are the exception as pretty much every metal head voted for them in 2006. Before that Katrina and the Waves were more a singer and backing than a group, and 1985’s Bobbysocks was a duo. And a soul song at Eurovision? A tough ask for them to win in Moscow.

Jade Ewen

Suddenly appears at the end of the show to replace the attempts to make a girl band, which failed. While I doubt she’s a ringer from the record industry, the fact she’s been signed by both Sony BMG and RCA in the past and not managed to make anything in the UK music scene does not bode well. This is one act that has not had enough air time to make any decision.

Francine and Nicola Gleadall

They’ve already been on the X-Factor, they failed there, they break down and cry at the drop of a hat… are they going to be strong enough to cope with a stadium arena and capture the audience if they win through?

Charlotte Finlay-Tribe

Ah, the one a bit like Duffy, said fellow Daily Dust writer Mike. Hard to argue with that, but during the first half of the show every country representative said that we should stop sending unknown amateurs with little experience. Which describes Charlotte.

Damien Flood and Mark Evans

I think I would personally choose one of these two. Mark is an upcoming Welsh theatre actor, while Damien is older (32) and has a more singing and performance based background. Mark would be good, but Damien has one vital edge. He’s half Irish.