Stockholm turned the energy up from the very beginning, hitting those strobe lights, the dancers twirled down the runway as Sweden's own club bangers by Swedish House Mafia and Avicci were blasted out! The twenty six acts of 2016's Eurovision Song Contest each entered the stage in their performing order, serving Eurovision Realness! Yes, those male dancers were Voguing and one even did a sickening death drop! Stockholm had Europe in a daze! I was living my life in that moment because I can un-apologetically say that I have adored the ESC since 2003! The hosts of the Grand Final introduced themselves, Swedish television personality, Petra Meade and the previous Eurovision winner, Måns Zelmerlöw. Australia had been invited back to try their luck again since their debut in Vienna, Austria to celebrate the 60th Eurovision Song Contest, Dami Im was mentored by Dannii Minogue! Stockholm, let's bring on Belgium?!I was missing the 'Building Bridges' opening song from the previous contest that was held in Vienna, Austria. Yes, it would have been great for Austria's own drag sensation, Conchita Wurst to be serving her glamour! Belgium's Laura Teroso gave her everything during her performance, it resembled a light 'Jackson 5' themed number with some energetic moves. Making their comeback to the Eurovision Song Contest, Gabriela Gunčíková belted out Czech Republic's anthem 'I Stand' like a true diva with a close-up of her wind machine effect. There was no surprise the Netherlands served a 'chilled' guitar sounding number, their front-man did look dreamy but he was just a pretty face with a good voice. I was waiting for the return of the everlasting Eurovision gimic, would it be present in a political way during Stockholm's 2016 chance of hosting this camp singing contest? It was great to hear that China and the United States were watching their first live broadcasts! Ni Hao ESC!
Azeribaijan's own Samra brought a 'Beyonce' vibe to her sexy showcase, she didn't need a 'Miracle' from my opinion because she was owning her glittering moment! Hungary had my attention but like the Netherlands it was all about the good looks, next please! Eurovision winners have been luckier with all English songs, Italy's Francesca Michelin fell to the wayside for that reason. Israel shed it's usual arabesque tone for a full energy vocal by Hovi Star, he was great but I will always wonder how Israel is classed as Europe? Bringing some truth into the contest, Bulgaria's Poli Genova proclaimed that love can still be a crime, slaying her pop alternative song with a message of hope! Along with Samra I know that Bulgaria's Poli Genova won that early part of the show! Sweden looked bored, Germany was not sorry for her outfit choice, but France did his best! Poland, what the juice was that?! Eurovision's crazy!The Australasian wildcard belted out an amazing show-stopper of a performance, If I'm completely honest I was captivated by Australia's Dami Im's hit 'Sound of Silence! As outstanding as Dami was during the 2016 contest in Stockholm, I don't believe Australia should invited back because the milestone celebration of sixty years has already happened! Cyprus, Serbia and Lithuania embraced the Eurovision quality of being ridiculous, I acknowledged their performances but Croatia amazed me with their kooky entry. Yes, I'm still searching for Nina Kraljić's 'Lighthouse!' Russia's modern day electronic show was a sure improvement on their previous hopeful from 2015, I have a certain stance on Russia but he was on fire! As the interval show approached I was impressed by the United Kingdom's effects, we haven't won the contest since 1997, being fair it's not looking good for our future in the contest but this kitsch music event is all about putting on a memorable show! Latvia....!!??
In 2012, Sweden put on a hilarious half-time event with jokes and many references to IKEA but this year's interval act was comprised of many more bizarre features. Giving a nod to the United States' first official television broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2016 must of provided the link for Justin Timberlake to perform his new song from his latest film project? Usually, the half-time entertainment is a time for the previous winner to showcase his or hers new material but as the song was written by Swedish songwriters it seemed fitting to have Timberlake on the stage in Stockholm? Unlike many other countries in Europe, Sweden has a sense of humor so it's comedy skit and live performance of a true Eurovision song was all in good faith. Måns Zelmerlöw traded his presenter demeanor to treat the audience and the viewers to his winning song 'Hero's' from the previous year. No politics?!I purposely left Ukraine's dark and slightly disturbing Eurovision entry for last due to its Crimean Tatar presence and a somewhat reference to a darker time in Jamala's family history. The Eurovision committee stood by the claims that the Ukrainian Eurovision song did not exhibit any hint of a political message, I knew something would be occurring because the song title '1944' was a time before the birth of the Eurovision Song Contest! Nevertheless, Jamala owned her performance as she displayed a natural wave of emotion and passion for her soon to be winning song. I switched in-between certain websites during her performance to see that a infamous transportation of people had taken place during a '1944' time, referencing back to her song. I'm all about a political message, it's inevitable nowadays for someone to get crazy about something, but why Eurovision? So, another camp and controversial year of Eurovision has showed us that we'll always love a song for Europe!
Stockholm Slayed!
Joseph Harrison
