Graham Norton
Eurovision 2021 is nearly here, so it’s time to dig out your Union Jack flag and sparkly clothes for the biggest party of the year.
The world’s biggest music competition returns with 25 countries competing in the 65
th Eurovision Song Contest grand final, which will air live on BBC One and BBC Radio 2.
Don’t know your ABBA from your Lordi or your Gina G from your Katrina and the Waves? Here’s our quick bluffer’s guide so you understand what’s happening on Saturday night.
Here’s our bluffers guide to Eurovision 2021
When is Eurovision 2021?
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France 4 et Culturebox donnent le coup d'envoi, ce mardi 18 mai, du Concours Eurovision, diffusé en direct de Rotterdam, aux Pays-Bas. Cette première demi-finale sera commentée par Laurence Boccolini, et compte 16 pays. Qui se qualifiera pour la finale du samedi 22 mai sur France 2 ?
An empty stage…for now Photo: Nathan Reinds – NPO – NOS – AVROTROS
Although nobody could be as rude as British television commentator Terry Wogan used to be, the Dutch are going to take a stab this year as they present the Eurovision Song Contest from Rotterdam.
For those who don’t remember the epic moment when Duncan Laurence sang a haunting ballad called ‘Arcade’, back in 2019, the Netherlands won last time. This means the country has the joy, cost and (as it turns out) zero-tourism benefit of hosting the battle of tonsil-wobbling from countries loosely associated with Europe, like Australia.
Traditionally, Eurovision tells us, ‘six countries are automatically pre-qualified for the Grand Final. The so-called “Big 5” – France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom – and the host country.’ Fair? Who said anything was fair in geography?
May 19, 2021 Share
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands After the COVID-19 pandemic halted last year’s edition, the Eurovision Song Contest roared back to life Tuesday, spectacularly celebrating not just Euro beats, but also the opportunity for fans to watch the first semifinal live.
“We are back, and boy does that feel good!” said Dutch presenter Chantal Janzen after 2019′s Dutch winner, Duncan Laurence, opened the show.
Out of the 16 acts who performed, 10 progressed to Saturday’s grand final: Norway, Israel, Russia, Azerbaijan, Malta, Lithuania, Cyprus, Sweden, Belgium and Ukraine.
The show had trademark Eurovision elements bombastic beats, big voices, power ballads, flamboyant costumes and some dress reveals.
Erstes ESC-Halbfinale 2021: Starke Frauen singen starke Botschaften eurovision.de - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from eurovision.de Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.