Lisa Newey
Big props (“manster” wheel, anyone), big hair, costumes ranging from national dress (such as the buxom ladies from Poland) to leather, chiffon or sequins for days, interesting or novelty musical instruments (a circular piano, flutes, banjos), and over-the-top staging to rival any international concert tour – the Eurovision Song Contest has it all. For nearly 60 years this unique celebration of all styles of music has been televised to millions of people across Europe and around the world, including Australia, where it has become one of the most beloved events that we cannot take part in – until now.
The powers that be that control the Eurovision universe kindly brought Australia into its exclusive fold (kind of) when Jessica Mauboy was invited to perform during the interval break to entertain the masses while voting was being conducted. The talented Ms Mauboy’s performance was Eurovision calibre-worthy, but the lead-in of dancers in kitsch Australiana costumes, whilst in the tacky spirit of Eurovision, could not have been more cheesy. Australia’s relationship with Eurovision has been enhanced over the last several years by the SBS TV commentary team of Julia Zemiro and Sam Pang, whose genuine enthusiasm and witty banter has become one of the highlights of the three night broadcast, which sees households and venues around Australia hold Eurovision parties.
This year’s crop of songs and performers as usual ran the gamut of genres from the crazy (France’s Moustache is a song about wanting to grow a moustache, of all things), through hipster irony (Latvia’s entry, Cake To Bake, and Iceland’s No Prejudice in their possibly Wiggles-inspired coloured suits) to edgy angst (Hungary’s entry was a powerful ballad about child abuse), but this year’s winner was an anthemic power ballad of the style beloved by the contests millions of fans. Rise Like A Phoenix, performed by Conchita Wurst, a handsomely bearded drag queen from Austria, was the number of the night, featuring a strong voice, a dramatic performance and a presence and a gown to match.
As the pyrotechnics and sequins are put away for another year, and debates rage about the “politics” of who votes for who, it is a relief to know that Eurovision will return in a year’s time, and again, will not disappoint those who enjoy an insight into musical culture from a wide range of countries on the other side of the world. I for one am looking forward to it already!
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