We have no doubt that preparations for this year’s Eurovision at the B&W Hallerne are going very well. When DR revealed some images of the stage at Eurovision in Concert, we were all really impressed. This image, which has been making the rounds on Facebook, left a lot of y’all saying, “AMAZING!” (and asking if that was Valentina Monetta in the seashell).

eurovision 2014 stage

And while the inside of the arena seems to be taking shape nicely, the exterior could still use a lot of work.

Mark B, a wiwireader, visited Denmark at the end of March and couldn’t resist popping by Eurovision Island to check out progress. He snapped the following photos. Yes: this really is what the exterior of B&W Hallerne looked like 12 days ago. The site currently looks like a demolition zone…or a scene from some movie about the Apocalypse. Concrete can be very chic, but we think it’d look nice with grass and some trees.

B&W Hallerne Photos

B&W Hallerne 4

B&W Hallerne 3

B&W Hallerne 2

B&W Hallern1

We all know that the Danes will pull off an amazing show and venue, but we didn’t realize they’d be cutting it so close! Here’s Mark’s report on his trip:

It was a beautiful day and I walked the three miles from the centre of the city to the B&W Hallerne.

I had to double-check with locals that I was on the right route, because there was little sign that this was the right place. I realise that there’s a lot of work going on inside, but from the outside the place looked distinctly un-Eurovision. I thought they would have least given it a fresh coat of paint. The only sign was the ‘join us’ sign, and that a friendly security guard told me I could not get any nearer without a wristband. Where will additional facilities be constructed?

Where will the media go for a stroll between rehearsals? At the very least it is in need of a thorough tidy-up and surely the paintballing venue next to the hall won’t still be in operation next month.

I am sure all will be in order when it needs to be, but it’s certainly not the Baku Crystal Hall.

Of course, Baku Crystal Hall was very last minute too. When the team from wiwibloggs.com arrived in Azerbaijan the Saturday before the final, we could still smell fresh paint in the hallways. And when we picked up our press credentials the constructions trucks WERE STILL OPERATING. Here’s a photo y’all.

Baku Crystal Hall Arena

Do you think DR will plant some treeds before ESC? Is there enough time for the flowers to bloom? Do you like the industrial feel of B&W?

Willy Lee Adams contributed this report from London. You can keep up-to-date on the latest Eurovision news and gossip by following the team on Twitter @wiwibloggs and by liking our Facebook page.

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Srebrenko
Srebrenko
9 years ago

Maybe they’ll keep the exterior just the way it is, because they like it rough and because they are known for their sarcasm. They have already said that they like the industrial look of it.

Rashad
Rashad
9 years ago

I’m pretty sure Denmark will do a good job. There is nothing to worry about. Azerbaijan built a whole new venue in a year. So you think Denmark won’t be able to turn it into a concert hall in a month?
Good luck Denmark!

Lolilly
Lolilly
9 years ago

Oh btw, if they can’t make it, maybe Armenia can. Armenia has a humongous concert hall all ready and gorgeous. They can do it there???? Check it out Its called “Hamalir, Yerevan.”

Lolilly
Lolilly
9 years ago

Oh God! And I bought tickets to go there all the way from U.S? Hopefully they will finish everything on time. What were they doing this entire past year? Didn’t they know they had to be ready?
The rehearsals are in 14 days!! I’m worried for them. Not an impressive building so far. Good luck!

Erin
Erin
9 years ago

I’m sure that the Danish broadcaster and the firms it contracted wanted to overshadow every past Eurovision show, but their biggest ‘sin’ at the end was vanity for going overboard on all aspects of the show’s concept. The 2001 edition is still considered as a ‘falling from grace’ moment and I truly hope that the unconventional thinking that led to this year’s venue choice (perhaps an environmentally-green driven motivation as part of the city getting a facelift) will not repeat the previous debacle.

Marcelo N
9 years ago

Hmm… nothing more interesting to whine about at the time of press? 😉 Just joking. Or do you actually think they may have left a single teeny item to chance? Like… Denmark?!
I guess the crews will know what to do when the time comes, as some have promptly stated already. And maybe, just maybe, they will not want it allflowery or glitzy? Think about it for a second. I mean, there will sure enough be lots of glitz on the inside 🙂

Diane
Diane
9 years ago

I think it’s great you know, let’s keep the exterior just the way it is because it’ll make Eurovision like a secret undercover event. And to go inside the building, visitors should say password or something to go through

Thiefo
9 years ago

Caption fo the guy in the back in the last photo: I’m not a model, I was just casually standing here when they took the photo.

flower crown
flower crown
9 years ago

A good crew can transform in a day if need be, instant landscape. No worries!!!!

joey
joey
9 years ago

@Willy Lee Adams: I know I was rude and it’s just right for me to be one, but don’t delete my important point!!! Ugh!!!

LEAPerce
LEAPerce
9 years ago

I’m sure it will be brilliant. Whilst it looks…”shabby” at the moment, I’m sure it will be shabby chic in no time. I actually love how different the venue is and it’s rustic feel, it’s so cool. I’ll be interested how they’ll make the odd-shape look showbiz in any way!

joey
joey
9 years ago

……again, go complain when May comes!!! (How rude to delete this part of my comment a while ago!!!)

David Thielen
9 years ago

They have a paintball facility next door??? I hope it is still there – I love playing paintball.

Gerard P
Gerard P
9 years ago

LOL! Yeah, I don’t blame the guard for sending the photographer away. Looks like the kind of place you get rabies.

joey
joey
9 years ago

For sure, they would make something out of it!!!!