Bonjour Belgique and hallo België!  Today the Wiwi Jury – our in-house panel of music unprofessionals – caught the Eurostar to Brussels. We had waffles, moules frites, then got a coffee and sat down in the Grand Place to have some real talk on Belgium’s Eurovision 2017 act Blanche and her song “City Lights”. Did it leaving us saying oooh la la, or oooh na, na? Read on to find out!

Blanche – “City Lights”

About Blanche

Seventeen-year-old Ellie Delvaux, who goes by the stage name Blanche, first came to fame in 2016 as a contestant on The Voice Belgique. She made it to the second live show before being eliminated. Blanche was internally selected by Walloon broadcaster RTBF.

“City Lights” reviews

Luis: I can’t believe this is the same country who sent Patrick Ouchene, Iris or Axel Hirsoux. Belgium has metamorphosed from ugly duckling into Eurovision powerhouse in a very short time, and Blanche is another proof of that. “City Lights” blends innocence with darkness and creates a moody atmosphere, which is tailor-made for Blanche’s deep vocals. This entry is so intelligently crafted that I could go on for hours on how delighted I am to have it at Eurovision 2017.

Score: 9.5/10

Deban: Belgium serves it differently yet again. “City Lights” is cinematic electronica. Blanche’s androgynous vocals deliberately counter dynamism. It is flat, but the production which remains sufficiently tuned in, gives it a darker scope. What’s even more interesting is that “City Lights” serves a healthy bite of Blanche whilst helping to create a greater thirst for her work.

Score: 7/10

Steinunn: Blanche is like Belgium’s answer to Lorde and Lana Del Rey. Her deep and misty voice lures you in and the song itself is fine electro-pop that ticks all the boxes of a successful song. It is current and interesting and has a moody yet smooth vibe. The only concern I have is the staging, but if Blanche gives us a solid performance she is definitely in it to win it.

Score: 8.5/10

William: A purveyor of dark pop, Blanche puts her rich and melodic vocals to stellar use on “City Lights”, which is easily the best studio cut of the year. Deliberately ignoring massive peaks and valleys, the song progresses in a linear fashion, adding dynamism through highly contemporary production that includes digital beats, electro-drumming and evolving rhythms. Such polished tracks can come off cold and sterile. But Blanche adds warmth through her vulnerability and overt longing. Regardless of the outcome at Eurovision, this deserves to be a radio hit.

Score: 9.5/10

Bernardo: While I enjoy “City Lights” I feel like there is something missing in this magical formula — probably staging. Blanche’s voice is unique and competent, but ultimately the song falls flat without a decent stage show (and I know Belgium will bring it to Kyiv). While it feels very contemporary, it also feels like it has more than 3 minutes and that is never a good sign. I enjoy it. If it’s a winner? Probably not.

Score: 7/10

Chris: Belgium’s rapid progression in to a top-ten mainstay looks to continue with Blanche. The song works on multiple levels: perhaps most impressively, it encapsulates what to expect from Blanche as an artist in under three minutes. There’s just an atmosphere about this song. It’s nervy and edgy but in a good way — by playing it cool, Blanche seems to have everything under control. It’s not a winner, but it is marvellous.

Score: 9/10

George: I have to say, Belgium keeps impressing me. “City Lights” is a really contemporary and catchy song. It’s not a typical Eurovision song and I’m really feeling it. It’s really mystic and edgy and Blanche’s vocals give the song a dark feeling. And as with “What’s the Pressure”, I hated it on first listen, but then fell in love with it.

Score: 7.5/10

Robyn: “City Lights” is a piece of smart electropop, which plays up to Blanche’s chilled-out and very European style. My only concern is that Blanche might not be engaging enough as a performer to make the song work as a live Eurovision performance. ESC has never had a performer with Lana Del Rey levels of chill before. But if it all works, this could deliver Belgium one of their best results yet.

Score: 8.5/10

In the Wiwi Jury we have 38 jurors but only have room for 8 reviews. The remaining 30 scores are below:

Anastas: 8.5/10

Andy: 9/10

Angus: 9/10

Anthony: 9/10

Antony: 10/10

Antranig: 7/10

Bogdan: 9/10

Dayana: 9.5/10

Edd: 8.5/10

Erdi: 7.5/10

Forrest: 8/10

Jacob: 8/10

Jason: 8.5/10

Jordi: 9/10

Josh: 9/10

Jovana: 9/10

Kristin: 7/10

Matt: 10/10

Marek: 10/10

Mikhail: 8.5/10

Natalie: 9/10

Padraig: 9/10

Patrick: 9.5/10

Renske: 10/10

Rezo: 9/10

Sami: 8/10

Sinan: 8/10

Stanislav: 8/10

Tobias: 9/10

Zakaria: 9/10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a low of 7 and a high of 10.

Wiwi Jury verdict: 8.67/10

What do you think of this song? Share your own score and review below!

See our current Eurovision 2017 reviews and rankings

81 Comments
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Ashley Walker
Ashley Walker
6 years ago

Hey there, I was able to submit this comment implementing a pristine proxy from https://publicproxy.net/

Gio
Gio
6 years ago

The performance on stage will dictate his sentence. I remember last year Amir disapointed on stage and was reflected on the final score.

Digital Style
Digital Style
6 years ago

This song is, in my opinion, one of the best that ESC has seen in a long time. Alright, it’s a bit dull and repetitive, but how can you fault that gorgeous voice? She’s got such a great aesthetic and her live performance improves by the minute. It’s all around a nice song, and I think she’ll pull it off well on the night.

Zebb
Zebb
6 years ago

I like the way Belgium stepped up in contest. This song has got its merits, but the main key – voice, person and how she delivers – barely convinces me. I also wouldn’t call production outstanding or pushing boundaries – but in contest it stays as very firm and moody song. Let’s see how the real game will be held.
My 9th | 10. Serbia | 11. Bulgaria

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago

Belgium is in my top 2, again! They have been nailing it every other year. I like the contrast between her linear, but yet profound singing and the rich and complex beats and rhythms. When it excels towards the end when Blanche change the key. So much going on in those three minutes, but in such an elegant form of beauty. 9/10

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

Although she has not got much stage presence

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

The music video is magic!! The song is current, beautifully made and Blanche is a young and talented singer with a distinctive deep voice! @William Adams Lee Adams said in the review video he prefers this to Loic! I personally don’t, but it’s my 2nd favourite entry from Belgium after “Rhythm inside”! Love it! We’ve seen in the preview parties she’s not so strong live FOR NOW! But I’m confident she’ll deliever in Kiyv together with a good staging! Please have a good staging! I am not sure it can challenge Italy in the final, but I can see the… Read more »

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

Of course it is a good song but it is not the Eurovision song contest does involve a live performance at some point. This is why I think a song with a lukewarm reception that will be great live (like Australia) will do better than a hyped song with no chance of being performed well live. It is good that Eurovision has songs like this, it brings credibility but I cannot predict just how far this will fall compared to the pre-contest expectation. I would be surprised if it was a top ten song when it is all said and… Read more »

cheesecake
cheesecake
6 years ago

The studio version should win Eurovision.
If she can loosen up on stage, she’s a contender.

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
6 years ago

It’s a good song for sure, but to be honest, I don’t see any winner qualities in it. It doesn’t have any ups and downs and this makes it slightly uninteresting at times. Its result will count on staging.

7/10

GO BLANCHE!
GO BLANCHE!
6 years ago

ONE OF THE BEST SONGS OF ALL TIME IN THE EUROVISION

Tom V
Tom V
6 years ago

Nothing lower than a 7 from all of the Wiwi jurors, even from Tobias who has unproductively given most songs a ridiculous 1/10 – so that’s pretty impressive!

According to the Wiwi jury it should really be a straight catfight between Italy and Belgium? We’ll see! Italy will most likely win, but in terms of Blanche and Belgium, from what I’ve seen I feel like the live performance will be a bit underwhelming. I don’t think Belgium will be runner-up, but I think it’ll still do pretty well in the Final, possibly Top 10.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

Before I start, I just want to say thank you to Wiwibloggs for their work this year so far. It has been amazing and I hope that the blog can continue to do well. 🙂 “City Lights” is the only song in ESC 2017 that begins straightaway with the Chorus. The Chorus has three simple piano chords on repeat: E-flat, A-flat and C-min. These chords have no context at the start of the piece, and so they form a sort of harmonic “question mark,” suiting perfectly the questions asked by the lyrics (“are you ready to take my hand?” and… Read more »

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Good luck in Kyiv. It is impossible for me to attend this year, but I have higher hopes for attending ESC 2018. Please keep yourself safe, and have a good time. 🙂

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Hard to rate? Same with me. I use 10 criteria (5 for the song and 5 for the video). I found it hard to put a number on her vocals. Where someone like Leena from Norma John or Salvador can get 9.5s from me, I had a hard-enough time finding reason enough to give Blanche’s vocals anything higher than 9.2. The music is what drives this song closer to the top.

Héctor
Héctor
6 years ago

‘City Lights’ was the biggest surprise this year alongside FYROM. I wasn’t expecting too muh from Belgium this year, but they feed my words! ‘City Lights’ is dark and emotional, her low-pitched voice isn’t exactly what I like, but adds some flavour to the song and could impress the juries and televoters. Belgiium is going big and I hope they get what they deserved. The only problem concerning this song is Blanche’s charisma, she tries hard, but she looks very shy and intimidated. I know she’s only 17, but she should calm her nerves and look confident on stage. I… Read more »

Lukewarm
Lukewarm
6 years ago

Unfortunately the live performances so far are dreadful and the leaked staging looks uninspiring. Still a song I like very much but I predict it will barely qualify. 01 Italy | 02 Norway | 03 FYR Macedonia | 04 United Kingdom | 05 Austria 06 Albania | *07 Belgium* | 08 Bulgaria | 09 Switzerland | 10 France 11 Serbia | 12 Sweden | 13 Lithuania | 14 Denmark | 15 Moldova 16 Poland | 17 Portugal | 18 Latvia | 19 Cyprus | 20 Iceland 21 Azerbaijan | 22 Australia | 23 Greece | 24 Czechia | 25 Armenia… Read more »

Bgc
Bgc
6 years ago

This is my favourite song of 2017 so far. And I don’t just mean in Eurovision! I’m concerned it may not work live but the studio version is a joy to behold and a song that I will revisit for years to come. Thank you to all the Wiwi jurors for their reviews; I certainly don’t always agree with your assessments but appreciate the work you all put in. =) My final points from Ireland: 12 – Belgium 10 – Finland 8 – Italy 7 – Portugal 6 – Azerbaijan 5 – FYR Macedonia 4 – Armenia 3 – Latvia… Read more »

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

8.0/10
Likely to be in the Top 10. Not a winner, sorry ;/

vova
vova
6 years ago

Now is everything clear. This year, Belgium and Italy are the clash of cultures.
Modern fans wish for ‘contemporary’ and ‘urban’ and ‘radio friendly’ more than anything, but mediterranean culture doesn’t care about that. Francesco is in a league of his own, he doesn’t fit in any box. I hope that Francesco will break all records so we can stop talking about Loreen once and for all, not even Sweden wants her anymore.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  vova

I like Euphoria, but it’s not the best winner ever. I want him to succeed specially to prove that a non-English song can be successful.

vova
vova
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Euphoria is the most depressing winner ever.

wim
wim
6 years ago

I don’t see Bulgaria as a treat to Italy and Belgium.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

Wow! I actually predicted, to a decimal, highest possible score for this song! It’s a song everyone loves; Wiwibloggs, OGAE, You Tube fans, bookies… Along with Azerbaijan and Iceland, it’s a modern electro-pop song, and along with Latvia, it’s more of a “mood song”, which puts you in sort of a trance. It’s still very unique and sounds like it’s having it’s own thing. It’s very interesting and rich while seemingly being flat and calm (I am sure Purple Mask will be able to explain that through keys, notes and that stuff 😉 ). But whatever this does, it works.… Read more »

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Thank you very much Robyn. 🙂 I appreciate the feedback. Wiwibloggs are awesome!

Eve
Eve
6 years ago

I simmply love this song! This somehow gets me from the first line ”All alone in the danger zone, are you ready to take my hand?..” This is one of a very few songs from this year ESC which is on my repeat. Love the feeling in the video, love that mysterious and melancholic atmosphere. Very glad that Belgium continues to send respectable entries, glorious ”Rhytm inside” is one of my all time favourites. <3 Maybe I'm so much blinded by love for this song that don't want to mention Blanche's performance. And I don't want to mention it and… Read more »

Racal
Racal
6 years ago

By the way Wiwibloggs, I was right yesterday when I said that Belgium would place 2nd with the Wiwi jury. Do I win my diner aux chandelles with William? 😉

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
6 years ago

So modern, soo good, this is Belgiums best effort ever.

Yes

I said that. Loic is nothing compared to this. BUT. judging from the live performances so far, this won’t win. They need something interesting, inspired by the music video. Blanches voice is really sweet and subtle but still packs quite a punch. Since Russia is gone I don’t have a clear winner, but I think Belgium might be my winner for ESC 2017

10/10

Erasmus
Erasmus
6 years ago

This is so good, modern, fresh… This is my only 10/10 this year. I hope they stage it good, I know Blanche has an amazing voice, which I adore for this is a winner this year!

Leo M
Leo M
6 years ago

When this came out, I was delighted to hear something modern and original. It is not your typical Eurovision song which is a good thing and Blanche also has a very unique voice. It should cruise into the final, at least place top 5 and I still would not rule out Belgium winning the whole thing with great staging.

anonymous91
anonymous91
6 years ago

Blanche is such a lovely girl, 17 years old what a singing voice she already got for her age wow

I Love City Lights and i adore the music video, but her stage presence disappoints me a lot, she should just enjoy the song contest for now, and come back in a few years with a similar song but then more stage experience

10/10, just for the song quality and Blanche who looks like a goddess 🙂

The Orinoco Child
The Orinoco Child
6 years ago

I swear the final wiwi rankings of the songs looks like the betting odds.

Kristof
Kristof
6 years ago

Happy to see Belgium is on everybody mind when talking about top 10. For us Belgian fans who follow the contest since decades (makes me feel old now aha) you can not imagine what we are experiencing. I love this track. Even more than Loic and I was such a big fan of him back in 2015. Blanche is a 17 year older girl without diva status. She is timide (hello world… there are plenty of timide people), uberfriendly and proud to be doing this for her country. Blanche Hasselt my 200% support nog matter what the outcome will be…whether… Read more »

Kristof
Kristof
6 years ago
Reply to  Kristof

My spelling corrector made a mess apparently… sorry for that. But it is readable lol

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
6 years ago
Reply to  Kristof

I love it when a country’s Eurovision efforts confirm my prejudices about that country. Your last three entries breathe sophistication and good taste, which fits right into my idea of Belgium being the country of chocolate, diamonds, international diplomacy and, more importantly, waffles.

bxsrbv
bxsrbv
6 years ago

Blanche reminds me of Valentina-Crisalide, maybe she needs that kind of microphone hands-free, and to be told exactly what to do with her hands as part of the staging.

Racal
Racal
6 years ago

The song itself is one of my favourites this year, and in all Eurovision history. We’re so used to all the screaming divas, bright shining LEDs, overdramatic performances and silly costumes that it’s nice to finally have a simple, modern electropop song. It is flat yes, but I think it works perfectly with that song. It teases without ever exploding, and that reminds me of “Night Call” and London Grammar. … That was for the studio version. Now all the live videos I have seen were a trainwreck. I’ve seen City Lights live on The Voice Belgium, and if the… Read more »

Jerome
Jerome
6 years ago

I still believe in City Lights! I still believe in Blanche! I still believe in Belgium!

Michaela
Michaela
6 years ago

I already posted my opinion on YT so here it is:
The studio version is great BUT her live perfomance + lack of her charisma + stand rehearsal… its not that great. Im sorry this is not the winner for sure. And if she is nervous at the preparties then she will be more nervous in Kiev.. 6.5/10?

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
6 years ago

This score made Belgium jump quite a few spots in the all-time wiwi jury high score, derived by averaging all the eurovision scores together. Before this year they were in the bottom 5 but are now in the 29th place, excluding countries with less than 3 entries. It’s one of only two scores above 8, which makes this year stand out as having few tops and bottoms. In this light Italy’s and Belgium’s fantastic scores are even more remarkable. The huge jump from 2nd to 3rd place is not something we’ve seen since 2012. Some numbers 8s and 9s 2012:… Read more »

Grete Paia
Grete Paia
6 years ago

Potato is very rude and not nice. It refers to russian singers. I think she looks more like a celery

Grete Paia
Grete Paia
6 years ago

They selected it because they heard her recording of the song. So she was already attached to the song. Too bad they didn’t see her do it live but by now they think they are so good at stage production, they can send any twink and finish top ten

Grete Paia
Grete Paia
6 years ago

She real pretty doe. Can she just stand there looking cute and not sing. Maybe make some timed arm movements to the music

Grete Paia
Grete Paia
6 years ago

She has added timed arm movements to her performance. That may be enough to win

escfanBelgium
escfanBelgium
6 years ago
Reply to  Grete Paia

I think its very smart of them to add these arm movements. Just to add something visualy. I hope they do not overdo it tho

Grete Paia
Grete Paia
6 years ago
Reply to  escfanBelgium

You can never have too much timed arm movements. Keep moving those arms Blanche

escfanBelgium
escfanBelgium
6 years ago
Reply to  Grete Paia

HAHAHAHAHA, omg you are dirty minded

Pant7
Pant7
6 years ago
Reply to  Grete Paia

Ikr?
I love the song, but it’s just too awkward live. I wish Blanche will be performing in a better way in the contest.

Pant7
Pant7
6 years ago

I saw that too. Apparently the staging will be the same in Eurovision, so they deleted it to be a surprise haha :s
It’s bad staging tho.

Grete Paia
Grete Paia
6 years ago

“She made it to the second live show before being eliminated.”

That’s all you need to know. She so badly needs more training and performing. Belgium has sent twinks 5 of the last 6 times. This time its going to blow up in their faces. Gurl bye

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  Grete Paia

If she blows up, it won’t be as bad as you think. She is my #12 after 2 evaluations, and I’m about to review the entries one last time.

Aria
Aria
6 years ago
Reply to  CookyMonzta

What does twinks stand for?

Grete Paia
Grete Paia
6 years ago
Reply to  Aria

kids who are barely legal

God-Emperor
God-Emperor
6 years ago

This has flop written all over the place. Good experimental and eargasmic song but it feels too flat. The charisma of this child doesn’t help and the fact is if she doesn’t make an effort to evolve the weeks that precede the festival her fragility will be devoured by competition.
Probably qualifies merely in terms of song-wise and that’s it.

Karl
Karl
6 years ago

Overrated but I’d much MUCH rather this win than Italy. That being said, I don’t see that happening since she has zero stage presence and looks super awkward up there.

fikri
fikri
6 years ago

so this year we only have 2 songs that pass the 8-point mark in wiwijury. this is clearly a bad year for eurovision. </3

Daniel
Daniel
6 years ago
Reply to  fikri

Imo, it’s a fantastic year!!
I think the reasonn the scores are genrally lower is due to the fact that there are more jurors. Therefore, there’s a higher chance to get a low score, decreasing the average considerabely.

Hi
Hi
6 years ago
Reply to  fikri

This is the best song tthis year. Its my wunner 10/10

wim
wim
6 years ago

We are gone slay in Kiev and bringing the trophee back to Belgium. Mark my words.

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

I think this song is good for the radio but not for a live festival. The fact that they gave it to a performer with the same stage presence as a potato doesn’t help at all. I feel like among the fan favorites, this will disappoint the most.

wim
wim
6 years ago

Yeah right, this song can beaten Italy and she will slay in kiev. Much better song than the song with the monkey.

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  wim

Sure, Jan.

escfanBelgium
escfanBelgium
6 years ago

I think you are just hoping for it to flop live in Kiev so that your Italy can win.
Sorry, to dissapoint you. that won’t happen.
She will be amazing!
Thanks for this review wiwibloggs!

wim
wim
6 years ago
Reply to  escfanBelgium

Totaly agree with you.

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  escfanBelgium

I’m not hoping for it to flop, I’m expecting him to. It’s not like the bookies disagree – her odds have drifted like the Red Sea ever since her live performances.

escfanBelgium
escfanBelgium
6 years ago

We will speak soon after the rehearsals. The odds will shorten and you will see her true potential.

wim
wim
6 years ago
Reply to  escfanBelgium

Amen

Aline VR
Aline VR
6 years ago

Waaw amazing review! Thank you so much!!! I’m so proud of Blanche and I hope you maybe welcome you all in Belgium next year 😉

Pablo
Pablo
6 years ago

Belgium’s dog days are over… This is an utmost sophisticated entry that deserves to enter the top 10 again and continue the streak (even if I think Laura’s place was sort of a lucky strike but hey, more power to Belgium). Moody, dark, yet with a rapid pulsating beat that keeps you hypnotized through the 3 minutes, I can see why this song has the mass appeal it has. The funny thing is that while I recognize its flaws (the “all alone in…” line drags somewhat and it falls on repetitive in occassion), the minute I turn the song up… Read more »

Kostka
Kostka
6 years ago

One of the few your rates which I actually agree with. Song’s great and memorable. I’m only afraid Blanche would fail on stage. She’s improving herself and this is a good sing but she’s stiff and the song is hard to make it live.
Anyway… Good luck, Belgium! 🙂