Lesley Roy Maps Ireland Eurovision 2021 staging

She made Late Late Show history on Friday night when she performed “Maps” from the roof of RTÉ studios. But, in an interview with wiwibloggs, Ireland’s Lesley Roy has confirmed that her Eurovision 2021 staging will be completely different. Furthermore, all going to plan, the final stage show in Rotterdam will be designed by Fredrik “Benke” Rydman — the man behind Måns Zelmerlöw “Heroes” staging in 2015.

Lesley Roy on her Eurovision 2021 staging

“I’m very excited about our Rotterdam performance. Our creative director this year is Fredrik Rydman — Benke — who did the staging and the creative directing for Mans Zelmerlow “Heroes”. So, we have a winner on our team. We’ve been working together on this concept since December. I really just hope we get to go there”. Lesley keeps schtum about what exactly they have in mind, but promises us that it won’t be the same as The Late Late.

However, given the current situation both nationally and internationally, Lesley is also ready for the possibility that she may not get to perform in the Netherlands next May.

“Anyone going through any version of life this year has to know if you’re getting into something you have to be very aware that it could just be gone the next day. So, I did get into it knowing that and that was another reason that I wanted to push really hard and make a very epic music video. And we’ll do our best with the backup tape. Obviously, I wish we had more time and more similarities to what Benke and I would like to do for Rotterdam. But at the same time what Alan Byrne the director is doing in RTÉ, as far as the backup tape and what we can do there, I think it will be what it is if it gets cancelled”.

Lesley Roy has filmed her backup Eurovision performance

This week has been a busy one for Lesley Roy. Fresh off her video shoot last week, Lesley spent much of her time preparing for the filming of her backup tape for Eurovision 2021. The dress rehearsal took place on Wednesday while the final version was shot on Thursday. Should Lesley be unable to perform in Rotterdam, this footage will be shown instead.

Are you excited to see Lesley’s staging? What do you think of “Maps”? Let us know in the comments.

Follow all of our Ireland Eurovision 2021 news here.

45 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
JJ Woods
3 years ago

Lets hope the video is better than “the story of my life ” which was just plain awful and sad !

Ed.
Ed.
3 years ago

Lesley’s comments about the backup recorded performance were not exactly effusive. “It will be what it is”.

I wonder how much she has been left to her own devices to find collaborators for songwriting and staging vs. how much RTÉ have helped. The feel I get from this interview is that she is having to do a lot of the work herself (and props to her if so!) but maybe I’m wrong.

AM2PM
AM2PM
3 years ago
Reply to  Ed.

If that’s the case then Ireland may get its best result in years. RTE hasn’t done a great job and she can probably do a better job.

Liam
Liam
3 years ago
Reply to  AM2PM

Very true, I feel that it would be a good idea to let TG4 have a go for a year. We would finally then send a song in Irish to adult ESC…

Jofty
Jofty
3 years ago
Reply to  Liam

Dont forget Ceol An Ghra in 1972 Liam!

Anna
Anna
3 years ago

Love Fredrik Rydman! Soo good!
Remember back in the days when he was part of the dance company Bounce
They were so good!

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  Anna

Interval act 2000…they were good.

Benedict
Benedict
3 years ago

Typical irish entry that ends 11th in its semifinal, or 10th and saved by some old fashioned and irish-nostalgic juries here and there. Nothing offensive to make it finish last, nut nothing exciting either to make people vote for it and not even Fokas could save it on stage. Ireland must return to its glory days some day in the future.

matthew
matthew
3 years ago

weak weak song not get final

michel deboir
michel deboir
3 years ago
Reply to  matthew

get your ears tested soon then!!

Kobe
Kobe
3 years ago

She will need all the help she can get…

Marc
Marc
3 years ago
Reply to  Kobe

We all need all the help we can get. Everyone should aim to improve. Lesley in her interview with Padraig spoke about listening to constructive fan reaction and responding.

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
3 years ago

Benke is also behind Danny’s and Saade’s performances this year.

Azaad
Azaad
3 years ago

Why does her back up need to be taped this early, a lot of countries still don’t have their acts confirmed, Lesley and RTE had time….

Akeber
Akeber
3 years ago
Reply to  Azaad

It’s probably just in case something happens. We learned from last year that the world can change extremely fast, so I guess they just wanted to be safe. TIX already filmed his too.

Jamie
Jamie
3 years ago
Reply to  Akeber

Because of the deadline. Lithuania are filming with Germany (and I think a couple more countries) in Vilnius next week. They’ve built a Rotterdam stage replica, so that explains why they’re going there.

Pancake
Pancake
3 years ago

Going off-topic: Victoria has now released her EP ‘a little dramatic’ in all streaming platforms

europotato
europotato
3 years ago

i do think singing in 5 degree celsius isnt great but i mean we know its cold, why on the roof top?

Liam
Liam
3 years ago

I know… really not sure why she didn’t sing live, probably because RTÉ had her freezing on the studio roof! Was hoping to get some reassurance as to her live vocals for this song tonight, guess we’ll have to wait another while! She was really into it though which is great.

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago

Fredrik will only be doing her Rotterdam staging if she makes it that far, but not her back-up performance staging – do I have that right? Whatever happened to thisispopbaby? Kinda weird to just drop an Irish theatre company like that, especially when they could probably do with some work right now.

Esc fan
Esc fan
3 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

I mean the company that was doing her staging last year suited the song, this year its a different type of song and imo, as much as I think the staging would’ve been great, it wouldn’t work as well with this song.

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  Esc fan

They’re a theatre company, who have done all kinds of productions – happy and sad.

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

I like the song, I like Lesley. No need to downvote questions. Maybe thisispopbaby were not available, I don’t know.

Fionn
Fionn
3 years ago

that’s really good but like what was up with her live performance on the late late??? It was either flawless or extremely auto tuned. we know she has good vocals so why auto tune it?

ESCCork
ESCCork
3 years ago
Reply to  Fionn

Lip synced but the conditions probably played a role considering she’s on a rooftop in Windy Dublin

Marc
Marc
3 years ago
Reply to  ESCCork

The weather conditions definitely played a part. I think it’s also about the promo and package and last year’s dodgy Late Late performance set the song back from the video release. I think this performance tonight was a step forward from the video so it continues to build momentum and the song gathers support. I have no doubt Lesley can sing this live and smash it.

ESCCork
ESCCork
3 years ago
Reply to  Marc

Great point, we’ll get the live soon we just got to be patient

Fionn
Fionn
3 years ago
Reply to  ESCCork

hey, I’m from Cork too lol

Irishfan
Irishfan
3 years ago
Reply to  Fionn

I’m also from Cork!!

ESCCork
ESCCork
3 years ago
Reply to  Irishfan

Lots of love for my fellow Corkonians!

Marc
Marc
3 years ago
Reply to  ESCCork

I’m also from Cork. As there are so many of us, Eurovision 2022 should be held in Cork. LOL!

Tom Ripley
Tom Ripley
3 years ago
Reply to  Marc

So many of Irish people. No doubt who will be on the top of next poll.

No bots and no fandom. Right?

Marc
Marc
3 years ago
Reply to  Tom Ripley

I really like Lesley Roy’s song and I support it as in addition to the music, Eurovision is about a sense of national pride( smaller nations understand and appreciate this more). However this song is not my favourite of all the songs released so would not be ‘top of the next poll’ for me. Obviously at ESC, voters cannot vote for their own country so the polls on Eurovision fan sites are redundant.

Tom Ripley
Tom Ripley
3 years ago
Reply to  Marc

Agreed, but my comment was ironic. We all love and support song from our contries – its natural behaviour… and yes, we support songs we love no matter of the flag. Its funny how people here speak about pride when its their country and bots and fandom when other countries leading on some esc fan sites poll. Croatia is also small nations with big ambitions this year … doesen’t mean its the best song….. but go to other releted post and read comments of people who writting silly stuff about Croatians, but hey no problem to write or say/ Ireland2022.… Read more »

Marc
Marc
3 years ago
Reply to  Tom Ripley

I was being playful with my Ireland 2022 comment. Irony and attempts at humour are sometimes lost in print. The thing that is often not considered with polls is the semifinal allocations. It would be interesting if polls were completed in their assigned semis. A person’s top 12 might all be from the same semi which means that can’t ever be a final top ten. I like the Croatian entry but in its semi it is right next to Israel and Cyprus. Will these ‘bops’ steal votes from each other in their semi? There will ultimately be a fan favourite… Read more »

Fionn
Fionn
3 years ago
Reply to  Marc

I’ve already planned everything hahaha

Jofty
Jofty
3 years ago
Reply to  Marc

Where would you have the Eurovision Village; Cornmarket Street aka the Coal Quay?! Is The Bodega still there? I have not been home for two years and I just talked to me Mam. Love to all and I hope Lesley qualifies!

Fionn
Fionn
3 years ago
Reply to  ESCCork

ya Dublin weather is always worse than Cork hehe

Jo.
Jo.
3 years ago
Reply to  Fionn

too cold

EmmanuelAE
EmmanuelAE
3 years ago
Reply to  Fionn

I think they just played the studio track over her actual singing rather than autotune/lip-syncing – the only possible reason I can think of is that the weather wasn’t good enough for her to sing properly. But even that isn’t the most convincing…

Fionn
Fionn
3 years ago
Reply to  EmmanuelAE

yeah I get you, idk who’s idea it was to do it outside tho. If it was inside we would’ve heard her actual vocals

Jofty
Jofty
3 years ago
Reply to  Fionn

Maybe that’s why it was done outside if last year is anything to go by! I found her a breath of fresh air though compared to the usual antiques wheeled out year after year. Up the rebels!

Last edited 3 years ago by Jofty
Jo.
Jo.
3 years ago

This song is such a grower, already my #1 so far…

Tom Ripley
Tom Ripley
3 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

Grower and number 1?!?!
Growing to what?

Joe
Joe
3 years ago

The staging for Heroes might be the best of any Eurovision act*, so that’s nothing but music to my ears!
*except Say Na Na Na