Sometimes an entry has a beautiful song, amazing singer(s)…and staging so bad you are left thinking the BBC did the arrangement. This list is dedicated to the costume teams, set designers and choreographers who took a top 10 contender – and trashed it.
1. Serbia
The weekend after the contest I’m listening to the contest songs and one comes on that is beautiful. Reaches out and grabs me. And I have to look on my iPhone because I don’t recognize it. It’s Ljubav je svuda by Moje 3. A beautiful, evocative, and uplifting song. Sadly, it was destroyed by dressing three amazing singers up in clown suits and having them go through a pantomime so ridiculous that you don’t even hear the song. The people behind this travesty need to be sent back to Spain. And to the three members of Moje 3: You’ve got something really good there. Please do some more songs together (with competent staging).
2. Germany
Clearly Cascada was given a budget of $49.95 for their staging. And one of the brain trusts there said, “Hey, I know – let’s rent a bleacher from a local high school for her to walk down.” A super good dance number by one of the best dance bands in the world. And it was presented like a high school production. In fact, I’ve seen better productions at some high schools. Yo, Angela Merkel – austerity leads to mediocre results (and permanent recession in Southern Europe).
3. San Marino
Whoever thinks building the first half of a song around a glowing ball is an idiot. It’s not some brilliant message. It’s “Everyone wonder what’s with the ball?” Crisalide (Vola) is a really pretty song with a lot of depth. With competent staging that reinforced the song and the beauty of Valentina Monetta’s voice, this would have easily made the final. Whoever came up with this, tell him/her to take their ball and go home.
4. Spain
Quick, what was the staging for Contigo hasta el final? Don’t remember? Don’t feel bad: no one else does either. It’s not that there was anything wrong with the staging, but there was nothing memorable about it either. Eurovision requires it all—an incredible song, a world-class voice, and staging that elevates the song. ESDM was left wandering around on the stage presenting their song. It’s not clear the song would have made the top 10 with awesome staging, but without it it was toast.
5. Georgia
Waterfall is a beautiful song. Nodi Tatishvili and Sophie Gelovani have amazing voices. The staging was good. But the chemistry between them was all wrong. This was a song, a staging, a presentation that screamed out for two people that are on the edge of tearing each other’s clothes off to make mad passionate love. Farid in Hold Me looked like he was in anguish wanting the other two on the stage. He wanted them with every fiber of his being. Nodi and Sophie showed the chemistry of two people that are very comfortable with each other. And that lack of desire on the stage is what kept them out of the top 10.
Which acts do you think were most hurt by their presentation?
David T contributed this report from Colorado. Keep up with the latest Eurovision news and gossip by following wiwibloggs.com on Twitter and Facebook.
Photo: Eurovision.tv (EBU)
Agree:Serbia,Spain
Disagree:San Marino,Germany,Georgia
Moran’s sun glasses have their place here
Serbia deserved so much more. If only they stayed with the angel/devil/girl in love, they would have at least made it to the final.
As a devoted Cascada fan since their debut in 2004, I do agree that Germany’s staging could have been improved with A+ choreography. Unfortunately, it is what it is. I personally have no problem with the glass staircase itself, I just think that the staging at Unser Song for Malmo and ECHO 2013 was MUCH better. Despite stomping on that glass staircase like Barney Rubble, Natalie gave her 100% on the night and the crowd gave her the biggest ovation than they gave anyone else that night. Besides, there were other performances that had a worst presentation this year. Germany… Read more »
I have to disagree with Georgia, I felt the chemistry (and I was watching through a laptop screen). Apart from that, I agree, especially with Germany. Germany has one of the best economies in the world, yet stages a high school opening scene to the Final Production. San Marino’s “The Social Network Song” had better presentation and that sucked.
I love these songs ……
It wasn’t the worst staging at this year’s Eurovision by a long shot, but I can’t help but think that “Gravity” lost out a bit due to its staging…the song itself was a real class act, but it was hard to notice at times when they were shaking the camera to simulate the giant’s steps and throwing a bolt of lightning across the background when she sings the word “thunder.” There was some real questionable taste moves on that staging, which was a shame for such a successful Eurovision song.
Call me patriotic, but I think one of the best stagings would have to be the UK’s for a change. They really tried hard this year for the staging of the song. But yeah this is about worst stagings and I would totally agree with you on Serbia, those outfits and the choreography was dire.
The only thing that bothered me about the San Marinese presentation was the wardrobe. A loose pantsuit in the same color would carry the wind better instead of that lackluster dress. Maybe include an acrobat.
Completely agree with you about Serbia, San Marino and Georgia.
Disagree with Spain and San Marino. I liked the former’s trick with the ceiling lamp, but the song is forgettable. The latter wanted to channel the video, but maybe a more elaborated backdrop was needed.
Agree with the rest.
I loved ESDM’s Chinese lantern!