Earlier this week Conchita Wurst revealed that her team of composers had given birth to a beautiful phoenix. Following a stunning live performance in Vienna, we now know that Conchita can give that phoenix life and depth and emotion. She really soars, y’all.
Detractors have at times written Miss Wurst off as a joke. But her song “Rise Like a Phoenix” carries with it a serious message about perseverance and staying-in-the-game even when things go wrong. The live performance, which you can watch below, shows that Conchita has taken that message on board. She isn’t a silly aspiring pop star looking for her 15 minutes, but rather a woman on a mission—to show she can sing and to silence all her haters.
The performance gives us a taste of the dramatic staging we can expect in Copenhagen. Will it be enough to make the final? We certainly hope so.
What do you think?
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… oops, typo – that shoul’ve read : ‘Bassey/Barry’ of course (sorry Dame Shirl’) 🙂
In one word, STUNNING ! … You go Conchy ! Absolutely deserves not just Top-5 but the actual WIN !! (And this coming from a non-Austrian.) Plus yes I agree it could so easily have been the next 007 film’s (‘Bond 24’) score/song. It has a distinct (& deliberate!) ‘Bassy/Barry’ flavour. (Tho’ not exactly surprising as Conchy/Tom’s rendition of ‘Goldfinger’ is just as spectacular. Totally KILLS it ! ) On another note, I’m really surprised Israel didn’t make it thru. (WTF!?) It certainly deserved to, well over many other much weaker finalists. They were robbed ! … BUT not that… Read more »
Aram MP3 the BEST
The song is amazing, it should be the next James Bond song, and the live performance is really great. I do hope they manage to put an equally awesome show at eurovision and that everyone that objects on grounds of gayness or whatever they don’t like , will reconsider and admire a truly beautiful song.
Really impressive. Feels she has improved loads since 2012. Can’t wait to see her in the semi and hope she makes it through 😀
Imo- Its just horrible.
Her voice is just annoying (to me)
Video version was much better. Live the song is kind of annoying. Some songs are better when performed live some worse and this is in the latter category.
I love the staging, I guess it would be fairly simply and not campy. She’s not a camp kinda gal.
The song is so elegant, so ladylike, so brilliant, so absolutely james bond Theme adhesive good that as an Austrian, I am grateful and proud of it. To emphasize it, it is about the same super dream fabric that is woven into the songs of Gloria Gaynor, Shirley Bassey with 007 James Bond Theme or Thelma Houston. Even in the songs of Whitney Houston, he finds himself: It’s the rise from the deepest depths of self-assertion, the rise in heavenly spheres, the speech – that of the journey that would like to take a phoenix, a Phönixin from the ashes.… Read more »
Great song and amazing singer ! Hope to see her in the Final !
This performance is so amazing! The song, the voice, the lights, the special effects,… I love it! For me Austria is safe in the final and I cross my fingers that Conchita will end up in the top 5 together with Italy, Israel, Macedonia and Armenia.
🙂
For me this is a top 10 entry. She has given much attention to the light and pyro effects, I hope at least the western european countries will vote for her!
This is absolutely amazing; love the masculine voice with the androgyny looks.. Woo Go Conchita! Defiantly needs to be into the final! #RiseLikeAPhoenix
I love the song ever more now that s/he can sing it great live. Go Austria, I hope it gets through to the final. This is one of the best songs this year.
I have high hopes for Austria now. I think Top 5 on Grand-Finals will be UK, Armenia, Austria, Spain and Italy.
I think everyone’s been very surprised with this one. Just hope she makes the final!
Just felt like sharing this: some guy wrote “Great song. Great beard.” on YT. Know what? That is the kind of slight change of perspective I still needed to make up my mind (I’d already loved the song) about the whole thing.
It was always clear to me that this was no joke entry. Plus the live performance, which was very good and I am betting s/he will improve, I can see it as a serious contender for Top 10 material. Pity there are quite a few songs I also like a lot this year.
Peace
@Lio Anch
It really shouldn’t matter if the countries are supportive of the LGBT(and however many other letters you want to add) community. The jury vote should save the song because the song’s quality is really good and the voice is great, even if the image isn’t the most comfortable for someone to see.
Absolutely impressive. No idea she could belt like that. Honestly, I was quite worried listening to the record, wondering if she could pull it off live, but now I am convinced. She will leave quite the impression. Well done!
Top 10 at least….
Noooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!! Natalia Kelly (2013) was better 🙁
I wish to see her in the final! Her song and voice is really beautiful IMO!! Good luck! 🙂
I strongly believe … Austria is in it to “WIN IT.” This is a very good performance … Let us see what will happen MAY 10
@Lio Anch Don’t forget about Germany and the United Kingdom. Austria will definitely need big points from them to get through. Hopefully, Germany will give Austria their 12.
Well, we need to take a look at the other countries in that semi who will vote for it. Besides Norway, Israel, Finland, and maybe Ireland I can’t see any other open-minded countries or tolerant towards the LGBT community in order to give points just based on the song.
Norway, Israel, and Finland are definitely going to give high score to Austria in this year’s second semi-final.
@nauportus90 It is definitely live!
Conchita is so amazing. The juries had better get her through to the final.
AMAZING!! She does feel what she sings :’) I really hope to see her in the final (it’s my top 1 :D)
live performance?! it couldn’t be more obvious she was lip-syncing.
I love the drama she brings to the stage, it’s very elegant and diva-ish. I hope she goes into the final..
WOW! :O I’m speechless <3
That was really good.
Fantastic! Needs to be in the final