Our readers have spoken, and they want the Wiener Stadthalle to host Eurovision 2015. However, as we previously reported, ORF needs the venue to be empty for at least six weeks before the first semi-final and one week after the end of the competition. Given the official dates of this year’s show, that means it must be empty before April 5. Unfortunately there are several events already planned to take place.
That creates a major headache for the folks at the Stadhalle. To host Eurovision they will need to cancel a series of shows involving comedians, magicians, medicine men and dancing horses. They will need to refund tickets to these events, pay penalties stipulated in their various contracts and cover expenses of artists and performers who have already invested in incidentals such as airline tickets for their performances.
James Last concert – 22 April
James Last is a German composer and big band leader, perhaps best known for “Happy Heart”, which Petula Clark popularized in the United States. His music is renowned for its happy vibes. The man doesn’t do sad….but he might when Wiener Stadthalle calls with the bad news.
http://youtu.be/QBshwudIxo8
Esoteriktage Fruhjahr 2015 – 26 April
Esoteric Days is a touring exhibition that focuses on spirituality and alternative medicine. Around 80 exhibitors will be praying to their various Gods, sticking needles in sick people, and encouraging y’all to eat strange herbs with mystical powers.
Apassionata 2015 – 25 April
Billed as “Europe’s most successful equestrian entertainment show,” Apassionata explores the “magical connection between people and horses.” The horses dance to classical music. They wear fancy costumes. And they do all of this in front of tens of thousands of people. Can we please keep one for Eurovision?!
Max Raabe & Palast Orchester Tournee 2015 – 5 May
Max Raabe, the founder of the Palast Orchestra, revives the big band sound of the 1920s and loves covering modern pop. He’s kooky, crazy, eccentric and was brave enough to cover Britney Spears, which you can hear below. Do you think he’d manage to get out of the semi-final with a number like this?
Ehrlich Brothers – 23 May (The night of the grand final)
Chris and Andreas Ehrlich are the world’s most famous pair of brothers who are also twins. Hailing from the German town of Bünde, they won the “Magician of the Year” award in 2004, which is basically like the Oscars of Magic Arts. The potential Eurovision run-in is appropriate. The trailer for their most recent touring show was set to Loreen’s “Euphoria”.
Dieter Nuhr – 29 May
Dieter Nuhr is a German comedian, and apparently he’s very funny. He frequently caricatures the German know-it-all, and is a master of satirising family relationships.
http://youtu.be/RTesnDa9KBI
So there you have it. Six acts that’ll end up in the can if Eurovision comes to Vienna’s Stadthalle. Would you rather see these six acts or the three live shows of ESC?
Marjatta, you think the Netherlands should have won because they have bigger venues? That is a new way to judge songs.
David, you must have missed ESC2011. It was the funniest show in years.
All this about James last is good for him. My 20 year old nephew heard about cancelling his show and went online to find out about the man. He then downloaded lots of his albums to spot iffy and is a converted James last fan…
It seens that Innsbruck will host ESC 2015 (actually I am sure Vienna won’t) but let’s keep Graz on the back of our heads
Messe Wien can hold up to 30,000 people.
@Deven
Nah man, I didnt, I saw one of the other arena’s that was bidding in the beginning though, the Messe Wien.
Its a huge building with different halls, more than capable of hosting one or two of these shows so that Eurovision can take place in the stadhalle.
>> Dieter Nuhr is a German comedian
I think “German comedian” is an oxymoron.
Darren, did you see the Wiener Stadthalle when you were in Vienna on holidays recently.
Considering Wiener Stadthalle hasn’t backed out of their bid, they clearly think that cancelling/rescheduling/moving these shows isn’t a big deal.
This is why The Netherlands should’ve won. There’s plenty of large arenas without hassle, so if one large arena can’t host it another large arena can. (no hate to Conchita.) If Wiener Stadhalle can’t host it, we will have to have it in either of two teeny tiny venues
omg, this article cracked me up…. especially the part with the “herbs for y’all”…. xD
Well, maybe these acts could be convinced to become a part of the show, either in the competition or in the intervals…..
And James Last is probably watching Stadthalle from up above then…
So why do we need to cancel? They should just come along! …We have never had live horses on stage as a gimmick, the twins wont feel out of place at all performing and some professional comedians can only be a good thing to introduce the acts.
Has anyone done a medical themed act to their song… Nurse in short skirt with a thermometer… that sort of thing?
See!? Wien doesn’t have the time to host! Let Graz host! We want to welcome Europe to the green heart of Austria!
Funny, four of the six acts that need to be canceled are from Germany… there’s a conspiracy going on against us! 😉
It’s a pity about James Last – the man rocks (sort of).
Dieter Nuhr, on the other hand, is extremely unfunny. He’s conservative, which makes him unsuitable as a comedian – what’s the point of doing political stand-up if you’re applauding the leaders? And his non-political stuff is plain boring, done a thousand times already – and much better by others. The Austrians would be better off with Eurovision than with him.
Oh, come on already! Postpone those six “other events” until July next year!
“I don’t think they will bancel any of these events”. boua ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Are you serious ????????????????????????????????
Pretty sure these shows could move to the Messehalle Wien, without much hassle
Maybe one or 2 will get cancelled but most of them can be moved to a different venue.
Eurovision would definitely cover any expenses that the Stadhalle has to pay if any shows are cancelled.
I’m still hoping that glorious Vienna will be chosen
I think it would just be fine to move the other shows in another stadium
I don’t think they will cancel any of these events. And if they do, the ticket prices will only get more expensive.