ORF has today revealed an image of the completed Eurovision 2015 stage — and it looks amazing!

International set designer Florian Wieder, who previously worked on the Eurovision stages in Düsseldorf in 2011 and Baku in 2012, has dreamed up another glorious platform for this year’s contestants. We’ve compared it to a fish and an eyeball previously, and those comparisons still hold. But this fish is an electric stunner and that eye glimmers with the passion and fabulosity of a Eurovision fan. Slay, Vienna!

“The vision for the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest is the bridge from the past to the present and the future,” ORF’s TV Director Kathrin Zechner said back in January. “The eye is a symbol of this bridge – a mutual respect between cultures, countries and people.”

What do you think of the stage? Are you loving it as much as we are?

Photo at top: Roman Zach-Kiesling (ORF)

Die Showbühne für den Eurovision Song Contest in der Wiener Stadthalle The ?#?Eurovision stage in Vienna ?#?BuildingBridges ?#?ESC2015

A photo posted by ESC — Building Bridges (@esc_buildingbridges) on

 

The #eurovision 2015 stage…with what appears to be a trash can on stage. A photo posted by wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) on

Inside the #Eurovision #esc2015 control room #Repost @esc_buildingbridges

A photo posted by wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) on

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CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
9 years ago

This ought to be interesting. The 2014 stage was absolutely outstanding. I hope all 40 entries took the time to study the stage graphics that they want for their performers before they sent the organizers exactly what they want, because if the graphic designs and animation don’t go well with the performance, it could cost the performer points.

Eric
Eric
9 years ago

I thought it was odd at first, but once I saw the moving balls, I fell in love with it. Bottom line though, is how will it look on TV, where the vast majority of the audience will see it. Good staging won’t make a bad song win, but it will sure make a good song lose. And will probably have a lot to do with who gets slots 7-12 out of the semis. I think that pushed Conchita over the top last year, every second of shooting was choreographed and powerful. And had a lot to do with why… Read more »

fikri
fikri
9 years ago

love it. by far the best florian design out of the three.

@gk you need to calm down.

GK HELLAS
GK HELLAS
9 years ago

Come on
We all know that the monster of conchita only won bwcause of the beard.You have to admit that sometime…
If the song was sung by a normal singer you would call it a dull and boring ballad…

brix
brix
9 years ago

@day one
There is an LED screen that slides open and there’s a lighting rig behind it.

day one
day one
9 years ago

Isn’t the Building Bridges logo in the background just a banner?
I thought ORF wasn’t using an LED screen or at least not a very large screen.

Adams
Adams
9 years ago

I think that it will look great on tv screens.

ct
ct
9 years ago

This is an amazing stage, I bet it will turn out to be one of the most impressive ever 🙂

Thank God for Conchita. Not only she gave us one of the most memorable performances ever in ESC history, she also brought the contest to the magical city of Vienna.

Love from Greece!

davve
davve
9 years ago

GK Hellas, oh what a surprise with a weird greek… that is sooo unusual.. lol

GK HELLAS
GK HELLAS
9 years ago

Why should we care so much about the stage of the contest the show the lights the gimmicks the pyrotechnics or how big is the stage? Does anyone care about the songs and the voice of the singers in this ”song competition”.It just starts to make all this thing called eurovision so hillarious.And last year when the creepy monster of austria won of course not because of the song but because of the beard because just the song itself-which was just good- probably wouldn’t have reached the top 10.I’m not homophobic cause i’m gay too however this makes unfortunately a… Read more »

davve
davve
9 years ago

Helsinkis stage was miserable. so small and without anything to make a performance stand out better… Helsinkis stage should never be used again.

davve
davve
9 years ago

I like it.. but there IS a big possibility that all performances will look similar with the dots…..

I dont know why people give so much praise to Copenhagen last year. that stage was good but with way to much light and camera work…. the lights was present in every performance….

Lucas
Lucas
9 years ago

I chastely hate the stage 🙁

Mckenzie
Mckenzie
9 years ago

It’s an awesome stage but kinda Riga 2.0. Anyway it’s great. Copenhaguen’s was so incredible that it’s very difficult to do it better, but something better than Malmö’s.

Mario My Illuminati Vision of Gay Love
Mario My Illuminati Vision of Gay Love
9 years ago

Of course the stage can pass as the illuminating eye…

EVERYONE of us eurofans sees the Vision with his/her own unique special prismatic Visionary Eye… <3
So adding all of the illuminating eyes of all us we make a huge giant illuminating eye that reflects the real EUROVISION.. <3

Its not really a satanic symbol here but a mean used 4 a good cause..
Everyone & everything are illuminating…

Illuminati = Bright Mind with a GreAtY fantasy that sees the world his own special Vision…Everyone of us is illuminati in his/her own unique way..
<3 🙂

Mario My Vision of Gay Love
Mario My Vision of Gay Love
9 years ago

WOW! <3
GreAtY! <3
Simply the best ever stage in history of EuroVision! <3
It really reminds me of the beautiful stage of Athens' Vision..! <3
And the general feeling will be like the Vision of 2005! <3
I really expect & im prepared to see a magical upcoming Vision! <3
😀

esc-austia
esc-austia
9 years ago

IN THIS STAGE BOJANA ( SERBIA ) DON ENTER IS SOO SMALL FOR HER HAHAHAHAHAH …BEST STAGE EAVER BAKU AZERBAJAN NEXT BETTER STAGE TIRANA ALBANIA 2016

Ian
Ian
9 years ago

It looks small from photos, but when you notice the people on the stage it actually appears quite large. It also looks like we will get something of a catwalk that will go through the audience. Very excited to see it in motion.

Oostenrijk
Oostenrijk
9 years ago

LOL @ the explanation of Mrs Zechner. This stage is a praise to the Illuminati, the eye stands for the all-seeing eye. Blatant satanic symbolism getting sold as peace & unity stuff here….

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
9 years ago

I don’t know
Copenhagen is still my favorite (but this is far better than Baku, Mälmo, or Düsseldorf)

Julian
Julian
9 years ago

All the pillars are a reminder of how a lot many forests the Austrians brought down in Eastern Europe. An ecological massacre.

Chris
Chris
9 years ago

I don’t have my favourite Eurovision’s stage, but if I had to choose, I would point out the German one from 2011. It was rather the most spectacular stage. This one in Vienna resembles me the stage from 2003 (Riga). Generally, I regard this project as a combination of modernity (the pipes) and tradition (the shape). The stage is classy and glamorous. It reflects by far the ambience of Vienna. Ideal for the anniversary. By contrast, as some commentators below I have few doubts about the seize and the distance between the performers and the audience, but I trust that… Read more »

Thiefo
9 years ago

It looks great, completed and lit and all… but I’m still not a fan of it as of previous ones. I’m all for original, even weird forms, but this one doesn’t seem much practical, I miss the catwalk! And I’m also worried about the visibility on the sides. I’m not worried about its size, Malmo’s was small but it was… cozy, something I don’t feel with this one, possibly because for Malmo’s the audience could be very close to the performer and it doesn’t seem to see the case with this one, another reason why I miss the catwalk.

CandyCam
CandyCam
9 years ago

the stage looks GREAT!!! Now I am looking forward to see the kinetic sculpture in action

Sal
Sal
9 years ago

I thought I liked last year’s before the shows but wasn’t so keen on it live. This stage however looks good!

Leon
Leon
9 years ago

It looks like a fairytale concept. Very disney like. I don’t think this is my favorite eurovision stage but that’s probably a matter of taste. Last year was by far the best.

brix
brix
9 years ago

I think there is going to be a corridor through the middle of the crowd that leads up to the stairs. It might function as a catwalk aswell?
Anyway I think it looks amazing. I can’t wait to see it in action! 😀

PP
PP
9 years ago

Best stage from 2010 to 2014
1.2014
2.2011
3.2012
4.2010
5.2013

Best stage from 2000 to 2014
1.2014
2.2009
3.2008
4.2011
5.2003

Ranting Ruby
Ranting Ruby
9 years ago

Kind of migraine-y, to be honest. Like others, I wish there were a catwalk or extension … but will have to wait and see how it works in the television-sphere on the night! Top marks for simple and effective design – hope the small stage concentrates attention on personal performance rather than special effects.

Milla
Milla
9 years ago

I like it! Retro, but still so 2015.

Racal
Racal
9 years ago

Looks quite kitsch on pictures, but that doesn’t say much. Looking forward to seeing it live! I personally though that the last two ESC stages in Copenhagen and Malmö were a big success, way better than the ones in Dusseldorf and Baku. But wait and see…

JESCGermany15
JESCGermany15
9 years ago

Look amazing! Great job neighbours! It’s good that it isn’t so big because just the Interval acts take the full stage! The only thing I miss is a catwalk which go into the audience! Looks like the audience on the side can’t see the performers! My Top stages since 2010:
1.2014
2.2015
3.2012
4.2013
5.2011
6.2010

Deniz@TurkNL
Deniz@TurkNL
9 years ago

Original and Cool

BK
BK
9 years ago

My first impression is that the design is none like we have seen before and it seems to fit the 60th anniversary as well. Regarding its size, it appears to be much smaller than previous stages, however this would explain the reasoning behind it. I am sure producers considered size and its impact on the contest so let’s hope their vision is realized. It could be ideal for connecting with the singer and song with up and personal shots. I wonder whether the stage actually impacts the range of camera shots since it is surrounded by LED pillars. I really… Read more »

rob
rob
9 years ago

This stage is so beautiful!!!! Good job Austria!!!

MTD
MTD
9 years ago

Last year’s stage was the most amazing stage that I have ever seen for an ESC show (yes, it was), but this year’s stage is different on so many levels. It’s not bad, far from it (when the whole light show will be introduced and those kinetics lights in action – it will be great), but I find it similar to Helsinki 2007, Belgrade 2008, even Malmo 2013 in terms of overall impression. But, this is different somehow. 🙂

Allen
Allen
9 years ago

It looks great and authentic.

But nobody can beat last year’s stage in Copenhagen. 🙂

Glad this one is not huge. Just remember Moscow in 2009… The stage lost its meaning at the end because it was way too big.

This one will look great on TV.

Matenohoru
Matenohoru
9 years ago

Personally last years was amazing, didnt like at all this stage, I find very showy all the LEDs thing, and a little unnecesary, dont know if a part of the stadium couldnt see the stage well having all that structure. I prefere stages more open to allow the audience and also to watch on TV a great show. Maybe some acts could Get loose but We arent In the 60’s with small stages, this is Eurovision and each entry MUST slay to a great audience which is EUROPE…so lets see what happens…

Michael
Michael
9 years ago

The light pillars destroy the stage!!!!And it is very small.The light pillars make it even smaller

Lijana
Lijana
9 years ago

its really sad that they didnt add a catwalk. 🙁

Eris
Eris
9 years ago

No worries William. well, it still gives me 2010 stage vibes 😛

WhyNot
WhyNot
9 years ago

About LED-light “Safety and health[edit] The vast majority of devices containing LEDs are “safe under all conditions of normal use”, and so are classified as “Class 1 LED product”/”LED Klasse 1”. At present, only a few LEDs—extremely bright LEDs that also have a tightly focused viewing angle of 8° or less—could, in theory, cause temporary blindness, and so are classified as “Class 2”.[123] The opinion of the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) of 2010, on the health issues concerning LEDs, suggested banning public use of lamps which were in the moderate Risk Group 2,… Read more »

Adam
Adam
9 years ago

I must be the only one who doesn’t like it. Don’t get me wrong I love the colors and the actual stage itself, but those hideous light pillar things are just so unnecessary! I just imagine 1/2 the audience not even being able to see the stage because of them. It just makes the whole stage looks too enclosed and gives off a claustrophobic vibe, where not even the performer can see 1/2 the audience. I think it’d look better if they push stage back closer to the giant screen behind it so then there’d be room for a catwalk.… Read more »

Hex
Hex
9 years ago

From the concept art I didn’t like it at all, but honestly the stage is quite fantastic. It’s not too big like last year with Denmark, where some acts got completely lost on stage. It’s intimate so it fits well with duets (Czech Republic,Estonia,Norway ect) and ballads (Malta,Latvia,Azerbajian ect). I think Sweden might have a bit of a disvantage.
Can’t wait to see videos of the stage in action!

Darren
Darren
9 years ago

I like it, its got the size of Malmo but the stylishness of Dusseldorf. I prefer when Eurovision use smaller stages, because some acts can get lost on a massive one, Vienna looks just right, should be ideal for the ballads this year, it will give it an intimate feeling.

wozzeck
wozzeck
9 years ago

Is the green room going to be at the foot of the stage, like in Baku and Coppenhagen?

Leo
Leo
9 years ago

I like it, maybe could have done with a catwalk though

jr esc nl
jr esc nl
9 years ago

It’s incredible, that led screen is fantastic!

Bronson
Bronson
9 years ago

Looks a tad small, but that doesn’t matter. I wonder how much of a purpose those large LED lights actually have.

Eris
Eris
9 years ago

Weird but nice. so the same one that made the 2010 stage made this one too. That’s why it gave me some 2010 stage vibes.