Eurovision: That's How You Stage A Song

Eurovision may be a song contest, but by now everyone knows that it takes more than just music to stand out in a crowd of 43. Performance and staging are crucial if you want to claim victory.

As promised, ahead of this week's Eurovision semi-finals and final, we've been studying rehearsal footage to bring you tips on the songs - and staging - to look out for.

Song wise, there's really something for everyone. This year's crop features everything from pop and rock, through heartfelt ballads and gospel-tinged soul, via country and reggae, to opera and post-metal.

Following Portugal's success with Salvador Sobral's jazz-infused Portuguese language song "Amar Pelos Dois", many more countries this year are sending songs in their national languages. For me, this makes the contest all the richer - where else can you hear songs in 14 different languages, including Spanish, Italian, Greek, Slovenian, Albanian, Armenian, Serbian and Georgian?

In terms of staging, there was surely some disappointment amongst the national Eurovision delegations when this year's host nation, Portugal, announced their stage wouldn't feature LED screen capability. Without fancy in-venue graphics as a backdrop, how have countries approached the presentation of their songs?

Simple stunners

The first option, of course, is to keep it simple.

Belgium, represented by trip-hoppy James Bond theme-esque "A Matter of Time", is going down this route, with mainly monochrome staging and avant-garde black dress for singer Sennek. Her live vocals have been steadily improving in rehearsals, making this one to watch.

Likewise keeping it straightforward is Albania, aiming for a live gig vibe with singer Eugent Bushpepa and band on stage. Singing "Mall", which translates as 'yearning', Eugent's vocals are amongst the best in this year's competition - no bells and whistles needed here.

France are also going for classic simplicity, with Madame Monsieur dressed in black by Jean-Paul Gaultier. Their song "Mercy" (performed en français, bien sûr) tells the story of a refugee baby born on a humanitarian ship in the Mediterranean - a strong message that deserves a respectful stage treatment, and is currently high in the betting odds.

Even more favoured by the bookies is the operatic Estonian entry "La Forza", apparently effortlessly sung by Elina Nechayeva. Coupled with exquisite vocals, their one relatively simple prop - a voluminous dress adorned by swirling projections - is sure to make this a high-impact performance.

More is more

At the opposite end of the spectrum, a handful of countries are taking the 'kitchen sink' approach to making their songs stand out.

Malta's Christabelle is employing every trick in the book, using lasers, fire, a dancer she controls with Matrix-like moves, and even bringing along her own LED screen box. Her song "Taboo" aims to break the taboo of mental illness, but may not break through to the final on Saturday.

Saara Aalto, representing Finland with the song "Monsters", is also throwing everything at her staging - including herself! Expect an impressive start and Finnish (pardon the pun), and some strong vocals in between.

Current favourite to win the contest, Israel's Netta with "Toy", is also eschewing minimalism. The song is a mash-up of pop, unique vocal sounds and Middle Eastern vibes, and the staging includes Oriental influences such as lucky cats and kimonos, coupled with crazy dance moves, fireworks, smoke and bubbles. But will the general public love it as much as the hardcore Eurovision fans?

MTV ready

Other countries are aiming for their stage shows to look like a music video.

A prime example is Sweden, renowned for slick staging. Benjamin Ingrosso's song "Dance You Off" is presented on a huge neon strip-light construction.

Coupled with smooth moves (think Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake) it's a visually striking set-up that has helped Sweden climb into the bookies' top 10 favourites to win.

Like many music videos, the staging for the Cypriot entry "Fuego" is a full-on dance routine. Expect fierce hair flips and pin-sharp Beyoncé-esque choreography from singer Eleni Foureira and her four backing dancers - they're bringing the fire to Lisbon, and as a result are currently fourth favourite in the betting odds.

Norway is one of several countries using on-screen graphics to embellish their performance. Eurovision 2009 winner Alexander Rybak's "That's How You Write a Song" features overlaid musical notes and cartoonish sketches. Whilst I personally would argue this isn't how you write a song, it's certainly how you stage one!

Centre stage

This year's Eurovision has also attracted a few theatrically themed song presentations.

Denmark's Rasmussen is telling the tale of a peaceful Viking who took the "Higher Ground" by refusing to fight.

It's appropriately backed by moody blue lights, ship's sails and a posse of hairy, bearded backing singers, and ends with a wind machine and snow. If anyone wants to write Vikings the Musical, here's your Act One closer!

Belarus has also gone theatrical, albeit in a distinctly weird way. "Forever" singer Alekseev, dressed like Mr Darcy, hands a rose to a female dancer in a Kate Bush Wuthering Heights red dress, who then proceeds to fire it back at him with dire consequences... Trust me when I say it's worth watching Semi-final One on Tuesday just for this.

Whilst you might well laugh at the Belarus staging, Moldova are doing something that will have you laughing with them. Their staging is a three-minute, telenovela-style telling of a love triangle which is superbly executed and really elevates their song "My Lucky Day" - if you ask me, it's an outside chance for a top 5 finish.

On fire

Finally, if in doubt, burn the place down!

As well as Cyprus's entry "Fuego" (which means 'fire'), a couple of other countries are going all-out with pyrotechnics.

Ukraine's entrant Mélovin, singing "Under the Ladder", burns a set of stairs after being resurrected, Dracula-style, from a giant piano - and why not?

Meanwhile, Hungary's contestants AWS accompany their post-metal performance of "Viszlát Nyár" ('Goodbye Summer') with so much flame that you might fear for the safety of everyone in the Altice Arena... but for such an angry song, it works. These could be the dark horses of this year's Eurovision.

When to watch

And with that, we'll remind you that the semi-finals for Eurovision are broadcast live on Tuesday 8 and Thursday 10 May, and the final on Saturday 12 May. Get ready for some spectacular shows!

Read Emma's previous article on the Eurovision contestants' theatrical connections here!

Photo credits: Andres Putting (for Cyprus, Israel and Benjamin) and Thomas Hanses (for Belgium, Moldova and Hungary)

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