FROM Pussycat Doll lookalikes to a song about being choked, the 70th annual Eurovision Song Contest, in Vienna, is going to be as wacky as ever.
But can you score douze points and pick a winner? Our Eurovision expert Howell Davies gives his verdict on the acts hoping to land the trophy.
1. DENMARK
For Vi Gar Hjem – Soren Torpegaard Lund
A CATCHY bookies’ favourite, but Soren hasn’t made things easy. He climbs a ladder one-handed and fights to get into a Perspex box filled with dancers. For extra impact, he rips off his shirt, too.
16/1
2. GERMANY
Fire – Sarah Engels
WHEN the dancers join solo singer Sarah, they give off Pussycat Dolls vibes, particularly after Sarah’s Bucks Fizz-style costume change. She also jumps off stage and does a dancebreak to liven up her fairly plain song.
250/1
3. ISRAEL
Michelle – Noam Bettan
A CLASSIC ballad with a very 21st Century theme about a toxic relationship. It is sung in front of this year’s biggest prop – a gigantic rotating diamond – and features lyrics in Hebrew, French and English.
11/1
4. BELGIUM
Dancing On The Ice – Essyla
NO, it’s not an ode to the axed ITV series, but the atmosphere is just as chilly, with Essyla being snowed on. It’s not the most creative song, but by the end, the singer is fierce and sassy while strutting down the arena-length catwalk.
300/1
5. ALBANIA
Nan – Alis
ONE of the simplest stagings, it sees Alis, wearing a silver cloak, on a smoky stage with a virtual choir behind him. The emotional song is about a mother waiting for her son to come home after he left in search of a better life.
150/1
6. GREECE
Ferto – Akylas
ONE of the bookies’ favourites, Akylas has chucked everything at this. Expect fluffy orange boots and a cat-ear hat, as well as a scooter ride down the catwalk, an ancient Greek statue and a fireman’s pole. It is certainly a lot of fun.
9/1
7. UKRAINE
Ridnym – Leleka
AFTER winning twice in the past decade, Ukraine know a thing or two about delivering a punch – and this one does just that. Tasteful fabric drifts from the ceiling for this classy ballad, which grows towards a rousing final chorus.
100/1
8. AUSTRALIA
Eclipse – Delta Goodrem
AUSSIE star Delta wears a dress dripping in 7,000 Swarovski diamonds on a smoke-filled stage before playing a golden piano, leading up to a crowd-pleasing surprise. Undoubtedly the best ballad in the contest.
7/2
9. SERBIA
Kraj Mene – Lavina
WITH day jobs as tattooists and electricians, the band bring some metal to Eurovision, rocking out in shoulder pads against a stormy backdrop. If you want to join in with this one, be prepared to have a sore throat by the end.
250/1
10. MALTA
Bella – Aidan
AIDAN has put everything into this slightly schmaltzy ballad, performed from within an octagon bandstand of neon tubes. It’s the first time the Maltese language has been used at Eurovision since 1972 – when they finished last.
28/1
11. CZECHIA
Crossroads – Daniel Zizka
THIS song took vocal coach Daniel two years to write. He sings from within a morphing, spinning room of mirrors, with the track building to a huge high note at the end which Daniel will be hoping wins him plenty of votes.
66/1
12. BULGARIA
Bangaranga – Dara
STARTING in what looks like a doctor’s waiting room, it quickly transforms into the most sharply choreographed delight of the night, with the pumping vigour of a K-pop banger. Expect some deafening cheers from the arena.
28/1
13. CROATIA
Andromeda – Lelek
THERE’S witchy goings-on as the lead singer of the all-female five-piece seems to hover centre- stage. Smoke machines add to the drama as does the strange make-up, which they say takes 90 minutes per member to complete.
100/1
14. UNITED KINGDOM
Eins, Zwei, Drei – Look Mum No Computer
UK hopeful Sam transforms a boring office into a mad inventor’s super-sized synth before our very eyes. It is our wackiest entry in years, but you can’t accuse him of not pulling out the stops on stage.
150/1
15. FRANCE
Regarde! – Monroe
AT 17, Monroe is the youngest competitor but has one of the most powerful voices. Operatic entries have won for the past two years and though this is a blatant grab for victory, she sounds great and gives a moving performance.
50/1
16. MOLDOVA
Viva, Moldova! – Satoshi
THIS song shouts loud and proud about Moldova, namechecking a judo champion and their best authors. There are seven languages in the high-energy anthem, as well as a cameo from their 2013 entrant, Aliona Moon.
100/1
17. FINLAND
Liekinheitin – Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen
VIOLINIST Linda is an ex-Playboy model. The moment when she and Pete disappear then reappear at the other end of the stage – which involves a sprint in heels for Linda – will take some beating.
4/5
18. POLAND
Pray – Alicja
SIX years after she was due to perform in the cancelled 2020 contest, Alicja is back to mix big vocals, rap verses and a gospel backing. She’ll hopefully avoid a fall while singing from a sloped stage at the end of her act.
250/1
19. LITHUANIA
Solo Quiero Mas – Lion Ceccah
IF painting himself head to toe in silver isn’t enough of a gimmick, Lion also poses as some sort of evil J.K. Rowling character, singing in part from inside a hooded black figure. If it’s anything like the semi, prepare for some pitchy vocals.
250/1
20. SWEDEN
My System – Felicia
SWEDEN is a veteran Eurovision powerhouse and this electro- thumper is no exception. Felicia wears a Covid-style mask on stage – not for the risk of hantavirus but so she won’t get recognised when she’s out and about, apparently.
100/1
21. CYPRUS
Jalla – Antigoni
LONDON-born Antigoni sings, “I’m dancing on the table, baby” – and does just that in a revealing dress. The former Love Islander signed her first record deal aged 14 and now has her time to shine. You’ll be singing along by the end.
150/1
22. ITALY
Per Sempre Si – Sal Da Vinci
THIS entry sees oldest contestant Sal, 57, as a wedding singer, while the groom does gymnastics behind him, of course. The staging keeps things exciting, especially when the bride arrives with a camp reveal of the Italian flag.
28/1
23. NORWAY
Ya Ya Ya – Jonas Lovv
IN sequin dungarees, which show off a series of tattoos he got just for the contest, Jonas looks like Norway’s own Harry Styles. But he has an even more powerful voice. His song features a Eurovision staple – a high-energy key change.
200/1
24. ROMANIA
Choke Me – Alexandra Capitanescu
WIDELY criticised for glamorising sexual strangulation, it sees Alexandra attached to her guitarists by lit-up wires.
There’s a ghostly figure in the centre and no shortage of pyrotechnics.
16/1
25. AUSTRIA
Tanzschein – Cosmo
WITH a distinctive star on his face and dancers wearing silver animal heads, Cosmo is hoping to retain the Eurovision crown for Austria – but alas that seems unlikely.
There is a dance routine to learn with this one.
300/1
