Personal stories, grief, depression – wanted to the viewers of the ESC. As you requested, the big Show and a colorful music. You get everything – 12 points for Israel, says Silke Wünsch.
The had thought about many of the 41 participants very carefully. Here are the big feelings are asked. Stories that hit the heart. They deal with loss, grief, unrequited love. The Italians Mahmood with the processing of his serious relationship with his father in “Soldi”, the Frenchman Bilal sings about his Moroccan origin and his homosexuality, Kate Miller-Heidke sings about her Depression and finally, Duncan Laurence is grieving over a loved one who has died. And so he wins. Without Pomp and circumstance, just alone at the piano, sitting and without large Gestures, with a fragile and yet strong Song. We know already from last year – the German Michael Schulte made something Similar and achieved a surprising fourth place.
Michael Schulte lost important people in his life
Honest feelings – that is, the ESC-Fans like – if the artist brings it credible, then the tears and then the points only once. Duncan Laurence would do this with flying colors, and scarcely a doubt was actually.
Provocation is not the way
Iceland didn’t want to play the game and not on the ESC to participate. However, it occurred in Tel Aviv – with a provocative Sado-Maso-force, the audience is pelted with a Song whose title is “hatred must is victorious”. Hatari see themselves as anti-capitalist Performance artist, dealing a critical of our consumer society. So, you have lifted then also “in style” in the awarding of points, a Palestinian Banner high.
Fit something to the ESC? Wants to be apart of the ESC-Fan to this evening of great feelings with the anti-capitalist critique, or even politics? Stand out at any price is not necessarily the guarantee of a first place at the ESC. To me the Song liked both musically and from the stage show. Without these deliberate provocations in the run-up to the squad would be much more sympathetic occurred. The Show itself did, however, well – it was a welcome outlier between the but rather a General taste in music to cope clipped song selection.
Winner with a sad song: Duncan Laurence from the Netherlands
Where is the folklore?
The ESC is a European competition, and the whole of Europe, a high folk has romantic potential. Earlier, it was more sung in the national language – that is correct and a complaint is made again and again. But the artists are, rightly, of the opinion that an appearance in the national language may scare many millions of listeners – after all, nobody understands the Text, and many ESC viewers not to make the effort to study beforehand on the relevant pages of the importance of all 40 participants or more songs. Therefore, the English language is the lowest common denominator – yet, somehow, this language turns any song into a mass-compatible pop song that you hear often on the Text, but only to the melody and danceability of respects. However, for the victory title of Duncan Laurence, it is worthwhile to take a closer listen.
To him, it was important to convey his feelings. His message knows no national boundaries. Everyone can identify with her, no matter what policy you prefer or what faith you are. And so, the young Dutchman is taking this music deserves to take home. Amsterdam can prepare once.