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Eek, it’s Eurovision 2012 eve in Baku!
I couldn’t agree more with our mysterious Estonian about our impressions of the city of Baku and its people. I love the way people just smile at you on the street, want to shake your hand and ask where you are from. I can’t believe how much Eurovision branding there is in the city: banners, flags, posters… every bus seems to be Eurovision-branded, and of course the London cabs are too.
I have developed my usual case of Eurovision throat. I think it was a very overblown version of Quedate Conmigo in the club the other night that did it. I am just not hitting the high notes anymore, so am having to seriously scale back my performances! I couldn’t cheer as much as I wanted to last night for my favourites.
Very happy for Malta and Estonia. I had Croatia and Slovenia as qualifiers and was a little surprised with Lithuania. 8/10, which seems to be what most people predicted.
It’s the Big Six press conferences this afternoon. Engelbert has just been draped in a Union Jack at his and seems to be in very good spirits. He revealed that, had he been asked earlier in his career, he would have said yes in a heartbeat. He also revealed a gift pendant that he was given by Elvis Presley back in the day, and he’s carrying it here in Baku for good luck. The BBC team feel there is a good vibe around Eurovision in the UK press this year and reminded us that 13 million viewers tuned in last year. He was whisked out to do a live link into the Ken Bruce show, so there’s no rest for him… just like us!
Lovely Mr Lob for Germany has just conferenced. He revealed there are no plans to record Standing Still in German, as he feels it will be better received in English. His favourite songs this year are Sweden and Norway, and he is sad Austria didn’t make it.
