ESC 2016

Douwe has enjoyed the first days in Stockholm. He tells, that he has been horseriding and skinny dipping. So there is a potential for a nude scandal in the press. However the horseriding story is true. Douwe says, that: "It had to be the fastes horse in Sweden".

Nina talked about her passion for kaligraphy, and how she thinks about the colours and it's meaning. How colours affects the visiual impression. That is also something, that they have tried to coorporate into the dress, that Nina is wearing on stage.

Freddie told that there is a new album on it's way. Freddie was also asked about his look. But for Freddie his looks has nothing to do with it. He just want to perform and do his best. And hope he'll do well.

Moldova sang a part of her song in French today on stage. The reason is, that a few days ago, she recorded a French version of the song. And a lot of fans has asked her to sing part of her entry in French. They have now asked the EBU if that can be possible for the semifinal.

Argo told that their costumes are white and very light in the fabric, because they want to symbolize innocence, and they have to be able to move easily. Especially the dancer. The dancer Bill told me afterwards, that he have a minor problem with his knee. Nothing dramatic, but he does wear a knee pad at the moment. And he revealed, that he will take off his shirt on stage.

Ok the DRESS
This is all
Nothing much else to be said really

Hungary;
Comes on, delivers the song, really showing his emotions today. Which is exactly what this song needs. That said I still get a very bored about halfway through. And it did not get any better for me by the third run though

Finland
Ok so this is kinda competent but that's all really. Nothing much else to say, the vocal could do with some work really, but in the arena it looks nice as an opener to the show. Still in the cat suit, still using the whole of the stage hope this works out for them

Greece
The big surprise for me so far, was never going to give this much hope tbh, but it looks really cool not he stage, and we have short ripping off moments so early in the show which is always a good thing

Moldova
Starting to come together for Lidia now, vast improvement on her first run through. Well done.

The Eurovision Village festival in Kungsträdgården starts today. The Choir established by ABBA the Museum, the popular Swedish artist Martin Stenmarck and the Soul Train Club are some of the highlights in the programme.

Stora scenen
17:45–17:55 Presenting: Poli Genova from Bulgarien

Poli Genova represents Bulgaria in Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song ”If love was a crime”.

18:00–18:15 Presenting: Rykka from Switzerland

Christina Maria Rieder, also known as Rykka, represents Switzerland in
Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the sumptuous ballad “Last of Our Kind”.

18:15–18:35 Presenting: Eneda Tarifa from Albania

Eneda Tarifa represents Albania in Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with
the RnB-song “Fairytale”. In Albania she is known as an actress, TV-host,
songwriter and singer.

18:40–18:50 Presenting: Argo from Greece
Argo represents Greece in Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song ”Utopian Land”.

19:00–19:45 The Choir established by ABBA the Museum

ABBA’s immortal songs in a magical choir setting. Listen to Dancing
Queen and other gems in The Choir’s repertoire. The choir
was started by ABBA The Museum to celebrate the 40 year anniversary
of ABBA’s international breakthrough at the Eurovision Song Contest in
Brighton 1974.

20:00–21:00 Martin Stenmarck

Martin Stenmarck’s big breakthrough came when he won Melodifestivalen 2005 with the song ”Las Vegas”. This year he competed with the song “Du tar mig tillbaks”. He will perform in Eurovision Village with his own band.

Dammen
12:00–15:00 Bollywood Opera

Rossini’s comical opera ”Italian girl in Algiers” has been transformed into a fantastic Bollywood-film performance. The opera is a unique performance with a large ensemble consisting of opera singers, musicians, dancers and children, both professional, internationally known stars and amateurs from Botkyrka. They let us revel in sensuous Rossini coloraturas and Bollywood dancing in a colourful firework of festive music and dancing. On the stage in Dammen in Eurovision Village we will get a sample from the coming show.

21:30–00:00 Club night: Soul train

An evening with a superb mix of soul, funk, disco and RnB from the
70’s until today. The club is hosted by DJ Anders Müller and René Disteli
Hedemyr, a duo that has filled dance floors every night for four years.
Now the club will move out to Dammen in Eurovision Village for one
evening. Don’t miss!

Laura from Belgium told about Koen Wauters from Clouseau (Belgium 1991) being her vocal coach on X-factor and that she had made songs with Clouseau. And since I'm a big fan of Clouseau myself, I am so envious of Laura. She also told, that it is a member of Depeche Mode, that has produced her entry for Eurovision.