Results tagged “Russia” from Boom Bang a Blog

As you are no doubt aware, the Echo Arena in Liverpool hosts the MTV Europe Music Awards on Thursday, November 6 - but what does all that trendy music which young people listen to in their bedrooms have to do with the Song Contest?

We'd ask those two people in the photograph, but to be frank, we don't know who they are and we're not entirely sure they'd know anyway.

Now, although Dima Bilan's barefoot-performed ballad was by no means a worthy winner of this year's Eurovision Song Contest, the inclusion of Russia in the Dance Contest line-up means TV Moscow could wind up with the very first Song/Dance Contest double.

Imagine the excitement. It won't be long before Manchester United start entering both Contests as well.

And they're hoping to pull it off with the obligatory professional dancer and a former Olympic ice dancing champion.

Although Eurovision voting is so often referred to as political, it's very rare that world politics actually makes itself felt at the event.

This could all change in 2009.

Russia's victory in Belgrade means next year's Contest is bound for Moscow. Reports are now circulating that, following the recent unrest, Georgia will boycott the Contest.

Boom Bang a Blog must stress that this news has not been officially confirmed by the Eurovision organisers and is based on a statement carried on an Estonian news site, but we will keep you posted on any developments.

Ah well.

Firstly, Boom Bang a Blog wants to send its commiserations to Andy Abraham.

The only thing wrong with the UK entry last night - which came across really well on screen - was that it was stuck at the wrong end of the draw.

If Even If had been performed towards the end of the show, there's no doubt in our minds that Andy wouldn't have been equal last (however, the way the Eurovision placing system works, there are no shared placings, and with only two countries voting for him, we may have finished absolute bottom again. Yah boo).

But let's get on to the winners.

Here's something to get your most patriotic parts swelling with pride. This was Andy Abraham's first rehearsal on the Eurovision stage in Belgrade yesterday afternoon. It must be hot out there, judging by the pants the bearded backing singer is wearing.

This was Russian entrant Dima Bilan at rehearsals in Belgrade yesterday (Monday).

In the 30/45 seconds gap between the Romanian song and his, the Serbian stage crew has to wheel a fully frozen ice rink in to position. One of Russia's champion skaters will whirl about on it while Dima is singing.

Alongside both of them is someone playing a 400-year old violin.

At the end of three minutes, by which point Dima will have scaled an onstage ladder for the money notes, all that has to be wheeled back out again before the Greeks come on.

People are now checking how much flights to Moscow in May cost.

Romania: Nico & Vlad - Pe-o Margine de Lume

Time was the Romanians' stock Eurovision trade was something rather dreary performed by raven-haired beauties or stocky gentlemen with Kevin Keegan perms and pigtails.

At some point five years ago, the Romanians realised that uptempo stuff can go down well with your average Eurovision voter. Since then, the bpms from Bucharest have increased considerably.

This brought them bronze in 2005 and a top five finish with the quite superb Tornero in 2006. This year, however, Romania has fallen between two stylistic stools.