Results tagged “UK” from Boom Bang a Blog

September is a notoriously sparse month for Eurovision news, but here in the UK we've had two Contest-tastic nuggets in less than a week.

Hot on the heels of the news of the juries' return in Moscow, today (Wednesday), several newspapers are reporting that HRH Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber (thank you to Look Around You for that joke) is playing a key role in next year's selection process for the United Kingdom.

It's unlikely Sir Andy will be penning our 2009 tune (he's not too hot at bringing songs to a close in under three minutes), but he could be taking on a mentor-type role in an I'd Do Anything/Any Dream Will Do-type primetime selection process which will marry up a singer with a song.

Nothing has been confirmed by the BBC yet - but it sounds encouraging.

(NOTE: In 1969, the not-yet-famous Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice submitted a song called Try It and See for the BBC's Eurovision panel to consider as a potential entry for Lulu to perform in Madrid. The tune never made it through the first sift. You can now hear a reworked version of that entry throughout the world in productions of Jesus Christ Superstar. It's called King Herod's Song).

Isn't the alphabet marvellous? By listing the entries taking part in this year's Eurovision Dance Contest in that fashion it has enabled us to be all patriotic and save the UK until last. Huzzah.

Taking on the burdenous mantle this year is actress (note: 'actress'. Not 'professional dancer'. Oh yes, we know how to play by the rules...) Louisa Lytton, who is taking a break from chasing naughty teenagers down alleyways full of really big bins in The Bill to give a potential hometown victory in the Eurovision Dance Contest a shot. Well, look how well the Chinese athletes did in their own back yard at the Olympics.

Aah... I attended the University of Glasgow between 1995 and 1999 so I am chuffed to bits that the city is hosting this year's Eurovision Dance Contest on Saturday, September 6.

Here is the venue. It was called the Armadillo when it opened (while I was living there) but now goes by the name of the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre. But you can see why it had its original moniker from the pic.

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.

United Kingdom: Andy Abraham - Even If

Eh up, it's us.

As you may have heard on our blogcast with the rather smashing Professor of Eurovision, Phil Jackson, Andy Abraham's Even If is touted as the UK's best entry for some considerable time.

Anyone who witnessed Andy's progress on The X Factor will also be aware this is the most reliable set of lungs to be carrying the UK entry since Jessica Garlick in 2002.

Even If is a generous slab of funky pop - although rather dated - and has the potential to have far more oomph live than on disc - which is the right way round where this Contest is concerned.

It was looking OK for UK until the middle of March. Then they did the draw.