Sunday saw yet another hugely successful London Eurovision
Party with several of this year’s acts, and other special guests, performing to
a packed crowd in the Shadow Lounge, showcasing their Eurovision entries and other
songs in an intimate setting. As has become traditional I popped down to Access
All Areas and shunt on-stage equipment for the artistes. Well, how else am I
going to get my hands on that Greek drummer’s bongos?
As well as escorting some of the artists between the venue
and the press room round the corner in homosexualist hostelry The Yard (where
they were treated to some lovely images of bare arses lining the staircase –
heaven only knows what some of those young ladies made of it all, although it
probably gave the Greek boys a taste of what was to come...) I also managed to
catch the sound check during the afternoon where John Allison from the UK 1961
seemed to go through the entirety of his repertoire before snapping his
g-string. Everyone else was in fine form as they practised and got used to the
venue.
Opening the show the ever-lovely Nicki French treated us to
her own version of the song our Bonnie took to the top of the hit-parade, Total
Eclipse of the Heart. I’ll be waiting in Malmö for some wise-cracking DJ to
slip it on instead of Bonnie’s own backing track. Nicki introduced Mr Allison
who regaled us of his extensive (and hitherto un-supposed) career highlights
before cracking on with his tune. Then it was onto this year’s line up with
Austria’s Natalia Kelly. She knew her crowd and opened with Ne Partez Pas Sans
Moi before singing Molitva in the original language as a special treat. I’m not
keen on her entry but I warmed to her personally very much. Cezar from Romania
showed off his impressive vocals and laid an early claim to be this year’s Ott
Lepland in some particularly snug denims. Lovely Gianluca from Malta brought
his infectious smile and humour to the stage and generally charmed everybody. Closing the first half was a lively performance
by Finland’s Krista who had brought three backing dancers to fill out her Team
Ding Dong and who spent all day in a wedding frock. She’s keen!
I was all a flutter during the interval as it was time for
my big starring role. I had to get that drum kit into position for Koza Mostra.
Would I get that high-hat in just the right place to create the perfect tinkle?
Thankfully I did, and then waited backstage with several burly bearded men all
pent up before their performance. I wonder how they were feeling at the time?
The Greek boys burst onto the stage in a riot of Balkan ska and brought the house
down. I stayed close by the lovely drummer, just in case in case he was
suddenly all come over and needing of succour. Then it was time to whip that
drum kit away as the boys retired from the stage to enjoy the free alcohol
(something I’m pleased to report I was able to also enjoy as a thank-you from
the organisers). Cheers boys, stalk – oops, sorry – SEE you in Malmö!
I was just steadying myself and having a cooling waft down
the cleavage with the Thessaloniki Gazette backstage, meaning I missed the
apparently giddy delights of 2007’s Sarbel mincing into the crowd with his
Yassou Maria, and I also managed to miss the nice Latvian boys, resplendent in
pink and blue suits with winkle-pickers as I escorted the Greek boys back round
to the main entrance to ensure they gained unimpeded access having mislaid
their artist passes. I got back in time for Denmark’s Emilie to deliver a
cracking acoustic version of her song which is a big favourite this year.
Special guest Nikki Jamal from Azerbaijan, North London, took to the stage next
with a solo version of Running Scared along with two other new tracks from her forthcoming
album. Just before the other Nicki rounded off the show by playing that song again the reinvented Valentina
Monetta treated us to both the English and Italian versions of her Sammarinese
song, though not to Facebook, much to the disappointment of the crowd. She still went down a storm though, and channelled
Sandie Shaw performing in bare feet.
All of this year’s acts were presented by one of the fab Ben
Morris’s Minipop Icons of themselves, and the night also acted as a plug for
the forthcoming Make A Difference Trust's annual charity West End Eurovision night in May. Despite
the schedule slipping a bit and the acts finishing at almost midnight it was a
truly great night, and I’m pleased to have been a part of helping it to run on
the day. Now, what to wear for my second date with that Greek drummer...?
You can see video performances of the artists here on escXtra.com.
Monty x
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