GREECE

The 2nd March saw the Greek final held at the Alpha TV Studio in Athens. The winner would be chosen by a shared percentage of viewer voting (50%) and "expert" jury (50%).

The show starts with a very serious looking drumming act. Then the host, Lena Aroni, joins the stage and introduces her co host who is in a separate studio filled with ‘euro fans’. This means that the performances will be held in an empty studio apart from the production team and the jury (how strange!) Maybe this is really is on a tight budget !
Then the Jury is introduced - Marina Lachana (ERT official), Andreas Pylarinos (musician), Giorgos Pavrianos( lyricist), Bessy Malfa (actress), Michalis Tsaousopoulos (DJ and radio producer) they are stilling next to the stage.

Nikos Touliatos of the drumming act is back, accompanied by the acts performing today. In turn they sing parts of their own possible entry. They perform almost acapella except for one of the drummers banging a water cooler :o/ Actually a very nice way of starting the show, it at least makes them look like they are supportive of each other and have taken an interest in each others songs.

There is then a recap of Lena’s winning song from Oslo last year
Next on stage is a performance, but not for the pre-selection lovingly called “PIGS”, which is quite frankly weird and although the bloke is singing in English not a word can be understood. (After further research I discover the song in dedicated to Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain and was about the monetary crisis. I am still non the wiser!) Then we have a messages from Raphael Gualazzi, Paradise Oscar, Senit and Blue (Anthony shows off this Greek too!) Then we have one from slimy ol’ Sakis Rouvas *shudders*

1. Kokkina Halia - Come with me
This is a rock song with a very heavy drumming beginning. The singer of the song is not doing a bad job and looks quite confident although the choruses do seem a bit of struggle for him. The song is very pacy and moves from verse to chorus to verse and back again with almost no break. The chorus has a hook but it doesn’t quite work. The ending is a little weak.

2. Valando Tryfonos – The time is now
This is a typical ballad. Valando is wearing a very Greek style white dress with 2 backing singers behind her. The song is OK, at least the chorus as some memorable qualities to it. At times it feels like she is not singing at full blast or that the mic isn’t working. She also copes well with the key change for the final chorus. No performance qualities at all. Another weak finish.

3. Trihimitonio – Hamogela
The three members are holding yellow balls with smiley faces on them. They are also backed by 3 scantily clad cheerleader type girls playing the drums. Very strange ! They are at least making an effort to engage the camera as well as doing a type of dance routine during the “oh-oh-oh” parts. A very catchy song, but I think the Greek audience will see this as too cheesy.

4. Antigoni Psychrami - It’s all Greek to me to me
This is Greek inspired electro number. Antigoni is backed by 4 dancers also dressed in vey small back outfits. She seems to be suffering with her voice. Not sure if it is a sore throat or she is getting affected by the dance routine. The song is interesting to listen to but it all seems a bit garbled. The title of the song gets lost in the performance.

5. Loukas Giorkas Feat. Stereo Mike – Watch my dance
The two guys are joined by 3 break dancers and a big red table which the singers and dancers stand and sing on. This is the most strange song, which will probably appeal to the Greek viewers. Stereo Mike raps slowly in English and Loukas does a strangely times Greek warble. Neither party is particularly memorable…. Apart from the table….

6. Nikki Ponte – I don’t wanna dance
Nikki starts and seems to be having vocal/mic issues too, however when she moves up a key she is much better. She is joined by 4 male dancers dressed in the most bizarre cat suits seemingly replicating a swimsuit with nude cut out bits :o/ Nikki has a good voice but she is much better when not dancing. The song is a little repetitive and does not really grow.

After a recap of the songs, the phone lines open for 20 minutes.

Then some international guests appear.
First we have the Cypriot entrant Christos Mylordos, singing (or should I say miming) his song “San angelos s'agapisa” The whole performance is a bit static and amateurish.
Next on the stage is Glen Vella from Malta, performing “One Life” by himself but still dancing away. He is certainly energetic and engaging to watch if not a little awkward.
Bulgaria’s Poli Genova is up next with “Na Inat”. Her performance is visually very similar to the one she gave in the national final. She tells the host she wants to go to Düsseldorf to win !

The voting is now closed !

David Lynch takes the stage and performs some unplugged renditions of past Greek Eurovision entries. Initially he is sat on a park bench accompanying himself by using claps and body slaps but then starts using maracas in the shape of fruits. He then joins the drummers in a rendition of the backing track to “Opa”

The winner (and only the winner) is announced and it is Loukas Giorkas Feat. Stereo Mike with “Watch my dance”


SINGER – Lukas Yiorkas ft Stereo Mike
SONG – Watch Me Dance
MUSIC – Eleana Vrahali
WORDS – Giannis Christodoulopoulos