The act and song to represent Luxembourg was chosen on 24th January through the show "Luxembourg Song Contest". After all entries were performed live, televoting created a super final of three. A winner was then declared after adding a 50-50 mix of jury and televoting points. Off to Vienna in May is Eva Marija with the song "Mother Nature".
Eva Marija spends her 3 minutes on stage alone but is aided skilfully by some interesting video graphics and a wind machine. Her song uses the metaphor of nature as a way to encourage personal growth, strength, hope and grounding. For the first time ever, their entry is also wholly in English. Eva Marija wears a beige floaty outfit which exaggerates the choreography but also reinforces the earthy, natural themes. She starts on the floor, stands up before the chorus with large contemporary body movements. Below and behind her is tree/forest imagery as well as bright orange light indicating sunshine. There are lots of very wide, sweeping shots which tap into the expansive feel of the song. Visually this reminds you of Eurovision performances from Jamala and Emmelie de Forest but the song style leans more into Lorde, Birdy and Florence and the Machine.
The song gets a good response in the hall but this isn't a performance to clap, cheer or sing along to. Eva Marija's voice is clear especially in the higher register and the addition of the violin, although slightly superfluous, gives the song an extra identifiable string to its bow - quite literally! The song and performance work well together and I hope the essence of this is kept and not overloaded. However after the final, plagiarism concerns were forwarded which the delegation are currently looking into.
ARTIST - Eva Marija
SONG – Mother Nature
WRITING/PRODUCTION CREDITS – Julie Aagaard, Maria Broberg, Eva Marija Kavaš Puc, Thomas Stengaard