ESC Etc.

UK
While I love the concept and how stupid and horny it looks, I do wonder if spending the whole three minutes in this box/spaceship hurtling towards Earth is going to feel slightly cluttered and claustrophobic. I don’t know how the televote will react to this visual accumulation, but this is now traveling close to disaster bop territory, and there’s something exciting about that.

Germany
I like this as a visual concept, but Isaak looks just a bit lost smack in the middle of the stage and I feel he should/could be emoting the lyrics a bit more to match the drama of the staging. Regardless, I’m glad he was given something – anything – to work with, and the camera work is actually mostly effective.

Sweden
This is what we got at Melodifestivalen, and it’s still very fun and spectacular even if it doesn’t really match the song thematically in any meaningful way. It’s going to be a great show opener in the final, and I feel like that’s really all we can ask of it.

France
This looks clean and elegant and classy, and viewers who haven’t seen Slimane sing that chorus a cappella six feet away from the mic already will appreciate the showmanship of it all. This will be slotted in the second half of the final, which should give it a welcome boost, but I don’t know what to expect in terms of televote.

Spain
No notes. Perfection. I’m just really happy I’m going to see this performed live twice, and I want nothing but the best for everyone involved. I really, really hope the televote will come through for Spain because they deserve a spot in the Top 10.

Italy
This is winning, I’m afraid. Probably the most impressive and expensive staging we’ve gotten from Italy since their return in 2011. And that golden shower at the end?

Best: Italy

Needs the most improvement: Germany

(Featured image: Alma Bengtsson)