The first semi final of EMA 2008, the Slovene national selection for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest is about to take place. You can watch the webcast by following the link below.
This article will be constantly updated.
The show has started and at the beginning you can enjoy a dance performance to the Eurovision theme song. It's time to mention that the webcast is working perfectly!
1. Skupina Langa – Za svobodo divjega srca
We start with an ethnic tune in a similar genre as Albania's entry in the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest. The lead singers look like they have just got out of bed and the background singers look a bit bored. The stage performance could be improved but nevertheless, this is nice start of EMA 2008.
2. Gabriel, Slovenia United & Band Obcanov – Kako je ne bi imel rad
The band is dressed all in black with a slight touch of red. A catchy, slightly datedsong with mediocre vocals. This one of the entries that could have taken part in any Eurovision Song Contest in the last 30 years. The choreography is very chaotic and misses a red thread, still this entry could do well tonight.
3. Mirna Reynolds – Lepi fantje
The first female soloist of the night. The intro of her song promises a more rokish song but turns to a classic Europop song as soon as she begins to sing (a Karmen Stavec flashback?). The performance is very trashy and could hardly be more typically Eurovision. At the end Mirna does not look very happy, maybe because of the mediocre applause?
4. Dennis – Ni me sram
A very professional performance by the singer who presents the most modern song so far. It is very hard to believe that his background band actually plays these instruments, especially,since they don't always fit with the arrangement. A very catchy entry that should be likely to qualify for the final. Flawlessvocals.
5. Cole in Predsednik – Dober planet
More ethnic music. Although this song is pretty dated, it has a catchy hookline and the band seems to be very experienced andentertains the audiencedespite the very simple stage performance. This could be the favouriteduring a folk festival.
6. Andraz Hribar – Corpomorto (jutri jadram naprej)
The singer is alone on stage with his guitar, sitting on a bar stool. The song is that kind of simple ballad that is presented very often in national finals. This song probably needs a more obvious chorus and despite the charismatic performance, it is hard to believe that this song would do well in the Eurovision Song Contest.
7. Turbo Angels – Zabava
The singers step out of a huge TV set that they have brought on stage. The song is in a classic Europop style and could be part of Melodifestivalen… Pink and white and black are the main colours of the outfits and the dance routine is as classic as the song.
8. Ylenia – Nasel si me
Ylenia enters the stage in a very classy green dress that suits the Eurovision ballad very well. The song is in a similiar style as Bosnia and Herzegovina's entry in 2007 but with a more catchy hookline and a blues theme. The choreography of the two background dancers remind of Carola's performance back in 1991 – and that one did score very well as you all know.
9. Manca Spik – Se vedno nekaj cutim
The second last entry tonight tries to combinea Europop song with some ethnic elements in the arrangement which does not seem to work very well. The singer is slightly off key and the stage performance is not very authentic. Probably not one of the favourites tonight.
10. Johnny Bravo – Butn … Butn!!!
The most rokish song tonight, although it rides on a pop hook. Again, the instruments played on stage don't seem to really fit with what we hear. As usually in this genre, the performance is kept very simple.
