Finland starts its search for the second entry in post-Lordi era tonight. The first of three semi finals will be webcasted live from Tohloppi TV-studios in Tampere. The formula is very similar to the previous two years, except each artist has only one song this year.
The show
Four acts will fight for the two direct final slots, the other two will still have a second chance on March 1st. Jaana Pelkonen, the hostess of the Eurovision song contest 2007 in Helsinki is back, this time joined by Peltsi Peltola.
Webcast
A webcast will be provided by YLE’s website here
You can also open the link by opening Windows Media Player, press ctrl + u, and paste this link :
http://akastreaming.yle.fi/vp/fiyle/no_geo/live_c.asx
Live coverage by Ilari Karhapää and Stella Floras
The show has started and jaana and peltsi welcome the TV audience. Snow flakes is the theme of the stage. It's about the only place we have seen snow this year!
Voting lines are now open
Peltsi is in greenroom interviewing Hanna Marsh now.A presentation video for her follows and she is ready to take the stage
Hanna Marsh – Broken flower
Her song is a soft guitar pop and influences of her idols Tori Amos, Shania Twain and Kate Bush can be heard.She reminds me also of Italian singer Elisa. Hanna who is a 27 year old singer-song writer from Helsinki is wearing a long cream color dress and sitting by the piano. She is joined by dancing backing singers on stage when she moves away from the piano to the center stage.
Kari Tapio – Valaise yö
Kari Tapio is interviewed now before his introduction video. Kari Tapio is 63 and has been singing since the 1970's. He has won several awards in his career and this is his second Euroviisut. The first time was in 1988. Johanna Pakonen, a fan favourite from Euroviisut 2006 with Kerta viimeinen is one of his backing singers. He is wearing a black suit and his backing group is in black, too. The song is a bit Disney tune, a bit old fashioned Eurovision ballad.
Peltsi is now interviewing Movetron, the Eurodance sensation from the 1990's that is now making a come back. They released a new single last year after 7 years and it has been a top-10 hit. Let's see how they will do here!
Movetron – Cubido
Movetron proves 90's europop sounds still exactly like in the 90's. Black with gold in the backing dancers fancy dresses. The stage is clearly too small for them, and the overall presentation reminds of a fashion show or cat walk. Some fireworks complete the presentation.
Last band interviewed now. The varied musical styles tonight will be completed by some indie grunge rock. Crumbland has been playing already for years but released their debut album only last year.
Crumbland- Pleasure
Crumbland sounds and looks like a rockband on stage.Vocally he is doing a good job.
The songs are over and Jaana is back on stage explaining shortly the voting system and the televoting is still going on until the recap is over. Peltsi is again in greenroom interviewing the artists and everybody seems to be happy and satisfied with their performances and audience's reactions.
Jaana and Peltsi are asking the audience who they think will qualify and it's a mess, as each and every artist seems to have their fans there. The voting is over!
The interval act is by Five, 12-15 year old dancers from Step Up dance school.
And ….Movetronand Kari Tapio arein the final! Hanna Marsh is eliminated and so is Crumbland.
