The first semi final of the Slovakian selection for the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest is about to be held. Ten acts will compete for three tickets to the national final.
Webcast
A webcast is available here. (The webcast works now that the show has started!)
Participants
- Alone – Nezistím
- Petra Kepenová – Odkedy nie si
- Robo Papp – Nádej máme
- EmSoft – Násilie
- Peter Kotula – Cesty sú stratené
- VIP – Hviezdy
- Andrea Zimányiová – Prines si ten klúc
- Robo Šimko & MassRiot – Môj anjel spí
- Hudba z Marsu – Na hubách
- Desmod & Lucia Nováková– Posledná minúta
LIVE
The show has started and Martin Rausch welcomes the audience.
1. Alone – Nezistím
Current poll result: 6.8% (7th)
We start right away with a classic rock song that has a strong melody and comes across well on screen. As always, the simple performance works the best for the genre but it might be not enough of an eye-catcher for the Eurovision Song Contest. The vocals are not perfect but suit the song pretty well. Generally an interestingbut not tooremarkable entry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soyjf2KVtLY
2. Petra Kepenová – Odkedy nie si
Current poll result: 9.5% (4th)
We stay in the rock genre. The Slovakian broadcaster has obviously not forgotten the basic elements of a Eurovision performance and lets Petra Kepenovásing in front of a wind machine. The melody is more catchy than the first one tonight and the singer manages to emphasise it with her very strong vocal performance. Despite the unlucky #2 spot in the running order, this might well be a qualifier tonight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqSmS8bZLXU
3. Robo Papp – Nádej máme
Current poll result: 10.8% (3rd)
We continue with a pop/rock ballad in a style that was very popular (but not successful) in the Eurovision Song Contest in the 1990s. The vocal performance is strong and emotional and works well for the song, but the stage performance might need some visual effects to draw more attention.
4. EmSoft – Násilie
Current poll result: 8.1% (5th)
We continue with rock music, this time by a band with a female lead singer. Compared to the other entries in the genre so far, it is probably less memorable and the vocals are not very strong. The singer moves around a lot on stage but somehow a concept seems to be missing in the performance (despite the use of the wind machine).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRDO2IYAbPw
So far, Petra Kepenová is the clear favourite of the SMS voters ahead of Alone.
5. Peter Kotula – Cesty sú stratené
Current poll result: 2.7% (9th)
Peter Kotula performs a ballad that obviously lacks a memorable melody and a strong chorus. The vocal performance is building up while the song continues, but is rather weak, especially at the beginning. Thelascivious performance by his female background dancers seems very acted and does not quite fit in the overall impression.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQLdK6FMPgQ
6. VIP – Hviezdy
Current poll result: 6.8% (6th)
VIP (not to be confused with the group that represented Hungary in Dublin in 1997) present an up-tempo rock song that could easily pass for pop music with a different arrangement. It is probably not the most original but among the most catchy songs in the genre so far and rather well received by the audience.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QDCwnqKfUE
7. Andrea Zimányiová – Prines si ten klúc
Current poll result: 12.2% (2nd)
The most classy ballad so far tonight. Andrea Zimányiová performs it very well in a classy red dress that suits the overall performance. The vocals are flawless and emotional. Usually, rock songs are rare and therefore stand out in Eurovision Song Contest national finals but this time, it is in the opposite way and the song could easily qualify tonight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOiFzCH_fNo
8. Robo Šimko & MassRiot – Môj anjel spí
Current poll result: 1.4% (10th)
The show goes on with another rock ballad. This one does not have a very memorable melody and the religious theme in the stage performance (including dancers dressed like angels) seems to be out-of-place on stage, but might help it do well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-o2C5HY3eQ
Andrea Zimányiová has taken over the lead in the SMS voting.
9. Hudba z Marsu – Na hubách
Current poll result: 5.4% (8th)
An obviously ironic folk pop song is the penultimate entry tonight. The performance is crazy and the outfits are memorable, but both the melody of the song and the vocals are very weak. The idea behind this song might be very nice, but the way it was permuted seems to lack some originality.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYC3zqhMRAs
10. Desmod & Lucia Nováková– Posledná minúta
Current poll result: 36.5% (1st)
Obviously, the tenth song will not be performed tonight.
Results:
VIP are the jury choice. Andrea Zimányiová and Robo Šimko & Mass Riot qualified through the televoting.
