It was the turn of one of the favourites to take to the stage this afternoon, Belgium, with Kate Ryan and her song Je t'adore. The stage is set up with each of her her two girl backing singers, on the raised platforms either side of her. While on the main stage she has her three male backing dancers. The lighting throughout is very colourful and constantly changing. The microphone stands are lit up bright red, and become an integral part of the choreography, and a one point form a “frame” around her. Kate also uses the different microphones to sing into throughout the song. There is the use of pyroctechnics towards the end of the song, with spinning catherine wheels behind her, and in the foreground shooting off as well.
After coming off stage the delegation gets to review the recorded performance, before having the opportunity to meet the assembled press.
For a change the press conference started with a short promotional film, in English, which gavea brief resume on Kate Ryan's career, including footage from herwin in the Belgian final, and the promotional video. Kate has had musical influences all her life, and can play piano and guitar, and she is also an accomplished composer, and is one of the composers to this years Belgian entry Je t'adore . Kate has had international hits before in countries such as Austria, Norway, Finland, Switzerland, France & Portugal to name just a few. Her entry for the contest has also topped the charts in Belgium, and she has travelled across Europe to promote her song.
Then it was time to face the questions.
As someone with an established career, why do the Eurovision Song Contest? "I have been a fan since I was a little girl. I've had lots of success and challenges as an artist, and the Eurovision Song Contest is one of these challenges, I am very proud to be here".
How difficult was it to include the "knee swing" in the act? "It is very important in Belgium, people do it at parties. I have a different choreographer now, and I had to convince him to include it, and it took a few days of persuasion, and it is included at the end, and this will please a lot of Belgians".
What do you think of the stage? "I think its very nice, colourful, and its not so big, its cosy and close to the people. It will be a great show. I am very satisfied and happy".
You are a big favourite in a lot of web polls, how do you feel about that? "I'm not thinking about the polls, whether I am number one, two or top five or whatever. I believe in myself and see what happens, so I don't listen to the polls".
It is twenty years since Sandra Kim won the Eurovision Song Contest for Belgium, how do you feel about that? "Well two weeks ago in Brussels, Sandra Kim was there, and she begged me to win as she has spent the last twenty years of her career singing "J'aime la vie"!
Tell us more about the video, was it a lot of fun with the speedboat etc? "We filmed it in Thailand over a week, it was beautiful, a great experience in the boat, on the beach…although a little too hot, and my shoulders got burnt, but it was worth it, it's a nice video".
What expectations did you have from the promotional tour? " I was honoured that this is the first tihat Belgiumdoes such a promotional tour. It was hectic at times, lots of interviews and TV shows, and I was happy for the opportunity to do it".
What is your favourite Belgian Eurovision entry of all time? "Well I guess "J'aime la vie", its a nice song, good performer, and of course its exactly twenty years ago since it won".
You looked very emotional in the final, can you tell us what was going through your mind? "I was so ashamed about crying, there was lots of excitement, we were third, then first, then back to third and finally won. I was crying as I was really happy for all my family, and I missed my mother who died five years ago. Then there was a great party afterwards, and its a great honour".
Who is the your biggest competitor? "It's hard to say, it's not my task. Europe will have a tough job, as there are a lot of excellent and different songs this year. The Eurovision Song Contest brings entertainment and pleasure!"
