Spanish quartet Las Ketchup say they are happy to run the risk that the Eurovision Song Contest can present, though are hoping for a good position in the final results.
The girls are very pleased with the first rehearsal, which went well despite having to ditch their high heels due to difficulties moving on stage with them on! The act starts off with all four sisters in chairs, with a male and female dancer who perform a sophisticated routine throughout the song. The stage is set in hues of deep blood red, matching the girls' tops and chairs.
Lifelong fans
Las Ketchup cited their own love of the contest as one of the main reasons for choosing to represent Spain this year. They proved they knew their stuff by singing their own favourite Spanish entry a cappella – Remedios Amaya's 1983 classic ¿Quién maneja mi barca? which met with applause from the press. Not only that, but they count Spain's 2005 entry Brujería by Son de Sol as another all-time favourite, singing part of the chorus to prove it! Taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 finally gives them the chance to get inside the event and see it first hand.
Olé to protests!
On the protests that arose after their internal selection by Spanish broadcaster TVE, they simply say: "one olé to those who didn't like it at first, and two olés to those that did!" They would like to stress that at this stage, it is all about supporting the song, the performers, and the fans, and this will be their focus in Athens more than anything else.
Since Las Ketchup's new album came out on April 4th, there has been no time for a full promotional tour like many countries have done this year. However, the group see the Eurovision Song Contest as their European promotion. And will that promotion make use of any surprise special effects? The Spanish Head of Delegation doesn't know about that. "Maybe a bull on stage…" he joked. Maybe if they drink a few too many bloody maries…
