David Farnor | On 11, May 2018

Nothing fills us with the same mix of dread and excitement as Eurovision. And while 2018’s first Semi-Final (read our highlights here) was an impressive showcase of continental talent, the second Semi-Final was a smorgasbord of everything we love about the annual singing contest, from silly props and extravagant lighting to over-the-top dance moves and nonsensical lyrics. Also, fire. Lots of fire.

With the Eurovision Song Contest final beaming around the world on Saturday 12th May – from 8pm on BBC One all the way through to 11.35pm – you could easily think you’ve already had enough Eurovision this year. You’d be wrong, because only 20 of the 43 countries entering will actually get through to the Final, which means you’re missing out on a whole host of potential Eurovision brilliance. Luckily, both Semi-Finals are available on BBC iPlayer following their broadcast – and, even luckier, we’re here to bring you the best bits.

Semi-Final 2 is particularly interesting because it sees the return of Russia, after it didn’t join in last year for political reasons – only for their singer, who has been waiting for a year to perform her number – get knocked out. (Watch that on YouTube here, because the way that voting works these days, the odds are Russia will still win anyway.) It also gives you a chance to hear commentator Rylan Clark-Neal on hilariously sarcastic (yet affectionate) form.

Counting down the hours until Saturday? Here are eight Eurovision Semi-Final entries you have to see. All aboard!

Norway – That’s How You Write a Song (Alexander Rybak)

With no funky digital backdrop on the stage this year, Norway instead goes for the slightly unfair option of circumventing the issue of staging altogether by adding some magic marker magic over the top of the footage for people watching on TV. But frankly, when that includes a felt tip piano that Alexander gamely mimes playing to an infectiously funky beat, we’re not complaining. (Although we’re fairly sure that isn’t how you write a song.)

Status: Qualified for the final

Romania – Goodbye (The Humans)

And the award for creepiest Eurovision entry of the year goes to The Humans, who bid goodbye perhaps forever, as their song is accompanied by an army of spooky mannequins wearing creepy death masks. Maybe it’s to add a touch of atmosphere. Maybe nobody on stage can see them and things are about to go horribly, horribly wong.

Status: Knocked out

Serbia – Nova Deca (Sanja Ilić & Balkanika)

Nothing says Eurovision like three woman performing strange rituals with microphones, while a man with a beard loiters suspiciously behind them. This fairly run-of-the-mill ballad is well worth tuning into for that alone, not to mention a glimpse of The Dude playing a pipe – and a taste of what it would be like if the Scottish Widows got really into Xena: Warrior Princess.

Status: Qualified for the final

San Marino – Who We Are (Jessika feat. Jenifer Brening)

“We are who we are” is the message of this upbeat number. It might be stating the obvious, but at least the obvious is accompanied by tiny dancing robots – and a rap that borrows heavily from Wannabe by the Spice Girls.

Status: Knocked out

Moldova – My Lucky Day (DoReDoS)

Noises Off meets Whack-A-Mole in this adorably old-fashioned song and dance number, which features moving doors, hidden doppelgangers and naughty visua gags. If you only watch one gleefully cheesy Eurovision song this year, watch this one – and watch out for the dance move they steal shamelessly from La La Land.

Status: Qualified for the final

Denmark – Higher Ground (Rasmussen)

Denmark lives up to its name with this unabashedly Nordic ditty that looks like a deleted scene from the Game of Thrones musical episode that we’ll sadly never get.

Status: Qualified for the final

Sweden – Dance You Off (Benjamin Ingrosso)

Gelled hair, shiny leather jacket, white sneakers, blue neon lights. Sweden’s Eurovision entry for 2018 is like watching the future of Earth as envisioned by a 1980s boy band. Benjamin Ingrosso can dance us off any day of the week.

Status: Qualified for the final

Ukraine – Under the Ladder (MELOVIN)

When a song uses the word “fire” more than 10 times in a minute, you know you’re in for a good time. Easily the stand-out contender in this year’s second Semi-Final, Ukraine goes full Eurovision with some of the best staging we’ve seen in years. Yes, the lead singer looks like a vampire (beating Georgia’s own attempts at rocking the undead vibe), but he’s easily overshadowed by the fact that he also plays a grand piano. On a platform floating in mid-air. That’s on fire. By the time the stairs leading up to him burst into flame, you’ll already be halfway through dialling on the phone to give him 12 points.

Status: Qualified for the final

 
Eurovision Semi-Final 2 is available on BBC iPlayer until 9th June.

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