Everyone remembers their first time at the Eurovision Song Contest, but not everyone who watches the Contest at home can make it out to the arena and the circus that sits alongside the world’s favourite music show. So we asked first-time attendee at the Contest Debbie O’Hare what it’s like to be devoured by Eurovision.
I’m sat on a train from London heading back to the North of England with a serious case of Post Eurovision Depression (The Dreaded PEDs), something which at one time I wasn’t sure was a ‘real thing’. After the most amazing and craziest two weeks of my life (so far) I’m not sitting here listening to the official Eurovision 2014 album, crying, with my press pass still around my neck… honest.
From the first moment when I went over to ‘Eurovision Island’ to pick up that all-important accreditation (even though the ‘Island’ clearly wasn’t Eurovision-ready just yet), everything was rather wonderful.
Join Us On Eurovision Island (picture: Debbie O’Hare)
Apart from the music and the glitter, the most magical thing was meeting people from not just Europe, but all over the world, with such an intense common interest. For once I wasn’t ‘the weird one’ in the group of friends who likes to listen to the funny music in foreign languages.
Being asked to be in people’s videos and podcasts (including the opening podcast from ESC Insight, which you can listen to here), was great fun considering I was a complete unknown to many of the other press members who had been covering this event for years. There really is a Eurovision Family feel in the press room. Although half way through the first week when teams from different countries pitched their tents (excuse the pun) there was a tiny sense of competition in the air, over ‘getting the best interviews’ or demanding their country to keep their eyes on the prize.
First rehearsals started and all of a sudden there was support from all countries… for everyone! I’ll never forget after Molly’s first rehearsal for the United Kingdom have someone from a Spanish website come over and congratulate us.
Once Upon A Time There Were Three Girls That Went To Eurovision (picture: Samantha Ross)
Maybe it was the language barrier but hearing the same question asked over, and over, again in Press Conferences did get tiring when your trying to get work done, this I know everyone was feeling half way through week two.
Being able to watch rehearsals was rather magical. So much happens that the average armchair viewer of the Song Contest has no idea about. The performers of the 37 countries artist work so hard during the day, and then go to the parties to perform yet again! From Meet & Greet events and Press Conferences to the EuroCafe and EuroClub, there was always someone getting their photo taken with this year’s contestants. Which is very sweet…if you like that sort of thing.
You know what was fantastic? Being at the red carpet for the Opening Ceremony, there was a great atmosphere with everyone able to see the artists (who I felt friends with, thanks to being around so many of them for so long), all dressed and looking beautiful.
Then time flies and it’s time for the first Semi-Final…may the best songs win!
Those who know me will already know that I was very disappointed at the results in both Semi-Finals as my favorites on each night didn’t make it through to the Grand Final. The press room as a collective reminded me, repeatedly, ‘well, it is Eurovision.’ Compared to my viewing on TV last year, being on the ground meant I was much more passionate (hence the tears after Mei Feingold’s early flight home after the second Semi-Final).
It’s a strange mix of emotions after watching something on TV, for so long to suddenly being there in the height of it all.
We’re flying the flags! (picture: Benny Royston, but we could be wrong)
The Grand Final was something I’ll never forget. The excitement of everyone who had the golden tickets rushing into the hall, crashed into the fever of those who decided to camp it up outside the B/W Hallerne. The Press Centre was the busiest I had ever seen it and I lost count on the amount of flags being waved. It was amazing to see everyone supporting their own countries, and every song performed was giving me goosebumps (and yes, I did cry again).
And to see a winner who I was lucky enough and meet and interview around three weeks before the Contest was (as Conchita would say) fab-u-lous!
I think I’ve got the bug now, so bring on Austria!
Lovely to meet you at my first one too – I’m hooked forever now! xo
There’s certainly a lot of this that I wholeheartedly agree with.
Indeed, you can’t quite describe the thrill of the first time you suddenly discover you’re not “the weird one” in conversations about the ESC anymore – but rather amongst hundreds of friendly people with the same interest and passion that you have.
Then there’s watching the endless parade of costumes and flags making their way into the hall (the sprinting in to get the best position down the front in the standing area was hilarious to watch last year), and the almighty roar that always greets “Te Deum” at the start of the show.
I’ll forever be grateful that my first live ESC, after finally getting the means to travel to Europe from Australia, was Riga 2003 which is still one of the finest contests of them all. And since then I’ve been to Athens, Oslo and Malmö and had a fantastic time at each.
Sadly I just don’t think accreditation will ever be for me – I’m far too welded now to my self-imposed rule (of 20 years standing in 2015!) never to listen to any of the entries before the actual shows, to get involved with the press centre, rehearsals and parties.
There was a time when journalists covered ESC. Back in the 90s at the Point, we outnumbered fans. That’s all changed. Maybe they should rename the press center the fan center. Many are journalists in name only and do precious little journalism.