I watch Eurovision for the show, for the costumes, for songs, for its weirdness, ridiculousness, for occasional talent, for the ‘gay factor’, for all the comments exchanged (online or offline), especially on Twitter, for Eurovision parties. But one of my most favourite parts of the Eurovision is the voting announcement by countries. This is a show in itself. No less entertaining, than the actual show.
This is the best time when you can observe all the country alliances, people’s preferences, cultural ties, politics, and all the subtle or not so changes in relationships.
Traditionally, as “strategic partners”, Armenia and Russia exchange top marks, the likes of minimum “8”, but more like “10” or “12”. Up until recently, this has been a fair reflection of the situation on the ground, taking into account the Soviet legacy and ties, big Armenian Diaspora in Russia, and the influence of Russian pop culture in Armenia. However...
With Armenia moving closer towards Europe, effectively rejecting new post-Soviet Russia (Putin) sponsored economic/political alliance, and the recent hike in (Russian) gas price in Armenia, the impossible happened:
@unzippedblog: Headline of the day. Only 7 points from #Armenia to #Russia #Eurovision #gas
@unzippedblog: Headline of the day (2). Only 2 points from #Russia to #Armenia #Eurovision #war
Finita la “strategic alliance”, Eurovision way.
As for the Armenia entry Dorians, all I wanted to say I have already said in my previous post. Same applies to the final.
In my opinion, they are the most talented Armenian entry so far. But they were robbed a chance of any high place or win because of the choice of song. Lack of PR added to the expected outcome. Just one last example. Only yesterday I found out that they have a Twitter account @dorians_am that was so not publicised that at a time of pushing the “follow” button, they had only 70+ followers (!). And this was on the day of Eurovision final. You got the picture.
I particularly want to praise the host Sweden for putting an excellent show and stage for the Eurovision. Plus, we had both gay women and gay men kisses during this Eurovision. Thumbs up to Sweden for spreading the message across. My “douze points” for you.
Showing posts with label Dorians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dorians. Show all posts
Sunday, 19 May 2013
Friday, 17 May 2013
Despite odds, Armenia rock band Dorians makes it into Eurovision final
Today was the Eurovision semi-final where Armenia is represented by rock band Dorians. I feared the worst.
Dorians - one of my fave Armenian rock bands. Still remember them performing in Yerevan as an "opening act" for Serj Tankian concert. That was the first time I saw them live, and here is my impression, as I posted in my Yerevan Diaries:
However, I believe the choice of song (Lonely Planet) was wrong. It's a bit boring song and doesn't allow Gor and Dorians to show their full potential.
There was also scandalous lack of PR from organisers, Armenian Public TV and Armenian media outlets. Article on media.am published today headlined as Lack of Official Media Support for Armenia's 2013 Eurovision Entry.
I warned about this in past repeatedly:
But well done Gor and Dorians. You went through to the Eurovision final despite that song, and despite the lack of PR. Because of your talent.
You are so unlike the majority of contemporary Armenian pop stars, and so unlike the majority of Eurovision performers.
That's the reason why I like you, and will support you during the final.
Good luck!!
Dorians - one of my fave Armenian rock bands. Still remember them performing in Yerevan as an "opening act" for Serj Tankian concert. That was the first time I saw them live, and here is my impression, as I posted in my Yerevan Diaries:
Dorians - more than an opening actSo you could imagine how happy I was to learn that they have been selected to represent Armenia in Eurovision 2013.
Absolutely loved Dorians. Always liked them via their YouTube clips, but now that I managed to enjoy their performance live, I am 'officially' their fan. Top class rock performance, in line with best young rock groups elsewhere.
However, I believe the choice of song (Lonely Planet) was wrong. It's a bit boring song and doesn't allow Gor and Dorians to show their full potential.
There was also scandalous lack of PR from organisers, Armenian Public TV and Armenian media outlets. Article on media.am published today headlined as Lack of Official Media Support for Armenia's 2013 Eurovision Entry.
I warned about this in past repeatedly:
On 20 April I tweeted: Since 11th April no Google Alert re #Armenia #Eurovision entry Dorians. Less than a month to go. PR #failAs if there was a campaign of intentionally sabotaging Dorians.
On 22 April I tweeted: Don't say I didn't warn you.Scandalous lack of PR turns #Armenia entry Dorians into #Eurovision #fail.Song doesn't help either.Wake up call.
But well done Gor and Dorians. You went through to the Eurovision final despite that song, and despite the lack of PR. Because of your talent.
You are so unlike the majority of contemporary Armenian pop stars, and so unlike the majority of Eurovision performers.
That's the reason why I like you, and will support you during the final.
Good luck!!
Monday, 15 August 2011
Serj Tankian in Yerevan: Dorians, the audience, messages, and the most bizarre 'weapon of mass destruction'
Yerevan Diaries
Bottle cap as a 'weapon of mass destruction'
The weirdest thing happened before the concert started. Security or stewards demanded bottle caps to be separated from plastic bottles and thrown away before one can enter the concert area. I & friends could not get it: why bottle caps? Someone suggested that they could be thrown at others during the concert, but plastic bottles could be used for the similar purposes too, if one had such a desire. Whose 'genius' idea this was, I wonder?
Dorians - more than an opening act
Absolutely loved Dorians. Always liked them via their YouTube clips, but now that I managed to enjoy their performance live, I am 'officially' their fan. Top class rock performance, in line with best young rock groups elsewhere.
Serj Tankian
Despite criticism re not powerful enough sound and choice of music, Serj Tankian was good too. I expected higher energetics, but he didn't disappoint me. And I loved the stage design, very tasteful, and organic with the outside environment. And symphonic orchestra from the Yerevan Opera House was pretty good too.
Messages & the audience
The audience was very mixed. Not in a good way mixed. Quite a few young people didn't REALLY know why they were there. They probably came in for a free concert and/or to say 'we were at Tankian's concert'. They were minority, perhaps, but a sizeable minority. This group typically had no clue what Tankian was singing about, and was funny to observe how they followed others' to start clapping etc. :)
There were some powerful messages from Serj Tankian about ridiculousness of borders - between people, countries and nations. He made it loud and very clear that "all walls are f*cking empty". But it seemed to me, that for a sizeable proportion of people present at the concert, the only message they got from Tankian was one with the G-word.
Calls for universal recognition of the Armenian Genocide, expectedly, followed by huge applause. But immediately after, Serj Tankian mentioned that we should pay attention to problems within Armenia too, without specifying them. Much weaker applause followed.
(just one of those problems) Environmentalists managed to make their point known during the concert by waving a huge poster "Mining is killing".
And the least applause of the night goes to... Armenia president Serj Sargsyan
People were shouting Serj (meaning Serj Tankian), accompanied by the huge applause for his performance. Then he mentioned that there is another Serj present at the concert - Serj Sargsyan, the president of Armenia, that is. No shouting of his name, and only very weak, hardly noticeable applause followed. This was yet another message of last night, but this time from the audience...
Bottle cap as a 'weapon of mass destruction'
The weirdest thing happened before the concert started. Security or stewards demanded bottle caps to be separated from plastic bottles and thrown away before one can enter the concert area. I & friends could not get it: why bottle caps? Someone suggested that they could be thrown at others during the concert, but plastic bottles could be used for the similar purposes too, if one had such a desire. Whose 'genius' idea this was, I wonder?
Dorians - more than an opening act
Absolutely loved Dorians. Always liked them via their YouTube clips, but now that I managed to enjoy their performance live, I am 'officially' their fan. Top class rock performance, in line with best young rock groups elsewhere.
Serj Tankian
Despite criticism re not powerful enough sound and choice of music, Serj Tankian was good too. I expected higher energetics, but he didn't disappoint me. And I loved the stage design, very tasteful, and organic with the outside environment. And symphonic orchestra from the Yerevan Opera House was pretty good too.
Messages & the audience
The audience was very mixed. Not in a good way mixed. Quite a few young people didn't REALLY know why they were there. They probably came in for a free concert and/or to say 'we were at Tankian's concert'. They were minority, perhaps, but a sizeable minority. This group typically had no clue what Tankian was singing about, and was funny to observe how they followed others' to start clapping etc. :)
There were some powerful messages from Serj Tankian about ridiculousness of borders - between people, countries and nations. He made it loud and very clear that "all walls are f*cking empty". But it seemed to me, that for a sizeable proportion of people present at the concert, the only message they got from Tankian was one with the G-word.
Calls for universal recognition of the Armenian Genocide, expectedly, followed by huge applause. But immediately after, Serj Tankian mentioned that we should pay attention to problems within Armenia too, without specifying them. Much weaker applause followed.
(just one of those problems) Environmentalists managed to make their point known during the concert by waving a huge poster "Mining is killing".
And the least applause of the night goes to... Armenia president Serj Sargsyan
People were shouting Serj (meaning Serj Tankian), accompanied by the huge applause for his performance. Then he mentioned that there is another Serj present at the concert - Serj Sargsyan, the president of Armenia, that is. No shouting of his name, and only very weak, hardly noticeable applause followed. This was yet another message of last night, but this time from the audience...
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