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Relive: UK Eurovision Preview Party LiveLog
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Relive LiveLog click here!Did you visit the UK Eurovision Preview Party? Send us your photos, videos and youtube links etc. to info@esctoday.com
Here comes the second photo gallery here.
You can browse the first photos from the party here.
View the photos from the press conference earlier today here.
The following Eurovision stars are attending the party:
- Bucks Fizz (United Kingdom 1981, winners of the Eurovision Song Contest)
- Euroband (Iceland 2008)
- Isis Gee (Poland 2008)
- Nanne Grönvall (Sweden 1996)
- Laka (Bosnia & Herzegovina 2008)
- Ani Lorak (Ukraine 2008)
- Maria (Norway 2008)
- Morena (Malta 2008)
- Nico & Vlad (Romania 2008)
- Paul Oscar (Iceland 1997)
- Ruslan Alehno (Belarus 2008)
- Sirusho (Armenia 2008)
Dustin the Turkey (Ireland 2008) will also pop by to say hi and realise his dream to meet with Bucks Fizz whom he considers to be Eurovision Royalty.
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i have a feeling that some commentators here came to boo the entries they didn't like than enjoy the once they loved. Some wasted their time on describing how unfriendly and unpolite were the Armenian fans! Some people have really nothing better to do in their lives! When you are a such bitter bitch there won't be enough sugar on earth to taste up your miserable life 
I bet this was a great night.....I want to see more 
As for drink and drunk ...boring as it maybe ALCOHOL IS A KILLER more and more and more so...weekly limits and units are there and people exceed them not having a good time one night but so many times that its becoming one of Europes biggest killers...ask yourself why is the need for alcohol a requirement to have a good time???????
I'm dissapointed that we can't see the rest of artist...
Christophe Lemonnier
To be friendly one does not need to smile. Some people smile but are not friendly at all. Smile means nothing.
laka was so good...
Ooh, I like elderflower cordial! 
there were drunk people from all countries, and they had a bloody good time, it must have been that cider it tasted like elderflower cordial but kicked in like silvia night on a semi final night
Sorry John, I didn't meant to be offensive, but my comment was a result of about 7 Irish people who were definitely drunk talked to me a lot and dare I say tried it on. I wasn't referring to every single Irishman there.
To Ben Gray, I take offence at your comment re Irish people being drunk... I am Irish was at the event, had 2 drinks, oF 4 of us 2 were Irish, I cannot see how you felt the Irish were the most evident drunks, most folk there were in good spirits, which appears to more than you were.
(Last night was incredible, but there sure were a LOT of drunk Irish men.
Paddy O'Connell was a great host. I was one of the first bunch to arrive at about 8.25pm with my cousin and I spotted the Euroband coming out of the club and getting into a black cab. I waved to Fridrik and showed him my Icelandic flag and he waved back and did the 'devil horns' sign at me like you do at a rock concert or something, he meant it in a positive way. Regina waved to me too through the cab window, that really started my night off )
Great review Ben Much appreciated taking the time to write it.
Did you see Morena perform? From what has been she appears to be the only one that mimed.
In the lead up to Sirusho I also noticed the room was suddenly filled with Armenian fans who were rather solemn and just waiting for Sirusho. When she did come on, I couldn't even see her because of all the Armenian flags everywhere! And yes, after she was done, they cheered and the room was a little emptier.
For me, Isis Gee eclipsed Sirusho. She was the one I'd REALLY been waiting for, and well worth the wait. It's quite odd that when she sings live and we watch it on Youtube or something, she can't seem to manage For Life perfectly, but last night she NAILED it. Isis looked gorgeous in her red dress and the girl's got a massive set of lungs on her. After she was done belting out Natural Woman I had to leave because my cousin was getting tired and had to drive us home. Shame I didn't get to see Ani Lorak but I've watched it on Youtube now.
So well done to all the organisers of the party, you all did an amazing job. I won't manage to be at the Winner's Party unfortunately but hopefully I might come to a 2009 preview?
What I really want to know is, did ANYONE get approached by the BBC? I spent a good hour trying to spot THEM. 
After the interval we were treated to some excellent performances from Nanne Gronvall, Paul Oscar (and the white sequin jacket) as well as appearances from Andy Abraham and Dustin the Turkey. I cheered and waved my British flag for Andy and I loved how he sounded so ready to get to Belgrade and show Europe what we're made of, or as he put it, "a force to be reckoned with!"
Closing the first half was the Euroband, who started with a medley of Eurovision songs including Wild Dances, My Number One and Ooh Aah Just A Little Bit (third one got a big cheer) and then performing This Is My Life with flawless vocals.
Then there was an interval, during which I spotted the Euroband coming back into the club, (when did they leave?) but quickly heading off somewhere, and then guess who I pass on the stairs? Ani Lorak! But she was quickly being dragged through the foyer by a man. I also spotted Big Brother's Kemal at the party, the Turkish "chick with a D.." as he likes to call himself. Aptly too, he's such a freak! Morena was easily spotted on the side balcony most of the night doing lots of dancing.
It was a little boring for the first 2 hours because I'd literally come for the performances and wasn't there to get drunk and dance around, but when the action got started it was fantastic. Bucks Fizz were on first performing 3 songs, finishing of course with Making Your Mind Up. They were brilliant and Cheryl made a quick speech. Then if my memory serves me right, Maria from Norway was on next. I hardly recognised her with blonde hair, I don't think it suits her to be honest. She was a great performer though and spoke very good English.
Last night was incredible, but there sure were a LOT of drunk Irish men.
Paddy O'Connell was a great host. I was one of the first bunch to arrive at about 8.25pm with my cousin and I spotted the Euroband coming out of the club and getting into a black cab. I waved to Fridrik and showed him my Icelandic flag and he waved back and did the 'devil horns' sign at me like you do at a rock concert or something, he meant it in a positive way. Regina waved to me too through the cab window, that really started my night off well.
Just home from the Party - and it was a great night! I found it hard to beleive I was actually in the UK! Well organised and well supported. I am also now convinced that Ani Lorak could walk the Contest next month. My favourite was there too though, Norway's Maria, who looked shocked that we were all singing along... Be Strong!!
As for the comments about the people who travelled and came to support just one particular artist, let's not forget that Eurovision is not just about the Eurofans - all the artists have their own fans - and the hall in Belgrade wil also be full of people who are not quite as enthusiastic (obssessed even) as we are... But one thing is true, we are the ones who make the atmosphere!!
Roll on Belgrade!!
Wow, what a brilliant night. I just want to thank the organisers for such a fantastic party and a truly excellent line-up.
I would echo some of Christophe's comments though, not just about Armenian fans but about some general elements of the crowd. There was some guy in front of me who had pushed his way to the front, only to boo Andy Abraham and Dustin, and then to chat to people throughout all the performances except the one act he had come to see. I thought it was pretty disrespectful not only to all the other acts, but also to true ESC fans who had come all the way to the Scala to see all of the contestants and support all of them. Some people were leaning on the barriers right at the front of the stage looking truly miserable - I ask myself why they wanted to be so close to the artists if they weren't there to support them. I just hope that the performers ignored this and enjoyed themselves.
That said, it was a thrill to see all of these ESC acts past and present, and I hope it proves that the UK does support the ESC and has a base of true ESC fans who celebrate the ESC in a big way and with a true sense of enthusiasm and fun. I can't make the winners' party in May, but I look forward to the 2009 preview party already!!
hahahahahahahahahah lol, paddy 'o' connell!!!!
Less than a month to go until the real eurovision, it comes around so quickly!!!
Gooooooooo Sirusho
EREVAN 2009
Iceland must win
Yesoudo,
First of all English is the only accepted language here. I am Frenchspeaking and understand what you said. But my friend, I can only give you the facts. Even the presenter, Paddy, said something about it. Why are you girls not smiling ? There were just there for the Armenian candidate, looked really bored throughout the whole evening and left straight after she had done her thing. Now that's rude, or not ? But he, the good thing is that my opinion does not count, as millions of immigrants like these watch the festival from all over Europe with the result that this mediocre song will get 12 from Netherlands, Belgium etc etc.... very sad.
Oh and 1 last thing, I was a bit negative about the Swedish entry this year, but my God I know now where the name Sweden comes from. Sweden= sweet, the Swetes must be the most loving, friendly people in Europe. So good fun, great... and not just when Nanne was on....
If you were the guy who took the photo with me and the guy from Euroband on the red stairs, can I PLEASE have the picture? I was the little guy with the Icelandic flag!
Thanks!
email=sdclifford2000@yahoo.com]sdclifford2000@yahoo.com/email]
Christope Lemonier wrote : " No smile on their faces, untill that Armenian, he in Armenia I am a big star,girl did her thing."
s'ils n'étaient pas sympas, ton message de résumé ne l'est pas non plus, on a l'impression que tu les dénigrent d'avantage. Pas très crédible ton histoire, ça sent un réglement de compte.
Howard T, Ani is a star and she behaves as a star! Nothing surprising
Was a fab night. Enjoyed every minute of it though. Would have loved to have got into the VIP area though! How do you manage to get on the guess list? Would love to be on it for the next eurovision party on May 31st.
Anyone else hear all the booing when Andy Abrahams walked on stage? Obviously not a popular choice! lol. Propaply didnt help that he wasnt singing either.
Got to meet Morena and Euroband in the top bar though which made my night!
cant wait til next time!
WoW Joanna from Deep zone had been there?!?!?And why they didnt preform?Can someone give me more information!
@ Carulos.
I experienced the same type of behaviour Howard T did from the shady lady.It is true she is there to communicate through singing, but she could at least keep the attitude level down.
Great party ! was worth travelling for this!
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