SOFIA, BULGARIA โ Live from inside the Armeec Arena of Sofia, here is the Jury final of the 2015 Junior Eurovision Song Contest. From year to year, the show has been improving, and we can tell you that the 13th edition will be no exception.
LAST CALL FOR JUNIOR EUROPREDICTION
CHECK THE PHOTO GALLERY
Thanks to a beautiful ethnic and touristic film, we fly over Bulgaria and Sofia, and end up inside the arena where BG14 is singing the theme song โDiscoverโ before wishing us a warm โWelcome to Bulgaria!โ. Dancers, musicians and gymnast are performing while this yearโs entrants are introduced.
Our host Poli Genova then enters the stage, ending the theme song and giving an introduction speech about Junior Eurovisionโs 13th birthday and the rules of the contest.
SERBIA
Red is the colour here. The dress, the background… Itโs the first of the long list of ballads tonight, and itโs quite a powerful and classy one. Lena has a strong voice and gives an adult and professional performance.
GEORGIA
A completely different act: energetic, catchy, fun. Well this is a typical Georgian JESC entry with lots of lights, strong rhythm, choreography, but itโs a bit repetitive at some point. One thing for sure is that The Virus are having fun doing the job. Nevertheless, the background is rather pointless since it doesnโt add anything to the performance.
SLOVENIA
Winter background, similar introโฆ โFrozenโ is on stage now. The voice is nice and suits this powerful ballad which is perfectly performed by Lina.
ITALY
This is a colourful and joyful performance from Chiara and Martina. Strong voices and rather simple staging but nothing special here Iโm afraid.
THE NETHERLANDS
Shalisa is playing the piano now, to deliver a nice and mature ballad. 2 dancers, 2 backing vocalists and nice light effects but I doubt this will conquer the Junior audience.
AUSTRALIA
First appearance of the continent island in Junior Eurovision. This is what one could consider a veeeery professional and very good pop act (even too good some may say). The light effects are, once again, very effective. Bella can be easily called a hot favourite.
Bulgaria is innovating this year. After the famous โinterval actโ, here come the โbreak actsโ. The stage is invaded by futuristic dancers (right from the โTronโ movie). This act is very noisy but quite nice visually speaking.
IRELAND
The Emerald Isle is joining the family tonight, and we are going to hear the second song in the irish language in Eurovision history. Aimรฉe is performing a very typical but very classy Irish-operatic song (like a new version of Eimear Quinn). The stage is turned into a sea and the overall impression is rather good.
RUSSIA
Another balladโฆ A dancer, a giant moon, stars in the background, this is a Russian act 100%. Mikhail is delivering a very professional and nice performance, but itโs a bit old-fashionedโฆ
FYR MACEDONIA
Here is an up tempo song, straight from the 80โs. Itโs catchy but letโs face it, Ivana and Magdalena are performing a repetitive and rather childish song before a giant heartโฆ But some kids may like this one.
BELARUS
Once again, here is a powerful ballad that could be confused with a Disney soundtrack. Ruslan is confident and flawless while his singing his song. But the best point of the act is the background. We are following the life of a tree, from blossoming to eventually burning. Itโs just outstanding.
ARMENIA
This almost โrockabillyโ song will stand out in this yearโs line-up. Mika is incredibly professional and the choreography is perfect. If you add the pyros and the energetic background, this could be a dark horse.
UKRAINE
Anna is standing in a giant waterlily while performing. Water, forest and fire are the leitmotiv of the background, and itโs rather effective. This is a very nice song which is perfectly staged and delivered.
Here comes our second โbreak actโ of the evening. After a dance act, now we have a beatbox battle between two students of some arts academy. They end their performance with a bunch of young drummers.
BULGARIA
Gabriela is singing on the catwalk, leaving the stage to gorgeous gymnasts. Once again, this is a nice ballad, and the rainbow coloured background (as well as pyros at the end) makes this song more modern that it actually is. Ivan is then joining the girl on stage and the duo works perfectly. No surprise here Iโm afraid.
SAN MARINO
Kamilla is wearing an outstanding mirror dress, and her dancers shine too. The dress effect clearly reminds me of Moldova 2013 (senior version). Remember? Itโs a nice staging for a nice and modern ballad. A very aesthetic act.
MALTA
Great โMotownโ energy from Destiny. Sheโs alone on stage but… what a presence! A catchy tune, a powerful voice, a colourful background, pyrosโฆthe girl could win it all. It may not be the second Maltese victory, but Iโm ready to bet that weโll see this girl on Eurovision stage in the near future!
ALBANIA
A calypso song for Mishela, thatโs original. The girl delivers a nice performance thanks to her presence before nice stained glasses effects. Unfortunately, the song doesnโt reach a climax and is rather repetitive.
MONTENEGRO
Here is a summer party song to end the show. Despite the nice city background and the Sertab Erener dress effect, the song goes nowhere. Moreover, Janaโs voice wasnโt perfectโฆ
We wonโt reveal the all show today, so stay tuned for tomorrowโs final and more surprises…
