It’s a month today before the eyes of Europe are affixed on the Danish capital Copenhagen for the first of the two semi finals in the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest. Entrants from 16 countries will take to the stage for the first semi final, with only ten entrants moving through to the Grand Final on May 10. Austria will compete in the second of the semi finals this year with an entry that’s sure to raise a few eyebrows.
CONCHITA WURST : Rise Like A Phoenix
Austria’s entry for Eurovision this year is sure to stand out from the crowd. Drag performer Conchita Wurst will hit the stage on May 08 performing her song ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’. But Austria’s choice hasn’t been without controversy, with widespread grumblings, particularly among the social media set and in the eastern European states of Belarus and Russia. Let’s hope the rest of Europe is a little more open minded.
In boy guise, Thomas Neuwirth previously competed on TV talent competitions. In girl guise, Conchita was almost at Eurovision two years ago after placing second in Austria’s selection process.
‘Rise Like A Phoenix’ is one of those big, bold, dramatic numbers that could be a bond theme. Or a Shirley Bassey number. Whether Europe warms to a drag artist delivering the track or not remains to be seen, but it’s set to stir the pot.
http://youtu.be/ToqNa0rqUtY