Eurovision week started as usual with all the artists taking the “turquoise carpet” to talk to journalists from all over Europe.
For several hours, Loreen patiently answered questions from the assembled press corps and posed for photos with screaming Eurovision fans.
Loreen was swarmed on the turquoise carpet.
— I love this, connecting with people. When I was there last, in Baku, there was no turquoise carpet, no pre-parties or meet and greets. I am a “people person” and get energy from contexts like this. It is powerful to look people in the eyes, she tells TT.
When the other artists are asked which song – apart from their own contribution – they have as their favorite in the competition, a striking number of them answer the Swedish contribution “Tattoo”.
— Loreen is the queen of Eurovision and her “Euphoria” is still played in the nightclubs in Serbia, says the artist Luke Black.
“Same Energy”
His song “Samo mi se spava” competes in the first semi-final. So does Norwegian Alessandra – who reveals that she looks up to Loreen and would like to sing a duet with her. Loreen herself is open to a collaboration in the future.
— It would have been cruel to sing with her. We have the same energy and sat and gagged for two hours the first time we met.
TT: How has it been meeting the other artists?
— I try to calm them down, there are many who are there for the first time and I have been here before. I want it to be a nice experience, many of them are so young.
Lord Of The Lost from Germany is looking forward to competing in Eurovision.
Interest in the Eurovision Song Contest is huge in Liverpool, which is allowed to organize the event in the name of Ukraine. Usually the hype around the ESC is not as intense in the UK as elsewhere in Europe. The same kind of lukewarm interest applies in Germany, which has finished last in the competition eight times.
A lot of hate
This year they send the hard rock band Lord of the lost with the contribution “Blood & glitter”. They say that the reception in their home country has not been particularly enthusiastic.
— Everyone back home thinks we will come last because Germany usually gets bad placements in Eurovision. People are skeptical about our song and we have received a lot of hate on social media, says singer Chris Harms.
TT: How do you handle it?
— It naturally spurs us on. We want to show that we do everything to get a good placement, but it’s about music and ultimately it’s the viewers who decide which song they think is the best.
Käärijä from Finland has gained many fans ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Next after Loreen is the Finnish Käärijä with the song “Cha cha cha” which is a big favorite among gaming companies and fans alike. But Käärijä, whose real name is Jere Pöyhönen, does not want to charge anything in advance.
— Loreen is a tough competitor. But anything can still happen. Maybe these guys will win in the end, he says, pointing to Lord of the lost.
TT: Are you nervous before the competition?
– No. I’m just going to try to enjoy this journey and do my best. And then I’m going to take it easy tonight at the pre-party and just drink water.