When the Cheshire emerges...

Quick wrap of my immediate thoughts, let me know what you thought!

1. Latvia: Here we go! Made for a great start. Glitter suits with no shirts a bit intense for their tightness and brightness. Crowdsurfing and all. In the end, a really fun song.

2. San Marino: A shaky start from Valentina, who had that horrible social network song last year - this was a ballad, then tried to get epic. But still only OK.

3. FYR of Macedonia: What a random song. Mixing near dubstep, crazy old woman like the babushkas and a hot young guy. Pretty likeable in the Eurovisionverse.

4. Azerbaijan: Grey velvet suit, Joey Tribbiani look-alike. An alter-ego in a box and woman in mullet dress. Song was pretty good though, and dancing "supports the song as opposed to confusing you". Nice one, Julia.

5. Finland: WOAH. 80s Madonna mullet dress, questionable lyrics and a girl-on-girl kiss to end it. Intense.

6. Malta: Really cute song, a bit folky and poppy. The guy liked interacting with the crowd and I liked his outfit and happy face.

7. Bulgaria: Wow, mixing dance and traditional sounds with immobile backup singers in national costume. REALLY liked it, it was more Eurovision than a LOT of what's been seen so far.

8. Iceland: Blonde rocker in a suit doing some hand actions to a power ballad. Sounded nice, but I wouldn't pick it.



9. Greece: Wow! HUGE! Ska outfit with an oldie and a mini bouzouki, singing about how alcohol is free. In my head, that's a wonderful thought. They truly brought it.

10. Israel: Looks like she's out of a soapie with the soft lighting, sideswept hair and 80s glasses. Very strong ballad.

11. Armenia: LOVED the guy's outfit, very casual. The song was OK too, soft rock ballad. Was hoping for a wind machine but they gave fire instead.

12. Hungary: Hottie alert, singer AND guitarist. Hipsters rule for 2013. Song was a bit weak though, disappointing.

13. Norway: Someone in white! Woo! Gorgeous studded maxi dress, and a killer song. Scandipop fever hit Eurovision with this one, a Bjork/Robyn-friendly number. Excellent.

14. Albania: Threatened to be another Bulgaria. But a rocker edge. Suit wiht no shirt again. Brought it - but not metal enough, we haven't had that!

15. Georgia: Disney fairytale-style duet. Written by the guy who did 'Euphoria'. Wasn't a fan by the end which was disappointing. Gorgeous stage presence, but no Aladdin and Jasmine.

16. Switzerland: Well done to the 95-year-old cellist for staying awake. He looked scared when the singer was in his face though. That was more interesting than the song.

17: Romania: WOAH.

My life will never be the same after this song. Ever. #SBSEurovision #Romania
— Katina V (@Katiinkaa) May 18, 2013

Nuff said.

***

Of those getting through: pretty happy with the results. Thankfully I knew Greece were getting through, otherwise I'd have almost have had a cardiac arrest by the end of it.

Will likely not blog tomorrow, but look on my Twitter account for updates and follow me on Storify. Check out my tweets from tonight on Storify before then!