eurthvision EurthVision Song Contest 2023

[Ahrana]

ℹ️ OOC topic

The Annual EurthVision Song Contest will be held in Havsborg in the Union of the United Kingdoms of Ahrana. Eight nations have entered the Song Contest this year, all of which will perform their chosen songs on the evening of May 12th. As it is historically, EurthVision is still considered the leading song contest that involves several nations across the wurld.

Seven countries have qualified through qualifiers and semi-finals to perform, as well as the host country being granted a place in the finals alongside them. EurthVision 2018 is organized by the Ahranaian Media Company, MASS Entertainment, and will be hosted by Ahranaian Musician and Entertainer, Sir Albert Gustov Greggorsson. The contest will be held at the National Havsborg FC Arena, the largest indoor arena in the country with a seating capacity of 20,000.

Participants (A-Z)

Advocatius

Ahrana

Florentia

Gaellicia

Orioni

Seylos

On the evening of the 12th of May 2023, all eight acts will perform their songs for their country at the National Havsborg FC Arena. Each country will be given twenty votes; ten to be issued by a panel of national music industry experts, and ten to be given by voters at home. At the end of the night, each country will reveal their votes, and once all the results have been received, the winner of the EurthVision Song Contest 2023 will be revealed!

 

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OOC: Here we have it, boys and girls: our 2023 EurthVision song contest. Here's how it'll work – from May 12th to May 31st, you can post your song down below. Be creative; include what is happening on the stage, backup dancers, lighting effects, reactions from the audience, etc (see here and here for inspiration). Once we've either reached 31st of May or all posts have been submitted, you can send me your votes either on the forum's PM system or via Discord PM. Make sure this is done no later than June 1st. Once I've received all the votes, I'll wrap up the contest with a final post and reveal the winner. 

Edited May 29, 2023 by Ahrana
added OOC topic link (see edit history)

[Ahrana]

As the hosts for the EurthVision Song Contest 2023 the Ahranaian Participant was given the first slot of the evening to begin the Song Contest. The Artists, Stefani Olesson & Einar Gustovsson, were patiently waiting backstage for the green light to begin their performance for which they had been practicing for weeks now since making it to the finals. The pair were really close friends that grew up in the same town and went to school together as children. They started singing at a young age together in the Orthodox Choirs and then started singing at events across the local town. Once in university they funded their schooling through music by performing at events and venues across the nation.

They are a mix of folk and indie with some romance influenced music. They have always performed in Norðurskandi but are also known to use Ensku in their music occasionally. Their performance tonight would be in Norðurskandi and would feature many backgrounds that would fit the music. Stefani would wear a Spring Dress of cream white color with flowers embordered on it, while Einar would wear a Cream white suite that seemed to glitter and shine within the light. 

 

As the time got closer for performance time Sir Albert Gustov Greggorsson made his way to the lift that would lift him up onto the stage. The stage this year had many lifts underneath it to allow artists to enter and exit at a moment's notice for their performance. The arena was filled with spectators who were all ready to see what the night would bring. As the minutes got closer the lights started to shine through the crowd and the music for the Song Contest started to play. As the music started to end the Broadcasting Companies producer came on overhead to introduce Sir Alber Gustov Greggorsson:

Ladies and Gentlemen...tonight for the EurthVision Song Contest 2023 your host, who is beyond introduction, having been a legend in the Ahranaian Music Scene for over six Decades.....Sir Albert Greggorsson!!

The lift suddenly shook into motion lifitng Albert up to the stage with fog coming out of the area he was coming out of till he was on center stage. The arena was filled with cheers and whistles from all around.

Thank you all, and welcome to EurthVision 2023 hosted here in Havsborg! I hope you have all been enjoying your time here in this lovely city because I know I have! Tonight, we have seven participants that will perform for their nation, and only one of them will be declared the winner of this years EurthVision Song Contest! Without further a due, I introduce to you our first Act of the evening. They are childhood sweethearts who have been singing since the age of five years old. I give you Stefani Olesson and Gustovsson for the nation of Ahrana!

 

The lights went dark and the sound of heals hitting the floor could be heard followed by the beating of a drum and then suddenly cool colored lights and videos of green Medows of the Ahranaian Countryside came on the screens around the stage with the soft and calm pitch of the voice of Stefani:

Quote

Ég gef ekki mikið fyrir Haustið, Vegna þess að ég veit eins vel og þú, Að breytingin er ekki ókeypis, Að við sjáum verr í myrkrinu, Og finnum ekki margar lausnir, Vegna þess að hrunið, traustið sem við byggðum er nú horfið , Rétt eins og lauf falla á haustin, Við verðum ástfangin á haustin, Við verðum ástfangin á haustin

As Stefani was singing, she started walking further up the stage and stopped while the video changed with a young girl running into the field followed by a young boy. The lights changed with more light colors to resemble spring feeling.

Quote

Það rignir venjulega lárétt á haustin, Vegna þess að með augun opin munum við sjá ofskynjanir okkar, Við látum afbrýðisemina koma inn og snúa orðum okkar til að búa til sár okkar, Já, orðin eru ósögð! Við horfum á hvort annað með lotningu, En með hruninu, er traustið sem við byggðum upp núna horfið, Rétt eins og lauf falla á haustin, Við verðum ástfangin á haustin,Við verðum ástfangin á haustinu, Þegar litirnir byrja að dofna eins og með tímanum

As she finished her verse and was humming in-between the music Eniar joined her on stage. As he walked the lights shined on him and it made it seem as if he was like a god of old walking and it seemed so unreal thanks to the suite he was wearing. He walked to Stefani took her hand and looked at her and started his verse while the screens showed the young boy and girl holding hands as they were spinning themselves around:

Quote

Og fyrir okkur mun aldrei gerast aftur, Og þó ég viti að ég ætti að sofna án þín, þá veit ég að það líður ómögulegt án þín, En hélt að ég myndi aldrei segja þetta við þig, En leiðir okkar liggja ekki saman , Svo skulum við bæði verða ástfangin á haustin, Rétt eins og laufin falla á haustin, Við verðum ástfangin á haustin,

Eniar ended his verse and joined Stefani with the last verse singing it together in harmony. As they were singing the young kids on the video were shown older, still in the same medow running and chasing one another till they stopped in the center of the feild and layed down

Quote

Vegna hrunsins, er traustið sem við byggðum núna farið, Rétt eins og laufin falla á haustin, Við fallum ástfangin á haustin, Við verðum ástfangin á haustin.

As they finished the last line together the lights went dark again with the last beat of the drum. Though the song was in Norðurskandi a good majority of the people in the arena understood what was being said. As for those at home a translation of the song was provided during the duration of the song on the viewers streaming service. 

Ah thank you Stefani and Einar for that wonderful song and performance! Now if you like this performance do remember to cast your vote at the end of the contest for this song! Now! Onto the next participant!

 

[Orioni]

After the exhilarating performance by Stefani Olesson & Einar Gustovsson, the Ahranaian duo who had kicked off the event in style, it was time for the next act to take the stage. The host, Sir Albert Gustov Greggorsson, a renowned Ahranaian musician and entertainer, took to the stage once again. His charismatic presence and playful banter had been keeping the audience engaged throughout the evening.

“Ladies and Gentlemen,” Sir Albert began, his voice booming through the arena, “Prepare yourselves for an extraordinary performance from our next act, all the way from Orioni!”

The crowd roared in response, their clapping and cheering echoing through the massive arena.

“Our next performer is a phenomenal talent known for her soulful voice and heart-touching lyrics. Representing Orioni, please welcome the incredibly talented… Judge!”

As Judge stepped onto the stage, a hush fell over the crowd. The Orinese singer was known for her captivating performances, and the audience waited with bated breath for what was to come. She stood poised in the spotlight, an image of grace and power.

As the initial cheer subsided, Judge began her performance, her soulful voice filling the arena with the opening lines of “Soul Of Daylight.” With a nod to the band, the opening notes of her song, “Soul Of Daylight,” filled the air. It was a melody that reflected her Orinese roots, a beautiful blend of traditional music and modern beats. Her voice, strong and clear, soared above the music, filling the arena with a powerful emotion that resonated with every listener. The lyrics, quirky and entertaining, created a vivid image of a summer filled with melons, wood shavings, and flamingos. This surreal narrative was met with laughter and applause from the audience, who were clearly taken by the unique lyricism.

“We're all going to a summer daylight… No more judging for a week or two,” she sang, her voice rising and falling with the rhythm of the song. As she moved across the stage, she embodied the very spirit of the lyrics, her movements fluid and expressive, like a playful dance of summer joy.

“Summertime, and the livin' is smelly… Melons are hating, and the wood shavings are high.” These lines struck a chord with the audience, triggering waves of laughter and applause. As she sang, the audience was swept away on a journey through the daylight, each lyric painting a vivid picture of life, love, and the human spirit. The absurdity of the words, paired with the earnestness of Judge's performance, created an atmosphere that was both humorous and captivating. The soulful melody and heartfelt lyrics left them feeling mesmerized.

As she sang about the fleeting nature of summer love, her voice took on a more melancholic tone. “You were mine for the summer… Now we know it's nearly over… Feels like January lightning… But I always will remember… You were my summer love… You always will be my summer love.” The audience swayed in time with the music, their faces reflecting the bittersweet emotions evoked by the lyrics.

In a surprising turn, Judge began to reference the host country, @Ahrana, in the next verse. “I wish they all could be... I wish they all could be… I wish they all could be melons of Ahrana.” The audience erupted in cheers, their enthusiasm amplified by this unexpected homage.

The song continued, Judge's voice soaring over the crowd as she sang of a band from Orioni, their attempts at love, and the unforgettable summer of twenty-three. Her performance was a rollercoaster of emotions, from the joyous antics of a peculiar summer to the nostalgia of lost love.

As the final lines of “Soul Of Daylight” echoed through the arena – “Summer daylight drifting away, To, uh oh, that summer daylight” – Judge finished her performance with a grand, sweeping gesture.

As the song came to an end, the crowd erupted into a thunderous applause. The crowd rose to their feet, their applause deafening. Her song, a peculiar mix of humour, nostalgia, and summer love, had captured the hearts of the EurthVision audience. Judge, with her powerful performance, had taken the EurthVision Song Contest to another level. The Orinese singer left the stage with a triumphant smile, her performance a highlight of the evening. The night was young, and the crowd was eagerly awaiting the next act, but it was clear that the “Soul Of Daylight” would remain one of the evening's most memorable performances.

[Advocatius]

National Havsborg FC Arena, Havsborg, Ahrana, 11/05/2023

The host, Sir Albert Gustov Greggorsson, took to the stage once more, the concert was kicked into full swing and the energy of the crowd was ecstatic, each performance causing them to erupt in uproarious cheering for each and every contestant. He spoke "What a wonderful performance from Judge, truly this go around we have gotten some great performers like always. Now coming all the way from Aurelia in a country called Advocatius bringing us back to the punk phases of our lives, I give you Atypical Critics!"
 

The room went dark, the crowd stood awaiting the performance, then the sound of distorted guitars kicked in, as the light went on into a shallow black and white contrasted by a heavily vibrant red, showcasing old historical imagesand photos. All the angst voice of Dan Osbourne echoed throughout the stadium.

Quote

What good is rule of law on Eurth
When nobody follows it
Why must we heed the rules and fight
If it doesn’t matter

When dawn is breaking
A new war’s churning
So raise your voices

We enter the new age
(Woo-hoo, woo-hoo)
Of loss and decay
(Woo-hoo, woo-hoo)

You could hear a slight treble in his voice as he sung, each word he poured his heart and soul into and when the chorus kicked in all the band members started playing, a chaotic melody of drum beats and the distorted guitar riff, after each line yelling "woo-hoo" as a parallel to the darker nature of the song as a whole.

Quote

What good comes from these wars
When the people suffer
Why don’t we take over the wurld
If it won’t hear us

Just as wurld’s turning
Our homes are burning
So raise your voices

We enter the new age
(Woo-hoo, woo-hoo)
Of loss and decay
(Woo-hoo, woo-hoo)
And still we remain

Following the same tune as the previous section of the song, the first verse beginning to focus on the more anti-war and rebellious parts of Osbourne's passion for music, as his father was a member of the Worker's party of largely anarcho-syndicalists, he adapted this ideology sort-of into his music. The chorus kicking in as he and the rest of the band played to their fullest, adding on an additional line.

Quote

We are the victims
Of a wurld tearing itself apart
And then you wonder
Like a troubled mind

What good is rule of law on Eurth
When nobody follows it
Why must we heed rules and fight
If it doesn’t even matter

When dawn is breaking
A new war’s churning
So raise your voices

The song moved into a "second stage" if you will, the crowd chanting along and the dizzying array of the black, white and red lights set along the stadium became much more pronounced as the music became heavier, followed by a repeat of the previous verses as the bassline slowly built up towards the last few words as the audience prepared for it.

Quote

We enter the new age
(Woo-hoo, woo-hoo)
Of loss and decay
(Wo-hoo, woo-hoo)
And still we remain

We enter the new age
(Woo-hoo, woo-hoo)
Of loss and decay
(Woo-hoo, woo-hoo)
And still we remain

The chorus echoed throughout the stadium, the anticipation fueled a sort of fire in the song, as an additional this time heavier guitar riff was introduced downplaying the hopeless nature of the song detailing what had ironically many had considered to become of Eurth.

The song came to an end the audience erupted into an applause, as you could visibly see the sweat on each of the band members, knowing they had just made the performance of a lifetime and were proud to have represented their country, but they felt something was missing, Advocatius was at war and it needed something on the wurld stage to represent it, Osbourne stood up and yelled to the audience.

"Vive le Avouélos!
Remember the Dawn!"

[Florentia]

As Atypical Critics leave the stage, Sir Albert Gustov Greggorsson comes back once again :

“ - We can all applaud Atypical Critics for their engaged and powerful song. Now, let me introduce you a singer from Florentia, a land of jazz and rythm’n’blues.”

While most of the audience was enthusiastic, some were more discreet, almost silently indignant that a slave nation was allowed to participate.

“- Please welcome the Empress of Florentia herself : Rosie Bellysis !”

The spotlights diffuse a soft, almost sensual light in red tones, while an additional spotlight projects onto the back wall the image of a three-headed black cat, symbol of the city of Belleville, enthroned above the entrance to a cabaret. The central head looks at the spectator, the left one yawns and the right one licks its front paw. Rosie enters the stage to a much louder applause than before. Indeed, the Empress is known as a symbol of feminism in Florentia but also as a model of sex appeal for the modern Florentian woman, largely due to her successful career as a burlesque dancer. She is elegantly clothed in a dress and a feather boa. Her outfit is reminiscent of 1920s fashion or, more recently, of current Florentian fashion.

The first notes of 'Le Chat Tricéphale' sound, Rosie grabs the microphone neck with her right hand. At the same time, she marks the rhythm by swinging her left shoulder and hips and snapping her fingers with her left hand. She looks at the audience with a raised right eyebrow and the slightly haughty but irresistibly charming smile of a lady. The audience, seduced by the catchy tune, snaps along. Then, announced by the trumpet, she begins to show the full extent of her talent. Singing with a cheeky smile, her face expressive, you almost get the impression that she is telling a funny little gossip to a group of friends.

« - Les limousines, devant, se gare
Le tapis rouge, langue de velours
Les portes ouvertes, on laisse entrer
Dans la gueule béante, du chat rusé »

During the first chorus, two couples of dancers entered. The men are dressed in a smoking suit, while the women are wearing dresses that once again recall the Roaring Twenties. The couples are arranged parallel to the left or right of the performer. When Rosie starts the second verse, both couples start dancing a lindy hop to the tempo of the song. Again, the crowd is enthusiastic and full of nostalgia.

« - Bourbon, cigares, et petits fours
Le Tout-Belleville, loin des basse-cours
Au feu vert, les rideaux découvrent
Un grand orchestre à milles cuivres »

Rosie suddenly grabs the microphone stand with both hands and, with tremendous power, fills the entire arena :

« - Il ronronne, le Chat Tricéphale
Danse le jazz, miaou ! »

The dancers, equipped with portable microphones, turn very briefly to the audience and exclaim " miaou ! " at the same time as Rosie before resuming their dance.

« - Il gazouille, le Chat Tricéphale
Au félin mondain, rendez-vous »

The dancers freeze and say, with dreamy eyes full of stars, as if they were imagining the wonders of the fantastic Belleville and its endless cabarets :

« - Au Chat Tricéphale
Au Chat Tricéphale
Au Chat Tricéphale
Au Chat Tricéphale »

Then they resume their dance while Rosie starts to sing again :

« - Milles couleurs, et queue de paon
Pour les danseuses, qu’elles sont sublimes ! », Rosie accompanies the words with a movement of her hand along her head to emphasize the point.
« - Pattes effilées et air de chatons
Elles font craquer les plus beaux étalons ».

She sings the last line of the verse with the air of someone making a naughty confidence. Then she returns to a more open position, abdomen forward.

« - C’est alors qu’entre le chanteur,
Suivi de son fidèle chœur,
Costard et guêtres, micro en main,
Nous envoie au ciel par ses refrains »

At the word "ciel", Rosie gestures with her left hand upwards. Again, especially for the refrain, she shows even more vocal power. The chorus is performed as before by the dancers.

[Refrain]

« - Il rythme nos nuits
Il rythme nos nuits
Il rythme nos nuits
Il rythme nos nuits

- La foule enthousiaste fredonne l’air
Puis acclame unie, comme une voix
Voyant cela, le troubadour
S’incline et part, sous le tabac

Spectacle suivant : Madame Burlesque
Un peu osé, mais ils adorent
Monsieur le Duc en veut encore
Croquerait la dame, presque ! »

With the lyrics translated onto the arena's live screens, the verse provokes laughter from the audience. Then Rosie starts the refrain a third time.

[Refrain]

This time, for the chorus, the dancers cross their hands at chest level and look up to the sky, as if they were praying that the Three-Headed Cat would actually fulfil their desires, as in the lyrics.

« - Emplie nos désirs
Emplie nos désirs
Emplie nos désirs
Emplie nos désirs »

Then, to illustrate the lyrics which will follow, Rosie throws her boa back towards one of the couple. As in the lyrics, the man of the couple intercepts it, which causes his wonderment but also the woman's anger.

« - Un collant, envoyé à l’auditoire
Monsieur le Duc l’intercepte
La Marquise n’est point d’accord
Elle se lève dire un mot à la belle »

The 'Marchioness' in question has approached the front of the stage and Rosie turns towards her, while the remaining chorus snaps their fingers. The dancer pretends to slap the singer twice, in time with the finger snaps and the music, before walking off indignantly, followed by her partner. The scene causes general hilarity in the audience, who is seduced by this unpretentious little narrative thread and by the Empress' involvement in her role. The remaining couple split into two, on either side of the singer, and they both dance the same solo. Rosie repeats the verse, rubbing her left cheek with her hand, as if the pain persisted.

« - L’épaule démise et des bleus partout
La burlesque ne plaît plus du tout
La Marquise jalouse a été fatale
Il est vrai que le jazz n’est pas toujours moral »

Rosie sings the last line of the verse with a shrug of her shoulders, no longer rubbing her cheek. Then she attacks the chorus one last time, transcending the audience one last time and even more powerfully and widely than before.

[Refrain]

Then the dancers conclude the song in a calm final line that contrasts with the refrain: " Au Chat Tricéphale, nous vous attendons ". Rosie accompanies the verse by extending her arm towards the audience, as if inviting them to join her at the Chat Tricéphale cabaret.

Once again, the audience applauds with all its heart. The subject matter was not as strong as in the two previous performances because it was intended to be light. The audience visibly appreciated this breath of fresh and comic air in contrast to the engaged song of Atypic Critics. With a big smile on her lips and a deep breath, she thanks the audience before leaving the stage, followed by the dancers.

(OOC : the lyrics being in French, please remember that you can find the english translation in the original OOC thread.)

Edited June 5, 2023 by Florentia (see edit history)

[Seylos]

 

Sir Albert Gustov Greggorsson once again took the stage, taking time to clap with the crowd as Rosie Bellysis exited the stage.

"An extraordinary performance by the incredible Rosie Bellysis. Next, hailing from Seylos, St. Lucia brings a song pouring out a nation's fears, hopes, and frustrations."

Greggorsson stepped back off the stage as the lights went down again and the stage was revealed.

 

Quote

All my life I waited patiently
Just to see if there's a place for me
In the black light, I found a different way
Hold us close before we drift away
Talk to me into the night again
Show me things I never want to see
When we go there, I'm gonna do it my way
Finally will we know who we are?

 

As the band started singing, an LED board behind them lit up with video starting to showcase old footage from Seylos, and important historic events for the country started to flash by as the song continued on. Footage from King Montgomery's coronation, footage from his famous speech fleeing Seylos after the Mandate seized control, and finally the victorious Royalists as they set foot back home again.

 

Quote

We felt the winds of change
And you thought everything would stay the same
We felt the winds of change
You'll do whatever not to go insane
We felt the winds of change
And you thought everything would stay the same
We felt the winds of change
And we'll be walking up Argis again
We felt the winds of change
And you thought everything would stay the same
We felt the winds of change
We'll do whatever keep you away

 

The screens changed again as the band started to get more animated on the stage as the music picked up. Scenes from the 70s and 80s began to flash by, showing idyllic landscapes in Seylos with people in its cities. Immediately being contrasted by footage of strife, humanitarian workers handing out food, peacekeepers patrolling the streets of Ravna during the Garindan Civil War.

Quote

Talk to me right through the night again
Tell me things I never want to hear
When we go there, we're gonna do it our way
Finally, we'll be who they aren't

Images began to flash by faster as the 90s and 2000s appeared. Crime ridden streets in Selbourne, fighting in Ceris, the coronation of King Stewart, announcements of the prince's births, riots from a failed showing of Mandate sympathy.

Quote

We felt the winds of change
And you thought everything would stay the same
We felt the winds of change
You'll do whatever not to go insane
We felt the winds of change
And you thought everything would stay the same
We felt the winds of change
And we won't be walking down this road again

 

More images flashing faster as the lead singer's grew more intense. The present day came into view, King Aidan's coronation, refugees pouring onto ships from Haruspex, Liechnenfax on fire, tired soldiers after intense fighting, celebrations in Selbourne after founding the Union, planes over Iwenland, a speech from the king.

Quote

Leave us alone, leave us alone
Leave us alone, leave us alone
Leave us alone, leave us alone
Leave us alone, leave us alone
Leave us alone, leave us alone
Leave us alone, leave us alone
Leave us alone, leave us alone
Leave me alone

The images on the screen came to a halt. The song came to a close with a light guitar solo as the lights began to dim on stage and the band exited.

 

[Ahrana]

Wow what a performance by St. Lucia. It was truly one for the books here tonight, and now we begin the voting! For those joining us at home and here in the audience it is time to cast your votes! Please follow the prompt on the bottom of your TV Screens of if you are here in the Audience, please use the app you used to check your ticket at the entrance of the arena. As you are casting your votes the professional judges will be doing the same, so please start voting and remember you have fifteen minutes to cast your votes!

The arena went somewhat silent as everyone was voting for the favorite or however, they were voting. The judges had finished voting in less than ten minutes but the timer for the end of the voting had not ended just yet. With only one minute left for voting a timer came on the main screen in the arena above the stage for the countdown. 30....25....20....15....soon the crowd started shouting the countdown from 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.

And that is it folks the results are in.

Sir Albert stopped for a long dramatic pause as he opened up the envelope that was handed to him not that long ago.

And the winner of the EurthVision Song Contest 2023 is......Judge with the song "Soul Of Daylight" for the nation of @Orioni! Congratulations! Join us next time in Orioni for EurthVision Song Contest 2024, it was a blast having you all hear and being your host thank you and good night!