The Eurovision Song Contest is in full swing - and with that comes the costumes, catchy choruses, the camaraderie and campness. With over 204 million people tuning in for 2016’s final, undoubtedly Eurovisionis one of the biggest live events in the world - with the budget for this year’s event in Tel Aviv being a rumoured €28.5 million. Hell, this year, we are even going to be treated to a performance from the Queen of Pop, Madonna, during the interval. But amidst widespread criticism and calls to boycott this year's show, in protest at host nation Israel's human-rights record in the Middle East, what is it like to actually be one of the acts representing one of the 42 countries that take part?
One person who knows only too well is the UK’s hopeful from last year, SuRie, whose performance was interrupted by a protestor - or, as she puts it, an ‘unwelcome guest’ - who grabbed the microphone to shout, ‘All the Nazis of the UK media, we demand freedom’ during her rendition original track Storm. However, the songwriter - whose new single Only You and I which is released today - says the unwelcome stage invasion didn’t ruin the ten days she spent in Lisbon, Portugal. ‘It is such a unique bubble for the few weeks in the host city which comes alive with so much positivity,’ the musician tells Grazia. ‘There is just such a wonderful positive atmosphere around the stadium when all the fans come in.’
Over the course of ten days, the artists live in hotels and are then shuttle-bussed to and from the Eurovision village, where the dressing rooms are. ‘We are all living in very close proximity and they set up a sort of Eurovision Village backstage,’ she explains. ‘So it has the press centre, and there are journalists all the over place. And there’s dressing rooms which are purpose built cubicles really. You’re in very close proximity with each other and you get along very well. You find some artists that you click with more than others - some are quieter and some are louder - like you really find your crowd.’ (She says that her chilled personality meant her gang included contestants from Austria, Denmark and Iceland.)
We might (like to) picture backstage catfights and Pitch Perfect-esque rivalries backstage, but SuRie claims it’s a far less competitive atmosphere than we might imagine - it’s all about the music, guys. ‘There’s a competitive element for the TV audience - and that’s what makes it such a brilliant entertainment show, but as a musician to be a small cog in an amazing wheel on that night is such a joy, you’re not really obsessed with the vote or the results. Because there can only be one winner - and everyone else is going to come under that anyway.’ And it also appears that Eurovision is one arena that Brexit hasn’t permeated, yet. ‘When it comes to something as joyous as, as theatrical as Eurovision, [politics] isn’t really a part of it.’ Which - if you're as bored of the constant Brexit news cycle as us - sounds like even more reason to tune in.
SuRie also tells us that at least half the contestants were chatting in a huge Instagram DM group. ‘It was active during the main show week. It would kind of be like “I’m out of rehearsal now, I’m actually going to this place to eat, who wants to come.” ‘Moldova would be like, “We’ve got a big table at this restaurant, who wants to join us?” and Albania would be like “We’re on our way” and Belgium would be like “I’m just going to chill tonight”.’ In the group, there was probably a lot of chat about the after parties which happen every night. Following the semi-final and grand final there is a EuroClub held every night of the week - can you imagine the mayhem!? - though SuRie admits she swerved that particular perk to make sure her voice was in tip-top condition for the big event.
Apart from the singing (obvs) - one of the most amazing things about Eurovision are the outlandish outfits, and the accompanying hair and make-up combinations. SuRie was heavily supported in this respect by the BBC team - her white jumpsuit was designed by none other than Kylie’s stylist, and her make-up was done by semi-final host Rylan’s make-up artist Debbie Storey (although the singer does admit to flying in her own hairdresser). But those singers who don’t have the backing of a large organisation can have their hair and make-up sorted by the host city, who provide a room filled with local make-up artists and hairdressers, ready to prime the contestants. They also provide backing vocalists and dancers for the semi-finals and the finale - a sort of Eurovision one-stop shop.
This year, the UK’s hope for the contest is Michael Rice, who has dedicated his song Better Than Us to his late dad. And SuRie has been more happy to lend her advice to the 21-year-old. Namely, how to avoid getting sick of singing the same song over and over again.
‘I’ve said that there a lot that goes in that amazing bubble for ten days,’ she says. ‘Helping keeping your voice in tip-top condition is the one thing you can control and to just focus on connecting with the audience each and every time you perform that song. And stamina, you’re going to sing the song so many times there’s a danger that you slip into a sort of autopilot, but the thing you can hang on to which is so valuable is the audience - because that’s the new ingredient every time.’ SuRie herself reveals that she got the best mentoring from 2014’s winner,Conchita Wurst. ‘I met her in London before I flew out to Lisbon after Conchita did an amazing show at the Palladium. And she was so down-to-earth and genuine and just so incredibly supportive.’ While Conchita’s advice couldn't have anticipated a stage invasion, eerily SuRie says her top tip was only to focus on the things you are in control of (like your voice and stage presence).
Brexit might not get much airtime in the Eurovision village, but the wider contest rarely avoids being caught up in global politics. The show is being hosted by Israel for the first time this year, and there have been widespread calls for a boycott by human rights activists and musicians including Wolf Alice, Peter Gabriel and Roger Waters. As someone who’s own performance was literally overrun by political protest, does she think Rice should attempt to engage with the criticisms of this year’s show? ‘The question doesn't really apply here because Michael is there with the BBC, who, of course, have to be impartial,’ she says, firmly staying neutral. ‘The same applies to the EBU which has, over the years, never offered any sort of platform to political opinion.’
However, one year on from her own performance, SuRie will definitely be tuning in - as the singer is hosting a Eurovision party with fans. ‘I’m going to be in Manchester, so I’ve got a meet and greet with some fans and then we’re going to watch the show together, where I will perform afterwards,’ she tells us. ‘Obviously I’m excited for Michael and hoping he has the most wonderful adventure in Tel Aviv and has moments where he can take it all in.’
SuRie's single You and I is out today.