From Russia with love

An Edge Hill lecturer is Moscow-bound after he was granted unrestricted access to this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

Phil Jackson, Senior Lecturer in Media, has been given press accreditation, which means for eight days he will be privy to every aspect of the competition, from dress rehearsals to press conferences, reporting back to the UK with updates as they happen.

In 2008 Phil, a scholar in popular music who has widely researched Eurovision, travelled to Belgrade in Serbia at the invitation of the BBC to experience the build-up to the contest.

With two semi finals, as well as the grand final, broadcast on BBC1 at 8.00pm on Saturday 16 May, Phil is looking forward to sharing the backstage gossip, tears, tantrums and European eccentricity that is sure to shock, delight and amaze viewers on the night. In addition, Phil will continue to analyse media events, popular music and popular culture with his students when he returns to Edge Hill University.

Preparations for the journey to Moscow have not been easy for Phil and the many fans who travel to the final each year. This year many of the ‘eurofans' have decided not to travel to Moscow due to the expensive visa requirements needed to enter the country.

As well as the Eurovision blog that will be published on the Edge Hill University website, Phil will be contributing to ‘Boom Bang A Blog!' for The Southport Visiter, as well once again corresponding for local and national media.

When asked about his predictions for this year's contest, Phil is aware that he can be the kiss of death: "Last year I thought that Sweden would do really well, but they flopped in the final. Mind you, Russia was favourite from the start and in the end they romped home to victory.

"This year Norway are the hot favourites. It's a very catchy song, and the singer is from Minsk, so there will be votes from around Europe for it. I'd keep an eye out for Greece, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Sweden too - they'll be up there in the final is they qualify from the semis."

As for the UK entry this year, Jade Ewen singing the Andrew Lloyd-Webber penned ‘It's My Time', Phil remains optimistic of a better result than in previous years.

"We've sent a number of entries in the last few years which have been dire - from the ‘null points' of Jemini in 2003 to the UK finishing in last place in 2008.

"The fact that Andrew Lloyd-Webber is involved is impressive - the BBC are finally attempting to send something more interesting than novelty acts or failed reality TV stars. The song is a strong composition, but it might be better suited to musical theatre than the Eurovision stage. But if the viewers and international juries go for a ballad on the night then we'll be assured of a good result.

"I don't think that it'll be our time to win this year, but a top ten finish would be a fantastic result. Fingers crossed, and look out for me waving my flag from the fan section in front of the stage when you watch the television broadcasts!"

Even if it's not time for the UK to win Eurovision, Phil is looking forward to his time in Moscow and hopes that fans and non-fans alike will once again share his Eurovision journey once again.

http://blogs.edgehill.ac.uk/eurovision  

http://boombangablog.merseyblogs.co.uk

http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/media