Emma Saunders
Entertainment reporter

Phew. They’ve either put out the piano fire or they’ve wheeled in another for Maria Elena Kyriacou’s entry. This is another typical Eurovision ballad, with a predictable 80s-style drum beat joining in for the second verse. She’s got a fine pair of lungs on her though and the wind machine is in full action as she builds up to the finale. 

Before winning a Greek talent show, she was a professor so at least that’s something to fall back on if the wind doesn’t blow in her favour (sorry!)

Emma Saunders
Entertainment reporter

The MakeMakes are giving it a good crack. It’s pretty low key after the whirlwind that was Conchita but they certainly haven’t disgraced themselves on the big stage in front of a home crowd. And they do all have facial hair to keep the beard theme going. And we have another gimmick – woo hoo! The piano is set on fire! Er, health and safety anyone? Where are the EU regulations when you need them?

Emma Saunders
Entertainment reporter

Rhythm Inside is a bold effort and has more than a touch of Lorde’s hit Royals about it. Australian artist Sia recently re-tweeted Loic’s version of her hit Chandelier, which must say something. 

There’s a teetering pirouette in the middle which looks pretty risky plus one of the dancers appears to be doing a floor workout gym-style for some inexplicable reason. The track might be too cool and edgy for Eurovision’s audience though.

This is the perfect antidote to Cyprus (no offence but there are a LOT of ballads in this year’s contest). This year’s wildcard has split opinion in terms of whether it should have been allowed to enter but lighten up people! 

This is a really decent pop song. We’re not quite sure why he’s got the M6 backdrop behind him – it’s not saying exotic Gold Coast to me – but we’re loving the jaunty hat and the dancing’s not bad either. Tonight Again could land top five.

Emma Saunders
Entertainment reporter

John Karayiannis says his influences are Ed Sheeran and John Mayer, although to be honest, you wouldn’t know it by listening to his Eurovision entry. Personally, I think he sounds more like Will Young. 

John looks like he’s about to cry by the end of the song. Oh dear. John says his eyesight is so bad he can’t see further than the end of his nose but he has 9 spare pairs so he should be alright.

Emma Saunders
Entertainment reporter

It’s not hard to see why this is the favourite. The Aviici-style track is being belted out by Eurovision fans across Vienna (including on a tram last night on the way back the press centre) but its trump card is the stunning background graphics. 

Emma Saunders
Entertainment reporter

Norway’s entry is a real grower and duo Morland and Debrah Scarlett have to be one of the coolest acts in this year’s final. Some songs don’t need gimmicks and this is one of them. (Don’t tell anyone but this is my favourite).

Emma Saunders
Entertainment reporter

Serbia’s entry has the perfect ingredients for a Eurovision hit. Big diva voice, spooky dancers with masks who strip off to reveal new costumes, reminiscent of Bucks Fizz, and an “I am what I am” message from its plus-size singer, Bojana Stamenov.

Hats off to the backing vocalists/dancers for presenting the chorus in sign language while leaping around the stage. This could be a surprise winner.

Emma Saunders
Entertainment reporter

Yet another male/female duo. The song can certainly hold its own and there’s definitely chemistry here. The kiss seemed to go down very well with the audience.