Steve Holden
Music reporter, BBC Newsbeat

Image source, Getty Images

The pyrotechnics budget must be huge this year. Most acts are using flames, fire curtains and gigantic sparklers to enhance their performances (special mention to Finland, Italy, San Marino and Azerbaijan).

Originally, the UK's entry didn't have any pyro until some people pointed out the song is literally called Embers - a song about fire not going out.

The UK delegation changed things up, so every time James Newman sings "light up the room", he's encompassed by a warming glow of fire... to literally light up the room.

Grace sent us this tweet - she says: "Here's us dancing to Embers- supporting James Newman! We are all in the same bubble having lots of fun together!"

Can we join in?

Image source, Getty Images

Well, this is energetic, fun and very eccentric. Eurovision in a nutshell really.

It also has the potential to be annoying pretty quickly. Jendrick bounces around the stage with his silver ukelele - and for some reason, there's someone dressed as a huge hand doing a V sign.

Steve Holden
Music reporter, BBC Newsbeat

Image source, Getty Images

The stage production team have roughly 60 seconds to get from one act's staging to another.

That means after James Newman performed, they have to remove the two giant trumpets, get them off stage, bring on Greece's green screen and make sure the floor is clear in a short space of time.

As we're watching the cute "beach hut" postcards on screen, there's a frantic team of production crew running around making sure everything is perfect for the next act. It's a slick set-up.

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Natalia Gordienko’s performance of Sugar is a bit pitchy in places but it’s more about the hypnotic dance instrumental. And wow, look out for the last VERY loooooong note. Top work.

We're working in a very empty office, but we're still celebrating! Do feel free to join us tonight - send us images of your Eurovision celebrations(following the Covid-19 rules of course)!, externalOur email address is entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.

Image source, Getty Images

Ooh, he's brave. Opening his ballad a capella on that vast stage - and there's not a backing dancer in sight for moral support. But there is a huge 3D moon above his head and a fiery ring hanging behind him. We're also loving his George Michael-style earring.

It's been a long two years for the organisers of Eurovision and the acts performing, as well as all the staff working on the show.

BBC Newsbeat has taken an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the build up to the show in Rotterdam. They followed the UK's James Newman and the other competing countries as they prepared for the event during a global pandemic.

Click here to watch the documentary.

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You’ve got to feel for Daði og Gagnamagnið. Last year, they were hot favourites to win the contest before the pandemic put paid to their ambitions. And this year, they aren’t able to perform their track live after a band member tested positive for coronavirus. What you're seeing on screen now is footage recorded during a recent rehearsal.

Steve Holden
Music reporter, BBC Newsbeat

Spare a thought for Iceland's Daði og Gagnamagnið, who are holed up in a hotel.

Old rehearsal footage of their track 10 Years is being broadcast because one of the band members tested positive for Covid-19.

It's a bittersweet end for the group who are denied the chance to have their moment in the live Eurovision spotlight for the second year running.

If they win, we wonder whether a replica of the famous Eurovision trophy has been made, sanitised and left outside their hotel room, ready for collection.

Image source, Getty Images

This performance is a tad strobe heavy but who doesn’t love a bit of singing in French? This is a powerful ballad and we can see this getting plenty of votes (famous last words). Looks a bit like a young Tony Hadley with 80s hair-do to boot. What’s not to like?

Steve Holden
Music reporter, BBC Newsbeat

If you're watching Greece's Stefania at home, you'll be seeing her defying laws of gravity by levitating, climbing fake stairs and dancing with invisible men.

If you're watching in the arena it's a bit more... well.... green.

Image source, Getty Images

Stefania is only 18 and is actually from the Netherlands originally but here she is with Last Dance for Greece. And she’s dancing with invisible men. This track has a typical Eurovision build-up from ballad to full-on banger.

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James is the nicest man on the planet. He actually is. And he has a great voice. We really want him to do well with his upbeat dance number Embers. He's cocooned between two giant trumpets suspended from the ceiling. He deserves this! But we all know how it's been going for the UK in recent years. Let's see! PS This is number nine - traditionally the time to raise a glass to the late, great Sir Terry!

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James has received some brotherly advice from his famous sibling, John Newman, who has had chart hits including Love Me Again and performed at the Coachella festival with Calvin Harris.

“He says you’ve just got to enjoy every minute. Being on that stage is a gift. He knows what it’s like so it’s been great to have him as a confidante.”

But his little brother isn’t always in the good books.

“My brother stole my rally car off me – John broke it and it’s in a garage in Wales somewhere being repaired!”

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James Newman is getting a second shot after being chosen as last year’s candidate before the pandemic put paid to the competition.

He’s not alone. Of the 39 countries taking part, 26 have re-selected their 2020 entry.

James says he was proud of 2020's entry My Last Breath - a ballad - but it was written in a pre-pandemic climate, so he wanted to write something more positive.

He describes his this year’s entry Embers as a "banger", and says he wanted to create something "full of positivity."

"Eurovision is a celebration of music and Embers fits in that vibe. Hopefully people like it."

Image source, Getty Images

Hurricane are a three-piece female group, their track is called Loco Loco. The outfits are very Britney circa 2015. There’s also a bit of Destiny’s Child harmonising going on. Impressive. We’re getting a Nicole Scherzinger vibe, too.

Anna Holligan
BBC News Hague correspondent

Image source, Adrian Ablett

Thanks very much to Adrian from Leicester, who's contacted us at entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk with this message:

Hi Guys,

I’m having socially distanced Euro Party in Leicester….I’m on my own!

But I’ve got my Eurovision CDs and my Bluetooth speaker with lights to celebrate with!

I’m hoping Norway’s Tix – Fallen Angel will win – if not the UK of course!!

Image source, Getty Images

Band member Miguel says the group is called Black Mamba because “we spread our good venom around the globe”. Er, ok then.

Their track On My Side is a bit different. A mid-paced soul number. Cracking voice. Paulo Nutini-esque in fact. And nice hat. Could do well, this one.