Spain: Miki – La venda

Felix: My first few encounters with “La venda” were all in the shape of seeing the Spain snippet in various non-Spain national finals. From time to time, I developed a feeling that this could be a good one, something I’d love, and was anticipating the day on which I would batch-hear many songs for the first time.

This day eventually came, and Spain.. well, I was kind of disappointed. I missed the energy that I felt in the snippet, and the whole thing felt a tiny bit too fast, too flat, too unemotional. Though I have to acknowledge the fact that they’re participating with such a positive, vibrant song in what feels like an otherwise very dark, dull and negative year to me. My only problem with it is that the positivity feels all a bit too artificial and forced. The constant smiling feels slightly Lonnie Devantier… you know what I mean.

Will the audience buy the happiness he sells, maybe all too obviously? It’s a fine line, and I guess we will all have to wait a little more to find out – but if I have to tie myself down now, I’d say yes, he’ll reach his audience, and yes, it will help him, especially as the positivity stands out this year like a skyscraper in Antarctica.

Shi: I liked this one from the beginning, but it was actually the preview parties that convinced me it can do pretty well in Tel Aviv: every time Miki came on stage, he brought energy and joy that were missing from the surrounding entries.

Martin: I don’t share my colleagues’ enthusiasm, but Spain shouldn’t be too worried, because this was never going to be my kind of song. If they stage it right and if Miki can stay in tune, a pretty good result could be on the cards. Those are two big ifs, though.

video and title image source: eurovision.tv