VIENNA (AP) — At theEurovision Song Contest, performers get three minutes to make a big impression.
Grabbing viewers’ attention as one of 25 acts competing in quick succession inSaturday’s grand finalin Vienna means pulling out all the stops, both musically and visually.
In the case of this year’s favorites to win, the Finnish duo of pop singer Pete Parkkonen and classical violinist Linda Lampenius, that involves jets of flame, a valuable 18th-century violin and a team of “ninjas” working to avert disaster.
The pair’s song “Liekinheitin,” or “Flamethrower,” is a favorite with both fans and betting markets with its melding of pop and classical influences — and its spectacular staging.
Here’s what it takes to create the eye-catching performance.
Parkkonen and Lampenius dub their sound “new pop with a classical touch.” Their song of burning love is an explosion of energy in which Parkkonen’s passionate vocals act as counterpoint to Lampenius’ frenetic fiddling.
The Finnish delegation had to secure special permission for Lampenius to play live. Eurovision rules state that lead vocals must be performed live, but instruments are prerecorded, to help speed changeovers between songs.
Lampenius says “Flamethrower” was “written as a duet,” and both performers need to be live for it to work.
“It’s a woman and a man, it’s a female voice and a male voice. So I do all my lyrics through my violin, by playing, and you (Parkkonen) are singing it with words. But we are talking. We are (equally) as important, both of us.”
The pair were not certain when they arrived in Vienna that Eurovision organizers would allow the request. They were only given final approval after performing in front of an audience in a live rehearsal.
Source: Drudge Report
