EUROvisual: First semi-final tonight!

Fasten your seat belts, ladies and gentlemen, your Eurovision 2012 journey starts in earnest this evening. Over the past couple of months, So So Gay has worked hard to bring you regular updates on the preparations for this year’s event, as well as interviews with participants. Time has certainly flown and tonight sees the first of two semi-finals take place at the Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Co-hosted by one half of Ell & Nikki, the duo who brought victory to Azerbaijan in Düsseldorf last year, the semi-final is very strong indeed. Here’s the line-up for this evening;

1. Montenegro: ‘Euro Neuro’ – Rambo Amadeus

2. Iceland: ‘Never Forget’ – Gréta Salóme & Jónsi

3. Greece: ‘Aphrodisiac’ – Eleftheria Eleftheriou

4. Latvia: ‘Beautiful Song’ – Anmary

5. Albania: ‘Suus’ – Rona Nishliu

6. Romania: ‘Zaleilah’ – Mandinga

7. Switzerland: ‘Unbreakable’ – Sinplus

8. Belgium: ‘Would You?’ – Iris

9. Finland: ‘När jag blundar’ – Pernilla Karlsson

10. Israel: ‘Time’ – Izabo

11. San Marino: ‘The Social Network Song’ – Valentina Monetta

12. Cyprus: ‘La La Love’ – Ivi Adamou

13. Denmark: ‘Should’ve Known Better’ – Soluna Samay

14. Russia: ‘Party For Everybody’ – Buranovskiye Babushki

15. Hungary: ‘Sound Of Our Hearts’ – Compact Disco

16. Austria: ‘Woki mit deim Popo’ – Trackshittaz

17. Moldova: ‘Lāutar’ – Pasha Parfeny

18. Ireland: ‘Waterline’ – Jedward

Watch out for what promises to be another ‘lively’ performance from Irish twins and The X Factor alumni Jedward, returning after coming 8th last year. Iceland are tipped for success (and the male half is particularly appealing), as are Cyprus, Denmark and the grannies from Russia. We are loving the Albanian entry but it remains to be seen whether Europe’s juries and televoters will plump for a heart-wrenching ballad in Albanian.

Let us know what you think, both before and after the show. One thing is certain; there will be all kinds of camp. Another certainty is that we will report back tomorrow on which ten countries make it through to Saturday’s grand final. We can’t wait.

Semi-Final One of Eurovision Song Contest 2012 will be broadcast live on BBC3 at 8pm tonight.