[Nicky91]

Staging Concept (thanks to Microsoft Copilot) for Netherlands

Backdrop: A dynamic LED wall simulates a time-lapse of the Dutch sky—from golden hour to deep night—punctuated by streaks of light that mimic stars and city lights in motion.

Floor Projection: A ripple effect of light pulses outward from the center, symbolizing the speed of emotional connection and shared experience.

Lighting: Sharp white beams cut through mist, timed to the beat, creating a sense of velocity. Occasional bursts of orange and blue nod to the Dutch flag.

Band Formation: Chef’Special performs in a semi-circle, emphasizing their collective energy. During instrumental breaks, they subtly rotate positions, reinforcing the idea of shared spotlight.

Dancers: A small ensemble of contemporary dancers in translucent fabrics move in synchronized patterns, echoing the “synchro-swimming” metaphor from the music video. Their choreography blends fluidity with sudden accelerations, mirroring the song’s tempo shifts.

Opening Shot: A slow zoom from above, revealing the ripple floor projection and band formation.

Mid-song: Quick cuts between close-ups of the lead singer and wide shots of the dancers in motion.

Final Chorus: A sweeping crane shot that pulls back as all lights converge into a single beam shooting upward—symbolizing transcendence and unity.

Costuming: Subtle Dutch design elements—clean lines, minimalist tailoring, and hints of orange—are woven into the band’s wardrobe.

Instrumental Layering: A live string quartet joins mid-performance, echoing the studio version’s orchestral textures, adding emotional weight and a nod to Dutch classical traditions.

.


and also for Sweden

Backdrop: A rotating carousel of animated candy-colored landscapes—think pink deserts, glittering saloons, and rainbow tumbleweeds.

Floor Projection: A giant neon lasso loops and twirls across the stage, syncing with the beat and guiding transitions.

Lighting: Strobe bursts in pastel tones (lavender, mint, baby blue) with golden sparkles during the key change. Spotlights shaped like stars and horseshoes add whimsy.

Dolly Trio: Each member enters on a stylized “pony” prop (think My Little Pony meets mechanical bull), then dismounts for synchronized choreography with exaggerated line-dancing flair.

Dancers: A posse of backup dancers in glittery cowpoke gear perform high-energy routines with lassos, pom-poms, and inflatable cacti. Their moves blend cheerleading, voguing, and country stomp.

Opening Shot: A slow pan across the trio as they tip their hats and wink to camera.

Mid-song: Fast cuts between dance formations and close-ups of the girls’ playful expressions.

Final Chorus: A confetti cannon explodes as the trio rides carousel horses that rotate center-stage while the dancers form a star around them.

Costuming: Each Dolly Style member wears a pastel cowgirl outfit with Swedish flag accents—blue fringe, yellow rhinestones, and heart-shaped belt buckles.

Musical Easter Egg: A brief fiddle riff sampled from Swedish folk music is layered into the bridge, giving a wink to tradition beneath the glitter.

Props: Giant inflatable cupcakes and cotton candy clouds descend during the final chorus.

Audience Interaction: Glow lasso bracelets handed out pre-show light up in sync with the beat, turning the crowd into a sea of sparkling lassos.

.

and also for Turkiye

Backdrop: A slow-motion projection of swirling mist and dissolving calligraphy—representing memories and past actions being swept away by the wind.

Floor Projection: Cracked earth slowly healing as petals scatter across it, symbolizing emotional renewal.

Lighting: Cool tones dominate—steel blue, soft lavender, and pale gold. Occasional flashes of red during emotional peaks evoke passion and pain.

Sena’s Presence: She stands center-stage in a flowing, semi-transparent gown that reacts to wind machines, making her appear as if she’s dissolving into the breeze.

Dancers: A trio of contemporary dancers move like gusts—twisting, falling, and rising again. Their choreography mimics the push-pull of emotional struggle, with gestures that suggest resistance and surrender.

Opening Shot: A slow zoom through mist as Sena emerges from shadow, her silhouette gradually revealed.

Mid-song: Alternating close-ups of her expressive face and wide shots of dancers caught in wind tunnels.

Final Chorus: A slow aerial pullback as the stage fills with translucent fabric swirling above, creating a vortex of light and motion.

Costuming: Sena’s gown features subtle Ottoman embroidery patterns that shimmer under light, blending tradition with modern elegance.

Instrumental Layering: A live ney (reed flute) player joins during the bridge, adding a distinctly Turkish timbre that deepens the emotional resonance.

Wind Machines: Used sparingly to create moments where Sena’s voice seems to command the elements.

Smoke & Light Curtain: A curtain of fog and light descends during the final refrain, symbolizing the cleansing wind that “silinir” (erases) the past.

.

[Nicky91]

what Copilot can't be good for best invention ever

[Benjamin]

Had another listen and a few songs have shifted, the main one so far being Ireland going higher.


To make the final

Sweden - 4/5
Netherlands - 1/1
Tonga - 5/4
Ireland - 2/1
Denmark - 5/2
Germany - 3/1
USA - 3/1
Australia - 7/2
North Macedonia - 7/2
Liechtenstein - 4/1
Wales - 9/2
England - 5/1
Norway - 5/1
Spain - 11/2
Canada - 6/1
Bulgaria - 13/2
Japan - 7/1
Czech Republic - 7/1
Slovakia - 8/1
Peru - 10/1
Finland - 12/1
France - 15/1
Botswana - 20/1
Türkiye - 33/1
Singapore - 50/1


Belgium - TBC
Serbia - TBC

[Barry.]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

Early odds to make the final (these will likely change once I’ve listened to the songs more as these were based on one listen, and we still have a few more entries to come)


To make the final

Sweden - 4/5
Netherlands - 1/1
Tonga - 5/4
Germany - 2/1
Denmark - 5/2
Australia - 3/1
North Macedonia - 3/1
Japan - 7/1
Liechtenstein - 7/2
USA - 4/1
Ireland - 4/1
Wales - 9/2
England - 5/1
Spain - 5/1
Canada - 11/2
Bulgaria - 6/1
Norway - 13/2
Czech Republic - 7/1
Slovakia - 8/1
Peru - 10/1
Finland - 12/1
Botswana - 18/1
France - 20/1
Türkiye - 25/1
Singapore - 33/1


Belgium - TBC
Serbia - TBC

Uh oh mine not looking good

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Barry.

Uh oh mine not looking good

This are likely to change over the next week or so. I need to listen more (plus these could be entirely wrong).

[Benjamin]

I’ll be interested to see how the songs get ordered for semi-final. I have my predictions on where they will go and want to see if mine match Josiah’s to see how close I was

[Josiah.]

The Running Order for the semi-final is as follows:

FIRST HALF
No. 01 - Türkiye
No. 02 - Singapore
No. 03 - Denmark
No. 04 - Czechia
No. 05 - Australia
No. 06 - Norway
No. 07 - Belgium
No. 08 - Wales
No. 09 - Serbia
No. 10 - Germany
No. 11 - Finland
No. 12 - Canada
No. 13 - Liechtenstein
No. 14 - Sweden

SECOND HALF
No. 15 - Ireland
No. 16 - Tonga
No. 17 - England
No. 18 - Slovakia
No. 19 - Botswana
No. 20 - France
No. 21 - Spain
No. 22 - Netherlands
No. 23 - Peru
No. 24 - Japan
No. 25 - United States
No. 26 - Bulgaria
No. 27 - North Macedonia

[Kate!]

Originally Posted by Josiah.

The Running Order for the semi-final is as follows:

FIRST HALF
No. 01 - Türkiye
No. 02 - Singapore
No. 03 - Denmark
No. 04 - Czechia
No. 05 - Australia
No. 06 - Norway
No. 07 - Belgium
No. 08 - Wales
No. 09 - Serbia
No. 10 - Germany
No. 11 - Finland
No. 12 - Canada
No. 13 - Liechtenstein
No. 14 - Sweden

SECOND HALF
No. 15 - Ireland
No. 16 - Tonga
No. 17 - England
No. 18 - Slovakia
No. 19 - Botswana
No. 20 - France
No. 21 - Spain
No. 22 - Netherlands
No. 23 - Peru
No. 24 - Japan
No. 25 - United States
No. 26 - Bulgaria
No. 27 - North Macedonia

Fabulous Josiah.

[Benjamin]

So these were my predictions (green I got right)

Spoiler:

Wales
Czech Republic
Denmark
Singapore
Australia
Norway
Turkey
Finland
Canada
Liechtenstein
Serbia
Belgium
Germany
Sweden

England
Spain
Japan
Bulgaria
Botswana
France
Netherlands
Ireland
Slovakia
Peru
USA
Tonga
North Macedonia

[Benjamin]

I keep forgetting we have 3 entries to come.

[Benjamin]

Update on the odds to make the final now we have a running order (we still have Serbia and Belgium entries to be announced).

The top 3 are because they are well known and the forum usually puts well known songs through.

Again, this isn’t my personal preference (mine is VERY different):

Once we have Serbia and Belgium entries I’ll do a final odds before the voting.

To make the final

England - 4/5
Wales - 1/1
Spain - 5/4
Sweden - 5/4
Netherlands - 2/1
Tonga - 5/2
Ireland - 5/2
USA - 3/1
Denmark - 7/2
Finland - 7/2
Liechtenstein - 4/1
Germany - 9/2
Czech Republic - 5/1
Australia - 11/2
North Macedonia - 6/1
Norway - 7/1
Bulgaria - 8/1
Japan - 9/1
Slovakia - 10/1
Canada - 11/1
Peru - 12/1
France - 15/1
Botswana - 20/1
Türkiye - 33/1
Singapore - 50/1

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

Update on the odds to make the final now we have a running order (we still have Serbia and Belgium entries to be announced).

The top 3 are because they are well known and the forum usually puts well known songs through.

Again, this isn’t my personal preference (mine is VERY different):

Once we have Serbia and Belgium entries I’ll do a final odds before the voting.

To make the final

England - 4/5
Wales - 1/1
Spain - 5/4
Sweden - 5/4
Netherlands - 2/1
Tonga - 5/2
Ireland - 5/2
USA - 3/1
Denmark - 7/2
Finland - 7/2
Liechtenstein - 4/1
Germany - 9/2
Czech Republic - 5/1
Australia - 11/2
North Macedonia - 6/1
Norway - 7/1
Bulgaria - 8/1
Japan - 9/1
Slovakia - 10/1
Canada - 11/1
Peru - 12/1
France - 15/1
Botswana - 20/1
Türkiye - 33/1
Singapore - 50/1

Where's Italy?

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

Where's Italy?

Italy is already in the final. This is just odds to reach the final.

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

Italy is already in the final. This is just odds to reach the final.

Ah ok I see.

[Josiah.]

Points tables for the seventeenth edition are now on the wiki!

I'm also planning on bringing back the "Current Standings" graphics after the jury voting is completed, along with a couple other minor tweaks.

[Josiah.]

And here's the article announcing 27 of the 33 artists (4 of the artists were revealed in July):

https://sites.google.com/view/tibb-m...or-auckland-18

[Kate!]

Thank you Josiah x

[Josiah.]

Still amazes me that there's only 2 songs left to be picked.

[Benjamin]

Is it 20 or 22 on the final now btw?

[Josiah.]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

Is it 20 or 22 on the final now btw?

I have thought about having 22 songs in the final, but I don't want to give myself too much work with editing the recap. But if there's 22 songs in the final, that means 2 more songs to potentially get points.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Josiah.

I have thought about having 22 songs in the final, but I don't want to give myself too much work with editing the recap. But if there's 22 songs in the final, that means 2 more songs to potentially get points.

Stick with 20 if easier for you. I was just asking so when I do final odds I can try to predict more accurately.

[Ammi]

…I’m going to be really dumb and ask the question because I can’t recall from last time when we had a semi…so the 20 for the final…?…is that 20 songs to include or exclude the big 6 qualifiers/is 20 the total we’ll have in the final or 20 plus those automatics…?…I’m not listening to the qualifiers atm btw, just the ones to look at putting through…

[Josiah.]

Originally Posted by Ammi

…I’m going to be really dumb and ask the question because I can’t recall from last time when we had a semi…so the 20 for the final…?…is that 20 songs to include or exclude the big 6 qualifiers/is 20 the total we’ll have in the final or 20 plus those automatics…?…I’m not listening to the qualifiers atm btw, just the ones to look at putting through…

The 20 songs for the final includes those that are in the Big 6 (6+14=20).

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Josiah.

The 20 songs for the final includes those that are in the Big 6 (6+14=20).

…cheers me dears…..I’m going to have to lose more of my list before the showdown to the final, then…whelp….

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Ammi

…cheers me dears…..I’m going to have to lose more of my list before the showdown to the final, then…whelp….

-looks at list and cuts all of Ammi’s songs-