The Eurovision Song Contest provides Europeans with plenty of entertainment when it takes place annually. It might not be best known for its singing ability, though.
Whilst many nations from around Europe – and including Australia – look to try and win the most points from their respective competing nations to try and win the overall competition, it could be argued that many use the time on the stage to create a performance that steals the show and leaves viewers having memories of it for the as long as they live.
Of course, the competition has become a huge hit over the years, as it has continued to be competed on for over a decade, whilst a whole betting market has opened up with many bettors taking advantage when betting on the Eurovision finalist become available.
Here are just some of the most memorable and iconic moments from previous competitions, whilst we also take a look at what can be expected from the 2021 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest when it takes place in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Verka Serduchka
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The name Verka Serduchka might not ring any bells, but when you see a visual of the Ukrainian representative, memories from the 2007 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will come flooding back.
Cladded in silver tin foil, Ukraine’s drag queen provided the world with a song that had a repetitive chorus and a dance equal to it, with two dancers pulling out all the moves! Many will remember the silver outfit and the star she had on her head, whilst others may remember it came second that year.
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ABBA
In 1974, ABBA provided the Eurovision Song Contest with their song ‘Waterloo’, which today remains an iconic moment in the history of the signing competition. The Swedish band, who famously consisted of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, would go on to achieve a huge amount of success around the world with their songs, releasing hit after hit.
However, their ‘Waterloo’ track would see them be catapulted into the music scene, as they would go on to win the 1974 edition of the competition.
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Loreen
Sweden would go on to have another Eurovision Song Contest winner in 2012, when Loreen would go on to produce an incredible performance for her track called ‘Euphoria’. Like her fellow natives ABBA, she would go on to achieve huge success following the competition as the song would go on to chart in a number of European music lists, including a top 3 in the UK.
Lordi
It might have been 15 years ago, but many who watched the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006 will have some recollection about the act that won that edition. If you do not, let us remind you.
Lordi performed their rock hit ‘Hard Rock Hallelujah’ and would go on to win the Athens-based contest as they had scored 292 points, which was a record for the time, before going on to achieve global success.
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The performance stole the show that year, though, as they had the frequent use of pyrotechnics and flames blaring in the background, whilst they donned monster costumes to add to the overall display.
Conchita Wurst
Austria’s 2014 entry was Conchita Wurst, who was memorable as the ‘Bearded Lady’. Wurst, who was also known by the name Thomas Neuwirth, was a drag queen who sang ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’ and managed to provide his nation with the Eurovision Song Contest title that year, as her performance was considered to be a little over-the-top but not too over-the-top for the overall occasion.
Who is competing this year?
There are a total of 41 countries to participate in the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest in an edition that is going to be one not to be missed. There will be two semi-finals in which 35 nations will take part in, with 10 acts from each one going on to compete in the final alongside the ‘Big 5’ that consist of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as hosts, The Netherlands.
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Those that do consider betting on the competition will find that Malta is considered the overwhelming favourite for this year’s crown, with Destiny Chukunyere representing them. She has history in big singing contests, as she won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2015 representing the country, whilst she also reached the semi-final stage of Britain’s Got Talent in 2017. Despite having already achieved so much, she is still only 18 years old.
Other countries thought to be in the running of winning the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest include Barbara Pravi (France), Switzerland’s Gjon Tears and Italy’s Måneskin.
Business
Co-op Live boss resigns just days before venue’s official opening
Daisy Jackson
The boss of Co-op Live, Manchester’s enormous, ground-breaking new arena, has resigned from his position just days before the venue is set to open.
The enormous music-first arena has been taking shape beside the Etihad Stadium for several years, and was due to welcome its first official audiences this week, but has been hit with last-minute challenges.
And now Co-op Live‘s boss Gary Roden has quit the mammoth project, with the news of his resignation announced late Thursday evening.
Oak View Group, which Co-op Live is part of, said in a statement that they would like to ‘thank Gary for his help bringing the UK’s newest arena to live entertainment fans’.
Stepping into his shoes as interim general manager will be Rebecca Kane Burton, who previously ran the U.K.’s highest-grossing venue, London’s The O2 arena.
Gary has previously come under fire for saying that some grassroots music venues ‘poorly run’ – a statement that OVG has now distanced itself from.
A separate statement said that ‘neither Co-op Live nor Oak View Group share the sentiment expressed by former Co-op Live General Manager Gary Roden regarding the grassroots industry’.
It continued: “As OVG Chairman and CEO Tim Leiweke has repeatedly stated, Co-op Live remains committed to grassroots music in Manchester and beyond, including teaming up with Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham on the Artist of the Month campaign, and as a founding partner of Beyond The Music.
“Co-op Live also donates over £1m a year to the Co-op Foundation to support communities and empower young people to take social action through its new Young Gamechangers fund.
“Oak View Group and Co-op Live remain happy to meet with grassroots organisations once the venue is fully operational.”
Co-op Live boss Gary Roden speaking at the launch of Co-op Live just days before he resigned. Credit: The Manc GroupInside Co-op Live in Manchester
The news of the venue’s boss stepping down comes at a time when all eyes are on Co-op Live, the opening of which has been delayed.
The venue did host a test event with Rick Astley last weekend, but even that faced difficulties, with thousands of tickets cancelled to reduce capacity just hours before showtime.
It’s now set to officially open this Saturday 27 April with a performance by rock group The Black Keys.
The full statement from OVG about Gary’s resignation said: “Gary Roden has decided to resign. We’d like to thank Gary for his help bringing the UK’s newest arena to live entertainment fans and wish him the best for the future.
“Rebecca Kane Burton has been named Interim GM, effective today. Rebecca is a seasoned veteran of venue management and live entertainment in the UK having served as VP/GM of The O2 from 2012-2016 and CEO of LW Theatres from 2016-2021.
Chester Zoo named best zoo in the UK thanks to more than 11,000 ‘excellent’ ratings
Emily Sergeant
It’s official… Chester Zoo has been named to best zoo in the UK for 2024.
Everyone in and around Greater Manchester and the North West is familiar with just how brilliant the UK’s biggest charity zoo is and all the work it contributes towards conservation and protecting endangered species all across the world – but now, it’s got itself a respectable new title to prove it, and it’s all thanks to tens of thousands of positive TripAdvisor reviews.
The world’s biggest travel guidance platform has named Chester Zoo as the best-rated zoo to visit in the UK this year, with more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings.
Based on millions of online reviews, the new ranking puts the beloved Cheshire-based attraction ahead of the country’s other zoos after earning consistently good feedback from its visitors.
Chester Zoo has been named the best zoo in the UK for 2024 / Credit: Chester Zoo
According to Chester Zoo, the “wonderful news” means that, as a conservation charity, it can continue its work with countries across the world to “help all animals survive and thrive”, as well as provide expert care to the 37,000 animals who currently call the zoo their home.
The zoo has also thanked its visitors for all their continued support each year, as this allows to “keep making a difference”.
“With every admission ticket, membership, animal adoption, or experience purchased, you are contributing to our mission of preventing extinction,” Chester Zoo said in a statement.
We've been named the BEST zoo in the UK, thanks to YOU! 🇬🇧
This news comes after receiving thousands of positive reviews on the travel website, Tripadvisor 🙌
Your support helps us to protect more than 500 of the world's most threatened animal and plant species🐅🌱
Speaking on the coveted new TripAdvisor title, Jamie Chirston, who is the CEO at Chester Zoo, says he’s “over the moon to be named the best zoo in the UK”, adding in a statement that: “It’s an incredible achievement and especially pleasing given it’s based on thousands upon thousands of genuine reviews and opinions.
“It’s a real seal of approval from our visitors, and testament to every single one of our dedicated, hardworking, and talented staff that make our conservation zoo the wonderful place it is.
“Every time someone walks through our gates, not only do they enjoy all kinds of wildlife experiences and a have great day out, but they’re also contributing to the vital conservation work we carry out here and around the world, and that’s why, as a not-for-profit conservation zoo, this top TripAdvisor ranking means such an awful lot to us.
It’s all thanks to more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings by visitors on TripAdvisor / Credit: Chester Zoo
“It’s confirmation that we’re getting things right for our visitors, [which is] especially important as, together, we’re preventing extinction and making a real difference for wildlife.”
The UK’s best zoo isn’t the only title Chester Zoo has claimed this month either, as TripAdvisor has also listed it as the eighth-best zoo or aquarium to visit in the whole of Europe too.
The Manc -
17th May 2021 
