Eurovision: five acts to watch

While host country Denmark was widely tipped to take the Eurovision crown last year, the outcome looks more uncertain this time round.

Here are some of the songs people in Copenhagen have been talking about this week:

Armenia: Aram MP3 - Not Alone

Long the bookmakers’ favourite, Aram MP3’s dubstep ballad was abandoned by punters after Tuesday’s semi-final in favour of Sweden’s Sanna Nielsen.

The emotional song may have been hampered by a somewhat unemotional performance by the stand-up comedian, whose name dates back to his previous career impersonating famous singers.

Sweden: Sanna Nielsen - Undo

The Swedish balladeer became the bookies’ top choice by a narrow margin after delivering a stellar semi-final rendition of what could well have been a Disney theme song.

To be fair she has had time to practise — this year was the blonde singer’s seventh attempt at becoming Sweden’s Eurovision candidate, a tough task in a country that takes the event incredibly seriously.

The Netherlands: The Common Linnets - The Calm After the Storm

Singers Ilse DeLange and Wayon travelled to Nashville, Tennessee to perfect this mellow country song, which has seen its odds slashed since Tuesday.

“Understated” is hardly a word associated with Eurovision, and faced by competition from Greece’s trampoline, Ukraine’s giant hamster wheel and two Russian twins on a seesaw, this number may fail to leave an impression.

However, if an outsider is going to win, this could be it.

Britain: Molly - Children of the Universe

For many Brits, Eurovision is an excuse to get drunk and drop mildly xenophobic jokes about other Europeans, after which it is concluded that for political reasons, nobody voted for them. But things could be about to change.

After the name recognition of eighties power ballad icon Bonnie Tyler failed to deliver last year, Britain is represented by unknown singer-songwriter Molly Smitten-Downes, who some British fans believe could hand them their first victory since 1997’s Love Shine a Light by Katrina and the Waves.

Austria: Conchita Wurst - Rise Like a Phoenix

Although hardly a candidate for the top spot, Austria’s bearded drag queen is likely to get a lot of attention for his eye-catching appearance, which has prompted petitions in eastern Europe to have him removed from the competition.

The beard and the hair may be fake, but Wurst is a real star whose song would not sound out of place in the next James Bond movie.