The search for Serbia’s entry for Eurovision was finally decided at “Beovizija 2020” a star studded elaborate Serbian National competition broadcast by Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) and held in Belgrade. There were a total of 12 competing acts, and interludes that included the show hosts performing a long 1990 song medley and interval guest appearances by previous Eurovision performers Marija Serifovic (winner 2007) and Hari Mata Hari (3rd place 2006).
The winner for 2020 by a massive margin was the pop R&B Serbian girl band “Hurricane” . The trio is made up of Sanja Vuсic, IvanaNickolic and Ksenija Knezevic, and their winning song was “Hasta la Vista”. Don’t get me wrong, but have a quick look at it and tell me what it reminds you of...yes “Fuego” or maybe even a little of “Siren” with its opening horns- and all their reincarnations perhaps? It is an energetic, dance beat pop with all the sexiness that can be squeezed into 3 silver leotards
While the trio’s costumes and choreography was dazzling...perhaps even sizzling, Hurricane’s vocal consistency is concerning as I feel only Sanja has a voice that can remain solid while dancing and gyrating at the pace that this performance demands. Sanja previously represented Serbia in 2016 with her song “Goodbye/Shelter” and she performed well under pressure then and hopefully can do the same in Rotterdam. Ksenija, ( another member of the trio) is the daughter of famous Serbian ESC performer Knez and she was one of his background singers in his 2015 Eurovision performance. Hurricane is a big step up for her. But the trio has enjoyed much success in Serbia and they did win both the jury and public vote in the final so there is plenty of support for this dance number. It is reported that the entire audience and studio were up dancing by the end of Hurricane’s performance in the final so if that carries thru to Rotterdam, then Serbia may have a winner!
Beovizija 2020 did have some interesting original songs in the list tho and I feel with some support they could have achieved a final’s berth for Serbia at Eurovision too. These songs included LIFT (a young rock band with an energetic song) and also Milan Bujakovic and Oliveira Popovic with their song “Niti”, a slow burning number with powerful vocals from Milan.
Also worthy of winning were performances that were professional and polished on the night. This included runner up Naiva (Ivana Jajcanin), a polical science student who is an emerging singer from West Serbia. Her song was “Bas bas”. This was a catchy song, smooth dancing, with good rhythm and certainly a bit of fun for me in the long slog of the final. It exuded happy vibes and I enjoyed her easy performance and with the brassy backup and traditional accordion music it was something a bit different for me. Naiva was 2nd in the public vote and third in the jury vote. I hope to see more of her in the future.
Third placed was Igor Simic. This was an out of the box performance with a song called “ Ples za Rästanak” . Wow...now this held my interest from start to finish. Pop dance number ( the song style a bit outdated) but with excellent choreography and an original feel to the performance, Igor and his 4 back up dancers were iridescent and dazzling. Igor said he was aiming for a “fairytale” feel with his costume and staging, but i felt it was more tribal and ritualistic but perhaps Serbian fairytales are dark and more interesting than what I am used to!
All in all there were enough acts to entertain and certainly enough talent to keep Serbia humming along into the Eurovision future. I just felt a little disappointed that Hurricane‘s performance and staging seems so familiar.