For the first time since semifinals were introduced in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004, Greece failed to advance to the finals this year.
Greece’s song was called “Utopian Land” and was performed by the Thessaloniki-based band Argo, which fused rap with the traditional Pontian lyra and lyrics about Greece’s financial crisis and the experiences of refugees. (Official video below)
Sweden, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom get automatic qualification into the final round since they are founding members of the contest while all other European nations must qualify in a semifinal round.
Like voters, fans on Twitter were not impressed:
Strange instruments. Terrible rapping. Horrible singing. This is more like it. Eurovision has FINALLY BEGUN! Thank you Greece! #ESC2016
— Greg Poehler (@GregPoehler) May 10, 2016
Take a second to think about how bad the songs must have been that LOST to this song. #Greece #ESC2016
— Greg Poehler (@GregPoehler) May 10, 2016
If Greece goes into the final, I will run naked at the UN. #Eurovision #esc2016
— Іван Мамелетзіс (він/його) 🇺🇦🍉🕊🦠🧬 🎾 (@mylittlebaklava) May 10, 2016
Why didn't Greece stick with the alwayss winning half naked woman singing a dance trash tune? #ESC2016
— Giulio Gasparin (@GiulioGasparin) May 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/antof/status/730115077093863424
Sorry, Greece: Uninspired pseudo-rap doesn't cut it. #ESC2016
— BjörC./TeamNaturist (@IbanSaram) May 10, 2016
Watch the official Greek entry here:
