France FRANCE 2023 - La Zarra - Évidemment

[ESC United Mod Team]

 

[popavapeur]

Would a rap perfomer come forward and be selected, be nice to see some French rap at Eurovision?

This is not my genre I don't know it that well, but I feel like we could get a Stefania with the rap artists that are more on the "musical side" than the "heavy lyrics spitting side"

 

[EscGeek]

I actually like her reaction.. i think it was subtle enough and very entertaining
I'll take this over going on social media and complaining about how it's all politics any day.

She also has that "oomph" to be allowed to react like that and get away with it i think...Bless her

 

[Kant1]

Would a rap perfomer come forward and be selected, be nice to see some French rap at Eurovision?

The day when Lomepal (or other rappers) will represent France at Eurovision is not about to happen
To most French artists, Eurovision is not taken seriously, and most of all they have other bigger concerts / festivals to prepare at that time. They would have everything to lose by participating at Eurovision

 

[SpiritofKeiino]

The day when Lomepal (or other rappers) will represent France at Eurovision is not about to happen
To most French artists, Eurovision is not taken seriously, and most of all they have other bigger concerts / festivals to prepare at that time. They would have everything to lose by participating at Eurovision

Is that because of an 'image problem' of Eurovision in France? Or is it simply a reflection of the large French music market where an artist can genuinely make money domestically without having to opt for Eurovision?

 

[popavapeur]

I mean it's the same problem in a lot of countries :
Those that are big names won't even bother participating cause the contest is seen as dated with bad music and political issues
but there's always those artists that aren't that big but not totally unknown either (La Zarra is a good example) that could accept cause it's gonna put a spotlight on their career.

I didn't know La Zarra before she was announced lol but she actually charted with a single that got popular on the radio/spotify

 

[Kant1]

Is that because of an 'image problem' of Eurovision in France? Or is it simply a reflection of the large French music market where an artist can genuinely make money domestically without having to opt for Eurovision?

Both are correct !

Eurovision in France in kind of "cringe" to the population, so therefore the artists are not that enthusiatic in participating. The fact that we've had bad results in the 2010s has impact a lot the image I think (2014, 2015).

As I said, these kind of artists that could participate would have everything to lose; so Eurovision is clearly not their priority. I don't even think they know what are the rules of the contest lol

 

[HarryUK]

This was definitely NOT a mid table performance. I was crying at the end. So beautiful. Deserved top 5

 

[4815162342]

So what's going on with the French betting odds each year?

2018 Madame Monsieur suddenly started rising in late April until they reached #2 during rehearsals week, finished outside Top 10.
2019 Bilal Hassani suddenly started rising,reached #3 the week before the final, finished outside Top 15.
Now this year the same happens to La Zarra, rising as high as #3 a week before the final, finishes outside Top 15 again.

This year France did exceptionally well in eurojury which is one of the strongest influences on the betting odds. Normally entries that do that well in both eurojury and polls do also do well in the contest.

In 2019 the press went crazy during Bilal's first performance and the market overracted thinking this would be another 'Fuego' case like the year before.
Keep in mind that there are several high rollers (who bet 100.000€ and more each year) in the press centre who are the first to jump on odds. Then a snowball effect happens when all fans look at odds and think this will be a winner and they also want a piece of the cake, so more money gets thrown into. Those high rollers can then cash out on lower odds on the exchange market if they want to. Bilal did also decent on eurojury and I remember some people in the betting community hyped him up all season.

2018 I dont remember them being #2?

 

[Judas]

This is crazy that the juries totally ignored France. Classy, simple, to the ears and quality voice. What else did the jury actually need??

 

[SpiritofKeiino]

This is crazy that the juries totally ignored France. Classy, simple, to the ears and quality voice. What else did the jury actually need??

I had heard mixed reports about the jury performance, some who attended said it was great and others the opposite? So not sure what was the truth.

I'm curious as it did so well in Eurojury (yes I know that's not directly comparable, but still it was picking up points everywhere). What happened?

 

[shameless]

So what's going on with the French betting odds each year?

2018 Madame Monsieur suddenly started rising in late April until they reached #2 during rehearsals week, finished outside Top 10.
2019 Bilal Hassani suddenly started rising,reached #3 the week before the final, finished outside Top 15.
Now this year the same happens to La Zarra, rising as high as #3 a week before the final, finishes outside Top 15 again.

Thanks for summing up what had to be one of the most depressing journeys once rehearsals started for a country. My french partner just got into ESC recently but now (a musician himself) fully goes into is and is crazy and excited when their entrance is betted high and celebrated it a lot. The last years were though for him because every evening ended with a disappointment - even when Pravi got 2nd place he was sad because it was so close.

I just wish manages somehow to be less of a try-hard and more chilled about their selection. The song this year was top3 material and I don't know why it failed but they could've also scored well with Seamone which was denied by Bilal-fans so I don't know which format is the best for them.

 

[Gera11]

Can't say I'm surprised by her overall result, she's been nothing but a disappointment in her live performance. I was hoping the juries would like it a bit more, though. It's such a shame because it climbed to my 4th favourite position this year

 

[Seok-jin]

Queen of the night in that televote sequence when they announced the points

 

[JenJen94]

This was definitely NOT a mid table performance. I was crying at the end. So beautiful. Deserved top 5

Absolutely agree with you! She was my 3rd place. It was so classy and beautiful, am surprised it came mid.

 

[Bmbriga]

Is that because of an 'image problem' of Eurovision in France? Or is it simply a reflection of the large French music market where an artist can genuinely make money domestically without having to opt for Eurovision?

It's like that in every country. Established and very popular artists have nothing to gain and a lot to lose if they flop.
It was like that before, but today with internet and people tearing them apart in comments it's probably even more so.
I'm not really sure any country sent a very popular performer for years.
The only exception is maybe Italy, because their first goal is to go and winn San Remo and ESC comes as a cute bonus afterwards.

Also, really popular stuff, with a lot of views and streams often has no place in ESC, like forementioned rap or trap.

 

[Gera11]

Honestly I'm fine if countries don't send established acts, the song is way more important. We've had way too many big names who delivered a wet towel of a song.

 

[Looren]

I did my research and she made the "Toz" sign (i'm too old to know what it's all about) : a word which apparently comes from Arabic and could be translated by "Whatever" "Doesn't Matter" or can be used instead of a "No" (example : Can You Come tonight ? * Toz Sign * )

I won't say it's better than the middle finger in its meaning but It wasn't a middle finger at least

got the explanation from this site (in French) : https://www.programme-tv.net/news/buzz/66076-que-veut-dire-toz/

Well yes but no

That gesture she did is often used in Morocco and it's almost the same as a middle finger

What a childish behaviour, it was like watching my little cousin on TV lmao, my respect for her died

 

[Bmbriga]

Honestly I'm fine if countries don't send established acts, the song is way more important. We've had way too many big names who delivered a wet towel of a song.

I absolutely agree.
And sometimes they are chosen in NF just because they are known, when there are better songs.

 

[SpiritofKeiino]

Well yes but no

That gesture she did is often used in Morocco and it's almost the same as a middle finger

What a childish behaviour, it was like watching my little cousin on TV lmao, my respect for her died

I thought it was very ungracious of her. Good riddance to her after that and hopefully next year we get a French entry with more grace.

 

[Citelis]

Fandom and odds constantly overrate the potential of French entries and that ruined her. She probably thought that she was going for a better result so i don't blame her for her reaction. She has the right not to be happy with the result!
The song still sounds average to me and the whole staging cliche and ugly. The result seems fair to me.