First time in 28 years
Updated 23.16 | Published 22.57
Alexander Rybak was given a red light.
Linda Lampenius gets green.
The EBU has made the historic decision to let her play the violin live at Eurovision.
28 years ago, in 1998, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) decided to scrap the orchestra and instead require pre-recorded music for Eurovision entries. Since then, television viewers have not heard any live musicians from the stage.
But now a historic exception is made. Linda Lampenius – who competes for Finland and is the favorite to win the competition – gets to play the violin live during the contribution “Liekinheitin”.
“We are very honored and grateful to be a part of history. After countless rehearsals, tests and discussions, we are proud to announce that Linda Lampenius gets permission and will play the violin parts live on the Eurovision stage”, says her official Instagram account.
“It gives us immense joy that her voice will be heard through her violin during the greatest of musical evenings”.
Eurovision has confirmed the decision on Instagram.
“Unique decision”
According to Aftonbladet’s Eurovision expert Tobbe Ek, this is a rare exception on the part of the EBU.
– As far as I can remember, no instruments, apart from the occasional harmonica, have been heard live in Eurovision since the orchestra was abolished after 1998. Rather, the rules have specified that all music must be pre-recorded, he says.
He notes that not even the Norwegian Alexander Rybak played live when he won Eurovision 2009 with the song “Fairytale”.
– This is a completely unique decision from the EBU and really something that can benefit Linda Lampenius and make Finland even bigger advance favorites than they already are.
Finland is the clear favorite to take home Eurovision ahead of countries like Denmark and Greece.
