Julia Redhead

It's not often I think of myself as old but I've just realised that the first time I saw Björk was at the Brits 30 years ago! 30! That's a lot!!

Also this morning, I've finally become the last Eurofan to hear Sal da Vinci's song 🇮🇹. In a turbulent year, this might be a balm that unites us all behind 'classic song done well' - who could argue against that?

Sunday morning #Melfest catch-up over coffee - will miss this! Best heat I think? Definitely better than last week. Did not expect to enjoy Delulu as much as I did! And Sanna was great too.

Not at all sure I'm down with the two qualifiers from Second Chance - not bad, but just offer nothing.

Just finished UMK too. Best song won, not gonna say Finland are nailed on winners, but it's looking good.

Now I feel weird because 2 MFs in one night is the most Eurovision I've taken in this season in one go and it's so fun but...........the elephant remains.

OK Jonas Lovv as the winner of MGP is definitely the best choice. This has personality! It's not winning Eurovision but it'll bring a lot of fun along the way.

Watched MGP...kept up with UMK...keeping an eye on Germany. The one Saturday I'm in to watch and it's chaos.

Erika has so much charisma, I don't think this is her best song but she sells it!

I always carry them but never thought it'd be for this reason 😖

This week I've either been working late or ill, so unable to follow Sanremo. But I'm unexpectedly free to watch UMK and then the 🇮🇹 final, and ready for this to be my most engaged evening of the year!

Best way to sum up that game is that we scored 5, but I kept my earplugs in because the toxic moaners around me had enough to carry on their usual form.

Been off social media for a couple of days. Lovely to come back on this lunchtime and see my timelines filled with hope and positivity about Hannah Spencer's win 💚

Only the beginning of what needs doing, but seeing the strategy of leaning into division fail so decisively is great.

Yep, totally understandable!!

I've got very close friends from Kharkiv, I've visited the city with them. It's majority Russian-speaking. One of them was my first Russian teacher! They do NOT support Russia.

We hosted one of their friends as a refugee for 2 years in our home. We spoke Russian: it was her language, that's all.

Слава Україні 🇺🇦

I spoke better Russian than he did English. I told him I'd been to Russia, but liked Kyiv more than Moscow or St Petersburg (no lies told). He took this keyring off his own keys for me as a souvenir.

He was about my age. I've thought about what might have happened to him a lot in the last 4 years.

He lived locally but had just come out to enjoy the atmosphere.

He asked me whether we liked Kyiv. I told him that it was my 2nd visit to the city and that I loved it, and my friends were understanding why. (/2)

On the 4th anniversary of Russia invading Ukraine, I'm thinking about the man who gave me this keyring.

It was in 2018, when Liverpool got to the Champions League final in Kyiv. We didn't win but had an amazing time anyway. Went for pints in Independence Square & got talking to a man. (/1)

Scott Walker - It's Raining Today Listen to It's Raining Today on TIDAL

Been on a Scott Walker kick recently. This song has (for obvious reasons) been in my head & ears a lot lately but just gets more perfect the more I play it.

tidal.com/track/205162...

Spotted when heading into the gym at 6.55: actual blue sky! Winter is ending 😊

Spotted when heading into the gym at 6.55: actual blue sky! Winter is ending 😊

Obsessed with how clearly none of the athletes walking around during this French anthem want to be on this stage.

True, plus not like they don't have enough good songs to fill the airtime.

OK yes I will concede that the Humming Chorus may have been a better choice for that particular moment.

Turned on the closing ceremony just as Gabry Ponte came on and WHY didn't he play Tutta L'Italia???

We were absolutely dire. But that feels like a big win. Ridiculous circumstances in the end to add to the absurdity 🔴

😂😂😂😂
🔴

Another morning #Melfest catch-up: what a boring heat. 3 songs that didn't engage me at all, one that wasn't as good as last year's, and then the qualifiers.

Cimberly's thing was fine, but wish she'd been less static. Smash Into Pieces also fine, but metal doesn't have to mean you can't enunciate.

Ah, that was such a hard interview with the curling team. Clearly so gutted.

Amazing!! Have the best time!

The one Saturday this month I'm in and could watch Melfest live...but sorry Swedes, it's all about the curling in our house now! 🥌