The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), as the organizer of the Eurovision Song Contest, made an exception to the rules and Finland violinist Linda Lampenius will play her instrument live during the final performance. TASR writes about it according to the Finnish public broadcaster YLE.
- The European Broadcasting Union allowed Linda Lampenius to play live during the final.
- The instrumental part of the Eurovision performances is usually just a pre-recorded backing track.
Classically trained violinist Linda Lampenius (also known under the stage name Linda Brava) represents Finland in Vienna together with singer Peta Parkkonen and the composition Liekinheitin (Flame Launcher). The Eurovision Song Contest has strict rules. Contestants are usually only allowed to sing and the instrumental part of their song is actually a recording played to accompany their singing.
If a singer is accompanied on stage by guitarists, drummers and other musicians, it is usually playback and they are only pretending to play the instrument. This is due to the fast schedule of performances, which does not allow for quick changes to the sound settings for many performers and to ensure that their instruments are equally well prepared, sounded and tuned. During the tests, Lampenius showed that she could handle the situation, and The EBU approved her live performance. Both performers passed the first dress rehearsal in Vienna without any problems, when the rest of the music track was recorded by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.
According to international bookmakers, Finland has a 35 to 43 percent chance of winning. Other main favorites include Denmark, Greece, France, Ukraine and Israel, although betting odds often change dramatically after the general and semi-final appearances, according to the bookies.
