The Cafe de Paris - Eurovision Style!

Last year, I bought a VIP ticket to the London Eurovision Party; a preview show for the contest itself that was held in Vienna in 2015. Sitting up in the balconies of the Café de Paris, with my good friends Chris and Pam, we enjoyed a brilliant show and then, somehow, managed to get backstage thanks to the wonderful hostess, Nicki French. Meeting 2014 winner Conchita and being served drinks by eventual winner of 2015, Mans Zelmerlow was as good as it gets.

This year, again buying a VIP ticket, I didn't expect history to repeat itself. I am now going to say a phrase that I tend to say a lot in this blog.

"How wrong I was."

We'll begin at the start of the night, as we were directed to our seats front and centre on the balcony. We realised we were slap bang in line with the stage, but also the large chandelier which blocked our view slightly. We had to wait an hour for the show to start, as we mingled with the distinguished guests, including Paul Jordan who used to give expertise analysis on the semi-final shows on the BBC, but now works for Eurovision. It allowed us to get suitably tipsy before the festivities began.

Act after act, mostly from this year's class of Eurovision but also some old faces returned to give us a three-hour spectacular. First up was Nicky Byrne of Westlife fame, representing Ireland this year with his song 'Sunlight' and then 18 more faces from the Class of 2016, intertwined with witty hosting skills from Paddy O'Connell and the mighty Nicki French. The show was truly superb and very enjoyable. My favourites from this year are 'Minus One' from Cyprus, 'Amir' from France who got a very good reception and, after seeing her performance last night, Zoe from Austria.

Halfway through the show, chatting along with the other guests in our booths and dancing along to the acts, a young man sat down next to me. I merely said, "Hey!" cheerfully, receiving the same in response, but after doing a double take, I realised it was the Swedish entry, Frans.

Sweden LOVE Eurovision. They have an eight-week contest to choose the entry, called Melodifestivalen and the guy who just nonchalantly sat down next to me was the guy who won it. His song, 'If I Were Sorry' has received a mixed reception, but I personally like it and he and his family were really nice people. This was the first surprise* of the evening, with many more to come.

*Name Drop

Frans & I, catching him after his
performance at the Café de Paris.

He didn't stay for an awful long time, as he was due on stage but he came straight back up afterwards and was mobbed by die-hard Eurovision fans who wanted photos. (Yes, that does include me!)

The show continued, as the audience grew louder and louder as the more popular acts performed. Amir from France got the loudest reaction of the night, with his song being one of the favourites.

The show finished with a rendition of 'You're Not Alone' by the UK act, Joe & Jake, who had got through their own (much smaller) selection show a few months ago. They were joined on stage by a drunk Scott Mills, and they received great cheers to cap what was a marvellous event.


Afterwards, the party continued with a Eurovision disco as we immediately joined everyone else down on the dance floor. It was at this point last year where Nicki had summoned us backstage and the crazy memories ensued. I had told myself that it was a one-off; that we wouldn't get invited back there again, so I got on with dancing and more drinking and put that thought to the back of my mind.

That was until a gentleman called Jody arrived, carrying an ice bucket to take backstage. Chris is good friends with Jody and after not much persuasion, we were following him back to the same room I was amazed to be in 12 months earlier. Some of the acts had left, as the time was ticking on, but the first people I noticed as I walked in through the doors were Joe & Jake, drinking a couple of beers and looking generally laid back. There was also Justs (the Latvian entry), and all of Minus One from Cyprus. After a brief stay, Chris & Pam followed Nicki back out to the dance floor, but there was no way I was leaving.

Selfie time with Joe & Jake (both in black)

I have to admit, I am a complete sucker for celebrity hunting. I just love the feeling of brief importance it gives you for that small period of time, and being able to say you met the people who millions will be supporting in May. After a chat with an Icelandic delegate at the bar, I found myself standing next to Joe & Jake and simply started chatting with them. It was as if they were my mates; so laid back and down to Earth and after they got their (free) drinks from the bar they invited me over to their corner.

Once again, I was in that zone. I felt extremely honoured to be there, and it was a great experience. There was another chap called Matthew, who had found himself backstage after an exchange with Greta from Iceland who was more star struck than I was.

Jake (nearest the camera) told me all about his experiences on The Voice and Joe, all about his own journey on the show. They are both so passionate about doing well in Stockholm and they are desperate to do well for the country.

As they both drifted off at about 01:30, I stuck around to chat to a few more of the VIP's backstage, helped myself to a couple more free drinks and called it a night, with the same smile from ear to ear I had walked out with a year ago. I never thought I would get to experience the high life again, but it goes to show the generosity of the inner sanctums of the Eurovision circle. Everyone just wants to make everyone else happy.


So once more, I come home with special memories and a VIP badge to show for it. Thank you to Chris & Pam for sharing the memories for me as well as Jody & Nicki for their generosity in opening up a whole new world. Two years of Eurovision parties, with two years of stunning memories.

Bring on Stockholm!