Today all participating performers from the two semi-finals will have rehearsed on the ESC stage, thursday the Big 5 countries and the host country will rehearse for the first time. Even if it’s early, it’s already possible summarize and get a first impression, some entries win in their live performances and some loose and did not meet the expectation. In the first rehearsals, nothing is perfect and all the different people, technicians, cameramen, sound engineers, etc. must find the best opportunity for each entry. Today we saw a bunch of totally different entries, on which we are going to take a closer look.

Georgia

The Georgian entry is a very quiet song so it needs a decent stage setting. And that’s what Tornike got, a very dark stage, blue clouds and a white prop, where he could sit down. An illuminated scripture appears on Tornike, very nice though. Due to the fact that Tornike has a huge vocal potential the technicians were forced to test the very high and very low notes.

• A very decent stage with a very quiet song

Albania

The stage design from Albania was a great surprise. The famous Eurovision stage designer Sacha Jean-Baptiste is responsible for the Maltese entry as well. The singer Anxhela is in full spot with a red circle of artificial steam, that looks really great, combined with her silver coloured dress it’s an eye catcher. Anxhela is also a model and so she knows how to introduce herself in front of the camera. The steam theme is leads her throughout her performance and a smoke machine comes into use. Vocally she was top from the very first note.

• A great stage performance, the surprise of the day

Portugal

Not everybody knows the story behind the Portuguese lyrics, it’s about a woman, the band met in Amsterdam, who told them her narrative. She had a hard life and suffered a lot, but one is always accompanies her, that’s love. So the title of the song has been created. This will be transferred on stage when a woman walks through Amsterdam and the lead singer Pedro is following her on the satellite stage. The entire group is dressed in suits, at first the image is in black and white, later it all leads into a colourful spectacle with warm yellow tones. Pedro is wearing a typical hat and he also plays the e-guitar. The Portuguese stage show is like a live concert, with a good atmosphere. Vocally Pedro was top.

• A concert feeling in style with depth

Bulgaria

This is another beautiful stage setting, almost dreamy. The lovely singer Victoria is sitting on a rock and looks at a picture, when she was young together with her father. The rock starts to swim and turns around. In the background there are yellow lights, it seem that there is land in sight. There is even sand raining on the rock, with the ticking it’s like a sand clock, when Victoria looks back on her previous life. Combined with the scenery and the touching music it could also be a little bit like Titanic, Victoria on an ice rock somewhere lost on the ocean.

• A wonderful stage show with a great rehearsal

Finland

The Finnish rehearsal went as expected. Dark colours mixed with Finnish blue turning into red, the singer swop their micros and throwing the e-guitars in the air. There is a lot of action, flashes as it belongs to a rock song. Through and through a solid stage performance.

• Flying guitars and microphone and a band full of energy

Latvia

In the beginning the tunnel view is similar to the one from Austria, but just in green. Almost everything is green, Samanta’s dress is green of course with a lot of chains and applications, the backing singers were green as well, plus black skirts and a kind of sun visor. The floor and the LED animation in the background are golden prisms turning around. There could have been more dancing elements like in the video-clip.

• Green and golden colours everywhere, a bit static though

Switzerland

There are lying high expectations on the Swiss entry. And those were not failing. Gjon’s Tears is standing on a white concrete element and wearing a black shirt with silver and blinking applications, fine pants and white sport shoes. When it comes to the chorus the gestures appear uncommon, but fascinating. The higher the excitement rises the more lights and flickering fragments fill the screen then reaching a climax and Gjon’s Tears’ voice is giving goose-bumps. With this performance, Switzerland has very good chances to be a deserved winner.

• A breathtaking stage show with an excellent voice, nothing more is needed

Denmark

The last of the semi-finalist is Denmark with Fyr & Flamme. After so many ambitious entries, the Danish entry shines with happiness and dance mood. The show is almost the same as in the national final, Jesper and Laurits are wearing the same outfits. The only new thing is that the lead singer Jesper has to run to the end of the satellite stage and back to his podium. The pink colours, the background choir and the entire atmosphere let us go back in time of the 1980’s.

• Happy dancing and retro feelings

Author: Bernd LemmermannEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Public relations, Editor, Journalist

About me:
As one of the founders of eurovisionlive.com I am responsible for the interviews with the singers and the editorial content. My passion for the Eurovision Song Contest exists since my early childhood. The exotic music, different cultures and languages have given a lot of inspiration to me. Since my very first ESC in Dublin 1994 I particularly appreciate the get together and friendship of all the nationalities and Riverdance was a thrill!