This is another time to present you the entries for this year’s second semi-final in a not so serious rating. We will inspect each song and singer and want to find out, who will be the right entries to qualify for the Grand Final:

01. San Marino: Senhit is desperately calling for Flo Rida, now he is here and?

What a big promotion Senhit and her team made on her “Freaky trip to Rotterdam”. Now she is there with all her enthusiasm. During the rehearsals a substitute rapper has been hired, but the big rapper Flo Rida has arrived finally. The EBU only allowed him on stage, if he has been part of the rehearsal as well. If this rapper is a big benefit is the big question. The other rapper was even better. The stage show is a happy muddle with bright colours. Unfortunately, you will hardly see Senhit’s face, as she mostly shows her back. The better rehearse a few more times.

02. Estonia: Good looks is not everything

Why the sexy singer Uku did not even tied his bow tie? He looks like coming home from a hot date. He has been voted as sexiest man in Estonia once a while. But in the Eurovision Song Contest the main thing is to have a good song and voice. He can sing, no doubts, but the song is nothing for getting in the mood to do anything. Where is the coffee?

03. Czech Republic: Are there any gangsters in the house? Yeah, brother…

Oh my God! This sympathetic singer Benny Cristo is smiling all the time, he really enjoys the atmosphere on stage and to dance with his crew. He extra cut his phenomenal long hair and even coloured it blond! That’s a very cool look and it’s also suitable for the Hip Hop song “omaga”, which literally means “Oh My God”, this is the language of the youth. And young people have to love it, there is nothing cooler to come tonight!

04. Greece: 1001 tricks for the beauty of the night

Stefania is the most beautiful singer tonight, wearing an all over costume in a sexy shape with glittering rhinestones. She is singing wonderfully and appears really self-confident. The stage show is something to watch closely. Faces of the background dancers are missing here and there. This is the magic work of the stage designer, who has already been in charge for Sergej Lazarev. The same trick with some invisible stairs is being used. The show appears a bit 2005’ and is nothing, what people haven’t seen at Eurovision before. A modest stage show would have done a bigger effect.

05. Austria: This is balsam for your ears, smooth and touching

This is a true gem. The stage looks gorgeous, very reduced and Vincent shines in his best way. The song is beautifully interpreted and stands out with its quality. Vocally, Vincent is very safe and he has the talent to enthuse the audience. Even if he sings of a funeral, it’s not depressive at all. Let Vincent shine on stage and also in the Grand Final, very well deserved.

06. Poland: Miami Vice 2.0

This is RAFAŁ a Polish TV celebrity, hosting shows and even hosting the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. He usually sings great songs, but this one does not belong to them, unfortunately. The stage show is dark and the background dancers using a trick of torches, a trick from the past century. RAFAŁ even wears sunglasses at night, luckily is puts them off here and there so that the TV viewers can have a look at him. It all appears far cooler as it actually is, a “Warsaw Vice” instead of “Miami Vice”.

07. Moldova: No sugar for the mighty princess

Natalia is no stranger at Eurovision. This time she gives everything, with the help of the Russian guru Philip Kirkorov and the “dream team” partner Dimitris Kontopoulous the grey dove has been transformed to a Princess. An overwhelming video-clip in pink colours has been produced, a bit too much sugar and sweets for the viewers. The stage performance appears a bit dull and uninspired in contrast. Such a topic should have been build up to a coronation of Natalia, but it fades away. Sorry but, disappointing!

08. Iceland: The best outfits of 2021

Daði og Gagnamagnið from Iceland have been the favourites last year, and so they are this year. Unfortunately, one of the group has been tested corona positive, hence the entire team denied a live performance. Instead the record of the last rehearsal will be shown. For the TV viewers it won’t be noticeable, but for the live audience in the arena. Iceland is still in the competition and can win. The song has a certain coolness and irony. The stage show is brilliant and funny, the outfits are a legend already. This one is to watch! A pity that Daði og Gagnamagnið will not be on stage anymore.

09. Serbia: Speechless and heated up!

Other outfits are funny, but these outfits are sexy. The three girls of Hurricane Sanjha, Ksenija and Ivana are the hottest export from Belgrade these times. They have millions of followers and clicks and are super stars in the Balkan region. The song is incidental, the main thing is the fun and the good camera shots. The points are going to fly to Serbia for sure!

10. Georgia: The longest song this year – 3 minutes!

Not every entry needs big props and pyro technics. Sometimes an unadorned stage show can score well. But this year the rock singer Tornike tries something quiet and smooth. Unfortunately, there is no real chorus or climax. Even if the song can’t be longer than three minutes, it feels like the longest song ever. It’s unlikely that this will get enough points to reach the Grand Final.

11. Albania: Cinema time – the new James Bond girl is born

Anxhela from Albania used to be a model and she knows how to pose in front of the camera. Combined with her vocal capacities, this would be a cool match. Especially the reduced stage show, the red colours look like the opener of a James Bond movie, if it weren’t the complicated melody. This is not an easy-listening song, it needs all attention to immerse in Anxhela’s world.

12. Portugal: This is music with a heart-warming atmosphere

Ah, what a relief after all the exhausting entries. The Portuguese song is solid music from a band, which is used to play in front of a big audience. The entire atmosphere is eclectic with a sophisticated note an interesting story behind. The unique voice of the lead singer Pedro will definitely bring a lot of votes for Portugal this year. It’s the first Portuguese song in English ever, and no Fado. Go Portugal Go!

13. Bulgaria: “My Heart Will Go On” in the Bulgarian version

This is another beautiful ballad. VICTORIA is sitting on a big rock, sand is raining from the ceiling and she indulges in memories, showing a real photo of her father and herself being a child. This is very touching, very epic though, it could also be an ice-rock in the cold Atlantic Ocean, a bit Titanic feeling. A great message too, that growing up also means to get older. A sure qualifier.

14. Finland: This one carries you off in the dark and mystic Finnish soul

For the one, who missed some harder tones, here it comes. The rock band Blind Channel is going to rock the stage with a loud and cheerful entry. Guitars and micros flying around, flashes lighten up the dark atmosphere. Is this the right song for getting over the months of quarantine? It definitely will wake you up and it proves that the ESC is open for all music genres.

15. Latvia: Astro-Pop with a lot of expertise

She describes herself as “Queen Of The Night” and tonight she will definitely be that. This is another song for women’s rights, even if this is not so obviously. Samanta has tried it so hard over the last decade to get on the Eurovision stage (at least 7 national finals), now she is finally here and she enjoys every second of it noticeably. The different sounds in the beginning sound like from another world, the outfits of the background singers are a piece of art, so as Samantha herself.

16. Switzerland: The voice – magnificent and outstanding

Gjon’s Tears is a very talented singer, who started as a young child to compete in music shows. He kept his wonderful high and clear voice. His voice is one of the most outstanding this year. The stage show is almost superfluous, as everybody will concentrate on his gestures and performance. Gjon’s Tears is having curly hair, just like Celine Dion in 1988, when she won with “Ne Partez-Pas Sans Moi”. This might be a good omen for him. He belongs to the favourites this year. It would be time for Switzerland to win again.

17. Denmark: Welcome to the time travel to 1984

The 80’s are back! This performance of the very sympathetic duo Fyr & Flamme is no joke, they love the music and fashion from that decade and the entire country of Denmark is thrilled. The song is 100% in Danish and make people dancing and having fun. Even if it’s totally out of time, it could be exactly the song to feel free and live again. Eurovision needs something like this.

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!