What to expect from tonight's semi-final? This is summary of our first impressions of the semi-final

For all the viewers who have turned in into this program, because they expected to get inspired by Italy, they might be disappointed. There is nothing really Italian, beside of one interval act by Diodato.

There is a conglomeration of show elements, dance, acrobatic and fashion show, which could have been anywhere, but not particularly Italy. And there is nothing new, apart from the technical issues, you can still see a lot of cameras and camera people in the picture, the light is generally very dark. We just hope that it will all be good tonight.4

The three hosts Laura Pausini, Mika and Alessandro Cattelan, seem to have a good time, laughing a lot, the two guys are dressed in black suits and Laura is wearing a pink dress. What we have seen so far, it’s a bit uninspired and vapid. There is more glamour at the Sanremo Festival.

This year’s postcards have been filmed in various regions of Italy, unfortunately, mainly filmed in winter time and a lot of night views.

Generally, the expectations of Italy as a host country were high, but the outcome from the first live show is sobering. The only really Italian indulgence is when Diodato is going to perform his ESC song from 2020 “Fai Rumore”, together with a choir in a new version.

Then we will see a lot of DJ music and dancers, nice but not really outstanding.

Watch the Semi-Final 1 here, at 21.00 CET

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

Editor in Chief of eurovisionlive.com

About me:
Due to the fact that my parents are musicians, I have a gained a great enthusiasm for music. Since 1979 my interest in the Eurovision Song Contest has grown enormously. My first ESC I joined was in Dublin 1995. Six years later I founded the website eurovisionlive.com in the year 2001. The most fascinating part for me is the original idea of the Eurovision Song Contest – the peaceful contest of the European countries. I am very happy that I have the chance to contribute my little part for the greatest music show in the world.