The winner of the 60th Eurovision Song Contest is rehearsing today for the very first time on the stage of the Wiener Stadthalle…
Israel
Ethan : Oula… It’s gonna be difficult for Israel. Nadav progresses a bit on each runthrough but still seems uncomfortable on the last one. The dancers (one of them is really hot) are far from tight too and the whole act looks very messy. Too bad, this is the most catchy song of the year and its unlikely one can hear it in the final…
Latvia
Ethan : It’s the first (probably not the last) wow of the day. After the Israeli mess, high class with Aminata. A red sun illuminates the beginning of this forth rehearsals’ day and visibly delights the press center which applauds her first runthrough.
Note, the applause you will hear on Tuesday before and after each song (or even during) are pre-recorded…
Azerbaijan
Ethan : At this stage he’s Måns’s only challenger. Azerbaijan offers a magnificent performance of a beautiful song. The choreography, relatively simple, has contemporary inspiration can one tell. Its enhances Elnur without crushing his performance, as it’s often the case with dancers on ballads. Well done !
Iceland
Ethan : Aïtor could cry and against all odds, it wouldn’t be emotion but disappointment… They should fire Selma ! The choreography is ridiculous. Maria doesn’t look very comfortable and I can understand, this is really not good at all… It’s today hard to imagine Iceland in the 10 qualified.
Sweden
Ethan : With 20 minutes late, we finally got to see Sweden’s first run though. A bit disappointing actually. Many camera shots doesn’t work as well as for Melodifestivalen. The setting of the screen seems to be problematic as technicians are still busy with meter and laser after the first rehearsal…
But the Swedes know how to work. For the second run though, half the problems are already solved. The shots are tighter, Måns looks more relaxed.
The new little buddy is as charming as the original one and Sweden today confirms its status as hot favorite.
Switzerland
Ethan : Singing right after Måns is obviously not easy. Melanie is not doing too bad actually, but the staging tends to age a song that could sound modern. Simple adjustments probably wouldn’t be enough. Leave the podium, replace the drums by a real drummer (cute of course – Axel Tidemann for example) get jeans and a t-shirt (for Melanie Axel – everything suit Axel) and Switzerland may get a ticket for the final…
Cyprus
Ethan : Very goo rehearsal from Cyprus I think. Of course, the song remains soporific, but if some viewers manage to stay awake, John could finally get some points…
Slovenia
Ethan: The headset and the dancer / air violinist are still there, I still think they’re a disservice to the Slovenian act. I keep thinking too that if her voice has something really modern, the sound of the song isn’t. And if they should sing in the first half of the final, many fans would probably be disappointed of the scoreboard. But well, it remains good…
Poland
Ethan: Well… It lacks a song… That whole thing a bit pointless, but thanks to the wheelchair it should go through.
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