First Semi Final, First Part, First Rehearsal | TOP 9
These titles are getting longer and longer I swear...
Hey there! :D So now that the rehearsals have started, I'll try to rank them as we get some footage, first per part, and then per semi/automatic qualifier section.
Note that I won't be judging the song, but the staging, clothing, and vocals, and I will try to be as impartial as possible. So it's not because a song I usually hate is ranked high that I suddenly like it. It's just that I found the rehearsal to be successful. Obviously, the staging can make or break an entry, and there will be some changes in my final post-rehearsal top 41, but as for now, I'll only focus on the visual and technical aspects of the entries.
Besides, I almost haven't been able to follow any live stream of the rehearsals, so all I will be judging and taking into consideration are the clips provided by the official Eurovision YouTube channel.
Without further ado:
9. FINLAND // Look Away // 10/15
https://youtu.be/uxSt5pwHCH8
It did not give me the worst overall impression, however, this whole performance is far from perfect.
Vocals: 3/5
The vocals seem to have improved slightly since the other performances, but it's still not flawless. I don't know if Sebastian will have enough time to improve before the actual contest, but we'll see.
Clothes: 3/5
I like Darude's outfit, it's simple and fits the song. The dancer's dress looks less robotic and adds a human side to the whole performance, which goes well with the message of the song. Sebastian's pants/boots/whatever, however... You see what I mean.
Stage: 4/5
I like the atmosphere the staging conveys, and I also really like that it's on three levels: Darude's booth, the dancer's platform, and the floor, which adds 3D to the perf. However, without the right camera angles, it may feel very empty, so depending on how it goes, it can make or break it. Also, I'm sad they didn't bring the cube, since it was an interesting and original idea.
CURRENT PREDICTION: 100% qualifies | Secure qualifier | Will probably qualify | Will struggle to qualify, but still can | I honestly don't know | Will probably fail to qualify | Secure non-qualifier | All hopes are dead
If the camera angles are good, if the vocals improve, IF SEBASTIAN DITCHES HIS BOOTS, then Finland may narrowly miss the final, or narrowly qualify thanks to the meme factor — dududududu
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8. MONTENEGRO // Heaven // 11/15
https://youtu.be/FhcBOMGPBnk
Do you know what this reminds me of? Ari's performance last year. And we all know how it went...
Vocals: 5/5
First Is18/Me19 comparison: both had killer vocals. Honestly, there's not much to say here, they slayed vocally. The harmonies were on point, and so were the individual parts.
Clothes: 3/5
They are not bad per se, but I expected something more ethnic. Second Is18/Me19 comparison: plain white and red shirts that add n o t h i n g to the perf. At least Ari's shirt had some cool motives, but D Mol's are just... bland.
Stage: 3/5
Third and last Is18/Me19 comparison: both had a very static performance that was super boooooriiiiiiiing. It looks like there will be some dancing in D Mol's perf, but that's only during the instrumental parts, the rest of the time, they will just stand here. And that's it.
CURRENT PREDICTION: 100% qualifies | Secure qualifier | Will probably qualify | Will struggle to qualify, but still can | I honestly don't know | Will probably fail to qualify | Secure non-qualifier | All hopes are dead
I mean, yeah. At this point, nothing can save them.
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7. CYPRUS // Replay // 12/15
https://youtu.be/INK3lvMDU0M
Yes, yes, you read it right.
Vocals: 3,5/5
Her voice didn't feel secure enough and it sounded quite different from the studio version — or maybe it felt more low-pitched because of the backing vocalist's mics that were too loud? Idk, but overall it didn't sound all that good.
Clothes: 4/5
I like the overall look of the wardrobe, but I feel like the dancer's style and Tamta's style are a bit too far apart, in the sense that she's more pleather when they are more textile. Also, get rid of those hats. Thank you in advance; the whole of Europe. Besides, I hope that the dancer's harnesses will not diminish the 'wtf is this' factor of Hatari, I don't want the audience to be like 'Again? Is this a trend or something? I ain't voting for these idea-thieves!'
Stage: 4,5/5
It's good. It supports the song well and it's energic. However, I wish it was a bit more energic, with a bit more choreography on Tamta's behalf.
CURRENT PREDICTION: 100% qualifies | Secure qualifier | Will probably qualify | Will struggle to qualify, but still can | I honestly don't know | Will probably fail to qualify | Secure non-qualifier | All hopes are dead
duh.
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6. CZECH REPUBLIC // Friend Of A Friend // 12,5/15
https://youtu.be/dKJAoaZvzRs
I still like the song though C:
Vocals: 4/5
They were a tad underwhelming here, I'm not sure the backing vocalists are fit for this song... Will it be another case of an entry ruined by its backing vocalists? They can sing, and Albert can sing (but the guy who sang "d'you know what I mean" clearly can't), but they don't blend together well. So yeah, not a fan.
Clothes: 5/5
They're simple and colorful, just like the song. They fit it perfectly, nothing to add here.
Stage: 3,5/5
Were these rectangles made out of giant drinking straws? Why aren't the edges even? Also, the background is dull and underwhelming, nothing happens here. It should have been waaaaay more colorful.
CURRENT PREDICTION: 100% qualifies | Secure qualifier | Will probably qualify | Will struggle to qualify, but still can | I honestly don't know | Will probably fail to qualify | Secure non-qualifier | All hopes are dead
Overall, it's still a strong entry, and its good vibes, as well as the band's charisma, will make people vote for it for sure.
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5. POLAND // Fire Of Love (Pali Się) // 13/15
https://youtu.be/x-M_7TeG5QI
Oooh, another bunch of girls who are not family related singing on a spinning cube!
Vocals: 5/5
We all know how perfect they are.
Clothes: 4/5
The boots are the traditional red dancing boots found in Eastern European Slavic cultures. The colorful skirt presents some unusual colors, but it still looks great. Same goes for the shirt, it's a more modern spin on the traditional clothing. But can someone please please please explain to me why on Earth are they wearing grass and leaves on their heads? It looks as if they took a shovel, dug a hole in the forest, and put what they dug on top of their heads. I don't... exactly get this, but whatever, it looks different and exotic, I guess.
Stage: 4/5
I love the way they used the LED screen; it's not original, as it's something we've already seen a couple of times (hem hem Australia 2017), but this time though, it works. It occupies the space and gives the perf a more complete look. The spinning cube is also not a bad idea, as it gives some movement to an otherwise static performance. I still think it lacks some movement, which prevents it from getting a perfect 5.
CURRENT PREDICTION: 100% qualifies | Secure qualifier | Will probably qualify | Will struggle to qualify, but still can | I honestly don't know | Will probably fail to qualify | Secure non-qualifier | All hopes are dead
I think it's different and vocally strong enough to make a difference and convince people. Besides, Polish diaspora. Never ever underestimate the Polish diaspora. I think it will be a borderline qualifier.
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4. SLOVENIA // Sebi // 13,5/15
https://youtu.be/8daS5BVcKx8
Vocals: 5/5
This song may not be as vocally demanding as some others, Zala still does her job perfectly. Every emotion that needs to be conveyed has been conveyed, and we are all happy.
Clothes: 5/5
Simple yet beautiful, a bit like the song itself. I just wish Gašper wore long sleeves as well so there is no contrast between him and Zala, but it's just a small detail no one will ever notice or care about.
Stage: 3,5/5
I expected more. They have a bigger stage, they could have exploited it better. This is a song that appeals to the senses and puts you in a trance phase, and I feel like it is a bit too underwhelming in this regard. I don't think they've changed the EMA staging, and I think it's a pity. They could have improved it. Maybe I react this way because I know the staging fairly well since I've watched their EMA performance multiple times, but already back then I felt a bit underwhelmed, so... yeah.
CURRENT PREDICTION: 100% qualifies | Secure qualifier | Will probably qualify | Will struggle to qualify, but still can | I honestly don't know | Will probably fail to qualify | Secure non-qualifier | All hopes are dead
They have their chances, they will find their audience. They're different and likable enough to go through.
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3. SERBIA // Kruna // 14/15
https://youtu.be/MP7LdL3tUPw
Honestly, these two lines in English are pretty useless, right? Just like this comment #autoroast
Vocals: 5/5
Best vocals of the day, hands down.
Clothes: 5/5
I love them. The jewelry gives her a goddess look, and the dress improved (or maybe it's the same one as in Beo, I don't know).
Stage: 4/5
I like what they did with the background, but I feel slightly underwhelmed. Hopefully it will look better once we can see the whole thing.
CURRENT PREDICTION: 100% qualifies | Secure qualifier | Will probably qualify | Will struggle to qualify, but still can | I honestly don't know | Will probably fail to qualify | Secure non-qualifier | All hopes are dead
I don't know how well it will do, but I think it's strong enough to qualify. It may sound like a generic Balkan ballad to some, but we must not forget that Slovenia and Montenegro are voting in this semi, so it can help Serbia. Besides, this semi is not a semi final de la Muerte, so it's pretty open.
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2. HUNGARY // Az Én Apám // 14/15
https://youtu.be/OZkENZ4PXZw
wow!
Vocals: 5/5
They were simply perfect.
Clothes: 5/5
They are simple, but they fit him and the song very well, and they blend in well with the background too, so it's a plus.
Stage: 4/5
I LOVE the golden tree! It really looks fabulous, and it fills the stage well. The only drawback I have with the staging is the father photos that were sort of poorly edited with the background, they felt a bit out of place visually :/
CURRENT PREDICTION: 100% qualifies | Secure qualifier | Will probably qualify | Will struggle to qualify, but still can | I honestly don't know | Will probably fail to qualify | Secure non-qualifier | All hopes are dead
I think the emotional factor will help but I don't know if it will be enough. I'll keep my fingers crossed!
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1. BELARUS // Like It // 14/15
https://youtu.be/TUgznFAwVXo
I liked it.
Vocals: 5/5
Perfectly on point, but didn't we already know that?
Clothes: 4,5/10
I'm not sure I like the graffiti thing, but it's sure original, and it fits her and the song, so why not?
Stage: 4,5/5
I would have given it a 5 without hesitation if it wasn't for these boxes. I don't know if they'll keep them or not, but they break the mood of the perf and we don't exactly know whether they're the actual prop or if they're just replacement boxes because the actual prop hasn't arrived yet. The background LED screen is gorgeous, it's random but artsy, and it goes well with the feel-good urban atmosphere of the song and clothing. It overall feels very complete.
CURRENT PREDICTION: 100% qualifies | Secure qualifier | Will probably qualify | Will struggle to qualify, but still can | I honestly don't know | Will probably fail to qualify | Secure non-qualifier | All hopes are dead
If it was for the staging only, she'd be a definite qualifier. But it's mostly about the song, and I don't know if it's strong enough to make it through or not... But I can definitely imagine a future in which it qualifies, though.
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So yeah, here were my impressions of the first rehearsal day! I can't wait to be tomorrow, for the real deal...!
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