It was Day 2 of rehearsals in the B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen. There was the weird, the wacky and the wonderful. There was something to suit everyone and variety is definitely not dead when Eurovision is concerned. Here’s what happened on Tuesday the 29th…
Moldova
You could really have this song as an alarm. Cristina powerfully deliveres ‘MERCY.. I have no feelings of MERCY..’, which practically fills the 10,000 capacity arena and then some. Seriously, we could hear her vocals from the press centre next door. I was surprised to hear that Cristina’s niece was the songwriter for the song – I had no idea the two of them were related.. they look nothing alike! In the press centre, the term ‘pulling off a Moldova’ was put in to good use. Moldova has a shameless reputation of saving a somewhat average song with the staging. 4 fit backing dancers (of which one of them is the choreographer) leap and jump around for 3 minutes whilst Cristina stands in the middle screaming her little heart out bless. Full of power, but maybe tone it down?
San Marino
Watching Valentina’s performance today, I must admit, I won’t know what to do with myself if Valentina isn’t back next year. She’s part of the furniture, she’s part of the deal. For Eurovision to go ahead – Valentina must be involved. Valentina stands on a golden sparkly podium with a little white number on (which we think is subject to change into something a lot grander). Behind her are are what can only be described as hanging sheets and they look a bit like an oyster. Have no idea what this has got to do with ‘Maybe’ whatsoever, but MAYBE the stylist was having a funny five minutes. Vocal is flawless, she waves her arms a lot, and she’s full of passion. What’s not to like? Come on Valentina, it’s time to qualify!
Portugal
We’ve found cheese and bundles of it in the form of Portugal; Quero Ser Tua by lovely Suzy. There’s drums, there’s strutting and most importantly, there’s a good song. The sound needed to be checked a few times as one of the backing singers was PRETTY loud. This was sorted and finally we have a really nice, not-to-be-taken-seriously pop song. We’re reminded endlessly by the inspiration from Portugal’s ex-colonies – yes, it’s all very Portuguese. I’d like this to win as Suzy said in a press conference; ‘everything in Portugal is XXL’. Well Lisbon 2015 it is!
The Netherlands
A calm and soothing song to follow the feeding-time-at-the-zoo atmosphere that is Portugal. Both singers face each other in the middle of the stage for the whole song, which creates some very awkward looks into each other’s’ eyes’. Also, the fans will be well upset – the way the performance is shot, it requires a handycam to be on the stage at all times which means the audience will be seeing three people on stage; Ilse, Waylon and Derek the camera man. He should totally get a credit. I did feel it dragged on a bit by the end, but it was a very soothing, confident performance by these two very experienced artists and they’re definitely following Anouk’s trend of concentrating more on the content of the song rather than; ‘hey let’s have fireworks and a wind machine!’.
Montenegro
I love Sergej. If it was a Eurovision Personality Contest – he would’ve won months ago. With Montenegro’s friends out of the contest this year, it should prove harder than ever for Montenegro even to qualify, let alone win Eurovision. This year though, I do believe that Montenegro is through to it’s first final. Sergej (of course) is a natural in charming the camera and the audience at home and his voice is like a good meal – satisfying. A skater joins him on stage and proper Dima Bilan 2008, skates around the main artist. It does look a bit random if you look at it out of context and maybe the viewers won’t get it, but overall it’s a solid good vocal and performance from Sergej and I think Montenegro are on to get their best result at the contest.
Hungary
Predictably, a great effort from Hungary and Kallay-Saunders Andras. He dressed a bit like he was going to the gym today – whether that was his costume or just that he was going on afterwards, we’ll never know. The camera shots give this performance even more justice – they’re fast and slick – representing the torment in his mind, and it gives the performance a lot of high energy. Very good Andras, more of the same!
Malta
If it’s happy and chirpy you’re after, you need to get Malta in the final. With happy faces from the start, the 6-piece from Malta gave it their all in every single run-through during their rehearsal, getting better and better every time. If I’m honest, the use of the selfies is a bit random and I don’t really understand what it has to do with ‘Coming Home’, but this is minor. What I do like is that in a time when this continent is really in the doghouse – be it politically or economically, a song like Coming Home really makes you feel better. It’s uplifting, it’s sweet, and every single person on that stage is having a glorious time. I can’t wait to see this song when there’s thousands of fans in front of them. The roof will fly off.
Israel
I was very underwhelmed by Mei’s performance today. Whether because I heard by several other websites that it was one of the favourites – but I was left deflated and felt like the performances lacked luster. When the violins come in on the 2nd verse, that’s when I really feel the song and get in to the swing of things, but before that – sorry but you’ve lost me. It’s crucial to get the audience in the first 5 seconds otherwise you can say sorry to your vote from Auntie June – she’s gone to make a cup of tea. Maybe Mei can try a bit harder next time, but I didn’t feel any connection to the song at all. I couldn’t relate to it, and it was just a bit too much ‘I’m a singer, here’s a song that was given to me’.
Norway
I asked Carl Espen how in God’s name does he manage to convey all this deep emotion and intensity so naturally – because by watching the performance all he has to do is look at you, and you feel choked up. It really is spooky. Vocals are flawless as always and you can tell by his emotion that he has a real love of the song he’s singing. It’s easy for an artist at Eurovision to lose the connection with the song as they’ve probably been singing the song for 3 months straight prior to the contest, but Carl sticks to the meaning of the song and delivers it like a pro. One to watch.
Georgia
Poland
Really enjoyed Poland’s entry by CLEEEEO. DONATAAAAN. They use their best assets *cough cough* to get some votes – but hang on, has Donatan ever seen Eurovision?! Do boobs work?! Only time will tell. A rehearsal full of high energy from Cleo as Donatan does not join her on stage – charming! There’s a mix of folk dancing but also that ole hip hop stuff that the youths are in to. Given all of this, I had the faintest thought that this might not get through. If this year had an equivalent to Igranka – this one is it.
