Another day, another first 30 minutes technical rehearsals for semi-final two countries: Ireland, North Macedonia, Estonia, Romania, Poland, Montenegro, Belgium, Sweden and Czech Republic. Meanwhile there's first official statement by Ebu about the malfunction of the Kinetic sun. In other words it does work, it only takes too long to remove it during the performances and thus it is not used that way for the delegations. This said, solutions have been found for everyone and a general viewers isn't any wiser. It could also be one of the reasons the acts will be announced Sanremo style besides it being a nice touch and very old school Eurovision - something these young folks have no idea of and are outraged for nothing. In the final there's also one country less as an Big5 country is hosting so that also saves time here and there, not only the performance but the recaps etc. Clearly it just wasn't enough. No big deal. But that's not the only thing from Sanremo in Turin: the house dance crew of Sanremo will be present, too. What they do and when hasn't been announced but we will surely find out.
Meanwhile Amadeus decided to steal the scene a bit and announce already now the dates and rules for Sanremo 2023 live on Raiuno's main tv-news! And all of sudden Italians are all talking about Sanremo rather than Eurovision again...
Ireland has made it a big more serious affair rather than the awkward national final performance, Brooke and her four dancers are colorful spots on stage, great use of lights and the floor and its projections. This could just do a bit better than anyone thinks so far. Maybe.
North Macedonia's Andrea stands alone on stage in black, not running around. Add clever graphics and lights and the outcome is dramatic and engaging. Not quite though, she uses the little bridges over troubled waters by the side of the stage as screens. Simple and great. I wish she does well!
Estonia's latest addition to the sexiest man of a year sent to Eurovision is 2 meters tall cool city cowboy. He has left his cowboys seen at the national final home and fills the stage alone with his guitar. He uses the B stage, retro filter at first and in the end has run around the whole stage from one corner to the other. Cowgirls and cowboys will go wild for sure once the arena is full.
Romania's dancer turned singer and his team fill the stage with energy and every imaginable dance move and give Israel a tight fight for the camp managed to fit into three minutes. Starting with the outfits. But what israel lacks is Romania's fun attitude, it's not so serious, let's be silly and just sing something nonsense. Hola mi bébébé. This is my anthem of the year. Go WRS!
Poland, more men in black. And the veiled lady from the video has multiplied herself. Ochman's pretty face fills the backdrop and the stage rivers are flowing to his song that I find a bit overrated but it does look and sound good what I can see and hear for now.
Montenegro seems all blue with lights and stage and her pretty dress that makes me think of mermaid for some reason. I haven't been fan of this song in video nor record but maybe she can breathe some life to it on stage I hope.
Belgium brings on the prettiest smile in this year's competition. Jérémie is in jeans and silver, and his four dancers in black and I cna't help about thinking Michael Jackson's Thriller as an inspiration (already in the video, tbo) I love his voice and I hope he sings his way to the final without hick ups!
Sweden has the same green and red round things on stage - in honor of Italy? - and it is what it is.Same dress, same bare feet - why change it if it worked, as Swedes think most every year.
Czech Republic end the second semi-final with a banger. A real club feeling with a lot of light action. When it was selected it was a bit of a meh really, but then when more songs were selected it just kept rising on my ranking and the group has proven to be likable and worth keeping eye on. Like this fantastic version of
Hard rock hallelujah!
That's it for today. Tomorrow the first semi-final ones from Albania to Greece will have their second, 20 minutes rehearsal, the press center will open, we will get proper videos of the performances and a lot more! Hooray!
Photos as always from those wonderful eurovision.tv photographers
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