Day 2! Eight more hopeful acts from the first semi-final took their turn for their first rehearsals this Sunday. These artists, competing in the second half of the semi-final, will have 30 minutes each to fine-tune their performances. This is their chance to test out the stage setup, lighting, camera angles, and special effects to ensure everything comes together perfectly on competition night.
While official details remain tightly under wraps until the official second rehearsal previews are released, Eurovision enthusiasts are already abuzz with speculation. Here’s a look of Day 2 at what has the fandom talking:
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Iceland: Icelandic singer Hera Björk sported a brand new look for her Eurovision performance, ditching her previous outfit for a dazzling gold bodysuit with sleeves that flowed out in fringe. Her backup singers also got a makeover, trading their old clothes for black suits with fringe that matched Björk’s outfit. Just like in the Icelandic national selection competition Söngvakeppnin, Björk had a staircase as part of her stage set, but this time it was much grander. The lighting and giant LED screen behind her mirrored the pyramid shape of the stairs, and silhouettes of dancers filled the background. The whole performance had a clear theme: a golden girl ready to conquer the Eurovision stage!
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Slovenia: For Raiven’s Eurovision act, she’s chosen a catsuit that’s cleverly designed to create the illusion of bare skin, even though she’s fully clothed. The performance starts with her on the floor, captivating the audience with her movements for different camera angles. As the song progresses, five backup dancers join her, also clad in minimal clothing with strategically placed flesh-toned pieces. The overall vibe is interpretive and primal, with a focus solely on Raiven thanks to the consistent lighting throughout the performance. This keeps the spotlight firmly on her captivating stage presence.
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Finland: True to form, Windows95Man hasn’t strayed far from his winning UMK performance. The only noticeable update is a slightly blurred Windows 95 logo on his t-shirt and cap – gotta play it safe with copyright, right? The iconic denim egg and his signature outfit are still in full force. Plus, for a fiery finale, the Finnish star throws on his denim shorts, making way for a pyrotechnic!
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Moldova: Natalia Barbu ditches her backup dancers for Eurovision, opting for a powerful solo performance. She commands the stage in a gorgeous white dress that features a leg split and a dazzling golden flower on the shoulder. The performance starts with a surprise – a violin bow strapped to her back! Natalia pulls it out to play a modern violin piece, adding another layer of artistry to her act. The background comes alive with dazzling LED visuals: wings take flight, bubbles float by, and a stunning garden filled with butterflies and a pink blossom tree unfolds behind her.
- Azerbaijan: Channeling a sleek, futuristic vibe, Azerbaijan’s Eurovision entry takes the stage in silver and black. FAHREE and Ilkin Dovlatov don jackets with a military-inspired edge, setting the tone for their performance. FAHREE takes center stage, bathed in light as a figure begins to materialize on the LED screen behind him. The figure appears piecemeal, with its head and arms emerging first, creating a sense of anticipation. Later, the performance takes a striking turn – two disembodied hands appear on stage, reaching out towards FAHREE as if to bridge the gap between the performer and the digital world. Meanwhile, Ilkin holds his own on the opposite side of the stage, captivating viewers with his performance for the cameras.
- Australia: Ditching the shoes for a more grounded performance, Australia’s Zaachariaha takes the Eurovision stage in Malmö barefoot! His outfit, a masterpiece of elegance, changes color seamlessly to complement the lighting. Michael keeps things grooving on the keyboard, positioned slightly to the left. To amp up the Aussie spirit, two backing singers and a didgeridoo player join the duo. The stage comes alive with a vibrant display: swirling red graphics dance across the LED backdrop and cubes overhead, punctuated by the song’s title, “One Milkali.”
- Portugal: For her Eurovision performance, Iolanda opts for a clean and sophisticated look. She keeps things familiar by bringing back her five backing dancers from Festival da Canção, and maintains the elegant all-white aesthetic. However, the staging gets a subtle but impactful upgrade. The center cube is lowered, creating a more intimate atmosphere by bringing it closer to the performers. The LED wall behind her adds another layer of depth. It displays live black and white footage of Iolanda herself, creating a sense of introspection and self-reflection as she delivers her powerful performance.
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Luxembourg: Taking Eurovision by storm, Luxembourg ups the ante with their staging! TALI and her dancers kick off the performance on a custom cube set piece, before moving to center stage. The excitement doesn’t stop there – the background LED screen comes alive with fierce wild cats, and pyrotechnics add an extra layer of energy to the performance. TALI rocks a sleek black bodysuit with her hair styled in two braids for a powerful look. Her backup dancers provide a vibrant contrast, clad in a mix of red and amber outfits.
With Day 2 something was clear: the competition is heating up! With the 2nd semi-final countries taking their turn on stage over the next two days, the race to Malmö is officially on. Stay tuned for more updates as the week progresses!
