Greetings, Eurovision fans! Your ever-exuberant (and slightly hoarse from screaming) The EuroHub reporter is here, LIVE from the glitter-dusted aftermath of Semi-Final 1 in Malmö! Guys… This night was a Eurovision OPERA – a glorious, heart-wrenching, and occasionally slightly confusing spectacle that had us on the edge of our sequined seats! Let’s delve into the triumphs and heartbreaks, because honey, this was a night we won’t soon forget!
Ten magnificent acts have clawed their way to the grand final, and we’re here to dissect their victories!
The Undisputed Champions:
- Serbia – “Ramonda” by Teya Dora: Buckle up, folks, because Serbia just delivered a VOCAL. EARTHQUAKE. Teya Dora’s voice soared through the arena like a wounded angel, leaving the audience speechless. Combine that with dramatic lighting and raw emotion, and you have a performance that’s guaranteed to be etched in Eurovision history. A clear contender for top 10, no doubt! It would be so great to have some improvements for the Grand Final because the camera angles really did not help Teya Dora to reach the amount of emotion this song requires.
- Portugal – “Grito” by iolanda: Move over, divas! Portugal’s iolanda has arrived, and she can SING! “Grito” (meaning “Scream”) lived up to its name as Iolanda unleashed a vocal MASTERCLASS that could shatter glass (but in the BEST way possible). This passionate performance is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser in the grand final, so get ready for fireworks, because that is what iolanda’s Grito is! And relax iolanda, you seemed very tense in the stage!
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Slovenia – “Veronika” by Raiven: Forget the sunshine and rainbows, Slovenia cast a SPELL over the Malmö Arena with Raiven’s “Veronika.” Her impressive vocal range and captivating stage presence were mesmerizing, making Slovenia a potential dark horse to watch in the competition. Keep your eyes peeled, folks! The most difficult part is over, and now with the help of the juries Raiven can reach easily a Top 15 in the Grand Final.
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Ukraine – “Teresa & Maria” by alyona alyona & Jerry Heil: Girl power took center stage with this energetic and infectious anthem! The dynamic duo of alyona alyona and Jerry Heil delivered FLAWLESS choreography, powerhouse vocals, and a message of female empowerment that had the audience ROARING with approval. This is a guaranteed crowd favorite, mark my words! alyona alyona and Jerry Heil are making it work. This song and staging are clear favorites to reach the Top 5 next Saturday.
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Lithuania – “Luktelk” by Silvester Belt: Prepare to have your MIND BLOWN! Forget everything you thought you knew about Eurovision, because Lithuania brought the FUTURE (and a healthy dose of tradition) with “Luktelk.” A mind-bending blend of Lithuanian folk and futuristic electronica, Silvester Belt commanded the stage like a techno shaman, and the costumes, honey? Let’s just say they were OUTRAGEOUS (in the best way possible). This is a guaranteed conversation starter for weeks to come!
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Finland – “No Rules!” by Windows95Man: Did they ever leave the giant egg? It doesn’t matter! This enigmatic act from Finland defied expectations with their quirky song and unique stage presence. “No Rules!”: Love it or hate it, you can’t ignore it! Unfortunately, I think Finland will not be loved by the juries, but they will make everyone laugh with their fun performance and they will reach the Top 15 this year!
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Cyprus – “Liar” by Silia Kapsis: Silia silenced the doubters with a captivating performance of “Liar.” This sleek and sophisticated ballad showcased her vocal power and stage presence, proving that sometimes, LESS is MORE. Cyprus is a force to be reckoned with, and we can’t wait to see what they bring to the grand final! A good point for Cyprus is that she ATE after Eleni Foureira and Chanel’s performance. We all thought that singing after those two legends will diminish Silia Kapsis, but honestly… wow! Let’s see what will happen on Saturday.
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Croatia – “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” by Baby Lasagna: Forget taking yourself seriously, Eurovision is all about embracing the JOY! Croatia brought the party with the chaotic charm of “Rim Tim Tagi Dim.” This nonsensical, high-energy performance had the audience (and the Media Center getting crazy) swaying and singing along. Don’t underestimate the power of pure Eurovision fun – Baby Lasagna is probably winning on Saturday!
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Ireland – “Doomsday Blue” by Bambie Thug: Step aside, sunshine and rainbows! Ireland brought the DARK ARTS to Eurovision with “Doomsday Blue,” and we LOVED it! Bambie Thug’s vocals are on point and the atmospheric staging created a unique and captivating performance that will be a darkly beautiful experience in the grand final. Let’s talk again about that staging. In my opinion, the best stage brought to Eurovision EVER. It is like you are in a movie and the camera angles are so precise, to the millimeter. For me, this is the winner of Eurovision 2024. We just have to see how Bambie Thug will behave with Juries and Televote. Prepare for something different, folks!
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Luxembourg – “Fighter” by TALI: This powerful ballad delivered a message of perseverance that resonated with viewers. Tali’s strong and emotive vocals reminded everyone that even in the face of adversity, there’s always hope. A heartwarming performance that deserves its spot in the grand final, and a welcome reminder of the power of music!
Now, let’s address the HEARTBREAK HOTEL…
- Poland – “The Tower” by Luna: This high-concept performance had SO much POTENTIAL! Luna ascending a giant structure on stage? Sounds EPIC, right? Sadly, it landed with a bit of a THUD. The song itself just didn’t connect with the audience, and the whole thing felt more like a construction site than a Eurovision extravaganza. A HUGE disappointment for our Polish friends!
- Iceland – “Scared of Heights” by Hera Björk: Hera Björk’s delicate vocals and melancholic melody were BEAUTIFUL, but let’s be honest, they were completely LOST in this semi-final. This song deserved a more intimate setting, a smoky jazz bar perhaps, not the Eurovision stage bathed in glitter and pulsating with techno. A heartbreaking snub for this talented artist!
- Moldova – “In the Middle” by Natalia Barbu: This catchy pop song with a fun and energetic routine was enjoyable, Moldova! But it perhaps lacked that distinct SPARK needed to stand out in a competitive semi-final. We’ll miss your sunshine this year!
- Azerbaijan – “Özünlə Apar” by FAHREE feat. Ilkin Dovlatov: Azerbaijan brought a powerful vocal performance and a contemporary sound to the stage. Unfortunately, this last one was the main problem. A really basic and UN-UNDERSTANDABLE stage and choreography made Azerbaijan to fail, plus they faced some STIFF COMPETITION in this semi-final and ultimately didn’t secure enough votes to advance. Better luck next year!
- Australia – “One Milkali (One Blood)” by Electric Fields: Australia’s return to Eurovision was met with MIXED REACTIONS. The song was not the best from Electric Fields, but it was enjoyable. The problem came with the staging: the performance lacked the visual impact needed to truly captivate the audience. We’ll see you again Down Under, Australia!
Overall, Semi-Final 1 was a glorious mess of emotions. We witnessed incredible talent, shocking snubs, and enough drama to fill a Shakespearean tragedy. One thing’s for sure, folks, this Eurovision is WIDE OPEN! Stay tuned, because the second semi-final promises just as much drama, delight, and maybe even a DISASTER or two! The EuroHub will be here to deliver all the juicy gossip, expert analysis, and backstage shenanigans. Let the games truly begin!
Image Source: Corinne Cumming/EBU
