This year's colours seem to be either blue and pink or red and black, depending on the mood of your song - Latvia went for green in front of gold, not the clearest and boldest choice. That might explain some of the issues Samanta Tīna is having, especially in convincing me that she still has a chance of being in next week's Final. That is a while off - for now, I will be doing a HEADLINE and sentence article as I did for SF1. My positive thoughts for the SF2 gang are on Day 3 and Day 4 - have a look back to get your bearings before looking below. Thomas Hanses and Andres Putting share the honours again for some incredible pictures...
SAN MARINO : Senhit - "Adrenalina"
"FLO RIDA OR DON JIGGY? THEY ARE THE SUPPORT...
SENHIT AND THE MASKED MEXICANS ARE THE REAL STARS!"
Flo Rida'hints' are on the backdrop and Senhit's religious icon - will he be there for the actual shows? We don't know yet but we do know that "Adrenalina" is a superb show, she is one of the best performers in Rotterdam and if necessary, Don Jiggy is a solid stand-in. Definite Finalist and only a 19th from Serhat in Tel Aviv to beat for San Marino's best ever result - EASY!
Vocal Capability 4.5/5
Stage Performance 5.0/5
Composition / Originality 4.0/5
Overall Impression 5.0/5
Score 18.5/20 (9.25)
ESTONIA : Uku Suviste - "The Lucky One"
"SOMETIMES, EVEN WHEN AT 100%, IT JUST ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH..."
Uku was totally on it - vocals, camera connection, emotions and acting were superb. Unfortunately, even adding that to the beautiful storm effects on the back wall is unlikely to be enough to get Estonia into the Final. It sounds dead corny but Uku isn't going to be "The Lucky One" this year...
Vocal Capability 4.5/5
Stage Performance 4.0/5
Composition / Originality 3.0/5
Overall Impression 4.0/5
Score 15.5/20 (7.75)
CZECH REPUBLIC : Benny Cristo - "Omaga"
"PACING THROUGH A FIRST REHEARSAL SUGGESTED
THERE WAS MORE TO COME - THERE WASN'T..."
More of the same for the second rehearsal for Benny Cristo - "Omaga" was all slicker and smarter but this still looked like a laid-back 'star turn' on a reality tv music show, than a nation's attempt to win an international singing competition. I don't think that his charisma and interaction with his excellent dancers will be enough to keep the Czech qualification run going...
Vocal Capability 4.5/5
Stage Performance 4.5/5
Composition / Originality 3.0/5
Overall Impression 4.0/5
Score 15.5/20 (7.75)
GREECE : Stefania - "Last Dance"
"GOING FOR THE UNIQUE WILL MAKE THIS A WOW ON TV...
PERFECTION IS NOT A REQUIREMENT"
Stefania gave us a smile during these runs because she is obviously more relaxed, trusts the tech guys to support her (literally) and is enjoying the ride! Green screen isn't new to tv viewers but on a music show like this, it will still be a wow moment - add to that her exemplary vocals and THAT outfit, and Greece have a likely top ten on their hands with "Last Dance"...
Vocal Capability 5.0/5
Stage Performance 5.0/5
Composition / Originality 3.5/5
Overall Impression 5.0/5
Score 18.5/20 (9.25)
AUSTRIA : Vincent Bueno - "Amen"
"WHEN IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT...BUT YOU CAN GIVE IT A COLOUR UPGRADE"
Still the staging that does the most for any entry this year, the lighting effects got a boost from white to gold, making what was a very simple and yet massively effective visual even better. Vincent Bueno has an entry that is Jury Gold here and it will also get televoters thinking about their emotions, enough to pick up their mobile. Now a definite qualifier for me - Austria will not mind then where this finishes, they will just say a quiet "Amen" on Sunday...
Vocal Capability 5.0/5
Stage Performance 5.0/5
Composition / Originality 3.5/5
Overall Impression 5.0/5
Score 18.5/20 (9.25)
POLAND : RAFAŁ - "The Ride"
"SEE? REHEARSALS CAN MAKE ANYTHING BETTER...ISH"
The vocals are a bit better, the routine looks slicker, the Steadicam 'fight' is less aggressive, the song itself is still an earworm. Unfortunately RAFAŁ needs a lot more than baby step improvements to compete and "The Ride" for Poland will be ending at about 11pm CET on Thursday 20th...
Vocal Capability 3.0/5
Stage Performance 3.0/5
Composition / Originality 2.0/5
Overall Impression 3.0/5
Score 11.0/20 (5.50)
MOLDOVA : Natalia Gordienko - "Sugar"
"THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL -
WHEN YOU ARE PROMISED SUGAR AND SPICE, ALL YOU GET IS SALAD"
Another entry where we all thought that more was to come - where are the vivid outfits? The bright backdrops? The hunk having his face ripped off? This strange mix of the dance routine and dancers but nothing else, bar the geometric shapes moving behind them, makes this a very bare visual to look at and Natalia cannot push Moldova into the Final on her own, despite her vocals, looks and connection - a surprise DNQ awaits...
Vocal Capability 4.5/5
Stage Performance 3.5/5
Composition / Originality 3.0/5
Overall Impression 3.5/5
Score 14.5/20 (7.25)
ICELAND : Daði og Gagnamagnið - "10 Years"
"NO LONGER A BID FOR VICTORY, THIS IS NOW THE SWANSONG OF A PROJECT STARTED FOUR YEARS AGO - THEY HAVE ALL MADE PEACE WITH THE JOURNEY"
As soon as the added 'false ending' was shown for the first time, it seemed to me as though Daði and friends/relatives were accepting that this was almost all over - getting that last little extra experience was a bonus. Still great song/routine/staging/visuals here but I don't believe in this entry now - it will still qualify and be a top ten minimum but Iceland won't be getting their debut win. Hopefully they won't have to wait another "10 Years"...
Vocal Capability 5.0/5
Stage Performance 4.5/5
Composition / Originality 4.0/5
Overall Impression 5.0/5
Score 18.5/20 (9.25)
SERBIA : Hurricane - "LOCO LOCO"
"THE SQUAD PLAYER COMES OF AGE - KSENIJA JOINS SANJA UP FRONT, MAKING THIS MORE THAN JUST A VISUAL PLEASURE"
It is always a delight when a singer takes what appears to be their first major lead with both hands - Ksenija is amazing and takes on part of the role that Sanja often does alone. "LOCO LOCO" is a full on banger now - all the outfits, the routine and the lighting are geared up for providing as much of a 'come on' to the viewers as possible. The entry most like a stereotypical clubland staple in Rotterdam, this routine should be enough to get Hurricane in the Final, and provide a suitable HI-NRG moment somewhere in the running order...
Vocal Capability 4.5/5
Stage Performance 5.0/5
Composition / Originality 3.0/5
Overall Impression 4.5/5
Score 17.0/20 (8.50)
GEORGIA : Tornike Kipiani - "You"
"BEING SUPER CHILLED IS FOR AFTER THE PARTY, NOT DURING"
If this was a general music festival, Tornike Kipiani would be getting plaudits for having supreme vocal control, an understated delivery and a beautiful backdrop to sing in front of. Unfortunately for Eurovision, all of these are not going to bring him enough votes to get into the Final - watching his video of "You" that showcases the natural beauty of Georgia is the biggest plus of his journey...
Vocal Capability 4.5/5
Stage Performance 3.0/5
Composition / Originality 3.5/5
Overall Impression 3.0/5
Score 14.0/20 (7.00)
ALBANIA : Anxhela Peristeri - "Karma"
"SOMETIMES PERFORMING ALONE REQUIRES CONFIDENCE, CHARISMA AND COMMITTMENT - WHEN THOSE COME TOGETHER, YOU HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL"
Wonderful to hear Albanian yet again, a visual feast to see those reds/blacks/blues used so effectively on the back drop and a privilege to see a performer take a song into the Final through their own endeavour. Anxhela gives the most sensual performance this year during "Karma", flicking her hair like a good 'un and emoting straight down the camera. There have been comparisons with Armenia's Iveta in 2016 - if she gets the same result as her, Anxhela will be doing her nation proud. A qualifier for me...
Vocal Capability 5.0/5
Stage Performance 4.5/5
Composition / Originality 3.5/5
Overall Impression 4.5/5
Score 17.5/20 (8.75)
PORTUGAL : The Black Mamba - "Love Is On My Side"
"MONEY CAN BE THROWN AT STAGING TO IMPROVE A BAD SONG
BUT CLASS THAT IS ALREADY THERE CANNOT BE BOUGHT"
The Black Mamba have brought elegance, subtlety and beauty to the Ahoy stage - Pedro Tatanka is one of the most charismatic lead singers out of all the bands, he fronts a backdrop with an art deco theme which fills the stage with an animated orchestra, and the song pays homage to a lady who features visually in an engaging way. Never have I seen a singer NOT look at the camera and yet it seem the right thing to do. Art done right touches my heart - "Love Is On My Side" is qualifying and Portugal's entry will be a surprise hit on Final night...
Vocal Capability 5.0/5
Stage Performance 4.5/5
Composition / Originality 3.5/5
Overall Impression 5.0/5
Score 18.0/20 (9.00)
BULGARIA : VICTORIA - "growing up is getting old"
"IN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION, 'CAN PERFECTION BE IMPROVED UPON?'...
THE ANSWER IS 'ADD A FRAME' AND LIGHT EVERYTHING WITH A HINT OF GOLD"
Seemingly there WERE little touches to improve "growing up is getting old" - the frame around the picture of VICTORIA and her dad, plus the lighting having a golden hue to make this more nostalgic, plus the sea has a warmer tint. The other perfection was seeing her act the performance even when something is missing - the sand didn't drop for one run and VICTORIA still placed her hand in exactly the right spot! Definite qualifier and for me a real contender for the Eurovision trophy - getting Bulgaria their debut win would be a wonderful ending to this gorgeous performance...
Vocal Capability 5.0/5
Stage Performance 5.0/5
Composition / Originality 5.0/5
Overall Impression 5.0/5
Score 20/20 (10.0)
FINLAND : Blind Channel -"Dark Side"
"AT LEAST IN THE FINAL THEIR MIDDLE FINGERS WON'T HAVE TO BE RED"
Every pass of "Dark Side" is the same - same vocals, same energy, same pyros, same intensity, same whooping by the facsimiles of the band on the screen. This is Blind Channel's raison d'etre - a gig setting that they would use in any venue they play at, not specifically for Eurovision. This is why this appears organic, totally natural and why this will qualify for the Final, providing a strong finish for Finland on Saturday night and increasing their fanbase...
Vocal Capability 5.0/5
Stage Performance 5.0/5
Composition / Originality 4.0/5
Overall Impression 5.0/5
Score 19.0/20 (9.50)
LATVIA : Samanta Tīna - "The Moon Is Rising"
"MORAL OF THIS TALE? DON'T PLAN FOR ONE LOOK LONG TERM AND
SCUPPER IT ALL WITH A MORE SUCCESSFUL 'ONE OFF' ALONG THE WAY"
The burdens of being an obsessive Eurovision fan and pundit who knows every twist and turn of each entry - the Official Video looked better than this, connected to the message of the lyrics better than this and had choreography better than this. Jurors and televoters won't know that BUT I know that the outfit before allowed Samanta far more movement, suited her sassy attitude better and having chanting dancers was a visual wow, whereas the backing vocalists add little to this vision. A warehouse setting, empty of anything, also looked better than the very busy CAD designs behind her now - nothing to show "The Moon Is Rising" either. Latvia had such promise - all gone now, no Final this year...
Vocal Capability 5.0/5
Stage Performance 3.0/5
Composition / Originality 4.5/5
Overall Impression 3.0/5
Score 15.5/20 (7.75)
SWITZERLAND : Gjon's Tears - "Tout l'Univers"
"PRACTICE CAN HELP SOMEONE PERFORM ARTISTIC MOVEMENTS,
BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT WILL LOOK SMOOTH"
The vocals are still exquisite and sometimes that is all you need, especially if the singer has an expressive face whilst doing their day to day. If you add in unusual scenery and the requirement of movement they are seemingly not used to, the awkwardness can be picked up on. Gjon's Tears is doing an exemplary job with the choreography he has been given and the scenery moving apart does give an extra dimension to this, but I feel that the Swiss delegation have tried to make this look different, for difference sake. "Tout l'Univers" is all perfect for what it is, but there are now possible problems added to the mix - qualifier yes, potential winner? Not so much...
Vocal Capability 5.0/5
Stage Performance 4.0/5
Composition / Originality 5.0/5
Overall Impression 4.5/5
Score 18.5/20 (9.25)
DENMARK : Fyr & Flamme - "Øve os på hinanden"
"WHEN AN ENTRY GIVES SO MUCH JOY AND LIFE,
JUST ADAPT THE DISTANCES TO THE BIGGER STAGE AND GO WITH IT!"
Some entries are at Eurovision seemingly to make everyone who watches it smile - this is what "Øve os på hinanden" is here to do. Denmark's entry gives me flashbacks to Jedward's "Lipstick" - there is a chaotic naivety about this performance that we had with them, Jesper of Fyr & Flamme playing the twin's role of seemingly random movements that are in fact choreographed to the inch, with Laurits playing the stabilising partner Jedward never had. The claps by the blacking vocalists are spot on too and the song, although in Danish, has a bounce and catchiness about it. Qualifier for me and an entry we all need after the 2020 we have all had...
Vocal Capability 4.5/5
Stage Performance 5.0/5
Composition / Originality 3.5/5
Overall Impression 5.0/5
Score 18.0/20 (9.00)
All of the eurovision.tv videos are here in one playlist - see if you agree with my headlines after watching them but bare in mind I have watched the whole performance!
As all of the rehearsals for SF2 are now complete, here is my top ten that would qualify if the world thought the way I do...
