Fresh from winning the semi-final of Eurovision’s Next Top Male Model, Nicky Byrne brought his boyish good looks to the Globe Arena in his second rehearsals for “Sunlight”.
Little had changed in the staging since the first rehearsal earlier in the week. Nicky is still wearing his brown, red and black leather jacket, along with dark skinny jeans.
The stage lighting still avoids recreating golden sunlight, instead using an orange-red toned palette. And just like the earlier performance, there’s little variation in the performance, with the same style, same colours, keeping it strongly structured like a traditional live band performance.
He’s keeping it simple, avoiding the sophisticated production techniques other countries are using, instead delivering a live pop-rock performance and letting the song speak for itself.
Ireland: Second rehearsal at Eurovision 2016
Nicky Byrne: Press conference after first rehearsal
READ ALL OF OUR EUROVISION REHEARSAL REVIEWS
Photo: Eurovision.tv (EBU)
Ireland will always have problems qualifying irrespective of the song
There’s a movement within Eurovision easily influenced by media alone and that drives who is favourite and who will not qualify. Remember last year and Italy? Up in the favourites to win and no real impression on final night – why?
I don’t think any of you anti Ireland bad wishers should underestimate Nicky Byrnes popularity among young voters and they lets face it will be the majority voters
This performance will come alive with an audience, Nicky definitely has a chance to reach the final, he’s charming, a good performer and while not a winner the song is catchy. Its time that RTE put more into the selection process and financially supported a strong stage performance for Eurovision.
Not Mary Byrne!
She’s a nice lady, sure, but get a grip.
Ow no not Bressie i dont rate him as a good singer we need someone who can belt out a power tune maybe give Molly Sterling another go shes a brilliant singer,i think Mary Byrne will represent us someday mark my words.
That’s even better. I’d love to see The Blizzards on Eurovision. Bressie’s got an amazing stage presence and he’s a damn good singer. For me, a perfect choice. I do hope it’ll happen.
Having lived in Ireland for a while, RTÉ is not so bad either in regard to the rest of their content. I think they do quite well for such a small country population wise – you should see what sh!t passes for TV in other countries, believe me.
The Director General (the main boss) is married to a Eurovision winner, so you think he’d a soft spot for the contest, having met his wife through the event in 1996. I absolutely agree that they should put more effort into their Eurovision act, but to say they’re stuck in the 90s is wrong. In the 90s, they actually had decent songs from talented writers and performers, not to mention a live orchestra. If only they were like the 90s today. Also, Bressie is back writing and recording with his band The Blizzards – he seems to be giving the… Read more »
When have Ireland ever finished last in a semi? Even when they fail to qualify, they usually finish 12th or so.
Can anyone tell me why Ireland aren’t considered candidates for last place in this semi?
Bressie would be a good choice for Ireland actually, at least he can sing lead vocals and he write his own songs, but, if that happens, mark my words, RTE will have a 5 piece band accompanying him on stage and very little overall going on on-stage, Bressie will stand in the one spot on a massive stage, ala Ryan Dolan and be swamped.
Bressie’s song ‘Cant Stay Young Forever’ had Eurovision written all over it.
Next year it’ll be Bressie for Ireland. Mark my words.
Was he always this weak on stage? What did he do all those years in Westlife?
I mean Nicky is improving his vocals every performance but it’s sooo dull. I am proud to be Irish but RTE really need to try hard. Eurovision is big and we hold the record so don’t just give it away we need to try harder. Fair play too Nicky for flying the flag but the performance is just forgettable and dull. This will be our 3rd year not qualifying so thanks RTE for ruining Eurovision for Ireland.
I know guys, it’s a joke. I really hate RTE, not just for Eurovision but it’s actually a crappy television service as well. They are too greedy. There money is actually there for a top notch performance but they would rather spend it on themselves or another millionth political programme. I mean if debt ridden TVR could make Romania qualify every year, then RTE could also make Ireland qualify. I think TG4 should do Eurovision. I mean they did a good job for junior Eurovision and held a very good national selection. Our entry would probably be in Irish or… Read more »
@Darren, RTE don’t seem to have spent anything on this year’s entry which really alarms me. There was no national final, meaning they saved a fortune and Nicky Byrne said he was waiving his fee. It looks to me like RTE have invested around €100 into staging this act which is really asking for trouble in terms of trying to qualify.
@Darren
I agree with you completely.. comparing to France, the delegation head arrange every possible events for Amir to attend. RTE just do the old things. When you look at the stage, anyone can feel the laziness of RTE (come on, Red sun???)
My problem is t with Nicky, he’s trying with the best he was given, my problem is with RTE for repeating the same failed formula as usual. A lighter colour tone, an LED sun, backing dancers wearing all-White to counter Nicky’s black and orange jacket and of course Nicky’s vocals to be good. I don’t know why RTE always have 6 people on stage who do nothing but pretend to play instruments. They are stuck in the 90s and it’s becoming hard for an Irish Eurovision fan to support our acts. Surely RTE can spend the budget wisely and surely… Read more »
what he wears is pathetic. And the perfomance screams boredom. Next time nicky…
If it makes the final it will be very lucky. I’d love to see Ireland in the final again. It’s recent run of non-qualifiers has been really disappointing. Part of me wants Sweden to win this year to equal Ireland’s record so Ireland gets the kick up the ass it needs to take the competition seriously again.
My main worry here is the staging. Looks like RTE have spent absolutely nothing on the backdrop or the lighting, nor does there seem to be a single special effect.
Vocally it’s not bad at all though.
You can tell a song is awful when the report mentions NOTHING about how good he sounded.
Ireland will fail, yet again
I apologize for the double post, my PC is bugging me.
Nothing has changed but at least his vocals were on point. Too bad there wasn’t much effort on staging, And I don’t get why is he so static right until the bridge. I wonder where are the dancers that he mentioned a few times, I guess they changed their minds. This is a happy song, I really expected that they will come up with something exciting for the staging, this is pretty simple. Maybe RTE doesn’t have enough budget to for something big? Who knows. However, maybe this will look better on the semi final night with the crowd and… Read more »
Nothing has changed but at least his vocals were on point. Too bad there wasn’t much effort on staging, And I don’t get why is he so static right until the bridge. I wonder where are the dancers that he mentioned a few times, I guess they changed their minds. This is a happy song, I really expected that they will come up with something exciting for the staging, this is pretty simple. Maybe RTE doesn’t have enough budget to fo something big? Who knows. However, maybe this will look better on the semi final night with the crowd and… Read more »
I think this will look great on the main show best of luck to Nicky hope he Qualifys.
It’s gonna take a miracle to qualify, to be honest. But he can compete with Samra for the title.
No impact, it will be forgotten by the viewers before the start of the next performer. My guess is that many viewers will still be talking about the last two performers and not even realize this is on. Sorry Ireland, no real chance of qualifying.
Talk about boring. Going to be forgotten in between two powerful vocalists with ballads that seem to ooze more energy than this. Third straight NQ on the cards for us.
It’s actually better than what I feared Nicky’s voice isn’t too bad compared to other live performances a few weeks back Still can’t really hit the high notes.
Not a fan of the staging, with so much blue and red this year I don’t think it will stand out. Unfortunately I think it will be another non-qualification for Ireland
NO FINAL
Joris Cools
I want to be nice about this but he needs a lot of help vocally. It looks the part but is more impressive with the sound turned off. =(
Best I’ve heard from Nicky! SLAYY THE PACK BOY
This is so good. So mutch better than Russia and Australia. Go Ireland