What a difference a rehearsal makes! The always charming Amir from France had another turn on the Eurovision stage and the differences from his first rehearsal are mind-blowing. The tightness and finish — of  the staging and camera work and everything in between — has been multiplied by ten. This should put France back in the race!

During the second rehearsal Amir opted for a dark burgundy suit with a crisp white t-shirt, a nice change from the navy suit he wore during his first rehearsal. Charm and charisma poured out of him and he couldn’t wipe the smile off of his face for the entire duration of his rehearsal. The most endearing moments are now perfectly captured by the camera. He definitely got hearts fluttering in the press centre.

The design of the staging has also been improved a lot. The chorus now displays some modern patterns and shapes in contrast to the stars and planets we see during the verses.

Amir will need to be careful not to overstretch himself in the days ahead. During the first run-through, his vocal was flawless. He hit every note, including the incredibly high section during the final chorus. However, during the second and third run-throughs, Amir’s voice started to strain and he sounded pitchier as the rehearsal went on.

Thankfully Amir only has to perform this song once during the final. If he nails the live vocal in that one run-through, we can immediately consider France a favourite again for Eurovision 2016.

FRANCE: SECOND REHEARSAL AT EUROVISION 2016

AMIR: PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER FIRST REHEARSAL

FRANCE: FIRST REHEARSAL REVIEW

INTERVIEW: AMIR AFTER FIRST REHEARSAL

READ ALL OF OUR EUROVISION REHEARSAL REVIEWS

Photo: Andres Putting (EBU)

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silvester
silvester
7 years ago

He looks hot in that pose.

fikri
fikri
7 years ago

lol that matrix pose came out of nowhere.

silvester
silvester
7 years ago

Amir is really charming and charismatic. 🙂

ESCArgy
ESCArgy
7 years ago

@Charles

I send you some love darling, you seem to need it. I am not insulting you because I respect opinions different than mine, unlike others…

Fidaus
Fidaus
7 years ago

Go Amir. ESC 2016 Winner.Strong performance

Loo
Loo
7 years ago

Amir’s song is playing on radio in Sweden now Bella 🙂 Swedes seems to have high hopes for both Frans and Amir!

Charles
Charles
7 years ago

@ESCArgy: This is 2016 … not 2006 … Your Utopian desire to see France fail is going to give you nightmares .. don’t climb that fake ice or you’re fall and not get those 12 you desperately want so much … and loving every time one agrees with you reminds me of a 5th grade … sure you got to be smarter than a 5th grader? Right?

Charles
Charles
7 years ago

@Alexanderized: Ain’t nobody got time for your denial! But keep trying if that makes your life shine bright like a diamond …

Denis
Denis
7 years ago

Whenever a single person gets all the hate the momentum is with him. Måns last year, nothing but hate.
So bring it on, do your very best!

As for being drawn early, well that’s not an issue. Måns was early last year and impressed everyone. Conchita before that was early too,and both were surrounded by heavy favourites right before and after them. So that theory has sort of been disapproved.

MTD
MTD
7 years ago

I bet Germany will go before him because her song and image are…can’t find words for them…so, he will stand out more. 🙂

Zoe
Zoe
7 years ago

He will fight for the win & may get it!At least he has a modern song.Now i just remembered that Loreen’s vocals live weren’t that great either…she was mumbling her way through the verses and only in chorus her voice was clear.

Zoe
Zoe
7 years ago

He will fight for the win & may get it!At least he has a modern song.Now i just remembered that Loreen’s vocals live waren’t that great either…she was mumbling her way through the verses and only in chorus her voice was clear.

Loo
Loo
7 years ago

He will most likely get draw 11, 12 or 13. Probably 12.

bella
bella
7 years ago

Loo im very happy about our favourites. I want both of them in top 3.And I believe they will be.They receive the most hate.This is good haha just like Concita.I read in a german site that a german dj thinks that Frans is dangerous for Sergey.He
claimed that we may be next year again in Sweden.Anyway I want to see them both in top 3 fighting for the win.What people believe now in Sweden? Do anyone believe that both Amir and Frans can be in top 3?

Alexanderized
Alexanderized
7 years ago

@Iberian
I wish everyone here would think that way, too! 🙂

Iberian
Iberian
7 years ago

Thanks for your words, Scott, I’m happy that we – at least – agree in this: it’s about having fun with good music. I love Amir’s song, you don’t; I’m totally fine with it, and it’s absolutely normal. If France doesn’t win, I won’t cry, there are so many good songs, so anyone else could win. I guess the only thing I don’t get is the negativity. I’m not too keen, for example, on the Finnish entry, but I don’t feel like writing negative comments about that song (and I’d never say “it’s weak, you gotta admit it”, I mean,… Read more »

Cycy
Cycy
7 years ago

It’s simple to understand: when Amir made certain gestures during the song, it means that the effects will be incorporated into the image. And it is also clear that the cameras will film very closely all along. This is the same type of staging that Loreen in 2012. While Amir does not dance like Loreen, but he has a song whose chorus is unforgettable, a lot of positive energy and a smile that brings happiness to everyone . I am proud to be French, proud of our candidate. In 2015 we cried a lot, and Lisa was in the image… Read more »

ESCArgy
ESCArgy
7 years ago

@Scott

I definitely agree with you.

ESCArgy
ESCArgy
7 years ago

@Impressed Guy

Finally, someone who is reasonable.

Scott
Scott
7 years ago

@ESCArgy thanks. This is a decent song (though I thought last year’s French song was good & that tanked!), and it’s already in the final & a contender, I just don’t see it as a winner. There are more powerful/better performed songs.

Impressed Guy
7 years ago

This is so weak and boring. I don’t get how this isi supposed to be a possible winner. Mind my words, France will fail miserably(20-26th).

ESCArgy
ESCArgy
7 years ago

@Scott

I agree with you, even if France wins they will never be the true winner for me. Period.

cheesecake
cheesecake
7 years ago

This was obviously better. I think he can still win it, IF the producers put him into the second half.

Scott
Scott
7 years ago

That’s sweet of you Iberian. Personally, if you love it and it makes you happy that’s great, that’s what Eurovision is all about. We are all entitled to an opinion, and we are never all going to agree. I’d personally love France to win….it’s been ages since they won, let alone troubled the Top10…I just don’t feel it with this one.

power b.
power b.
7 years ago

Loo
not convincing

Loo
Loo
7 years ago

Amir is getting more and more hate now and I’m so excited about that 😀 Because that means his momentum is building!! Bring it on! 😉 Same case every year!

ESCArgy
ESCArgy
7 years ago

@Trala

Thank you for talking some sense into these people.

MTD
MTD
7 years ago

And for the ones that say that Amir cannot sing, a simple YouTube research would find you better quality videos of his second performance and better audio which will make you think twice before submitting a comment here about his voice.

Loo
Loo
7 years ago

power b.

I would call it clever.

MTD
MTD
7 years ago

To the ones who don’t like his staging – what exactly had you in mind for this song and its staging?

Cirque de Soleil? Cheerleaders? Muppet show? Dance group around him but he ain’t dancing so just to dance around while he is singing? What? An LCD bigger than the LCD in the back? What?

Stephanie
7 years ago

His vocal coach is flying in tomorrow, so there’s plenty of time to work on that before the jury show (where they will film the footage for the SF1 broadcast on Tuesday) and the Saturday final. But give Amir a crowd and that’s where he comes alive, they’re going to love him

Trala
Trala
7 years ago

I’m baffled by the popularity of this song. I think people often confuse a catchy tune being a quality one. Also any professional singer can tell that his vocals are very weak. I love France and want it to do well but I have a feeling that this one will flop if staging isn’t improved and if Amir’s vocals aren’t on point during the final. We will see.

power b.
power b.
7 years ago

okay, my point is:
at this stage of competition when you actually realize that you’re one of favs to win YOU JUST CANT PHUCK UP your staging, you have to pull it of like 100%, but he didn’t unfortunately
you may call it simple, i call it lazy

Alexanderized
Alexanderized
7 years ago

@Carl
+1! #joinus 🙂

Carl
Carl
7 years ago

very mature audience must say

Babychops
Babychops
7 years ago

come on non eastern europe vote for amir, we cannot have another moscow dismal display, with their homophobia and dislikes of even their own neighbours. France Rules

Iberian
Iberian
7 years ago

Guess what, Scott, I will laugh all the time, because I’m happy. It’s only a contest, my life doesn’t depend on this. So I’ll keep on smiling, cause that’s what Amir’s song does to me: it makes me smile. A non-victory won’t change that. It’s as simple as that. Sorry to disappoint you but you are talking nonsense (and I couldn’t care less what you laugh about).

Alexanderized
Alexanderized
7 years ago

@Charles
Gee, people you keep on making me smile! Who told you I even like the Russian song? You obviously like making things up you want to make up and that’s what make your life worth living. If you’re not sure what I meant with my comment, just ignore it next time— please please. pretty please.

Scott
Scott
7 years ago

Hope you’re still laughing hard Iberian when this sinks without trace…I know I will be ????

Alexanderized
Alexanderized
7 years ago

@Oxnana
Gosh, aren’t you a genius who cracked the core of my personality from one sentence! You’re so entertaining—please never ever leave this blog! Many happy returns from Germany! 🙂

Iberian
Iberian
7 years ago

I had to laugh so hard over this comment: “Let’s face it this is over hyped and pretty weak.” Hang on. No. There is nothing to face. Amir’s song is simply the best entry in this year’s entry. That’s it. Go for it, Amir!

Loo
Loo
7 years ago

Charles and Denis. Keep up the good work! Don’t let the arrogance hit you.

Charles
Charles
7 years ago

@EugeneESCUK: “Perhaps we need to see it on a TV to appreciate it” … that is the whole point Eugene .. it’s a TV broadcast music contest … not a live concert per se.

@Alexanderized: We all admire your ability to defend and stand by outdated and 1983-rejected music with the need for circus … Keep up if that makes your life worth living. 🙂

AMIR! COURAGE! 🙂 Let the music do the talking …

Loo
Loo
7 years ago

Bella our favorites seems to do very well with rehearsals 🙂 They will both do very well. What do you think?

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

Alexanderized,
blame it on songwriters, not on me. I’m delighted of your loyalty to mama Russia. With people like you they even don’t need a song to win, you’ll accept any crap mama Russia throws your way.

Denis
Denis
7 years ago

This will win. So all you Sergey and Ira loving queens can just suck it

Stephanie
7 years ago

I think people were expecting a strong start from the get-go on Friday, but after seeing the meet and greet and the interview with William, that’s not what Amir was looking for. He saw the first rehearsal as a learning tool, seeing what could be improved (so I think a lot of the bashing from the press and the bookies was uncalled for). Today I saw a much more confident Amir, I loved how he moved around a lot more and made use of the catwalk towards the end. I love the simple staging which proves you don’t need a… Read more »

Scott
Scott
7 years ago

Let’s face it this is over hyped and pretty weak. We have more chance of being in London next year than Paris! But to be fair, we all know we’re Moscow bound…surely.

Loo
Loo
7 years ago

If he gets drawn to the first half he will most likely get running number 12 or 13. If second half 22 or 23

MTD
MTD
7 years ago

I would love to see this winning, so you can queens SHUT UP!