In April he told us that he was working hard with his choreographer to nail his stage show at Eurovision 2017. And during his first rehearsal Cyprus’ HOVIG finally showed us what he’s been working on. His staging, which consists mostly of black and white LEDs, sees him walking an illuminated line in the opening moments. It sets the tone for a performance that requires a great deal of balance: He eventually jumps and must land on one foot while performing some simple but intriguing choreography along with his two backing dancers. There were so obvious balance issues — wobble here, wrong thigh position there — but he’ll surely iron that out in subsequent rehearsals.

This has obvious shades of Belgium’s Eurovision 2015 performance from Loïc Nottet — it’s aiming for avant-garde, features lots of black and white and seeks to create something high-impact through its simplicity and edge. Whether it achieves this is up for debate. I’m feeling it and think it makes the track seem less generic. Some of my fellow bloggers, who have Belgium 2015 lodged firmly in their memory, say it’s derivative. But the vast majority of voters aren’t diehard Eurovision fans, so perhaps they won’t remember Loïc — or compare Hovig to him.

Hovig — “Gravity”: Reviews and Reactions

Cyprus: First rehearsal at Eurovision 2017

Cyprus: First press conference 2017

Read all of our Eurovision rehearsal reviews

Read all of our Cyprus Eurovision news here

Photo: Eurovision.tv (EBU)

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Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

I still don’t like the song and this is Belgium’s staging from two years ago. He is more polished than I expected though.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

Funny moment in the clip when Hovig can’t balance on one leg. Perhaps that’s a bad omen.

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

The staging does seem like Loic’s at some parts! There are certainly issues concerning the staging! Hovig needs to get used to the stage and the choreography! That’s why there are rehearsals! I really like the “trying to have balance on a line”! But he should work on it! I also like when the 2 dancers actually push him from the one side to the other and the colours change towards the end! From your review guys I got sth interesting is happening at the end! My first impression was positive in case of Cyprus! Keep up the good work… Read more »

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

The song itself already had some copyright controversies, then they decided to go further with that.

2L
2L
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Copyright controversies? Court case number?

Americanvision
Americanvision
6 years ago

With only Slovenia (heard its meh) and Latvia left:
1. Armenia
2. Greece
3. Sweden
4. Finland
5. Azerbaijan
6. Poland (swapped after looking at pictures)
7. Montenegro
8. Moldova
9. Czech Republic
10. Australia
11. Albania
12. Iceland
13 Cyprus
14. Belgium
15. Georgia
Inc. Portugal

Iggema
Iggema
6 years ago

The chroreography has te be on spot, or it will only harm te song. Let’s hope he gets it right.

Ay Jo
Ay Jo
6 years ago

He walks like there are pins or needles on the stage that hurt his heels, lol.

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

So he basically ripped off Rag’n’Bone Man’s sound and Loic Nottet’s stage? This semi is going to be hard to get through…

Mameo
Mameo
6 years ago

Did not expect he has such thunderous voice. An advantage for him but also a disadvantage. There’s little room for mistake.

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
6 years ago

it doesn’t help other countries that armenia, the UK, and greece all vote in this semi :/ :/ :/

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
6 years ago

it’s artsy and it might qualify instead of iceland which will make me weep

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  mocosuburbian

How about the more realistic option – neither qualifies?