Frenetic, fast-paced and just a little dizzying, the disco is a place of freedom. And San Marino’s Valentina Monetta & Jimmie Wilson demonstrated that during their first rehearsal at Eurovision 2017.

Wearing all-black leather outfits, the pair drank their go-go juice ahead of this morning’s run-throughs, bobbing and shaking with abandon — but without any clearly identifiable choreography. Perhaps keen to give herself a bit of urban edge, Valentina wore a black cap. She carried her essentials — lipstick and a bit of blush, maybe? — in a black cross-strap body bag with a large white star. Jimmie wore a sparkly black blazer which he removed in the final minute of the song, revealing a skin-tight black vest that showed off his bulging biceps.

The LED wall is relatively simple — it scrolls through a series of orange, red and purple panels, giving the effect of a disco-themed rainbow. At times the floor displays a similar effect, which is truly eye-catching.

While it’s unlikely that the spirit of the night will move San Marino to the final, this act will surely find its fans. The euro-dance sound has a nostalgic feel, which will appeal to those who came of age when euro-dance was a thing. In the press room two tables erupted with applause during the first run-through — partly owing to the somewhat bonkers nature of this.

Valentina, returning for her fourth time, was completely at ease. In between takes she playfully blew air kisses at the camera, shimmied her shoulders and bobbed in place. For the second take she removed her jacket — perhaps she could move even more freely.

Valentina Monetta & Jimmie Wilson — “Spirit of the Night”: Reviews and Reactions

San Marino: First rehearsal at Eurovision 2017

San Marino: First press conference 2017

Read all of our Eurovision rehearsal reviews

Read all of our San Marino Eurovision news here

Photo: Eurovision.tv (EBU)

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AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

Nothing unexpected from San Marino!
Valentina feels like home now!

nauportus
nauportus
6 years ago

ralph siegel needs to retire already. I love valentina but siegel’s songs are just torturous to listen to (chain of lights from 2015 is perhaps one of the worst eurovision songs ever). crisalide was the only passable song he’s written for san marino so far.

Jolly
Jolly
6 years ago

Padraig stop being so eloquent! You’re making these reviews addictive.

Georges
Georges
6 years ago

Une chanson littéralement insignifiante! Je me demande pourquoi elle s’obstine à y participer…

Abel
Abel
6 years ago

This can be genius, because Jimmie is the only black singer, and that can bring votes.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

The song is very weak, but the performance seems very fresh and engaging.

beccaboo1212
6 years ago

I’m sure glad Valentina’s back at Eurovision. Let’s hope Jimmie can her bring San Marino back to the final! 🙂

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

If San Marino doesn’t have enough singers and composers, they could select names in Italy. I think there are many small names that want to go to Eurovision, but they can’t because of San Remo.
Would be better than select outsider names or pick Valentina again, and send these bad songs, making San Marino a “joke act country”. I don’t appreciate that.

Burger
Burger
6 years ago

time for Valentina to retire I think. She’s in the books for equalling the number of times she has participated anyway.

Eve
Eve
6 years ago

Totally predictable, not good, not bad, that’s it.

Gio
Gio
6 years ago
Reply to  Eve

I fully agree with you.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

Not bad at all!
Based on what I saw of the rehearsal, it brings more to the party than Slavko.

M_K
M_K
6 years ago

Since the video has not been uploaded yet by eurovision.tv, I am just gonna comment on her hair colour:

You should never dye blonde over red, unless you actually want your hair to turn orange.

sorin
sorin
6 years ago

valentina and kaliopi are the queens
what genre is right for valentina???????

oliver
oliver
6 years ago

Valentina! <3