Operatic duets for one, men in masks and a Romanian diva descending a staircase — the second rehearsals of Eurovision 2017 are on! We continue with Croatia, Norway, Switzerland and Belarus.

Croatia: Jacques Houdek with “My Friend”

Singing a duet for one, the Croatian crooner gave each of his on-stage personas a different look by wearing one outfit in two halves. On his left side he wore what appeared to be a leather jacket (for the torch song singer), while on the right side he wore a tuxedo (for the opera star). Turning to the right or the left, each side of the outfit comes into sharper focus — and yet it still works as a whole when he stares straight into the camera during the soaring chorus.

Elsewhere he’s toned down the opening shot where he stares into the camera, serving as your friendly motivational speaker who tells you that life should be lived as a miracle. He seems further back and less in your face, reducing any creepy vibes we felt earlier.

Croatia’s Second Rehearsal at Eurovision 2017

Jacques Houdek, “My Friend”: Performance Preview

Norway: JOWST with “Grab the Moment”

Forget black and blue — JOWST want to leave you purple and white with just the right amount of pink. Once again they created major atmosphere with their track “Grab the Moment”, taking us to a mysterious lounge with masked DJs and drummers. The purple renderings of Alexander’s silhouette now appear in sharper focus on the left and right sides of the screen, but we never lose sight of the real deal as he stands in the centre dancing and singing.

Norway’s Second Rehearsal at Eurovision 2017

JOWST, “Grab the Moment”: Performance Preview

Switzerland: Timebelle with “Apollo”

Once again Miruna was the belle of the ball, standing atop her spiral staircase illuminated with a yellow spotlight, which matched her sunny dress with deep thigh-split. Channeling Eurovision princess, she wore her hair in a dramatic part, letting her locks fall in corkscrew curls past her shoulders. As you can see in our performance video below, her walk down the stairs seems rather perilous — especially given the height of her heels — but she handled it like a pro. Going into the final 40 seconds the long pause where she catches her breath before belting it out seems even more dramatic as the stage goes dark. Yellow LED baubles grow out of the floor surrounding the staircase, and a gentle breeze blows against Miruna at times, sending the fluffy lining of her dress into motion. They’re lovely little touches that give this added warmth.

Switzerland’s Second Rehearsal at Eurovision 2017

Timebelle, “Apollo”: Performance Preview

Belarus: Naviband with “Story of my Life”

Their song makes even the most bitter of Bettys bounce and bob. And today Naviband moved even more as they stood on their hydroplane with massive fans at back. They were even more playful and joyous — and that may be down to their new threads. Ksenia wore a translucent lace number with organza overlay that offered a tasteful and tantalising peak of what lay beneath. She also added henna tattoos to her hands, providing arresting new visuals for those close-ups. Arciom added a hat to his ensemble, turning him into the Clyde to her Bonnie. Towards the end of the song they hold each other close and spin in circles. It’s a dizzying finish to one of the happiest songs of the year.

Belarus’ Second Rehearsal at Eurovision 2017

Naviband, “Story of my Life”: Performance Preview

44 Comments
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Richard
Richard
6 years ago

Croatia are doing a great job with their entry, the presentation is wonderful and Jacques sounds great. Not keen on the double outfit though, and I feel a Barbara Dex moment coming if he wears that. I want this in the final.

Bella
Bella
6 years ago

I wanna be Jacques Houdek’s friend! 😀

Katrinelene
Katrinelene
6 years ago

1. Belarus- very positive and cheerfull perfomance
2. Switzerland – I like her voice, yellow dress and the song is Ok
3. Norway- little bit boring to me but staging is ok
4. Croatia- I don’ understand what they all want to say, so messy

Education Sentimentale
Education Sentimentale
6 years ago

There is only one way to react to Croatia’s entry.

„ogottogott“
(Ernst Jandl, from the poem „Ottos Mops“)

M_K
M_K
6 years ago

Croatia: It’s just too much of everything, it’s really not my taste. They had promised not to make it a circus… seems like we disagree on the definition of what a circus is. Norway: It’s even better than before. I think that among all 42 entries it’s the staging that reflects on the feeling of the respective song most effectively. Switzerland: The colour scheme reminds me of quite a few entrants from the Eurovision Song Contest 1986! I don’t think the staging helps the (albeit decent) song at all. However, it’s probably a song that’s hard to stage in general.… Read more »

tom
tom
6 years ago
Reply to  M_K

What part of Croatian entry could you considere as “circus”? Yeah song is bit Disney-ish, but its still in good taste. You are simply hater, and I am very happy Jacques will prove you wrong.

Bart
Bart
6 years ago

I just realized that I really really don’t like Croatia… it’s a big achievement but Croatia is much worse than Romania…

Marco
Marco
6 years ago

Norway, with this performance, can break it

Go Norway, and Switzerland (at leats hope so…)

Yossarian
Yossarian
6 years ago
Reply to  Marco

Norway is my biggest grower. I really want them to qualify (and do well in the final).

Switzerland… The staging in fine, but why those colours? Why? They’re such a departure from the atmosphere of both the video and the NF…

Stephanie
6 years ago
Reply to  Yossarian

I totally understood why they chose those colors. Miruna says that the song is about following your dreams, so those colors help transport the viewer into Timebelle’s dream world. Emanuel and Samuel said in the press conference as well that they are positive colors that evoke warmth and energy

Yossarian
Yossarian
6 years ago
Reply to  Stephanie

Mmh… I see the idea, but I can’t say I feel it, tbh.

Cupcake
6 years ago
Reply to  Yossarian

Umm.. yeah. I’m not so into the staging as well. A Dreamworld would have been a lot darker for me too like a mysterius blue with a slightly brighter core in the middle or something like that. But I like the Song anyway. They’ll definitely get a vote from me. As well as Belarus. Oh I’m so looking forward to the upcoming week!! 😀

Yossarian
Yossarian
6 years ago
Reply to  Marco

The staging *is fine.

Sal
Sal
6 years ago

Qualifiers: Israel, Romania, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Belarus, Denmark, Serbia, Macedonia, Hungary, Estonia!

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

SF2 is a lot harder to call, when compared to SF1. There is a lot of diverse good stuff going on in SF2; for example I like Switzerland – but I’m not sure enough other people will like it enough to qualify. And I can’t vote in SF2 anyhow!! It’s going to be tough for those who can vote.

If I had to pick a winner from SF2, it would be Bulgaria. The song is very emotive, and the singer has “superstar” written all over him.

Americanvision
Americanvision
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

On the day, I have him and Estonia tied. Both were really good. I also like the effects in the Eurovision preview video now on YT. That explains why it looks plain on everyone’s live feed.

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

Croatia: I like the part where we see the two faces of Jacques sing to each other! I like the transformation of the background in a path and the sunflowers at the end! I don’t really like when there’s much going on! But it looks great! And whenever I hear Jacques change his voice throughout the song, I am impresed every time! How can he do that?? Norway: More or less the same as we know! The stage looks great! Good job! Switzerland: I don’t know how to describe the staging! Is it like a fairytale? Or is it like… Read more »

Eve
Eve
6 years ago

Well done Croatia, my biggest grower!

Leo M
Leo M
6 years ago

I like Switzerland’s staging, very Disney like and I think people will like it. I don’t like Croatia but I have a feeling they could sneak through because it is so camp. Strong performances Belarus and Norway too. I still don’t know what is gonna happen in this semi, so tough to predict

Razmikkkkk
Razmikkkkk
6 years ago

ARMENIA IS REAL WINNER!!! KING OF EUROPE!!! BEST SONG THIS YEAR ORIGINAL!!!

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago
Reply to  Razmikkkkk

Even so, it will be difficult for them to win semi-final 2.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

Because they are in Semi-Final 1.
Right? :S

Americanvision
Americanvision
6 years ago

My SF2 finalists are:
Estonia, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Austria, Romania, Belarus, Israel, Malta, Croatia, and Hungary.

Ireland, Norway, and maybe Denmark (based on her voice alone) has a chance but we’ll see!

R
R
6 years ago
Reply to  Americanvision

Out austria belarus and malta in switzerland macedonia denmark

Americanvision
Americanvision
6 years ago

Only Israel left!
1. Estonia (however, Laura needs to hit that note in the end)
2. Bulgaria (more like 1b instead of 2)
3. Netherlands
4. Austria
5. Romania
6. Belarus
7. Malta
8. Croatia
9. Hungary
10. Ireland
————–
11. Norway
12. Switzerland
13. FYR Macedonia
14. Lithuania
15. Denmark
16. Serbia
17. San Marino

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Americanvision

I think the Netherlands will win this SF after watching Bulgaria’s rehearsal.
About Estonia, that note in the end was very awkward, kind of funny.

Sandro
Sandro
6 years ago

1/ San Marino
2/ San Marino
3/ San Marino
4/ San Marino
5/ San Marino
6/ San Marino
7/ San Marino
8/ San Marino
9/ San Marino
10/ San Marino

Americanvision
Americanvision
6 years ago

Estonia’s next!
1. Bulgaria
2. Netherlands
3. Austria
4. Romania
5. Belarus
6. Malta
7. Croatia
8. Hungary
9. Ireland
10. Norway
————-
11. Switzerland
12. FYR Macedonia
13. Lithuania
14. Denmark
15. Serbia
16. San Marino

Americanvision
Americanvision
6 years ago

With 3 left:
1. Bulgaria
2. Netherlands
3. Austria
4. Romania
5. Belarus
6. Malta
7. Croatia
8. Hungary
9. Ireland
10. Norway
————-
11. Switzerland
12. FYR Macedonia
13. Denmark
14. Serbia
15. San Marino

WolfClaw
WolfClaw
6 years ago

With the 2nd semi-final rehearsals underway, I made a Top 18 video 🙂 Let me know who you want to qualify!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OooiAB8TEQ

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

Switzerland continues to disappoint but I really liked Croatia and Norway. Belarus have done such a great job with their staging again. Just a shame that I find the song so annoying!

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

oh god, today’s rehearsals make yesterday’s looks like amateur job.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

I’m only talking about SF2, not the Big6

jojo
jojo
6 years ago

Jesus Christ, so many awful songs. WTF Croatia? Can it be almost as awful as Romenia…

ESC4Ever
ESC4Ever
6 years ago

Croatia just keeps slaying and slaying! The performance gave me chills! I’m going to vote for this in 2nd Semi. GOOD LUCK FROM THE NETHERLANDS

anonymous91
anonymous91
6 years ago
Reply to  ESC4Ever

how can you slay with those cringey lyrics, and he calls us stupid, with the lyric i’ll pray you’ll see the light and find your way, seeing the light is like becoming smart

and i find him so not likeable, he takes this song way too serious lol

Andrés Jakob
Andrés Jakob
6 years ago

Svala is a party grrrl! Slaying it with another song at the Moldovan party. Take a look at Svala from Iceland.
https://youtu.be/FDYSrNuFrlo

Americanvision
Americanvision
6 years ago

With 4 left:
1. Netherlands
2. Austria
3. Romania
4. Belarus
5. Malta
6. Croatia
7. Hungary
8. Ireland
9. Norway
10. Switzerland
——————–
11. FYR Macedonia
12. Denmark
13. Serbia
14. San Marino

Mufasa
Mufasa
6 years ago

That was amazing!!! Croatia well done!!! This voice is so awesome. Touché

Debailor
Debailor
6 years ago

There are a lot of Disney inspired acts in this semi (Austria, Ireland, Croatia, Switzerland). I kinda like it 🙂

Americanvision
Americanvision
6 years ago

Waiting on Belarus now:
1. Netherlands
2. Austria
3. Romania
4. Malta
5. Croatia
6. Hungary
7. Ireland
8. Norway
9. Switzerland
10. FYR Macedonia
——————
11. Denmark
12. Serbia
13. San Marino

V
V
6 years ago

The sooner we have finished with Croatia, Romania, Macedonia and Denmark from today’s lot, the better!

Maniac
Maniac
6 years ago

YEEEEEESSSSS !!! , JACQUES KING OF EUROVISION 2017 , this is magical , thank you MY FRIEND , we are going to the final !!

Americanvision
Americanvision
6 years ago

After 12 and watching Switzerland now:
1. Netherlands
2. Austria
3. Romania
4. Malta
5. Croatia
6. Hungary
7. Ireland
8. Norway
9. FYR Macedonia
10. Denmark
——————
11. Serbia
12. San Marino