Eugent Bushpepa announced his arrival in a big way during his first rehearsal in Lisbon. The rocker, whose vocals never stray from flawless, hit his high notes yet again, all the while staring into the camera that occasionally spun around him. Rock performances have a tendency to work on simple stages and this is no different. Flashing lights — including plenty of Albanian red — create a tasteful environment that feels so organic to this genre. Even better: They manage to fill the entire stage with their instruments and charisma. Eugent is a small guy, but he doesn’t disappear.
What else works? The black stage outfits, which run from suited and booted (Eugent) to a bit more edgy and t-shirt/tank (with the dummer). There’s cohesion with all the members on the stage. It comes off as a touring band performing a gig — and with some very attractive female backing vocalists in glittering black dresses.
Eugent Bushpepa — “Mall”: Reviews and Reactions
Albania: First rehearsal at Eurovision 2018
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Albania: First press conference 2018
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Photo & Footage: Courtesy of EBU & RTP
Eugen is the best singer for this year . To my opinion i think he should win this year why not , he can sing so good and the song is so beautiful .
One of my highlights of the day. I liked the red color, his outfit was great and he once again slayed vocally. I’m already in love with this song! This MUST qualify!
Next country lost.
Lets hope for a qualification. Go Eugent. Rock on ?
I knew Eugent would make their high quality artistry show on stage. He ruled rehearsals today with his powerful voice. I’m happy for Albania and I’m keeping my prediction that this could turn into the best result ever for Albania.
He looks like a vampire with those weird eyes. Very unpleasant face and voice. 😀
Are you kidding ?
Eugent’s vocals are insane! This is just the first rehearsal and he already sounds like this, it’s impressive. I think Albania made the right call. Focus on the singer (he’s also a very convincing performer), bandmates on the stage, good rock n’ roll lights. It’s simple, but effective. And coming right after Iceland may help them much more than I was expecting.
Even in a low-quality rehearsal video he sounds better than many artists in the actual live show. I really want him in the final.
Maybe he should wear a hat, it might help people remember him (“I guess I’m going to vote for the dude with the hat at the beginning”).
Wow! I’m pleasantly surprised!
Eugent is top. His vocals are awesome. The background effects are nice and don’t distract from what is happening on stage. This is just a snippet but looks promising. I think he may qualify.
This was a never in my top 10 but he deserves to qualify.
I totally agree!
He is better than the song. The performance will make him qualify.
Honestly I didn’t even notice if he has good staging, bad staging or no staging because THAT VOICE. He’s a dark horse for the win for sure.
Not my favourite to go through, but he really has potential
He may qualify if people don’t skip Albania because Albania, just like they do with some other countries
I like his outfit tho, I could wear that all day
After watching Israel, I’m pretty confident Albania is the best of this semi.
Wow!
Hope he qualifies!
Sure points from Macedonia.
Good luck!
Certainly, the best voice this year together with Amaia and fully deserves to be in the Final! A pity the song is not actually my style, but that voice! Good luck!
Omg! STFU! BENJAMIN INGROSSO has the right to criticise other songs especially when they are not good songs! I for one agree with him, Albania is SHOUTING! Stop bullying him!!!! He can say whatever he want including he HATE Eugent’s song if he wants to!! It’s called freedom of speech!
Who’s talking about that video here? Go throw your garbage anywhere else. I’m tired of this unnecessary drama.
lol calm down, someone needs a hug
Haha. You referred to Jürgen’s comment below right? Mate, get it together. He didn’t mention about the video. 🙂
Calm down Beyonce!
1.Albania
2.azerbijan
3.Island
4.belgium(worst ever)?
I don’t like this kind om music., but what a voice!! Seems to be a great performance.
Good luck from Sweden
Ok, think it’s good whith many diffrent type of songs. That is what I like about ESC. I want rock, balcanballads, songs that make me cry, want to dance etc.
It’s ok if you don’t like our song, we have different taste. But from the start there are only fem songs that I like, but in the end I like somthing in almoust every song.
Good luck to your cuntry Jurgen
Where is the LED? Why is there only light? I thought Eurovision has LEDs. This rockstar needs rockstar treatment! The organisers need to get their act together!
Fabulous!
I love his outfit.
This 30 second snippet is already so powerful. I cannot wait to see the full performance on Tuesday evening!
I hope he can qualify! These vocals and this emotional song must be in the Grand Final. Too bad Albania is in the strongest SF 🙁
This is my BIG NR. 1 , I love the song from the very first time I heard it !! Albania MUST go to the big final !! Eugent is a very great singer and his Mall is absolutely AMAZING !! His first rehearsel is very good. Go Albania, to the big final !! You deserves it !!
It’s basic but unlike Iceland, it suits the song and he’s got charisma. This could be a borderline qualifier.
Come on Albania – this year you can do it!
care to share a link?
100% qualifier, top 3 of this semifinal together with Israel & Finland.
Do you have a youube link for this?
Boy Eugent slaying? What a surprise…
So glad this year we will break many stereotypes at ESC. One of those is that Albania always have bad staging. Not this year, my friends.
I still prefer the FiK outfit (the black one), but this one isn’t bad at all. Like they said in the video, it gives a more contemporary and edgy vibe to the song, just the perfect pinch.
I think the cool bassist might be better on the right side, what do you think?
Oh no – my avatar is gone again 🙁 what happened?
Absolutely stunning! I have a feeling it’s a qualifier
Albania will qualify, no doubt ?
This will most likely stand out and be one of the “breath of fresh air” moments of the night, to the extent where both Belarus, Armenia and Azerbaijan might not make it through to the Final. His vocals are amazing and the staging fits in with the song, so does the backing vocalists and it all feels genuine. Knowing the lack of rock entries in SF1 (other than Switzerland’s pop-song), this surely will get voters going on the night.
Given Iceland is performing before him and Belgium after, this will stand out and might make the final. I got goosebumps from his high notes and the jury will appreciate it. I am very happily surprised 😀
Greeeat! Perfect! Buttt please someone say to those back vocalists to not wave their hands like they did in the end of the song.
One to watch methinks.
If there is a surprise qualifier, I have a feeling it will be Albania.
The underdogs of this semi, (Albania, Ireland, FYR Macedonia) are miles better than some of the “favourites” that are ranked so highly, yet nobody seems to realise this.
I’ve seen many people complement albania and macedonia on esc platforms actually. Especially macedonia seems to be a fan favorite.
Agree on all three!
I don’t think Albania is a surprising qualifier anymore. He’s sailing through.
You’re right about Ireland being an underdog. They’re gonna be bringing those dancers from the music video onto the stage so I can’t wait for rehearsals to see what happens.
GO ALBANIA <3 <3 <3 Amazing voice ..amazing stanging …AMAZING EUGENT <3