During his first rehearsal at Eurovision 2018, Iceland’s Ari Ólafsson served major face. The performance opens with dreamy close-up shots — he sings straight into the camera showing off those baby blues and really connects with viewers. He’s kept it simple in the sartorial stakes, slipping into a red shirt with high neckline and a shiny white suit. The shoulders feature red geometric detailing, which to our inexperienced eyes seem to channel something tribal or indigenous. Some of you have compared it to the lines on a subway map. Ari shares the stage with five backing vocalists, who lacked cohesion with their clothing. Only one — the song writer — seemed to match Ari.

Iceland has really gone back to basics with this performance, and it would have fit right in with Johnny Logan at Eurovision 1987. Fans of fireworks will likely find this too simplistic. But surely it will find fans among those who appreciate simplicity and strong vocals.

Ari Ólafsson — “Our Choice”: Reviews and Reactions

Iceland: First rehearsal at Eurovision 2018

Iceland: First press conference 2018

Read all of our Eurovision rehearsal reviews

Read all of our Iceland Eurovision news here

Photo & Footage: Courtesy of EBU & RTP

24 Comments
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AngieP
AngieP
5 years ago

Great voice! The staging not the best. The outfit not my thing. He won’t qualify.

Mr Gold
Mr Gold
5 years ago

Almost nothing.

Pasadena
Pasadena
5 years ago

Sounds like an Irish entry. The only thing though is that Ireland hasn’t been successful with this kind of entry in the past 20 years.

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
5 years ago

…Oh no….he should’ve brought back the band he had in his national final and had them sing backup….it would’ve made the stage look less empty…

Thiago
Thiago
5 years ago

I like it! After struggling with sleep problems for quite a while, I finally found the song performance that will solve all of my sleeping issues!!!

Jamala
Jamala
5 years ago

The perfect song and outfit. No, I’m kidding. 😉

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago

The staging and the costumes made it feel even more dated. Oh, Icelandic producers, why do you keep doing this to poor Ari? I agree that the suit aged him a lot. His vocals are good, he’s doing what he can to save their entry.

M_K
M_K
5 years ago

I kinda like this outfit. He’s just the kind of guy that looks good in a suit (so I guess that this is why he used to work in a bank).

Miguel
Miguel
5 years ago

Sadly the staging looks dated and boring. This reminds me the 80s.
Thumbs up for Ari giving his all.

beccaboo1212
5 years ago
Reply to  Miguel

Cheer up! You might actually get used to it! 😉

Miguel
Miguel
5 years ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

I am talking about the icelandic staging, not the arena.
I really doubt I will get used to it just from listening to it once again.

Radakiel
Radakiel
5 years ago

It’s.. in between meh and ok
I have flashbacks of Jonas Gardell from Melfest

Eurovision 1993
Eurovision 1993
5 years ago

Oh my god! The stage looks so bad and dated! It’s like Eurovision 1993. So disappointed with the venue. 🙁
PS: Portugal looks so old and rundown…

Esgalnor
Esgalnor
5 years ago

No, this does nothig with the song. Sorry, this is one of the few sure non-qualifiers.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

That spot in the running order is just the last nail in the coffin.

George Vavatsis
George Vavatsis
5 years ago

Finally some truly great vocals in Eurovision!! I really like his dress too!!!

Pera
Pera
5 years ago

Maybe he will finish like Austria 2017. Azerbaijan 2018 look like Serbia 2017, and Iceland 2018 maybe be Austria 2017 , go to final thanks to juries.

usn9
usn9
5 years ago

Those ”ribs” in the back are lowkey annoying. Not a huge fan of the stage

esc1234
esc1234
5 years ago

Actually the whole package is basic.

Denis
5 years ago

Poor Iceland! Every Nordic country has taken a step forward except them.

Well well
Well well
5 years ago

Please bring back Icelandic troll queen Silvia Night . This is an intervention.

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
5 years ago

This was very boring. Him standing with the backing vocalists looked strange and nothing really happened (from what I saw) This is a sure NQ, and Im sorry for Ari because he delivered vocally.

Darren
Darren
5 years ago

Well, atleast Iceland is letting the song do the talking. Something perhaps other countries could learn from.
Sadly, I think Iceland is DoA this year but kuddos to Ari for being true to himself and giving it his all, despite all the negativity thrown at him and his song. I hope atleast that he enjoys this Eurovision experience for what it is.

Anitta
Anitta
5 years ago

It is a very cute song an a good vocalist also …but he is so unlucky to compete in a strong first semi …