fyr macedonia eye cue first rehearsal eurovision 2018
Andres Putting

FYR Macedonia served us some hot pink fire in this first rehearsal at Eurovision 2018 this morning. Whilst we could only see the very final runthrough (due to technical issues in the press room), it’s definitely looking like things are coming together on stage. Marija opens the song in a close-up with the camera, wearing something very similar to her hot pink outfit from the song’s music video. The first thirty seconds are definitely the peak of the staging ideas, with screen effects acting like glitches as the band move around the stage, playing with perspectives.

The band are joined on stage by three backing singers, but Marija’s vocal is confident and strong by itself. There’s some great interactions between Bojan and Marija as they move around the stage. But even with six people on the stage, some of the wide shots still feel a little empty — especially in contrast to how well shot and effective the opening is. Like a few other acts in this semi-final that we’ve already seen, the band and backing end up taking to the bridge as the song comes to a close. It’s a great final shot to match the opening. After some years of staging woes, Macedonia definitely look like they’re on the right track so far.

Eye Cue — “Lost and Found”: Reviews and Reactions

FYR Macedonia: First rehearsal at Eurovision 2018

FYR Macedonia: First press conference 2018

Read all of our Eurovision rehearsal reviews

Read all of our FYR Macedonia Eurovision news here

Photo & Footage: EBU & RTP

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Miguel
Miguel
5 years ago

Marija has great vocals, but it’s difficult to judge the staging without knowing the camera angles.
There is a lot going on, probably to illustrate the diversity of musical rhythms.
The backing vocalists sound a bit off at the snippet…
I hope they do well and qualify because this is in my top10.

AngieP
AngieP
5 years ago

A little underwhelmed. Again a good song but not a proper staging (like last year). Hope they fix things.

Justina
Justina
5 years ago

while Cyprus and Finland keep it classy with revealing outfits , Macedonia looks incredibly vulgar.

Thiago
Thiago
5 years ago

Yikes.

Radiologistology
Radiologistology
5 years ago

This is my favorite in the contest so I am trying to be optimistic, I think this can give a very feel-good vibe and can appeal on the TV. I really like the snippet as the ending seems to be promising, and I still do think they have a chance to qualify, but that very much depends on the camera angles. I really hope this works out next week, they deserve to get to the final! I hope the Macedonian delegation at least change’s the dresses of the backing singers, they’re hideous. Maybe they can buy something in Portugal?

nils1973nl
nils1973nl
5 years ago

Now that you mention it, indeed, those dresses (which ain’t dresses btw) áre terrible.
The girls in it are really cute btw, they are smokin’, even in that outfits.

Maybe go for the same dress a Marija is wearing, in shiny light blue for example.

Alex
Alex
5 years ago

When you have a song that is so mashed up and messy. It’s extremely hard to stage. They should have kept it simple. The dresses are so ugly and the drum set and the guy are not needed. Just the girl and the dancers. My score after this performance. 5/10

@ljay815
5 years ago
Reply to  Alex

They’re a band, it would be ridiculous to exclude two of their members.

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago

This is actually one of the most difficult songs to stage on this year’s contest. The video does a great job on illustrating the genre transitions and it seems that they’re moving a lot through the stage to try to replicate this effect. I hope they succeed, because I love the song and I’m obsessed about Marija’s voice. I don’t like the costumes. Her dress is a little too short and the backing vocals outfits aren’t nice.

nils1973nl
nils1973nl
5 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

No way to short! 🙂
Don’t listen to Sabrina Marija!

BettyB
5 years ago

Fab song !just like last year pre-contest in my top 10 and then …nope..
That pink dress doesn’t do anything for her, it needs to be fitted, keep it away from her neckline, and a inch or 2 longer at the bottom, id go for a sleek catsuit onesleave/streapless catsuit , hair into snatched long ponytail, and boom.. lets party! i really hope they sort things out cse i realy like ‘Lost and found’

please
please
5 years ago

WHYYYYY? Again Macedonia? that styling is just ugly . her dress is too short just not classy. In the video she had like this swing i was hoping she would bring on stage. This is just a freaking mess stage wise.

Ghhfy
Ghhfy
5 years ago

I really like this song, the performance was ok, but please change those ugly backing vocalists’ outfits

Mr Gold
Mr Gold
5 years ago

Taking into account the embarrassment of all participants, bringing everything to the absurd in the case of Macedonia can be a good solution.

Jimsalabim
Jimsalabim
5 years ago

a messy song with a messy presentation.

Kappes
Kappes
5 years ago

Nice vocals and promising choreography. The dancers’ outfits look hideous, though.

esc1234
esc1234
5 years ago

Worst stage performance award goes – again- to Fyr Macedonia. Hire a descent director next year.

Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

Macedonia tends to have good songs with terrible performances. If Dance Alone couldn’t make it, I don’t see it for this one either, especially in this semi-final…

Rorry
Rorry
5 years ago

This just shows how awkward you Greeks are all over the place considering Macedonia. Get a grip.
I bet all those nasty comments under their YT video and all those dislikes are mainly from Greece. Are you having an online troll factory or what? Childish people.

Rasmus
Rasmus
5 years ago

No its ONLY greek in Greece. No one else is even know what you are talking about 🙂

Anitta
Anitta
5 years ago

Sorryy but not final this year Skopje

Rasmus
Rasmus
5 years ago
Reply to  Anitta

Skopje? Thats the captial. Not the country.

Trash Talking
Trash Talking
5 years ago

A bunch of Benjamin Ingrosso here trashing Macedonia’s performance. If you need to find trash, please take a look at the mirror or the music video of Dance You Off. lol

Well well
Well well
5 years ago

Barbara Dex alert! Sennek is shook/relieved.

Rome
Rome
5 years ago

The song is good, but once again Macedonia destroys its chances for qualification with a bad staging like this one. They never learn, do they?

Rorry
Rorry
5 years ago
Reply to  Rome

How is this bad?
Israel is bad stage-wise, this doesn’t look that way.

Cheap lighting
Cheap lighting
5 years ago
Reply to  Rome

The stage is horrendous thanks to Portugal doing it cheap. Probabaly costed the Portugese nothing as they recycled used stage and lights from a slum in Brazil. Can’t even afford LEDs. Macedonia is trying their best in this situation.

Olivier2
Olivier2
5 years ago
Reply to  Cheap lighting

Honestly I agree this is why they need to change the winning country hosts the contest rule. Honestly if a country such a Portugal or Greece that aren’t doing very well economically win it creates a competition rather dull and simplistic. Plus I am sure its citizens dont want to waste their taxes that way when they are suffering high unemployment. Sorry but I think it’s the truth .

pooky1001
pooky1001
5 years ago
Reply to  Olivier2

It wasnt a financial reason to have no led screens or lights, the reason given was the Portuguese wanted the acts to focus on the singing,as it is a song contest after all, and not for people to be more focused on the staging.

Olivier2
Olivier2
5 years ago
Reply to  pooky1001

I disagree, I think it was a good valid excuse but I really dont think most Portuguese would have agree to major expense if there was as a possibility that the income by Eurovision fans would not exceed the total cost

Rome
Rome
5 years ago
Reply to  Olivier2

LEDs are useless in Eurovision. Didn’t u see how some countries were using them in 2017? Those big face shots on LED screens looked terrible. It’s better this way, let them show their creativity and bring some stage props or I don’t know do something interesting.

Olivier2
Olivier2
5 years ago
Reply to  Rome

I still think it will be a disappointment. It will be a “simpler” version of the extravagant show every year. Fortunately some countries performances will not necessarily need aid from Portugal such as Azerbaijan, Estonia, Czech Republic , etc. To be honest appearance in performance is sometimes as equally important as the song it self

Nora
Nora
5 years ago
Reply to  Olivier2

In my opinion LEDs were just distracting. And not all countries knew how to use with them, there were terrible background shots last year. I am glad they don’t have it this year. Like what those LED screens would have added to the Macedonian performance this year? It already looks messy and atrocious anyway.

Geeky Monky
Geeky Monky
5 years ago
Reply to  pooky1001

Like the guy/gal/Conchita above me said…
We, for example, had LED screens at the national selection final this year, two, one in the back and one on the floor. It wouldn’t cost a cent to have them moved from there to the Eurovision stage.
It was a choice not to use them.

(By the way, love Conchita. Her name means “little seashell” in portuguese. Someone go tell her that. 🙂 )

Raúl
Raúl
5 years ago
Reply to  Olivier2

I do think that you must learn a bit more about Portugal before you wrote about us. Just one or two things. One of the most beautiful countries in the world. Some of the most beatiful citys in the world. One of the best cuisine also. A peaceful country . We dont have terrorism. We almost dont have serious crime. We are one of the most social develloped country in the world – gay people get married can adopt or do surrogancy. People are happy and who cames here always want to came back or intend to live here. Can… Read more »

yellowman96
yellowman96
5 years ago

I’m sorry. It’s a good song but with a lackluster performance. No Final sorry

Jobn
Jobn
5 years ago

WOW!! ABSOLUTELY WINNER !

Denis
Denis
5 years ago

As expected a fan-wank. No final as usual for FYROM or whatever name Greeks decides it should be called. Next song please!

Johm
Johm
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

What is wrong with you ??? This must be a WINNER SONG !

Rasmus
Rasmus
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

If a greek fan is happy when Macedonia fail. They have a problem. If a macedonian fan is happy when Greece fail. They have the same problem i think. I think this is going to miss sadly right now. But its only 1st rehearsel :).

Alexandros
Alexandros
5 years ago
Reply to  Rasmus

Macedonia is Greece
Why would the Greeks be happy????

Alexandros
Alexandros
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Greece has already decided ! The Former Yugoslavs are Macedonian nothing!the word Macedonia will be removed from their name! Because it’s a Hellenic name and belongs to the Hellenic people of Greece!NOT to the Bulgarian slavs and turkoalbanians of Former Yugoslavia!===>>MACEDONIA NOTHING G!!!!! ?

Nora
Nora
5 years ago
Reply to  Alexandros

ok calm down

Rasmus
Rasmus
5 years ago
Reply to  Alexandros

And the rest of the world have decided this: Greece is Greece and Macedonia is Macedonia. Happy 🙂 ?

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
5 years ago

This looks nice, idk if it will stand out enough but they will definetly deliver live. I really hope they can qualify, but we will see eventually.

Netta is a feminist, bad bad. Im not a toy. She do
Netta is a feminist, bad bad. Im not a toy. She do
5 years ago

This song is very cringe and should not qualify. for example Finland and Albania are better

jim
jim
5 years ago

you should win an award for the stupidest username

Netta is a feminist, bad bad. Im not a toy. Jim
Netta is a feminist, bad bad. Im not a toy. Jim
5 years ago
Reply to  jim

BIG thank you to you Jim! I would be very happy if i win the award this year! Come on, vote for me!
(You Jim are now on my username)

mod
mod
5 years ago

Its not ice skating here . its eurovision .