Let there be light! But make sure it pops with the purple hues of Jessica Mauboy’s Eurovision 2018 music video. The “We Got Love” singer stayed true to her existing colour scheme with a lovely performance that sees her standing centre stage with beams of light popping out diagonally behind her. At times the lights cut out and there’s a beautiful strobe behind her. She throws her head back and serves a Beyoncé-like hair whip. We love that silhouette!

Jessica wears a hip-hugging dress with what appears to be a Mermaid fin or angular train. It provides a nice structural element that comes into sharper focus as the camera pans around and above the Idol alum. Jessica flows like the River Murray, smoothly twisting that waist as she invites us along for the ride. Some of the hand choreography mimics the motion of a snake. The camera cuts made those moves look more awkward than beautiful, but surely tweaks and improved camera work will bring that to life.

Jessica is a one-woman show. She doesn’t need backing vocals or dancers. And she proved all of that by guiding us through her smooth performance with her charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent. Her personality shines through making the song even more infectious and memorable. She’s bubbly and so in it that it’s hard not to move along. Jess, no doubt an extravert, will grow stronger when the arena finally fills with fans. Watch this space!

Jessica Mauboy — “We Got Love”: Reviews and Reactions

Australia: First rehearsal at Eurovision 2018

Australia: First press conference 2018

Read all of our Eurovision rehearsal reviews

Read all of our Australia Eurovision news here

Footage & Photos: EBU & RTP

72 Comments
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Maria
Maria
5 years ago

It is really boring. I cant listen till the end of this song.

Marie
Marie
5 years ago

It’s sad to see Australia go down the betting odds! 🙁 Unfortunately for the staging, I can kinda see why…just think it doesn’t quite match the song :/ Maybe it’s personal taste, but the staging seems to have more a disco vibe lol. I mean we only saw 40 secs, so early days… I was thinking the shadows on the music video were really good and it would be interesting to include that somehow in the staging. I pictured more a dawn sunrise colour scheme, a little bit brighter. I think it would really suit Jessica to have a video… Read more »

selle
selle
5 years ago
Reply to  Marie

True. I just re-watched a longer clip on her instagram and I think the performance is at odds with the general emotions you get from listening to the lyrics. The song and presentation are not harmonious and I think that is what everyone is responding to when they express disappointment. It is not a disco song – so the choreography, styling and staging do not support the feel and vibe of what she is singing about. I don’t know how they got it so wrong when it’s so bleeding obvious. ‘We got love’ is repeated so many times you’d think… Read more »

Oscillate
Oscillate
5 years ago

The dancing, singing and dress are off. Definitely, overrated.

Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga
5 years ago

Jess should really learn to take care of her voice as some of those belts are cracking or landing flat. It’s good it’s doing well, I guess buoyed by Jessica as a performer. Although I would be a bit upset if this wins: this is kinda inferior to Dami Im’s performance (and that deserves to win!). But good luck to Jess, she deserves it as she’s a charismatic performer

AngieP
AngieP
5 years ago

Not a fan of her dress. Hope she changes it. It was a bit of a let down overall. I expected better.

Marcus
Marcus
5 years ago

I’m from Australia, and even I don’t think Australia should be in Eurovi$ion. I think I know why they let us in, but I won’t $ay becau$e I think it$ pretty obviou$$$$ 😛

Automatic Boob
Automatic Boob
5 years ago

Play the Press Conference at 20:30. Trust me, it will make your day!

selle
selle
5 years ago

Overall a big let down . The staging is minimal at best. Her stylist should be sacked. Hair, dress and shoes simply do her no favors whatsoever. But by far the overdone choreography cheapens the performance. Sorry but the fast hip thrusting moves simply are not as good as her natural moves as seen in The Netherlands show. Expected a lot better and like Jess a lot but this is needs so much help to elevate it – that at this stage it’s all too late. What a wasted opportunity for a really deserving singer…. Watching some of her past… Read more »

EscAU
EscAU
5 years ago

FIRE SASHA JEAN BAPTISTE!!! why do all the countries use her as a stage designer- she gave the other acts good stuff and again like last year with australia our stage is empty and boring! it’s a fun dance song and there aren’t even any dancers or drums which would work in the drum part :'(

Jeremy
Jeremy
5 years ago

Watched her Instagram preview of the performance (a longer version but with no angle shots yet) and it looks and sounds so much better than the eurovision snippet. The only thing she should change is the dress otherwise a very good first rehearsal.

brennan
brennan
5 years ago

it’s not bad… but it’s also just a low budget eleni foureira? i just watch cyprus’ rehearsal and then this and feel a little bit sad inside, both for mauboy (who deserves better staging than this) and foureira (who’s inevitably going to get fewer jury points than this because… ~australia~)

Nantia
Nantia
5 years ago

Awful…so overestimated !!!

Darren
Darren
5 years ago

Okay…so what can can I say here without being called bitter by the Eurovision Police? …. okay… So Other than the fact that it was Australia, I was failing to see how that sandwhich of bland and cliche was number 3 in the odds…I thought okay, maybe someone has inside knowledge of the staging, which might cover up this bland song with something impressive….then we end up getting this..FairPlay to Jess, she works well with what she was given..but to be honest, she wasn’t given a whole lot. Her voice is on point and I think shows that she is… Read more »

Jamala
Jamala
5 years ago

So, Jessica you think you can and dance and sing? Poor Jess. No, you cannot. The weakest voice along with Britney Spears… No I mean Eleni Foureira. 😀

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago

I guess we all knew Australia would keep playing safe with the staging, just like they’ve done with the song. But I was expecting for something more vibrant and uplifting. Jessica is a very likeable performer, but she doesn’t shine here like Guy Sebastian, she seems lonely like Isaiah. Give this girl some dancers, brighter lights and a better dress and she will deliver a much more pleasant experience than that.

Markus
Markus
5 years ago

Thank you for all your analysis on Day 3 and I wish Chris voice will be better very soon!! 🙂

willchrisiam
willchrisiam
5 years ago

She deserves so much more… Such an amazing singer and person. The dress is too short and borderline tacky especially with that train thing that’s not really a train, the shoes are horrible and they didn’t even bother to style her hair. I know it’s a first rehearsal and it might not be her final costume, but she’s not a newbie, she’s a household name and deserves such treatment. Her presence and energy can sell everything, but I really think that all these things are holding her back. In the final for sure, however I doubt it’s gonna be a… Read more »

Nathan
Nathan
5 years ago

So you’re saying Dami Im didn’t deserve to win the juries’ vote in 2016?

Darren
Darren
5 years ago
Reply to  Nathan

Poster. clearly means Isaiah who was ridiculously overrated by the juries last year and in fact, shouldn’t have even qualified.

ted
ted
5 years ago

I do like the song. It’d one of the stronger generic pop anthems in this years contest. This live just isnt clicking for me either. I think the style of the dress not suiting her is a distraction. The colours are right though.

Héctor
Héctor
5 years ago

Your “slay bar” is very low guys. This is just an average “love love peace peace” typical Eurovision song, full of cliches, nothing original, no staging, THAT dress. I don’t know how Australia could be 3rd in the odds. Also, her dancing moves and the staging look like she is in a karaoke with some drinks or something…

Talentina Monetta
Talentina Monetta
5 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

It’s now 7th on the odds. The bookies are not impressed either!

Marcelo
Marcelo
5 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

Because “slay bar” mostly applies to mainstream pop females with diva complexes. People don’t even tell Mikolas or Eugent to “slay” even if they have more talent than the divas themselves.

Darren
Darren
5 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

Sssh it’s Australia…youre supposed to love what they send regardless of if it’s a actually good or not.

please
please
5 years ago

i don’t mid her alone on stage. wasn’t a fan of her styling but i liked her singing and performance. this will go to the final. Judges love australia and this compared to last year is way better, plus this semi is easy.

Talentina Monetta
Talentina Monetta
5 years ago

The “choreography” is a Rykka sized mess

Darren
Darren
5 years ago

Agreed only this Australia so there is a place in the Top 10 for them being warmed by the EBU as we speak.
We are supposed to forget about Rykka, after all, she was only representing Switzerland…

Conii
Conii
5 years ago

the song screams winner to me, same thing with swedens staging. Haters gonna hate because of their countries success, not the song.

Darren
Darren
5 years ago
Reply to  Conii

We could all be successful countries if we were all in bed with the EBU too yeah, I guess your right.

Marcelo
Marcelo
5 years ago

It seems that is more and more likely that Sweden will win the Semi 2. But god forbid Norway comes on top.

BelieveinLove
BelieveinLove
5 years ago

I love Jessica and her song, but I agree with Chris, It looks boring. However, there is room for improvement, if they add some more striking lightning or pyro. In any case, not a winner. Paris 2019 is nearer every day…

Marcelo
Marcelo
5 years ago

EDITED.

P.S: F*ck the bookmakers putting Norway in 2nd place.

Kyna
Kyna
5 years ago

A contender for Barbara Dex Award because that dress is unflattering on her.

Ally
Ally
5 years ago
Reply to  Kyna

Stop bodyshaming!

Kyna
Kyna
5 years ago
Reply to  Ally

I didn’t, it’s just not flattering. I’m not the only one thinking this. My point was the dress, not her body. She just needs a better dress/outfit that’s all.

Sofia 2019
Sofia 2019
5 years ago

Well you cant do much of a staging with a song like that , its just a poppy overrated song , the dress is just the cherry on the top , i think the public televote will destroy Australia just like last year , mb they can send something different next year and be more risky and daring , Australia is getting worse and worse with every year. Trying to be safe with such type of songs and staging should not be rewarded. And im not hating on Australia , i really liked 2015 and 2016 , but last year… Read more »

Susan
Susan
5 years ago

I am so disappointed by today performances, I don’t even know what to say. For me the best were Norway and Australia, but overall ranking, with other contestants, I even don’t like these two that much. I know that odds are a joke and they are in changing period atm, but Norway second, must be the best joke I have ever seen at ESC history.

Marcelo
Marcelo
5 years ago
Reply to  Susan

Well, oddmakers thought the UK was gonna place 5th in Baku 2012 and that ended 25th. So again, take the odds with a pinch of salt. I don’t know what the bookies are smoking to put Norway that up, honestly. Another Rybak victory would be so awful, specially with that song.

Denis
Denis
5 years ago

That’s what you call slaying the competition! This is top 5 material!
Either she or Sweden will win this semi.?

Hristo
Hristo
5 years ago

What do you do when you have generic, bland pop song? Disguise it shouting the high notes (performer over song) and moving like a headless chicken on stage. Sometimes works…for a top 10-15 max.

Mei
Mei
5 years ago

That dress is hideous! And her dance moves are painfully awkward, she needs some dancers at least

NickC
NickC
5 years ago

Here is the daily update. Moldova made the largest jump so far this year, they are 13 places up. Norway is up too, but not as much as in the odds, still, be afraid. Australia, Russia, San Marino and Netherlands are down. Denmark and Serbia are more or less stable. Romania is now close to qualifying. 1 Israel 96.51 2 France 95.47 3 Bulgaria 87.67 (+1) 4 Cyprus 85.93 (+1) 5 Australia 84.42 (-2) 6 Sweden 84.30 7 Norway 81.51 (+3) 8 Estonia 79.53 (-1) 9 Czech Rep 78.84 (-1) 10 Austria 75.93 (-1) 11 Finland 72.33 12 Belgium 71.40… Read more »

Patrick
Patrick
5 years ago
Reply to  NickC

On Eurovision Odds the placings are totally different!!!!

NickC
NickC
5 years ago
Reply to  Patrick

These are not odds. this is an algorithm that uses odds + you tube + spotify and fansites’ voting.

Tejayes
Tejayes
5 years ago
Reply to  NickC

Mind if I ask how this algorithm was calculated/validated?

NickC
NickC
5 years ago
Reply to  Tejayes

Lets take odds. I take the highest odds (for the moment, Israel) as 100, and lowest (at the moment Slovenia) as 1, and create a scale. Every other country get a relative score based on that. I do the same for youtube views, likes, spotify global chart, OGAE and INFE polls, wiwijury and eurojury. Then I give 50% weight to odds, 15 % weight to youtube views, 15 % to likes, and 5% for each fan voting. An AI updates the stats each 12 hours.

Pera
Pera
5 years ago

EBU baby will be again overrated in juries points in semi and final. Thank to juries Australia in TOP 7 this year.

Miguel
Miguel
5 years ago

Let me start with this: that dress is a big no no

Other than that it’s a nice performance, not bad not great. For me it doesn’t stand out. It’s just another radio friendly pop song. The staging is lacking something. Not necessarily in a bad way, but most acts have stronger presentations while Australia looks a bit amateurish and the set is made like it was done for a much smaller arena.
Jessica does a nice job and her performance is quite good.

This won’t be in my top10 but she deserves to qualify (particularly in the 2nd semifinal).

Alex
Alex
5 years ago

This is off topic but why some people have a power button/ Google icon as they’re profile pic? (Including me)

Rimig
Rimig
5 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Was wondering that too!

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  Alex

It’s actually the Gravatar logo. I don’t know what this happens (maybe even the designer is trying to figure it out), but the weirdest thing is that my monster avatar comes and goes for no reason. I think the same is happening to other people.

Malin
Malin
5 years ago

I’m not a fan of the song and I think it is the juries that will help Australia this year to. Jessica is better then the song but I didn’t think that the dancecoreografy was that good. She needs more dance practice. But…

Good luck

Malin
Malin
5 years ago
Reply to  Malin

I think that she doesn’t deliver the desperate side of the text. She could be more emotional. She could sing « don’t give up» a litle more desperat and show emotions in her moves. Or is me that missunderstand the lyric? I think that she just sing the song. I want her to deliver emotions that connects whith the lyric. Someone that agree!?
I’m not a fan of the production of the song eighter, sorry Australia. I don’t think you will end up top 10 whith telewoters in the final.

Marcelo
Marcelo
5 years ago
Reply to  Malin

As for now, Australia won’t win , that’s for sure. It’s between Israel, France, Bulgaria, Estonia and maybe… Norway?! Gawwwwwd!

Rimig
Rimig
5 years ago

This looks quite boring and cheap. 10 light lines behind her, a dress of questionable taste and some awkward dance moves. You can do better, Australia! I wasn’t a big fan of the song, but at least I was expecting some decent staging…
This whole SF2 is going to be a huge disaster as the only few decent songs in it really messed it up with the staging

P!nk Forever
P!nk Forever
5 years ago
Reply to  Rimig

This day was the weakest of all when we take the other 2 into consideration. The other semi-half is still upon us. I‘m optimistic enough for Christabelle and Lea Sirk to come through with unexpected good staging and choreography. Mélovin will also give his best as he‘s the perfect entertainer.

Paul
Paul
5 years ago

Second best song this year but the staging is really lacking – it needs more sea of flags! She could really do with getting out into the crowd…

Marcelo
Marcelo
5 years ago
Reply to  Paul

Honestly I really liked her performance of “Sea of Flags” despite her average vocals. Does nobody else feel the same?

P!nk Forever
P!nk Forever
5 years ago

Poor staging. At least we won‘t experience another caterwauling from Australia this year. Bring your A-Game, Jessica!

Conii
Conii
5 years ago
Reply to  P!nk Forever

hater.

Sasha
Sasha
5 years ago

Look at her having fun up there. It’s like she’s all alone in the shower singing and dancing however she please. Cute!

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

Hey, Australia, you should get rid of that woman SJB, because she ain’t doing any good for you. I don’t know how the whole performance was, but in the snippet it was pretty boring. You will struggle again with the public, so call SOS jury.

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago

Lol, just as I expected it to be! Oh, I’m having so much fun today!

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

Uber generic song and unimpressive performance… it’ll be 150 from the juries and 15 from the public I guess.

Rasmus
Rasmus
5 years ago

The voting is not the same every year 🙂 Then Australia dont need to send a song :). Then they could just stand there not making a sound.

Sasha
Sasha
5 years ago
Reply to  Rasmus

EBU has an interest in Australia winning since they would cover half the costs then. Even if they just stand up there and humm for 3 minutes, the jury will likely give them top 5.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago
Reply to  Sasha

I have nothing against them winning if they send a winning song, and this just isn’t the case.

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago

15 is an exageration, it’s much worse than last year, let’s be honest here. The dress, the shoes, the stadium dance, the Slavko moves plus that song, wtf Australia?!

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  Yaa

I don’t think so. Isaiah looked frightened on the stage, while Jessica has charisma and can connect with the audience.

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

ESC is empathic with stage fright, look at Blanche last year, not sure if they approve with confidence in ridiculousness, though. This is going nul points!

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago
Reply to  Yaa

Vote me down all you can , it’s nul points and I love it!