Reaction: Bulgaria, FYR Macedonia and Croatia
Bulgaria: Equinox with “Bones”
Let there be light… or at least a little less darkness. For their second rehearsal, Bulgaria’s Equinox banished the gloom. Now, we can actually see each singer’s face and the performance is all the better for it. We can connect with the common framework members and relate to their tale of heartbreak.
The on screen effects were also sharper, although the group’s positioning needs some work. At one point, the screen was split into three, showcasing Georgi, Johnny and Vlado. However, the effect was lessened slightly by Vlado’s inclination to rock gently. But this of course is a minor quibble.
The team are clearly still testing elements out. For instance, the levels of darkness, white light and green light appeared to be tweaked slightly between performances. Also, Zhanna varied the placement of her hand from take to take as she and the backing singer belt out that final last note.
Overall, this second rehearsal was met with a warm response in the press room.
Equinox, “Bones”: Performance Preview
FYR Macedonia: Eye Cue with “Lost and Found”
Bring on the glitches. Eye Cue have pulled together their performance a little more today, and there’s definitely a sense that this might just come right by the semi-final. Marija’s pink outfit now features a hidden costume change — it looks like she turns it inside out, turning it in to a slightly longer, shimmery, silver number.
The glitch-effects that were such a hit in the first part of the performance also now appear more regularly throughout the three minutes. It ties things in better and helps the flow of the song.
There’s definitely moments where this is still more “lost” though, unfortunately. There’s too many wide shots later on in the song, and it focuses on the backing singers a little too much. The band all take to the bridge still in the climax, but again, they don’t seem to have quite worked out the right shot for this. Hopefully they’ll take the positives so far though and keep on working with it.
Eye Cue, “Lost and Found”: Performance Preview
Croatia: Franka with “Crazy”
She’s a stunning beauty in black. Franka Batelic didn’t have much to improve on from her first rehearsal, and mostly kept it simple. There were some subtle camera angle changes here and there in the performance, but otherwise it’s a case of not breaking what was working. The lighting could perhaps be a little more intimate at times, especially on the scant wider shots, just to help sell Franka’s one-woman stage show. But as it is, she could still find herself fighting for a spot in the final.
I find it funny people disliking Macedonia staging even though they haven’t seen much of it.. it’s almost mechanical repetition of disappointment based on… no substantial data 😉 Looking forward to comments saying how great she was, after the actual performance.
OMG Maria is so pretty
I really want Croatia to keep improving in ESC. Lighthouse was a powerful comeback even though the staging was messy, and My Friend managed to get an even better result even though it’s not my cup of tea. But the effort put in the Crazy performance – she deserves the final.
I need more from Bulgaria, I’m not surprised or moved by the performance. The camera work seems a bit messy showcasing all the movements, don’t know, maybe that’s what they intended, but I think they should change it. Also the moment were the screen is split into three is good, but Vlado seems to be lipsyncing. I don’t see a clear winner anywhere.
I agree. At least on the snippets, it’s like they’re too worried about giving all the singers the same amount of airtime. I think it was Chris who said that this still looks taken from a “talent show” and it makes sense. It reminds be about that kind of group performance where the producers are too careful so the audience won’t complain that their favorite were less highlighted than others.
Lo-o-o-ove
Bulgaria didn’t impress me and it’s a song I don’t quite like. FYROM didn’t change much except for the outfit change. Croatia had another sleek performance.
I don’t want to be mean, but Bulgaria looks like a non-qualifier with that staging
Joe, you have been nothing but mean to Bulgaria these past teo years. I guess you still cannot get over the Occidentali disaster last year. This was NOT Bulgaria’s fault. Francesco had a bad staging and consequently both Moldova and Sweden got ahead of Italy. Make peace with the past and move on.
What????
How the f does Bulgaria had something to do with Italy’s debacle? If it were anyone to blame, it would be Moldova since they we’re the underdogs who took the competition by surprise. But in the end, I think no other country is to blame for what happened to Francesco, it’s a competition and Italy just didn’t won.
I think I’m the only one, but I really like the staging of Macedonia <3
Oh FYR Macedonia… I wanted them to do well…
Wanted an underdog to show them what’s what…
I like that change in pace in the middle of the song so much, and the little dance move swing thing she does.
Lol, Macedonia become powerhouse of fanwanks, such a mess..
Bulgaria: I don’t see this winning, but I see this doing well. The staging is cool and the song is quality, …but both still seem to lack something that I can’t put my finger on. I think it’s the fact that this feels a bit manufactured. The group sort of…lacks the chemistry that I see in some of the other groups I guess? Macedonia: This is my 2nd favorite song to win, …so I’m a little disappointed to hear about how the staging has been going. To be fair though, ….a song that switches genres seems like one that would… Read more »
I must be weird or something, because I don’t care if they are manufactured at all. I just enjoy the song and the voices. As for the staging i think it will all come together in the semi
Bulgaria is a top 5 contender. It’s cool and well thought. Still think the overall product doesn’t match the winner category and probably won’t, whatever they try. Too artificial to be a deserving winner.
Macedonia is sexy and that’s it. Her legs are yum and there is where I get lost. Rest of things may compel to a borderline qualy.
Croatia although is not one of my favorite songs, they nailed the staging she’s got the acting alright. This is in the final.
every song in this competition is critized for something, in the end when we look at the song. bulgaria is by a long margian the winner of this competition.
Bulgaria: The vocals are great and there’s nothing particularly wrong with the staging, but I still can’t feel it. It’s too dry, I was expecting for something more mystical like their video. It’s a performance piece without a performance.
Macedonia: We can see that they’re trying to shake things up, but it isn’t working. I’m afraid that I’ll lose one more of my favorites to the bloodbath semi.
Croatia: It looks gorgeous in every aspect and this is maybe the snippet with best camera work so far. I’m in love with her dress.
Croatia is a big surprise. I have a feeling Franka will go to the final and do well even there
Bulgaria: They still don’t know how to act as an group. Everyone is trying to take over!?
Macedonia: They should hire a new director that knows about staging and ESC
Croatia: Could be on her wway to secure a qualification!
What’s wrong with you people and your ‘acting like a group’? It’s like you can’t find any faults in the Bulgarian entry and you come up with stupid and childish sh** like that. How are they not acting like a group? Should they all hold hands all through performance, sing exactly the same lines together and give eachother a big hug at the end for you to feel happy? They are all adult professionals, who wrere hired to sing, not to become a family.. get a grip ffs.
Calm down. gosh!
It’s not about holding hands, it’s about not letting each member take over. Groups are about unity. They don’t have to be friends, just as long as each member works together.
They were hired to song yes, but not individually but collectively. They were hired to be a Group. Not 5 persons trying to outsing each-other
That is not childish wishing, you dumbperson. If you hire people to be in a Group you should expect them to act as a group too
They are not trying to outsing each other, that’s how the song was composed, that’s how it is in the studio version, and I’m sure they are doing exactly what they are supposed to. The song is about those powerful voices blending together, they are certainly not trying to outsing eachother, it’s just part of the song. You mught not like it, but saying it’s because they don’t work as a ream is just stupid
From all the fake favorites by bookies, only Estonia has transformed itself from crap into a good entry. It was still too difficult for Israel and Bulgaria. These two countries are already deleted in this year’s competition.
Croatia – she has a great voice and a stage presence, ans she is beautiful, but Kasia Mos last year also had all those things and she didn’t end up very high in the final, so I don’t know.. It’s a hard semifinal, but she is very good.
Macedonia – great song, great voice, cool moves, but something was not right with the male backing vocals? Plus they could work some more on the camera angles
of these three, my least fave of the bunch (Croatia) looked and sounded the best.
I can’t seam to warm to the bones song at all.
Lost and found works best for me as an audio / radio song. I hope they can get the staging right.
Bulgaria – the staging starts to look really good! You can start to see now that there’s an artistic thought and a famous stage director behind it actually. Before today I was wondering why is Sasha so famous, lol. I kind of love the simplicity and minimalusm of staging now. A good song, great voices, lights, and you don’t need any props, art will defend itself. Some people have said that it is too dark and scary, but I just don’t understand that piont of view – it’s very beautiful, mysterious, mystical kind of dark, not scary at all. If… Read more »
@William Lee Adams – please clarify this: I am a little bit angry, why is BNT Eurovision Bulgaria allowed to show the full second rehearsal – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vud13iyJA5M
By far not much impressed from Macedonia. With all the respect sb should stop that dude from singing there.
Croatia’s performance gives u that kind of feeling when the countries that are not supposed to pass give waaaay better performances that the one predicted.
Bulgaria no words, potential winner in my opinion with all the performances ive seen. The song is epic!!!
Personally:
1. Estonia
2. Finland
3. Croatia
4. Macedonia
5. Azerbaijan
My top three don’t need any tweaking, Saara maybe some camera angles to make it more intimate but she is ready. Estonia is just….stunning. Croatia has always been in my top 10 and reinforced this today (my 4th now).
Macedonia should fix some of the choreo but other than that there was nothing wrong.
The stage looks a bit odd. So far the worst performances have come from Czech Rep, Bulgaria, Belgium, Iceland and Israel.
Croatia is the biggest surprise! I want them to qualify so bad and I do think there is good chance to do so. Maybe even better result than Jacq last year.
I feel so bad for Macedonia, but this whole staging and the voices together…. It’s just a big mess, I don’t see it going anywhere. It was my Overall 7th place, but I think they’ll miss the final again.
I had the same feeling. I think Iceland will come 19th and Macedonia 18th. I would like to talk to Macedonias HOD and ask why are they not hiring a stage director? They cant stage. They have showed us that since 2013. Its not fair to the macedonian Eurovision fans to do this every year.
Not every country can afford such things.
i understand that to but they could ask someone for tips then. Macedonia was my favourite in 2014,2015 BEFORE the rehearsels so just sad to withness this every year.
I would do it for free… 🙂
Me to 🙂 i would really love if they would go to the final soon
Bulgaria just gets better and better <3 So many good songs this year
Loving the Croatian performance although its hard to see this making thing final.
FYROM – I want them to make it soooo bad but its hit and miss
Bulgaria is sheer class