The Eurovision 2018 Opening Ceremony takes place this evening. But before the acts from Portugal, the United Kingdom and Spain slip into their Sunday best, they’re hitting the stage inside Altice Arena for their second rehearsals. Nip, tuck, tweak, slay? Let’s find out…

Reaction: Portugal, United Kingdom, Spain

Portugal: Cláudia Pascoal with “O jardim”

During her first rehearsal Claudia utilised those beautiful big eyes to great effect, staring straight into the camera, which zoomed in on her face. Her expressions guided viewers through the music. When she closed her eyes, she made clear her connection to the lyrics and at times this almost felt autobiographical. The simple background, which features a handful of orange lanterns, is pared back enough to keep Claudia in focus, but subtle enough not to distract from the touching music. Perhaps the biggest improvement is the subtle transition that now introduces backing vocalist and composer Isaura. It’s less jarring and feels more organic. Portugal can be proud of this one.

Cláudia Pascoal, “O jardim”: Performance Preview

United Kingdom: SuRie with “Storm”

SuRie’s “Storm” had extra punch today. Her stunning tunnel of light looks even more spectacular as more fog billows and blows around it. She takes us out of Lisbon and into a technicolour dream, with her diamond displays moving from dark grey and navy toward happier hues of blue, red and pink. The pyro geysers had greater thrust today, helping add visual intrigue as SuRie brings it home in the final minute. SuRie — known to mum and dad as Susanna Marie — continues to grow in confidence. She pumped her fists with extra vigour today. When the crowds finally hit the arena, they’re only going to take her higher.

SuRie, “Storm”: Performance Preview

Spain: Amaia y Alfred with “Tu canción”

Despite suggestions that they add fireworks or some form of pyro, Alfred & Amaia kept things simple once more during their second rehearsals. Instead, producers have tweaked the lighting scheme, adding a bronze to orange light that fits the romantic theme of their song. It creates a warmer environment and adds even more class to the elegant performance. Amaia’s dress matches the tonality better today. She’s glammed up in a black, floor-sweeping dress which features mesh arms and a deeply plunging neckline. Golden accents sparkle slightly, nodding to the spark the couple share. Alfred swapped out his maroon suit for an inviting shade of blue. He’s no longer taking Amaia to the prom, but instead an exclusive gala hosted by Queen Letizia. This may lack the literal fireworks, but it’s moving closer to the figurative ones. This is much better!

Amaia y Alfred, “Tu canción”: Performance Preview

Check out all of our rehearsal news here

86 Comments
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Yaa
Yaa
6 years ago

Show some guts and go through semis! Then we’ll talk! When I pay higher taxes I don’t expect special treatment! No pain, no gain!

Hailo
Hailo
6 years ago
Reply to  Yaa

When you pay a VIP ticket to a event, you expect to get VIP seats, don´t you? Another thing is to force all countries to pay the same amount of money for the organization of the event; But would all the countries do it? Many could not afford to pay the bill and others do not want to.

Music is Art
Music is Art
6 years ago

Polegent Godgarina, you are the worst hater I have ever seen. You just spead hate everywhere you participate. I hope Spain has a good result and you swallow your own poison. It would be nice you were more constructive, this will dignigy you as a human being. Said. To everybody else, sorry if Im rude just once. Cant stand destructive people.

Isa
Isa
6 years ago

I think the Portugal will do it ! 12 points !

medmed
medmed
6 years ago

Here my top 10 after second rehearsals : https://youtu.be/DmneUlCq2yo

let them rot
let them rot
6 years ago

i would never vote for somebody from West that loves rapefugees.

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
6 years ago

I think it will be another year of low televoting for UK. So its up to the juries now whether Storm deserves their Top 10. I reckon France & Italy can potentially reach Top 10.

Paulu
Paulu
6 years ago

I think the Uk will do it ! 12 points from Malta

Donald duck
Donald duck
6 years ago

SPAIN JUST AMAZING, ELEGANT, CLASSY.THEY LOOK SO PROFESIONAL ON STAGE , AND THEY SING LIKE ANGELS , WINNER ALERT, MUSIC IS NOT FIREWORKS IS FEELINGS, THEN IS CLEAR SPAIN IS THE WINNER

Henry
Henry
6 years ago
Reply to  Donald duck

Spain will be the biggest flop in the final, no one is gonna vote for that snoozefest.

Eu67
Eu67
6 years ago
Reply to  Henry

I will.

Gabriel
Gabriel
6 years ago
Reply to  Henry

Me a.d thousand of people will vote from spain..so eat your own poison and hate

janet kench
janet kench
6 years ago
Reply to  Henry

on the contrary, I think there will be lots of tele voters liking this song, especially people who are hearing it for the first time. I’m still not convinced that they are real lovers but if not they really are acting well and will be a very attractive act for those who love a little romance.

Liam
Liam
6 years ago
Reply to  Donald duck

Sorry but Sapin has such a flat song… a little boring… A dancing couple like in the 90s… Curiosed to see but not convincing at all!

Isa
Isa
6 years ago
Reply to  Liam

I mean Spain song of course*

janet kench
janet kench
6 years ago
Reply to  Donald duck

I got a little tired if not aggravated by Spain’s entry as I felt it was far far too cheesy but having seen a clip on stage I’m not such a hater. They both sing really well and look very classy. They should do very well. Top 10 I think as a prediction.

Mr Gold
Mr Gold
6 years ago

Fire-Ball Enterprise (FBE) for intelligent open-minded people (not for idiots, which can not understand it, despite the radical simplicity of my idea) Fire-Ball Gniezno (FBG) Fire-Ball Radom (FBR) Fire-Ball Kutná Hora (FBK) Fire-Ball Zvolen (FBZ) Fire-Ball Leoben (FBL) Fire-Ball Cegléd (FBC) What is FireBall supposed to depend on? This will be the hottest and the simplest combination of handball (hall) and indoor football in history. It will be 10 rounds of game in a year with 3 matches. 1st round – January 2nd round – February 3rd round – March 4th round – April 5th round – May 6th round-… Read more »

CyxCy
CyxCy
6 years ago
Reply to  Mr Gold

We don’t care about your fire-ball. So tell this to your neighbor and thank you for coming back after Eurovision.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

If the Spanish performance has improved, I don’t want to know what the first rehearsal looked like… a mess.

YUri
YUri
6 years ago

true thet but I mean doesn’t matter what they do, that song is a weak composition, sorry is not contending

Music is Art
Music is Art
6 years ago

It looked simple but ok. No fireworks as people expected

dave
dave
6 years ago

I have a question to those of you who’ve been following ESC for years (not my case eheh): had there ever been a winner that until its semi-final (or even final) performance was in the last places in odds?

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  dave

Well Denmark was at 125/1 the day it won in 2000. But the odds have never gotten it that wrong to the point that they had a winner as a non-qualifier in May.

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

I also think Estonia 2001 and Latvia 2002 were pretty low too when they won

Zack
Zack
6 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Estonia looked like a bad karaoke night in Benidorm ..how did that ever win ?

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
6 years ago
Reply to  Zack

Yessss! I was furious that night, It was so bad that I quit having interest for the ESC for some years…

Rucca
Rucca
6 years ago

is Italy winning? So clever with those translated words. There’s no fireworks or gimmicks that can stop the desire of peace for humanity.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Rucca

If the LEGEND in my nickname couldn’t win with the most iconic peace anthem of all time, then the two zombies representing my country this year won’t either.

Paul
Paul
6 years ago

I can’t stand their vocals. Very unpleasant.

Zack
Zack
6 years ago

They look like a pair of Albanian pickpockets

Gabriel
Gabriel
6 years ago
Reply to  Zack

Identify pickpockets only with albanian.people is so cruel.and racist…what a disgustong people

Jo.
Jo.
6 years ago
Reply to  Rucca

They won your sympathy, that’s all.

Jonas
Jonas
6 years ago
Reply to  Rucca

If they need written translation, sing in english instead. Sing in Italian when the words don’t matter and the melody and the expression from the artist talks like Salvador last year.
Diffrent songs benefits from diffrent languages.

Coeur
Coeur
6 years ago

My predictions for big 5..
Italy top 15
Germany 10-20
Spain and UK bottom five
France winner (for sure top 3)

Gabriel
Gabriel
6 years ago
Reply to  Coeur

Spain the last one? You will be unsatisfied and you will leave with the desire..of course in spain there a lot of much better singers that alfred and amaia but they have already suffered very injusticed voting as placing pastora.edurne..barey in very unworthly low positions..it is time to make justice even this song is not wonderful.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Gabriel

Justice will be made when Spain sends a good song. I agree that Tu canción will finish bottom 5.

Jo.
Jo.
6 years ago
Reply to  Gabriel

Edurne was too theatrical and Barei had a terrible staging. Pastora was Top 10 in a very competitive year.

Euphoric
Euphoric
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

If Edurne would do it just as she did in Spannish National Final in 2016, she could be higher.

janet kench
janet kench
6 years ago
Reply to  Coeur

Unfortunately, although I am from the UK, I have to agree with your prediction for my Country. Sad, as she is an excellent singer and performer and the staging is great, its that song. can’t put my finger on it as it is a typical Eurovision type song that follows typical rules and style, it’s catchy and should impress the first time listener but there are better songs this year that will wow us and tele voting land. I think I would be happy if she makes 20 or 21. On saying that SuRie will do us proud and I… Read more »

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago

Portugal: I’m sure that we still don’t know their final outfits (though it’s not difficult to imagine what Isaura will wear). It’s not a very revealing snippet. Cláudia’s vocals sound perfect. UK: It’s a cool prop, not an impressive one. Maybe the rest of the stage needed to be darker, so it could pop up more. They’ll probably get an early running order and this isn’t memorable enough. Spain: Much better. I wouldn’t mind if those were the final outfits. The climax may still not be as explosive as expected, but I like the yellow lights. It’s ellegant, warm but… Read more »

Jim
Jim
6 years ago

Just say that Spain has the most watched rehearsals, with lots of like in few hours, today the second rechearsal has now at 19:07 183,752 views and 17000 likes and just 857 dislikes, AMAZING go Spain, AND is the second most watched video of the contest! Remember that, i just dont understand why is 11 in odds, DARK HOURSE mark my words

Oibaf
Oibaf
6 years ago
Reply to  Jim

Well at least we have an entry that generates the interest of the country, how many views does SuRie have being the UK one of the most populous countries? Just to put an example

Music is Art
Music is Art
6 years ago
Reply to  Jim

Well Asci, to like this entry one must have a heart and know how to use it hehe

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Jim

Y’all are still bringing up viewing receipts and likes, as if they turned out to be accurate with Edurne and Barei? I call for Spaniards to stop embarrassing themselves with all this confidence when the rest of Europe won’t be voting for them.

Jo.
Jo.
6 years ago
Reply to  Jim

Their rehearsal was trending worldwive on Twitter looool

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

So everyone saw how bad it was? Embarrassing!

Malin
Malin
6 years ago

I wasn’t happy whit Robin last year but offcoure he got my support. It’s not that bad, I like your song now after a while. Most songs are good but not all can win. : )

Yulia
Yulia
6 years ago

They’re all singing their hearts out and trying their best. I hope they all have a great Eurovision.

Malin
Malin
6 years ago
Reply to  Yulia

Agree, they are all winners. I like them all in diffrent ways. Love ESC

Good luck all of you, not all can win but all of you have fans, so enjoy this now and don’t only focus on the result.

Love, love, peace, peace

Vicky
Vicky
6 years ago

You seem to care too much about ourfits and stage. In my opinion last year Salvador sent a great message talking about the victory of the music and not the victory of the apearence and, thats great. I see people critizing their clothes7 (which are not the final clothes) and their actuation, and what about the song and the feeling it transmits? Last year we listen to a music that could touch the hearth of most of the world even without understanding the lenguage, so I stay with Salvador’s massage. The victory of music and not the fast food music.… Read more »

Music is Art
Music is Art
6 years ago
Reply to  Vicky

Totally agree. It’s not easy not to surrender to beauty here: visuals like Germany or Sweden or beautiful hips like Cyprus…. Would everybody have this hype for Cyprus if the singer was ugly? The song is the same as before: simple lyrics, simple composition…. We are used to getting easily entertained. Pity.

Jon
Jon
6 years ago
Reply to  Vicky

Think the production did the jobb whith the staging last year for Salvador. Good bacground and camera. So there were more staging than you think. The production helpt out to create that athmosphere. This year the production don’t have the same experience and skils to make someting that looks simple, very good. This year the camerashots are not that good, whish will punish simple staging. The shots on the arena and stage take to much time and are to many. The shots on the artist are many times not as close as I would like. There are a lot of… Read more »

Jo.
Jo.
6 years ago

What is the deal with Will Ferrell? Some kind of comic moment?

Elin
Elin
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

I wonder, in an article in Aftonbladet they were writing that he was backstage and Benjamin talked to him, and said he was a fan and asked for a photo. Will looked at Benjamins number in front of the scen and talked whith himmafterwards.

He saw ESC live 2014. He has a swedish wife so that could explain why he looks at esc. His children maby even whatch melfest.

I think you are right. Christer Björkman and other have maby told the Portugees production about him, and maby he will have some part in the show. That whould be great.

Erzzza
Erzzza
6 years ago

Cyprus 2019, vote Cyprus guys, absolutely love the song, and N Cyprus loves it aswell, greetings

Jo.
Jo.
6 years ago
Reply to  Erzzza

I highly doubt that Cyprus will win.

Sam
Sam
6 years ago
Reply to  Erzzza

Cyprus will end up like Armenia 2016 (Iveta). Iveta had similar feedback after her rehearsals. 6-10th place in final this year in my opinion.

Jo.
Jo.
6 years ago
Reply to  Sam

Pretty much.

lou
lou
6 years ago

I wil not put a bet even for a top15 for spain. As usual it will crash dramactically, and won’t have even qualified it it had …

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

I don’t think Portugal will go with these ourfits. It was a rehearsal. U.K. looked good. As for Spain, I like they’ve changed outfits, though I want Amaia with her white dress from the previous time.

Simon
Simon
6 years ago

Maybe off topic but who thinks the last envelope will be Ireland,Finland or Macedonia on tuesday? Christer B always like to make it like a drama so i think a underdog will be read last. If they qualify of course but i hope all will but im not 100% sure yet.

Passarinho
Passarinho
6 years ago
Reply to  Simon

For a better drama effect I would think that the last envelope should be Israel, it’s the favorite to win and everybody will be at the edge worrying that she didn’t qualified

Simon
Simon
6 years ago
Reply to  Passarinho

yeah. i hope its not Belgium again. Tehey have been read last to many times.

Nicolas
Nicolas
6 years ago
Reply to  Simon

It can’t be. Belgium will not qualify.

lou
lou
6 years ago
Reply to  Passarinho

Actually in 2014 Austria got the last envelope and i think it added to the drama excitation and all the stuff around the performance and big release in the semis. As i’ve said before, you get the win if you kill your semi. Tuesday the most important moment will be the twenty minutes when israel bulgaria and estonia will get to the stage (and eventually cyprus but i don’t believe in it)

Simon
Simon
6 years ago
Reply to  lou

yeah i remember that now:) i think all 4 of them will qualify:)

Jo.
Jo.
6 years ago
Reply to  lou

For me, the last envelope in 2014 wasn’t exciting at all. If you rewatch the video, you can see other contestants disappointed, because they all knew that Austria was going to be called.

Jo.
Jo.
6 years ago
Reply to  Simon

Lithuania would be a good option if she made it.

Mamndara
Mamndara
6 years ago

Actually I liked Spain song more than Lithuanian (they are pretty similar). But after rehearsals I must admit Lithuania looks better on stage. But if we talk about BIG 5 – no competition because France is winner

Music is Art
Music is Art
6 years ago
Reply to  Mamndara

Lithuania’s entry is beautiful too. I personally dont get goose bumps with it as with Spain, but I like it a lot. In the Spanish performance the stage will only be seen fully in the end. The rest are short angles. I think is simple but one of the most elegant this year.

CyxCy
CyxCy
6 years ago

I like Surie, she’s the “it Girl” in this contest. Even though her song is a pretty boat pop and not really memorable, this girl has so much charisma, energy and a smile so bright, and what’s more, it’s such a nice girl, that I’m sure she will explode the votes. Claudia Pascoal offers an original song, with an interesting planing atmosphere, it reminds me a bit of the group Alisha’s Attic, in the 90s. But we really feel in restraint, shyness, and I don’t know if will be enough in front of competitors much more demonstrative. When to Amaia… Read more »

Héctor
Héctor
6 years ago

I’m not happy at all whit what I’m seeing from Spain. Vocally they are perfect. Alfred looks a bit artificial while doing some movements, he should be more natural, I think. The staging, as I read, lacks of the light explosion in the climax. I think it isn’t too difficult to fix it, but we always have the same problem! It also lack of “wow” moment, maybe some fireworks or a rain of petals. Don’t know, something has to be done.

Music is Art
Music is Art
6 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

I don’t agree with you Hector. I loved what I saw on the stage, much better than the first rehearsal! There is a beautiful light explosion (agree should be even more), and it’s elegant in a whole as any other. No pyro please! Far so many have it. Better clean like this. But… a better stars fall effect in the end. This is in the good way to a perfect performance. I already got goose bumps with this rehearsal (and I didnt in the first one).

Héctor
Héctor
6 years ago
Reply to  Music is Art

I’ve seen the complete rehearsal a moment ago and I like it more than I thought I would like it, but as I said before, it’s lacking something, probably more naturality from Alfred and the explosion in the climax (even more and better lighting). The fireworks seem to have been discarded, but I think it would be good if it happens “something more” by the final part. It also seems that the camera work need a lot of improvement, but we don’t have much time now…

Music is Art
Music is Art
6 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

Alfred said was he was very emotional almost to tears during the rehearsal. So he couldnt feel so natural. He will be better next time. Their voices, chemistry and song are amazing so… I also heard they asked for some small changes in camera and lightning. I have confidence the will love the final result. I hope Europe too.

isabel
isabel
6 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

I think that the lighting is perfect in the Spanish song… the golden tones make it magical.

forbai
forbai
6 years ago

Oh no, Claudia became homeless. I thought she had a garden :). I really like her song, but this outfit screams for help.

Anita
Anita
6 years ago
Reply to  forbai

I am certain – she spares her beautiful dress for the dress rehearsal.

Thierry
Thierry
6 years ago

All the songs of the Big Five have a somewhat bad camera performance this year. France is the one with the best chance of winning. I would also be careful with Spain, because it can be last or be a black horse like Running Scared.

Mateo
Mateo
6 years ago
Reply to  Thierry

I think Germany gets under valued. His emotion is real and comes across with every performance. It’s also a very relatable story. He might do a lot better than expected, even if the camera work isn’t perfect. His is one of the few performances that does not need it as much as most of the message is in the song and his voice.

Henry
Henry
6 years ago
Reply to  Mateo

From big 5 Germany is the best, will end up higher than overrated France.

friedenau
friedenau
6 years ago

I don’t get Portugal, I love the song but why do they act like teenagers pretending to be cool??? this ruins the atmosphere.
UK is bottom realness, sorry Surie
Spain is beautiful and it looks much more professional now. Less disney, more sophisticated. Love it

Erlis
Erlis
6 years ago

#1 PORTUGAL

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

Portugal: I think the song suffers from not being in semi final. It needs more than one listenthrough to “get “. It’s different from Salvador who you didnt need to get, his emotions spoke for themselves. This one is different. It needs to stuck. That’s why I think it might suffer.
UK: Finally BBC seems to have learned about the importance of a good staging. Shame the song is bad though..
Spain: It’s nice but to much Disney. Like really!

bercolata
bercolata
6 years ago

This show of Alfred & Amaia’s reminds me Running and Scared, which won one of the weakest years ever. So I don’t think they will have a chance among such strong contenders. SuRie would have won if we were in 2000’s. Portugal takes the same steps with Salvador’s, I think they will follow this road for a long time. Even if the song is not bad, they don’t give the feeling of a winner. Also I hope she won’t wear a ripped jeans to sing such an emotional song.