Eurovision 2019 rehearsal day one preview

The opening morning of rehearsals is upon us at Eurovision 2019. Today, we’ll be seeing nine countries take to the stage in Tel Aviv for their first rehearsals. Will we see anyone rising to the top, or could we be in for some shock surprises?

May 4: First Rehearsals at Eurovision 2019

Here’s who’ll be taking to the Eurovision stage today — and at what times.

Update (08:00 CET): We have now learned that Montenegro and Czech Republic have switched positions for today’s rehearsals only. Please see the updated running order below!

  • 10:00-10:30 Cyprus: Tamta, “Replay”
  • 10:40-11:10 Czech Republic: Laka Malawi, “Friend of a Friend”
  • 11:20-11:50 Finland: Darude feat. Sebastian Rejman, “Look Away”
  • 12:00-12:30 Poland: Tulia, “Fire of Love (Pali się)”
  • Lunch Break — 12:30 to 13:30
  • 13:40-14:10 Slovenia: Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl, “Sebi”
  • 14:20-14:50 Montenegro: D Mol, “Heaven”
  • 15:00-15:30 Hungary: Joci Papai, “Az Én Apám”
  • Break — 15:30 to 15:50
  • 16:00-16:30 Belarus: Zena, “Like It”
  • 16:40-17:10 Serbia: Nevena Božović, “Kruna”

As always, we’ll have individual posts for each first rehearsal here on wiwibloggs. There, you’ll be able to read our thoughts on the rehearsal and find out how each country has chosen to stage their song.

You can also catch some of our reactions to the songs LIVE through the wiwibloggs livestream. This year, we’ll be covering the first rehearsals across three livestreams each day. All times are given in Israeli local time (CET +1, GMT +2) and subject to change:

  • 09:45-12:45 — Day One Livestream AM: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland & Poland
  • 13:30-17:15 — Day One Livestream PM: Slovenia, Montenegro, Hungary, Belarus & Serbia
  • 19:00-19:30 — Day One Livestream Recap: Ask Team Wiwi your questions about the day’s rehearsals

And of course, you’ll be able to hear our thoughts through our reaction videos, which we’ll be uploading shortly after each rehearsal. Make sure you’re subscribed and keeping an eye on wiwi.tv for all this video content!

Eurovision 2019: Press Meet & Greet Times

Shortly after their first rehearsal, each act will also go to the press centre for their first Press Meet & Greet. Again, we’ll be on hand to film each meet & greet and you’ll be able to find them on the wiwibloggs website shortly after their conclusion.

Find a list of times for each acts’ Meet & Greet below:

  • 12:25-12:45 Cyprus: Tamta, “Replay”
  • 13:05-13:25 Czech Republic: Lake Malawi, “Friend of a Friend”
  • 13:45-14:05 Finland: Darude feat. Sebastian Rejman, “Look Away”
  • 14:25-14:45 Poland: Tulia, “Fire of Love (Pali się)”
  • 16:05-16:25 Slovenia: Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl, “Sebi”
  • 16:45-17:05 Montenegro: D mol, “Heaven”
  • 17:25-17:45 Hungary: Joci Papai, “Az Én Apám”
  • 18:25-18:45 Belarus: Zena, “Like It”
  • 19:05-19:25 Serbia: Nevena Božović, “Kruna”

Whose first rehearsal are you most excited for today? Do you think we’ll be in for any big surprises in staging or performances? Let us know all of your thoughts in the comments down below!

Read more Eurovision 2019 rehearsal news here

18 Comments
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Loveee
Loveee
4 years ago

Can’t wait to see Slovenia

Kredential
Kredential
4 years ago

May I ask why people watch footage of the rehearsals? I did that once (in 2015 I think) and it spoiled a lot of my viewing experience of the show. Maybe it’s just me but it’s a lot more exciting watching the show not knowing how the song will come across on screen :v

Ffs
Ffs
4 years ago
Reply to  Kredential

Agree 100% ! Between the polls , the odds , the rehearsals and the daily brainwashing from all these sites the magic is gone !

Nna
Nna
4 years ago
Reply to  Ffs

Agree. That’s spoilers, bad quality footage of 30 sec., bad angles, and then all jump to conclusions how the staging will look like. Hillarious. Not to mention that it is rehearsal, as it name said, it uses the artists to feel the stage, work on camera angles, lights, etc., the last what they need it that moment is opinions of some entitled bloggers.

Ziv
Ziv
4 years ago
Reply to  Kredential

I watch it because it symbolizes the start of the real contest. Finally something real (sort of)!!!! It may spoil a little bit, but since it is just a very small portion, I don’t rely on that too much.

Ziv
Ziv
4 years ago

Does anyone know why Czech Republic and Montenegro switch positions today?

Ziv
Ziv
4 years ago
Reply to  Ziv

The wiwiteam mentions in the Montenegro review video that D-mol is late? Is it true and is it why they switched place with Czech Republic?

Jake Dallas
Jake Dallas
4 years ago

Predictions before rehearsals(I’ll comment after all have rehearsed)

Cyprus Q
Montenegro NQ
Finland NQ
Poland Q
Slovenia Q
Czech Republic Q
Hungary Q
Belarus NQ
Serbia NQ

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
4 years ago
Reply to  Jake Dallas

100% agree

Jake Dallas
Jake Dallas
4 years ago
Reply to  Jake Dallas

My thoughts after rehearsals: Cyprus: I was worried this would disappoint but it didn’t. Most polished performance. Czech Republic: I’m keeping my hopes up to see if there are any on-screen effects. Finland: Basically the same as the NF performance except they’ve ditched the box and now their “Big International Star” is put aside to some corner. Poland: They have good intentions and I hope to see it in the final. Slovenia: Static as hell but they could be giving us a Common Linnets vibe. Montenegro: Hot mess!!! There’s no direction, no chemistry and no fun just plain teen cringe.… Read more »

Escf
Escf
4 years ago

Good luck to all <3

KS23
KS23
4 years ago

I don’t want to be negative .. but man, what a boring bunch

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
4 years ago
Reply to  KS23

Ikr, and the most exciting half (2nd half 2nd semi) is still 3 days away…

Erasmus
Erasmus
4 years ago
Reply to  KS23

I mean yeah not the most exciting, but I look forward to Cyprus, CZ, Slovenia and Poland.

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
4 years ago

OK, quick expectation before the rehearsals: – Cyprus – Tamta interacting with male dancers during the chorus and having energic dance routine during the chorus – Montenegro – I don’t know really, apparently it’s gonna be different from the NF, so I’d say it’s gonna be them just standing there, maybe with some gimmick element added – Finland – again, I have no clue, maybe just a copy of NF performance, lasers, global warming visualisations, generally seizure trigger – Poland – dramatic opening, folk influenced visuals, fire, black and white filter maybe – Slovenia – same staging and costumes as… Read more »

jessey
4 years ago

im excited guys can wait i wish everbody a happy eurovision monht with love from belguim x

oli
oli
4 years ago

Can’t wait guys! So excited! Happy Eurovision time to you all

Kris
Kris
4 years ago

I’m excited to see all of them but specially Cyprus , Belarus
, Serbia and Poland . Cause I don’t know how their staging is going to be like.