Kimono-he-better-do!

And at his first rehearsal, Belgium’s Eliot werked a kimono-bomber jacket combo lit in shades of blues and reds.

The look is very urban meets oriental with a lot of tassels.

Vocally this was on point. There were no notes out of place in his run-throughs and Eliot sounds the most confident we’ve heard him.

However there were some staging problems, particularly with shaky camera angles in the first run through. Likewise it was hard to discern narrative from the screens, there are blues and reds, but also a zebra print effect through the chorus.

That said, we did see progression in later runs. In particular the opening half of the performance is effective in creating atmosphere and at times Eliot almost seems somewhat other worldly, which helps elevate the aesthetic.

Eliot’s backing dancers use drums during to create drama and with the right camera angles there is potential there to create the intensity this has been looking for. More close up camera shots and atmosphere, which the Belgian team added in successive runs today, will raise this higher.

Belgium: First rehearsal at Eurovision 2019

Eliot — “Wake Up”: Reviews and Reactions

Belgium: First press conference 2019

Read all of our Eurovision rehearsal reviews

Photo Credit: EBU

32 Comments
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Iseul
Iseul
4 years ago

The taiko drums were so bloody unnecessary. I understand trying the Japanese aesthetic, but come on

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
4 years ago

Sounded better than expected but wow, that is not a convincing getup. It looks….kinda silly.

Kosey
Kosey
4 years ago

It has just crossed my mind, is Eliot a massive fan of Wiwibloggs? The two V signs on the T shirts worn by the dancers and by Eliot himself in the press conference look very similar to the “W’s” worn by Wiwibloggers. Could this be a sign that he really likes the site?

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

Eliot explains it himself as a “double peace symbol” in this interview: https://youtu.be/vbfBlyRQnI0
He seems genuinely happy to be wearing Van Beirendonck’s designs. I just hope that, for the song, they look better with the graphic overlay.

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago

I’m not into this visual concept. It doesn’t express the meaning of the lyrics and it’s not impactful either. The hand choreography and the drums thing don’t feel natural, the costumes are weird and the background doesn’t match what’s happening on the stage. I hope it looks better on TV, but for now I’m disappointed. It’s good to know that Eliot did well though. He seems comfortable.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Similar opinion here.

Vogzal Odessa
Vogzal Odessa
4 years ago

Belgium!! Mais pourquoi???? The costume looks like JP Gaultier’s youthful attempt to design the iconic Madonna’s corset using his old Atari in the mid-80’s!
And you already had everything: a great song with an artist that fits like a glove.
Originally in my Top 5, I really wouldn’t like Eliot to be this year’s ALEXEEV… 🙁

Hector
Hector
4 years ago

First of all, I am a bit disappointed by this staging. On the other hand, looking back, similar thing happened with Blanche: unsteady vocal performance, robotic movements, quite interesting (at the least) dressing choice… And finally they decided to change this last thing and Blanche did slightly better vocally. Hopefully same thing will happen here. But the clock is ticking! Come on Belgium, please WAKE UP and fix this, I believe in you!

Lourdes
Lourdes
4 years ago

It’s very forgettable and not impactful. I think Belgium is leaning more towards a NQ now.

Bella
Bella
4 years ago

If they ditch these orange jackets (??) this is good!

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago

Hmm i think Belgium have do do some changes after this. I can see Belgium come 13th now.

NickC
NickC
4 years ago

Barbara dex winner?
I still think there is hope, because the song is so contemporary and strong.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago
Reply to  NickC

Yes, but both should be strong, in my opinion. I’m just hoping that the AR screen will substantially change the visuals’ effect.

Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

i think the performance looks cute but the song is nq

Jo.
Jo.
4 years ago

I’ve been always supporting this entry, but now it really does look like a NQ.

Denis
Denis
4 years ago

Is he going rock climbing after the rehearsal?

Nikki
Nikki
4 years ago

I like the song, but the staging is underwhelming. I think it should be closer to the MV, playing with light and dark.
And yeah, that jacket is screaming Top 5 at the Barbara Dex

Ezal
Ezal
4 years ago

Underwhelming.. ”Drums, there has to be drums” 😛 And wtf that costume. I prefer atmopshere from the music video. He looks more self-confident tho.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago

Belgium team: If you’re reading this, please re-consider the costumes. Unless there is going to be some clever AR stuff going on with it, there is really no need to go with the next winner of the Barbara Dex award. Seriously, enough of that. Please start treating the song’s staging more seriously.

Poiroke
Poiroke
4 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Walter Van Beirendonck is one of the best designers we have in Belgium, fashion University professor at Antwerp, you can like it or hate it, but it’s very modern. He is very famous in the world of clothing design. But it’s ok if you don’t like it. We don’t know how it will be on screen yet. He is much more confident on stage and his notes were on point. This have a very modern look and it will devide haters and lovers. A lot of songs this year have good quality. We shall see if it qualifies (now 70%… Read more »

Ioa Ioa
Ioa Ioa
4 years ago
Reply to  Poiroke

More like 70% of getting eliminated.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago
Reply to  Poiroke

Thanks. I am aware of the team. Obviously you don’t have to follow our advice if you don’t want to, and the screen output will indeed be different with the added effects. Best of luck.

Rimig
Rimig
4 years ago

Another year the same situation with Belgium: a song I really like (my number 6 overall) but an awkward staging. Imo they should have created a rather dark and misterious atmosphere for the verses and then some sort of more explosive effect in the chorus to lift it up and compensate for them being a little dull. For me, this whole drum-thing and hand-lifting stuff just doesn’t work. However, maybe they can convince me with the second rehearsal.

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
4 years ago

To me it doesn’t look bad (or outstanding either). The visuals are nice, drummers match the message of the song, but I don’t know if that was the best idea to build the entire performance around them. And why is he wearing a Halloween costume?

Elf
Elf
4 years ago

Dragon Ball…?

Kosey
Kosey
4 years ago

Well this was unexpected. I really love this song and the visual aesthetic is not what I had in my own mind. I’m nervous that Georgia and Australia follow it and they are much more “in your face” visually. I think Belgium’s chances will rest on Eliot now. He is the big selling point. This is a fresh and modern song, and he is fresh and modern – I am still routing for you as I believe in you and the message of this song.

Erasmus
Erasmus
4 years ago

Like I just don’t get some stagings, Belgoum is actually my second place thisbyear, but what is this staging – it’s not bad, but it’s so misfitted, who thought this fits the song, the clothes… I could live with them, but the drums like why? What is the purpose?

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
4 years ago

tbh in my head, i pictured his staging having a heavy use of light and dark…like it goes through the motions of day and night behind him…

that outfit was….a choice…i don’t really get it, but it’s okay i guess….

enrique
enrique
4 years ago

I like the staging, wel done belgica

Matthew
Matthew
4 years ago

It reminds me of Hungary 2016. This just isn’t out of the box.

Kris
Kris
4 years ago
Reply to  Matthew

*Outside the box

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
4 years ago

I think this will be forgotten… His vocals sounded fine but from what I saw it doesn’t look interesting on stage.