Albania Anxhela Peristeri First Rehearsal Eurovision 2021

Albania’s Anxhela Peristeri has taken to the Rotterdam Ahoy stage for her first rehearsal of “Karma” at Eurovision 2021. Was she able to capture the drama of “Karma”? Let’s see…

Albania’s Anxhela Peristeri “Karma” — Eurovision 2021 first rehearsal

Robyn: Anxhela is looking glamorous in a leotard dripping with crystals. She’s alone on stage — no dancers or backing singers. When she’s singing, this is fine as she’s an expressive singer and is able to convey the drama of the song. However, during the numerous instrumental breaks in the song, the staging starts to feel a bit empty. Anxhela doesn’t dance and there are only so many times a performer can dramatically swish about her hand before it starts to feel repetitive. It really would have been enhanced even if she’d been joined by just one dancer to go wild during the breaks. The stage lighting is dramatic and the LEDs show bursts of coloured smoke. It feels like deliberately pared-back pandemic-era staging — so it’s totally understandable. Yeah, it could be better, but for what it is, Anxhela works it.

Padraig: We’ve had a lot of “Fuego” sound-alikes since 2018. This, however, is a “Fuego” look-alike — although, to be fair, both stage shows were designed by the same team. The opening scene is very similar to that of Eleni Foureira’s iconic performance. It starts with Anxhela’s silhouette against a red smokey backdrop. Later we see her replicate a couple of poses, most notably when she puts her hand on her hip and turns her top half to face the audience. However, Anxhela does put her own stamp on things. For one, she’s not singing a banger and the stage show reflects that. She’s on her own and remains in the same spot for most of it. Although she manages to do a lot while standing still — there is arm and hair-ography a plenty. The vocal itself was flawless and Anxhela delivers both takes as if it was actually the semi-final performance.

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What do you think? Did Anxhela Peristeri live up to your expectations? Sound off in the comments section below.

Read more Albania Eurovision 2021 news here

48 Comments
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Steven
Steven
2 years ago

She’s gorgeous! The dress is really on point. However, I hoped for a more memorable staging. She plays really well with the lighting, but it feels underwhelming at moments..

Pasadena
Pasadena
2 years ago

Albania is in it again! This simple staging is exactly what this needed to look fresh.

gurki loko
gurki loko
2 years ago

Was there a silver dresses’ sale or what? She’s dressed like it’s a dance number, while it’s a ballad about God not forgiving her.

Jofty
Jofty
2 years ago
Reply to  gurki loko

So Like A Prayer # 2? But sung in tune by someone who is actually talented.

esc_fl
esc_fl
2 years ago

I LOVED this! For some reason I’m expecting Anxhela to have a dress change in the middle of the bridge instrumental? At any rate it’s pretty epic in my opinion

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago

Anxhela looks and sounds amazing. The staging seems very tasteful too. I share Robyn’s concerns though, the song has a lot of instrumental breaks, they’ll need some “Lovewave” camera cuts to keep it interesting. I’m personally confident about Albania’s qualification chances.

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

I think a longer dress would be the right choice for this song. Sacha J Baptiste really can’t make a good decision….

Silverhand
Silverhand
2 years ago

I like the colors in the background. But it would be better if she had a long dress (this would be different from Cyprus and Moldova)

willchrisiam
willchrisiam
2 years ago

She looks amazing but I’m struggling to make the connection between the song and a dress that screams banger, pyro and lots of choreography…

Jofty
Jofty
2 years ago
Reply to  willchrisiam

Perhaps they could get Tiesto in to do a last minute remix – just to make sure the dress fits in with the concept?

Sot
Sot
2 years ago

Noooo they ruined it!

WE WANT PROPS, PLEASE SWITZERLAND GIVE US PROPS

Sot
Sot
2 years ago
Reply to  Sot

Oh well, they didn’t give us props but they gave us THE WINNING SONG

Last edited 2 years ago by Sot
yeahyeahfire
yeahyeahfire
2 years ago

I am sorry but this feels a little bit empty….this also gives me Gianna Terzi vibes (greece 2018).

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  yeahyeahfire

That’s what I was thinking too, and It might share the same fate next Thursday

Roodi
Roodi
2 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

The stage looks good there is pyro and Anxhela is an amazing performer 100% gonna qualify

Anhel
Anhel
2 years ago

I really like the song and especially the chorus. But I don’t know of this staging improves her chances of qualifying.

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
2 years ago

Is this the year of the silver mini blingy clingies. 3 performers now ladies. Hope you’re not all going to clash. 2008 all over again then Sweden and Ukraine

Denis
Denis
2 years ago

Ah, Albania serving us drama and dramatic entries since 2005!

Shift_key
Shift_key
2 years ago

Flawless vocals, and I love the song since watching her performing it at Festival i Kenges in December. All the best from Switzerland!

Mr X
Mr X
2 years ago
Reply to  Shift_key

This is lightyears away better from those performance

Mr X
Mr X
2 years ago

Albanian eagle fly into the final !

a lady (born in the sign of Aries just like me) with a fiery perfomance and in the national language. It look really promising !

Mr X
Mr X
2 years ago
Reply to  Mr X

It lookS of course….

Colin
Colin
2 years ago
Reply to  Mr X

You can edit your post within the first fifteen minutes. Any grammatical errors can be fixed if noticed in time. 🙂

Colin
Colin
2 years ago

Anxhela is certainly a diva, and her stage presence is incredible. I wouldn’t call it a lock yet, but I am leaning towards her making it through.

Candy
Candy
2 years ago

This HAS to qualify. It’s so good. She is amazing on stage

baby
baby
2 years ago

Qualifying without a doubt

Ravencrow Neversmiles
Ravencrow Neversmiles
2 years ago

Have you guys noticed that so many of the women have some variation of the same outfit. The body suit with the dangly diamonds.
Not criticising Anxhela for it I just noticed it now

Diabolo
Diabolo
2 years ago

And shoulder pads (for example now Albania as well as Croatia, Azerbaijan, Australia, San Marino, Belgium, Ukraine..) But yeah diamonds seem to be the current trend right now for some odd reason

Last edited 2 years ago by Diabolo
Polegend Godgarina
2 years ago

must be current fashion trends

Polegend Godgarina
2 years ago

she’s a stunning beauty AND an excellent singer, paired with an outstanding song. we need her in the final !!

Jørgen
Jørgen
2 years ago

The only good think about this performance i think is Anxhela. Strong vocals, powerful expressions and nice outfit. The staging though looks average and empty but i think she’ll qualify (she will recieve points from Greece, Bulgaria, Switzerland and even Serbia) and she deserves it.

Kristian
Kristian
2 years ago

Yup , the Fik staging was better
We need less Sascha stagings

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
2 years ago

Although Anxhela looks gorgeous on stage, I still don’t think Albania will qualify to the grand final this year. I personally think countries like Latvia, Moldova and Czechia will have more attention.

Mr X
Mr X
2 years ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

So far we haven´t seen Latvia on stage. Moldova is absolutely crap.

esc1234
esc1234
2 years ago

this the definition of a dark horse. Stunning visuals, Anxhela looks amazing and finally an albanian entrance without awful clothing and non existent staging. She has my vote

Lucianna
Lucianna
2 years ago
Reply to  esc1234

But this kinda feels like non existent staging tho?
She’s just standing there and it feels a bit empty.

Polegend Godgarina
2 years ago
Reply to  Lucianna

she IS the staging

esc1234
esc1234
2 years ago

finally we agree on something. She is amazing

Polegend Godgarina
2 years ago
Reply to  Lucianna

10 euros pre-tax even !

Polegend Godgarina
2 years ago

yeah i had no idea sacha was beind their staging, it’s completely unnecessary lol. she nailed it a couple of times and suddenly she’s in demand left and right

Mr X
Mr X
2 years ago

My number one is Finland, but Albania is so close behind.

esc1234
esc1234
2 years ago
Reply to  Lucianna

i guess they focus on camera work. Thats a first for Albania who had a singer and 3 backing vocalists on stage for 3 years in a row

Steven
Steven
2 years ago
Reply to  esc1234

But feels like everybody is a dark horse this year 🙂

Chris
Chris
2 years ago

Sasha Jean Baptiste starter-pack….
Darkness, Smoke and a singer alone in the scene moving her hands around showing her passion or something….
Sorry but it is a Pass….

zheng
zheng
2 years ago

Absolutely STUNNING performance!!

Angelos
Angelos
2 years ago

So let’s hope this is start of a new era, where Albania pays attention to the staging!
Although her voice is on point as always and herself is a sweetheart.. I don’t think that this “kenga magjike” style ballad is enough to send her to the final.

Phillybear
Phillybear
2 years ago
Reply to  Angelos

I disagree with you. I love the song. And she is in the finals. She is amazing.

Kristian
Kristian
2 years ago
Reply to  Phillybear

She already is in the final ? 7 singers got disqualified ?