The Big Five have arrived in Rotterdam and it’s time for their first run-throughs. Italy’s Måneskin have taken to the Rotterdam Ahoy stage for their first rehearsal of “Zitti E Buoni” ahead of Eurovision 2021. Was their staging a glam rock extravaganza? Let’s see…
Italy’s Måneskin “Zitti E Buoni” — Eurovision 2021 first rehearsal
Oliver: It’s hard to believe Måneskin are a relatively new name to the Italian music scene, because their performances radiate professionalism. The quartet have got the punk glam aesthetic down to a tee, playing with the concept of gender. Lead singer Damiano is topless, with silver flares on his bottom half and a loose tie wrapped around his neck. To his right is bassist Victoria and to his left is guitarist Thomas, who are both wearing pinstripe suits. Drummer Ethan is at the back of the stage on a raised platform with warm flashing LEDs on each step. As for pyro? Well, the Italian delegation isn’t going for subtle. In the final chorus, a pyro curtain rains down on Måneskin as they finish their song surrounded by pillars of gold. Damiano then collapses to the floor, and his silhouette on the backdrop does the same. It’s gritty and edgy yet polished and classy for an overall very impactful show. Måneskin are ticking all the boxes.
Padraig: Pyro. So much pyro. We’ve got a gigantic pyro curtain, pyro shoots from the floor. I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen as much pyro on the Eurovision stage at any one time. But I’m getting ahead of myself, because that all comes at the end. The performance begins behind the LED screen, which opens like a door to reveal Damiano and the rest of the band. The camera than follows the band’s frontman as he brings us to the front of the stage. What we then get is a spectacular glam rock concert. The group are suitably dressed, Damiano’s getup is particularly eyecatching — he’s wearing a pair of silver flares, and not much else. The LED has projections of their silhouettes. As the intensity builds, the stage is flooded with red light and later blue. Then comes the aforementioned pyro. The whole performance ends with a dramatic death drop from the lead singer. As rock performances go at Eurovision, this is among the best.
Reaction to Italy’s first rehearsal at Eurovision 2021
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What do you think? Did Måneskin live up to the hype? Let us know in the comments below.
Read more Italy Eurovision 2021 news here
Photo: EBU / THOMAS HANSES
They’re way too good for Eurovision
It’s not a bad song, but nothing out of the ordinary. I don’t see why the hype about this song. Not a winner in my opinion. In some comments people said they would vote because the singer is shirtless. I think it would be a pity to win eurovision just for that. Italy’s entry Soldi was by far better, and I can’t understand why Italy did not win in 2019 with Soldi, that was truly a great song!
Why would you use the word hype? It is not a hype, it is very simple: a lot of people love the song, and are a fan of the group. You do realise other people can have a different taste then you ?
There’s the hype because it’s Italy. It’s not a bad song but nothing special.
Maneskin will shake Europe on 22th of may!!! ^_^
i was kinda disappointed when this won in Sanremo but now i’m kinda rooting for it to win, this is a weird year…
That performance looks amazing (and Italy just jumped to 2nd in the betting odds). I don’t know if that’s enough for them to win, but good luck to them!
I like Måneskin, but I don’t get the hype, this isn’t groundbreaking.
And before you draw the Finland card, I don’t like Finland’s entry either. In Italy I preferred Irama to represent them.
Ok, I was too mean and this didn’t sound as wild in my head, I hope they do well next Saturday
Italy is my winner this year. It is different, catchy and ‘classy’ in its own way (the beautiful language makes it even more interesting giving it sharpness and uniqueness). The lead singer has tons of charisma and a powerful voice. Love or hate them, the Italian entries have always brought proffesionalism and quality to Eurovision. Out of the Big5 -after returning to the contest- Italy has always taken it the most seriously. In my opinion, the juries have been kind of unfair to them. I realise that this music genre is not everybody’s cup of tea though.
This is so baf awful. 0/10
Don’t understand the hype at all. A very average rock song and a very average staging. I wonder what the reaction would be if it wasn’t Italy. And a song like this won’t have a future after eurovision (would rather see ESC winners succeed like Arcade).
Oh please, you think people like this because it is Italian? No, I love it because it is the unique glam rock performance Eurovision needs. It is soooo good, the singer is fantastic, their chemistry is great, the costumes is what the song needs and it just ooses classy with rock.. wow. I am very very impressed and that has nothing to do with Italy.
Me neither, though I’m into rock. It’s a nice song, yet nothing groundbreaking.
Nethertheless I actually love to see the hype they get on here. If I remember it correctly, this is the first rock entry ever to receive so much praise on Wiwibloggs. That’s a good and overdue sign.
It was a real rock concert, Damiano has great vocals and an ocean of charisma. The staging is fire!
Italy has strong and worthy rivals, but I think Maneskin have a good chance of winning.
Good luck!
Italy might pull a 2018 moment when they came 3rd (almost 2nd) in televoting but lower with juries. Very impressive rehearsal without having props or visual effects (take notes Sacha Jean Baptiste)
You can see Måneskin on wiwibloggs’ livestream, timestamp 6:48:40 🙂
Oh blimey! Italy were a huge surprise today. That’s just blown the contest wide open.
I wish his pants were latex.
I’m here for Damiano being topless lol
We don’t get to see much of the staging, but vocally, Damiano singing ability is powerful. Can’t wait to see the whole performance. Måneskin is gonna slay!
Switzerland and Lithuania eat that dust
Lithuania was out of the game since February what are you talking about
I really wouldn’t count them out yet.
Okay this is all I wanted to see at Eurovision. Italy for the win.
Good job. This will beat Finland in the rock battle for sure
Going by the rehearsal footage we’ve seen so far, Finland’s staging looked more energetic.
Now I think Måneskin can truly win
I want nothing else in life except for Måneskin to win. I promise if they win, I’ll never ever complain about Eurovision points and winners again.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner!
No, we don’t.
Yes, that’s what they’re planning. In previous recent years, the complete list of all jury members were released at the start of rehearsals but this year they will release them on 22 May to balance transparency with privacy, i.e., to maintain the sanctity of the jury voting process.
I imagine it’s because the earlier a list is available, the more some people can try to use it to convince jurors to vote for a particular country (with good or bad intentions, using valids or unethical manners).
I think Belarus 2019 had a large part to play in the changes here. Some Belarussian jury members were interviewed and revealed their votes.
Italy is now in 1st position with williamhill betting shop with odds of 10/3
This year my top 3 since the beginning I have always said Italy, France and Switzerland
Italy, instant, contemporary, contender rock song, very good singer and matched group
France, original, contemporary, contender, very good singer
Switzerland, a bit like duncan, lyrics are rather like a poem, a dreamer but still contemporary contender and a very good singer
One of these is going to win if not 3 winner for the draw, I can’t decide which one is, hard
Best of luck
I have the same top 3 and I hope you’re right
My thoughts exactly! Bravo! The rest pale in comparison.
Italy will be 1st in the televote, no doubt whatsoever
Half naked dude, loads of pyro, noise and repetition. Plus they will have Finland serving more accessible variation to the similar demographic. Overall, I think this one will end on the right side of the scoreboard and Finland on the left.
I even doubt now if even juries will place them in the right side of the table
Lmao, right side? Let’s wait for next week and see how your prediction will fare.
I treat Eurovision as annual opportunity to enjoy cheesy side of music and culture. I don’t have an agenda, I don’t even have a favorite to win. I just stated my opinion, cause others overhype this song’s appeal. So really I won’t need consolation just because my pure guess prediction was wrong.
C’MOOOON ITALY! OMG! I knew they could deliver it to 100%. My favorite Italy met my expectations and I’m so happy with it. I have this winner vibes finally. And they’re already climbing in the odds. Currently 2nd. I think it’ll be the battle between France and Italy.
Music is not fireworks…I KID! The best thing for Finland is that no one will have seen this before Semi 2. In the final, Finland will look like a sad 90s retro imitation of what modern elevated hard rock is suppose to look like when Italy takes the stage. Hopefully Italy will perform after Finland in the second half.
There’s absolutely zero need to constantly compare Italy and Finland just because they’re vaguely related musically.
You do realize this is a competition where you literally compare one song to another. You don’t score songs in this contest—you rank songs and compare. And you’re more likely to compare Italy to Finland than Italy to Poland going after same audience
There is a difference between Italy and Finland indeed: the Finnish song has catchy hooks.
Looks like we got a cluster of geographically close countries in contention now , Malta France Italy and Switzerland. All could stage an excellent contest next year but would be concerned what venue Malta could use . Anyone any idea ?
There is no doubt this will be top 3 in televoting. I just hope juries don’t bury them..
These guys got some serious budget 🙂
I thought so too! At least they use it on pyros not to buy themselves views! LOL
Looks like a winner. Italy is here to fight for the glass mic!
Italy looks incredible. Qualit-eee. We are all at their gig.
A strong contender enters the room… It seems this time staging can’t be used as an excuse to stop Italy (by the way, Mahmood’s staging was perfectly fine). I just hope the juries liked rock this whole time and were just expecting for something outstanding to pop up. Because this is arguably Eurovision’s best rock package ever.
Agreed! Though it would have been better had you said, “I just hope the juries liked rock this whole time and were just expecting for something outstanding to rock up.” 😉
I’ll take it. 😛
🙂
Agreed
HERE THEY COME! 2nd at the moment in the odds and close to surpassing Malta!
Sorry but this is not my taste…i like finlands rock a lot more…for me this is a lot of screaming and shouting and fire…just a no for me…
But that doesn’t mean that i don’t support Italy i hope next year they bring banger like almost every year and finally get a win
I don’t know how so many people here have been able to pick an absolute favourite. I can never decide.
What’s the final list of all your Gold Stars, Jonas?
France, Italy, Russia, Iceland, Ukraine, Belgium, The Netherlands, Ireland, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Malta, United Kingdom, Switzerland.
14 gold stars.
Nice! Maybe you can introduce a Platinum Star on 22 May.
There’s a little bit for everyone this year. Since I consider myself an eclectic, I’m having a feast.
Ha, well after 2 years waiting for this meal…gorge yourself, Sabrina!
The only thing that can ruin this banquet now is if juries and televote pick exactly the only frontrunner I’m not fond of. But I’ll keep my hopes high, last year the top 2 went for my top 2, maybe I’ve never been as in sync with the Eurovision zeitgeist.
So true, every time I see a different performance I have a new favourite. Its going to be a close contest this year, and I can’t wait!
Mine is Italy. It is no because the song is the best ever. But it is the whole package and that it will be good for Eurovision if they win.
I said it in another article: Italy is in it to win it and I’m here for it!
Italy >>>
Yes! It’s really time for them to win. Not only because of fantastic Måneskin but also for the quality they bring every year.
Italy as always.. Europe is tired to rob them every year but they are not tired to bring high quality year after year. Italy deserves a special award for the effort.
I hope this year their efforts will be awarded with Eurovision trophy.
Downvote all you want but I don’t like this. I prefer Finland by far. This is just too much screaming and pyros.
This is cool. Finland’s offering is just a screaming mess.this will do well
Not downvoting, your taste is your taste, but why comparing them though?
They are not similar at all. Different generes of rock, different inspirations behind them…
This years pop songs sung by females are more similar among them than Italy and Finland.
Rock is a maxi genre, same way pop is.
I’m not saying they are similar but they are the only rock songs of the year.
I like both 🙂
I prefer Finland by far too – the song has more structure and hooks.
I just cant imagine this not winning the whole thing..like im not even a rock fan, but this has been my number one since i’ve heard it live on sanremo for the first time. It’s gonna be tough but im confident. I manifested their victory on sanremo, i’ll try again lmao
At this point, I can’t tell at all who will win. Everyone is edging each other out, it’s getting closer and closer.
Russia, France, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Italy, Switzerland – with Cyprus and San Marino delivering high-quality bops – and Malta working out its staging for our queen. It’s all for the taking and anyone’s game right now.
Russia, Ukraine and San Marino have no chance to will. They will have points but more like 7-10th place. Bulgaria just no. The tests have a chance but I think Italy will win.
It sounds so certain then, if no one has a chance but Italy! Did you put your bet on before today? They’re now the bookies’ hot favourite.
I am not sure – but seriously Russia and Ukraine they have interesting performances but you cannot listen to their songs. It hearts the ears. And Bulgaria pretentious Swedish bought song. Not a winner song.
Professionnaljuries will prefer Sweden/Malta combo over Italy unfortunately.No remember Gualizzi? And how about solid did it not get high jury votes?
I am not comparing music style I am speaking about high jury votes. I think Italy had higher jury votes than Sweden on some occasions. Sorry about my spelling.
Your spelling was ok, I just think Italy is not overrated, they just send good songs
It’s not the same people in the juries anymore. Ten years ago juries was just coming back and all the countries gathered their musical professionals. Nowadays they’re not that interested and the jurors are just friends of the tv producers. So they used to be more based on professional merit, nowadays they are just corrupt.
I think the opposite is true. Ten years ago, juries were anonymous. Now they have to give their name, age, profession – and their scores are available for all to see.
Italy ranked high with Gualazzi, because Eurovision wanted to flatter Italy to stay and not leave the competition after 14 years they decided not to participate. Afterall Italy is amongst the big 5, which means more money.
These iconic bastards solidify their place in my Top 5.
Damiano is seriously naked? I’m not homosexual but this… this deserves my 1st place
Well I am gay and I don’t find him remotely attractive or hot. I think if I had a white skinny body like that I’d keep it covered up.
I’m glad Damiano has more confidence than you.
#imavision
they are freaking amazing…winners
My winners
This is so good. I pity the act that has to follow that on final night. Surely its time for Italy to win.