Ready for more? It’s time for another round of Eurovision 2021 second rehearsals. Next up to the Rotterdam Ahoy stage are the stars from Bulgaria and Finland. Will we see any big staging changes? Let’s find out…
Second rehearsals at Eurovision 2021: Bulgaria and Finland
Bulgaria’s VICTORIA “Growing Up Is Getting Old” — Eurovision 2021 second rehearsal
Oliver: Bulgaria’s changes are subtle but effective. The picture of VICTORIA and her father is now framed, and the running sand effect today seems stronger and more prominent. There are still a few technical issues that need ironing out — on the first run we saw some shaky camerawork and on the second run VICTORIA’s microphone picked up a lot of noise from the smoke machine. Performance-wise however, it’s very difficult to find faults here. Bulgaria is guaranteed another fantastic result.
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Padraig: Even after seeing the performance about half a dozen times, I still get all the feels. The first run-through was a little shaky — nothing to do with Victoria might I add. The camera was bumpy during a couple of wide angles, and other cameras blocked the shot on multiple occasions. Thankfully, these issues were fixed during the subsequent takes. I’m not sure if the background noise is intentional or not. To my ears at least, it adds an extra layer of atmosphere and rather than smoke I hear the sound of grains of sand trickling. France, Malta and Italy might be taking all the attention at the top of the odds, but overlook Bulgaria at your own risk.
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Finland’s Blind Channel “Dark Side” — Eurovision 2021 second rehearsal
Oliver: Not the most fantastic rehearsal from Blind Channel today. They’ve cranked up the lighting to 100 and everything is far too bright. The first head-spinning graphic is so luminous that you can barely make it out as human. As well, during the bridge the band is completely saturated by red flood lights. It drowns out all the performers, especially Joel — when he approaches the camera to show “join” written on his hand, it’s extremely difficult to read. Energetic as always from the Finnish stars, but this performance needs some contrast adjustments to stand out.
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Padraig: I shouldn’t compare the two acts, since they’re both bringing us two very distinct varieties of rock. But after Italy’s rehearsal yesterday, Finland has lost some of its sheen. Nonetheless, Blind Channel are definitely making it out of the semi-final. No other semi two act offers anything quite like them. The chaotic lighting and frenetic camera cuts create a suitably anarchic feel, while the men deliver the energy.
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Read more Eurovision 2021 rehearsal news here
Photos: EBU / ANDRES PUTTING / THOMAS HANSES
Very good song from Bulgaria.
Bulgaria is my winner and i want this to win but i’m afraid of Switzerland
Bulgaria: Wonderful staging. I’m even feeling the chorus now and I spent 2 months struggling with it. There are a few entries I would still put in front of it, but Bulgaria entered my “It would make a great winner” territory.
Finland: Looks great, this sequence of Portugal, Bulgaria and Finland is incredibly satisfying to my eyes and ears. I just want to see more of their faces, but that’s a minor issue (though for a general audience I think it matters more).
You never liked the “playing Tetris with my feelings” while I always loved it. I never liked the “nervous system’s aching” while I assume you always loved it. And somehow, here we are in the same page about the song. Kudos to Victoria and the Bulgarian delegation. They did a great job. 🙂
After she made that cringe staging for Equinox its no surprise they dont hire her.
Do you know if delegations can hire anyone they want or they have to choose only from EBU selected stage managers ?
Finland looks great!
Bulgaria once again showed that they’re a powerhouse now in Eurovision. Poli Genova started it all in 2016 and they’ve been strong ever since.
I’m really glad it all started with Poli’s redemption ngl
I didnt now that Bulgaria is in ESC this year. I have listen to the songo, ir didnt say me anything.
i hope so much that victoria wins. i’m prepared for france to, but i’ll sure be disappointed if it happens
Couldn’t agree more.. 🙂
Bulgaria has put me to sleep again, but thank God for Finland for waking me up and enjoying their performance.. 😀
I mean, you can express your preference for Finland without bashing Bulgaria, you know?
Victoria looks amazing
Bulgaria has definitely improved due to the staging.
Finland is stagnating a little but that’s only because I’ve seen it so many times. The only important time is the first time so they are still sailing through.
It’s good but not as good. People might get bored. The chorus is great and staging is interesting tho.
I agree, it’s definitely a grower. And that is exactly why I was talking from a perspective where people will be seeing it for the first time. But the staging looks really promising so hopefully it will do the trick
I just saw the clip and it almost brought me to tears which is less than ideal because I’m in class lol.
I honestly wanna applaud Victoria, even though people preferred other songs she stuck to her guns and trusted her guts and it clearly payed off, this is absolutely brilliant.
Honestly, well done to all the Bulgarian team because they have been working non stop ever since they came back in 2016, they went from an unlucky (and underrated) eurovision country to an eurovision powerhouse with lots of hard work and passion for music. WELL DONE GUYS!
Definitely this!
VICTORIA is EVERYTHING! #Winner
I will vote for you girl!
I have a question: How many times i can vote for one country?
I think 20?
When you want to stay in bed and represent your country at ESC at the same time
Is she gonna wear this outfit?
Why are you downvoting, I’m genuinly asking cuz I wanna know
Just looked at the Bulgarian clip – I’m afraid nothing’s changed. It’s definitely NOT for me! The photo-thing feels … yuk … well, very cringy (too literal, although I understand the idea.)
Victoria proves why she is my winner in that just 5 seconds clip.
Bulgaria just gets better and better!
Best start looking up hotels in Sofia
I prefer Finland, way above Italy.
Off topic, but is the UK flopping at the odds because of James’ vocals? Otherwise I feel like that’s unfair based on the staging and his presence
Maybe they don’t like the fact that James is styled the same as the guy from 2019. Otherwise you can always blame Brexit.
It’s mainly because the song is very average and the staging isn’t good enough to save it.
The staging doesn’t look good imo, and James not so confident
Looking at the top 10 in the odds, Bulgaria is probably the one I most want to win. Hope they manage to pull it off somehow.
kinda same.. would be happy with Italy/France/Malta/Switzerland as well..
I just don’t want Iceland to win.. a good song but a winner? nah
I love Victoria and her song so much, it’s so beautiful and emotional. She deserves to win and Bulgaria have never won before. Good luck Victoria!
I see why people like Bulgaria … to me it is three minutes of tedium. I always wait for it to finish – but just a personal taste. Good luck to the girl!