We’re one week into rehearsals and all acts have now had their first run-throughs on the Rotterdam Ahoy stage. Now, Eurovision 2021 second rehearsals continue with the second half of semi-final two taking to the stage once more.
Today will be briefer than the past couple of days. On May 14, we’ll see eight countries take to the stage for their second rehearsals. Georgia, Albania, Portugal, Bulgaria, Finland, Latvia, Switzerland and Denmark all have another shot at getting things right before full dress rehearsals begin next week.
We’ll be bringing you coverage all day, keeping you updated about today’s staging updates, costume changes and more.
May 14: Second rehearsals at Eurovision 2021
Here’s who will be taking to the Rotterdam Ahoy stage today. All times are listed in CEST (BST + 1).
- 10:00 – 10:20 Georgia: Tornike Kipiani — “You”
- 10:25 – 10:45 Albania: Anxhela Peristeri — “Karma”
- 10:50 – 11:10 Portugal: The Black Mamba — “Love Is On My Side”
- 11:15 – 11:35 Bulgaria: VICTORIA — “Growing Up Is Getting Old”
- 11:40 – 12:00 Finland: Blind Channel — “Dark Side”
- Break
- 13:05 – 13:25 Latvia: Samanta Tina — “The Moon Is Rising”
- 13:30 – 13:50 Switzerland: Gjon’s Tears — “Tout l’univers”
- 13:55 – 14:15 Denmark: Fyr og Flamme — “Øve os på hinanden”
As always, we’ll have review posts for each rehearsal here on wiwibloggs — though for second rehearsals, we’ll be grouping acts together in groups of two and three. You’ll be able to read our thoughts on the rehearsals and see which countries decided to change up their staging.
And of course, our team on the ground in Rotterdam will be live streaming reactions to the second rehearsals over on wiwi.tv, so make sure you’re subscribed and keeping an eye on our YouTube channel!
Eurovision 2021: Press conferences
Shortly after their rehearsals, each act will attend a 20-minute press conference. Things will look a little different this year with social distancing in place. But we’ll still be on hand to ask the stars some questions from a safe distance to get their thoughts on the rehearsal.
Here’s the list of times for each act’s press conference. All times are listed in CEST (BST + 1).
- 11:15 – 11:35 Georgia: Tornike Kipiani — “You”
- 11:40 – 12:00 Albania: Anxhela Peristeri — “Karma”
- 12:05 – 12:25 Portugal: The Black Mamba — “Love Is On My Side”
- 12:30 – 12:50 Bulgaria: VICTORIA — “Growing Up Is Getting Old”
- 12:55 – 13:15 Finland: Blind Channel — “Dark Side”
- Break
- 14:20 – 14:40 Latvia: Samanta Tina — “The Moon Is Rising”
- 14:45 – 15:05 Switzerland: Gjon’s Tears — “Tout l’univers”
- 15:10 – 15:30 Denmark: Fyr og Flamme — “Øve os på hinanden”
Which second rehearsal are you most looking forward to? Will anybody make some dramatic staging updates? Sound off in the comments below.
Read more Eurovision 2021 rehearsal news here
PHOTOS: EBU / THOMAS HANSES / ANDRES PUTTING
Looking forward to Albania’s Switzerland’s and Bulgaria’s rehearsal
Just one act of interest left: Portugal!
Though I’ll be sleeping through all of them (6 hours behind CET), I’m still looking forward to Switzerland. For the exclusive clip I would love to see the vocal and light climax near the end of the song
Me too! I found this backstage rehearsal video, and minute 2:40 is very interesting:
https://youtu.be/_vf08C9h2qM
It seems there was a lot of thought put into this performance.
The odds today:
12. Sweden
13. San Marino
14. Russia
I can’t even…
I’ll leave a random thought about Malta and Destiny: I really don’t understand why she changed her dress. Her song is all about women empowerment and believing in yourself no matter what other people say or think about you. She felt confident in her initial outfit. But she changed it because she received negative comments. Whatever happened to her beliefs. It’s not all about the victory after all. It’s about conveying a message, inspiring people and having the time of your life. Of course Destiny is not the only one to blame; people’s comments that had such a negative impact… Read more »
“Doesn’t mean I’m giving in”
I guess she gave in 🙁
Nonsense. She turned up for her second rehearsal. She is present and fighting. 🙂
I think you make some excellent points – particularly about ‘fan culture’ and making sure our niche little bubble is a safe place for all. There was an intensely negative reaction to Destiny’s first rehearsal and most people would take a knock to their confidence after seeing/hearing about the barrage of comments on blogs and social media. I think you could see the knock to her confidence in her second rehearsal, both in her body language and the fact that she changed the dress. People have a right to speak their mind and I do think most fans are trying… Read more »
Yeah I obviously didn’t mean that she wasn’t good in her rehearsal, my point was mainly about the “fan culture” as you put it correctly.
It’s as if she was being bullied (which, to some extent, she was) and her changing the outfit somehow makes that acceptable.
I don’t know, maybe I’m overanalyzing the situation.
I think it’s good that you’re aware of these things – but don’t worry about Destiny, she will have a supportive team around her, as well as friends and family, and her fans.