Today eight acts — The Netherlands, Montenegro, Australia, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia and Ukraine — got their first taste of the Junior Eurovision 2015 stage. Thankfully their first rehearsals were filled more with thrills than spills, and many have made the most of the ginormous LED screen. We’ve already shared our thoughts on today’s rehearsals — read all of our rehearsal reviews here — and now we want to know what you think. You can review each of today’s rehearsals below. Then vote in our poll and let us know which acts you think deserve top marks. You can vote for as many acts as you’d like, but you can only vote once, so make it count.

The Netherlands: Shalisa – “Million Lights”

Our first impression: “Once again Shalisa serves up some Alicia Keys realness, sitting at her piano and tickling the ivories while giving us vocal soul. She looks straight into the camera and dares you not to feel something. The songs translates well to this bigger stage: two backing vocalists and two dancers help fill the space, and spinning camera shots give this more energy than we remember from the national final.”

Montenegro: Jana Mirkovic – “Oluja”

Our first impression: “A “Storm” is coming and Montenegro’s Jana Mirkovic is at the center of it! For weeks we’ve been wondering how Jana would fill the 30-second lyrical pause 90 seconds into the song. Today she answered that by unveiling a series of yellow drapes which her dancers tie around her body Sertab Erener style.”

Australia: Bella Paige – “My Girls”

Our first impression: “Bella didn’t just hit the high notes: she added texture to the song and remained in total control in every register. It’s not the most kid-friendly performance — no circus act here! — but the song screams “radio hit” and she delivers it with ease.”

Russia: Mikhail Smirnov – “Mechta” (Dream)

Our first impression: “He stands centre stage and seems to feel every note and beat, bending and stepping and throwing his arm around like a proper R&B singer. A lady friend in white rocks in a hammock before getting up and stretching out — she’s all pirouettes, spins, and splits. Along with a purple-to-blue sky and plenty of stars, this creates the dreamy feelings he so tenderly sings about.”

San Marino: Kamilla Ismailova – “Mirror”

Our first impression: “Call it a case of a dress wearing a girl, rather than a girl wearing a dress. Kamila Ismailova’s stunning white gown, draped in mirrors down the left side, was the centrepiece of her first rehearsal. The staging is chic and classy, and would do an oligarch proud. Kamila’s vocals were uneven today, and at times she seemed to need a glass of water. But no matter: she’s got plenty of time to iron out her issues and sparkle light her clothing.”

Serbia: Lena Stamenkovic – “Lenina Pesma”

Our first impression“Lena looks stunning in a red gown, which matches her staging perfectly. Vocally, the girl was flawless. Some had questioned her ability to reach those high notes, they needn’t have worried. All in all, it feels very Polina Gagarina, but with considerable more sass. And remember how well she did!”

Slovenia: Lina Kuduzovic – “Prva Ljubezen”

Our first impression“The bigger stage certainly hasn’t dented her confidence, and her delivery is every bit as good as the performance which won her the Slovenian ticket in Mini EMA.”

Ukraine: Anna Trincher – “Pochny Z Sebe” (Start With Yourself)

Our first impression: “No one quite does staging like Ukraine. In the past they’ve given us hell machines, sand artists and hamster wheels. Now you can add giant lotus flower to the list. Anna werks her angles, while her dress changes colour as the performance progresses. A less capable artist might get swallowed up by the busyness of the staging, but she keeps her head above the water.”

Junior Eurovision 2015: Rehearsals Day Two

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Masha Yakovleva
Masha Yakovleva
8 years ago

Russia is the best! I vote for Misha!

Eva
Eva
8 years ago

@Jak-on Europeans and xenophobia-you really need to get a reality check. Europe and the organizers have openly welcomed and hailed Australia’s debut in JESC. It is very likely that Bella will in addition get some backing from the Jury, San Marino, and whatever other means are used to help a preffered entry-not because of the quality of the enrty, but because of the profile of the country and as an expression of good will. Let’s now have close look at the song itself. It is a recycled song, created for another competion, which is re-tailored to fit JESC. Bella did… Read more »

Erin
Erin
8 years ago

Best rehearsal: Russia Least convincing rehearsal: San Marino “It would do an oligarch proud”: well, it can’t disguise the fact that Kamilla’s voice has very obvious shortcomings even if millions of Euros are vested in the performance and its promotion. Unfortunately this is likely to end up as another Angelica Agurbash moment, despite the fact that the chorus of the song is very memorable and appealing. I can understand why San Marino would want to upgrade its profile by importing foreign talent with deep pockets of money involved and why the EBU would make an exception in its case, but… Read more »

Vanessa
Vanessa
8 years ago

Russia had a flawless first rehearsal! Misha was the best! No doubt! <3

Firehunter
Firehunter
8 years ago

Top 3 at this moment:
1. Australia
2. Russia
3. Slovenia
I am convinced that one of these three countries is going to win. Only they stand out. They have the best songs and whole entries look catchy. It all starts from tightness.

SpirK
SpirK
8 years ago

I think we saw some great presentations today. Clear winners of Day 2 presentation and staging wise are Ukraine (with no doubt), Serbia and San Marino. Slovenia was nice, I saw a rehearsal from the official site that had a snowy castle in the backdrop, maybe they haven’t made a decision yet. Australia was pretty good, but a bit static. The Netherlands also nice, just what we expected. Russia was ok, and Montenegro also.
Fantastic: Ukraine, Serbia
Great: San Marino
Nice: Slovenia, the Netherlands, Australia
Ok: Russia, Montenegro

beccaboo1212
8 years ago

About the rehearsals today…

Australia, Slovenia, San Marino…amazing!!!

Montenegro, Netherlands, and Serbia…really good.

Russia…mediocre

Macedonia…bad, expect for the vocals.

Foxreyna
Foxreyna
8 years ago

Ukraine best vocals live today ;3

Hanner McSinny/Calvin
8 years ago

Ukraine have a talent for kicking it up about seventy notches live, not just with the staging but with performers who know how to dig deep and find something special live. Apparently, that extends to JESC. I now have them on dark horse alert.

Sarah
Sarah
8 years ago

Georgia hahahahaha

Cathal
Cathal
8 years ago

Everyone going on about how Slovenia will be screwed over because of the draw….well if the song is as good as you all say it is then the draw won’t matter 🙂

Paul D
Paul D
8 years ago

About the rehearsals today:

San Marino, Slovenia, Serbia, Ukraine – very good

Russia – ok

Australia, Netherlands – disappointing

Montenegro – bad

MMs
MMs
8 years ago

PP – Malta is ALWAYS very underrated in televoting, besides Destiny and her song deserve a good place. I just hope every song gets what is deserves.

PP
PP
8 years ago

We all know that Australia, Malta and Italy will be overrated by juries.

PP
PP
8 years ago

San Marino most weak vocal today.

jr esc nl
jr esc nl
8 years ago

@jak
her song may be good but i don’t think she had one of the best rehearsals today.

Jak
Jak
8 years ago

Europeans are xenophobic as always, Australia is so damn good for the Eurovision Song Contest. I wasn’t very warm with their participation in the Eurovision-related events, but since they are really taking it serious, way more than us, Europeans, I believe that this country deserves be a permanent part of the Eurovision world. Best staging, presentation, best-produced song… “My Girls” looks like from the adult contest, it’s so much better than the UK gave us in the last twenty years actually (except Molly)! Well, my favourites were Australia, Slovenia and San Marino today – and I also like the Russian… Read more »