It is high preview party season and last night 26 acts from this year’s Eurovision Song Contest performed live in Amsterdam at Eurovision in Concert 2016. Drawn from the four corners of Europe, all of the acts brought their A-game and sought to make a killer impression on the stage.
wiwibloggs got cosy for all the action inside the Melkweg. We were over-the-moon to once again see preview season dolls Hovi Star, Barei and Ira Losco. And we finally had a chance to enjoy star-turns from newcomers on this year’s preview party scene Poland, Austria and France. While we raised the roof with one hand, we snagged recordings of all the performances with the other and now you can decide who nailed it on the night. You can watch all 26 clips below, then vote in our poll for your favourite performances from Eurovision in Concert 2016. Vote for as many of your faves as you like — just make sure you tick all their names before you press submit.
EUROVISION IN CONCERT 2016: ALL THE LIVE PERFORMANCES
What went down
Inside the venue a number of acts that have been solid remained so. But there were also a few interesting surprises on the night. We’ll let you discover them for yourselves in the playlist, but we have to point out a few.
Poland’s Michal Szpak received some of the loudest applause of the night. After his performance the audience repeated the simple, but powerful hook of his song and he was visibly touched by their love.
Austria’s Zoë — who is always vocally on point — also shook the Melkweg. The response to her performance was so loud and rapturous that she actually broke down in tears on stage immediately after performing her song. Live it really came to life and you could tell she was feeding off the energy of the crowd. Some have said the song sounds monotonous, but when this beauty turns it out live in front of a massive audience watch out!
As all of you diehard fans know, Greta Salome’s performance has some amazing visuals. But even here — where she didn’t have a massive projection screen to work with — the Icelandic beauty still dazzled. The crowd clapped along like crazy and the Melkweg turned into a fierce cauldron of energy. Best of all she opened with an extended violin solo to set the scene.
A lot of Eurofans have expressed disappointment over Kaliopi’s “Dona” — inevitably comparing the studio version of this year’s entry to the live version of her 2012 number. But put your fears aside! The Macedonian diva proved once again that she slays live and the song took on an epic quality. Obviously there were a lot of Eurovision diehards in the audience who love this lady. But when she sang there was a huge upswing in energy and she gave a few wiwibloggers tingles when she belted out dona, dona, dona (yes, not donut, donut, donut).
It was our first opportunity to see Croatia’s Nina at a pre-party event and she did not disappoint. Once again she served some Ellie Goulding realness — those ethereal vocals were on point! But she added her own edgy touch with a billowing gown with chiffon wings. Channelling Madame Butterfly and a whole lot of edge, she made a strong case for herself to climb the scoreboard.
Michal Szpak had the best live performance! Are you kidding me? This man is …. (sighs) … outstanding, superb! 🙂
“Michael ooooo Michael oooo tell me darling may I be your wife
Omg you was amazing! Devil and angel in one …Please never stop doing IT”
@Polina: That was funny! lol (waiting in line)
From all live performances at Eurovision in Concert, The Netherlands got the biggest jump on the bookmakers. From #22 to around #14 now. So Douwe Bob obviously charmed the hell out of all these people.
Nina’s power is real. Not even the Szpak bots/fans can make him win this poll when Nina exists!
What about this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwud4k4c2lQ
Totally on point
Michael ooooo Michael oooo tell me darling may I be your wife
Omg you was amazing! Devil and angel in one …Please never stop doing IT
Romania- what a big voice! My second place is ofc Romania. Strong voice.
SebastianfromPOland Dobrze sie czujesz, czlowieku? Moze mamy tu podlinkowac wystepy Malgoni, w ktorych sie calkowicie kompromituje? Albo moze te, w ktorych pokazuje pieluche, co? Nauczcie sie w koncu przegrywac i skonczcie sabotowac wlasny kraj i Michala przy okazji.
It’s funny Croatia is so high, because I was there in Amsterdam and it really didn’t impress me at all.
Mister Szpak greetings from Italy and 12 strong points. Ti amo Szpak, ti amo ohooooooo !
They’ve all performed well. Whether it’s good or bad performance in Amsterdam or Tel Aviv it’s been proven. That is why there are top videos that popped out on YouTube. Gosh all the hypes are insanely strong.
By the way Highway of Montenegro good job of making my head banging… In a good way!!! Yeah rock on!!!
Screw you all haters!!!
http://www.bareimusic.com/
I predict that Russia will give Poland 8 points in the televote in the final 🙂
Poland, Macedonia and Croatia were the best, but who cares if it is known that one of them will win : Spain, France, Russia or Latvia.
Michal Szpak is the best .Strong , beautiful voice and great ballad .
my favourite performances are from Nina ( nice dress as well, reminds me of Evanescence, from the song My Immortal) , Ira ( i think she’ll need the votes more than Croatia, who i think will be a public favourite along with Armenia) but this is just my opinion, and you’re right Nina is awesome i’m a very dedicated eurovision fan, and last year it was for me the worst feeling when Malta didn’t qualify, but now at least i can vote for her Walk On Water for me is awesome, because the song gives me strength, and Ira is… Read more »
I was there yesterday and the best performances were Estonia, Croatia and Spain.
I laughed earlier today when I was watching the videos from wiwibloggs and other sites and found some comments were people was saying “playback” in the Barei video. This little woman really has phenomenal live vocals. 🙂
Wow, Kaliopi was amazing! I didn’t expect that. She surprised me 🙂
Looked like a great night. I thought about going to Amsterdam for this one, but I have been suffering from that virus for weeks now. I swear it’s the same one that took out Agnete from Norway. We must have used the same aeroplane!
Sebastian from PL. True artist can wear what he wants! Michael Szpak is a great singer! And what you said about Margaret? What? Hahahaha. Come down guy! Her song is good but she can’t sing LIVE! Do you understand? I’m scared that my grandpa sang better …under her shower. So don’t be rude and take it easy! Peace.
Okay, but can we talk about how much Kaliopi literally slayed her performance? Definitely the best performance out of all here, she brought the song to a whole new level, y’all.
In my opinion Sergey, Michal Szpak or Amir would be winner in May:) They have the best songs:)
Jamala, Nina from Croatia and Micha? Szpak were the best in Amsterdam:)
@Susan
Thanks for the info guys – now I get it – I did wonder about those lyrics <3<3<3<3<3
#SebastianfromPOland calm down man.. Michal is a good singer and performer, Margaret had cool song but you won’t change the decision. For me personally Michal is better. Margaret should learn how to lose. And stop sending those videos, no one cares.
Why only people from Poland they are impressed by Polish song? where are you satisfied the Dutch? only Poland? starling chosen by blind and deaf old grannies want our Margaret They tell me in solidarity with the Polish and let them pound I do not like starling you know the wear dresses? so women’s dresses https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF-Bt_3a0ck
Top 5 Live Performances (in EIC):
1 – Serbia
2 – Latvia
3 – Spain
4 – Croatia
5 – Ukraine
(I’m from Spain, and this year my favourite is Amir (France), so you can see I’m objective)
Michael Starling- what a voice!
Micha? Szpak – „I`m so excited”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVe02iL3tkU 🙂 🙂
Poland is the winner definitely ! Powerful song, best vocal, best performance. Everyone else far away behind. Full of good emotions and we can easily see reaction of people
Poland is the winner definitely ! Powerful song, best vocal, best performance. Everyone else far away behind
Micha? Szpak “Dream On”- Aerosmith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNtsJT2HC6c
I like Margaret, but…I love Michal Szpak, his amazing voice! Michal Szpak is our HERO !
Margaret is fantastick?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g81isyE3a4
@ana Margaret is fantastick let see https://youtu.be/0g81isyE3a4
Dear SebastianfromPOland! Margaret’s song was really good but she CAN’T sing live and that’s why she lost. I’m proud of Michal.
We are best fans Margaret in the world and
We disgust you a Michael Szpak Starling Margaret is the best even the rest of the bad songs lost to here there is not one cool song and check finally understand Margaret Margaret Margaret sorry but im angry verry angry
The best of the Polish was Margaret but here in Poland are living old people and chose the bird starling is a bird These old people have chosen something about this sorry Europe hahaha
Welcome im from England and i prefered this year verry catchy song’s best for ever Michael Szpak from Poland and my winner Spain Barei but i love Poland and Michael i love you so ooooooooo
@Matteo It’s your opinion a lot people like the song must be respected .
Write something about your
favorite song ? :}
Why does Poland keep leading!! Ffs people :’D
It’s just a medioacre song
Best original and frhes form SPAIN.
best vocal from poland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNtsJT2HC6c&nohtml5=False
@BrandyAlexander
i feel for you, that you can’t vote for Croatia, i know that feeling, because last year i couldn’t vote myself for Malta, they were in the wrong semi final last year, but now i can vote for them, and i wish Croatia good luck, the song has something catchy about it, and Nina sounds like Ellie Goulding 🙂
greetings from the Netherlands
I don’t understand why Juri and Poli are so underrated after the live performances in Amsterdam. Poli may not be the best in terms of vocals among the contestants but her performance was stellar. Anyway, here’s my top 43 after the Riga, Moscow and Amsterdam pre-parties: 1. Bulgaria 2. Serbia 3. France 4. Estonia 5. Spain 6. Malta 7. Poland 8. Australia 9. Croatia 10. Italy 11. Azerbaijan 12. Latvia 13. Israel 14. Iceland 15. Hungary 16. Norway 17. Netherlands 18. Cyprus 19. Armenia 20. Belarus 21. Albania 22. Germany 23. Denmark 24. Macedonia 25. Russia 26. Switzerland 27. Bosnia… Read more »
For real I don’t understand nobody of you….Do you look the voice or the song….
Eneda voice was amazing and she maked the best..
Other songs not at all,but good..Anyway I didn’t vote here because it’s nothing to vote here.The youtube tell you.
Greetings from Croatia! I read this blog often because I like Eurovision song contest and to see that a lot of people like our entry makes me really happy. But…also…makes me very sad. So much hate on this site… If you don’t like something or someone, fine. That’s normal. But why do you must be rude and hateful??? That’s not normal. You don’t have to like the song, but you can’t deny Nina’s amazing talent and splendid performance she gave in saturday. Be objective for once. Instead, she’s been accused for plagiarism over and over which is lame and boring.… Read more »
@Leo
if you like Ira that much, don’t forget to vote, because remember last year Malta didn’t qualify, just on 11th place, missing a few votes, which i will do as well this year
Croatia is good as well
i personally think Netherlands ( my country) will struggle because they perform 6th, and almost all of the good countries come after or just before them
Malta is so underrated it’s a crime ! Ira really delivered vocally and with some good staging it can easily hit the top 2 in the Semi
@Hrga
respect for you, and i like every country this year, but i do have my favourite, and other people also have their favourites, i’ve got respect for everyone’s favourites
only some are not my taste of music, and some are
so i completely agree with you 🙂
I Like Malta, Azerbaijan, Czech Republic ( i hope they do well with Gabriela), Bulgaria, Belgium ( my neighbours i like their song more than my country Netherlands lol)
@Diane
exactly, and the higher note where some people are complaining about, she’ll do that in Stockholm, saving that for the semi-final, look these pre-party’s doesn’t say anything
Amir was disappointing i must agree, but maybe he was holding back as well
C’mon people, Nina was the only one who impressed so much…And she deserve to win this poll, to qualify and to do well in final…
(BTW. Im not fan of Lighthouse, but that voice deserve everything, please, we expected much from Malta, and, unfortunately it was horrible, we expected much from France, and France was and is now the second biggest dissapointment.)
Ok, just to be clear, I am from Croatia. First of all, there are many people thinking that Croats vote heavily on this poll. Believe me, as much as I want it, Croats are not so keen on Eurovision and they don’t give a damn about pre-eurovision polls. Yes, they watch the show and maybe vote then, but that’s it. You can’t deny that Nina slayed in Amsterdam. She was absolutely amazing. Anyone knowing anything about music couldn’t deny that. I agree that she lacks charisma a bit, but I think that her charisma is in her voice. Every single… Read more »