Michal Szpak knows who he is and he isn’t changing for nobody! Today during his first rehearsal, Poland’s Eurovision 2016 singer served androgynous realness while dropping pitch perfect vocals and major stage presence.

The staging suits the mood of the song perfectly. The act begins quite dark with a camera panning into Michal. The floor illumates with stars and they sparkle beautifully underneath Michal. He is accompanied by three violinists, a cellist and a pianist — all of which have instruments that light up to serve some light-sabre realness. The words of the chorus are displayed along the LED back wall, giving the audience of the Globen Arena the opportunity to sing along with him.

During the first run-through, Michal was draped in a metallic silver panel jacket, giving the effect a jacket potato. The rest of the band’s costumes are hidden behind their instruments under incredibly dark lighting which renders them almost invisible.

Michal is an undeniably talented vocalist. His vocal range is as impressive as his toned arms which were out on show during the second and third run-through. He had some timing issues between the first verse and the chorus — he paused at one point to show his frustrations — but he’ll adjust to being on the big stage soon enough.

Poland: First rehearsal at Eurovision 2016

Poland: First press conference 2016

Michal Szpak’s “Color of Your Life”: Reviews and Reactions

Read all of our Eurovision rehearsal reviews

Photo: Eurovision.tv (EBU)

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Topp
Topp
7 years ago

A bit disappointed with Poland. I thought they would bring a simple and motivating staging, taking profit of the voice qualities of Michal, just making him shine.

Instead, they brought all these orchestra members, those distracting lyrics on the pannels…so sad as it was one of my favs FTW.

Fun from Spain
Fun from Spain
7 years ago

Where is Gorniak? 🙁

Daniel E.
Daniel E.
7 years ago

This song makes me want to lay down and die! But since I’m not actually suicidal, I’ll use this as a bathroom break during the semi, and hopefully I won’t have to hear it during the final. I’m sorry, I don’t care how good his voice is, this is not The Voice!

Monique
Monique
7 years ago

@ Notts
Yes, you’re probably right. I would throw away the lyrics display. And I would love to see a loooot of candles. Real candles to build the atmosphere. Or maybe some LED fire when Michal is singing FIRE. Keeping it simple but the staging lacks something and I’m not sure what it should be… I have no idea if Michal suggests his vision or the producers have a say here?

Notts
Notts
7 years ago

Am I the only one who thinks that Michal’s background visualizations seem kind of lame and uninspiring? Couldn’t producers come up with something better?

Monique
Monique
7 years ago

I’ve heard that Michal is kind of “saving” his larynx/vocal cords and doesn’t use the “full power” during rehearsals because he’s got some cold. Very sensible. During rehearsals he doesn’t need to show off. Save the voice for the most important days, Michal – 12 and 14 May. 😉

cheesecake
cheesecake
7 years ago

I am also slightly underwhelmed, but I think he’ll have all sorted out (especially vocally) until next Thursday. The lyrics in the background definitely have to go!
But I like that they brought the instruments on stage.
Will probably qualify…

Monique
Monique
7 years ago

You’re so right Freyah. 🙂 Imagine Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler being called androgynous. Some people should stop seeking sensation where there isn’t any. Szpak is just a long-haired handsome young man. And that’s it.

Brit_bit
Brit_bit
7 years ago

Hiiiiiiiiiiiii there 😉
I like it and dont give a s***t about it what ppl said about him… he sing so amazing live!

Freyah
Freyah
7 years ago

I’m sorry, a dude having long hair does not make him androgynous. He looks like a typical dude, and nobody I know has ever pointed out that he has androgynous features at all.

Carina B
Carina B
7 years ago

I understand with my brain that there are “better” and more “modern” entries and it looks and sounds worse on first rehearsal .. BUT! THIS is my No #1

Angie
Angie
7 years ago

He was ill, he said that at press conference.

Margaret
Margaret
7 years ago

OMG, get over it with Margaret… Michal is much better!

Lol
Lol
7 years ago

Margaret wouldve looked so great on that stage…

OR
OR
7 years ago

@Oxana
you are right dear… i really dont understand what anton doing here? i think the eurovision is for liberal people……………………….this year even more with the logo :”come together”it means that: gay, lesbian.trans, Jewish, Arabs. Christianit and all of the other religions, refugees , and every one i forget to mention are coming together – and we are all made of stars!!
. and every one in this world coming together!!!

Layla
Layla
7 years ago

I’m proud of my country, but it sounds the same as for the preselection. In Amsterdam, London and Israel this song sounded much better. I know that this stage is bigger and I believe and I believe he will be better. On the other hand I don’t like this visualization. it looks monotonously ;c

Rubén
Rubén
7 years ago

The most charismatic performer of this semi and such a powerful voice.

Straight to the final, oh yeah!

OR
OR
7 years ago

@Anton
Hovi will not win, so what’s the big deal?? he have and will have successful career and the eurovision its only one station for the amazing hovi…..
i also hope that homophobic Russia will also wont win this year….
hovi for me is the winner regardless who will win…. its not like the eurovision song winner gets a Grammy award .. or Oscar….

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

OR, let him be. Russians think that calling someone gay, trans, drag queen or similar name based on their sexuality IS offensive. It’s their world view. Try to call Russian man a gay and he’ll in 90% will be aggressive. he just tries to insult others in a way he believes would be the best.

fffty
fffty
7 years ago

Anton, ty kurwa pojebie….

Anton
Anton
7 years ago

Drag queen will not win this year. That is I am sure about.

OR
OR
7 years ago

@Anton
Two times a wonderful “drag queens” wonderful and amazing singers won the Eurovision..in 1998 – dana international (israel). 2014 – konchita.. (Austria) so anton i Dont think this competition is for people like you mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm so bye bye ……

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

@Meowww, but will they sing for him? That would be dangerous if they would not. I’ve seen artists with powerful voice who went to gospel-style performance w/o back vocalists and that was a put off for the audience.

OR
OR
7 years ago

@Anton
the words : Drag queen or gay its not a curse … its wonderful words …. but i bet in Russia you use those words to curse someone…. ………………………
Hovi we love u in Israel beautiful bitch 🙂

Meowww
Meowww
7 years ago

@Oxana
It means that there were 3 violinist, violoncellist and piano with him. He’s going to performance in this squad

OR
OR
7 years ago

@Anton
Hovi is a proud gay and love to put make up on his face and we love him in Israel for that… not like Sergei that is a gay in the closet.. i fell sorry for him that he need to hide from mama Russia…
GO HOVI GO HOVI GO HOVI

georgekirkas
georgekirkas
7 years ago

@light star

Are you from Greece?

Margaret
Margaret
7 years ago

@Anton
Homophobic much?? Hovi might be gay, but he is very lovely and talented… you are just jealous

georgekirkas
georgekirkas
7 years ago

@Anton

Homophobes like you have no place in this world!

Anton
Anton
7 years ago

@OR
The most gayish is your Hovi for sure. Drag queen.

gal
gal
7 years ago

even the Australian singer choose hovi song of one of her top 5
hovi you are the life!!
kissess from israel

gal
gal
7 years ago

hovi bitch we love you in israel.. your song is amazing and you have the best vocal 🙂 kisses and good luck

Poom
Poom
7 years ago

Sounds good to me. I think Michal would be a borderline qualifier, despite the fact that the organisers want him out by putting Poland 2nd in the running order just after Latvia…Anyway he’s singing also before Switzerland so I think he would stand out a bit!
I will take the risk and I would say that maybe he’s the dark horse this year (or Moldova?) Not sure though

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

Mirek,
thank you for sharing the link. the article says “Na scenie towarzyszy?y mu: wiolonczelistka, trzy skrzypaczki i fortepian. W takim sk?adzie wyst?pi tak?e podczas drugiego pó?fina?u”
does that mean he’ll go without back vocalists? alone? or these musicians will be his support in terms of vocal? do you know anything about it?

Brit_Bit
Brit_Bit
7 years ago

cant wait to see more of it

OR
OR
7 years ago

@anton
you and the gay singer from Russia is the most boring there

Anton
Anton
7 years ago

@OR
Hovi is the most boring there.

OR
OR
7 years ago

???@Margaret
i know.. and i also didint see new update in hovi Instagram, i only saw that he wes at israel airport so lufthansa put the song made of star and wrote to him on the fighting board good luck.. its was so nice of them 🙂

Margaret
Margaret
7 years ago

@Thomas
I sniff some jealousy here…

OR
OR
7 years ago

@Anton
Hovi is the most interesting there!! sure more interesting then a song from the year 2000 from MAMA RUSSIA HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
so go and eat some chocolate it might make u less Bitter!??

georgekirkas
georgekirkas
7 years ago

The song has grown on me, but the performance was nothing special…

Thomas
Thomas
7 years ago

What is this OMG ahhahahahahaah …FLOP
Poland stay in semi finals

Margaret
Margaret
7 years ago

@OR
Exactly? I wonder how Hovi sang <3

Anton
Anton
7 years ago

@OR
Nothing interesting there…

OR
OR
7 years ago

wiwi- why you dont show hovi star rehearsal??

Henry
Henry
7 years ago

Great Voice but awful song.. will qualify though.

Anton
Anton
7 years ago

I like him but this is Conchita 2.0, sorry…

David Who
David Who
7 years ago

Michal has one of the greatest voices Eurovision has ever heard. Unfortunately, he also has one of the worst possible draws in the Semi. He can still qualify, but it’s going to be really tough. Good luck.

OR
OR
7 years ago

Michal is very good singer.. i wish hin good luck, and where is hovi?

fluffybiscuits
7 years ago

awful…