The hot favourite for Eurovision 2016, Sergey Lazarev from Russia has just completed his second rehearsal of “You Are The Only One” at the Globen Arena and after a small number of technical glitches in the beginning, Sergey came out on top after a stellar third run-through of his performance

Sergey has only finessed the things that went wrong during his first rehearsal. The camera angles are shaper and cleaner and everything looks far more expensive. Sergey is dressed entirely in black, which makes the visuals behind him stand out even more.

However, in the press centre we could see some issues with the lighting in the first two run-throughs. As Sergey lay down on the screen as the visual spins, spotlights were disrupting the visuals and causing bright flashes on the screen. Sergey also seems incredibly tired after his performance – looking very flustered and sweaty.

The third run-through however was flawless. There was not one wrong thing in that rehearsal and it truly cements Russia as a favourite in this years contest.

Russia: Second rehearsal at Eurovision 2016

Sergey Lazarev: Interview after first rehearsal

Russia’s press conference after first rehearsal

Russia first rehearsal reaction

Read all of our Eurovision rehearsal reviews

Photo: Eurovision.tv (EBU)

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Paul
Paul
7 years ago

Despite a number of incidents on the road to the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest, Russia’s second rehearsal put Sergey Lazarev firmly on track for Eurovision victory today. Everything came together today during the Russia rehearsal with the background scenery, imagery, choreography and vocals working seamlessly. There was no hint of another fall from the wall that blighted the first rehearsal. The performance of You Are The Only One uses some of the most intricate and technologically advanced staging ever seen on a music stage, complete with climbing and reclining in the middle of the screen wall. This time, the performance,… Read more »

Scott
Scott
7 years ago

In a year of the most dreariest songs, this is slick, well performed and very catchy….it’s Russia or bust in 2016, no-one else comes anywhere close.

ESCUKTop
ESCUKTop
7 years ago

Sergey has to say yay yay yay to a fall!!!

If you know what I mean :/

😉

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

his routine is risky. he have to sing and crawl at the same time. what if something will distract him? some glimpse of lazer pointer or booing, etc? maybe EBU asked fans to keep their rainbow flags down because they don’t want him to broke his neck? I see no other reason why LGBT flags will have any impact on Russia, if Russia successfully ignored and will ignore any LGBT issues? it can have impact on Lazarev, but hardly on Russia itself.

chessguy99
7 years ago

I feel nothing after watching this. Maybe if it had more of the girl, that silhouette at the start doesn’t seem to be enough. To me its just a guy running an obstacle course while singing. having the girl come back at the end next to Sergy would be a fitting end. Still, this easily qualifies

Miss Colombia 2015
Miss Colombia 2015
7 years ago

To all of y’all that wishes him bad luck or for him to fall, F**K you! You can say that you don’t like his song, his staging, his personality, whatever I don’t care, it won’t effect his win. But seriously how low can you be to wished someone bad luck and for him to fall?!

Osterreich
Osterreich
7 years ago

I hope he falls in the final night. ~evil laugh

Alex
Alex
7 years ago

I hope he has an Italy 2015 fate and loses the victory.

karminowe.usta
karminowe.usta
7 years ago

If Russian team fixes the problems with lights, camera`s focus and chorus (boys from chorus sing so weak), Eurovision 2017 would be in Moscow. Sergey is my favourite and great artist:) I have listening him since 2008:)

power b.
power b.
7 years ago

top two spots for the final – Russia and Australia – mark my words

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

Terrific
“What if he falls down live in the final?”

millions of people will laugh hard, it does not matter if he will resume his performance or not. if he’ll appear in role of clown who felt off the rope, he’ll remain poor clown for the audience. hardly he can get their voices for it. he better be careful with that his climbing and jumping. If he’ll fail, he can go home.

Denis
Denis
7 years ago

Agree!
Måns had charisma and charm. he worked the camera with smile and all.
Sergey comes off as totally cold. Like it’s only a job he has to do. Which it is, but still. You have to have charisma to convince jury and voters, and to pull these kind of performances off.

Socratic
Socratic
7 years ago

How people can compare Mans with this?? Mans was super charming, he was moving around at parts of the song, walking all around the stage, not being attached to a LED pannel. That was a smart using of this technology, done with diversity. And also he was telling a beautiful story, encouraging those children that suffer bullying all around the world. What kind of resemblance has with this russian one? None. This is a fantasious, fictious love story that has lots of geologic components that make you wonder “what this song is about?” He’s not half the charming of what… Read more »

sonic0201
sonic0201
7 years ago

Right now it looks like Russia can only lose this if ESC goes for the different from the previous year – like (almost) always. (I’m saying this before seeing Air’s rehearsal….)
As others and also me pointed out earlier, ESC usually produces an almost completely different winner from the previous.

Is Mans Sergey’s biggest opponent?……

Mar
Mar
7 years ago

Everything that’s being said about how Sergey’s performance/song lacks any sort of originality and is just technologicaly manufactured to appeal to the masses, was said about Måns last year too. And he won, yes, but because the juries not only elevated him but also trashed his biggest competitors. So there is something to be said about this lack of “humanity” after all. Can Russia win? Sure they can, but I don’t think it will be with the full support of the public. I love Sergey and his song, and I appreciate a good, stunning show; but I do believe this… Read more »

sonic0201
sonic0201
7 years ago

The awkward moment, when I actually like the song, because it’s catchy and entertaining, and the visuals are very imressive. But I just can’t help but think it would be a wrong winner. Because the song is also a little bit cheap, the lyrics are meaningless, musically it’s not great, and this lot of visual effects sets a wrong direction for Eurovision. After this, everyone will go for ultramodern visuals and technology in the future, which means that the quality of music will not improve, and also entries with less advanced technology will have zero chance to do well. Nevertheless,… Read more »

Hi
Hi
7 years ago

I dont think this is the winner. We cant hane ESC in Russia. Its not a good song, and he feels fals. Framce ore Sweden gonna winn this year.

Lola
Lola
7 years ago

This is the winner! France and Australia might get close but this is the one who’s taking the trophy. It is the stand out song. Sergey you are amazing

Miss Colombia 2015
Miss Colombia 2015
7 years ago

Done! This is the winner for me!
Sergey, you are amazing. every time I hear this song, it just screams WINNER. The dances, the climb, the voice I love everything about this. This will definitely look amazing on TV and will impress a lot of people

Ron
Ron
7 years ago

This is definitely going to win…unfortunately. It’s just the worst part is that there is no originiality in this whatsoever. It’s like they took Heroes and took it up a natch. Cheap victory.

MTD
MTD
7 years ago

This year Russia took what Sweden had on offer last year and upgraded really nice and spectacular. The song itself just works within the show, not much out. And it’s everything that Sweden offered last year. So, Russia will win. Well, I’ll vote for Amir/France, as well, but…Russia is Russia. And to those who are criticizing about the “over-the-top” graphic display, lack of emotion and whatsoever, well, that was the exact same thing last year with Sweden and they won. If you really wanted an “emotional” contest, Italy or Russia LAST year were to be given victories. But hey, that’s… Read more »

Terrific
Terrific
7 years ago

What if he falls down live in the final?

Could we be witnessing the first interruption induced by the same performer? I remember in 2010 (I think it was then) that “Jimmy Jump” guy jumped on stage but Spain still finished its performance.

Marshpan
7 years ago

I can definitely see that Russia have sent in the human equivalent of a teddy bear, and to be fair to him, I can understand it he wins this year. After all, the media have talked about him the most and the betting odds have kept him in the winning spot for this long. The staging itself is a feast for the eye, but I do agree with the sentiments that this does overpower a song, which, by itself has so much drive and energy behind it. I know Wiwi have talked about ‘being swallowed’ by the stage, but in… Read more »

Shane
Shane
7 years ago

What’s the fuss guys? There’s a verse in the lyrics that defines perfectly what this performance is:

“?Breaking it down but I’m still getting nowhere”

That’s what I exactly thing about these visuals.

Leaf
Leaf
7 years ago

@hasa
Leaf is typing on his HTC phone and he ain’t all that happy about your comment lol

Layla
Layla
7 years ago

I love this song, but for me this performance is so exaggerated. I’d rather vote for Iceland with more effective performance despite the fact that I don’t like this song. I hope that Ukraine or France beat Russia. Performance of Jamala although gives some emotion and more focused on the song, not for the show…

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
7 years ago

Parts of this absolutely blow me away. The climbing up the block, when he is laying down on it…stunning, really stunning.
Then, there are the horrible projected wings and the lacklustre finish to the song. Also, vocally, he was not as solid as he has been in other performances.

Russia is a firm favourite with good reason but I think there is a lot of scope for another entry to blow this out of the water.

hasa
hasa
7 years ago

I pulled out Mans’ second rehearsal from last year. Mans’ performance was slick like an Apple while Sergey’s performance has those boxes and more colours like maybe a Windows HTC.

Chupacabra
Chupacabra
7 years ago

professional, nothing to complain, but forced and uber. Don´t like his voice, didn´t get better for me. Simply not my taste. Perfect handycraft isn´t always the catchy thing, but he will certainly one fighting for winning. If Europe needs some uber stuff, it will deserve it.

Denis
Denis
7 years ago

Style over substance. This is really to much and over the top. For such a big performance you don’t get chills which should be important. That’s part of the package and how you “get” a song. You should feel something, and not feel empty watching it.
And Sergey himself isn’t to charismatic either. if he wants to charm people he should work on that.

Micha
Micha
7 years ago

Very good but … it is Eurovision SONG Contest or Eurovision SHOW Contest???

Leaf
Leaf
7 years ago

@gal
I agree about that.
Although I do believe that the need for alternative is fast growing in recent years.
All the cool kids don’t listen to Britney Spears or Katy Perry pop anymore.
So my opinion is that something rather unique and special should win instead of this 2008 Ani Lorak reject …. I don’t even find it radio friendly, It’s just created so it can be performed and that’s about it.
If you strip down the performance and the visuals this song would not stand out at all.
But that’s just my opinion.

Daan
Daan
7 years ago

And our winner.. Sergey! Just the best act, maybe ever, visually wise on an Eurovision stage! People hating on this would have hated it no matter what, wether Mans was in Eurovision last year or not. They will always find a reason to be Russophobic. Mweh. If this doesn’t win then we can safely say Politics do play a big part in the voting.

gal
gal
7 years ago

@Leaf
i meant MTV as an example … i just dont think the Ukrainian song can seceded international like the “heroes” last year….
i think the songs from states like:Bulgaria, Israel, Croatia, Serbia , Malta for example can be successful in all international charts .

Selene
Selene
7 years ago

Hurry up, we only have three minutes!!!

Put these wings!

That scattered thing also too!!

Not enough, add an iceberg!

NOW I like it! I’m not missing anything!…

http://montevidayo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AAP-CapillaRosario-2012.jpg

Leaf
Leaf
7 years ago

@gal

MTV isn’t a music tv anymore.
Maybe a reality tv channel about teen pregnancy.

So them not playing Jamala would mean that her song is quite tasteful and intelligent.

power b.
power b.
7 years ago

he showed tattoos with wings at press conference, yeah baby, take it off, more flesh please!

Ern
Ern
7 years ago

Winner !!

Leo
Leo
7 years ago

It’s way too much , and it distracts from the song ! If this was the Eurovision effects contest it would win in a landslide ,but it’s just way too off putting despite some very impressive moments

Jeune
Jeune
7 years ago

Why this necessity of being so explicit with every verse?
Because the lyrics as a whole don’t have any kind of real meaning, right?

No one can deny the creativity in this, but really, lots of gimmicks look unnecessary (like when he makes those postures before climbing)

It is a non stop deliver of information that at the end I really don’t know what I’ve seen or what should extract (essence) from this.

Burger
Burger
7 years ago

Less is more
For that reason this won’t win – it is a dated song borrowing a whole heap of other effects from past years

Loo
Loo
7 years ago

Simplicity will win this year.

Racal
Racal
7 years ago

This is just too much, too much tackiness, too much light and not enough soul. This will make me have a LED overdose.

oli
oli
7 years ago

In this staging I see: Mans, Charlotte Perelli Melodi 2012, Dima Koldun, Ani Lorak, and more cliches that I don’t recall now… it’s like a parody of eurovision itself, let’s use EVERYTHING ! Lol

gal
gal
7 years ago

i cant understand how the Russian song is the favorite to win?? its so old fashend song and not current one.. this song does 0 emotians to me… also i cant understand the hype about the Ukrainian song, most of the song she is just scriming.. i – dont like it at all, its not something that MTVcould play

Anton
Anton
7 years ago

This staging is just a nuclear bomb! Deal with it.

Lianne
Lianne
7 years ago

I love Sergey’s voice, his song “Take it off” is a banger. But this has no emotions, like other people said it. I don’t want Sergey to win because he’s a Mans 2.0. Every year we have a different winner: Loreen, Emmelie de Forest, Conchita, Mans. He’s not original, different. Lets be honest, France may take the crown. People want originality, no matter how good the production is.

Lianne
Lianne
7 years ago

I love Sergey’s voice, his song “Take it off” is a banger. But this has no emotions, like other people said it. I don’t want Sergey to win because he’s a Mans 2.0. Every year we have a different winner: Loreen, Emmelie de Forest, Conchita, Mans. He’s not original, different. Lets be honest, France may take the crown.

KK
KK
7 years ago

People at least should appreciate the effort of those who try to make the show interesting to watch instead of having a static performance. The song might not be very modern, but it for sure can find its audience and stand out. People have different taste, why to humiliate those who like the song and the performer himself? It’s a good song for its genre. Sergey, you have my full respect. (But please smile more during the performance). Sincerely, your fan uit Nederland.

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

Eugene,
what you can say about bets on Russia? I have noticed that in the oddscheker stats it says that 25% of bets is for Russia, and then some other country acts got 8%, 7%, etc. Why betting on Russia is so massive? It’s something new or it’s been like that every year? what does it mean in terms of outcome for a winner?
thank you!