She sings that she’s “all alone in the danger zone” in her song “City Lights”. And unfortunately Blanche’s first rehearsal at Eurovision 2017 reflected that. Perhaps overawed by the vast stage, she had visible stage fright and her hands seemed to tremble. Early on her voice wobbled, but she did pull it together as the rehearsals progressed. The staging is disappointing — though it’s not clear whether that’s down to producers not having perfected their cuts…or just a poor concept. Blanche stands centre stage and alone before a blue-grey LED that features a white Earth and lots of shining lights. The strength of her music video was its simplicity and sparseness. This just feels too busy and borders on a mess.

However, she’ll no doubt grow in confidence as the week goes on and her team is sure to make tweaks and amendments. So like Tako we’re going to keep the faith.

Blanche — “City Lights”: Reviews and Reactions

Belgium: First rehearsal at Eurovision 2017

Belgium: First press conference 2017

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73 Comments
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aleh
aleh
6 years ago

The fact that this was the only bad title from all the countries, makes me feel as though the commentary (of the writers) towards her is biased. Not cool.

I for one, feel she did great – where’s the wrong?

There are other performers with cheap songs, bad vocals – yet you guys are praising them. THIS IS A SONG CONTEST, not a freaking STAGING CONTEST. And either way, the staging is fine for me and lots others.

Zeeraar
Zeeraar
6 years ago

The time of Belgium “0 points” is over.
Last year Laura had to win.
I hope Blanche can repear the mistake from last year en win the final with
the best song of this year

Iggema
Iggema
6 years ago

Love this song, but the performance really needs to improve. I hope and think she can.

MikeD
MikeD
6 years ago

You guys are rude. I believe in Belgium. I love Blanche’s voice and the song is the best SO FAR !!!
I’m pretty sure people doesn’t want to see her shinning because she had a strong chance to win.
Please, look at italy’s entry and then talk about quality. LOL !

Stan
Stan
6 years ago

I read on a Belgian site that the staging is not complete yet. Apparently the ball from the music video is supposed to be there and I guess the wide angle shots should frame it. But at the moment, there are technical issues that hopefully get fixed by the second rehearsal.

Escbelgiumfan
Escbelgiumfan
6 years ago
Reply to  Stan

Which site did you read that please? Thanks

Stan
Stan
6 years ago
Reply to  Escbelgiumfan

On the facebookpage of songfestival.be…

i
i
6 years ago
Reply to  Stan

If that’s the case I hope they’ll use the entire venue as much as possible for aesthetics use

Andrada
Andrada
6 years ago

Belgium will qualify. Because the song is excellent; because many people like the studio version and will still vote for Belgium even if the live performance will be bad/disappointing; because for the people hearing this for the first time, maybe it will not seem that awkward since they did not see the video and her unconvincing performance on the promotion tour. Or because this is Eurovision, and if Azerbaijan in 2011 and Ukraine in 2016 were able to win (!!!!), defeating excellent/way better songs, then anything can happen.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Andrada

FYR Macedonia had an amazing song in 2015, but the staging was a disaster and didn’t qualify.
Most people don’t know the studio version and will vote based on the live performance. The jury will judge the whole package.
So if Belgium is willing to try that, it’s up to them. They might end like Croatia 2016, qualifying but disappearing in the Final.

Grete Paia
Grete Paia
6 years ago

Looking like the winner now. Twelve points and hugs from Kirghizstan

aleh
aleh
6 years ago

wow I honestly found other contries overrated for reharsals this was good. i dont understand what peoples problem is?

Valeryn
Valeryn
6 years ago

I don’t think it’s THAT bad, but i feel like Belgium might be on the verge of a repeat of 2006 – a huge fan favorite that is a surprise flop.

Grete Paia
Grete Paia
6 years ago
Reply to  Valeryn

Did you mean Shut The Door

Héctor
Héctor
6 years ago

The staging isn’t bad at all, but this song deserves so much better as is going to be a bit boring for the viewers. I hope the live performance on TV changes this first impression and adds some drama and emotion to it, but Belgium seems destined to have the same fate of France last year or even Croatia.

Anyway, the studio version is still my fav.

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

The staging seems good to me for now! And I don’t mind Blanche’s attitude and shyness!

But this was underwhelming!! What happened with you Belgium! Please get it together! You have a great song!

I still have hope cause it’s the 1st rehearsal so things can get better!

Joyce
Joyce
6 years ago

She misses charisma, that is the main problem!
She still does not looks if she likes to perform on stage.

Grete Paia
Grete Paia
6 years ago
Reply to  Joyce

Stop hating Blanche, your evil and vile.

MS
MS
6 years ago

I really hope it will be good! Has been my no1!

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
6 years ago

you probably already know this but the eurovision channel has an official video now
i actually really like the glowing orbs in the background, but her inner saboteur is taking control of her :/ will still qualify, but probably like croatia 2016

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  mocosuburbian

Yeah, I’m having Croatia 2016 vibes as well.

Michaela
Michaela
6 years ago

She said in the press conference that she will not change the staging. Well…

Stan
Stan
6 years ago
Reply to  Michaela

She also said she was feel comfortable on the stage and wasn’t nervous at all. I think there will be quite some debating today…

Michaela
Michaela
6 years ago
Reply to  Stan

She always looks nervous on the stage tho 😀

Racal
Racal
6 years ago

I guess now we know who will be this year’s fan favourite to stay in the semi-finals.

Burger
Burger
6 years ago

Hardcore fans usually get at least one seriously wrong, one that they fancy and either fails to qualify or finishes in the bottom half dozen or so. Its early days and it might be premature based on a 30 second viewing but the worries are right here, right now – possibly not qualifying.

M_K
M_K
6 years ago

I thought the staging was supposed to reflect the music video… I don’t quite see that. The staging is boring, to be honest, it doesn’t elevate the song at all. Let’s just hope that Blanche will have the charisma to carry the song to the final all on her own…

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
6 years ago

Regarding the buzz surrounding the staging, was it like this two years ago?
Like ” yeah, Il Volo is great and all, but the staging and camera work is so predictable and blasé. Might fool the audience but the jurys will take note of the lack of effort”?

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

Okay but Il Volo had flawless vocals and a song that wasn’t interchangeable with other entries that year. If you liked opera, that’s what you had to go for. As for Blanche, there are similar – even though not always as good – songs that will surely be better performed you could go for.

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
6 years ago

Perhaps that was a stupid analogy by me. I just wanted to get my point across.
Were people talking like this two years ago?
Or was 2016 a game changer in terms of staging?

Marc
Marc
6 years ago

Your analogy would work better with France 2016. Amir was saved by juries.

Il Volo were the strongest artist on stage by far.
And they didn’t need camera work and staging to be the most impactful entry that year

Graph
Graph
6 years ago

Mattias,
From what I recall, there was just as much hype over staging two years ago. In 2015 people thought the staging was part of the readon Malta didn’t qualify.

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
6 years ago
Reply to  Graph

Ok, cool. Thanks for answering.
I’m new to this community so I’m a bit baffled by all the reactions.

Bandido
Bandido
6 years ago

Meh, I would like to have this even win, because the song is good, especially background. Seems to be even far possibility today. If insignificant Albania qualifies instead of this, I’m start raging! xD

Mameo
Mameo
6 years ago

The rehearsal looks okay to me from the short clip on YT. Her voice gave me chills, so I think she will qualify for sure.

Étoile
Étoile
6 years ago

I know it’s her first rehearsal and I still think it may qualify but I’m not convinced. The song is very ethereal and it’s not bad it’s very nice to hear it when you’re doing something else but visually it’s very weak for Eurovision. The most problem is the artist. She looks scared so much and I sensed it and when I see people like this I’m feeling sad for them. And her stress looks like she’s singing but her head is somewhere else, she’s only physically with us. Maybe a big improvement will come but I don’t expect a… Read more »

azaad
azaad
6 years ago

Really hope Belgium pull it together. I don’t want another unlit Lighthouse.

Although I am glad because it does clear the way for Alma to slay even more! I’ve conceded that Francesco will likely win, but hopefully he will only win by a few points over la belle. His song is victory worthy, but not to the extent of annihilating everyone else at the contest.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  azaad

Unfortunately, Alma will be alone on stage, and if Amir couldn’t go further than 9th in televote then I dunno how the public will receive her… I hope she does better than Amir though, she deserves it. I agree with you that Italy at this point is almost a sure winner, while the rest of the top 5 is unpredictable. I’d rule Belgium out, though.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  azaad

I hope they don’t mess up with Requiem, doing something like Alma singing alone and two dancers in the background with absolute no connection with her. This could be a disaster.
I agree, Belgium opened the gates for other countries such as France, Hungary and Azerbaijan.

ESC84
ESC84
6 years ago

Dose tgat mean Amir 2.0?

Grete Paia
Grete Paia
6 years ago
Reply to  ESC84

Does she grin like monkey and nod her head to the music

sorin
sorin
6 years ago

she is only 10 months younger than ilinca from romania, but blanche is so shy. the staging is wrong, she is the victim of staging just like rykka last year.

Americanvision
Americanvision
6 years ago
Reply to  sorin

Let’s just hope she doesn’t do the pee dance though.

anonymous91
anonymous91
6 years ago
Reply to  sorin

Ilinca has done more experience with shows like X Factor, The Voice and Got Talent in Romania 🙂 and she’s a performer something what Blanche is not

Blanche is just a very shy girl

Grete Paia
Grete Paia
6 years ago
Reply to  sorin

She is not shy. She is nervous and uninterested

Monique
Monique
6 years ago

No, this is not the first performance. We have seen her in London and Amsterdam, she’s weird and her performances are as worse as in those promo tours… The pressure is huge, not everyone can handle it…

DyGh
DyGh
6 years ago
Reply to  Monique

News flash: she didn’t go to Amsterdam

oli
oli
6 years ago

Guys, this is just the first rehearsal. It is just too early for eurodraming. I remember that Lena’s first rehearsals were also very awkward, didn’t scream winner from the beginning. I am sure Blanche will rock in the final, this is the best song this year.

Thomasfan22
Thomasfan22
6 years ago
Reply to  oli

Exactly. Anything can change.

Andrada
Andrada
6 years ago
Reply to  oli

The song is excellent, but it is not the best song this year. #Rome2018

Michaela
Michaela
6 years ago

It seems that just few people like that rehearsal just because of the song. But the rehearsal was really dull. She will be in borderline or fail to qualify. I knew it that the live perfomance in Kyiv will be disappointing.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

She might not be the best performer, but the real problem here is that the performance itself is ultra boring. A plain blue background? Seriously? This is the Getter Jaani of 2017.

Mony
Mony
6 years ago

Who would vote for a lowered voice robot with zero charisma and no show? Even the graphics in the background are confusing and weird…

Eve
Eve
6 years ago

I like this, and what sweet beautiful voice she has, go Blanche <3

Twisted French
Twisted French
6 years ago

It’s more than time that everybody realizes that she is totally overrated. The song is just soporific. And so is the singer….

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Twisted French

The song is actually good, but for the radio, not for a live festival…

Twisted French
Twisted French
6 years ago

Or for hibernation

Pant7
Pant7
6 years ago

This was predictable, having seen how awkward and uncomfortable she was in other live appearances.
She still has time to work on it. I think she will qualify for the final but is not a potential winner as everyone thinks.

Jayda
Jayda
6 years ago

Blanche might just be too young and too inexperienced. I could imagine her being an excellent studio singer though. Whether she shines at Eurovision or not, she should consider collaborating with DJs. She’s got that type of voice, if you know what I mean.

TasM
TasM
6 years ago

Staging-wise , this is not good. We knew that the staging would be simple but the led screen graphics are distracting and do not highlight Blanche’s reserved personality and the meaning of the song about a person with insecurities. I really didn’t expect great things for Belgium in that department, but they should have built at least a staging to match Blanche’s personality and make it as coherent as possible, but they clearly failed. Also she looks kinda nervous and uninterested, she should add some choreography and body moves to highlight her feelings. If this doesn’t change it will get… Read more »

Americanvision
Americanvision
6 years ago
Reply to  TasM

I was just about the say that. She needed memorable staging to stand out against Montenegro and sadly failed. Maybe my opinion will change on the 2nd rehearsal but she’s approaching the “danger zone” (aka borderline qualifier status).

Grete Paia
Grete Paia
6 years ago
Reply to  TasM

She looks both nervous and uninterested? I disagree, I think she looks happy and unhappy. She looks bored and excited. She looks loud and quiet

Americanvision
Americanvision
6 years ago

After the first 5 rehearsals:
1. Sweden (its copy and paste)
2. Albania (darn that voice)
3. Australia (meh)
4. Belgium (double meh, very disappointing)
5. Georgia (triple meh)

Danny
Danny
6 years ago

Will not qualify. Still awkward and robotic.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

From a winner to a non-qualified, that’s a hell of a shock. I hope it’s just the first day.

Geo
Geo
6 years ago

As I predicted, one of the OGAE, the betting odds and wiwi jury favorite won’t qualify. One down, two to go (Macedonia and Finland)…

beccaboo1212
6 years ago
Reply to  Geo

WRONG! Belgium is MOST CERTAINLY qualifying!!! Besides, rehearsals had already started.