Another day, another set of Eurovision rehearsals. Today 15 acts took the stage for their second rehearsals at Eurovision 2018. We’ll be reviewing these in groups of three. And now we turn to Israel’s Netta, Belarus’ Alekseev and Estonia’s Elina Nechayeva. Let’s do this!
Reaction: Israel, Belarus and Estonia
Israel: Netta with “Toy”
Ever since Netta’s first rehearsal, the press room has been pretty silent about Israel. But today the country came roaring back into discussion after a cleaner, tighter and more engaging set of rehearsals.
Netta is the real star of this performance and producers finally made it feel that way. Rather than needlessly panning out to show off the stage, they keep things all about her, showcasing her fantastic facial expressions and choreography pretty much all of the time. The cutaways now add to the performance rather than taking away. We still see her funky dancers on the bridge — they are giving me life with their vivid expressions and funky moves.
Another highlight? When the camera pans above Netta’s looper to reveal the words “Hey” in bright lettering across the top. It’s a cute accent that highlights the playful nature of her performance.
Netta, “Toy”: Performance Preview
Belarus: Alekseev with “Forever”
As crazy as ever. Alekseev is keeping with his bloody rose staging and it’s just as effective and “W-T-F” as ever. In the set up, we could see that Alekseev actually hands his rose to the cameraman – and doesn’t place it on a stand as previously thought – before it “turns” in to the lady in red.
In the final shot, with the “wound” filled with roses, Alekseev now turns his back to the audience. The wound is shown just as clearly from the front now. It’s definitely an added element of gore that might be out of place for a family show. But for many this might be one of the most memorable performances of the contest.
Alekseev, “Forever”: Performance Preview
Estonia: Elina Nechayeva with “La Forza”
Beautiful and composed, Elina remains a star in the middle of her swirling dress projections, which seemed to be a little clearer today. Producers also sharpened the camera angles, making a smooth performance even smoother. Given the static nature of the performance — Elina can really only utilise her arms and beautiful face — this was more or less the only changes that could be made.
Elina is proving her vocals are nothing to mess with and the entire package remains one of the most striking at this stage.
Have a strong feeling about Estonia, I think Elina could be the winner. Israel looks very underwhelming, doesn’t look like a winning performance at all.
Hope Estonia qualifies.
I am still traumatized about last year…
(my bookie had his best May ever.. 🙁 )
I’m all behind Belarus this year! They have a mesmerising song and on stage they bring a story: Shakespeare/ Carmen/ Bronte/ Oscar Wilde said someone? A story of how love hurts and it brings goosebomps! Creative and fearless! Kudos for that! Netta is also creative and fearless, and she will do well! Elina, what can I say, I just hope the juries will put her where she belongs, no hate but still no.
I like Belarus as well, even if it’s a bit cheesy, it’s also creative, memorable and original. Also eurovison wouldn’t be eurovision without cheesy. It’s part of the fun. And why do some eurovisions fans find Belarus cheesy, but think Ukraine’s vapire piano coffin is high art and not cheesy at all? Some countries are just criticised more because of politics and overall hate towards those countries in the western european media
For me, Belarus’ entry is Art, the video and now the staging they are truly aiming for art! Not cheesy, only romantic and romance is good! Melovin is in the other semi and he is also good, why antagonise them?! Good looking boys both , badass both, just different genre! I need to see them both in the final, that’s for sure, and both in top 5! It’s very possible!
“Melovin is in the other semi and he is also good, why antagonise them?!” I’m not trying to antagonise them, I just wanted to show that some people are unfair in their judgements – judging these two similar stagings differently, when they are very similar in style actually (when it comes to staging, not the music genre). I like Belarus song as well, i think it is very good, but I guess some people find emotional, romantic songs ‘cheesy’ (that’s some people’s reaction to Spain for example). And the staging with the rose might seem too theatrical and over the… Read more »
Sorry but Belarus has serios song and staging is pure comedy (bad comedy actually)- just too much in stage and quite ugly 🙁
Have you seen it? Coz I didn’t and I’m very interested.
Many people were disappointed by Netta’s 1st rehearsal. The 2nd one today was better. I never believed Israel would win Eurovision and neither do I now. I’m not getting winner vibes. Probably we’ll see sth like Italy last year. Belarus kept their elaborate staging together with this creepy ending. Estonia was great as always. I really liked Elina’s performance from the music clip I saw on youtube.
Never seen Israel winning either. It looks pretty good for Estonia to win this semi.
You used to say Greece and France. Stop embarrassing yourself.
Italy got 6th place but Israel this year is much worser LIVE so I think not TOP 10. I dont hate Netta and song- just in case for fanclub who always blame everybody who does not like this song 🙂
So now the wiwibloggs tripple pack says in the video that Israels performance in the second rehearsal was still not a winner performance. 🙁
and they were correct because a lot of people talk about thing that Israel has big risk not reach to the Final actually.
i watched a lot of reviews today… no one said that!
You can check reactions and reviews from youtoube
Estonia could actually win if none of the big 5 show up for the occasion, cuz right now I believe the winner resides in the big 5+Portugal. Most impactful visuals and her vocal qualities are astonishing. Everything hides the fact that there’s no melody in it. Belarus. One has to appreciate their creativity here and I believe this is going to the final. His vocals are not the best but doesn’t matter at this point. Then in the final he may suffer to get a good position. Israel. Still one of the catchiest songs this year. Final is a done… Read more »
Israel: I’m STILL not appreciating that mishmashed “asian” thing she has going on. I fail to understand why she doesn’t have toys play a bigger part in the theme of her performance, or things that are closer to Israel’s own culture, especially given that her song has an obvious ethnic sound to it. Personally, this is a hard thing for me to get past, especially when you think of how the last few competitors with an random “asian” vibe had their chances hurt by it (Germany 2016, Latvia 2017). On the other hand, the camerawork seems to be pretty good.… Read more »
Ha, ha. I like her, but that was funny
My only favorites are Elina (Estonia) and Madame (France). I want to see them in Top-3. It is just my musical taste. I love so much classical crossover. Elina is far from Sarah Brightman, but still, she does a good job. With regard to Madame. I don’t know why she reminds me Kylie Minogue and the songs of the early 2000s. “Mercy” is a very simple song, but I can’t help listening to it and I feel something warm inside me. It seems that her song found my mood this spring.
poland seems interesting
Poland wont get points by both juries and televote but it will qualify
Yes, juries obviously hate Poland.. Maybe at least the running order will be better for Polannd this year (Kasia Mos was second in the final, could it be any worse)
I like Netta’s song, but it is overhyped.
First of all- why watch a SONG with the sound off? Is this not a MUSIC competition? Does the SONG not matter? It matters most and its a great song – that won the love and admiration of millions of people around the world – and you’d do us all a favor if you appreciated that. As for the “facial expressions” and “zany dancers” these are exactly the same facial expressions and zany dancers that got those millions of youtube views worldwide and made her into the international star that she is. You might have hated that music video but… Read more »
Israel – Much better than the first rehearsal but the staging and the dancers are a bit distracting, as the performance should focus more on Netta’s talents. But with the vocals on point and the music video vibe, it really pulls a good product. Belarus – They went for something different and WTFish and I have to say I really like it, although it’s a bit off-putting. It might not be enough for Belarus to qualify, but Alekseev will definitely have one of the most memorable performances of the first semi and he should be proud of that. Also, way… Read more »
netta’s staging looks great and her song is still the best, she doesnt need refugee propaganda to win
the opera song is not my style. yes she can sing and the staging is wow, the fact that it’s opera is an instant turn off. The rose song… absolutely dire, sounds out of tune and not helped that the melody is in the darker, depressing keys. I hope he stalls in the semi’s. Not worthy of a place in the finals. And then there’s Netta. My fave song of the contest just doesn’t come across good live. The televoters will carry this song, but I’m beginning to feel that this final will be ever so exciting with several acts… Read more »
I think Netta is amazing
she is interesting but unfortunately live stagign is not very good- not sure she pass to the final but if yes 12-18 place
People who say she will not make it to finals are being ridiculous. You can say she won’t win, if you so think, but never in the history of this competition as a front runner in the betting odds not qualified to the grand final. In fact never in the history of this competition had a front runner not made it to top 10. In fact, just looking at 2016 and 2017 – in both those years France and Italy ended up 6. Those are the numbers we’re talking about, so get real. Stop letting your hatred blind you and… Read more »
I dont hate anybody actually- song contest is not meaning of life and it will be very ridiculous if you hate somebode ror the reason that he7she does not have same taste like you have. Yes- it is my opinion- I dont bet that Israel is 100% qualifaier because LIVE version of this song is not that good than video and this same is full of great singers. Get use to it that NETTA is not only singer in our planet ! :): Peace and calm down 🙂
she has a better staging then most acts in the first semi saying that she wont qualify is indeed madness….. greece might not qualify she did nothing except singing…. we need to remember that most of the voters hear those songs for the first time… so israel will be indeed very high in the televote .. but greece wont
“In fact never in the history of this competition had a front runner not made it to top 10.”
Wrong. You obviously forgot about Amaury Vassili.
Israel performance feels empty for me. Also, I don’t see any cool moment. Don’t know for me it’s just another entry. For now, I can’t see Israel as the winner.
Belarus is horrible, I can’t say anything good about it. Cringy.
About Estonia, her vocals are impressive and she’s very beautiful, but the song it’s just average to me.
Can you name for me which performances don’t feel “empty” and have “cool moments”? Just so we can get a sense of what you’re talking about?
When I talk about “feeling empty” I mean the stage looks too big and the singer too still. All of that can be solved with a good camera work. Hungary, Norway, Czech Rep., Bulgaria, Cyprus, Sweden, Azerbaijan, … and a lot more this year. Look, I don’t like more than a half of the entries I’ve mentioned, so it isn’t a matter of taste.
But as I can see you are a hard fan of Netta, so you probably won’t “want” to understand what I’m talking about.
So I see you decided to ignore the “cool moments” point and its just about the “empty”, which you define as a question of camera angles. Well if its only about camera angles then how you can judge any of these entries let alone predict whether they’ll win or not – if you only saw 30 seconds of one possible scheme of camera angles that was tested in one rehearsal that did not include an audience? I just don’t understand your critique.
Estonia – her voice and the dress are just so impressive
Belarus – I really like the song, his vocals got better, the staging is interesting and original
Israel – lacks the energy from the official video, plus why japanease elements? It wasn’t bad though
Why use the word Baka from Japanese throughout the song which means Coward? Why be inspired by K-Pop and J-Pop as musical genres? Why do anything really?
I didn’t know that… I think I like the song a little more now…
Well, it’s not like most europeans speak Japanease or will know that the staging is kpop inspired, or that they will even know what kpop is for that matter.. Unless it’s a way to connect with the young people who like asian culture. Which is not a crime obviously, everyone fights for votes. But some people might not get it or not like it. Just like everything else on esc, it just boils down to individual taste.
I like that rose effect Belarus did. Quite unique. I can’t say I’ve seen anything like it at the contest yet, whereas most of the other acts are repeating past moves.
Sure! Why should you want to praise the song you like when it’s much more fun to criticize the rest…?
Oh that’s why I did actually bet on her, I am very much looking forward to losing that money 🙂 Anyone from the bookies top 10 can eventually win it, but she is the only one where I would find it disappointing.
My winner is Estonia and second place is so difficult to choose because I love so many songs this year like Cypros, Sweden, Australia, Azerbajan, France. Acutally they are all WINNERS !!! :):)
I could still see Italy or Finland making it too. But yeah, I think it’s gonna be either Israel ( 🙁 ) or France ( 🙂 ).
Israeli staging …. I dunno its seems messy.
I really like what Belarus is doing – and he sounds much better
Estonia is clearly in it to win it – im not sure it will but its very impressive
without the dress she would not qualify….. her song is really good thogh
Poor girl Netta clearly lost her mojo. What a mess.
Cyprus maybe?
Wouldn’t mind Nicosia 2019 tbh.
jruries will kill cyprus (except the greek one LOL) its trash and fast food music it has no meanning unless you consider her singing about how hot she is as a message.. if it qualifys it will prob open the final (if draws first half) and i sense IMRi ziv placing for her
omg that elina girl from estonia is really desperate to win.. she was in press centre and she was singing a song
Bow down to the queen Elina!!
You’re so right. I don’t get the hype either. Those facial expressions just are disgusting for me? Can’t she sing like a normal person??? Guess it’s like Italy. Overhyped, about to crash. It’ll go to final but would be really surprised (negatively) if it really wins somehow.
Israel: Dancers have to go. They distract from Netta’s unique talent.
Belarus: That initial shot with travelling rose has to go. It is weird, cheesy and redundant. They have a good song, they do not these gimmicks.
Estonia: Random projections need to go. They should tell a story, not occassional flash up for no reason.
Did the dancers distract when they did THE SAME EXACT THING all throughout the music video? Or did the dancers MAKE the music video reach the million of views it did world wide. I love those dancers they have so much sass charisma and personality. They are an integral part of this entire phenomena and have been since the very beginning.
But the dancers somehow look worse live than in the music video.. It’s your own fault Israael, your mucis video was too good 😉
Watch them side by side – and tell me where they look different, nay “worse”. They are exactly the same all the way down to movements and facial expressions.
They might look the same, but somehow they look better in a crazy, dynamic, colorful video than on the huge stage. Something just doesn’t entirely translate, maybe it’s just that some things look better in a virtual reality of music videos. I don’t know how to explan it in any other way.
Well if you would have paid ANY attention, you’d know that the projections ARE actually telling a story.
No the travelling rose is great! Eurovision wouldn’t be Eurovision without cheesy over the top stagings 🙂
I liked the music video version of the song better though
“Belarus: That initial shot with travelling rose has to go. It is weird, cheesy and redundant. They have a good song, they do not these gimmicks.” Wait, how is a travelling rose more cheesy and weird than Ukraine’s vampire and his piano coffin?
For me the dancers are annoying. I don’t like the dance or the faces they are making
Israel: Netta has such a strong presence and so do her dancers. But I still miss some anarchy. Faster camera cuts can bring the energy this song deserves. You don’t play safe with an entry like that, you go crazy.
Belarus: I still can’t say if they’re being intentionally or unintentionally funny with all this drama! This confusion can actually play well with the televote. I’m very curious for the final product.
Estonia: You may love, you may hate, you may respect or be indifferent about it, but I guess we can all agree that they’re ready to go.
Everyone overates Netta. I think that the fight for the first place will be between Eleni and Elina. Eleni has the best stage performance and she is literally an outsider who stole the show, and Elina has the strongest vocal this year.
I dont understand the comment that the “wound” is out of place for a family show. Kisses of people of the same sex, naked singer from Belarus on the scene two years ago are things that are outside of the place for a family show.
And Elina slays as usual.
Im sorry for Netta but i had high expectation from her team. Like those dancers creep me out. Why do they act like a bunch of crazy weirdos???
Because they act like that in the video and the video went viral.
I was thinking exactly the same. Netta is awesome, but these dancers are not. When you have a singer like Netta, who has a unique talent, you should focus on her, and nothing else. That is how Portugal won last year. These crazy dancers are just distraction. This ain’t winning folks, and it is neither Netta’s nor Daron Medallie’s fault.
Yeah, let us all watch a music contest on mute. A brilliant idea by a brilliant person. Thank you
I personally love those dancers. Honestly. They deliver sass and personality. Thats exactly what made the video so great. In fact read the comments to the video – how many people talk about the dancers and how much they like them (in particular the one with the purple hair).
Belarus will stand out because it’s weird and f*cked up and funny. You dont qualify by being decent or like everyone else these days.
My thoughts exactly
Hope Estonia will not qualify… just like Iceland in 2016.
Copying ideas is never good.
I saw the dress before in 2013 in Moldova presentation -I did not like it because it was pretencious. The same is with Estonia this year. Athough it’s a better copy of Aliona Moons dress it’s still a copy.
So no one should ever do that again if you could decide? okey haha. Then you must love the old days in the 70s when you did nothing on stage ?
I’d be original and creative rather than using and repeting ideas of someone else…
I had a concept for this performance that would give Elina clear way to a victory… And there were lot of other creative pople with the ideas… But they decided to copy instead of thinking beyond obviousness…
Azerbaijan did it in 2012. Moldova is a copycat. Estonia does it many-many years later, who even remembers? Only diehard eurofans.
Obviously, copying is common nowadays. Everyone does it so everyone accepts it.
I’m not everyone. 😉
Omg they all are wearing clothes, omg they are coping last years contestants.
YOU are just jealous face it and get a life -.-
Netta was one of my favorite before the rehearsals but the staging doesn’t work at all…it is so empty and there’s no way this Will be as impactful as it needs in order to do well…and it costs me a lot to say that…people thought she could become Gabbani 2.0 but Im afraid she will do even worse
there are only 2 shots that look empty because the entire arena is empty because its a rehersal…… in may 8th this will look much better
I truly don’t get this comment. Can you please name for me and everyone else on here a rehearsal snippet you saw this year that didn’t look “empty” in its staging? They all look empty. These are massive stages and there is no audience only a technical rehearsal by the singer with their props and backup dancers – what do you expect? Bizarre.
Eurofans tend to be dramatic to hysterical when watching those rehearsal snippets. It was the same last year. Everyone is devastated by the favourites and somehow overwhelmed by completely horrible acts (such as Norway and Belarus). Its the same every year. Get a life or take some pills, I don’t know.
I think people compare the live performance with the music video and the live perpormance understandably pales in comparison
I don’t think she would be disappointed with 6th!
The la forza – Toy mesh up was so amazing… but no one is going to talk about it because of hate toards netta… im just waiting for the comments who are going to say the she ruined La forze ….
Preach! Seriously, that was the best mash-up.
No she didn’t ruin La Forza. I love what she did. Like I have said before, Netta is amazing artist. I wish her all the best.
im not saying she ruined la forza! im saying that haters will say it
Israel won’t win. The juries are not going to like it. Belarus will not qualify and Estonia will be in the top 3 since they won’t fare well with viewers who prefer mostly pop and upbeat music rather than classical
r u a jury to say that the juries are not gonna like it??? its pure speculation! wasnt sound of silence pop with cheesy words? it still won the jury vote…
The audience have so different age scale. Teenagers will vote like grazy for Mikolas, Benjamin and Melovin. Male audience vote probably for Eleni- Fuego and this leaves what for Elina and Netta?? I don’t know. I think we really can’t predict winner this year. It all comes down to running order and then how public and juries will vote. The winner is going to be somebody, who will end high on both, but right now, we can’t say who it’s going to be.
I am still not convinced that Netta will win (or even Elina for that matter). I am, however, convinced that her strongest opponent is still France, and if Madame Monsieur lay down a solid first rehearsal tomorrow after riding a wave of momentum from the pre-parties they could potentially overtake her in the odds (I know they don’t mean much). The French HoD said in a tweet 2 days ago they were aiming to put the song and its message center stage, they were not competing for best staging (a song like “Mercy” doesn’t need anything flashy to convey what… Read more »
The French delegation posted a photo at the airport before leaving for Lisbon. And if we look at the photo, we have the confirmation that Camille and Julie Berthollet will accompany Madame Monsieur on stage. The Berthollet sisters are not only fabulous musicians, but they are also chic, elegant and charming. Tomorrow for their first rehearsal they will draw two aces!
Are you very sure that Camille and Julie Berthollet will perform with MM??? Cause if it’s true, it could be really HUGE. Those girls are just genius. Look what they did with Shaka Ponk on Nirvana’s “smells… “, it’s absolutely amazing.
The French song without understanding the story behind it (and most of the audience won’t know what this all about since its in French) is just a pretty boring song with way too much “mercy” being repeated. I don’t see how it can do well. Musically it doesn’t stand out like Portugal last year, it’s plain boring.
Serbia was a queer act. And a queer act from eastern europe, which is a big deal. There you have your answer. The song was horrible by the way.
You know they translate the songs to viewers right?
Guys, France failed with a much better song in 2016. There is no way this sleeping pill will do better with or without translation (subtitles i guess? or how they’re going to translate it?). Also, somehow the entries that go straight to the final usually do worse than expected.
I don’t see net in top 5 even/ if not her video clip, she whole struggle to qualify
The real story of today is what Netta did with a single string, and a mesh up between La Forza and an acoustic version of Toy. Only Netta has both the kind of creative mindset and vocal chops to come up with something like this on the spot while in Lisbon. She is an artistic beast and a force to be reckoned with. Those who find disappointment in her staging should at least be candid enough to acknowledge that. We should all stop guessing winners because it all boils down to the performances on the night and we simply don’t… Read more »
Thanks you so much for sharing this. Just awesome! She is definitely top 5 and has a good chance to win.
How would you know if she did that on the spot? She’s obviously talented, but let’s be honest, a lot of things around esc are staged and planned..
You are clearly not following her over social media haha
ISRAEL YEAH colorfull touch of asia EXOTIC
WINNER
William – you are so good with words. Thank you for the descriptions
Why cats and not chickens? ??
Manekineko, the Japanese symbol for good luck. It might also refer to the song title (Toy).
Israel: I think Israel just lost it. Think the performance makes it look as a fun novelty act and nothing more. Disappointing but expected.
Belarus: Belarus always tries to much. This year too. And being sandwiched between favourites doesn’t help either.
Estonia:Really pretentious. But a worthy top 10. I just don’t want it to win, sorry. For the same of the contest.
I think exactly the same.
I agree full hearthedly about Israel. The 3 dancers look akward and make stupid movements. Netta makes that chicken movement with her arms is cringeworthy. the waving statues are rediculous as well. the performance is not impactful and comes across as a novelty song. i really don’t see this winning. most people i know also didnt like the song when the yfirst heard it (like me). this gonna be a major letdown for them but i think its for the better.
I dont agree about Estonia. Should she have a circus with her on stage? Its so classy and great like it is. A classy song should have a classy act.
No, the performance is good. It is still pretentious.
Israel is back! Israel’s odds are shortning back, still first place and 5 days until the show. Potential winner anybody? The camera angles were improved a lot and I’m sure it will be even better on the live shows. Israel, another victory after 20 years.
Just wait for tomorrow, when France has been performed.
im so mad for the hate she is getting its so nondeserved it is so easy to click the dislike button these days…. she is an amzing artsit and her messeage is so importent i cant see all of those hate comments which call her fat and ugly and etc… it just ruins the fun in eurovision just watch my comment that will most likely get disliked if she wasnt the fav the hate for her would be much less… sad!
Yeah there seems to be loads of negativity for everything – people need to cheer up about things! It’s supposed to be fun enjoyable!
I’ll still have a nice time regardless!!
People are mad at every favourite every year. If Bulgaria or Estonia would be the bookies and fans favourite for as long as Netta, they would get all this hate and dislikes. Those are just a bunch of hysterical queens who want their country to win a bit too desperately.
EXactly
I’m desperate for Netta to win – but it feels like something’s lacking….
She is going to take a top 5 spot. No doubt in my mind. Winning is hard to predict with this competition and doesn’t worth you stressing over. One thing is certain – What she did during the meet and greet, playing a single string and meshing up La Forza with an acoustic version of Toy is simply a masterpiece (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgXVZRM_gDY). She is so unbelievably talented its crazy.
I don’t think so – the song and she will do the work. Netta slays!