Expectations have been rising ever since they won OT 2017 with their tender love song “Tu canción”. And today Alfred & Amaia — the lovebirds dubbed Almaia by the Spanish fandom — finally had their first rehearsal at Eurovision 2018.

The lovebirds kept it pure and simple. This started with the costumes — Amaia in a demure white dress, Alfred in a crimson blazer with golden embellishments near the shoulders. They stare into each others eyes and stay close throughout the performance, with the camera spinning around the couple. Amaia was as vocally competent as ever. Alfred seemed more nervous than her, and in his first run through had a few hiccups. His nerves, however, hint at the vulnerability and fragility inherent to love. It somehow fit the song well.

The staging is another matter. The camera angles and cutaways frequently obscured the singers’ faces. Because they are staring at each other for so much of this, we only see them in profile, which reduces our connection to their eyes and ultimately their feelings for one another. As the song builds to that ohhh, ohhhh, ohhh in the bridge you want an explosion. But instead we get not even a whimper. There was no smoke, no pyro and definitely no fire.

As fans let out a collective “OH NO!”, RTVE released a statement explaining that more will come in their next rehearsal. Alfred & Amaia confirmed as much in our interview shortly afterwards.

Despite the underwhelming staging, hope remains. There is plenty of time for the Spanish delegation to change the camera cuts and angles to put their greatest asset — the two stars — firmly at the centre of this. Throw in some literal sparks and they’ll win over plenty of new fans and snatch their votes.

Alfred and Amaia — “Tu canción”: Reviews and Reactions

Spain: First rehearsal at Eurovision 2018

Spain: First press conference 2018

Read all of our Eurovision rehearsal reviews

Read all of our Spain Eurovision news here

Photo: Eurovision.tv (Andres Putting)

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Juan
Juan
5 years ago

My message awaiting moderation…

Juan
Juan
5 years ago

For those who are worried about their clothing. Designers promised they will look juvenile. As who they are. But they’re saving it for the SF/F performances.

Amaia’s designer https://www.instagram.com/teresahelbig/?utm_source=ig_embed
Alfred’s designer https://www.instagram.com/vrl_pacovarela/?utm_source=ig_embed

That much we have on point. Staging…not so sure!

AngieP
AngieP
5 years ago

I liked the outfits. The performance is beautiful. Not my cup of tea, but it looks good.

Miguel
Miguel
5 years ago

Today passed away the voice of Eurovision for Spain (2011-2017) José María Iñigo (Spanish Terry Wogan) just a week before the grand final day.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Mar%C3%ADa_%C3%8D%C3%B1igo

Rest in peace.

perrs
perrs
5 years ago

Spain will flop like they did almost every year. Only spansh people and some fun belive in tihs fake love couple , that made to one of them win OT, Eurovision national final and maybe even Eurovision.

Nicolaidis
Nicolaidis
5 years ago
Reply to  perrs

i LOL’ed with the “maybe even Eurovision”

Do you really fear a country that is constantly put in the last places? Spain won’t win. Mark my words.

AniLorak
AniLorak
5 years ago

Lithuania much

Geeky Monky
Geeky Monky
5 years ago

Amaia: “Ah yess, yess… Yess.” *dear caught in headlights look* “I don’t undérstend.” “Oh yess, yess, yess.”

Mocking aside, if it was just her and a guitar performing like in ESPreParty with “Al cantar” or just her and a piano with “Miedo”, I believe it would be a set in stone top 5. Even winner. She’s very sweet.

Geeky Monky
Geeky Monky
5 years ago
Reply to  Geeky Monky

I apologize for the mocking, didn’t mean it with bad intentions. I’m feeling bad.
It’s not that I’m better at languages, she just didn’t have the chance to learn English well. I in French must sound like an ape.
And I’m definitely not a better singer. We’re light-years afar.
I was trying to be funny. I think we should all laugh at each other. We are all idiots most of the time.
My commenting doesn’t matter at all but I wanted to say this anyway.

Malin
Malin
5 years ago

I did’n like this at first, but now – like every year, I like more and more songs and they are so likable. But I don’t think this will end top 5. Think they could do a better result in the final if they were sent throu the semi. Then people would have more chance to notice the song. Now it dissepear when you listen to it among all the other love songs. That’s a shame. It’s a good song but there are a lot of good songs. Sorry, but they are all ready winners. They found love and who… Read more »

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

Lithuania outsold.

Music is Art
Music is Art
5 years ago

They are really adorable and humble. Their voices were amazing in the rehearsal, I would dare to say they have even improved vocally. It seems they just took it as a first contact with the stage to check camera angles. They hint surprises are coming. So we have to wait!
One thing is true: they have given us one of the the best photographies so far.
About politics, not the right place to discuss about it. But I think Catalans are represented here by Alfred too.

Random Guy
Random Guy
5 years ago
Reply to  Music is Art

I almost feel quite bad too. Politics should be forgotten during Eurovision.

One more Spaniard
One more Spaniard
5 years ago

It was definitely an expected disappointment. I hope my compatriots sooner or later realise that this is not going to do much better than the previous Spanish entries, mainly because it does not deserve it either. The song doesn’t represent our country, our problems, our year. What about women fighting for their rights? What about regions, neighbours and members of the same family that fight against each other because of the secessionist movement? What about the end of terrorism? Instead we just have two (too) young guys whose best achievement was taking part in a kind of big brother TV… Read more »

#GOSPAIN
#GOSPAIN
5 years ago

Eurovision is not about a dumb message, its about good singers with a good song, and thats what spain has

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  #GOSPAIN

Eurovision is about enhancing European integration. It is not a common song contest. Read a bit about European history and reflect on why it started, when it started and where it started to take place.

And I personally doubt Spain has either good singers (completey agree with One more Spaniard) or a good song (copying and pasting some parts of a well-known melody from a tv ad cannot be considered even an original song)

Music is Art
Music is Art
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Well Joe…. I don’t agree with you. Amaia has one of the best and most charismatic voices this year. About the song. … What advertisement are you taking about? Im curious…

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  Music is Art

The 2015 ad for the traditional lottery draw held on the 22nd December. Its background melody was “nuvole bianche” and hence all that has been said about the plagiarism of some excerpts.

Music is Art
Music is Art
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

I heard it. A beautiful piano song, but I don’t find any similarity AT ALL.

Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  Music is Art

Cuando el río suena… Just have a look at all that has been said in this respect. I can understand your love for Almaia, but don’t let it be blind and try to be more objective 😉

Music is Art
Music is Art
5 years ago

God, that sounds dramatic! A message of love and fraternity is always welcome, especially if it comes in the context of all the human and political conflicts you mention. I like the song, I got goose bumps every single time I hear it. It has creative and meaningful lyrics. The production is great. They are adooorable and great performers. They have amazing voices (especially Amaia). And concerning the staging, we have to see the final result of what Gestmysix has in mind. Gestmusic is behind this and they will not run any risk against their good reputation. If people like… Read more »

BelieveinLove
BelieveinLove
5 years ago

I like the concept, simple and clean, no walking around and no crossing bridges, but I need to see MORE in the second rehearsal. This still looks way too simple. The spanish delegation has confirmed that there will be two stars colliding in the big moment. Sounds promising

#GOSPAIN
#GOSPAIN
5 years ago

I love this song and i hope(and think) its gonna win

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  #GOSPAIN

Just take a look at the press assessment from yesterday… Spain scored last in the big five, even lower than the UK

Music is Art
Music is Art
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Sure, Spain didnt intend to impress yesterday hehe they were having the first contact with the stage to check lightning and camera angles. Simply that. We will see the changes in the 2nd and 3rd rehearsals

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  Music is Art

Remember they have to perform before the first semi-final which means Tuesday. I don’t think they have the time for many “impressive changes”

Music is Art
Music is Art
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

They will add what Gestmusic has in mind in the next rehearsal tomorrow

Mai
Mai
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

I don’t think that the press poll is a realiable assessment, if not check last year results.

Miguel
Miguel
5 years ago

First of all… Those clothes! Please change them!! They are 20 yo, not 70!

Other than that, they have chemistry, they deliver a good performance and I like the simplicity of the staging.
I was never excited about this song, still ain’t… but I won’t be upset if they do well.

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago

Along with Italy’s, the least revealing snippet so far. I hope those aren’t the official outfits, because the suit ages Alfred (it’s like what Iceland is doing to Ari). I would give him the leather jacket from the video instead. At the same time I want them to keep things simple and avoid cheesiness, I feel they really need to step up for the climax of the performance. But the words “RTVE is preparing surprises” don’t sound very reassuring, given their recent efforts.

Ally
Ally
5 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

They should keep it simmple imo also, ’cause they are already on border line to slip into cheesiness.. better outfits too, more suitable to their age.

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  Ally

But there’s that moment where the orchestration grows, they need something there. It can be done with lights, for example. About the outfits, I guess almost everybody agrees, but the producers keep dressing them as they were 20 years older and I have no idea why.

Ally
Ally
5 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

idk, maybe to use snow in that moment, like from the video? how many snow effects than we will have, along with Denmark and Ireland 😛

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  Ally

But silk snow or soap snow? 😛 Camera work can help also. Maybe they can have a shot where the camera is moving around them.

Music is Art
Music is Art
5 years ago
Reply to  Ally

True. They tried not to make it cheese and they succeded. But I also agree with Sabrina something must be done to increase the goose bumping ay the final orchestration moment. All say they will. So I cant wait to see the second rehearsal!

Music is Art
Music is Art
5 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Sabrina, Gestmusic is behind this so I am quite sure the final result will not disappoint.

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  Music is Art

I hope so. They have a climax on the song, something other countries would die for. They “just” need to stage it properly.

Music is Art
Music is Art
5 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Absolutly agree! The camera moves around them several times but it’s not provided yet.

OriolCAT
OriolCAT
5 years ago

Alfred, I beg you: withdraw from the contest tomorrow. If my petition is not enough, listen to these 90k people. I already signed it:

https://www.change.org/p/a-todos-los-espa%C3%B1oles-no-queremos-que-el-cantante-independentista-alfred-represente-a-espa%C3%B1a-en-eurovisi%C3%B3n?recruiter=35429107&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_term=share_petition

Save yourself from embarrassment on behalf of Spain. Your love for Amaia is pure television PR. As fake as Catalonia being part of Spain. It’s a matter of time.

You’ll soon be representing your real country.

Million Catalonian Voices
Million Catalonian Voices
5 years ago
Reply to  OriolCAT

This is what we need at Eurovision! Little voices get heard. Alfred, please listen to your people and please show your love to Catalonia! Europe is forever with Catalonia.
Say no to suppression!

Richard
Richard
5 years ago

So after all, was it true russian secret services are behind this conflict trying to bring down western Europe?

I won’t breaaaak ieeek Spaaain.

Color me surprised.

Seny
Seny
5 years ago
Reply to  OriolCAT

Do you really think that anyone cares about those 90k signatures? They may say whatever they want, but apart from that “España de mierda” citizens that have signed, there a lot of Spanish citizens that want to clean that “mierda” and we support Alfred as a singer and as our fellow compatriot. Navarra and Catalonia will do a fantastic job representing our diverse country.

Par favar
Par favar
5 years ago
Reply to  OriolCAT

“As fake as Catalonia being parte if Spain” hahahaha
(Eh que me dezorino, bien de adoctrinamiento!)

I love Alfred and Amaia and I really want them to represent us. I also love Catalonia as a part of Spain, as millions of catalans do (we voted for “unionist” parties, check the results of the last election, GUAPI).

They will do it great!!! They are really good singers and I don’t care about the position or stupid politic conspiracies.

Tasha
Tasha
5 years ago
Reply to  OriolCAT

Seems to me that normal spanish people (99%) is in between of two loudy groups of extremely politized sectors of spanish society that prioritize chestbumps while singing an anthem or believing in any kind of supremacy over the other part, while forgetting the common interests of people. As far as I know, Catalonia is full of immigrants from all provinces of Spain. Spain is a very “mixed” country in its different regions. What’s the point of dividing brothers from brothers? No solidarity in Catalonia? They are able to speak their own language freely, live their culture, a wealth society full… Read more »

Simon
Simon
5 years ago
Reply to  OriolCAT

This is AGAIN not a politic site. When are you understanding that? We dont care about Catalonia and we dont care about the Greece/Macedonia name dispute in here. We care about Eurovision. Get it?

#GOSPAIN
#GOSPAIN
5 years ago
Reply to  OriolCAT

He is representing his real country, since catalonia is a part of spain, and also your a disgusting person, he is just a teenager

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
5 years ago

I don’t like that suit he’s wearing. At all.

jaxnz
jaxnz
5 years ago

Spain needs to start doing what countries like Cyprus did. Hire professional people from other countries, with a good career, hire people that take ESC seriously. The spanish delegation doesnt want to win.

Alex
Alex
5 years ago
Reply to  jaxnz

at the end of the day, it’s only entertainment/television. It would be nice if most countries took it seriously and hire professionals.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  jaxnz

Some countries are doing just fine with their own people. Also, Spain had hired a foreign team before and flopped, so it’s not a guarantee of success. I think it’s more about how serious your broadcaster takes the contest.

Conii
Conii
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

what foreign team, hun? And second of all, it’s not the fact that the’re foreign that’s a guarantee of success, it’s also their career background, their work, professional results, experience, etc. I do agree that their broadcaster doesnt take it srsly. Most talented and experienced spanish people dont wanna help Spain because it has bad reputation and they know how bad the broadcaster is, so it would make sense to ask for foreign help and change the broadcaster even.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  Conii

2015, for example.

Music is Art
Music is Art
5 years ago
Reply to  jaxnz

Jaxnz, Gestmusic is behind this (not only the Spanish RTVE delegation) so the final outcome will most surely not disappoint.

Patrick
Patrick
5 years ago

How Spain could think they could do anything with an unexperienced pair? This is not ambitious. Has Spain thrown in the towel once and for all?

Only two loving duos have won in the history of Eurovision

1963
2011

True love doesn’t exist

Music is Art
Music is Art
5 years ago
Reply to  Patrick

Well…. Things need to improved… sure…. but the unexperienced pair you mention is what it’s so far amazing! Hehe

Catalán tabarnes
Catalán tabarnes
5 years ago

Que presentación más aburrida de estos niñatos

Omer
Omer
5 years ago

Try JESC next year, Spain. I see potential.

Ally
Ally
5 years ago

Aw, I like this, beautiful melody, whole concept reminds me kind of Ritchie&Ross duet ”Endless love”.. Oh, those endless love(s) 😛
Good luck <3

yellowman96
5 years ago

In love with their fairytale story!!!

Peter
Peter
5 years ago

Nothing to see here. If this gets out of bottom 5… ESC has become a joke.

Douilly
Douilly
5 years ago

Baaad

Put a fork in them

Alex
Alex
5 years ago

I like the song, better than Cyprus or Isreal.

Cheesy Cheese
Cheesy Cheese
5 years ago

Ew.. it was so cheesy. I am checking out.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

Prom Night.