Every day between now and the grand final in May, the team from wiwibloggs will be rounding up the latest titbits from the world of Eurovision 2019. We’ve trawled through Instagram, Twitter and elsewhere so that y’all don’t have to. This is the Daily Digest for Sunday the 5th of May.

Take a tour across the Expo Tel Aviv press room!

Our own wiwiblogger William Lee Adams had the chance to explore the press working area prior to the first rehearsals kicking off on Saturday. The area is divided into several pavilions, which include an entrance area, the working space, interview cabins, food trucks and more. Let William take you there! (Florian) 

Rehearsals day 1: Who’s upped their game, who needs to step up?

With the first rehearsals of the first semi-final starting on Saturday, this year’s Eurovision season is coming closer to reach its climax. A total of nine acts rehearsed on stage for the first time yesterday. But who’s managed to exceed your expectation, and who needs to add some adjustments? Let us know in the comments below! (Florian) 

Kate Miller-Heidke launches crowd-funding campaign for staging

Australian diva Kate Miller-Heidke made an impact with the national final performance of “Zero Gravity”. She has now revealed that she plans to build on the Australia Decides staging — and has opened a crowd-funding campaign to help support it. Kate will again be working with the performing arts troupe Strange Fruit — and that don’t come cheap. So a crowd-funding campaign has been launched, and the Australian Cultural find will match all public donations. Find out more about Kate’s campaign here! (Robyn)

Hatari hit the beach…

Like a lot of visiting Eurovision acts, Hatari couldn’t resist the lure of the Mediterranean see. Dancer Sólbjört and drum-gimp Einar put on their summer-weight latex and took to the sand. Taking his drum-gimp responsibilities very seriously, Einar still wore his face mask — and we’re intrigued to see if this left any unusual tan lines. (Robyn)

Eurovision 2019 – Hatari fer á ströndina

Við fórum með Einari og Sólbjörtu á ströndina í morgun. Viðtökurnar voru gríðarlegar. Strandargestir voru greinilega með á nótunum hverjir voru þar á ferð.

Posted by Söngvakeppnin on Saturday, May 4, 2019

…while Iceland Music News break into Klemens hotel room

Iceland Music News are on the ground in Tel Aviv, following Hatari’s journey. They filed their first report, where intrepid reporter Dísa found her way into Klemen’s hotel room, rifled through his belongings and was disturbed by a strewn pair of his underwear. (Robyn)

Duncan Laurence’s “Arcade” goes gold

His song “Arcade” has already made its impact on the Dutch airplay and official single charts. And with the latest news coming in, it’s now a gold certified song as well. Congratulations to Duncan for this great success with his Eurovision entry! (Florian) 

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Whuuuuuut!!l GOLD! Thank you! #arcade #goldenrecord

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Sarah McTernan reveals staging concept

Before heading off to Tel Aviv, Sarah McTernan stopped by Ireland’s RTÉ Radio. She performed her song “22” and also revealed a bit about the Irish staging concept. “22” will have a 1950s diner theme, and Sarah will be joined by two dancers and three backing vocalists. (Robyn)

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Ireland's @sar_ious was on RTE radio today to discuss her staging for Tel Aviv. It will be a 1950s diner style. Afterwards, Sarah performed a stripped back version of 22. Sarah's backing team includes: Adele Dempsey – dancer – Director of performing arts school in Leixlip, Celbridge and Castleknock "Dance LA Performing Arts School" (has run it for 11 years with her sister Lorna) Rhianna Binns – dancer – five times World Champion Irish dancer, Billie Barry trained Ciara O'Connor – backing vocalist – has toured with Dua Lipa, Paul Brady, James Vincent McMorrow, Mark Feehily Michael Hopkins – backing vocalist – musician and singer Planet Parade Fiona Harte – backing vocalist – recently supported Wild Youth in Belfast, on the line up for Kaleidoscope festival in Russborough Estate this June #eurovision2019 #eurovision #daretodream #ireland #esc2019 #eurovisionsongcontest2019 Video courtesy of RTE.

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Get in the ring to win a special meet and greet with Germany’s S!sters

Are you in Tel Aviv? If so, then you should take a close look at this: you now have the possibility to meet Carlotta Truman and Laurita Spinelli of S!sters on May 14th in Tel Aviv. All you need to do is make a funny post on Instagram and wish them best of luck for Eurovision 2019. Make sure to tag @sisterseurovision, @wiwibloggs and @eurovision_de while also using the hashtag #SistersMeetAndGreetTelAviv – good luck! (Florian) 

This year’s Eurovision stage built up in 21 seconds

Every year, the stage is the key element of the Eurovision Song Contest. They take up thousands of lights, hundreds of workers and technicians working day and night to make the impossible happen. You can now see how it all went down in Tel Aviv – but in only 21 seconds, so you gotta pay close attention! (Florian) 

Dutch broadcaster holds contest to win special “Duncan flag”

Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has set up a contest and the prize is a special “Duncan flag” with printed on it the hashtag #TeamDuncan. Fans who would like to win the flag, can enter at the website of the broadcaster. (Jacintha)

Follow our YouTube livestreams

While rehearsals, meet and greets and interviews take place at the Expo in Tel Aviv, you can watch our lovely Suzanne Adams and other wiwibloggers talk about the rehearsals while also answering everything you want to know. It’s basically your full-day Eurovision livestream where you’ll hear stuff first — so go check it out today!

Follow all our Daily Digests for Eurovision 2019.

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Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago

What a perfect beach look, Einar! I bet it’s already trending all around Icelandic public pools.

ESC Fan
ESC Fan
5 years ago

Will we see Belarus press conference?? Thank you for the answer.

Stef
Stef
5 years ago
Reply to  ESC Fan

You can see it on other portals other than wiwibloggs..

Anita
Anita
5 years ago

Iceland Music News, Soda Dream, Consumer Products – the Anticapitlists have created all kinds of brands for their “Gesamtkunstwerk”. Take your irony kit, have fun and maybe think.

And some fans are just living by Klemens’ underwear or the cuteness of Matthias. 😉

Héctor
Héctor
5 years ago

Having sand inside your leather clothes must be highly uncomfortable

La Signora
La Signora
5 years ago

I love the stage and I’m living over Matthias cuteness (i hope this is not too scandalous for Anita)

Anita
Anita
5 years ago
Reply to  La Signora

😀

Matthew
Matthew
5 years ago

Really like Sarah McTernan’s acoustic version!

Sawyer
Sawyer
5 years ago

Duncan may win but HATARI is the most interesting about Eurovision this year.

Henry
Henry
5 years ago
Reply to  Sawyer

That’s your opinion, not everybody thinks the same about that…