Kimono-he-better-do!
And at his first rehearsal, Belgium’s Eliot werked a kimono-bomber jacket combo lit in shades of blues and reds.
The look is very urban meets oriental with a lot of tassels.
Vocally this was on point. There were no notes out of place in his run-throughs and Eliot sounds the most confident we’ve heard him.
However there were some staging problems, particularly with shaky camera angles in the first run through. Likewise it was hard to discern narrative from the screens, there are blues and reds, but also a zebra print effect through the chorus.
That said, we did see progression in later runs. In particular the opening half of the performance is effective in creating atmosphere and at times Eliot almost seems somewhat other worldly, which helps elevate the aesthetic.
Eliot’s backing dancers use drums during to create drama and with the right camera angles there is potential there to create the intensity this has been looking for. More close up camera shots and atmosphere, which the Belgian team added in successive runs today, will raise this higher.
Belgium: First rehearsal at Eurovision 2019
Eliot — “Wake Up”: Reviews and Reactions
Belgium: First press conference 2019
Read all of our Eurovision rehearsal reviews
Photo Credit: EBU
The taiko drums were so bloody unnecessary. I understand trying the Japanese aesthetic, but come on
Sounded better than expected but wow, that is not a convincing getup. It looks….kinda silly.
It has just crossed my mind, is Eliot a massive fan of Wiwibloggs? The two V signs on the T shirts worn by the dancers and by Eliot himself in the press conference look very similar to the “W’s” worn by Wiwibloggers. Could this be a sign that he really likes the site?
Eliot explains it himself as a “double peace symbol” in this interview: https://youtu.be/vbfBlyRQnI0
He seems genuinely happy to be wearing Van Beirendonck’s designs. I just hope that, for the song, they look better with the graphic overlay.
I’m not into this visual concept. It doesn’t express the meaning of the lyrics and it’s not impactful either. The hand choreography and the drums thing don’t feel natural, the costumes are weird and the background doesn’t match what’s happening on the stage. I hope it looks better on TV, but for now I’m disappointed. It’s good to know that Eliot did well though. He seems comfortable.
Similar opinion here.
Belgium!! Mais pourquoi???? The costume looks like JP Gaultier’s youthful attempt to design the iconic Madonna’s corset using his old Atari in the mid-80’s!
And you already had everything: a great song with an artist that fits like a glove.
Originally in my Top 5, I really wouldn’t like Eliot to be this year’s ALEXEEV… 🙁
First of all, I am a bit disappointed by this staging. On the other hand, looking back, similar thing happened with Blanche: unsteady vocal performance, robotic movements, quite interesting (at the least) dressing choice… And finally they decided to change this last thing and Blanche did slightly better vocally. Hopefully same thing will happen here. But the clock is ticking! Come on Belgium, please WAKE UP and fix this, I believe in you!
It’s very forgettable and not impactful. I think Belgium is leaning more towards a NQ now.
If they ditch these orange jackets (??) this is good!
Hmm i think Belgium have do do some changes after this. I can see Belgium come 13th now.
Barbara dex winner?
I still think there is hope, because the song is so contemporary and strong.
Yes, but both should be strong, in my opinion. I’m just hoping that the AR screen will substantially change the visuals’ effect.
i think the performance looks cute but the song is nq
I’ve been always supporting this entry, but now it really does look like a NQ.
Is he going rock climbing after the rehearsal?
I like the song, but the staging is underwhelming. I think it should be closer to the MV, playing with light and dark.
And yeah, that jacket is screaming Top 5 at the Barbara Dex
Underwhelming.. ”Drums, there has to be drums” 😛 And wtf that costume. I prefer atmopshere from the music video. He looks more self-confident tho.
Belgium team: If you’re reading this, please re-consider the costumes. Unless there is going to be some clever AR stuff going on with it, there is really no need to go with the next winner of the Barbara Dex award. Seriously, enough of that. Please start treating the song’s staging more seriously.
Walter Van Beirendonck is one of the best designers we have in Belgium, fashion University professor at Antwerp, you can like it or hate it, but it’s very modern. He is very famous in the world of clothing design. But it’s ok if you don’t like it. We don’t know how it will be on screen yet. He is much more confident on stage and his notes were on point. This have a very modern look and it will devide haters and lovers. A lot of songs this year have good quality. We shall see if it qualifies (now 70%… Read more »
More like 70% of getting eliminated.
Thanks. I am aware of the team. Obviously you don’t have to follow our advice if you don’t want to, and the screen output will indeed be different with the added effects. Best of luck.
Another year the same situation with Belgium: a song I really like (my number 6 overall) but an awkward staging. Imo they should have created a rather dark and misterious atmosphere for the verses and then some sort of more explosive effect in the chorus to lift it up and compensate for them being a little dull. For me, this whole drum-thing and hand-lifting stuff just doesn’t work. However, maybe they can convince me with the second rehearsal.
To me it doesn’t look bad (or outstanding either). The visuals are nice, drummers match the message of the song, but I don’t know if that was the best idea to build the entire performance around them. And why is he wearing a Halloween costume?
Dragon Ball…?
Well this was unexpected. I really love this song and the visual aesthetic is not what I had in my own mind. I’m nervous that Georgia and Australia follow it and they are much more “in your face” visually. I think Belgium’s chances will rest on Eliot now. He is the big selling point. This is a fresh and modern song, and he is fresh and modern – I am still routing for you as I believe in you and the message of this song.
Like I just don’t get some stagings, Belgoum is actually my second place thisbyear, but what is this staging – it’s not bad, but it’s so misfitted, who thought this fits the song, the clothes… I could live with them, but the drums like why? What is the purpose?
tbh in my head, i pictured his staging having a heavy use of light and dark…like it goes through the motions of day and night behind him…
that outfit was….a choice…i don’t really get it, but it’s okay i guess….
I like the staging, wel done belgica
It reminds me of Hungary 2016. This just isn’t out of the box.
*Outside the box
I think this will be forgotten… His vocals sounded fine but from what I saw it doesn’t look interesting on stage.