Estonia’s Victor Crone fought through the storm. Australia’s Kate Miller-Heidke soared through space. Greece’s Katerine Duska recreated Aphrodite amongst some fencers. On the second day of Eurovision 2019 rehearsals, the remaining eight acts of the first semi-final took to the stage for their first rehearsals.
But which of those eight countries had your favourite rehearsal: Belgium, Georgia, Australia, Iceland, Estonia, Portugal, Greece or San Marino? You can let us know your thoughts in our poll!
You can watch all of our reviews of today’s rehearsals in the playlist below. Then vote in our poll. You can vote for as many countries as you like, but you can only vote one time, so make it count. Be sure to click the box next to each act you want to support before pressing submit.
Poll: Who had the best first rehearsal on May 5?
[polldaddy poll=10305451]We’ll close our poll tomorrow evening and release the results shortly after that. In the meantime, we’d love to hear what you thought about the second day of rehearsals. Let us know who your favourite was in the comments section below!
I was reading all the comments and then I realized that there are so many annoying Greeks here trying to brainwash us that Duska’s rehearsal was the best. You know what? She was not the best! I’m not voting for Greece because Greeks need to respect all countries. Fanaticism has never good results.
I agree dude every year the Greeks swamp the comments and make their songs seems better than what it is. Thank goodness the results will speak for itself. I mean don’t get me wrong it’s a good song and it will qualify but it won’t win. Nowhere near. Will finish 8-12th I think
GRE and AUS. Regarding the actual winner on the night, I think probably AUS as they always place very well in the juries regardless of song/stage, so probably will do even better this year that they actually have a good package. GRE in the other hand has never been top 10 in the juries so I can’t see it going higher than 4th with them.
After SF1 first rehersals this is my personal top 17 (negative, neutral or positive impression between brackets):
(++) 1. Greece
(+) 2. Slovenia
3. Iceland (What I was expecting)
(++) 4. Georgia (my biggest grower)
(-) 5. Portugal (it is lacking something, but I want to see the camera work)
(+) 6. Czech Republic
(-) 7. Belgium (a bit dissapointed)
8. Hungary
(+) 9. Serbia
(+) 10. Poland
—————————————–
(-) 11. Cyprus
(-) 12. Estonia
13. Belarus
(-) 14. San Marino
(-) 15. Finland
(–) 16. Australia
(-) 17. Montenegro
6.5.2019. No featured article about Tamta breaking leg or Greece visiting a doctor or Australia. Strange. 🙂 My vote goes to Georgia. I haven’t seen the performance and I dislike the song.
Just trying to explain myself: Having a favourite is totally legit – even parents have their favourite child. But year after year Wiwibloggs is heavily promoting certain artists (Poli Genova, Blanche, Francesco, Saara from Finland, now Tamta and the Duska girl) while at the same time not giving enough attention to other artists. Moldova-who? Albania’s amazing vocalist no media coverage. Malta’s top 10 in odds track – nothing. William not even wanting to film the review of Serbia’s rehearsal. Then some harshly given opinions about Montenegro and Georgia. Italy-one of the favourites, long forgotten, which we all knew was about… Read more »
I do not get you wrong in some cases you are totally right… but regarding Italy they are totally snobbish for Eurovison. They have their sanremo ( which I love by the way) but if you tell them for Eurovision they will reply eurotrash. For other countries including mine we have gone to the other side of the moon we believe that it is national recognition to get a good position in Eurovision and we put so much effort on it (more than necessary). At the same time there is a whole party of talkings promotions shows channels for eurovision… Read more »
i’m going to agree with the press poll n say australia !
The winner has to be Greece.
Australia, Iceland and Cyprus will also sail through.
I strongly dislike the christmas tree and now i am concerned about Portugal’s chances…
Georgia put together in this “crazy and wild – weird in a good way” group makes their song sound… crazy (and not bad) they may have a chance of qualifying.
San Marino should qualify also. Finishing this semi is the extra edge they need, with their uplifting happy song.
Estonia is completely forgettable. As for Belgium… this will be borderline.
Greece was the best. I think, Australia went a bit too far with the staging. Over-staging is not good.
she literally has three sticks shsksakja greece went ‘further’ with those props
Greece’s staging is a storyteller
Australia’s staging is also storytelling about feeling weightlessness after coming out of depression, thus zero gravity and how she is floating in the air
None will see it that way tho, it only looks like a try to impress and not so much to tell a story (I like the staging, don’t get me wrong)
Relax I will put on stage Greece and Australia together. It will be like a wedding!! Lol. I do not know if there is much space though
Greece’s rehearsal was the best of the Semi Final 1 Rehearsals, Australia’s Rehearsal video was trending in the UK.
Here is my Top 8
1. Greece
2. Australia
3. Iceland
4. Belgium
5. Portugal
6. Georgia
7. Estonia
8. San Marino
I’m very interested to see the polarised opinions on Australia’s song remain, although everybody now likes the staging. For only a two hour investment, there’s a just-released retrospective of Kate Miller-Heidke’s career at https://www.abc.net.au/doublej/programs/the-j-files/kate-miller-heidke/11052868 . It gives extensive insights into her as a singer and songwriter….. and who knows, it might even change your mind!
I don’t think people have an issue with the singer but with the song. So watching about her life, doesn’t mean people will change their opinion about the song itself. Same applies to all of the singers.
And after this staging Australia remains with a awful song and it’s my opinion, don’t start hating!
It’s okay – you’re allowed to have that opinion. I’d be interested to know why you think it’s an awful song. Kate Miller-Heidke and her husband Keir are very experienced and, in fact, award winning songwriters (they won a US $25K prize for ‘Caught In The Crowd’ some years ago – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caught_in_the_Crowd ). The song is carefully structured, catchy, with meaningful lyrics, and performed by a classically trained singer with pop sensibilities. What’s jarring with you about it?
and after this comment you need to have your hearing checked n issa fact
After seeing what Hatari, Katerine, and Kate had today, …idk if you can really call Tamta a potential winner of sf1 anymore, like what some people have been predicting.
I’m positive it’s gonna be between those three now.
Australia was literally a surprise.
Australia slayed the pack! The song is interesting enough to grab attention, not to mention the vocal and the staging.
Who I want to qualify and who i think will qualify.
Want:
1. Cyprus
2. Greece
3. Belgium
4. Slovenia
5. Australia
6. Iceland
7. Estonia
8. Czech Republic
9. Serbia
10. Poland
(Belarus really impressed me so wouldn’t mind them qualifying and Hungary disappointed me)
Think will – random order:
Greece
Cyprus
Iceland
Australia
Portugal (not in my top 10 but they will qualify)
Belgium (might not but I hope they will)
Slovenia (really hope they will)
Estonia (50/50)
The other two places are very open so can’t say.
Tbh I don’t even understand why we even vote as we haven’t seen the rehearsals. The only sign we have is the reactions of the eurovision panels which went there. But that’s not enough…Anw Greece is the winner based on wiwibloggers reactions. And of course the song is much better than the other countries today.
There are all the vids of rehearsals on the eurovision channel on yt….
We can’t see how they are shown on TV though which is the most important thing
Belgium – Not a fan of what Elliot is wearing. Though, the staging looks interesting and intriguing. Georgia – Staging looks cool, but the song is ultimately the downfall for me Australia – Very proud of our KMH. What she is wearing is probably one of the best outfits I have ever seen in ESC. The staging looks soo good. Can’t wait to see the next rehearsal clip. This could ultimately win this SF (not being biased) Iceland – Serving some BDSM realness, this looks amazing as well. This is just what we expected from Hatari, but they’ve made it… Read more »
That’s an easy one.. Greece was the absolute winner due to the staging and vocals … Australia is lacking on song, whether the vocals were on point the song though is nothing much! P.s. some people say that Greece just confirmed what people expected.. well that’s the point. To be what people want and more.. if that’s not a “gamechanger” well that’s a “set ruler”!
Ive been listening to Lordi’s Sexorcism album for days. They are the most incredible thing Ive met thanks to Eurovision. They are beyond perfect that I can’t even… THE.MOST.ICONIC.AND.SUCCESSFUL.WINNER.EVER.
Definitely AUS and GRE. Factoring in too Kate’s flight was almost 24 hours and she’s still likely battling jet lag, makes her performance all the more impressive
Greece is the winner without doubt,Katerine has the whole package,great-modern song,stunning staging and an amazing voice!Australia did great today but it is only the staging that is good,the song is meh..really few people liked it afterall until today.
Australia was the winner for me. I also voted for Greece and Iceland.
Portugal, Greece, Iceland
Only Georgia (tho I would’ve liked to see Oto with rock wild hair, not that bun, and the back vocalists behind a barbed wire, but the rest like pyro and graphics were on point) and Australia.
I’m also really glad that Eliot kept that background graphics, love them so much, so captivating, but I didn’t get his outfit at all. Looked like a strong contender for Barbara Dex’s Award. So did Conan’s outfit as well.
On the other hand, we can expect Duncan’s performance tomorrow to feature… lasers. Yes, lasers.
So “loving you is a losing game” of laser tag? 😀
P.S. Netherlands first rehearsal is on Tuesday afternoon.
Yes, we’re already on Monday noon here in Indonesia. And yes, seems to be some sort of laser tag, perhaps? It’s kind of unmatching when we think about it, but I’m curious of how this will work out.
I feel like those voting for Greece are doing so because of the song. But that wasn’t the question. Australia had game changing staging. Greece basically just confirmed what people expected.
Best rehearsal isnt’t Best staging. Is Best rehearsal (overall package). But i love Australia as well. I think that both of THEM Will be in top 10 in the final
So the fact Greece confirmed what people expected makes it any less great? The staging is pure art, it deserves to be 1st
I’ve voted for Australia, Greece and Iceland.
it’s either Greece or Australia for me even for the win of sf1
Off topic. If Ariana Grande’s thank u next song has been one of esc 2019 entries i am not sure it could qualify, whaat do you think?
thank u next is trash tbh, so no…
It will qualify simply because it’s sung by Ariana Grande. It could even reach Top 3.
The actual song itself is trash.
Greece’s song is great, but people pretending Australia’s song is not appreciatable is as predictable as it is. Both had a great rehearsal last night, but I voted for Australia — I feel it was a gamechanger as a package.
I feel like most of the qualifiers will be from the second half of the Semi. Australia and Greece did a great job today!
I think AUS, GRE and ISL will be the top 3, all coming from the 2nd half.
Greece, Australia and Iceland
I don’t get the hype around Australia. The staging looks good but the song is nothing special imo. Greece made me stand in awe. Katerine and her team deserve at least a top 10 result . <3
I agree. There’s a big difference between Better Love and Zero Gravity. The former is a hell of a slayer. The latter is a sort of La Forza weak sequel.
Zero Gravity is completely different to La Forza.
Yes La Forza was a masterpiece. Zero gravity is cheap pop opera.
My ranking of performances (+ whether they exceeded my expectations, or the opposite) 1. Greece (++) – visually striking, beautiful visual composition 2. Georgia (+++) – what a surprise, potential dark horse qualifier 3. Australia (+) – interesting premise, I’m curious about how it’s gonna look on screen 4. Iceland (=) – pretty much what I expected, I’m waiting to see the pyros 5. Belgium (-) – drummers sound OK to me, but they need to work on it 6. San Marino (=) – San Marino being San Marino, untapped potential 7. Estonia (=) – just a copy of NF… Read more »
Greece and Australia!
Greece!Her voice is stunning and the staging is artsy and like a fairytale!Love it!Australia is overrated,i can’t understand the hype…nobody liked that song until this morning and now because of the stellar staging they almost think it can win the whole contest ahahah
In actual fact there are many people who appreciate Zero Gravity and would love to see it do well in the contest. The artistic, technical staging has captured the essence of the song and elevated it further. Smart move.
I liked Australia since the National Final – the song itself, not the staging 🙂 The composing and vocals are SO artistic. Now the star background *_*
Ooo – This one’s close!