Day Three of first rehearsals at the Expo Tel Aviv is over.
We’ve already been through some highs and lows at Eurovision 2019, after seeing what Semi-Final 1 has to offer. But what about our first half of performers from Semi Final 2?
The day opened with Srbuk serving us some solo strength in Armenia, followed by Ireland, Latvia, Switzerland, Moldova, Romania, Denmark, Austria and finishing off with the soul of John Lundvik for Sweden.
Our reaction video coming soon
With all kinds of staging and visuals on show, we want to know who your favourite of the day is! Did Luca Hanni live up to expectations? Did Paenda break through your limits? Or was Romania’s Ester Peony your choice on a Monday?
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.
Armenia has a strong presentation to start the show. They should qualify.
Romania also has a strong performance, as Sweden stole the show.
Switzerland was a let down.
Eire was very professional and cute. I am not sure about their chances even though I really like the song. The same goes for Denmark and Latvia.
Moldova is forgettable and oldfashioned. Austria kept things simple, too simple. Their mediocre song needs something more special to stand out.
Most qualifiers should come from the 2nd half.
The best rehearsal day so far! If on the two previous days I could hardly choose three countries to vote, here I’d vote for 7 of 8! But unfortunately even if it says “you can vote as many countries as you like” it lets me choose only three! Why to lie, Wiwibloggs?
I voted for Latvia, Austria and Romania, but also loved really much Armenia, Ireland and Moldova.
Denmark and Switzerland’s stagings were predictable but also good.
Armenia – I heard this was underwhelming from the press center. I am reserving my comments for this as I love the song. Some of the effects used sound cool and Srbuk’s vocals were on point (from what I heard from the livestream). Waiting for the 2nd rehearsal. Ireland – I somewhat agree with Chris. From the 30 second clip, the only thing I enjoyed was the LED’s. It did look a little messy. Moldova – Wow, the sand art is cool, although, I don’t think it fits with the song. I feel that people, mainly Chris are overexaggerating when… Read more »
I think it’s safe to assume that we ain’t going to Zurich or Geneva or Bern/Basel/Lausanne/whatever next yer.
Why not? Because you saw what we’ll be seeing on TV maybe?
Romania- I think Ester has acting talent, besides singing. I saw comments about toning down her facial expressions, but I think she’s great, I wouldn’t change anything. Btw, this performance and song has nothing with Dracula, stop saying that, jeez..
Sweden- quality, what more to say?
Switzerland- this will go high, like it or not 😀
Ireland pleasent surprise and also intrigued about final result for Austria, I have feeling that snippet didn’t highlight important factors.
ester literally said dracula was part of her vision… called herself “daughter of dracula”
I hardly watch any interviews (forced questions and answers make me cringe tbh 😛 ), but if she said that to play with clichés, then good for her, lol
I’m holding back my full reviews until all the rehearsals have finished, as there are some biggies yet to take the stage (Netherlands, Russia, and Malta in particular). I will say, from what I saw, that everything is about on par or improved from before. Bless Moldova for actually having something going on besides the boring song. Romania isn’t quite as big of a “told you so” moment for me as Australia was yesterday but it’s close. More to come.
if Albania gets eliminated and Moldova’s sandy crap goes thru, I will catapult FIREBALLS over Tel-Aviv!!
just saw them all, I think Sweden was the best.
No one really won me over today . But my loser of the day is Switzerland in the sense that I don’t see them winning anymore.
My assessments of today:
1) Armenia : – (?)
2) Ireland : – (NQ)
3) Moldova: ++ (NQ)
4) Switzerland: – (Sure)
5) Latvia: + (NQ)
6) Romania: – (?)
7) Denmark: – (?)
8) Sweden: = (Sure)
9)Austria: + (?)
? = Borderline
+/-/= : How the acts fared compared to my expectations
Latvia’s rehearsal was the best today, in my opinion. It was very smooth and looked beautiful.
I actually picked Latvia because i found their stuff they got going on to be lovely, but i kind of have a feeling that that’s not gonna be enough. The song isn’t even that bad. It just doesn’t stand out enough though…
I wouldn’t really get the logics of ESC viewers if for them Salvador’s song was enough to stand out in 2017, and this one will not.. It’s similar style and got the same beautiful simplicity.
Maybe, but it doesn’t have charismatic and controversial Salvador. Besides, not every slow song is “Salvador style”, his song was vintage style ballad with authentic Portuguese flavour and simmple and effetive staging. This one is just monotone song without ups and downs or any other tensions or mystery on stage, which we have heard often with predictable staging a la high school play, I mean orchestra on stage and girl x factor audition style. If you looking for song which follows “salvador tradition”, better choose Slovenia, but again, their style is completely different, I would compare it with ambiental indie… Read more »
Slovenia’s song has that beauty & simplicity factor too, agree, but just as you mentioned, it’s completely from another era and different music genre. And I made that comparison exactly because of genre closeness of the songs. Should disagree with “have heard often” argument, because I don’t really remember we had jazz songs apart from Amar Pelos Dois in Eurovision in past years. Maybe it’s too bold to call That Night a jazz song too, but it has a strong jazzy vibe for sure. And it’s vintage too. That’s why I compared it to Amar Pelos Dois, not only because… Read more »
I see your point of view and tend to agree, it’s a nice song actually, I think nobody can deny that. But, I still think it has no chance in such strong semi, taking into consideration whole package.
But, we will see, Eurovision can be quite unpredictable 🙂
This rehearsals are proof that everyone has a chance, much country which were valid for favorites are disappointed because quality is quality while sensation come and go…
Even if the favourites disappointed, they are still better than the others. It’s just that people had so many expectations from the favourites and none expectations for the others. But nithing will change. At the end of the day it’s people from home who will watch the songs for the first time at the night of the final and will vote mainly the song – of course the staging as well but if the song is bad it just won’t go through
To be honest.. there is not much to judge based on these short clips.. I have too se the full performance of each act. Good luck to everyone!
My big winner today is Denmark!!!
Armenia-i expected dancers from music video, empty… Austria-vocal and song don’t deserve bad stage performance and suitable costume, not connected… Denmark-logic, interesting enough and ingenious for the final, complete but not my cup of tea… Ireland-solid and not special, two dancers and counter can’t be WOW, not completed… Latvia-for me a big surprise…Very beautiful and relax, harmonized and authentic, very very good… Moldova-standard and already seen… Romania-good, powerful and something is happening, but somethnig is missing…”Dracula” costume and Atlantis on LED screens, wtf??? Sweden-very expensive and elegant, black and gold is a perfect combination, all is reduced and harmonized, gospel… Read more »
Although i don’t like the song, i must admit that nobody was better than Sweden today, so hats off to my homeland
i can’t tell, im still at work, wait for meeeeeee!!
How could Switzerland ruin the staging by choosing that fat girl dancer, I wonder if there wasn’t another one in Sweden???
Come on, stop being rude. She wasn’t even that heavy…
She is Sasha’s close friend so I guess that’s the reason why. Also she’s done a choreography for Wiktoria and Vlad this year for Melodi.
Despite all the fuss about Moldova’s sand, the press poll had them next to last…..I am glad some people are still taking this seriously as a SONG contest. It is DULL as ditchwater and a real disappointment after 2017/2018 efforts. Really struggling to qualify from this bloodbath semi.
say what ever you want, sweden has killed todays rehearsals.
say what ever you want, sweden has killed todays rehearsal
Did Austria swap places with Sweden?
Only during rehearsals
It was needed to put autotune at the end.
Romania’s staging looked spectacular in the snippet. Ireland’s backdrop is one of the best from everyone so far but I am still unsure of it qualifying. Armenia disappointed me, while I expected more from Switzerland. Still my No.1 song though but I am not sure it’s a winner
Press poll overhyped Switzerland af, but Romania will shine on Thursday, mark my words! It’s still 12th in the betting odds, but it will qualify.
Voted for Moldova for that genius staging idea and great vocals
Also, Sweden (though kept everything the same, it works well)
Should’ve voted for Romania as well
My loser for the day – Switzerland, drawing many comparisons to successful and not successful Eurovision entries. I wouldn’t believe if someone said, I will call a SJB staging autrocious and uxfixable (unless you can rework the whole LED and lighting behind Luca and his team and get new outfits). The stage is that dark, that it’d depress the happiest person alive. My grower is Moldova (Denmark too, but I liked the Danish song more beforehand). Yes, we’ve seen it all before, but it works and it is really effective. It’s beautiful and simple, and if Moldova doesn’t get through… Read more »
I’ve voted for Latvia. Not because I like the song, but I think they make a really beautiful staging for it. Here my impressions of the others rehearsals: Armenia: Stage looks a bit empty, hope we see more in the semi-final Ireland: I really love this song, but the staging looks a litte bit like a mess right now. But there is still enoug time to fix it. Switzerland: I expected something different and because of that i’m a little bit disappointed. Not a fan of the outfits, too. Moldova: It looks too much like 2011 for me. But it… Read more »
(+) 1. Switzerland (good, though it could be better, the hype was high. Vocally it is a bit dissapointing) (++) 2. Austria (positive surprise as Georgia, hope Austria qualifies) (+) 3. Sweden (I’m not into the song, but gotta love the mammas) 4. Armenia 5. Ireland (the pin-up role is good, but I don’t see it qualifying, the stage looks very empty also) (+) 6. Latvia (the staging really works, but I hardly see this qualifying) 7. Denmark (it didn’t work for me before, isn’t doing it now) (-) 8. Romania (same staging, boring song. Not for me) (+) 9.… Read more »
People are comparing Luca to Imriv but at least Luca is able to sing live
miss ANNA ODOBESCU honestly snapped
My faves today were Moldova, Sweden and Armenia! Can’t wait for tomorrow!
Can anybody tell me who is in the lead bc my phone doesn’t show
The results are hidden so it raises suspense
Thank you!
I can’t wait for Netherlands!
Sammeeeee
I heard they are going to use laserlights
you are looking forward to laser lights? gosh this ESC seems like a bore
Here is why I voted Moldova : 1. Armenia : the stage looks empty. Why some delegations keep on wanting their singer alone on stage ? This is only needed for intimate songs with no or very few backsinging, no dancing 2. Ireland : weak song and vocals, any staging can”t save it 3. Moldova ; copy of Ukraine 2011 staging but still the strongest vocals of the day 4. Switzerland : copy of Fuego even more the staging than the song itself now 5. Latvia ; boring. next 6. Romania : not bad but I preferred the NF staging… Read more »
Not a day of clear winners or losers, but I would say Romania for the ambition and Sweden for the production values. Though we had many entries that will probably make more sense on TV, like Armenia, Austria, Latvia and Switzerland.
None. Waiting for Russia.
Give it up mate!
the producers won’t let Russia win. Won’t get anywhere near the top 3 with the juries. It’s either Italy or Netherlands this year
devenitly austria
at the 3rd run of the rehearsal she had more colour on stage that’s good
So I will make my top not only on how good the rehearsal was, but on the song as well, I have to say I have a certain aesthetic and something that doesn’t fit, really bothers me soo : 9. Moldova (NQ): HATE this staging, I find that sand gimmick as a bait or people to vote for the sand lady and not for the actual song, which is one of most dated entries we’ve had in modern ESC. 8. Romania (border-line qualifier): I’m the minority here, but I don’t like the staging, the way she performs is really something… Read more »
I can’t wait for tomorrow!! MALTA, RUSSIA, THE NETHERLANDS AND AZERBAIJAN
you can take out 3 of them
Yes, we can take out Russia.
Albania ??
Norway ??
North Macedonia ??
Croatia ?? might be fun
Just not looking forward to Lithuania ??
@Miles .. yes! love those entries too, but one can predict how they’re staging will be
Romania was so great.
Romania was my winner of the day! Dark, raw, theatrical, everything it should be! Sweden was pretty good too, but within the expected parameters. Switzerland is okay, but totally Imri 2.0. Nothing that would make me vote. Moldova elevated their performance, but I know it’s just smoke and mirrors. Nice tactic, though.
Regarding Moldova, cheap tactic which I find really off-putting.
Ireland for me Sarahs fantastic
Sweden was the best.
Romania & Sweden, maybe…
Romania and Sweden had the best.
Sweden was really dissapointing again. Ireland was better than expected. Moldova looked like some TV commercial was on in the background. Austria was nice, but more theatre than Eurovision. Armenia had fire in her eyes as well as the stage. I don’t remember anyone else
Even though I don’t really like 22, I voted for Ireland and Switzerland. But I gotta admit that I expected much more from Switzerland.
Romania was also good.
Tomorrow is going to be very exciting. Malta, the Netherlands, Azerbaijan, North Macedonia, Albania…
A great day of rehearsals, I feel like the countries that had no chance (Moldova, Austria, Latvia) brought great staging whilst the faves (Armenia, Switzerland, Sweden) were good enough but nothing stand-out staging- wise. But Romania really delivered, with a different outfit this is a real big contender for the final.
Voting for Moldova says it all, no one impresses me today.
Switzerland and Austria for me 🙂