It’s a moment Eurofans have been waiting for.
But Madonna‘s performance at the Grand Final of Eurovision 2019 has made headlines in Israel this morning for all the wrong reasons.
That’s because a journalist from Israeli outlet Israel Hayom has leaked what they claim is her live vocal from final rehearsals last night.
The 2:27 clip published at 09:09am local time in Israel is taken from her rendition of “Like A Prayer”.
That track of course celebrates a 30th anniversary in 2019.
The Israeli newspaper reports the vocal has “innacuracies” and suggests the star may have believed playback was being used:
“In the recordings we receive, Madonna performs one of her greatest hits, “Like a Prayer,” with inaccuracies, to say the least. It is estimated that the singer, who in most of her performances relies on playback, did not know that her microphone was open and that it was being recorded.”
Israel Hayom reports screens had been turned off, but the sound system had been left running live. Production staff had been cleared from the arena to prevent visuals from leaking.
Last week it seemed as if the performance may not happen at all.
That’s because the EBU revealed no contract had been signed with Madonna. Without a contract the “Material Girl” would not have been able to take to the stage.
Fortunately that issue was resolved and the performance will go ahead.
She’ll perform “Like A Prayer” and her new single “Future” with Quavo.
This marks a second high profile performance by an American star in three years. Justin Timberlake performed during the interval of Eurovision 2016 in Stockholm.
Other interval acts tonight include last year’s winner Netta. She’ll perform new single “Nana Banana”. There will also be a medley of Eurovision hits from past contestants Conchita Wurst, Måns Zelmermlöw, Eleni Foureira, Verka Serduchka and Gali Atari.
The shows starts from 9pm CET.
I remember when Justin Timberlake performed, it was so warm and he really connected with the crowd and he was a true professional. With Madonna I felt it was all about her, she didn’t seem to notice the audience at all. And during the interview she was all sarcasm and seemed very cold. I wish Freddie Mercury was still alive and would perform at the ESC, that would’ve been great. But why not ask Elton John next year? 🙂
https://www.change.org/p/bbc-eurovision-drop-the-bbc-from-picking-the-uk-entry-for-2020
If you guys wouldn’t mind just taking a look at this petition, and if you could just sign as well, that would be much appreciated, thank you.
Weak performance and no interaction with the participants, so bad!
It gave a lot of publicity to the show though so they should invite another artist next year, someone talented and reliable though. Maybe Celine Dion?
When most ESC contestants sing better than an American popstar past her prime…the interval act with Verka, Eleni and company was FAR more enjoyable! Please, EBU, no more imported acts!
I wish she’d done playback
The good news is that after the Madonna performance, Dutch tv will probably not risk inviting a well known act to perform in the interval. On another note, 58 minutes for the interval?!? Far too long, there’s enough songs already without listening to more tunes we have mainly no interest in. As soon as the televote finishes, can they start giving the jury vote then? A show of 4 hours is surely going to loose viewers rather than attract new viewers?
Omg! She was bad…. painful to listen and look at…
How old fashioned was her outfit it was awful. Time the old girl gave up, she can’t sing and she was flat and out of tune. Face the facts Madge your entertaining days are over.
All the hosts: OMG MADONNA IS COMING!
Me: OMG The Switch Song!! Conchita! Måns! verka!!!! Omg!!! Madonna who?
I thought her version of Toy was brilliant
What a symbolic act of Madonna. Current situation in Israel copatured perfectly. Wake up!!!!
Madonna is a legend and Like A Prayer is the best pop song ever prduced but that was painful! Someone should tell the old lady to retire ASAP!
Was she carrying an injury because her mobility seemed a little stiff. What a huge build up to her performance and what a huge letdown. The audience seemed underwhelmed too.
Please, no more big stars in Eurovision. They’re always so cringy.
That was sad. I love Madonna but her voice was awful singing “Like A Prayer”. I was cringing in my seat watching and listening to her. She couldn’t hit certain notes and she couldn’t carry a tune. Her voice was just sour. Half way through her other song I just turned it off cause it was so auto-tuned and fake. She ‘was’ the greatest. Still love her though but she is 60 now, perhaps she should just retire with her millions.
she was massively out of tune it was painful, very Freemasonic symbolism and staging too. LOL stands out a mile to me. very weird. Like opening up a portal or something. Please let’s not have a so-called big star again unless its Celine Dion or Abba. Only they would make sense as they actually won this contest. WD and Congrats Duncan.
Madonna was such a letdown.
Bring Celine Dion next time.
hilarious when the dutch jury announcer stated madonna was out of tune lol
Love [eople who tell it like it is .
Just a quick note from one who knows very little about playback or performers’ methods…. But I do know that Madonna was frequently not in tune this evening. I suspect that singing in such a place with all the noise must be dreadfully difficult though….
Awful, out of tune, barely moved much less danced. New song is all autotune. Disappointing.
Well, she’s an old potato, what did you expect?
Time 00:02. Madonna is on – definitely no plaback – just a lady with no breath control and totally out of tune! This contest must have been the worst in living memory!
sounded like she’d had a stroke
We get it. You loath Israel.
Find yourself a hobby.
It’s not a surprise either, didn’t Timberlake mime?
It’s Madonna, what would you expect? Of course, she’s going to use playback like a professional she is.
Eurovision 2018, where everything was sang live. <3
Netta and Dana used playback in semifinals. Why Madonna shouldn’t ?
You’ll find anything to add to the bashing of this year’s contest. I’m tired of it. Focusing always on the negative, ignoring all the beautiful, good and impressive things we’ve seen coming from TLV. YouTube is full of positive comments. People are praising so many elements of this year’s edition. Go check for yourself. Here, however, reading the comments, one might think the contest is being held in a local bar, organized by drunk people. Exaggerated criticism, lack of proportions, sick negativity, bad energy and hatred. If all you can see is darkness maybe there’s something wrong with you. People… Read more »
Eyal, I think you’ll find that most people think it is/will be a great contest this year, regardless of Madonna. I do and I’ve seen 51 in a row.
The contestants were better than usual. Guests, not so much. There were just way too many of them. Pick the few that did well and ditch the rest.
Don’t even answer! most of them are trolls!
Contest is fine and great result. Israel did a great show and i have nothing but praise for it the screen looked great stage was amazing and some of the best effects I have seen at an esc. I’m only talking about MadDonna
where’s MARUV?
It’s the word ‘accused’ I find bizarre. Can’t people just enjoy the fact that a pop music legend is performing at Eurovision? Chill out everyone and enjoy the show. Switzerland for the win ? x
Noone really cares anyway, do they? Justin Timberlake was the ”big draw” of 2016, but wich interval act stole his thunder? Yep, Peace Peace, Love Love is still talked about while many people dont even remember Timberlake. Lets just hope the Eleni/Måns/Netta mashup will do the same thing.
Eurovision song contest 2016 was just amazing
she clearly has no idea what the eurovision is and only took part for the money. she ain’t special to be allowed to do playback when the number one rule is to sing live. the fact that they paid her one million euros for this mess sdkhfkdfas
Well, in the old days, everything had to be live. Now the music is not live, some backing singers do not sing live and occasionally, the main singers don’t sing live….and then the guests….This competition is heading towards Playbackvision.
if sweden wins again i can see them introducing the possibility to have pre-recorded backing vocals a la mediocrityfestivalen (which means that we don’t get to hear the singers’ live vocals in the chorus)
I don’t get the hate for Madonna. She’s a real legend in popmusic history…
Please, no Madonna! She made a stunning comeback in 2005, but became oblivious after that year. Now, she just needs to promote her new album.
If one really wanted a good and campy interval act (from someone who’s got nothing to lose or sell): don’t go to the queen, go to the goddess! Cher would’ve been PERFECT!!! 😀
If this is what the contract delay was all about, then this was a very dumb way to go, only to have your cover blown so easily.
Has she ever NOT used playback? In the last 30 years? Everyone knows she lip syncs most of the time.
IKR. Madonna using playback is my default expectation when she has a concert.
of course, there are amazing voices on the contest…she will never perform live with that poor voice
Lol I remember when she was 3 hours late when I saw her in concert years ago. I still love her though. As for playback…Who cares! she’s not competing. Haha
She got 1 million dollars to use playback. Haha. Very funny. And disgusting
I don’t see why it bothers you what other people spend their money on.
1,33 milion
she brought over 120 people with her for that…..plus her pirate costume looked like it cost about $50……so it’s not like she cashed the entire amount,
I think no one should be allowed to use playback at Eurovision – such a huge song contest. I was very disappointed one of the contenders last year used playback in the final. It was so obvious since she is known to be a bad singer. She should have been disqualified.
Who? Eleni?
No one used playback. That is the main rule of Eurovision.
What a disaster, and they were shouting her out in semi- final 2 as if THAT was what we were waiting for. I still hope it’s a big prank and we see MARUV- Siren Song during the voting.
Both Netta and Dana International were also using playback.
True
2 great artists lol
but are not payed 1.33 million of euros
I don’t think netta used playback, some parts of the performance had digital effects on though
Nah, it sounded nothing like her actual live performances. Go compare them,
Just listened to it and if that’s a lipsync track then how horrible does she sound without it? But in all honesty that is a fucking backing track and Wiwi is once again playing dumb. Wait, I take that back. You are dumb as fuck.
if Australia wins, I’m expecting Kylie Minogue at least.
Surprised you all? lol
the worst!
It would just round off the worst contest in recent memory!
Its ok to invite american artists, but why Madonna? Her voice was always weak, and got worse with the aging. There are so many american good artists that would ask for less money. Bruno Mars, Anderson Paak, The weeknd and more… Portugal last year just invited local artists, no one gives a f* about having Madonna acting in eurovision, this performance will be forgotten soon, why do they spend so much money instead inviting local israeli artists? The guy that spend millions inviting madonna should help KAN to hire a good camerman, the only good thing about Eurovision this year… Read more »
“The only good thing about Eurovision this year was the orange carpet”. May I ask “Nevana” and “TAMATA” about that? 😀 😀
The hosts… they are good this year.
they are not bad host…but not good either…they are meh ermmm ok
I feel like nobody really wants her to be there anyways… Eurovision is about celebrating Eurovision music and not some washed up acts from the USA. Seriously, american artists get soooo much exposure on european radio… why do they need to come to Eurovision to promote their new music? Let the Eurovision artists have their night to shine…
Really, I would like to see host nations use the interval acts to showcase their country’s popular/venerable artists.
The best part of Eurovision us learning about some great artists you would never would have heard of otherwise and then going on a treasure hunt for more of their music.
Who cares. Madonna will have televote too? ?
I don’t see anything wrong. I just hope is better than Dana’s lipsync and miming.
yeah dana mimed it all
I agree But could that have been a technical delay?
Didn’t Justin Timberlake also use some prerecorded vocals? If the use of the prerecorded vocals os the same here, and she actually sings all along while takinf some liberties in her interpretation, then there shouldn’t be controversy. But if she relies totally on playback then… well, it’s a huge disappointment. But not a surprise unfortunately
Woah BIG shock!
They should’ve invited Gaga.
They couldn’t afford it due to finance.