Earlier this week Montaigne released her Eurovision 2021 entry “Technicolour”. Now fans have gotten a first taste of what the performance may be like in Rotterdam. Montaigne gave a debut live performance of “Technicolour” at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras on Saturday.

While the iconic Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade couldn’t take place on its usual location of Sydney’s Oxford Street, the parade still went ahead with a smaller audience at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

As well as the legendary parade featuring many different aspects of Sydney’s LGBTQ+ community, the event also included live music performances. UK pop star Rita Ora performed, as well as Australia Decides 2019 act Electric Fields. But the artist of most interest to Eurovision fan was Montaigne.

Montaigne performs “Technicolour” live

Montaigne performed on a stage in the middle of the cricket oval, shaped like a giant pink triangle. While acoustically it wasn’t the best setting to hear optimum vocals, Montaigne still gave a good performance to the appreciative crowd.

The singer was dressed in an eye-catching white lycra outfit, accessorised with silver chains and straps. She was also rocking bold pink hair, creating a look visible to even punters high up in the stands.

Montaigne was also joined by two dancers who were both wearing a white top and shorts, along with striking black PVC overcoats, ready to be discarded with the line “time to take off all your cloaks“.

While there was some choreography for Montaigne, the performance didn’t come across like a slickly designed popstravaganza — there was still plenty of space for Montaigne to be herself.

Montaigne chats with Courtney Act

Ahead of the Mardi Gras performance, Montaigne also met up with Australia’s drag superstar — and Australia Decides 2019 contestantCourtney Act.

Montaigne spoke about the creative process, saying “I had a whole year to make something that felt like it bridged the gap between me and Eurovision — and I felt like it did.”

Courtney brought up the “visions of queerness” from the song’s rainbow title, and the pair also chatted about what it means to be bisexual. The two pop divas finished off their day by climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Montaigne and Courtney couldn’t resist belting out a bit of the song at the summit.

What do you think? What kind of staging would suit “Technicolour” in Rotterdam? Should Courtney Act sing backing vocals for Montaigne? Tell us your thoughts below!

Read more Australia Eurovision news here

62 Comments
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Mws
Mws
3 years ago

I liked the old Montaigne of ‘Don’t Break Me’ much more. She seemed more real and raw and down to earth and relatable, a soccer girl. Don’t break me had so much real emotion. This new Montaigne seems more pretentious, political and plastic.

Lee A
Lee A
3 years ago

Waiting, waiting, waiting for your Reaction to this. Please!

Ricky
Ricky
3 years ago

Love Montaigne, loved her song last year, but the chorus of this song is so bad, that it ruins the entire song

Preuss
Preuss
3 years ago

I hope Montaigne gets it right in Rotterdam, but I do worry about her if she’s already struggling with the nerves. That’s what got the best of Isaiah and Jess. This could go either way, but we do know what Australia is capable of when it comes to staging.

EurofanSF
EurofanSF
3 years ago

I’m surprised that SBC chose to proceed with Montaigne after hearing the song. Dani Im clearly expressed interest in coming back in 2021 and would have been the perfect internal selection. I cannot conceive of who would actually be motivated to vote for this song. Australia’s NQ will be another country’s opportunity to go to the final.

BeepBoop
BeepBoop
3 years ago

I love this song! One of my favourites definitely but I am not sold on the live version… yet!

Ria van de Velde
Ria van de Velde
3 years ago

I don ‘t like the song. I liked “Don’t break me” from last year much more.

sam
sam
3 years ago

i think this could be a surprise NQ.. i find montaigne’s new image a bit pretentious and the song doesn’t really do much for me

Sabrina
Sabrina
3 years ago

No reason to panic (first time performing the song, damaged vocal cords, open stadium, no previous song to warm up her voice and calm down her nerves), but I think this performance showed the challege ahead of Montaigne. It’s a difficult song to sing and she’ll need perfect breathing, control and power to nail it. I hope she does, because I see a lot of potential in “Technicolour”.

Last edited 3 years ago by Sabrina
gilpgilpgilp
gilpgilpgilp
3 years ago

Australia is one of my favorite countries every year, but this is an NQ unfortunately. Especially in SF1. I hope it doesn’t dissuade them from continuing to compete because I would love to see Australia win and decide on whether to host one year.

James
James
3 years ago

Why is it called “Mardi Gras” if it took place on a Saturday?

Heath
Heath
3 years ago
Reply to  James

This comment makes no sense.

James
James
3 years ago
Reply to  James

Thanks Robyn! 🙂

Michaela Radová
Michaela Radová
3 years ago

omg its not disco =D

Michael K Novotny
3 years ago

This isn’t a disco song, it’s hyperpop

Tom
Tom
3 years ago

It’s a horror to watch this

Alex
Alex
3 years ago

I love the song but not her live version. She really needs a lot of rehearsals and i hope they help with pre-recorded backing vocals.

Nicolas
Nicolas
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Lol when you expect recording vocals to save a song it tells it all. And this decision of allowing it now is the worst decision the EBU has ever made with the lame excuse of the COVID-19, it’s well known that only backing singers can contaminate and dancers no….

Last edited 3 years ago by Nicolas
Paysbart
Paysbart
3 years ago
Reply to  Nicolas

100% agree Nicolas

123
123
3 years ago

Should be a NQ if there is any justice in esc.

Benny Hill
3 years ago

I’m sorry but that was painful to watch…

Sebi
Sebi
3 years ago

Well, she couldn’t sing last year and apparently that hasn’t changed…

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
3 years ago

“Technicolour” is my 1st place 2021 so far <3 Love it!

Henry
Henry
3 years ago

Sorry but this girl can’t sing… but i like the song..

Grft
Grft
3 years ago
Reply to  Henry

???

Henry
Henry
3 years ago
Reply to  Grft

as i said..I like the song but not her Live vocals.. what is it what you don’t understand about this??

Harry D
Harry D
3 years ago
Reply to  Henry

She said she was really nervous and had over rehearsed, she’s got a a couple months to improve her vocals, I’m sure she’ll be amazing!

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago

I like it—but it’s clear the performance needs improving. I like the costumes, hair and makeup, Montaigne looks cool and futuristic, some kind of feminist superhero. I found the trio dance formations a little Charlie’s Angels. Her vocal was patchy but I’d put that down to nerves. I felt you could see the nerves and a little anxiety in Montaigne’s eyes—she’s been very open about her mental health struggles so I just hope she can build the confidence she needs to deliver a truly excellent performance, which I’m sure she will do, especially with the clearly very dedicated Australian delegation… Read more »

Paysbart
Paysbart
3 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy Smit

You don’t think 180-200 million viewers will help her with her nerves? I love the song but this girl just don’t belong in the biggest song competition ….

Matt
Matt
3 years ago

They definitely need to rework the staging, she should be dancing less as her vocals can’t keep up, and that’s fine they have time to play around. She does have a really unique interesting voice which might stand out in Rotterdam. Think this is a borderline qualifier.

Darren
Darren
3 years ago
Reply to  Matt

Australia have qualified with far worse less deserving entries. I can guarantee Australia is going to the final this year.

Harry
Harry
3 years ago
Reply to  Darren

You’re right about the worse qualifier part. *cough cough* Isaiah *cough*
BUT I think, this year, due to Australia being in the much stronger semifinal and due to Technicolor being less likely to be saved by the juries, I can see this staying in the semifinals. Then again, it’s still Australia, so they still might make it through.

Darren
Darren
3 years ago
Reply to  Harry

Isaiah was the worst. Juries overrated him that year, if I remember the televote was actually pretty reflective of the song.
But still, Australia is going to the final. Juries will still rank them high, they’ll do well with the televote I think, they have Sweden, who always gives them top marks.

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  Harry

I don’t think SF1 is going to be as tough as last year.

yom
yom
3 years ago
Reply to  Darren

We have pretty much always been in the weaker semi though

Joe
Joe
3 years ago

I think as ‘marmite’ as this song is, it does the job and definitely gets stuck in your head so will make an impact at ESC. Initially I thought what the hell is this, but it’s grown on me a lot. Most of the performance was good but the final chorus and ending was pretty off for me, and it definitely needs some better choreo

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
3 years ago

Her vocals are great but I hope she will improve her choreography come May. It comes off a little stiff.

Bella
Bella
3 years ago

I like this song of Montaigne…last song was mediocre but this is better and she can have a very cool performance.
Very well!

Grft
Grft
3 years ago

I love it so much. Of course this performance is not perfect: it was her first time, she was stressed, she was in a huge stadium in the cold under a stormy weather, with bad sound system, little backing vocals and 2 camera angles. But I think this is daring, original and powerful. I really believe she’ll surprise people in May. Her high notes are on point – and once again this is a very challenging song to sing live, I think she nailed it for most part. With backing vocals, good sound mixing and 2 months of work she’ll… Read more »

Mark
Mark
3 years ago

This is my favourite song so far. The live performance wasn’t perfect but considering the difficulty of the song and lack of backing vocals here, I’m sure her Eurovision performance will be amazing. Love that Montaigne is coming with something different that’s sure to stand out.

Taylor92
Taylor92
3 years ago

I hope she and her team can tweak the track to include more of the pre-recorded backing vocals. Eurovision has so many rehearsals and performances :/ hopefully her voice can go the distance.

Popeye Spinach
Popeye Spinach
3 years ago
Reply to  Taylor92

12 months were not enough to be ready? hopefully in last 2 months the voice will do miracles????

phone but on laptop
phone but on laptop
3 years ago
Reply to  Popeye Spinach

first, they had to write a new song. writing a song can take some time, especially in a lockdown situation, when you can’t really meet all the producers etc that often. very likely that they had to write multiple songs before they got one that seemed good to them and they wanted to choose for Eurovision. while you are doing that, you can’t already train your vocals to sing it – you need to train your vocals for basically each song to make it sound the best you can, think about every phrase, every note and rehearse it over and… Read more »

Mircs
Mircs
3 years ago

I really appreciate her and her work. I really much enjoyed “Don’t break me” and get more and more behind “Technicolour”, but it’s such a special song. Australia needs to figure out what could work and support this kind of song in relation to the performance, otherwise I fear that Australia could face it’s first non-qualification. And that’s something that Montaigne doesn’t deserve.

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
3 years ago

tbh she did a very good job for a song that is incredibly vocally challenging. very off-key in the melismatic sections but her high notes were great and for a live performance this was good. but as we saw last year, everyone just loves to hate her, so what’s new.

Leo
Leo
3 years ago
Reply to  Ashton Schier

Australia is taking some risks this year so even if this doesn’t qualify, I appreciate their effort

Berco
Berco
3 years ago

The song is promising but need some elevation by a neat choreo, interesting staging and screen effects. We all know her voice has the potential to sing it perfectly, I hope she will get better within the next two months.

Last edited 3 years ago by Berco
Lena
Lena
3 years ago

She cant sing !!! The song is not but she just cant sing

Kosey
Kosey
3 years ago

This is why we need pre-recorded backing vocals in the contest, it makes for a more enjoyable experience. This is a performance piece and hence less about the vocal.

Nicolas
Nicolas
3 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

So what’s the point of wasting all that money for a playback show ? when you could then instead just play the music videos and this will be the same. People that are happy with recorded vocals and a fake live singing competition are just not Eurovision lovers.

Last edited 3 years ago by Nicolas
Epicurean
Epicurean
3 years ago

Last year her entry was much better. This one is going nowhere.

notyourtoy
notyourtoy
3 years ago

The vocals weren’t the best, but remember she sings in a huge open arena while she also had some dance moves and she’s stressed (and her voice hurt as others say). However, the performance showed that she can do better things in Rotterdam

Robert
Robert
3 years ago

How I miss Don’t Break Me.. I know 2020 is in the past but Technicolour isn’t at the same level.. Personally a non qualifier..

Polliu
Polliu
3 years ago
Reply to  Robert

People kept bashing Don’t Break Me last year and said it’s another boring DNA product…
I think you just can’t please everyone.

Robert
Robert
3 years ago
Reply to  Polliu

I loved Don’t break me.. This is too much of everything

M A
M A
3 years ago

As an Australian, I can safely say that with vocals like this it is an almost certain NQ.
But it is what it is.

Polliu
Polliu
3 years ago

The song has been bashed by many since it was released and even many Australians hate her songs. I really don’t know how this song will do in May but I hope she can prove people that she can deliver with an amazing staging and shut people up.

Lolalola
Lolalola
3 years ago

It isn’t sound good live…

Coco
Coco
3 years ago

What is happening this year? How many songs we know by now? Hope the next one is THE WINNER.

Nina
Nina
3 years ago

Honestly, for the average Eurovision viewer, the vocals weren’t even that bad (whether you like or dislike the song is a totally different matter). I’m sure with time the vocals will improve for Rotterdam.

Sandra
Sandra
3 years ago

The song is a mess 🙁 and the chorus…

Leo
Leo
3 years ago

She said she hurt her voice during the rehearsal
I just hope that’s the truth because with these vocals, even juries can’t save Australia anymore!
Nevertheless I’m still fan of the song and I hope she does well in Rotterdam