Live from Rotterdam: Eurovision 2021 rehearsals day one (Saturday 8 May)

It’s finally here! Eurovision 2021 rehearsals begin today. We’ll see six countries take to the stage in Rotterdam for their first rehearsals. Producers will also rehearse Australia’s live-on-tape performance, since Montaigne won’t be attending the contest in person. These acts are all performing in the first half of semi-final one. Will the favourites live up to the hype….or will the odds come tumbling down?

May 8: First rehearsals at Eurovision 2021

Here’s who’ll be taking to the Eurovision stage today. All times are listed in CEST (BST + 1)

  • 10:00 – 10:30 Lithuania: The Roop — “Discoteque”
  • 10:40 – 11:10 Slovenia: Ana Soklic — “Amen”
  • 11:20 – 11:50 Russia: Manizha — “Russian Woman”
  • 12:00 – 12:30 Sweden: Tusse — “Voices”
  • Lunch break
  • 13:40 – 14:10 Australia: Montaigne — “Technicolour”*
  • 14:20 – 14:50 North Macedonia: Vasil — “Here I Stand”
  • 15:00 – 15:30 Ireland: Lesley Roy — “Maps”

*The Australian delegation will not be travelling to Rotterdam. Their rehearsal time instead will showcase a backstage look at Montaigne’s live-on-tape recording.

 

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As always, we’ll have individual posts for each rehearsal here on wiwibloggs. You’ll be able to read our thoughts on the rehearsal and find out how each country chose to stage their entries.

And, of course, you’ll be able to hear our thoughts through our reaction videos, which we’ll be uploading shortly after each rehearsal. We’ll also be livestreaming from the press centre in Rotterdam, so make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel and keep an eye on wiwi.tv for more content!

Eurovision 2021: Press Meet & Greet times

Shortly after their rehearsals, each act will be available for their first press meet and greet. Things will look a little different this year with social distancing in place. We’ll be on hand to chat with the stars digitally to get their thoughts on the rehearsal.

Here’s the list of times for each act’s Meet & Greet:

  • 11:55 – 12:15 Lithuania: The Roop — “Discoteque”
  • 12:35 – 12:55 Slovenia: Ana Soklic — “Amen”
  • 13:15 – 13:35 Russia: Manizha — “Russian Woman”
  • 13:55 – 14:15 Sweden: Tusse — “Voices”
  • 15:35 – 15:55 Australia: Montaigne — “Technicolour”
  • 16:15 – 16:45 North Macedonia: Vasil — “Here I Stand”
  • 16:55 – 17:15 Ireland: Lesley Roy — “Maps”

Whose rehearsal are you most excited for? Do you think we’re in for any surprise? Let us know what you think in the comments below! 

Read more Eurovision 2021 rehearsal news here

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Luc
Luc
3 years ago

Ireland and Lithuania look promising

Nayhan
Nayhan
3 years ago

IRELAND nailed it

Redarrow
3 years ago

Cant wait to see destiny on stage shes gonna slay and we all now it .

mich
mich
3 years ago

thing is – it’s a bloodbath of a semifinal – with the least interesting entries all lumped at the beginning. Slovenia and North Macedonia are sure non-qualifiers so their performances were not going to alter anything. Russia and Ireland really pulled all their guns out to ensure a memorable performance but they will battle for the 7-10 spots probably. Sweden is a sure qualifier I guess. Lithuania may not be the strong contender everyone was thinking it will be. I think Australia will really struggle. We’ll see tomorrow.

Luc
Luc
3 years ago
Reply to  mich

idk, Sweden’s performance was nothing special. I’m not so sure they’ll qualify (I mean, at least deservedly or by the televote, because everyone knows Sweden’s the juries’ pet)

Kas
Kas
3 years ago

Nothing special, nothing wow…no moves on odds.
Seems that all are incredible predictable in this esc…at least for todays entries.
Let’s see what will happens the next days. Personally I do not expect….something that will shake…the established bubble.

Cassandra
Cassandra
3 years ago

Lesley!!!
I hope she will slay.

Last edited 3 years ago by Cassandra
yeahyeahfire
yeahyeahfire
3 years ago

Cant wait to see Ireland

Last edited 3 years ago by yeahyeahfire
Marc
Marc
3 years ago

I can’t wait to see Lesley Roy’s rehearsal. Please please please be as good as I think it will be……

Mark
Mark
3 years ago

I’m most interested in what Australia is gonna do for the rehearsal

Lithuania8
Lithuania8
3 years ago

Are we not getting 30seconds clips?

Popeye Spinach
Popeye Spinach
3 years ago
Reply to  Lithuania8

I think that official 30 sec clips will be released after the second rehearsals. But some clips will leak today

Lithuania8
Lithuania8
3 years ago
Reply to  Popeye Spinach

Now, the eurovision Youtube channel uploaded the typical snippet we’ve been getting in the last couple of years.
Lithuania looks very promising btw

Popeye Spinach
Popeye Spinach
3 years ago
Reply to  Lithuania8

Oh cool! Will check it out! At the final I will vote for France and Lithuania! Love them both

Nati
Nati
3 years ago
Reply to  Popeye Spinach

I will vote at least 10 times for lithuania in the final.

Popeye Spinach
Popeye Spinach
3 years ago
Reply to  Lithuania8

Right. Today they post just a front camera recording.

Mr X
Mr X
3 years ago

Switzerland 8/10

Mark
Mark
3 years ago
Reply to  Mr X

Too high

Jonathan N
Jonathan N
3 years ago

How wonderful!! Have a great time!!!

Kuhkatz
Kuhkatz
3 years ago

A damn period of 2 years comes to an end, so glad that this is happening!

For today, I‘m most interested in Lithuania and Ireland but of course will have an eye on the others.

And I guess the Meet & Greet with Australia will be made by video chat.

Eugenie
Eugenie
3 years ago

I wonder will the live vocals be as good as studio ones. I bet that Slovenia,North Macedonia and perhaps Ireland will do well, but I’m not sure about Sweden , Russia and Lithuania. The Roop even if they will fail with singing can make it up for with dancing. Russia will have points from juries because of lyrics and authenticity. But Tusse’s situation is worse.

canada_piano
canada_piano
3 years ago

believe me or not, but this is basically the first eurovision im actually following from the national selections through with the semi finals to the final. i cannot wait omg

Anhel
Anhel
3 years ago
Reply to  canada_piano

Same! Very exciting.

Thanos
Thanos
3 years ago

Let the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 officially begiiiin!

Julie
Julie
3 years ago

I litterally cannot believe this is happening!!! Will be rooting for the Roop but really wish the best of luck to all the contestants, it will be BOMB this year!

NickC
NickC
3 years ago

Finally! We have been waiting for this for 2 years. Will Padraig join you guys? I love his commentary.

Iain Wicks
Iain Wicks
3 years ago

Manizha- Russian Woman : what an exciting in and fun song and with a good message

Aisling
Aisling
3 years ago

Can’t wait to see what Ireland does but maybe that’s because I’m Irish!

Fionn
Fionn
3 years ago
Reply to  Aisling

while I’m Irish too…i think that’s a shared sentiment between all eurofans right now 🙂

Mateo
Mateo
3 years ago
Reply to  Aisling

I am Spanish, and I am voting for Ireland. It’s the best song by far and so touching. Éireann go bragh!