Poland Rafal First Rehearsal Eurovision 2021

Poland’s Rafał has taken to the Rotterdam Ahoy stage for his first rehearsal of “The Ride” at Eurovision 2021. Are we jumping on board the Rafał train?

Poland’s Rafał “The Ride” — Eurovision 2021 first rehearsal

Oliver: Again with the bisexual pink and blue neon lighting. It’s getting stale now, and Poland’s execution of it is definitely the worst yet. There’s too many elements happening at once — lots of smoke, pyro pillars a Matrix-esque backdrop, similar to the Eurovision 1988 stage. And to no surprise, Rafał is wearing his signature sunglasses. He’s joined by four dancers in white, juxtaposed with his all black outfit. With the awkwardly stiff movements and Rafał’s weak vocal, the whole performance looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s rejected Fire Saga audition reel. There could be some saving grace if Poland leaned more into the novelty aspect of the song. Right now, they’re playing it way too serious and it’s beyond corny. Qualification is extremely unlikely.

Padraig: By the time you get round to throwing the kitchen sink, it’s safe to say that things are already a mess. And sadly, that’s what we got with Poland. There’s simply too much going on. The shades and neon are still there, but we’re now also treated to several moments where Rafał grabs the camera as if taking a selfie and spins it around. This ride comes with motion sickness! Not even the pyro jets can help. Often, messy staging can be saved by solid vocals. That’s not the case here. Rafał struggled, and the audio mix with his backing vocals was bad. “The Ride” doesn’t quite become a car crash, but it’s not far off.

Reaction to Poland’s first rehearsal at Eurovision 2021

 

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What do you think? Did Rafał live up to your expectations? Let us know in the comments below

Read more Poland Eurovision 2021 news here

Photos: EBU / ANDRES PUTTING

44 Comments
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Erik
Erik
2 years ago

The song is something I discarded from the beginning and being a bit tired of the other songs this year, it feel a bit fresh.
Torch thing is just made so that people like me should write a comment about it. Now I wrote it. End.

Jo.
Jo.
2 years ago

Yesterday I said there was no trainwreck in the 1st semi-final, but I can’t tell the same about semi-final 2.

Yanis
Yanis
2 years ago

That “How do you do, fellow kids” -photo has the same vibe as this performance, it’s like a parent who tries to be cool. This falls generic and flat, also wearing a suit makes this a bit stiff. Is this a ride to a party or a museum?

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

The staging screams Sweden so artificial without authenticity. The guys is not likeable or talented. He’s just copying someone else.

Overall, it’s not bad and Polish diaspora might help it into the top 10 in televoting but let’s see how juries will react.. I think one of the Moldova, Poland and Serbia will miss the final for sure.

FrankaNinaAlbina`
FrankaNinaAlbina`
2 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Polish diaspora in Germany says hi!
I believe he won’t get many votes from other Poles abroad 😀
When you are buttplug of a regime national television, then you are not liked.

Candy
Candy
2 years ago

I can sing this song better than he can

Agent 007
Agent 007
2 years ago
Reply to  Candy

you don’t have those sunglasses.

kas
kas
2 years ago

Enough difficulties in his vocals, in total contrast with the Austria concerning the whole concept. The colors and the fond quite good.
Possible NQ.

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago

My inner Olivia Pope says Poland should pretend this was always supposed to be an 80’s parody.

PeterP
PeterP
2 years ago

I am pleasantly surprised. The stage looks good, interesting choreography, light on the hands, good-looking dancers. Rafa? is in the shadows. But there is something that attracts people and makes them dance. I have similar feelings as to the Swiss “She got me” from 2019. Luca Hänni didn’t have an amazing song, but what he did on stage was great for me!

Luk
Luk
2 years ago

Good luck Poland

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
2 years ago

This choreography reminds me of a wet dream I had when I was very young. For real. 😉

Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

LMFAO

Kpow
Kpow
2 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Explain.

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
2 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

I-

Hector
Hector
2 years ago

Oi he “borrowed” Dotter’s torches in the hands! This girl is such an inspiration for this year lol

KuhKatz
KuhKatz
2 years ago
Reply to  Hector

As if she was the first to use this.
I remember at least Alenka Gotar (Slovenia 2007) that used this technique.
And I know that there are a lot more, that used this before

Hector
Hector
2 years ago
Reply to  KuhKatz

True story, my bad. I was just trying to make a very bad joke but it didn’t work out I guess

Sot
Sot
2 years ago
Reply to  Hector

It was still pretty good

Yeah yeah fire
Yeah yeah fire
2 years ago

I actually think the staging is pretty cool. And it is if you’re being objective

Wonchita Curst
Wonchita Curst
2 years ago
Reply to  Yeah yeah fire

Agree

Eugenie
Eugenie
2 years ago

Khm, wild? If his song was the kind of “ride” he thinks he’s full of is, I would fall asleep in the middle of the process.

Darren
Darren
2 years ago

The two back up dancers at the left of Rafal in the above pic are cute though

Giolo
Giolo
2 years ago

Who is going to perform after them will be even more cringe and that says it all

Eurovision2016>
Eurovision2016>
2 years ago

wow this is so good!
my top is now this:
1. Spain
2. Bulgaria
3. Greece
4. Switzerland
5. Azerbaijan
6. Cyprus
7. Macedonia
8. Poland
9. France
10. Croatia
11. Romania
12. Georgia, Moldova, Germany, Albania and Serbia because no rehearsal yet.

Darren
Darren
2 years ago

The Ride…as in the first ride back to Warsaw on Thursday night?

Dawid
Dawid
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Who said Warsaw wants him back? .-.

esc1234
esc1234
2 years ago

Wearing sun glasses in eurovision therefore not being able to make eye contact with the camera its the most stupid thing ever. NQ

Last edited 2 years ago by esc1234
Yeah yeah fire
Yeah yeah fire
2 years ago
Reply to  esc1234

….Buuut he loooks younger that way…Looking like a cool uncle > qualifying

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago

Yikes, this ride is becoming a car crash! It’s actually my guilty pleasure of the year, but if it’s as terrible as being described here, it might be a last placer Or close to it.

Sot
Sot
2 years ago

(Before seeing the snippet)
Seems like the Polish broadcaster is trying desperately to squeeze Poland through the finals after 2 consecutive NQs (will they achieve it? No.)

Last edited 2 years ago by Sot
BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  Sot

Nah, I think they’re Trying to throw it. When you’ve hosted Junior Eurovision twice in a row, naturally you wanna take a break from hosting and it’s clear they don’t want to win Adult edition so soon.

Ende
Ende
2 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

Sure…

Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  Sot

They’ll probably NQ, then do a Hungary and not come back next year because “ESC is too gay” or something.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

That would be sad.

Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

It’s always sad to lose one of the crew, but the way things are going, I wouldn’t be at all surprised.

Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Truth!
TVP be trolling

Sot
Sot
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

At least Poland is not a dictatorship anymore (although I don’t find withdrawal improbable)

Jofty
Jofty
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Or “not raunchy enough” when you think back to their 2014 entry (!)

Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  Jofty

Ha! That was sleaze! I’m a gay man and even I broke out in a sweat watching that lol

Jofty
Jofty
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

I think Rafal and his boys should put on a similar show in the interest of balance and not appearing sexist

Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  Jofty

The back up dancers, yes
Rafal – nah

Jeez, I sound like I’ve such a thirst on me.
I swear I don’t just watch ESC for the lads

Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Same! Loved Joci Papai, ByeAlex and Andras Kallay Saunders. They gave us some quality songs that I still listen to.
But you know, politics and all…

Anne Marie
Anne Marie
2 years ago

The title is wrong lol