Photo: EBU / Thomas Hanses

The 9 May saw nine acts from semi-final one of Eurovision 2021 undertake their first rehearsal on the Rotterdam Ahoy stage. Elena Tsagrinou brought the fire, Hooverphonic went for dark glamour, Go_A brought a psychedelic rave, and that’s just a sample.

After reading the reviews from the press and watching the official rehearsal clips, we asked you to vote for which act you thought delivered the best first rehearsal out of these nine countries.

After counting 7,890 votes, we can now reveal the winner…

Go_A delivered your favourite first rehearsal on 9 May

Earning the top spot for this poll are Go_A from Ukraine. The group received 1,803 votes, which is 22.85% of the total number cast.

Tron meets Ukrainian folk was the theme of the day with Go_A’s staging and they effectively brought their entry “SHUM” to life. These were wiwiblogger Padraig’s thoughts on Go_A’s first rehearsal:

“This is a feast for all the senses. Visually, sonically, spiritually. Go_A deliver. I didn’t know what to expect from them at Eurovision, but it certainly wasn’t this. All the disparate elements shouldn’t work — Kateryna’s green feather jacket, the boys in their hazmat suits, the trees, the bags of seeds, the halos made of ring lights, the psychedelic LED…. to name just a few. But the end result is spectacular. “SHUM” is an acquired taste. But the vocals are on point and Go_A are selling it!”

Second place in the poll goes to Cyprus’ Elena Tsagrinou. She picked up 1,528 votes (19.37% of the total). Flanked by four dancers in ruby catsuits, Elena set the Ahoy arena alight with her rehearsal for “El Diablo”. She might be toying with the devil in hell, but Elena is flying high towards the heavens (and potentially the scoreboard) after this first rehearsal.

The only other act to earn more than 1,000 votes is Efendi from Azerbaijan. She receives the bronze medal after being awarded 1,158 votes (14.68%). Yet another act who performs alongside four backing dancers, Efendi embodied the spirit of “Mata Hari” to deliver a notable first run through.

The fourth place finisher in this poll was Croatia’s Albina, while bookies favourite Destiny from Malta claimed the final spot in the top five.

Sixth place went to Hooverphonic of Belgium, and Romania’s Roxen followed in seventh.

Israel’s Eden Alene and her whistle notes are eighth, while TIX from Norway finishes ninth in the poll.

Full results: Who had the best first rehearsal on 9 May?

  1. Ukraine: Go_A — “SHUM” — 22.85%  (1,803 votes)
  2. Cyprus: Elena Tsagrinou — “El Diablo” — 19.37%  (1,528 votes)
  3. Azerbaijan: Efendi — “Mata Hari — 14.68%  (1,158 votes)
  4. Croatia: Albina — “Tick-Tock” — 11.57%  (913 votes)
  5. Malta: Destiny — “Je Me Casse” — 9.43%  (744 votes)
  6. Belgium: Hooverphonic — “The Wrong Place” — 7.25%  (572 votes)
  7. Romania: Roxen — “Amnesia” — 5.3%  (418 votes)
  8. Israel: Eden Alene — “Set Me Free” — 5.21%  (411 votes)
  9. Norway: TIX — “Fallen Angel” — 4.34%  (343 votes)

Total Votes: 7,890

Do you agree that Go_A had the best first rehearsal amongst these acts? Who do you think will improve the most in their second rehearsal? Let us know in the comments below!

Read more Eurovision 2021 rehearsal news here

14 Comments
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Nadja
Nadja
2 years ago

Azerbaijan was dead last in this poll, but suddenly got into the 3rd place very quickly..

The truth
2 years ago

Found Ukraine’s stage set up too cluttered and messy. There are too many things/people too close to each other. If they space them out a bit it would be much better. And that great fluffy whatever is horrendous even if it is within the theme of the song.

lasse braun
lasse braun
2 years ago

well deserved first place for the icequeen and her guys.
cyprus at second still have a little copycat problem – i’m sure,the juries will hear it.

Mr X
Mr X
2 years ago
Reply to  lasse braun

I hope so that this will be happen.

Mr X
Mr X
2 years ago

My current prediction of qualifying:

  • Belgium
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Ireland
  • Lithuania
  • Malta
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • Sweden
  • Ukraine
Mr X
Mr X
2 years ago
Reply to  Mr X

I could replace Ireland with Norway but I can´t imagine the fallen angel in the final….

Not more than three dance acts will reach the final and Croatia has a quite good performance while Israel and especially Azerbaijan not.

Mr X
Mr X
2 years ago

Sorry. I don´t like Cyprus….

Donkey
Donkey
2 years ago

Croatia really sold it for me and it shows on the odds as it is slowly rising in the rankings.

Rantik
Rantik
2 years ago

The chances of Azerbaijan and Romania to qualify after the rehearsal strongly decreased. Destiny has a big risk to repeat the scenario of Gabbani and Amir. And Ukraine now has a good chance to get into the top 10 in the final

Mr X
Mr X
2 years ago
Reply to  Rantik

So far Azerbaijan failed to qualify one time and it could be happen again

Teddy
Teddy
2 years ago

Ukraine, Russia and Ireland have all proved themselves this weekend, can’t wait to see who’ll pull off something similar in semi final 2!!

notyourtoy
notyourtoy
2 years ago

Fully deserved. Period

Sultan
Sultan
2 years ago

I should admit that Russia and Ukraine really made huge work to make progress. This is definitely a big game change. They did make me surprised. There is something unique and new in their performances. I will root for them.

canada_piano
canada_piano
2 years ago

amnesia is vocally a pretty hard song to sing and roxen was really nervous as well. so i definitely sympathise with her and should improve until the nest rehearsal