Finland’s Blind Channel have taken to the Rotterdam Ahoy stage for their first rehearsal of “Dark Side” at Eurovision 2021.
Finland’s Blind Channel “Dark Side” — Eurovision 2021 first rehearsal
Oliver: A smooth first run from the Finnish violent pop band. Blind Channel’s staging is almost directly lifted from their UMK performance, but with more harsh red lighting and a lot of pyro that surrounds the performers in a grungy yet lively atmosphere. Their middle fingers are covered in red — a tongue-in-cheek nod to the Eurovision rules regarding censorship and explicit content. Joel and Niko jump around the stage a lot, and at times it looks like they’re desperate to fill the huge open space. It’s not always successful. Their energy this time round was more subdued, but not by a copius amount. Blind Channel are the kind of performers that thrive on a live audience. No doubt we’ll be seeing this in the final.
Padraig: As to be expected, Blind Channel deliver a three-minute rock extravaganza. The atmosphere and overall look is much the same as UMK — they’re all on stage, as if at an actual concert. However, the LED effects are new. At moments we see images of the different band members, flipped upside down. They’re white against a blue backdrop. There’s also shot of the men together as one unit. Meanwhile, the LED floor shows a topless rocker illuminated by red light. There’s also ample amounts of pyro and fire for the final run-through. The gents are full of energy, and their fans are sure to lap this right up.
Reaction to Finland’s first rehearsal at Eurovision 2021
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What do you think? Did Blind Channel live up to the hype? Let us know in the comments down below.
Photos: EBU / THOMAS HANSES
I was actually quite concerned with this entry’s staging, but I’m glad they did what had to be done, so they could deliver. I’m sure this will do well both in the semi and the GF
That’s one way to get crap past the radar.
Great performance, a clear finalist!
It’s exactly what we were expecting and also exactly how it should be done. Whoever came with the running order made the right decision to put this one right after Bulgaria. First we cry with an overflow of emotions, then we curse the world for make we have all those sad feelings and we’ll be renewed to enjoy the rest of the show.
Really really good.
That was a bad staging and performance.
For those who downvoted me, I was referring to the Pandora song as a bad staging and performance.
Good job. They are gonna qualify, we know this. But facing Italy in the final I think one of them will end in the top 5(probably Italy) and the other one will get bad results
I think it will be other other way around. Finland is a lot more accessible, while Italy is a wall of noise and repetition.
I’m actually so happy that they kept the NF staging, it fits the song perfectly
a guaranteed televote success
Could have been better, a hell of a mix of special effects is too much, the vocals on UMK were better, you have to do something about it, a lot of fuss, the vocalist is very tense
Well done! They did a great job
2001
Should I point out all the eurovision songs this year that are inspired by previous decades or are we just not gonna talk about that?
In 2001 ESC you couldn’t find a song like this!
How’d you think this would of gone down in Copenhagen, if there was a time warp and this was competing? Helsinki 2002?
Happy that they didn’t change the staging…Finland will SLAY through the final
It’s awesome and full of energy, and I love the outfits! I really hope Finland will do well in the final… but not TOO well since my first 3 places are occupied. (jk)
Well, minus the hand gesture, exactly what I was expecting. Meaning, it will certainly qualify.
Yup , super glad about that one .