Portugal’s The Black Mamba have taken to the Rotterdam Ahoy stage for their first rehearsal of “Love Is On My Side” at Eurovision 2021.
Portugal’s The Black Mamba “Love Is On My Side” — Eurovision 2021 first rehearsal
Robyn: The performance starts off looking like the group’s Festival da Cançao staging. It’s shot in black and white, with a “live gig” focus. After the first chorus, colour sweeps in, with gentle blue tones. The colour eventually warms up to stronger orangey tones. We also see the silhouette of an orchestra on the LED wall, illustrating the string sounds. There also appears to be some AR – a woman walks along a street, no doubt a reference to the subject of the song – this appears to run parallel to the stage catwalk. (Though this was a little hard to make out due to the rehearsal watermark on the screen.) Overall, the staging has a good feeling. It comes across as classy and it tells a story. The performance also serves as a welcome change from all the blue and pink neon earlier in this semi-final.
Padraig: Don’t be fooled. While the performance starts off almost identically to their Festival da Cançao effort — black and white into colour, band on stage — The Black Mamba have elevated. Now, once we reach the colour, we’re treated to a backing screen that tells a story. It shows a silhouette of a city skyline as a string orchestra plays beneath. From this, we see a woman rise up, dressed in 1960s’ era clothing. She then goes to walk the streets. People aware of the song’s subject matter — a woman that falls into prostitution in Amsterdam — will get the message. Everyone else will probably interpret something more innocent. It ends with lots of gold panels, which give off a Great Gatsby vibe. To call this a dark horse might be going a bit far, but it acts as a pleasant interlude amidst the madness of some of the other acts.
Reaction to Portugal’s first rehearsal at Eurovision 2021
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What do you think? Did The Black Mamba live up to your expectations? Let us know in the comments down below.
Read more Portugal Eurovision 2021 news here
Photos: EBU / THOMAS HANSES
I think this is the classiest song in the contest and is indeed the dark horse. I notice it’s starting to climb the bookies’ list, and justifying so. Good luck Black Mamba.
I have no idea why this is so underrated – it feels like a qualifier to me anyway
Love may be on his side, but I don’t think the votes will follow the suit. It looks ok, but his voice is like stray cat in pain waiting till someone throws a shoe at him.
I’m not saying it’s a sure qualifier or top 10 material in the final, but for some reason this song has been ridiculously underestimated by the fandom. Circunstances may helped Portugal a lot, after Tornike and Anxhela alone on the stage, this will get a live concert vibe. The yellow/orange tones on the background also stand out in the pink/purple year.
People were disappointed by Hooverphonic because it looked like a concert. And it can be the pink/purple year but Albania is red and Bulgaria has orange/brown tones so I don’t think it will stand out with the tones
Well, the fandom was disappointed, but the general audience may like the concert vibe,. I agree that the tones would work better for them if Bulgaria wasn’t right after. And Finland will also steal the live music vibe from them. My point is they’re more borderline than non-qualifier at this point. Austria and Estonia are probably the direct competition.
I can imagine myself listening to this song in a café somewhere, doors open, summer and just watching people. It’s so calming!
Meh… not enjoying his face while singing.
I think Portugal can steal the spot from Austria or Albania! So happy for the Portuguese fans and the band, they are lovely and talented!
Not a fan of the big hat but well done for putting some effort on staging this year.
I think Albania is gonna qualify for sure. Her voice is amazing and the staging pretty good too.
Now, I am not so sure about Austria qualifying. The jury “wildcard” may go to Portugal, but it’s still possible Portugal would not even need it, as the song is so underrated, people at home are going to love it + 30 free points from France, Switzerland and Spain… I actually see this in the final with both juries and televoters. Good Job Portugal
Jesus, Portugal is killing it at the odds rn
No surprise at all
First of all the song was extremely underrated and actually they gave a very professional and confident live performance. I’m waiting for the best for Portugal this year
I’m massively rooting for this song and Ana Soklic’s ‘Amen’. Two hugely underrated songs from this year that are stranded amongst a musical sea littered with generic ‘bops’. Glad they’re bringing something different via Blues and Gospel.
Portugal have seriously showcased just how classy, sophisticated and timeless their sound is. The staging looks fantastic and Tatanka sounds better than ever. It’s nice to see some old skool elegance and class.
I really don’t wanna say this but I have to: this was amazing
This is so much better than i expected. I think right now this can be a borderline qualifier. Anyways good luck to Portugal!
I really hope this will qualify. I wish they had a way of better explaining the lyrics to the audience.
Love the song and his voice. Reminds me of James Morrison 2006. You give me something. Deserves place in final
Honestly, all I wish for in the second semifinal is for Portugal to qualify. I don’t care about its placing in the finals, just as long as it gets in there. I really think this music type is underrated and very ignored. Yes, bops and pop songs are also nice and all, but you mustn’t forget the other styles that exist too. I think the final needs some music diversity this year considering all pop songs, and Portugal is perfect for that.
Go Portugal, even though I won’t be able to vote on you!
Pretty performance for quite a bad song. This might do better than expected, but it’s stuck in a slew of ballads so I still don’t think it will make it.
This is a very decent entry!
Well done Portugal!
Go The Black Mamba to the final!
I love them and they gave a strong rehearsal. This is what I call quality. Well done Portugal, I hope juries will save you from a NQ.
One of the most underrated songs this year in my opinion, I hope it will qualify
I suppose she like it – no more complicated than that! Different tastes!
WE* are the ana amen lover cult.
I like her song because of her powerful voice and raspy vocal tone. There are no pointless long notes like power ballads usually have with Me wanting to poke my finger into the singers mouth.
I guess because there is a strongly emotional performance behind it. Those who connect and reflect to it can deeply feel this song well. The harmony created by the melody in those blue-notes create some sort of emotional response from some people to it. Otherwise in my opinion, there is a lack of a climax in this song…maybe the visuals will help ?
Very subdued reviews from Wiwibloggs – unlike ESC United. Whom to believe? Personally I fell in love with the song the first time I heard it. It’s real music and just pure quality! Overjoyed by all the positivity everywhere!
It’s risen 9% in the qualication odds within 5 mins of the rehearsal.
It’s seems amazing what was described. I want so much to see it. Portugal goes to the final.