Eurovision 2022 first rehearsals for the Big Five nations are over. On Thursday 5 May, the automatic qualifiers — Italy, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom and France — had their PalaOlimpico stage debuts in preparation for the Eurovision 2022 grand final next week.
Over on TikTok, we saw short glimpses at how each act decided to stage their entry. From giant props to starry skies, the Big Five gave us a lot to analyse — and a lot to look forward to.
But which Big Five act wowed you the most? Scroll down to review today’s first rehearsals and vote in our poll.
Poll: Which Big Five country had the best first rehearsal at Eurovision 2022?
🇫🇷 France: Alvan & Ahez “Fulenn”
🇮🇹 Italy: Mahmood & Blanco “Brividi”*
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Sam Ryder “SPACE MAN”
🇩🇪 Germany: Malik Harris “Rockstars”
*Please note: Blanco was absent from Italy’s first rehearsal due to touring commitments. Mahmood rehearsed “Brividi” alongside a stand-in performer.
Good luck emmma from malta
Sam is such a tease!
His stage design was shown during his one show performance on the day he was announced. It’s shown as a graphic when he waltzes past a computer screen.
I bloody love you Sam! You’ve been dropping crumbs for us all this time.
This is such a well thought out entry. You deserve the very best!
You are out of this world. Rootin’ for ya! C’mon UK!!!
Sam, you need to stop pulling faces. You’re singing a song, not bench pressing 120kg
Ukraine will win all fixtures
Too much a circus perfomance.
Well, stop that guys! In my opinion, if we have nothing positive to say, better keep it for ourselves. It’s a máster os respect. It’s so sad to read some comments here, when all these performers have been working so hard to arrive here. Guys, if you literally attack Chanel and Sam, for example, of course their supporters will defend them. And then, you call them nationalist, rude, etc. Love brings love, hate awakens hate. Having said that, thanks Chanel for making us dream again. Hope Europe appreciates how professional and hard worker your are.
UK and Spain were Eurovision jokes for years, always talking about how they were going to receive 0 points. This year, the miracle happened and they sent entries that have support from some fans and bookies… and some of you don’t understand their hype? After years of pain, they’re living their moment, of course they’re going to be intense!
Yes, I’m really happy for them and for the good part of their communities. But the little (I hope) and toxic part of them has no justification
Okay now I’m upset. It’s okay to say something”badly”about Germany. Each and every single time. It’s becoming a national sport. But oh dear lord if you should say something “badly”about Spain ! Let’s talk about hypocrisie !
Germany this year is particulary underrated, it’s a good song! The other years I didn’t like them, but I think that they are always too picked on
UK. Spain is typical fan Kitsch and will bomb
The Big 5 this year is stronger than ever. And then there’s Germany
Chanel Is the Envy of Many people here. She’s a diva, she knows what she does on stage and I’m sure she’ll be one of the best performances this year. The televote Will vote for her a Lot AND the Jury knows that Benidorm fest WAS one of the best festivales of this year AND that reflects the great effort Spain Is doing. She’s a great dancer and performer. You don’t like what you see UP to the moment. Well, Let’s wait for the final. Uk won’t win because the great support to win Is starting now and I don’t… Read more »
Ok so only Chanel can win got it
This year there are so many potential winners (like Spain, Uk, Italy, Poland, …) and I’m very happy for that.
Anyway, I don’t find it right to disadvantage Mahmood and Blanco only for technical problems (that have nothing to do with them).
We have to focus on music
Spain is a good entry, much more fit to the previous decade though. We have to wait and see what happens in the final, but such songs no longer appeal that much (to be top 10 or 5). UK is my fav this year probably. I am just curious to see how Sam performs, he always seems too “much” if you know what I mean. It all comes down to a 3 min performance, you need a balance. Germany, next year. Italy, sorry I can’t see the hype, at all. France is nice to hear, messy to watch. Good luck… Read more »
British and spanish nationalism on Wiwibloggs is a scourge this year…You will be surprised on May 14th.
I am confused by the surplus of English and Hispanic people on Wiwibloggs…
It’s the same with wiwibloggs teams, unfortunately.
Conclusion : For you, France doesn’t exist.
Chanel ! Chanel ! Chanel ! Slomo ! Sam ! Samy ! Ryder ! Space Man !
I think that there is no longer any objectivity or moderation here.
What a shame !
Why you so salty? France was topping the polls last year. Were people not objective then either?
Tbh France was underestimated last year. Everybody thought it would go down after rehearsals, that it would flop in the televote, oh france is always overrated in the odds ( ex madame monsieur).
Yet again people underestimate France again for the 2nd year in a row. I dont say it can win but its definetely not top 15
Wiwibloggs is not the United Nations, bro.
No, it’s UKSPAINbloggs
Try to say something”badly” about precious Chanel and the Spanish Armada is ready to strike you down.
And to think a couple of months ago after Benidorm people were going after Chanel
I praised Barbara Pravi pretty much every time I entered this blog last year. Sorry, but you just cannot praise the same country every year so that their fans are happy. If I liked Fulenn the same way I loved Voilà, I’d say so. It’s just not the case.
I really loved “Voilà” and “Mercy” (and I love France too), but this year it’s not my cup of tea. Anyway last year I don’t think that France was underestimated (at all), but this year I agree with you. They are also talking about a few countries every second
are always talking*
I feel sad reading comments about Chnel as if she was degrading Eurovision. What she does on stage is incredible and it takes a lot of work to achieve it. It is fantastic that there is musical variety and that’s why there are artists as different as Adele or JLo (and we adore them all). Sometimes our hearts need sweet songs, and other times more energetic ones. It seems like it’s a sin to say that we spent 3 carefree minutes with “SloMo” regardless of the fact that we also love other proposals.
I will be voting for Sam! He has my absolute favourite song this year, and although the stage looks like… a lot, I am hopeful, we have not seen the full thing yet to be negative about it! I am really happy about the BIG 5 this year, good choices!
Chanel was the best for me!!
The fact that people think a big prop can secure a victory for the UK is hilarious, yeah ask Ingrosso he can tell you how he did with his big prop
Watch the TikTok, it isn’t just based on the prop.
Honestly, both the jury and televote were at fault for Sweden’s result in 2018. Jury had him first which I did think was a bit ott although styling, staging, stage presence was all great and the vocals were decent (suited the song, not every song needs powerhouse vocals). Televote though I don’t understand how this could’ve been considered one of the worst performances in the final. Maybe the song didn’t speak to people but coming that low, I think was extremely questionable.
Non of the Big 5 this year is my personal #1 for the final victory. But if I have to choose:
1. France
2. UK
3. Italy
4. Spain
5. Germany
1. Italy/UK
2. France
3. Germany
4. Spain
The only big 5 country that deserves to win is the UK.
Sam!!!! Without any competition ! If the UK doesn’t end up in the Top 10 this time, I will be very disappointed. France, I still don’t know…. Italy come on guys, you can do better than this. I wanna give some love to Malik. He did his best. And Spain? Why is this a contender for the victory ? Cause clearly I must miss something.
Honestly the song from the UK is better than previous years, but it’s still quite mediocre. Don’t be shocked when it still places middle of the road (should not be anywhere near the bottom 5 though).
Chanel’s bare bottom ain’t better than the songs from 1. Sweden, 2. the UK and 3. Ukraine. Ukraine’s song has grown, but the staging is not the best in my opinion. If it wasn’t for the war then I believe they wouldn’t have chosen the crying woman. The UK have their best song in a long long time and Sam has has a very good voice so I guess they would probobly deserve it. Sweden has the best song and overall package imo, it’s my country, but we deserve it! Italy overrated omg..
Li agree it would be good for the competition of Spain or the Uk won. But i agree I like Sweden more. But I am Also biased. I still havet seen UKs whole package and the song is not maybe string enough. I like it that they both really try hard.’ I hope that the audience will reward them.
The Swedish mafia has entered the chat, yeah as each years Sweden is the best and deserve to win, the others are bad and ignored or overrated but Sweden is never overrated lol… we’re talking about the big 5 rehearsals here, there’s a place for your self satisfaction somewhere probably but here you’re in the wrong place #Belgium2021
What in the world do you mean? I think the swedish hate has entered the chat! These last years, from 2016- 2021 I have never thought that Sweden deserved to win, just to make a good result. But this year I really believe Cornelia is the best!
A good result like almost every other fan wants for their country as some kind of “good luck”.. But I guess it’s not allowed.
Besides both of us said that we think UK is a good deserving winner. I Also think Spain and Italy are contenders for the win. It is like Swedes are not allowed to like their own song. I see very little over reacting here from Swedes considering how much Swedes love this competition and every year put an effort to do their best . The amount of the Swedish population that follow melodifestivalen and look at Eurovision is as far as I know only over shadowed by Iceland. It is not the same in the big five countries. Italy is… Read more »
The UK deserves to win but we all know the outcome already …
Could France win? Honestly I wouldn’t be surprised. I have feeling like Norway might celebrate this year, i don’t know why.
Wrong place to say something like that here even if it could be true, on wiwi you have to say that Spain, The Uk, Greece, Italy or Sweden are the potential winners this year, and only them, if not you will be downvoted. Bookies effect you know.
And so much nationalism totally misplaced in this fandom that sometimes the atmosphere feels unhealthy.
Are you the police here? People can talk about the other countries as well if they want to compare the Big 5 with the ones that is not automatically qualified to the final!
All of the stagings looked pretty simple but TikTok snippets don’t let the stagings to be properly appreciated xd
Some comments are underestimating Chanel’s full potential. Bear in mind that those TikTok snippets do not display the staging’s splendor to the fullest. Besides, in an interview with RTVE (Spanish public broadcaster), she stressed this was just a “taster” of her GF’s performance and, metaphorically speaking, “Chanel doesn’t need a sun to shine”. Anyway, I hope she stuns fans and jurors alike, as it IS Spain’s most promising entry since 2014 (with Ruth Lorenzo’s “Dancing in the Rain”) I think we all agree on one thing: the United Kingdom WILL receive their best placing in years! Sam Ryder’s mind-blowing staging… Read more »
This year finally proves that the Spanish fans are truly beyond any kind of shame, how can you call this a winner? Nobody even talks about the actual song, it’s all the performance, the choreography, the whatever, anything else they can think of to distract from the fact that it’s just mediocre stuff nobody even cared about before the NF took place. Anything but SloMo, please, the contest has moved on…
somebody had to say it!
Spanish fans are living one of their best Eurovision years because we finally got a professional artist with a complete package. If you don’t belive this, it’s okay, but please don’t be rude to us because we love and support our representative.
The problem is : you no longer have any moderation plus no objectivity. It’s worse. You’ve been spitting on the France for 2 months.
I have to admit that I am shocked.
… Greek fans are excited for Amanda who practically SHINES, UK fans are hopeful about Sam who does something AMAZING on stage, Swedish fans are loving Cornelia because she is that BRILLIANT and SPECIAL … and we cannot be happy and excited for Chanel? You have to understand this is the first time in years we have a “closed” performance since day one … I don’t know, let people enjoy things. We are not harming anyone, just hyping our representative ._.
Slo mo is a great song, a fun bop. And Chanel might be one of the best performers ever at eurovision. It deserves attention
And they do it every year. It is good that people support their own country but there is also a limit to the bias. Hearing some Spaniards speak you would believe they had the best song ever year and are going to win every year and most of the times it is just plain hype.
But then they are not the only people who do it either.
Out of all rehearsals i want Spain to win. And im not biased towards Chanel, if i didnt like the rehearsal i would say so, but i just think this is THE performance of 2022 and Chanel is THE artist of eurovision 2022. Its been so long that and act like this won, last i remember is helena paparizou in 2005 and later most winners are ballads. I for once just want a fun song with great choreography to win, no hate to sweden or italy but im just so tired of ballads winning
Lordi, Alexander Rybak, Lena, Emmelie de Forest, Loreen, Emmelie de Forest, Mans, Netta and Maneskin say hi, you’re tired of what?
I’m not for a ballad to win absolutely this year but you can see the reality since Helena only 7 ballads have won in 17 years.
Well maybe i used the wrong term. What i mean is that none of the winners since 2005 has been the type of song that would make someone get on the dance floor and have a good time. Even nettas song is not something they would play in a club. I want a fun song that makes you wanna dance like slo mo to win
Ok so you have Albania, Norway, Austria, France, Israel, Romania, Czech Republic and Ireland too this year that makes you want to dance, you have the choice, Slo Mo is not the only one, but I’ve understood Chanel is your firm favourite 😉
However Netta’s song could be played in club and has been played in many clubs.
Indeed! I actually got into Eurovision bc Toy was played at my favorite nightclub once and everyone danced to it 🙂
I mean, you can’t tell much from these useless Tiktok clips (never again please) but from what I saw, Spain’s the one that looks like it could be a potential winner.
Oh and France is much better than I was expecting. Like, it could actually be a sneaky top ten entry. It sounds much better here and will stand out.
Uk, France and Germany surprised me in à good way for different reasons, Uk because it’s a huge prop, it shines and will certainly stand out, I enjoy the song and his voice, France, because they were totally ignored during the pre contest because they were not in the bookies top 10 and because their performances in the pre parties were not perfect, but they proved that they can really slay today, they nailed it, their perf, costumes, the atmosphere is perfect, and I’m really hopeful for a strong result and it will change the mind of some people, Germany,… Read more »
Now if I had to change something for each acts, it would be, Uk I would change the color of the outfit to something more brighter, except for that the concept seems perfect. France I would have liked to see some water games, like the water dancing to the rythm of the music or something like that and more wind but let’s see the whole performance and the camera angles, so far it seems epic when Alvan screams, Germany as for the Uk I would change the color of his outfit, black to show the vulnerability is good but as… Read more »
I was afraid the UK’s big props have last year’s trumpet factor, but luckily I seem to be wrong! It is a snippet only, though. But Sam’s voice carries the song perfectly!
So, with all of that said, here’s the seed of my unproffesionalism (lol), my personal top 5 of the Big-5 of the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 (after the first rehearsal): *1. United Kingdom* – “SPACE MAN” (SONG: 10/10) – (STAGING/VISUAL EFFECTS, OUTFITS: 10/) – (1ST REHEARSAL: 10/10) *–(OVERALL: 30/30)* 2. France – “Fulenn” (SONG: 7.5/10) – (STAGING/VISUAL EFFECTS, OUTFITS: 9.5/10) – (1ST REHEARSAL: 10/10) *–(OVERALL: 27/30)* 3. Italy – “Brividi” (SONG: 9/10) – (STAGING/VISUAL EFFECTS, OUTFITS: 6/10) – (1ST REHEARSAL: 9/10) *–(OVERALL: 24/30)* 4. Spain – “Slo Mo” (SONG: 7.5/10) – (STAGING/VISUAL EFFECTS, OUTFITS: 8/10) – (1ST REHEARSAL: 7.5/10) *–(OVERALL:… Read more »
I mean, is this even a question, haha. OF COURSE, it was UK, with that amazingly talented artist, who I dare to say is the best singer of our decade so far, in this contest! Wonderful, beautiful staging and extremely effective and marvellous usage and incorporation of lighting thanks to that massive structure behind Sam. After him come France’s Alvan & Ahez who did what I absolutely asked for: keep the same staging and greatly improve their vocals, the girls sound AMAZING on the TikTok clip! As for the rest, I need more clips for Spain to judge better because,… Read more »
On my statement about Chanel, I may have judged too harsh but the TikTok clip provided clearly doesn’t do her justice. I’m sure she’ll improve in the second rehearsals.
*ALSO, FORGOT TO ADD, Chanel is outfit, although maybe the most revealing so far, looks extremely classy from her back all the way up to the shoulders, inspired by the Matador theme from what I read, which is something I admire. Especially the shoulder pads, they’re incredible.
Is it a weird dream or the UK is finally putting some effort on their Eurovision performance?
Anyway, there’s nothing much we can say from the Tik Tok videos. But I’ve seen a close look of Chanel’s outfit on a tweet and it’s amazing. Sexy and expensive.
I think the UK could certainly make the left side of the scoreboard this year.
At least I think cause a top 5 is largely possible.
The greatest progress are for France and UK.
Nothing special for Spain and Germany just OK.
You can’t be objective and say that Italy did had the best rehearsal, stop overrating this song pls.
we can’t objectively say anything with almost 0 information
Chanel Definitly and UK
I would say France. The one that feels the least safe and reminds me a lot of Spirit in the Sky.
France, UK, Spain, they all look really good to me. Overall a strong Big 5 this year.
Looks like UK’s staging will utilize the concept from the lyrics music video that has the whole spaceship glow up. Seems like not a lot of countries are gonna be using the same concept so it has a good chance of standing out and scoring well with the juries.
1. UK
2. France
3. Spain
4. Germany
My first is Italy, but I’m Italian so I didn’t put it
(I like Germany this year but I think that the stage would have been better)
I think UK will fight for something big this year. After that, Spain and France fighting for top 10. I can’t see Germany in a good position. It’s hard to talk about Italy under these conditions tbh, we don’t even have one of the singers.
I’m not sure I like Sam dressed as a mechanic. Maybe in white.
He might rock a “Star Trek: TNG” outfit. 😛
Chanel is wearing a Matador leather jacket with 50,000 Svarosky cristal pieces designed exclusively for the event and Chanel by Palomo Spain, one of the most famous and international designers in Spain. That’s expensive girls, Spain is really fighting for it this year.
I hope she wears Marilyn Monroe’s “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” dress to the opening ceremony carpet on Sunday.
I’m so happy to hear that. Spain is finally back in the game <3
Seems like Spain has caught on their neighbor win fever and decided to step up!
Yeap, as they say: It is really expensive to look that cheap.
Overall, considering staging, vocals etc, I would have to say the UK, closely followed by Spain. I’m happy for both countries having such good entries this year. Can’t wait to second rehearsals!
UK staging hands down. I’m a Brit and I’m usually very ‘eh’ when it comes to our staging (with the exception of 2017), but this looks like it will have a ‘moment’. And whilst I don’t want to get ahead of myself by any means, it’s the performances with that ‘moment’ whether in the song or the staging that is the eventual winner. But even if it doesn’t win, this has me proud 🙂 Side note: Just had a thought… Could the structure be an artistic representation of the scaffolding they have on the sides of rockets on take-off? And… Read more »
I voted Italy just for fun, but I have high hopes for Spain and UK.
Germany all the way!!! The most interesting song of the BIG 5 for me. Kudos to all participants who have now made at least one rehearsal on stage!!!!
hard to tell and these tiktok snippets are sometimes misleading…still, rooting for the UK to get it right
I really don’t appreciate the comparisons between Chanel (Spain 2022) and Senhit (San Marino 2021) with claims she/her song is overrated. Chanel isn’t jumping out of planes or betting the house on a guest verse from a popular American rapper. If anything, she’s taking American trash (remember, JLo rejected “SloMo”) and turning it into Spanish gold and I am here for it. Plus, RTVE is engaging in no shenanigans. They’re not buying up all the Instagram ad space or artificially inflating Chanel’s odds in the betting markets. Her support among the fan clubs (4th in the Euro Jury, 3rd with… Read more »
best is easily the UK, followed by france and germany. i think sam really owned the stage (from what i saw) and appears to have the UK’s most thought out staging in a long long time. france didn’t surprise me or wow me, but i was quite impressed on how they’ve all improved since the national final and the staging is impactful, i am satisfied with the french rehearsal. as for germany, the song is in my bottom 5 this year but with that said, malik really impressed me today and the staging elevated the song a lot more than… Read more »
I think the UK has a pretty great package this year and I wouldn’t be surprised if the jury eats it up. I still just think that the British Eurofans are overestimating their chances this year because they finally have an entry that could actually do well. I feel like a lot of the positive hype comes from Brits themselves commenting under British sites. However, that could just be me and maybe the UK will reach the top 5 again. I wish Sam all the best and this is certainly a huge step in the right direction, but I don’t… Read more »
I think the uk is very happy but also realistic.
Yes amazing if we win but we know it’s a strong competition this year amongst the top 5 and a couple of dark horses.
To be fair anywhere in the top five will “feel” like a win. Top ten and we will still be content
Relief at not having a dreadfully bland song with unimaginative staging can easily pass into an irrational ecstasy of certain winnerdom…UK fans need to keep things in check. It’s decent, it’s best since …well 1997/98…but it may very well not win, or even get top five.
UK fans are just pleased they have an artist they can support without it being dead on arrival.