First rehearsals for Eurovision 2024 are continuing. On Sunday 28 April, eight countries from semi-final 1 took to the Malmö stage for the very first time, providing us with a glimpse of the stage shows they’ve been preparing over the past few months.
Slovenia’s Raiven showcased her floorwork skills, Moldova’s Natalia Barbu played her violin in the midst of a mystical garden … and that was just two of today’s acts.
But which of the eight rehearsals impressed you the most?
Inspect the rehearsal footage for yourself, then scroll down to vote in our poll and share your opinions.
Eurovision 2024 first rehearsals: Sunday 28 April
- Iceland: Hera Björk – “Scared of Heights”
- Slovenia: Raiven – “Veronika”
- Finland: Windows95Man – “No Rules!”
- Moldova: Natalia Barbu – “In The Middle”
- Azerbaijan: FAHREE feat. Ilkin Dovlatov – “Özünlə Apar”
- Australia: Electric Fields – “One Milkali (One Blood)”
- Portugal: iolanda – “Grito”
- Luxembourg: TALI – “Fighter”
Poll: Who had the best first rehearsal at Eurovision 2024 on Sunday (28 April)?
You can vote for as many of the acts as you would like. But you’ll only be able to vote once — so choose wisely!
Who did you vote for? Who was your biggest grower of the day? Let us know in the comments below.
*Just my prediction, not my taste* After watching all the snipets from SF1, I think it’s safe to say Croatia, Ukraine and Lithuania are the 100% sure Q. Now forget all the betting odds, this year is a complete different year and betting odds have zero power I guess. That being said follow my reasoning. We have 3 power ballads (Serbia, Portugal and Slovenia), I actually think all of 3 deserve to quailify but I think one of them will be sacrificed and if so I fear it will be Slovenia. The other 2 are very powerful on their own… Read more »
Azerbaijan is the best one among them need to watch their 2nd rehearsal. Portugal is still same good. The outfit just wow if semi final have jury they have no worry to qualify. Mixed feeling with Luxembourg if they still keep same staging like their national final i don’t think I will like it. Slovenia kinda disappointing me a bit. But need to see her 2nd rehearsal. Iceland never likes the song. Hera vocal is good but the song just not for me but it’s an okay staging. Finland will qualify right??? Same with Iceland lol sorry. Moldova questionable staging….… Read more »
Looks like half of them are not making to final since like first half are much competitive staging wise.
Finland is awful. It’s everything that was wrong with Eurovision in the early 2000s.
I think 2000s entries have been very memorable and it’s the kitch and camp that gives diversity to radiofriendly pop, highlighting both wheter it’s just with a bit of edge or not.
Only Azerbaijan, from this bunch…
I’ll be happy if Ireland, Australia and Luxembourg from this semi qualify just don’t want to loose any of them.
Ireland needs to win this year for me personally
Finland was just so flawless.
Finland is horrible
Second rehearsal will change everything
I think most of first half is going to qualify
Moldova and Australia are sure NQ
Cyprus, Iceland and Finland will be my other 3 NQ
Poland, Azerbaijan, Luxembourg and Slovenia will get the last 4 spot but interchangeable with Cyprus, Iceland and Finland.
Finland is such a troll act to the point that it is insulting. What an abomination! The worst thing I’ve ever seen.
Be careful someone on this site called Coy slagged me off for continuing to criticize Finland since this awful mess was chosen in February.
Whining that I said that your constant negative comments are just petty, and now you’re even bad mouthing me here? You sure are a wimp.
Just cut the crap!
Me too !
“The worst thing I’ve ever seen”
*World War One has entered the chat*
I’m not exaggerating when I say every single entry delivered and deserves to qualify after watching the rehearsals.
If this semi final turned into a bloodbath, I can’t imagine what will happen in the 2nd semi.
I loved Portugal, Slovenia, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan.
Finland and Australia? No a fan at all.
Big props to Portugal for bringing some much needed class.
I really hope Australia qualify. Please spare some votes for them everyone ?
* ♥
I loved Portugal and Slovenia
Basically, everyone I care about in semi 1 is expected to NQ. Australia, Slovenia and Iceland. Nah, they all need to make it. They all sound great and look so lovely. Australia is so wholesome. How can anyone not want this to qualify?
For me there are only three songs in first semi final that I dislike: Cyprus, Iceland and most af all Finland.
Good luck with watching this semi final then, I feel the same but it’s awful I can’t vote in this semi-final (being allocated to the 2nd one) I cross my fingers for Australia and Slovenia so much as they are part of my top 10.
I can’t vote either, I can only support them if they make the final. Luckily, my top faves are in semi 2 though.
since only 5 won’t make it, i’m calling…iceland, moldova and australia to nq, the other 2 are a bit more difficult to say…maybe cyprus and sadly serbia, or poland…
i think portugal is safe
Portugal is def not “safe” but borderline i agree with everything else for sure, i feel as though serbia is more likely to qualify than Portugal i really don’t know why i get that feeling
serbia has croatia and slovenia to help them, but portugal’s gonna get 12 pts from lux and also has a much better place in the R/O
I am not sure about that…
I hope so…. I also think that poland could be in trouble despite of the diaspora.
I wouldn´t be surprised if Australia will be a qualifier.
I wonder when we’ll know what ABBA content there is. Surely there will be some.
P.S. Londoners, you should consider going to ABBA Voyage on May 27, the evening show. Benny and Björn will be there for a Q and A! Tickets still available.
In the interview with William, Petra Mede confirms that ABBA will somehow be “featured” in the show, without saying exactly how. It kinda felt that she wanted to reveal more but was not allowed to.
Intriguing. At the very least I’d say they’ll take the chance to promote the Voyage show to the whole continent. Like Björn did last year… but hopefully in person this time.
Perhaps it will be an exclusive appearance of the ABBAtars with a special message or something.
Most likely we will be able to see the Abbatars as interval act. Abba’s Benny (or was it Bjorn?) said they want people to remind their younger selves on stage.
Portugal is my big favorite but I like also Azerbaijan and Australia
For me the best songs in first SF are Slovenia, Portugal. Lithuania, Azerbaijan and Croatia.
I also like Ireland und Luxembourg.
Judging just from the picture used here, I like Raiven sitting on the stage floor. Using a prop of sorts would only minimise the effect. As it is now, it seems as if she is sitting on water, a lake or an ocean. A prop would make it seem like a garden pond.
The didgeridoo, the gold thong and Natalia’s tits got my votes
That should be used as a pull quote somewhere as advertisement
Haha! Would make a good book no?
A bestseller!
Finland, Iceland & Australia get my votes.
I am mostly intrigued by Slovenia’s and Azerbaijan’s aesthetics. Both songs are in my top 4 favourites, so I hope will enjoy both in the final.
Me too !
And Cyprus and Finland as a NQ.
The second part of the first semi-final is a bit uninspiring. Taking photos and short clips into account, I could easily imagine all the seven acts from day 1 advancing. Then we have three spots left, which, I suppose, could go for either Slovenia, Azerbaijan and Portugal.
The behind-the-scenes crew had the best rehearsal! With something as big as this, you can really only learn on the job. Great work, keep it up, guys
“The people who had the best rehearsal are the people who learnt the most.”
Wise words, what a clever fellow whoever said that is.
A thoughtful one indeed. The committee will be pleased.
Portugal, of corse!
Seems Tali didn’t wear her performance outfit today
azerbaijans background scares me
Oh, me too. It should scare us all.
You are safe. You are fine.
Ireland, Slovenia, Portugal and also Iceland i think were very good.
Dark Horse flying in Azerbijan.
Portugal easily, i give Slovenia benefit of the doubt and i like what i see from azerbaijan
It’s funny how people mock Finland such a ”downgrade” from last year(s). Stupid nation etc. Actually it is a thank you for last year’s juries very much on purpose. The show also points out the double standards in Eurovision: you can be half naked only if you are a beautiful woman or have a sixpack. And nevertheless it is a parody of Eurovision. I can see fans who consider ESC a serious thing don’t see it.
Thoughts about each: ICELAND: it was… Okay. Nothing special, likely NQ. SLOVENIA: very artsy, I’m curious how this will look on camera and I hope it’s not too out there for televoters. FINLAND: just no. Please no. MOLDOVA: felt empty with just her and the visuals were a bit much. I don’t think the staging fits the song at all. Outfit is amazing, though. AZERBAIJAN: pretty interesting actually with the giant hands, but what in the holy hell are they wearing? AUSTRALIA: bright and colourful. Not much of a staging, but I think the singer will fill the stage with… Read more »
I’m all in for Portugal. As I said yesterday, can’t say now who had the best rehearsal but with what we know and the few we see here, it’s safe to say that Iolanda brings quality. At this point I would qualify Ukraine, Lithuania, Portugal, Croatia, Ireland, Serbia, Slovenia, Luxembourg, Poland and Cyprus. I wouldn’t mind putting out Poland and Cyprus for Australia, Moldova or even Azerbaijan to get in. The only 2 countries I definitely don’t want in final are Iceland (because the song is just meh… it’s sad for Hera which is a nice artist) and Finland (I… Read more »
Australia hasn’t gone down well…major scrap on between them and Slovenia/Portugal
I know some fans love it but the average European viewers will not identify with that song / performance, it’s too awkward and they won’t get enough votes in a 100% televoting show
Between Luxembourg’s backing dancer outfits and the wooden box, it feels like Tali’s on a retreat to an ashram in Goa.
Not the show stopping closer the running order producer was hoping for…
Yeah, the thought ran through my head too.
The others: I really get why you all hate Finland after seeing so much of Windows95 in that clip. I still think the singer deserves the final but oh my… tough to defend that act. It really is awful. Don’t care about Azerbaijan but the big vocals might pull them through. Moldova really shouldn’t qualify with that song but Natalia also showed up radiant, plus the Romanian and Moldovan diaspora might she up for her. But this means a better song wouldn’t qualify! Luxembourg and Portugal seem ok, not much to say, both very black and white. I think there… Read more »
Australia and Slovenia!
And, without doubt, Finland and Iceland had a very strong day too.
Portugal and Slovenia look the strongest, while Luxembourg’s looked good too. Disappointed by Australia and Finland’s vocals sounded terrible in the snippet. Overall, this half doesn’t seem as strong as the first half.
Honestly Slovenia’s staging is waste of potential. They could have made it far more epic and powerful, but they probably had budget cut. They would never put her sit on stage floor instead of prop if they had money. Portugal was probably the best to me.
I felt the same, like immediately. Maybe we speak to soon because we didn’t see much but this is worrisome.
I don’t think money is the reason.
A papier mache rock prop wouldn’t cost that much.
I think it is gonna be a lot of close up shots. Its hard to figure out stagings without camera angles. It was never going to be a great looking big stage I think
You can still make a simple performance/staging effective, it’s not always about props.
Also remember we didn’t actually see the camera shots so let’s be patient.
Slovenija is borderline so they really need to give us a big performances and tell the story otherwise Ireland will overshadow them and Finland (which is the next song to be performed)
I’m calling it now: Mother Hera is bringing Iceland to the final. Incredible how radiant she showed up for you ungrateful people. I hope Slovenia turns out great, the sky background looks unimpressive. Fingers crossed for Australia, powerhouse vocals!
I have a weak spot for Hera, she was in my top 3 in 2010 btw, i love listening to scared of heights, such a easy catchy bop, but i don’t know although i like to be surprised if she can pull off a similar result like Gustaph last year
With Gustaph it was very clear from the beginning he would qualify & do a lot better than what many people were predicting. Including on this site. It’s a world class singer after all. Hera could be a surprise qualifyer.
Hard to believe it’s been 14 years since Hera last graced the Eurovision stage. Olso 2010. Fourteen years before that was Oslo 1996. Time continues to play havoc on my system.
Actually, she also graced it in 2015 in the background, but still on stage.
Oh, of course. Hera Majesty paid a state visit to Austria too, I forgot.
The human system isn’t necessarily built to comprehend the enormity of time and its consequences, so don’t worry. Bend time to your space a little. 14 years ago can also be yesterday.
I can but try. Hopefully it will slow down soon. I remember hearing that every decade goes by twice as fast as the previous one, and so far I am finding that to be true.
Interesting, if a bit depressing, if true. I imagine that saying only stretches as far as those who perceive time that way, and perhaps there are a myriad number of experiences.
I’m still in my prime, so all is not lost! Mind over matter.
Portugal, Slovenia and Azerbaijan! 3 songs in the NQ by the odds, but FOR SURE need to have a place in the final. All 3 very great!! I’m obsessed with ‘Grito’ tho
My thoughts on today’s rehearsals: ICELAND: I prefer what Hera was wearing in the NF as I am never a fan of all-gold outfits. The performance seems all in all similar to the NF one, meaning that it will neither cost her any of the votes she would get, nor bring her new ones. SLOVENIA: I am not a fan of the video clip contemporary dancing and outfits, which Raiven transferred to the ESC stage more or less but I like its color palette and atmosphere. I believe that in the live performance everything was way brighter than it should… Read more »
PART 2 AUSTRALIA: I am not exactly sure this works out. There is an overwhelming amount of colors and graphics present and the few images I saw felt a bit all over the place. I don’t like the clothing choices either. A bonus to attract some attention is the traditional instrument, but I believe the staging doesn’t help the song all in all. PORTUGAL: They kept the FdC staging but they seem to have enhanced it. It looks classy, traditional but at the same time modern. I am not a big fan of thanks clothing choices, but if they manage… Read more »
Slovenia and Portugal are the only ones that deserve my full support from this half.
Azerbaijan.
both slovenia and portugal should qualify
Azerbaijan. I always thought that song was haunting and magical but the performance elevates it to wonderous places. I really hope that the fans come around to it, especially the one’s who talk every year about countries rejecting the plastic sound and embracing traditional music.
Probably Portugal wouldn’t qualify for the final; although it deserve more than Finland’s terrible trash song
Probably an unpopular opinion here, but: juries should have never been dropped from semis. We will probably have more situations like last year’s Latvia, who would have easily qualified with a 50% jury vote…
Juries last year weren’t so necessary after all, this year however, they seem ESSENTIAL and their absence will cost us many good entries missing out in the Grand Final.
Agreed! What bothers me most of all is the discrepancy between the voting methods. It feels unfair that songs that may really benefit from the juries in the final, don’t even get the chance to get jury points, because they NQ in a televote-only semi. Feels unfair. The same voting pattern should be applied to all songs.
I have no idea why the organising committee of Eurovision thought it was a good idea to remove juries from semis and have two voting systems. Yeah, some countries abused … clamp down on the abuse then! This is the result, a Eurovision which is back to the 00s … circus acts galore. And the fact that the qualifying acts have to think of appeasing just the televote in the semi, but both jury and televote in the final, giving an especially unfair advantage to automatic qualifiers (especially now that they have their own competition singing slot in the final… Read more »
For me today
1- Absolutely Portugal (Iolanda is my winner of the first semifinal, I love her voice, her stage presence, her song)
2- Azerbaijan (It was really surprising!)
3- Slovenia (Raiven, with Iolanda, must qualify but I think that the staging can improve)
4- Moldova (I like the song and the staging is ok)
5- Australia (they are really good, but I don’t know if the staging is good too)
6- Iceland (cute, that’s all)
7- Finland (I’m sorry but It’s a no for me)
Oh I forgot Luxembourg, I’m sorry!
I think is my 6th of today (so Iceland 7th and Finlandia 8th).
No need to apologize you don’t like No Rules. You have your right to tell what you like and like not you are not rude. I’ve read much more rude comments Finns written about other competitors. I don’t like No Rules either and I am a Finn.
*My complete TOP 15 of the “Eurovision Song Contest 2024 – Semi-final 1” entries (updated, after 1st rehearsals):* •1. Croatia – “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” (SONG: 10/10) – (STAGING/VISUAL EFFECTS, OUTFITS: 10/10) – (1ST REHEARSAL: 10/10) –(OVERALL: 30/30) •2. Ireland – “Doomsday Blue” (SONG: 10/10) – (STAGING/VISUAL EFFECTS, OUTFITS: 10/10) – (1ST REHEARSAL: 10/10) –(OVERALL: 30/30) •3. Portugal – “Grito” (SONG: 10/10) – (STAGING/VISUAL EFFECTS, OUTFITS: 10/10) – (1ST REHEARSAL: 10/10) –(OVERALL: 30/30) •4. Lithuania – “Luktelk” (SONG: 10/10) – (STAGING/VISUAL EFFECTS, OUTFITS: 9.5/10) – (1ST REHEARSAL: 10/10) –(OVERALL: 29.5/30) •5. Poland – “Tower” (SONG: 9/10) – (STAGING/VISUAL EFFECTS, OUTFITS:… Read more »
Both Slovenia and Portugal (and Serbia from First Half) must qualify from the second half. Let the overhyping of Luxembourg and Cyprus come to an end. Even Finland is more creative with their concept despite having an awful song.
Portugal (by far!)