Photo: Sarah Louise Bennet / EBU

First rehearsals for Eurovision 2024 are continuing. On Monday 29 April, eight countries from semi-final 2 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.

Malta’s Sarah Bonnici got flung around the stage by some rather dashing men, Denmark’s SABA left her mark by sprinkling a handful of sand … 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: Monday 29 April

  • Malta: Sarah Bonnici – “Loop”
  • Albania: BESA – “TITAN”
  • Greece: Marina Satti – “ZARI”
  • Switzerland: Nemo – “The Code”
  • Czechia: Aiko – “Pedestal”
  • Austria: Kaleen – “We Will Rave”
  • Denmark: SABA – “SAND”
  • Armenia: LADANIVA – “Jako”

Poll: Who had the best first rehearsal at Eurovision 2024 on Monday (29 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.

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Yodenman
Yodenman
6 months ago

Off topic, but does anyone know if this years contest is being televised in 4K UHD. If so, is the BBC broadcasting this ??????

John
John
6 months ago

I just looked at the greek tiktok clip and the photos. Im sorry but what in that material warrants more than 3 times the votes of any other contestant in this poll? The greek megafans must have flooded the voting. It was litteraly only her with a few dancers on stage! What is so impressive about that? From what I saw it was just a REALLY basic staging. She sounded good but other than that I truly don’t get it.

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
6 months ago
Reply to  John

Greeks mass vote their own entry, that crap isn’t going anywhere near final.

EM ?
EM ?
6 months ago
Reply to  ANDREW BROWN

RELAX Andrew!

Escaddict
Escaddict
6 months ago
Reply to  ANDREW BROWN

This is just a speculation. Learn how to respect the viewers opinion and also the artists. Crap is only your comment…

The truth
6 months ago
Reply to  John

Best all that Greece was never that good to begin with. The song gets quite irritating and honestly can’t get some of the hype behind it. Moreover Marina looked so silly in that skirt/shorts(?). It gives the impression that she’s wearing some oversized nappy.

The truth
6 months ago
Reply to  The truth

Besides…not best.

Vjera Brdar
Vjera Brdar
6 months ago

So, basically, after first official rehearsal people are finally realiting how great Marina is…as well as what a cringefest Swituerland is?
GOOD!

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
6 months ago
Reply to  Vjera Brdar

Greece wasn’t good to even begin with.

Tobi
Tobi
6 months ago

Finally the swiss down, the party is over

Ania
Ania
6 months ago
Reply to  Tobi

Unfortunatelly its first because the level of the contest is so low so its essy to stand out singing falsetto and wearing pink (its easy to sing falsetto) If in te contest vere normal level not so weak, thiss swiss man were without any chances

Tobi
Tobi
6 months ago
Reply to  Ania

Ukraine, France, Italy have better songs than Swiss

Ania
Ania
6 months ago
Reply to  Tobi

I agree

Fatima
Fatima
6 months ago

With Switzerland, there are just too many ingredients for a three-minute song. Which itself sounds like a show reel.

Vjera Brdar
Vjera Brdar
6 months ago
Reply to  Fatima

Let’s be honest, the song is a health hazard. I will be, however, enjoying myself while watching this mess of a furry performance.

Maria
Maria
6 months ago

It’s hard to judge (just snippets) Switserland is a bit of a disappointment, the staging is beautiful, but it’s very different from the video. It could be anyone’s staging. They focused too much on the aesthetics in stead of the story of the song. They look good in bright pink though

Putti
Putti
6 months ago

What is so special in the Swiss? A short man in pink is jumping Eurovision is getting worse and worse

realist
realist
6 months ago

crazy how it just takes a few people to start a ‘this was amazing’ vibe and everyone just agrees and follows. Greece, was… ok..??

EProduc
EProduc
6 months ago

Malta was the surprise of the day for me, Austria delivered as expected and Switzerland was a bit of a disappointment, not gonna lie.

Arc
Arc
6 months ago

I seriously don’t see a reason for Malta not to finish in top 10. Except for being Malta. Some countries don’t have the fan base to push them through.

Sandra
Sandra
6 months ago
Reply to  Arc

You don’t need it when the song is good enough, Duncan Laurence didn’t have a fanbase before Eurovision no one knew him in the Netherlands.

Arc
Arc
6 months ago
Reply to  Sandra

Sure…. But in top 10 we had not so good songs that killed staging… I am not talking about the winning, far from that…. You can’t give me justification why Malta is the last in betting odds. Even this year we have way worse than Malta

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
6 months ago

Greece, Malta, Austria and Armenia had best stagings for me personally

Sjodni
Sjodni
6 months ago

Going into today – my favorites of the bunch (just the songs) are Albania, Greece, Swtizerland, Austria, and Armenia. Was not a huge fan of Malta, Czechia, or Denmark. However, after the first rehearsals, here are my thoughts: Albania – I am very worried! I am worried about the outfit and the interpretation of the performance, I was hoping for something closer to the music video or fik. Greece – I cannot tell if I should be worried or relieved – the LED graphics is not what I would have picked myself, and there are no props of any kind,… Read more »

Non
Non
6 months ago

The most impress me right now is Austria and Malta.

Greece look nice but need to watch camera angle hope it’s not too messy.

Switzerland the outfit is questionable it’s kinda distract me staging wise look interesting.

Czechia looks good too besides her half naked outfit, seems like a trend this year.

Armenia also nice but the clip didn’t show much.

The most disappointing is Albania wasn’t they have the same person who make Finland last year staging??? I thought they going to make like her Music video as staging. And the outfit just meh.

Maybe 2nd rehearsal change everything.

Jayn
Jayn
6 months ago
Reply to  Non

Albania has the same choreographer as Finland, so she (choreographer) is only responsible for dance moves, but other than that Besa has different team.

Who am I?
Who am I?
6 months ago

For another year I ahead the pleasure of working behind the scenes in the eurovision production. Last time I worked in the eurovision production was in 2022 in Turin. Sweden is a great host and is doing the best it can to make every country stand out on the eurovision stage. The stage itself looks amazing on the screen and people all over Europe will be very impressed! I’m in the arena watching the rehearsals and I have to say Ukraine had the best rehearsal from semi 1, it was very effective visually and vocally. From semi 2 Greece is… Read more »

NoMoreEscAddicted
NoMoreEscAddicted
6 months ago
Reply to  Who am I?

Of course…

Sjodni
Sjodni
6 months ago
Reply to  Who am I?

Thank you for the insider insight – and thank you for all of your hard work! It means so much to us fans everything that those behind the scenes put into making an incredible show, and I hope you are enjoying the opportunity to be up close to the magic!

Ari
Ari
6 months ago
Reply to  Who am I?

So you’re the same self important person who claimed Amanda Tenfjord was a contender to win? I mean I certainly would’ve liked that but you were so wrong it couldn’t get more wrong.

Maria
Maria
6 months ago
Reply to  Who am I?

This is your personal opinion, we will see what the general opinion will be like

Karl
Karl
6 months ago

Greece won by far and it’s not even close. Are we looking at Athens 2025? It’s certainly a possibility.

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
6 months ago
Reply to  Karl

It most certainly isn’t, total bag of crap.

Unpopular opinion
Unpopular opinion
6 months ago
Reply to  ANDREW BROWN

The Greek entry has the most viewed video on TikTok. It seams than Eurofans enjoy crap.

baxter m
baxter m
6 months ago

anyone else wish some eurofans weren’t so toxic? I mean people can have opinions, respect that and we’re good

Medea
Medea
6 months ago

I think people really try to read behind the lines. First they saw Marina’s pics and complained about the skirt, but when the rehearsal they got ecstatic. Now they are complaining about Nemo outfit. It is not Project Runaway and the most important above all is song and voice

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
6 months ago
Reply to  Medea

Neither looks good.

Maria
Maria
6 months ago
Reply to  Medea

The whole performance is important, the way you sell your song.

Marco
Marco
6 months ago

Albania 1st in press poll ranking today ?

Maria
Maria
6 months ago
Reply to  Marco

press is not allowed the first rehearsals at this point they can’t judge it properly

Basti
Basti
6 months ago

Im a fan of The Code, but that outfit…. I have to admit that i think it looks way too distractive. It should have been more in balance imho. This could cause a lot of What The F around people in Europe. It just doesnt look attractive at all. I hope im wrong though. It really would be a great winner.

Jaan
Jaan
6 months ago
Reply to  Basti

A short man in pink is jumping…It didnt deserve to win

Ania
Ania
6 months ago
Reply to  Basti

A short man in pink is jumping…It didnt deserve to win

Jonas
Jonas
6 months ago
Reply to  Ania

Nemo is short? That’s it, I’ve had enough. Do the EBU know about this?

Kobe
Kobe
6 months ago
Reply to  Jonas

They also have a short neck (there go their chances of winning)

Jonny
Jonny
6 months ago
Reply to  Ania

Nemo is non binary, please respect that.

Amos
Amos
6 months ago
Reply to  Jonny

He is a man. Please respect facts.

Melissa
Melissa
6 months ago
Reply to  Amos

I believe you’re barking up the wrong tree if that is what you’ve fooled yourself into believing as being fact.

Eve
Eve
6 months ago
Reply to  Basti

Agree on that. Love Nemo, love their song. Staging is amazing! But THIS choice of outfit… come on…((

Eyal
Eyal
6 months ago
Reply to  Eve

He’s in pink and jumping, but it is still the song and voice that matters. Look at Greece 2023 and Romania 2023. I don’t think Nemo will do Theodor Andrei.

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
6 months ago
Reply to  Eyal

i’m not really against their outfit, more the song which i find one hot mess, but yeah i respect them for having been capable of putting rap, pop, operatic, indie into a 3 minute song

Eve
Eve
6 months ago
Reply to  Eyal

I loved Theodor Andrei’s song and voice. Not his fault that Romanian delegation decided to f *ck it all up/save money/go cheap/ and withdrawn year after.
Different story with Nemo…, their outfit is just their choice…

Maria
Maria
6 months ago
Reply to  Basti

I prefer the video outfit

Sofia
Sofia
6 months ago
Reply to  Basti

I liked Greece, but then again I am Greek. For my defense I dont listen to Greek music. I just like the different approach on a Greek song she has. I liked Malta and Nemo also. The others, not so much.

Nomo nomo
Nomo nomo
6 months ago

Marina gave me Ronela vibes ??

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
6 months ago
Reply to  Nomo nomo

Greece will flop hard and heavy with that mess.

MaggieMayhem
MaggieMayhem
6 months ago

I appreciate Nemo’s bold outfit choice, but this looks a little cheap and too arts & crafty. Hopefully they will wear something that looks more expensive.

NoMoreEscAddicted
NoMoreEscAddicted
6 months ago
Reply to  MaggieMayhem

All the artists have to wear their final outfits for the first rehearsals, so Nemo will wear this.

Tino
Tino
6 months ago

Except if the rule changed this year, I think they can still change outfit. Last year a few artists changed their costume from 1st to 2nd rehearsal.

Eve
Eve
6 months ago

Oh please no…

Maria
Maria
6 months ago

Are you sure? i think they can change it at this point, but not after the jury rehearsals.

Ania
Ania
6 months ago
Reply to  MaggieMayhem

A short man in pink is jumping…It didnt deserve to win

NoMoreEscAddicted
NoMoreEscAddicted
6 months ago

The winner vibes based on nothing and the odds obsession in this comment section are hilarious. Some things will never change in this esc world…

Eurogambler
Eurogambler
6 months ago

The fact that Besa got votes tells you all you need to know about these polls

NoMoreEscAddicted
NoMoreEscAddicted
6 months ago
Reply to  Eurogambler

As if she didn’t deserve it…. as everybody she has right to get votes no?

?????????? ???????????
?????????? ???????????
6 months ago
Reply to  Eurogambler

The fact Besa got votes should tell you something about the Albanian diaspora and gow they always vote for their entry. ALWAYS

Alex
Alex
6 months ago

I think Greece is winning (I’m delulu)

Retkoceri
Retkoceri
6 months ago
Reply to  Alex

I think Greece is winning (me too)

Eve
Eve
6 months ago
Reply to  Alex

Lol, seriously? It stands nowhere near …

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
6 months ago
Reply to  Alex

Winning what? Award for the dullest stage show?

NoMoreEscAddicted
NoMoreEscAddicted
6 months ago

I was personally impressed by Denmark Armenia and Czechia, Malta and Austria plays in the same category, girls bops with acrobatic choreo, nice to see but nothing never seen or really original. Denmark visuals are really stunning, Armenia is the most engaging staging imo, warmful, joyful and funny at the same time with a lot of sass and charisma. Czechia I like a lot the staging concept. For Albania as much as I love Besa, I don’t find the staging concept outstanding but I love the end of the song and I need to see this part before really judging.… Read more »

Im so fab
Im so fab
6 months ago

Greece gave me slight winner vibes. Still too early to make my prediction.

AlexC
AlexC
6 months ago
Reply to  Im so fab

Marmite songs never win

Eurogambler
Eurogambler
6 months ago
Reply to  AlexC

Facts

WillChangeThisLater
WillChangeThisLater
6 months ago
Reply to  AlexC

Tell that to Jamala and Salvador Sobral.

funkerman24
funkerman24
6 months ago

and Netta

AlexC
AlexC
6 months ago

Looking forward to Norway’s entry and Georgia’s. Odds will change tomorrow once Norway comes on stage.

Jonny
Jonny
6 months ago
Reply to  AlexC

You wish.

Dominic
Dominic
6 months ago

Greece impressed me the most, TBH, and after her, Malta. If Loop was a Norwegian entry, and had this staging, we’d be talking about a probable qualification. I really hope that the odds are wrong regarding her. I can switch it with Austria, who was kinda cool-looking, but then again, less of my kind of bop. Switzerland felt ambitious, but I’m not sure what to think of the mascot-type of outfit. But the platform looks cool. Armenia is certainly making it through, it looks ful. Czechia and Albania are basically DOA.

pluma
pluma
6 months ago

From what a short think we have see today, Greece and Armenia
i vote for Greece as is my favorite too

Leo M
Leo M
6 months ago

Nothing really jumping out today.

Swiss looks disappointing but can’t really tell from a 15second clip.

Lucilla
Lucilla
6 months ago

Switzerland loosing in odds after his hilarious stage outfit… great song but his estetics might be too much for average European viewers. Conchita was much more sophisticated

Iván el Conquistador
Iván el Conquistador
6 months ago
Reply to  Lucilla

People don’t want more Conchitas, the entertainment industry should take notes and tell Larry Fink to get bent.

Jonas
Jonas
6 months ago

There will only ever be one Conchita, the people can relax.

Eve
Eve
6 months ago
Reply to  Jonas

100%!

Maria
Maria
6 months ago
Reply to  Lucilla

Croatia is also going down in the odds a bit, I think they could also make some changes when it comes to their outfits.

Gabago
Gabago
6 months ago

For me today

1- Armenia (love everything of this entry! Public will love this)
2- Denmark (a BIG vocal improvement and the staging seems good)
3- Greece (ok, it’s great, we’ll see)
4- Malta (good staging and perfomance)
5- Switzerland (it’s a great staging, but I was expecting more)
6- Czechia (It seems improved, but overall It’s just ok)
7- Austria (I am not a fun of this entry and for me It seems something already seen, nothing new)
8- Albania (Last year Albania was my third place, this year seems a step back, I’m sorry)

Davie
Davie
6 months ago

It has to be Greece. She is just so confident on stage and the Greek language just comes across so beautifully. Watch her odds shorten tomorrow.

Eurogambler
Eurogambler
6 months ago
Reply to  Davie

They didn’t shorten :/

Despicable Annie
Despicable Annie
6 months ago
Reply to  Eurogambler

To be fair the odds didn’t move for anyone so far… weird.

Thanos
Thanos
6 months ago

Once again, my thoughts on today’s rehearsals: MALTA: As I’ve said before, girl-bop stagings always leave me cold as they all seem to be using the same template and these kind of songs are not my taste (Loop included) . However, Sarah seems to be in control of the performance and has a good dance routine. This kind of routine worked for Chanel, so could Malta surprise us? ALBANIA: I didn’t like the music video aesthetic, but I find the live performance aesthetic even worse. I don’t like what Besa is wearing at all and the rest of the show… Read more »

Xaxaxa
Xaxaxa
6 months ago

First half of 2nd sf is full of boring female songs. Most of them will finish her esc journey there.

ThorBeta
ThorBeta
6 months ago

Greece was great. I also felt well about Austria and Denmark. Switzerland was underwhelming for many reasons but the song is strong enough. I completely don’t get Armenia but I respect that it has its fans. Malta is vastly improved but I think the song is very weak to start with. Albania and Czechia don’t seem to have any chances unfortunately although I don’t hate either song.

Maria
Maria
6 months ago
Reply to  ThorBeta

Hate or dislike?

Ania
Ania
6 months ago

Why wiwibloggs favors this swiss man?

Andrew
Andrew
6 months ago
Reply to  Ania

Lol let it go Ania!

Jonas
Jonas
6 months ago
Reply to  Ania

There is a big global agenda. Wiwi and others, myself included, have secretly signed up to an underground network that plots to make every citizen on the planet gay and trans. We will not stop until every man, woman, and child had been converted. Each of us is assigned a special mission, and we train day and night to make our evil dream a reality. I am Agent 35836B.

This comment will self-destruct in 60 seconds.

Poul Rissen
Poul Rissen
6 months ago
Reply to  Jonas

Well said. Haha! Honestly people’s inclination to resort to conspiracies about everything blows my mind evrytime.

Jonas
Jonas
6 months ago
Reply to  Poul Rissen

Thank you, Agent 47367D. See you back at HQ and we can discuss this further.

35846C
35846C
6 months ago
Reply to  Jonas

Damn, comrade, I knew we couldn’t trust and somebody will push you to your limits and you will give away our secret mission.

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
6 months ago
Reply to  Jonas

This post is true and Wiwibloggs is in on it.

This is why most people have fallen out of love with Eurovision who were originally fans.

Arc
Arc
6 months ago
Reply to  Jonas

Everything finally makes sense

Maria
Maria
6 months ago
Reply to  Jonas

Before we know it this comment is all over the internet and people start to believe it 😉

Jimmy
Jimmy
6 months ago
Reply to  Ania

You didn’t get the memo?

Bryan
Bryan
6 months ago

Austria very beautiful rehearsal staged just vocally it is very complicated to listen

Kosey
Kosey
6 months ago

Kaleen’s clip looked to be on absolute fire. It looks like we’re going to get what the song promises

Poul Rissen
Poul Rissen
6 months ago
Reply to  Kosey

It’s just OK for my taste. Although as a teenager I was fan of hard dance and rave music. Now, this song sounds dated and nothing exciting. It’s not a bad song. It’s just that we have heard it before. I am not sure if this will go through.

Kosey
Kosey
6 months ago
Reply to  Poul Rissen

It’s definitely going through. I find the “heard it before” comment a bit strange – there is only really Greece and Switzerland that are particularly unique – everything else has been done before.

Ben
Ben
6 months ago

Greece was surprisingly modern and contemporary. Strongest winning vibes so far.

Andon
Andon
6 months ago

That was undoubtedly the best day until now! I really can’t choose. I would pick Greece Malta Switzerland and Albania.

Marc
Marc
6 months ago

Kaleen made the best impression for me!

Doris
Doris
6 months ago

Sweden

Matija
Matija
6 months ago

Queen of Greece!!!! Greetings from Croatia!

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
6 months ago
Reply to  Matija

That kingdom collapsed and so will this “queen” too.

Bryan
Bryan
6 months ago

I was expecting something more fun, more explosive, more colors from the pyrotechnics of the dancers who pull him in all directions, not a platform where he jumps, slides, dances, laughs, with his horrible outfit. quite disappointed with what I saw . Switzerland sorry it’s à mess

sparkling points
sparkling points
6 months ago

Snippet is too short but *Czechia* seems to have improved everything since the national final. Vocal sounded better and that makes me very happy. The “full of it, full if it” might well win the best lyric – it sounds so good!!

The choreo looks more polished. The concept as read elsewhere is really awesome. I’m thus expecting a dress reveal of sorts or whatever that’s called.

I really want Czechia to go through!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <3 <3 <3

Jo.
Jo.
6 months ago

It’s either look great or look terrible here, there was no middle ground

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
6 months ago

Greece and Austria were the best for me.

Henry
Henry
6 months ago
Reply to  ANDREW BROWN

For me too and Malta.

Johnny
Johnny
6 months ago
Reply to  Henry

For me also 🙂

Harutyun Hovhannisyan
Harutyun Hovhannisyan
6 months ago

Surprisingly Malta , Armenia and Greece were the best, I liked Austria’s choreo , it will be more interesting on TV . I was thinking about Switzerland as a winner of the the secon semi Final but im not sure its gonna win now .The Netherlands or Greece will win the second semi Final . Armenia will finish in Top 5 !

Efthymios
Efthymios
6 months ago

Now, for my top 8, INCLUDING the songs: 1. Armenia – “Jako” (SONG: 9.5/10) – (STAGING/VISUAL EFFECTS, OUTFITS: 9.5/10) – (1ST REHEARSAL: 10/10) –(OVERALL: 29/30) 2. Switzerland – “The Code” (SONG: 10/10) – (STAGING/VISUAL EFFECTS, OUTFITS: 8.5/10) – (1ST REHEARSAL: 10/10) –(OVERALL: 28.5/30) 3. Greece – “Zári” (SONG: 9.5/10) – (STAGING/VISUAL EFFECTS, OUTFITS: 9/10) – (1ST REHEARSAL: 10/10) –(OVERALL: 28.5/30) 4. Denmark – “Sand” (SONG: 9/10) – (STAGING/VISUAL EFFECTS, OUTFITS: 9/10) – (1ST REHEARSAL: 10/10) –(OVERALL: 28/30) 5. Austria – “We Will Rave” (SONG: 7.5/10) – (STAGING/VISUAL EFFECTS, OUTFITS: 10/10) – (1ST REHEARSAL: 9.5/10) –(OVERALL: 27/30) 6. Malta – “Loop”… Read more »