William: Molly Sterling doesn’t need a wind machine or a sea of pyrotechnics: She has a voice, a piano, and a song that finds power in its subtlety. Her first rehearsal at Eurovision 2015 had the press corps clapping and gave me some major tingles. As at the Irish national selection she sits on a piano singing with soul well beyond her years. But rather than coming off as a teenager at a piano bar, she’s now the goddess of a glorious LED forest. It’s bathed in a golden light and Molly, wearing black leather and lace, is its queen. Perhaps our readers — who have this down as a favourite to win the first semi final — aren’t so crazy after all. In this case less really is more!
Ireland’s first rehearsal at Eurovision 2015
Padraig: I must say, I’m pleasantly surprised. For once Ireland have resisted the urge to smother their act in unnecessary extras – no wild LED screens, no crazy dancers, and no screechy backing vocalists. Pure and simple. The background depicts a serene forest scene, and is amongst the best visuals we’ve seen thus far. Molly’s vocals are also spot on, although her nerves were on show. They lessened as the song progressed, and were almost non-existent in subsequent run-throughs. It’s not quiet there yet in terms of wow-factor, but with a few more tweaks this could be awesome.
Chris: One of a very few acts to have received applause from the press centre after every run-through, Molly has really thrown a curveball for all those people who thought she was doomed not to qualify. Perhaps that was more because she seemed to grow in confidence and hit her camera marks as each rehearsal went on than the actual performance. Still, Molly’s voice was in fine form and I think that by stripping back the staging and relying on that stunning visual, Ireland have done themselves proud.
Molly Sterling: Reviews and Reactions
YOU CAN READ OUR REVIEWS OF ALL OF THE REHEARSALS BY CLICKING HERE.
Photo: Elena Volotova (EBU)
This girl is spectacular <3 Preview looks amazing! She's my third favourite act and my #1 favourite in this Semi, so I can't wait to vote for her. Looks amazing!
I’m not a fan of this song, but that preview looks spectacular. It was a good choice not to go for dark and depressing, the forest gives it a whole new vibe.
I can totally see though why they’ve gone with a wooden upright piano, Robyn. A baby grand or even a full grand piano is something we’ve seen a hundred times in Eurovision before. A wooden upright is probably a first in ESC for this type of ballad and marks Molly out as doing something a bit quirky and different to what has gone before.
This is really cool.
I AM SO PROUD OF MOLLY!!!!!! She and her team made all things different and their staging is even more touching!!!!
@Eughan Would it kill you to be nice about an irish act for a change?
wowww very unique! like it
Love it really hope Molly qualifys she is a pure talent with a amazing song.
I love the golden sunny glade in the backdrop. But from the photos I’ve seen the piano really looks ugly from every side and she looks way too serious and absorbed while she performs. She is a teenager but she managed to exude no freshness or charm during this rehearsal.
i really hope she qualifies and i think she will 🙂
I love this song! I really hope we’ll see Molly in the final!
However this song is not a winner atleast in my opinion.. I think it will be a fight with Russia, Sweden, Estonia, Australia, and maybe Italy (i think they will flop).. I just got that feeling 😐
Robyn, Molly’s piano is actually sideways on to the audience so there’s no problem on that score 🙂
http://www.eurovision.tv/save-files/resizes/9e/e9/31/28/e3/51/16/0f/09/3a/16/eb/db/e3/9b/4a/IMG_0912_EV.jpg
At least she is sitting and playing the piano still. Not a total distraction when there are plenty of gimmicks involved.
Ireland have really messed up with the presentation in the last couple of years, but this looks great.
I’m still not sure if it’s a qualifier yet, we’ll have to wait and see the others.
I think it’d have a better chance at qualifying if it wasn’t performing 2nd
Zzzzzzz
I think there is a risk she will get lost and forgotten in this semi.. But it’s simple and quite nice.
I still think Molly misses, not only even but especially after that rehearsal.
I have Ireland as my 16th/17 most liked on the 2nd SF and i really doubt if Molly can qualify to the final…But you never know after all.. 🙂
Great song. She could pull off a “Me and My Guitar” and get a lot of points! Simple is always better and classier… Good luck Molly!
Amazing!!! I really hope Europe gets behind dear Molly!! She is a talent that does not deserve to o ignored! I dont know how she is so severely underrated! Please…I beg…vote for Molly! Her song may not be the winner….but she definitely deserves to get out of the semi.
This song is in my top 5….. #FullSupportForMolly