Eurovision 2023: First Rehearsal of Sweden!

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Today is the first day of rehearsals, the day when the countries participating in the First Semi Final will take over the stage for their first rehearsal at M&S Bank Arena, in Liverpool!

Next up on stage for their first rehearsal is Sweden and Loreen with the song “Tattoo“.

Who is Loreen?

Lorine Zineb Nora Talhaoui, known as Loreen, is a Swedish singer, songwriter, and this year’s winner of Melodifestivalen. Interested in becoming a musician, Loreen took part in the Idol 2004 television competition, finishing fourth. The following year she released her first single, “The Snake“, with the band Rob’n’Raz and became a television presenter on TV400. While working as a segment producer and director for several Swedish reality TV shows, she entered Melodifestivalen 2011 with the song “My Heart Is Refusing Me“, which became a top 10 hit in Sweden. She also had top 20 hits in Sweden with the singles “Crying Out Your Name” (2012) and her Melodifestivalen 2017 entry “Statements“.

Representing Sweden, she won the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with her entry “Euphoria“, which topped the charts in numerous European countries. She will represent Sweden in Eurovision for a second time in 2023 with “Tattoo“ which broke into the charts globally in many countries.

The Rehearsal

So the light box is back, but it’s a smaller version than the one we saw at Melodifestivalen. It’s also raised off the ground, so the bottom section can be wheeled onto the stage. The stage and the LED screen is a sea of swirling smoke, and the whole effect is incredibly intense.

Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

It’s Loreen, so obviously this performance is tighter than that catsuit and more polished than those terrifyingly long nails. Sounds incredible, looks incredible – the perfect finish to a brilliant first day of rehearsals.

Corinne Cumming / EBU

Below you can watch a small clip from the Swedish first rehearsal, once it’s published on TikTok:

@eurovision Loreen ✅ Lightbox ✅ Liverpool ✅ #Eurovision2023 #Eurovision @Loreen ♬ original sound – Eurovision

Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

The second Swedish rehearsal will be held on the 3rd of May, when we will know how the performance will look on screen for the Swedish entry.

Source: eurovision.tv
Photos: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU, Corinne Cumming / EBU

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Eurovision 2023: First Rehearsal of Moldova!

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Today is the first day of rehearsals, the day when the countries participating in the First Semi Final will take over the stage for their first rehearsal at M&S Bank Arena, in Liverpool!

Next up on stage for their first rehearsal is Moldova and Pasha Parfeny with the song “Soarele Şi Luna“.

Who is Pasha Parfeny?

Eurovision runs through Pasha Parfeni’s veins, having been involved with multiple national final songs in Moldova, as well as representing the nation at the Eurovision Song Contest back in 2012, where he finished 11th.

The following year, he joined forces with his wife Yuliana to compose Moldova’s entry “O Mie for Aliona Moon“. Aliona had been a backing vocalist for Pasha in 2012, and this time he took to the Eurovision stage to accompany her on the piano.

The Rehearsal

There’s so much to love about this performance from Moldova  – the huge drums, Sergiu the epic flute guy, Pasha’s atmospheric vocals, the two backing singers with huge horned headdresses.

Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

It’s the kind of ethno-banger we used to see a lot more often at Eurovision, and all together it creates a performance that’s pulsing through the arena floor. This is going to go BIG in the Liverpool arena next Tuesday.

Below you can watch a small clip from the Moldovan first rehearsal, once it’s published on TikTok:

@eurovision Harnessing the power of the ☀️and the 🌕 🇲🇩 #Eurovision2023 #Eurovision @Pasha Parfeni ♬ original sound – Eurovision

Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

The second Moldovan rehearsal will be held on the 3rd of May, when we will know how the performance will look on screen for the Moldovan entry.

Source: eurovision.tv
Photos: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

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Georgia: Iru filmed her postcard for Eurovision 2023!

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Iru, the representative of Georgia in Eurovision 2023, finished filming her postcrard for Eurovision 2023 that will be displayed before her performance in the 2nd Semifinal on May 11.

Filming took place in various places around Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, where we will see Iru in her athletic outfit working out and jogging during a cold morning.

https://twitter.com/bbceurovision/status/1652691051965042689?cxt=HHwWgsC-vazwxO8tAAAA

The following acts have confirmed the filming of their postcards:

  • Albania – Albina & Familija Kelmendi
  • Austria – Teya & Salena
  • Croatia – Let 3
  • Cyprus – Andrew Lambrou
  • France – La Zarra
  • Germany – Lord of the Lost
  • Ireland – Wild Youth
  • Latvia – Sudden Lights
  • Lithuania – Monika Linkytė
  • Malta – The Busker
  • Moldova – Pasha Parfeni
  • The Netherlands – Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper
  • Poland – Blanka
  • Slovenia – Joker Out
  • Romania – Theodor Andrei
  • Belgium – Gustaph
  • Estonia – Alika
  • Greece – Victor Vernicos
  • Azerbaijan  – TuralTuranx
  • Switzerland – Remo Forre
  • San Marino – Piqued Jacks
  • Israel – Noa Kirel
  • Armenia – Brunette
  • Georgia – Iru

Iru with her song Echo is participating in the 2nd Semifinal on May 11, performing 12th. Iru’s first technical rehearsal will take place on Tuesday 2/5.

https://youtu.be/E8kO-QPippo

You can also watch the reaction video of EurovisionFun on Echo below:

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Eurovision 2023: First Rehearsal of Switzerland!

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Today is the first day of rehearsals, the day when the countries participating in the First Semi Final will take over the stage for their first rehearsal at M&S Bank Arena, in Liverpool!

Next up on stage for their first rehearsal is Switzerland and Remo Forrer with the song “Watergun“.

Who is Remo Forrer?

Remo, after a childhood of playing traditional folk music on the accordion in his little Swiss village of Hemberg, Remo moved onto the piano.

Given time he might have found fame with his accordion skills but it was his singing that landed him victory at The Voice of Switzerland 2020. He also triumphed in the German version of the music game show I Can See Your Voice.

The Rehearsal

Well, this is quite special. “Watergun“ is a heartfelt ballad about the tragedy of war, and a universal call for peace. It’s clear that Remo feels a real connection to these lyrics, and his vocal is beautiful.

Corinne Cumming / EBU

Below you can watch a small clip from the Swiss first rehearsal, once it’s published on TikTok:

@eurovision A heartfelt and haunting call for peace✌️🇨🇭 #Eurovision2023 #Eurovision @remoforrer ♬ original sound – Eurovision

Staging-wise, he has four contemporary dancers (one is Ellinea Siampalis, dancer at several numbers in Melodifestivalen, who has Greek roots) and also dances himself, which we weren’t expecting.

Corinne Cumming / EBU

The staging for this was created by Sacha Jean-Baptiste, who was also responsible for Switzerland‘s G’jon’s Tears in 2021 and Marius Bear in 2022.

Corinne Cumming / EBU

Who says you can’t have pyro in a ballad? Remo Forrer is breaking all the rules, with a short interlude of smoke and red fireworks raining down from the roof. All VERY dramatic.

Corinne Cumming / EBU

The second Swiss rehearsal will be held on the 3rd of May, when we will know how the performance will look on screen for the Swiss entry.

Source: eurovision.tv
Photos: Corinne Cumming / EBU

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Eurovision 2023: Croatia’s First Rehearsal!

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The seventh country on the rehearsals schedule is Croatia with the eccentric entry “Mama ŠČ!” of the group Let 3

Everything about Let 3:

Let 3 come from Rijeka, the birthplace of Croatia’s punk scene, where they quickly gained a reputation for merging energetic performances with live art, social commentary, over-the-top theatrics, and outlandish costumes.
Frontman Zoran Prodanović (Prlja) started out in the band Umjetnici Ulice, before joining with bass guitarist Damir Martinović (Mrle) to form Let 2 in 1986 (which eventually evolved into Let 3 when they added a new member).

This established and much-loved group have released 10 albums, one of which, Nečuveno (Unheard), quickly sold out despite the record being completely blank.

In Croatia the band are known for their provocative performances and are no strangers to shocking audiences by performing in the nude… we’ve no doubt Croatian broadcaster HRT are carefully going through the Eurovision rulebook with the boys right now.

The Rehearsal

Let 3 kick off with their trademark extravagant costumes, mind-bending graphics and high fashion hat/dress combos, and then for the final chorus they all strip down to their underwear and wave huge missiles. They have an extensive track record of getting naked on stage, but they’ve kept it classy for a Sunday afternoon. There are also fireworks in the final run-through. Let 3’s performance ends with the missiles emitting a shower of sparks over a group of men dancing in platform heels, vests and underpants. Not sure the Liverpool arena has ever seen anything quite like that.

It feels like a nursery rhyme or a lullaby, but with tractors, kissing and war.

Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

 

Below you can watch a small clip from Coratia’s first rehearsal from TikTok:

@eurovision Oh mama! Let 3 have revved up into Liverpool 🚜🇭🇷 #Eurovision2023 #Eurovision @Let 3 Mrle ♬ original sound – Eurovision

The second rehearsal of Croatia takes place on Wednesday 3/5 and we will be able to have a better view of what Let 3 will be presenting on stage.

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Eurovision 2023: Ireland’s First Rehearsal!

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The sixth country of the day to take the stage for their first rehearsal is the queen nation of Eurovision, Ireland, (with their 7 victories), with Wild Youth and their dynamic entry “We Are One”.

Everything about Wild Youth:

Formed in Dublin in 2018, this band of 4 friends combine rock with catchy pop harmonies. Their energetic performances have led to a string of hit songs and – the aim of any pop group – number one hits.
If you haven’t seen them performing on television, you might have caught them supporting megastars on tour; they’ve warmed up crowds for the likes of Niall Horan, Lewis Capaldi, and Zara Larson.

Frontman Conor O’Donohoe serves up passionate vocals and pens most of the band’s songs; David Whelan takes to the keys; Edward Porter riffs on the guitar; and Callum McAdam beats the drums.

Wild Youth won their place to represent Ireland through the Late Late Show, fighting off fierce competition, including an entry from Public Image Ltd.

The Rehearsal

The sequinned masks from the official video are nowhere to be seen – instead it’s Conor in a glam rock gold catsuit with flares. This staging also features our first stairs of the day – a horseshoe arrangement featuring ALL the LEDs. The whole performance looks and sounds fabulous. There are also pyros in the performance, huge jets of them, around the whole stage just before the final chorus. Definitely leading the pyro charge so far.

Even on the first rehearsal, it’s easy to imagine the crowd in the Liverpool Arena singing along to this euphoric chorus.

Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

Corinne Cumming / EBU 

Below you can watch a small clip from Ireland’s first rehearsal from TikTok:

@eurovision Wild Youth’s first run through was as good as gold ✨🇮🇪 #Eurovision2023 #Eurovision @Wild Youth ♬ original sound – Eurovision

The second rehearsal of Ireland takes place on Wednesday 3/5 and we will be able to have a better view of what Wild Youth will be presenting on stage.

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Eurovision 2023: Portugal’s First Rehearsal!

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The fifth country that takes the stage for the first rehearsal is Portugal, with Mimicat and her song “Ai coração”.

Everything about Mimicat:

Described as having a ‘sassy-badass’ stage presence, Mimicat (otherwise known as Marisa Mena) likes to marry her soulful voice with catchy melodies in the songs she writes.
She’s been singing and recording since the age of 9, but burst onto the scene big time in 2014 with the release of her critically acclaimed debut album “For You”.

This year has a lot in store for the singer-songwriter; as well as heading to Liverpool, she’ll be busting out a new album, which will obviously feature Ai Coração – her Eurovision entry which Mimicat wrote and co-produced with Luís Pereira.

The Rehearsal

The opening piano glissando gives big I Will Survive vibes, but this performance is pure musical theatre fabulousness. The staging has been stripped back from Mimicat’s winning performance at Festival da Canção – still four backing dancers bringing the energy, but no sofas. The theme of the lighting and costumes is RED – Mimicat’s dress is entirely made of red feathers.

Vocally Mimicat sounds incredible – this is a classy cabaret crowd-pleaser and the final note is HUGE.

Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

Corinne Cumming / EBU

 

Below you can watch a small clip from Portugal’s first rehearsal from TikTok :

@eurovision Bringing the CLASS and SASS 💃 ♥️ #Eurovision2023 #Eurovision @Mimicat ♬ original sound – Eurovision

The second rehearsal of Portugal takes place on Wednesday 3/5 and we will be able to have a better view of what Mimicat will be presenting on stage.

Source: Eurovision.tv

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Latvia: First rehearsal completed without the special clothing!

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Just a few minutes ago the first rehearsal of Sudden Lights from Latvia, was completed!

But unfortunately, as we were informed by eurovision.tv, the luggages of the band, have yet to arrive to Liverpool, and as of now they are somewhere in Germany.

As it was expected, the Latvian representatives went on to their first rehearsal without the clothing that was specially made for the contest.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the first rehearsals of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, in Liverpool!

Source: eurovision.tv

Eurovision 2023: Latvia’s First Rehearsal!

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The fourth act to take the stage today for their first rehearsal are Sudden Lights. The indie rock band represents Latvia at the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, after winning Supernova 2023 with their song “Aijā”!

Who are the Sudden Lights?

Sudden Lights are a Latvian indie rock band, founded in 2012 in Riga. The band consists of vocalist Andrejs Reinis Zitmanis, drummer Mārtiņš Matīss Zemītis, guitarist Kārlis Matīss Zitmanis, and bassist Kārlis Vārtiņš. The band took part in Supernova 2018 with their song “Just Fine” and placed second. In February 2023, the group won Supernova 2023 with the song “Aijā” and will represent Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, bringing the Latvian language on the Eurovision stage for the first time since 2004.

The rehearsal

Sudden Lights’s luggage with their stage outfits haven’t yet arrived in Liverpool but there is no reason to worry as they will arrive today.

This performance uses the same style of atmospheric/sudden lighting as we saw at Supernova – it’s exactly the kind of performance that lends itself to a big arena stage. Also lead singer Andrejs Reinis Zitmanis’ melancholy lyrics sound great – there’s a lovely moment of quiet stillness at the end that’s evoking many emotions.

Below you can watch a small clip from Latvia’s first rehearsal from Tik Tok:

@eurovision Lights! Camera! Latvia! 🎸🇱🇻 #Eurovision2023 #Eurovision @suddenlights ♬ original sound – Eurovision

Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

The second rehearsal of Latvia will take place on Wednesday May 3 so we will get a better idea of what we will see from Sudden Lights on stage.

Source: eurovision.tv

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INFE Poll 2023: The results from Slovakia!

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For the seventh consecutive year, the second fan network of the Eurovision Song Contest, the INFE Network, in collaboration with the website EscToday, is conducting the INFE Poll.

Network members in the 21 local fan clubs have already voted for their favorite songs from Eurovision 2023 and via ESCToday, they are announcing their scores.

Here are the results of INFE Slovakia:

  1. Malta – 1 point
  2. Denmark – 2 points
  3. Albania – 3 points
  4. Austria – 4 points
  5. Croatia – 5 points
  6. Finland – 6 points
  7. Slovenia – 7 points
  8. Czechia – 8 points
  9. Norway – 10 points
  10. Sweden – 12 points

Adding INFE Slovakia’s votes, the updated scoreboard stands as follows:

  1. Sweden – 143 points
  2. Finland – 113 points
  3. Norway – 103 points
  4. Italy – 69 points
  5. France – 68 points
  6. Austria – 56 points
  7. Spain – 48 points
  8. Israel – 45 points
  9. Czechia – 42 points
  10. Moldova – 32 points
  11. United Kingdom – 20 points
  12. Armenia – 19 points
  13. Slovenia – 17 points
  14. Croatia – 12 points
  15. Germany – 10 points
  16. Georgia – 10 points
  17. Cyprus – 9 points
  18. Serbia – 8 points
  19. Greece – 8 points
  20. Switzerland – 7 points
  21. Albania – 7 points
  22. Iceland – 5 points
  23. Romania – 4 points
  24. Latvia – 3 points
  25. Denmark – 2 points
  26. Netherlands – 2 points
  27. Estonia – 2 points
  28. Australia – 2 points
  29. Malta – 1 points
  30. San Marino – 1 points
  31. Portugal – 1 points
  32. Belgium – 1 points

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Source: ESC Today