Tag Archive for: 1st Semifinal

Big day tonight in Turin with the 1st Semifinal taking place, here at the PalaOlimpico. Together we will comment on the family show that takes place every year before a TV show and is addressed, as the title says, to families. Αll entries will once again perform their song, with the show being used more as a warm-up, a final rehearsal for minor corrections before the TV show, tonight!

We are at the press center and will bring you live everything that happens here in real time. We remind you that the jury rehearsal took place yesterday, with 50% of the total score having already been judged. Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for the family show.

The article is updated:

The semifinal begins with a video while, Leo the drone, arrives at the Pala Olimpico after touring in Turin. Leo comes on to the stage. We see a toy with lights and leds, while listening to Maneskin’s Zitti e Buoni.

Time to welcome our three presenters on stage Laura Pausini, Alessandro Cattelan and Mika! Mika is casual dressed as it’s a rehearsal. Before the competing part begins, the hosts of the show describe the voting process. The Eurovision Song Contest – Family Show Edition has begun!

Albania

A similar appearance from Ronela without particular problems. She wears the pink dress she had in the previous rehearsals, while the choreography does not have any changes. Minor vocal problems that are corrected immediately. A rehearsal without any particular problems for Albania.

Latvia

City Zeni give a colorful image to the arena, with their costumes, the lighting and of course with the energy they bring. Everything looks ready for Latvia for today’s semifinal. We hope no pants are torn again.

Lithuania

Monica on stage alone as we are used to, while in many shots we see her double on the screen. Problems with the Italian scene may cost in Lithuania. If she manages to qualify, the qualification is due to Monica herself and her talent.

Switzerland

Marius looks comfortable on stage, low lights here, while he even attempting some successful different vocals. Sacha Jean-Baptiste’s stamp is obvious in the choreography performed by Marius. Switzerland is also claiming a ticket for Saturday’s final.

Slovenia

The young band brings disco sounds to the stage and this time everyone seems to enjoy it more than ever! Admittedly, the song does not have much hope for qualification but the happiest mood of the band certainly raises ours too. They took our LastPizzaSlice!

Ukraine

The most known participation of this year’s competition is of course the Ukrainian one.  Kalush Orchestra  are having fun participating with the climax of the song creating a moving atmosphere in the arena. Loud applause from all those present, a dynamic support of the participation is expected in the evening.

Bulgaria

Like yesterday, the Bulgarian band gives an excellent performance with the lead singer singer Ronnie Romero being impeccable in his vocals. Beautiful direction, fires and golden lighting culminate in the song and Bulgaria demands the qualification. Will they take it?

The Netherlands

S10 comfortable now on stage performs a very beautiful song and she is gorgeous. The direction is based on low lighting and a base where s10 stands. No problems at all, they can already  think about Saturday’s final!

Moldova

And yet “Zdob şi Zdub & Advahov Brothers” create a very interesting combination of folklore rock and roll. The singer’s sunglasses make you laugh and sing with them throughout the song. For many, Moldova had no hope of qualifying, but now the route Chisinau – Bucharest – Final is possible!

Portugal

A small delay before the start of the participation, we do not know at the moment if it was a rehearsal of the presenters for such an occasion. Maro, however, is a calm force in the competition. The public is asked to turn on the flashlights of their mobile phones to create a “Saudade” feeling.

Croatia

Another sweet presence this year is that of Croatia. Mia seems to have overcome the technical problems of the first rehearsals. We see a choreography on the stage that tells the story of Mia. Croatian lyrics sounds beautiful, to be honest. Is it enough, though, to get to the final?

Denmark

Colorful appearance from Denmark as well. The band performs the song without any problem. The direction is based on the quick alternation of lighting giving a rock feeling. Τhe girls enjoy it and for many it is a participation that also has its own chances of qualifying. We’ll see!

Austria

Αustria is a roller coaster this year. The duo is in a ring of light, red and white lighting everywhere.  A very strong finish for the Mia and Lum!x with pyros. It is worth rewarding the effort of Pia in the vocals which are improving. While a popular participation in the beginning, Austria needs to perform well tonight.

Iceland

You feel like you are being transported to the places of Iceland but instead of listening to “Ja Ja Ding Dong”, the three girls sing melodic. The shots work flawlessly and the golden lighting dominates. Iceland states present!

Greece

Dreamy appearance from Greece, with Amanda to communicate the drama to the viewers . The change of plans from yesterday remains but there was the spotlight at the start, which due to a mistake of the hosts was not activated yesterday. Amanda is impeccably vocal, even better than yesterday and looks ready for tonight’s show. Greece is aiming high this year!

Norway

The wolves steal the show and their choreography keeps you going until the end. No vocal issues, they never had. Great staging, the fireworks are just the icing on the cake for a song that we will see on Saturday for sure!

Armenia

The Semifinal closes with Rosa Linn in her room slowly pulling of the post-it notes in the walls and the messages appear. In the end, she throws the wall and she is in front of the audience to perform the song very nicely. And with a snap, the competitive part of the Semifinal ends.

Benny Benassi and Sophie & The Giants (Interval Act)

“The Dance of Beauty” will be another interval act for this semi final, when Pala Olimpico will be trasnformed into a giant disco by Dardust, Benny Benassi and Sophie & The Giants, who complete the line-up of interval act artists.

Starting of with a DJ set by Benni Benassi, global-megastar DJ, but even his act is affected by the mechanical difficulties of the stage! But who can forget “Satisfaction“, or who hasn’t ever danced to that sick beat? Lots of dancers on stage and then Sophie and the Giants take over the stage and duo with Benni performing their single “Golden Nights“!

After the end of the first interval act, the hosts come back on stage and pay tribute to Raffaella Carrà by playing and singing along to the song “Fiesta“, who sadly died last year on July 5th.

Then we have another recap of all the competing songs and their respective voting numbers, after Benny Benassi and Sophie & The Giants leave the stage!

Counting down towards the end of the voting window, the three hosts of the show ask the public to “stop voting now”, giving way to Diodato!

Diodato (Interval Act)

It is worth noting that finally Diodato will get his chance to sing the 2020 Italian entry “Fai Rumore”, in his home country, two years after he was selected as the Italian representative for the 65th cancelled Eurovision Song Contest. “The Dance of Beauty” will be another interval act for this semi final, when Pala Olimpico will be trasnformed into a giant disco by Dardust, Benny Benassi and Sophie & The Giants, who complete the line-up of interval act artists.

He appears on stage playing the piano, singing to this sentimental ballad, dancers appear behind his back while he sings at the piano. After the first chorus of the song, he gets up and then we see him going around dancers that stand still on stage. They start moving to contemporary dance moves, as soon as Diodato gets into the second chorus of the song! Goosebumps!

Plus, now the sun does move! Impressive! Sad we can’t see that during the several performances of each country!