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Eurovision 2023: The first Dress Rehearsal of the Grand Final!

Just a few minuts ago, the first dress rehearsal of the Grand Final, which is going to take place tomorrow night, took place. Eurovisionfun, was present in the M&S Bank Arena and is here to offer you a small glimpse of the rehearsals of the performances of tomorrow’s Grand Final.

🇫🇷 France – La Zarra – “Évidement”

🇨🇾Cyprus– Andrew Lambrou – “Break A Broken Heart”

🇪🇸Spain– Blanca Paloma – “EaEa” 

🇸🇪Sweden– Loreen – “Tattoo”

🇮🇱 Israel – Noa Kirel – “Unicorn”

What’s next today, is the Jury Rehearsal and as a matter of fact, it will be the first time in this year’s contest, that the jury vote will count, as in the semi-finals, it was the public alone that decided the result.


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Eurovision 2023: Dress Rehearsal of the Grand Final – Live Commentary! (Updated Live)

After the Semi-Finals of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, the contestants that got the golden ticket to the Grand Final are ready for their Dress Rehearsal.

EurovisionFun will be watching all the 26 countries competing and will serve you feedback and opinions of the show.

This article gets updated in real-time, all you need to do is hit the refresh button on your browser!

So stay tuned to this article as we update it with all details, preparing you for what you will see in the Grand Final tomorrow May 13th, at 21:00 CEST.

The Show

The contest begins with an introductory video featuring the Kalush Orchestra singing the winning song “Stefania” in the Kyiv subway, while Sam Ryder is featured playing guitar. We actually listen to a remix of “Stefania” with lyrics in English as well. Then we move to the M&S Bank Arena stage where the Kalush Orchestra are now singing live.

Next comes the flag parade, during which Go_A (Ukraine 2020-2021), Jamala (Ukraine 2016), Tina Karol (Ukraine 2006) and Verka Serduchka (Ukraine 2007) perform.

We also had a second run of the flag parade due to Jamala’s unnatural appearance in the first run.

After the flag parade, the 4 presenters present themselves and welcome us. A very interesting addition is the display of the ranking of the countries with the most wins in the competition and the show begins!

The Competing Countries – LIVE COMMENTARY

Austria

First on stage are Teya & Salena. Overall a very good performance, without any change from what we saw yesterday. Personally, I find them a bit sloppy for this particular song. It’s undoubtedly a great opening entry for Saturday’s Grand Final, though, even if that reduces the chances of a very good placing in the voting and may be forgotten in the flow of the show.

Portugal

Portugal is a country that made a surprise and got the ticket to the Grand Final. Mimicat’s weapons are her incredible temperament and vocal abilities. The order of appearance, however, certainly doesn’t help Mimicat and perhaps speaks to her narrowly missed Final. Portugal will probably be ranked very low tomorrow night!

Switzerland

Another vocally solid performance from Remo Forrer with a purely professional and contemporary approach to a dynamic ballad. However, it’s not the most interesting song in this year’s competition, and the order of appearance certainly doesn’t help. This in relation to the public vote, because the juries’ support for Switzerland’s participation is a given, due to the exceptional vocal abilities of the singer, as well as the jury-friendly genre of the song.

Poland

That’s how you turn a weakness to power! Despite all the hate she got, bejba managed to qualify to the Grand Final! Today’s performance was nothing different from what we have already seen, but being a rehearsal we had the opportunity to see Blanka without make-up! I don’t know what will be the fate of participating in the competition, but Blanka will definitely be one of our winners of Eurovision 2023.

Serbia

Another very nice performance from Luke Black. The video game graphics add a very nice touch to the look. Doubtful, of course, his fate in the final situation!

France

Perhaps La Zarra’s best vocal appearance. With the air of a French diva, she marches into the final and everything suggests that France will be placed very high in the ranking table.

Cyprus

Very strong performance from Andrew Lambrou. Although it was a rehearsal, he was vocally perfect, while the LED graphics blend very well with the song and make the whole look impressive.

Spain

Blanca Paloma has powerful vocals. Powerful! Spain’s stage appearance is similar to that of Benidorm Fest. Red dominates and there is a lot of smoke. Juries will love it, televoting hardly.

This is followed by a break with a Junior Eurovision-related video.

Sweden

It’s time for the odds’ favourite with more than 50% winning chance, Sweden. Loreen serves vocals, as always and the performance is the same to what we have seen. Great camera angles hiding the ”disadvantage” of having much smaller led screens than in national selection performance.

Albania

Albania was the outsider for qualification from semi-final 2, being 13th at the odds before the rehearsals. As in Poland, once again we get the chance to see the singers without make-up! Very powerful performance, showing in a great way the connection of the family.

Italy

Similar performance to Sanremo, but there is an addition of a staircase prop with 2 dancers. Marco Mengoni is vocally perfect and emotional. Juries will love this.

Estonia

Alika suprisingly managed to reached to the Grand Final, even though her song is not that televote-friendly. She is rehearsing without make-up and she seems to holding strength for the juries tonight!

Finland

The only entry that can ”fight” Sweden for the win. An energetic performance, hoping to get as much as televoting support to reach the trophy. Not sure if the juries will appreciate this tonight.

Czechia

A song with a strong message! The singers, without make-up, seem to be holding back and not giving their 100%. The juries tonight will appreciate this, but also the televote from the slavic countries will support this entry a lot! A top 10 performance.

Australia

Uplifting performance from Australia and Voyager. Not much differences from what we have already seen. A powerful and memorable performance, there is no way the audience won’t remember this after the show. Not sure how massive the televoting support will be, as Australia is usually not getting much support from the audience. Also, not sure if the juries will give this many points.

Belgium

Gustaph, considered as sure non-qualifier when first selected, managed to turn the table around and qualify to the Grand Final as a sure qualifier. A rehearsal with improvisations to the singing and dancing. Potential Top 10 at televoting, and could also do very well at juries!

Armenia

Brunette with the suprise dance-break is next on the stage. Could be better vocally, but Brunette undoubtedly has one of the best stagings this year. A big question mark how the televote and juries are going to react to this entry. Deserves a top 10, though

Moldova

Definitely a memorable entry! Folk is greatly represented by the flute. The dwarf will help Moldova get many televoting points. Predicting a Top 10 at televoting, but don’t think that the juries will go for it.

Ukraine

Time for the co-host country to rehearse. This song with ”The Weeknd” vibe would get a great result, even if it was sung by another country. Great use of the LED screens and the singer seems to be holding back. There is no doubt Ukraine won’t get the Top 5 result, especially in the televoting.

Norway

The entry that got viral on Tik Tok and will likely get a massive televoting score. Alessandra is not vocally perfect and underwhelming, hoping to see her more energetic tomorrow. Predicting a low Top 10

Germany

A shock performance and not because of the staging or the song, but the lead singers’ clothes. He is not wearing the typical costume, but a black sleeveless, a pants with a cat over his black and white trousers and sunglasses.

Lithuania

Even though it is a rehearsal, Monika is vocally excellent. She is without make-up and seems to enjoying the rehearsal. Juries will love this song, but would not be surprised with a bottom 5 in televoting.

Israel

Noa Kirel is a goddess and could do the surprise at televoting tomorrow. Vocally, she is quite unstable, but she is definitely delivers a great show, that is going to be appreciated at the Grand Final tomorrow.

Slovenia

A performance full of energy! Joker Out know how to rouse the audience. The lead singer is vocally great and give an uplifting number. Could get a suprise result tomorrow.

Croatia

Even though the lead singer was ill, it isn’t obvious in this performance. Not a flattering entry for Croatia, but will get the country’s best result in years. The juries won’t give it much points, but the televoting will go for it.

United Kingdom

Last but not least, Mae Muller comes on stage for her rehearsal. The worst vocal performance today, but she gives a great and colourful show! Predicting below 20th place.

 

Intervals acts

The interval acts start with Sam Ryder.

Later, “Liverpool Song Book” follows.

First up is Mahmood (Italy 2019 and 2022), who performs “Imagine” by John Lehnon, whose birthplace was Liverpool. Next is Netta (Israel 2018) singing “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)”. Then, Daði Freyr (Iceland 2020 and 2021) with “Whole Again” and Cornelia Jakobs (Sweden 2022) with “I Turn to You”. Last, Sonia (United Kingdom 1993) sings after 30 years her participation “Better the Devil You Know” and also Duncan Laurence (Netherlands 2019). In some moments we also see Ruslana from Ukraine. The common denominator of all these appearances is the city of Liverpool. Very moving interval act.

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Eurovision 2023: The first Dress Rehearsal of the countries competing in the second Semi-Final!

Just a few hours ago, the first dress rehearsal of the second semi-final, which is going to take place tomorrow night, took place. Eurovisionfun, was present in the M&S Bank Arena and is here to offer you a first glimpse of the performances of tomorrow’s semi-final.

🇦🇲 Armenia– Brunette – “Future Lover”

🇨🇾 Cyprus– Andrew Lambrou – “Break A Broken Heart”

🇬🇷 Greece– Victor Vernicos – “What They Say”

🇵🇱 Poland– Blanka – “Solo”

🇦🇹 Austria– Teya & Salena – “Who The Hell is Edgar”

🇬🇧 United Kingdom – Mae Muller – “I Wrote A Song”

What’s next today, is the Jury Rehearsal and although their vote is not counted in the final result, they will be used in case a country is unable to provide a televote result.

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Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun for all the latest developments regarding the the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, that is held in Liverpool!

Eurovision 2023: Dress Rehearsal of the 2nd Semi Final – Live Commentary! (Updated Live)

After the First Semi Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, the contestants of the Second one are ready for their Dress Rehearsal. It is the very first time that journalists have the chance to watch the full show of the remaining countries.

EurovisionFun will be watching all the 16 countries competing and will serve you feedback and opinions of the show. Also, the journalists have the chance to fully watch the rehearsals of United Kingdom, Spain and the winner of last year’s edition, Ukraine.

This article gets updated in real-time, all you need to do is hit the refresh button on your browser!

So stay tuned to this article as we update it with all details, preparing you for what you will see in the Semi-Final tomorrow May 9th, at 21:00 CEST.

The Show

The three female presenters are one stage and welcome everyone on the show again! The explain the voting system, the united vibe between Ukraine and United Kingdom and within the first five minutes the show begins!

The Competing Countries – LIVE COMMENTARY

Denmark- Break My heart

In the begging, Reiley is inside a shadow of a heart and then we see him in his cute colourful box. We also see him laying on the floor with some pink LED. The lights change from pink to blue and end up green. At the end of the perfomance we see the singer on the small stage in front.Vocally Reiley is not at his best, maybe still keep his power for tomorrow’s show!

Armenia- Future Lover

That was s shock! Brunnete starts at her purple and pink screen and looking amazing. In the rap parts the screen is totally white while the lights are making shadows. The main colours are now black and white. WE HAVE A REVAMP! Brunnete has a dance break with ethnic instruments and she is dancing and laying on the floor! A very cool show.

Romania- D.G.T.(On and Off)

Theodor’s vocals are on point as always but the show is not at the same level. Everything is red while his costume is pink and at the end we see a girl dancing with him. Romania will probably not be in the final of Eurovision 2023.

Estonia- Bridges

Another killer vocals! Alika is in her blue dress playing in the piano, then leave but the keys are still being played magically. The whole stage is blue while she is walking and  moving around. No suprises here, a simple but effective perfomance!

Belgium- Because of you

Gustaph is on the top of a platform with some stairs and his backing singers are down singing with him. The LED are like the videoclip, some shadows dancing on the rhythm of the song and also him on the outfit of the video clip. In the final chorus, we see a dancer in a pink and white outfit dancing around with Gustaph. A very energetic perfomance!

Cyprus- Break a Broker Heart

Andew is alone on stage in a blue scene. The show starts with him hitting the high note and he is looking good in black. In the first chorus we see a waterfall behind him and towards the end it becomes a huge flame. The whole scene is full of fire and Andrew is good vocally. A safe qualifier!

Iceland- Power

Dilja is alone on stage on her silver suit. The staging is quite dark with blue and purple lights and a few green LED like a tree. Towards the end we see some beautiful flowers behind her and in the final chorus she shows all of her vocals, which are impressive! A strong perfomance that will give a fight for a ticket to the frand final.

Greece- What They Say

Victor starts on the floor with some LED greek letters and he sounds good. At the first chorus we see him in the LED behind him and in the end his is in the front small stage with some smoke. He seemed tired towards the end.

Poland- Solo

The first verse starts with a different type of camera len. A lot of fire visual throught the song and not only on the dance break and Blanka is serving looks. The dance break is nice and she seems confident. A good rehearsal!

Slovenia- Carpe Diem

A very concert like perfomance from Joker Out. The seem confident and cool with their 80s style of clothing. The singer is vocally just like the recorded version and the whole lights are red. In the end, the members of the group, bowed towards the crowd and we see a huge “Joker Out” in the LED. A safe qualifer!

Georgia- Echo

Iru is in a small plarform with a white dress and gold jewelleries. Vocally she is on point, the LED behind her are dark and in the end everything become brighter. A wind machine is helping her to serve a very dramatic look. A great perfomance, with no suprises thoughout the show.

San Marino- Like An Animal

The show starts with a huge mouth in the LED. The whole show is full of red lights and red lips on the background. Vocally the singer is on point, his high notes are very strong but the song is not doing enough to qualify.

Austria- Who the hell is Edgar?

The big favourite of the semifinal is on stage and their serving vocals and look. The show starts a typewriter and the face of Edgar Allan Poe and some dancers on the background. The LED next is full of dancers giving the feeling that they are on stage. Both of them are very good vocally and the perfomance is fun! A safe qualifier for the Grand Final!

Albania- Duje

An amazing dramatic start for Albania. The vocals are strong, the aura of the balkan culture is there and the stage is all red. This may be the most impactful and strong perfomance of the semi. I would dare to say a safe qualifier for the Grand Final also!

Lithuania- Stay

Lithuania has a third option for her dress, in my opinion the best one, and it is still orange and short, as it should! Vocally she is on point and the perfomance is very similar to the national final’s one. A very good rehearsal for Monika.

Australia- Promise

A very strong rock perfomance from Voyager! The singer starts inside a car and then he gives a strong perfomance in front of the crowd. Also a safe qualifer if you ask me!

Certain Qualifiers

Armenia

Cyprus

Poland

Slovenia

Austria

Albania

Lithuania

Australia

Borderline Qualifiers

Georgia

Estonia

Belgium

Greece

Non Qualifiers

Denmark

Romania

Iceland

San Marino

Big 5 and Ukraine

Spain

A very similar to the national selection perfomance with Blanca serving vocals once again. During her perfomance we see a light hitting her hand and the backing vocals screaming her name. An impacful perfomance that will probably do well on Saturday night!

Ukraine

Just like the national final, the LED small screens are still here but even better.  More specific, the singer sometimes transform into a steel type of machine with a human body and during the second verse two dancers help him out and also play with those screens. In the LED we see some blue mountains and sometimes the sun appearing. During the chorus, both the back LED screen and the little screen have the future of robots made of still. A very fun perfomance that will probably do well on Saturday!

United Kingdom

Zero make up for Mae Muller and still looking amazing! The visuals are on point with Mae inside her head and dancing around with her female dancers. On the second verse she leaves the platform and goes to the main stage. The staging is fresh and modern, like a VMA perfomance, but the vocals were not there unfortunatelly. She did not sound bad but it felt weak.

Announcement

The hosts after talking to Blanca Paloma, TVORCI and Mae Muller are ready to announce the ten qualifiers. In the rehearsal, those ten countries are:

San Marino, Albania, Iceland, Greece, Georgia, Estonia, Austria, Denmark , Poland and Australia

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