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Eurovision 2023: France’s second rehearsal!

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The next country to have its second rehearsal today is France with La Zarra and “ Évidemment ”

Who is La Zarra?

Fatima-Zahra Hafdi, known with her artist name La Zarra, was internally selected by France Télévisions to represent France in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, making her the second Canadian singer to represent the country after Natasha St-Pier in 2001.

As a self-taught musician, La Zarra embodies the style and essence of iconic figures like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe, while also embracing the tragic sensibility reminiscent of Édith Piaf. Her breakthrough came in 2016 with the release of her debut single “Printemps blanc,” a collaboration with French rapper Niro. In 2021, her popularity soared with the success of the single “Tu t’en iras,” which received extensive airplay. This achievement led to her nomination for the NRJ Music Awards, one of the most prestigious music awards in France, in the category of Francophone Revelation of the Year. Adding to her accomplishments, La Zarra’s debut and currently only album, “Traîtrise,” further contributed to her rising fame.

The Rehearsal

Unfortunately this year, accredited journalists don’t get the chance to watch the first and second rehearsals, so we only get the information and content that the organizers officially release to the public through eurovision.tv and the official social media accounts of the contest.

Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

As we saw from the first rehearsal snippet, La Zarra is elevated on a shimmering platform adorned with sparkles, dressed in a form-fitting gown crafted entirely from black and red sequins. The ‘platform’ is actually a moving column five meters tall, draped in sparkly black fabric all the way to the floor. The fabric disappears to reveal a cylindrical column with a mirror-tiled top. At the end of the performance there is pyro and the french flag appears on the led wall behind La Zarra. This is very French, dramatic, very Eurovision, as the eurovision.tv blog live feed describes. And that’s why we are looking forward to see the full performance!

Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

Tonight, after the completion of all the second rehearsals of the Big 6, a recap video will be released with 30 second snippets of the performances, giving us a glimpse of how the acts will look on stage.

Follow us on all our social media, so that you’ll not lose a thing of what’s happening in Liverpool:

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

Source: Eurovision.tv

Eurovision 2023: Germany’s second rehearsal!

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Good morning! Today is the seventh day of the Eurovision 2023 rehearsals and the Big 5 plus last year’s winner Ukraine, will have their second rehearsal at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. You can find the schedule of today’s rehearsals here.

Germany is the first country to take the stage today and rehearse for the second time. The country is represented by Lord of the Lost and the song “Blood&Glitter“.

Who is Lord of the Lost?

Lord of the Lost is a band from Hamburg, Germany that has gained a significant following in Germany’s industrial rock scene. Initially started as a solo project by lead singer Chris Harms in 2007 the band released their debut single Dry the Rain and first album Fears in 2009 and 2010 respectively. Today, they have a total of eight albums in their discography, with their most recent four reaching the top 10 of the German charts. Their latest album, named after their Eurovision entry “Blood & Glitter”, quickly reached the number one spot on German charts just six days after pre-orders were made. Their recent European tour was sold out and after the contest, they will be supporting Iron Maiden on tour!

The rehearsal

Unfortunately this year, accredited journalists don’t get the chance to watch the first and second rehearsals, so we only get the information and content that the organizers officially release to the public through eurovision.tv and the official social media accounts of the contest.

Sarah Louisse Bennet / EBU

The stage performance is similar to the one in the national final but definitely upgraded. On stage there is a metal construction in a triangle form where 2 of the band members are placed higher than the rest, while red and black are the primary colors on the led screens. Flashing lights make the performance more impactful while pyro and red flames are used. Such a dynamic performance! Seems that Germany will not be on the last places of the leaderboard this year.

Chloe Hashemi / EBU

Tonight, after the completion of all the second rehearsals of the Big 6, a recap video will be released with 30 second snippets of the performances, giving us a glimpse of how the acts will look on stage.

Follow us on all our social media, so that you’ll not lose a thing of what’s happening in Liverpool:

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

Source: Eurovision.tv

Eurovision 2023: Austria’s Second Rehearsal!

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Next up on stage we will be seeing Teya & Salena on their second rehearsal as the representatives of Austria in this year’s competition with “Who the Hell is Edgar?”.

Who are Teya & Salena?

Teya may not be known as a singer yet, but she has been working successfully as a songwriter for some time now. She has participated in several singing camps in Unified Songs, as well as Eurovision.

TEYA’s newest single, “EX ME” is available on all platforms and is released through Unified Records.

24-year-old Salena comes from a big musical family. She lived in Berlin and Cologne due to her extensive recordings and television appearances on The Voice of Germany.

She moved to Vienna in 2019. In addition, she participated in several preliminary rounds for the national Eurovision selection.

In addition to collaborating with professional songwriters/producers from around the world, she participated in Austria’s show “Starmania” 2021. Her debut single is titled “Pretty Imperfection”.

The Rehearsal

Unfortunately this year, accredited journalists don’t get the chance to watch the first and second rehearsals, so we only get the information and content that the organizers officially release to the public.

Teya and Salena look and sound great on their second rehearsal. It’s got a message, it’s got a thumping bassline, it’s got huge vocals, it’s got an insanely polished dance routine that everybody needs to learn immediately, and it’s got the line “Oh mio padre, there’s a ghost in my body” sung like it’s the Vienna Boys’ Choir. This is such a fun performance.

Corinne Cumming / EBU

Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

In the afternoon, after the completion of all the rehearsals, a recap video will be released with short excerpts from the footage of all the second rehearsals!

The Dress Rehearsal for Austria and the rest of Semi Final 2 will be held on the 10th of May.

Follow us on all social media, so you do not miss a moment of what will happen in Liverpool:

Stay tuned at EurovisionFun for all the latest developments regarding Austria’s entry in Eurovision 2023!

Eurovision 2023: San Marino’s Second Rehearsal!

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The next group that sets foot on stage for their second rehearsal are Piqued Jacks, representing San Marino with the alternative rock song “Like An Animal”.

Who are the Piqued Jacks?

The Piqued Jacks are an Italian rock band formed in 2006 in Italy. It’s consisted by Andrea Lazzeretti, Francesco Bini, Tommaso Oliveri and Marco Sgaramella. In 2010 and 2011, the band released their first two extended plays and their first debut album was released in 2015 named “Climb Like Ivy Does”. In 2019, Piqued Jacks won the award for the Rock category at the Italian Sanremo Rock.

This year, the group participated in the San Marinize National Selection “Una Voce Per San Marino” which was the biggest national final of the year. Piqued Jacks managed to win and represent San Marino to Eurovision in Liverpool.

The Rehearsal

Unfortunately this year, accredited journalists don’t get the chance to watch the first and second rehearsals, so we only get the information and content that the organizers officially release to the public.

San Marino’s performance is still full of sequins and mood lighting! The group uses the LED wall as a sea with red and black graphics,and it’s clear they’re not leaving until they’ve left their heart and soul on that stage. The main singer has a huge stage presence and charisma which leads the whole performance is gritty and raw in the best possible way.

Corinne Cumming / EBU

Corinne Cumming / EBU

In the afternoon, after the completion of all the rehearsals, a recap video will be released with short excerpts from the footage of all the second rehearsals!

The Dress Rehearsal for San Marino and the rest of Semi Final 2 will be held on the 10th of May.

Follow us on all social media, so you do not miss a moment of what will happen in Liverpool:

Stay tuned at EurovisionFun for all the latest developments regarding San Marino’s entry in Eurovision 2023!

Eurovision 2023: Georgia’s Second Rehearshal!

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Next up is Georgia‘s rehearsal, represented by Iru singing “Echo“.

Who is Iru?

Irina “Iru” Khechanovi is a twenty-three year old young artist from Georgia with Armenian descent. You may know her because she won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2011 as a member of the girl group Candy with the song “Candy Music”. In 2019, she tried to expand her career as a participant in the “Georgian Idol“. She also co-written Georgia’s song “I Believe” for Junior Eurovision last year. The entry finished in third place.

In 2023, she won the fifth season of “The Voice Georgia” and therefore she won the right to represent her country to Eurovision in Liverpool.

The Rehearsal

Unfortunately this year, accredited journalists don’t get the chance to watch the first and second rehearsals, so we only get the information and content that the organizers officially release to the public.

Georgia has had an outfit adjustment, changing Iru’s dress train to a much bigger one than the one wearing on Tuesday’s first rehearsal. Reasonable considering the wind machines are going full blast in this act!

Chloe Hashemi / EBU

Chloe Hashemi / EBU

In the afternoon, after the completion of all the rehearsals, a recap video will be released with short excerpts from the footage of all the second rehearsals!

The Dress Rehearsal for Georgia and the rest of Semi Final 2 will be held on the 10th of May.

Follow us on all social media, so you do not miss a moment of what will happen in Liverpool:

Stay tuned at EurovisionFun for all the latest developments regarding Georgia’s entry in Eurovision 2023!

Eurovision 2023: Belgium’s Second Rehearsal!

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Next up is Belgium‘s rehearsal, represented by Gustaph singing “Because of You“.

Who is Gustaph ?

Stef Caers, also known professionally as Gustaph, is 42 years old and he comes from the Flemish speaking part of Belgium. He is an experienced artist regarding the contest, since he has already participated before as a back vocalist for Senek in 2018 and for Hooverphonic in 2021. His debut in the music industry began in 2000 while he was studying in at the Royal Conservatory of Ghent and also he used to be a vocal coach.

Gustaph’s participation in Eurovision is considered to be one of the most unexpected participations, since he was an outsider in Belgium’s Eurosong. He was not the winner of either public’s vote (second) or jury’s vote (third). However the combination of the two results gave Gustaph the golden tickret for Liverpool, who actually beat Starlings by just one point.

No matter the fact that Gustaph has generally gathered negative reviews regarding his qualification, his flawless live performances at pre parties may proove the exact opposite, since he is currently at the odds-in’s eighth place for qualification.

The Rehearsal

Unfortunately this year, accredited journalists don’t get the chance to watch the first and second rehearsals, so we only get the information and content that the organizers officially release to the public.

Belgium is the next country to keep their performance just the way it was in Monday’s first rehearsal. If everyone keeps their outfits from today, the first half of the second Semi-Final is going to be VERY pink.

It’s a pure pop song, full of love for the people who never let us down, with their good and bad moments. Gustaph has his own ladder, three singers and an all LED backdrop with vogueing, drag queens and all the people who make Gustaph’s world a better place.

Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

In the afternoon, after the completion of all the rehearsals, a recap video will be released with short excerpts from the footage of all the second rehearsals!

The Dress Rehearsal for Belgium and the rest of Semi Final 2 will be held on the 10th of May.

Follow us on all social media, so you do not miss a moment of what will happen in Liverpool:

Stay tuned at EurovisionFun for all the latest developments regarding Belgium’s entry in Eurovision 2023!

Eurovision 2023: Estonia’s Second Rehearsal!

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Next up on the stage  is Estonia. Alika with her song “Bridges” is ready for her second rehearsal on the stage of M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool!

Who is Alika?

Alika was born in Narva in Estonia on 5 September 2002. She has been performing since she was four years old, and has participated in many televised singing competitions including ‘The Baltic Voice’, ‘New Wave Junior’, ‘Kaunas Talent’, ‘Bravo Song Contest’ and ‘Berlin Perle’. Alika rose to fame after winning the eighth season of ‘Eesti otsib superstaari’ (Estonian Idol), securing more than 70% of the vote in the final.

Her first three singles, Õnnenumber, Bon Appetit, and C’est La Vie, all reached the top of the radio charts in Estonia, solidifying her popularity in her home country. She’s participating in Eurovision 2023 with Bridges, which she wrote with Wouter Hardy, who co-wrote Duncan Laurence’s Eurovision winning song Arcade.

The Rehearsal

Unfortunately this year, accredited journalists don’t get the chance to watch the first and second rehearsals, so we only get the information and content that the organizers officially release to the public.

Everything on Estonia’s performance remains just the way it was on Monday’s first rehearsal – on point!

On stage we see the first piano for this year so far. It’s exactly the same one we saw in Eesti Laul.

Alika has a very strong voice. Also, the lighting and graphics of the Liverpool stage look great and there isn’t a square inch of the floor and LED’s that isn’t used here, giving a dramatic tone to the performance.

Sarah Louise Bennet / EBU

Corinne Cumming / EBU

 

In the afternoon, after the completion of all the rehearsals, a recap video will be released with short excerpts from the footage of all the second rehearsals!

The Dress Rehearsal for Estonia and the rest of Semi Final 2 will be held on the 10th of May.

Follow us on all social media, so you do not miss a moment of what will happen in Liverpool:

Stay tuned at EurovisionFun for all the latest developments regarding Estonia’s entry in Eurovision 2023!

Eurovision 2023: Romania’s Second Rehearsal!

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Coming up next for his second rehearsal is Theodor Andrei from Romania, who is going to perform his song named “D.G.T. (Off and On)“.

Who is Theodor Andrei ?

Theodor Andrei was born in Bucharest, Romania in 2004 and he is just 18 years old! He became widely known by participating in the talent show “Vocea Romanei Junior”, which is the Romanian version of “The Voice Kids”, back in 2017, when he managed to reach the semifinals. Later, in 2020, he took part in the Romanian “X Factor”, where he stopped at bootcamps. Two years later, his debut album named “Fragil” was realised.

After having won the national final of Romania, among eleven artists, Theodor Andrei took the ticket for Liverpool no matter the fact that he was not consiered as the favorite one in advance. However, the public who were 100% in charge of the final result gave him the win.

The Rehearsal

Unfortunately this year, accredited journalists don’t get the chance to watch the first and second rehearsals, so we only get the information and content that the organizers officially release to the public.

Romania is surprising us with the second outfit change of the day. The yellow outfit we saw on Monday’s first rehearsal is now changed to a pink one, which organizers describe as the same candyfloss pink as the one used for Reiley from Denmark. Also the Pikachu socks have been replaced by Spongebob ones!

The live version of the song is completely different from the recorded one – the first half of the song is only accompanied by a guitar and Theodor’s voice, almost acoustic. The second half is stronger, with a clear rock tempo in a performance that feels much more intimate, with Theodor bringing ALL his energy to the stage. The finale is quite impressive, as Theodor is joined by a dancer.

Sarah Louise Bennett

Chloe Hashemi

In the afternoon, after the completion of all the rehearsals, a recap video will be released with short excerpts from the footage of all the second rehearsals!

The Dress Rehearsal for Romania and the rest of Semi Final 2 will be held on the 10th of May.

Follow us on all social media, so you do not miss a moment of what will happen in Liverpool:

Stay tuned at EurovisionFun for all the latest developments regarding Romania’s entry in Eurovision 2023!

Eurovision 2023: Armenia’s Second Rehearsal!

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The next artist to come up on the stage is Brunette, representing Armenia, with the song “Future Lover”.

Who is Brunette?

Elen Yeremyan, known in the music industry as Brunette, is an Armenian singer and songwriter born in 4th May of 2001 and raised in Yerevan. She’s active in singing and songwriting at the age of fifteen and she released her debut single “Love The Way You Feel” at 2019. Brunette is also a member of the girl group “En aghjiknery” translated as “ThoseGirlz”. Last year, the singer released many singles which you can find on all music platforms.

On 1st February, it was announced that Brunette was internally chosen to represent her country to the Song Contest by the National Broadcaster ARMTV.

The Rehearsal

Unfortunately this year, accredited journalists don’t get the chance to watch the first and second rehearsals, so we only get the information and content that the organizers officially release to the public.

The Armenian team did not make any changes to the costume or staging from what we saw on their first rehearsal on Monday.

One thing we can say for sure is the lighting and LED floor graphics in this performance look incredible on the TV screen!

The performance begins as a simple ballad, with Brunette lying on an inclined structure set up at the front of the stage, with swirling graphics as a backdrop. Then when the song picks up pace, the lights and graphics change. Vocally the singer is very good as she delivers a strong performance.

Armenia First Rehearsal 1

Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

Armenia First Rehearsal 3

Corinne Cumming / EBU

In the afternoon, after the completion of all the rehearsals, a recap video will be released with short excerpts from the footage of all the second rehearsals!

The Dress Rehearsal for Armenia and the rest of Semi Final 2 will be held on the 10th of May.

Follow us on all social media, so you do not miss a moment of what will happen in Liverpool:

Stay tuned at EurovisionFun for all the latest developments regarding Armenia’s entry in Eurovision 2023!

Eurovision 2023: Denmark’s Second Rehearsal!

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Continuous to the rehearsals of the previews few days, the first to take the stage today is Reiley from Denmark with the song “Breaking My Heart”.

Who is Riley?

Rani Petersen is known in the music industry as Reiley, is the first person from the Faroe Islands to participate in Eurovision Song Contest. Reiley is twenty-five years old singer and he became known as a social media influencer on TikTok in the early 2019, with nearly 11 million followers.

Since then, Reiley is posting on social media hundreds of covers that many of these became viral across all the internet. On February, he participated on the Danish National Selection Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2023 and won the competition making history in the Eurovision books.

The Rehearsal

Unfortunately this year, accredited journalists don’t get the chance to watch the first and second rehearsals, so we only get the information and content that the organizers officially release to the public.

Reiley’s outfit is different to the one used in his first rehearsal! His beige sequins and white trousers are now changed to a candyfloss pink sparkly suit!

It also seems that the entry’s staging works really good on screen with Reiley’s rotating house being compared by the organizers to what Rosa Linn, from Armenia, did last year!

Chloe Hashemi – EBU

Sarah Louise Bennett – EBU

In the afternoon, after the completion of all the rehearsals, a recap video will be released with short excerpts from the footage of all the second rehearsals!

The Dress Rehearsal for Denmark and the rest of Semi Final 2 will be held on the 10th of May.

Follow us on all social media, so you do not miss a moment of what will happen in Liverpool:

Stay tuned at EurovisionFun for all the latest developments regarding Denmark’s entry in Eurovision 2023!