We’re live in the hall! Ready for the first dress rehearsal. Keep refreshing and I’ll try to keep you informed. There are public and press in the hall so it has better atmosphere than rehearsals at this stage typically are. Many people are drinking beer. No, it’s way too early…
the he warm up man is proud of the arena, and that we’re the first ones in it.
he’s doubtful though: he tells us we’re going to experience a “probably fantastic show”.
we’re being primed than Sweden want audience participation waving our mobiles with a lit screen. Hedging their bets without glow sticks this time I see…
and we’re off!
the host nation is bigging itself up in the opening video. And why not?
Emmelie is walking the streets of CPH and now has arrived at the venue. We have clips audience members have sent in of themselves singing. #joinus
emmelie is singing now with a cast of tens. How many times can they get her in the show, we wonder?
There’s now a huge projection on the backdrop of people’s singing clips! It’s very impressive!
the hosts enter: oh no, they don’t! We’re getting the opening again, there was a technical fault with timing
And we’re back! There’s no rhyming couplets so far. Phew! They’re poking a bit of fun at the Swedes though… They’re pretty competent so far. As usual we can vote up to 20 times, they’re doing the formalities. Quick and efficient, and we’re onto the songs already.
Armenia: cheers for Aram as he starts to sing. Spotlights circle him, widening out. BIG screams with the pyros! This is very good indeed. Great shot from overhead swooping down at the end. Maybe too many pyros?
i won’t reveal the flags: you can find out on the night.
Latvia: also a cheer as he starts singing, and clapping along. It’s a bit lost after Armenia though. There are projections of the singers on the floor at the end of each catwalk. Jolly but it’s not for me.
Estonia: vocally still ropey in the first verse, the backing singers are more noticeable covering her. We can see one carrying the lead vocal. Dancing’s great though, and that weightless move looks wonderful.
Sweden: get your phones out! They set up a mirror ball above her and spotlights around her. The spotlights look wonderful, reminiscent of the lights over the Crystal Hall in Baku. Sanna’s vocal is lovely.
iceland: it’s a riot of colour but if you’ve not warmed to it yet this won’t change your mind. People are bopping in their sears though. The dance interlude is going down well. Rosé is clapping along next to me. Blimey!
A short break now. We have the Book of Eurovision Records. A little potted history of ESC. This is the highest hair award. Oh and another attempt to spot the gayers in the crowd. So many proud men all getting along…
Albania: this is sung more clearly and more softly. It’s lovely. But not sure it’s enough… Lovely swooping camera shots.
Russia: Cheers, not boos. Good! Great back projected spotlights. The seesaw works really well. This is surprisingly good. A better shot of Rui Andrade rising the sun, as the colours change to oranges. And no booing at the end, let’s hope it stays that way…
Azerbaijan: Lovely red dress, dark and brooding. The trapeze artist is so superfluous though, she’s unnerving me… It’s very well sung and classy. Rosé’s had a moment…
Ukraine: she’s gone for a black dress. It’s busy on stage, spotlights everywhere. The hamster wheel is just the right amount of distraction from the fact there’s not much tune. It works for me as a gimmick though. Big cheer in the hall, unexpectedly.
Belgium: it’s exactly as you expect, and as good or bad as you find it. I fecking hate it. The dancing is ridiculous. A few lone whoops amid a smattering of polite applause. I think we can breathe easy on this one.
Moldova: Cristina still struggles with the opening notes in the low register. She’s much better in the mid range. I still don’t see this at all. Musically at least it’s a certain non-qualifier. This section of the show really drags.
San Marino: somebody behind us is a fan, calling out for her. She doesn’t seem to answer. I think this is her best entry of the three but it feels oddly flat in the hall, almost a little slow. We need a boost of energy at this point and it’s not coming from Eurovision’s smallest nation.
Another break. The presenters are in the green room showing off the trophy. More videos of the fashions throughout the ages.
Portugal: Oh we needed this. She’s in a tiny shimmering red number. The dancers have sheer black tops. It’s cheap as hell but it’s lively and after the run we’ve just had that could help her immensely.
Netherlands: it’s shot very close up circling the singers. It’s very intimate and gentle. Perhaps the simplicity will work but as pleasant as it is I can’t see it going through. You feel they’re doing it as publicity for them as artists, not to be successful in the competition.
Montenegro: Lovely song sung beautifully and spoiled entirely by the skater. It’s utterly unnecessary and potentially self-scuppering.
A troupe of small children just left the stands. Is Hungary’s subject matter too much for them?
Hungary: I’m disappointed not to have seen more of Andras this week. This is only my second glimpse of his loveliness. He sounds great. It’s a very contemporary number, but will it work? To qualify yes, but I don’t think we’re going to Budapest.
A bit of chatter plugging the merchandise and we have the recap. The voting is open! Except it’s not, it’s just a practice, silly!
The interval act is based on Hans Cristian Anderson. I’m afraid I wasn’t paying attention. Last night has kicked in… Heading back to the press centre now. Thanks for reading!
Monty x