Eurovision 2016: First Run Through - Semi Final 1 #1

Eurovision fortnight has begun! And we plan to bring you news from the rehearsals and our opinions for the duration. Here are Elliot Harris thoughts from day one from the 30 seconds clips released by Eurovision.tv.

Sandjha – Sing It Away – FINLAND

The opening song of Eurovision 2016 is coming from Sandjha, the funk soul diva from Finland, she shocked the continent when she won UMK over heavy favourites Saara Aalto and Mikaeel Saari and she did it again – with her rather risqué dancing and backing singers.
Let me explain, Sandjha, decked out in a pale blue open back jumpsuit, is there giving it her all like in UMK, the backing singers have lost the rather frumpy and mum like outfits from the selection and instead in all leather tops and trousers, and then suddenly it becomes Poland 2014 esque, we have Sandjha grinded on by one of her backing dancers and one of them lowering beneath her singing whilst making eye contact, is this what happens normally on a girls night out in Finland? This may be a shock tactic to push the male vote as right now Finland stand rather borderline but I don’t see this advancing.

Argo – Uptopian Land – GREECE

Argo followed and this was the first time I have heard any of their vocals or performance live and for what’s it’s worth, it was ok, I am not a fan of the song from the start but the staging elevates it SLIGHTLY for me. I am unsure if they will stick with this but all six members were wearing all white on stage whilst behind them a gold spiral with circling and flaring out golden shards on a black backdrop (I assuming to signify the sun they mention in their song) the traditional guitar style instrument is present on stage along with a large drum and some tradition dancing also, well I am to assume it’s traditional as the rest of the song fits that theme, overall, the staging and performance outweighs the song, so the jury may give it some of their lower marks but I don’t see the public pushing it enough to see it into the final.

Lidia Isac – Falling Stars – MOLDOVA

Lidia from Moldova had maybe one of the most stand out components from today’s run through, a backing dancer with an astronaut helmet! Yep, showcasing some Montenegro 2013 inspiration, the space man has followed her from the music video to Stockholm. Lidia practiced in a tan coloured knee length dress with white sneakers, although we can somewhat assume this is not her outfit for the big night, there was a lot more movement  think the big white dress may be gone and may be choosing the outfit style seen in her first music video. The staging looks Montenegro 2013 meets Lithuania 2014 in reagrds to the duo on stage and behind them as expected, an array of stars and blues and purples. I really love this song so hoping for the best.

Freddie – Pioneer – HUNGARY

Not much to comment on about this, same format as the national final, three backing vocalists to the right of him and a person playing a giant drum off to the left, but it worked for A Dal so don’t fix what isn’t broken I guess, the floor also resembles lava at parts of the song I have been told although that was available to be seen in the footage Eurovision have released, guess it’ll be a nice surprise on the night for us.

Nina Kralijic – Lighthouse – CROATIA

A big favourite of mine this year and maybe the one I was most intrigued about their staging, going on the name and lyrics they could do a lot, or get a lot wrong and this was one of the most talked about staging’s of the day. Ok maybe not the staging but more so the outfit of choice. Nina has gone for this black and white huge thing with what look like Venetia ice cream ripples on the shoulders, giving her no shape and making her look like a badly wrapped Christmas present, thankfully it is ripped off her and will reveal a different outfit underneath, we don’t what the other will look like but if it’s as bad as that – Barbara Dex winner 2016. Apart from that crashing waves can be seen and the lighting is simple so maybe it looks like they are letting her voice do the talking, which is not a bad thing given Nina has some vocals on her!

Douwe Bob – Slow Down – THE NETHERLANDS

This looked like the most put together, nothing will change in the next eight days style of staging, very reminiscent of the video released with the song, a country western bar feel, I described it like an open mic in a Texas or Tennessee bar and it’s rather cute and clean. The screens behind them turned into clockwork pieces and gears at one point which is a nice touch for the song title, not sure if it improves or elevates the song at all, but at least it was well thought out and organised.

Iveta Mukuchyan – LoveWave – ARMENIA

Wonder Woman has arrived! I jest but Iveta was looking like she was missing half her outfit, opting for her outfit of choice for the big stage a simple black leotard and cape, I don’t mind it but looks rather simple, I joked it was to cover the bad song going on around her, the colours were a deep blue which seemed to engulf her which is a positive and her vocals were pretty good, doesn’t change my thoughts on LoveWave however and would prefer the cape round the waist as obviously a wind machine will be in effect.

Serhat – I Didn’t Know – SAN MARINO

Was as expected from San Marino since they went disco, five female backing dancers, some cheesy dancing, the screen behind him projects more female backing also, which is clever without breaking the six person on stage rule, I think it’ll be a big hit with the older generation for the fun and nostalgic factor but that’s it, also at the end of the song all the woman crowding round him and some looking at him almost lustfully is a little creepy, but I’ll be far too creeped out by then, sorry San Marino but think semi-finals in all you’re getting.

Sergey Lazarev – You Are The Only One – RUSSIA

Last of the day and the one everyone had been waiting, Sergey had wowed with his official video and again the staging was very wow, but familiar. A large rectangular on stage set and not using anything else, where have I seen that? All links to Mans’ aside, it’s a complex routine performed well and can see the time has been spent perfecting it and as usual his vocals, on point, his backing vocalists also shone, the dancing was slightly out of sync and needs tightening as do some of his on screen interactions, but on the televisions screens this’ll look amazing and no doubt ANOTHER top 5 finish for Russia.

We asked you guys for your thoughts on today’s staging highs and lows and Jack Walker from England has been in touch and said the following;

“Netherlands + Armenia were the stand-outs, Hungary + Moldova weren't bad either but a tad disappointed with Russia's staging”

Do you agree or disagree? Let us know and let us know your thoughts on the remaining 33 songs to reveal their staging and you can feature in our future blogs which we will bringing you DAILY during the Eurovision fortnight.

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