Rotterdam, 09 May 2021
SO BABY HOLD ON TO THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE. Rafal has arrived in Rotterdam and we’ll be discussing his first rehearsal below.
Country: Poland (#POL)
Act: Rafal
Song: “The Ride”
Semifinal: Second (20/05/2021)
Position in Running Order: 06/17
Poland double down on their song’s eighties synthwave vibe. The staging is active: Rafal is flanked by four handsome dancers in white suits, outfitted with glowing orbs attached to the palms of their hands. By waving their arms around, the dancers create a vibrant and fun choreography that carries most of the performance. The background flashes teal and magenta (again.), before transitioning into a blue and red colour scheme, in line with the official music video.
It all conjures up a very Matrix-like vibe, further enhanced by Agent Rafal, dressed in black with his trademark sunglasses. However, the Polish Wheel-of-Fortune host struggles keeping up with the song’s high tempo, with several of his lines ending in bum notes. At certain intervals the dancers (who again, are excellent) overtake Rafal to a point he literally and figuratively blends into the background.
Overall, out team thought that the stage behind concept is a strong one. They’re making the most out of a song that many (perhaps unfairly?) deemed unqualifiable. The question remains whether they chose the right person to perform it.
Join the team on the livestream!
What do #YOU think of Rafal’s rehearsal? Will he make it through without touching the ground? Share your thoughts with us in the comments, on our forum HERE or on social media!
