My thoughts on the semi-finals:
Generally, I like the pace of the show. It doesn't feel super long. But I feel rather underwhelmed watching semi-final 1. I don't get any winner's vibe from any entry. It's generally a uninteresting semi but I must admit I had a hard time deciding my qualifiers but I got 8 predictions right. I love the postcards, very well-done.
- Cyprus: Underwhelming. Vocals sounded better than the rehearsals run but still poor. I almost at one point labelled this as a shock non-qualifier. Luckily she is in semi-1, maybe in semi-2, her qualification chances would have decreased substantially.
- Montenegro: Seriously, one of the better vocal performances last evening. But the staging is such a mess that nothing could have saved it.
- Finland: The most disconnected performance between the performers. I have already said it before, the placement of all 3 performers was so wrong. Darude is the star, he should be given centre stage. Sebastian sounded much better here than the national finals. But like Montenegro, this is dead on the get-go despite having Darude's name attached to it.
- Poland: The actual performance fell short to me. There was something off in how they sound, I suspected it's the mixing. Predicted this to go through nonetheless, but was not surprised it didn't go through.
- Slovenia: The only good thing about the performance is the backdrop that's all. Nothing else worked for me. (P.S. And their attitude post-show was appalling. END OF.)
- Czech Republic: Could not believe the show came alive only until the 6th song into the show. The effects look good. The boys are very telegenic. Vocals were not that on point though.
- Hungary: Everything worked out fine, but nothing stood out. Just a good performance overall. Also predicted this to go through nonetheless, but was not surprised it didn't go through.
- Belarus: The performance looked very busy to be honest. The staging was good, but the overall package was alright. Wasn't my predict qualifiers pre-show, but after watching the performance, I just got a gut feeling it would go through and I was right.
- Serbia: The performance is good, but the effects look like they almost swallowed Nevena. But vocally on point. Worthy of qualifying.
- Belgium: THIS IS THE BIGGEST SELF-SABOTAGE OF THIS YEAR'S COMPETITION. I have nothing more to add as I have been very vocal about the staging.
- Georgia: The performance did come to life and Oto definitely has one of the best vocals this year. But too bad the song is just unlistenable.
- Australia: Loved what they did with the staging, especially the backdrop. But it did get a little boring towards the end because it was basically her swinging around. Vocally was fine.
- Iceland: Detested the entry from the get go. Never got the appeal and everything they put on is just a facade. Performance was nothing to rave about, vocally off towards the end. If this wins the contest this year, it will be the least deserving winner ever. People complained France/Azerbaijan putting all stops in their staging so they can win. Iceland is doing the same thing, but instead of their staging, it's the image they have created and the "cause" they are fighting for. If anything, people bought in by their eccentricity and the so-called cause rather than the song which is dire in every level.
- Estonia: On contrary, I love the effects here compared to the national final's. But then it was a little too late into the performance and short. The national finals performance looked tighter though. Vocally off on most parts. Was surprised he got through.
- Portugal: Never got the hype and appeal of the song. Performance wise I didn't get it. Vocally on point though. But this has never been on my qualifiers list. But I would have preferred this to go through than Iceland or Slovenia.
- Greece: Another underwhelming performance. Staging looks good but a little busy at times. Vocally she doesn't seem that good.
- San Marino: I was very disappointed when I saw the rehearsals clip when they didn't go all colourful with the staging. But after watching the whole performance, I actually thought the colour scheme they went with made this more high-end fun. Looks extremely polished and expensive. Vocally off, but that is expected. I had it as a qualifier only after I have watched the performance. And I am so glad San Marino went to the finals. People are angry but San Marino deserved to qualify. The efforts in the staging is just great. It is tied as my top favourite staging from semi 1 with Australia.
