Re: ESC United - LIVE from Tel Aviv - Final dress rehearsal and jury show discussion
So here are my thoughts on sem-final 2:
- Definitely, a much stronger semi-final due to all the big favourites and high impact songs with great staging. But I must say the camera cuts and the vocal mixing effects are rather poor compared to semi-final 1, noticeable in Ireland (she got so many shots of her back) and Sweden (John's face was basically squeeze to the end of the screen and the introduction of the Mamas are forgettable). Hopefully they will get fixed.
- At the finalists announcement, I was so worried for Azerbaijan and Malta (both of my top favourites of this year). Because most of the 2nd half semi-finalists were called out, and I recalled statistically, you don't get more than 6 acts from the same half going through. So I guess this is the first time in history as 7 finalists from the 2nd half went through? But I am very glad both got in and Malta had me scared at the point. Michela is so precious I must add.
- Armenia: Staging though was good at times, but didn't help Srbuk to express the message of the song properly. Srbuk was off in some parts, especially the high note. I had her as the borderline qualifier, but wasn't surprised she didn't make it through.
- Ireland: I really like the staging, but it didn't really help Sarah. And Sarah seems to be moving through the motions for her routine. It was cute but definitely not enough especially coming in so early in the night. The camera angles were awful, quite a number of shots from her back. Certain non-qualifier for me.
- Moldova: While I appreciate their effort in trying to bring in the staging to elevate the dated song, but the sand/snow art artist just doesn't cut out for me. She should have performed it alone. Although I do like the effect where she dissipate into thin air. Certain non-qualifier for me.
- Switzerland: Overall, a good performance and I am surprised how much the crowd love it and got one of the biggest cheers for the evening. Still do not like the colour scheme. A little too aggressive for my liking.
- Latvia: As I said before, this song is just not made for Eurovision. On itself, it is a good tune and vocally great. But it is just not Eurovision-competitive. And the running order just didn't help. Certain non-qualifier for me.
- Romania: The staging is just messy and it feels like they are trying too hard to stand out. Ester was definitely on point, but the weird movements and the aggressiveness of the song could have cost her votes. I had her as a qualifier before the show, but after watching the full performance, I knew she is not going to make it.
- Denmark: She definitely blinked more. The song is still alright in my books. The giant chair staging still does nothing to me. She sounded quite shaky during the performance. Definitely my least favourite qualifier. But I can understand why she went through and I can see Denmark has support from her neighbouring countries. So I did place her as a borderline qualifier.
- Sweden: Vocally disappointing. Camera cuts were obviously sub-par. The performance is worse than the national finals. However, Sweden being Sweden, this will not be a shock non-qualifier. I don't get any winner's vibe. I said this before, if Sweden wins the competition this year, it's not because they are good, it's because the rest of the favorites fail to bring their A-game.
- Austria: I thought she did well, although vocally she sounded off during some parts. I am not sure if it's because she was giving her all. I do love the staging. This could have been Belgium or The Netherlands staging with a few minor tweaks. Certain non-qualifier for me.
- Croatia: Poor Roko just can't catch a break, given a lackluster song plus a rather poorly executed staging. Don't get me wrong I do enjoy the song and I am impressed in Roko's dedication in trying his best to sell the song. But there is no way it is going to get qualified especially coming before Russia who is bringing a similar song with relatively better staging. Certain non-qualifier for me.
- Malta: As I said in the thread, they should have gone with the video look - tropical high end fashion look. But the current youthful staging is growing on me. Michela sounded fine to me. Happy with the end product.
- Lithuania: Basically, a non-event performance no matter how pretty-looking Jurij look. Certain non-qualifier for me.
- Russia: Didn't like the staging, feel it was a little too much at times. Sergey did sorta botch his notes towards the end. Was not impressed. But it's Sergey, his name alone will ensure Russia go through.
- Albania: While Jonida is an amazing vocalist, she sort of did not give the top vocals during this performance. Staging wise, nothing much happened. I was expecting her not to qualify. But was happy that she qualified in the end coz she believed in the song very strongly and her vocals are one of the best in this year's competition. So worthy of the qualification.
- Norway: Was alright to be honest. I do love the song, one of my top 10 favourites. But I just feel the staging did not live up what the song is about and the vibe. Alexandra's vocals was stunning.
- The Netherlands: The staging was alright to me to be honest. Duncan is consistent vocally. I don't feel underwhelmed, but I am not overly impressed too. But I am alright with the song winning although I would prefer Italy winning it though.
- North Macedonia: I must admit I refuse to like any North Macedonia's entry post 2017 because I am still bitter the delegation self-sabotaged their qualification with the staging when they have sent in their best entry ever. Plus, the studio version of the song did nothing for me. It's actually one of the bottom ranked tracks for me in this year's contest. However, she performed the song with conviction. And I am impressed with her vocals. Definitely one of the best in the semi-final. So well-deserved qualification.
- Azerbaijan: The performance is definitely slick. I do feel slightly disappointed with how the ascension effect look. Does look a little cheap. And I am not very keen with Chingiz being static 2/3 of the whole performance. The camera angles could have been better and tighter. They should focus more on him and not that woman silhouette on screen. Vocally he sounded amazing, I just can't get enough of the mugham part. Whenever he does that, it send chills down my back. Thank god he included in the 'live' performance, if not, the song would not have peaked and have its rightful climax even though given a very good staging. I am still hopeful Chingiz can give Azerbaijan another top 5 finish.
That was actually the only moment of my doubt. The most important thing is that everything sounded like gold, and the staging around it was great (only these robots were not my thing).
Not the juries'. They mostly support the radio-friendly international-sounding pop songs in English. If they bring nothing new to the table, that's even better. Every now and then, they accidentally vote for entries that actually fit your description, otherwise it wouldn't look too professional.
