Eurovision 2023: it was the first day of rehearsals with Sweden, Norway and Portugal, among other countries

First year I’ve been accredited for Eurovision 2023, and first year the EBU has decided to cut off the tap to the press, preventing free access to the first days of rehearsals. The excuse ? That the press does not interfere in the work of the delegations and the artists with their comments during the rehearsals which are, at the same time, the first contact of each country with the Eurovision scene. However, everything points to a tactic by the organizers to redirect traffic to social networks like TikTok which are sponsoring the event.

In both cases, We have already experienced the first day of rehearsals at Eurovision 2023 with Sweden, Norway and Portugal as the main protagonists. And here you have a more or less elaborate summary of what we have seen from each country (which has been rather little).

Norway – Alessandra – Queen of Kings

• first surprise: 5/10.
• Staging: 7/10.
• Song: 8/10.

Few surprises in Alessandra’s proposal. Despite having reached Eurovision 2023 with a theme that has gone viral on TikTok, the young woman and her delegation they preferred to keep the dark and conventional staging of the MGP instead of betting on a much more differentiated PE and close to the music video. In addition, it seems to me that her wardrobe is a complete mistake, which does not allow her to emphasize her figure, dramatically oppressing her neck and face. Now well, Queen of Kings is a great song and doesn’t need much more.

Malta – The Busker – Dance (Our Own Party)

• first surprise: 5/10.
• Staging: 5/10.
• Song: 6/10.

Total chaos. This is how I described the staging of The Busker in the Malta preselection. And instead of ordering everything and just betting on what works, the band took it all, but took it to an even higher level. Four decors form a stage spread over the entire arrangeshaping four acts in which the singer will move nonstop: from a first part in which some representatives of Malta appear in Eurovision (as Fate), up to three others in which we have banks and cars included. At least the theme is still fun and could sneak into the finale if the audience likes it..

Serbia – Luke Black – Samo Mi Se Spava

• first surprise: 5/10.
• Staging: 8/10.
• Song: 7/10.

I was shocked to see this the third rehearsal of the day brought us the same staging that we had already seen in their respective pre-selection. However, Luke Black has an advantage: will not leave anyone indifferent with a scenario in which we have a shell-bed, several soldiers that seem to be taken from Call of Duty and a song that, at least, shows that Serbia has fully understood how Eurovision works: it has an impact, for better or for worse. During this pre-season, Samo Mi Se Spava was one of my guilty pleasure.

Latvia – Sudden Lights – Time

• first surprise: 5/10.
• Staging: 6/10.
• Song: 8/10.

There are not three without four, because Sudden Lights reiterates the EP of its preselection, but adapted to the scenario of Eurovision 2023. Bright lights, an intimate atmosphere and a brutal song despite being underrated throughout preseason. However, plays against him a scene that eclipses a real great song. Will it be enough to win the pass for the final when the public is the only one to vote in the semi-final?

Out of curiosity, the managers of Eurovision 2023 they tell us that Sudden Lights lost all his luggage at the airportbut between today and tomorrow they would get their wardrobe back.

Portugal – Mimicat – Ai Coracao

• first surprise: 8/10.
• Staging: 7/10.
• Song: 8/10.

Although he did not invent the wheel, Mimicat went to Eurovision by turning his Ai Coraçao into a primer bop of the edition. We are talking about a very interesting subject, with that Portuguese sound that is always present in the representatives of Portugal at Eurovision, but with the essence of cabaret and a new staging. Mimicat says goodbye to the sofa at the Festival da Cançao and the camera will focus on her and her four dancers. The light show we saw on TikTok is interesting and he outfit give me life

Ireland – Wild Youth – We Are One

• first surprise: 6/10.
• Staging: 6/10.
• Song: 6/10.

It couldn’t have been easy firing your art director weeks before making his Eurovision debut (for homophobic, transphobic and anti-Ukrainian comments), but Wild Youth arrived in Liverpool with their homework done. A big sustain on stage as a ladder, LED lights and pyrotechnics in a performance that must give it all. We are talking about a fairly conventional subject, which we have heard a thousand times and which needs a worked EP to get the public to vote en masse. Will they have succeeded?

Croatia – Let 3 – Mama SC!

• first surprise: 5/10.
• Staging: 5/10.
• Song: 3/10.

I can’t be objective Let 3 is my least favorite entry this year for Eurovision. It is a proposal that oscillates between the extravagant and the shabby, between the surprise and the insignificant. Only his chorus remains with me, while the staging they bring to Liverpool is quite similar to that which we saw in the Croatian pre-selection. They keep their suits with anti-war hints and there’s also a commitment to those missiles (now with fireworks) to seek an easy vote with.

Switzerland – Remo Forrer – Water Pistol

• first surprise: 8/10.
• Staging: 8/10.
• Song: 6/10.

Yes OK Water gun It means nothing to me like a song (rowing drill it could be him Jose Otero from Switzerland), the staging surprised me with a TikTok recorded in poor quality. The singer opted for a group of contemporary dance dancers, sometimes daring to dance, favoring intimacy over spectacle. He will surely qualify and in the final he will occupy the highest positions of the jury.

Moldova – Pasha Parfeni – Sun and Moon

• first surprise: 6/10.
• Staging: 6/10.
• Song: 6/10.

Another representative who repeats the staging in Liverpool, betting on Sergei (his flautist), the choristers with their horns on their heads and their already legendary drums. Soarele if Luna is not the big song of the edition, but Pasaha Parfeni knows how to sell it to you very well. Now I have to see the performance with realization, because I already had the feeling in the pre-selection that the stage was a bit too small.

Sweden – Loreen – Tattoo

• first surprise: 5/10.
• Staging: 8/10.
• Song: 8/10.

A few surprises in yesterday’s rehearsal of the big favourite: Loreen arrived in Liverpool with a scaled down version of her ‘sandwich toaster’. Although at first glance it looks a little less aesthetically appealing due to that touch of wood that can be seen in some shots, it will surely look stunning on camera. Loreen’s smoke, wardrobe and nails also return, how could it be otherwise. Will it be enough to be the favorite and repeat the performance for Sweden to easily win Eurovision 2023?

Schedules for the second day of Eurovision 2023

• Israel: 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Azerbaijan: 12:10 p.m. – 12:40 p.m.
• Czech Republic: 12:50 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.
• The Netherlands: 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Finland: 15:10 – 15:40
• Denmark: 15:50 – 16:20
• Armenia: 4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Romania: 17:10 – 17:40
• Belgium: 5:50 p.m. – 6:20 p.m.
• Cyprus: 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

The second day of rehearsals for Eurovision 2023 will take place on Monday, May 1, 2023 and I will tell you everything live, with a post to Areajugones.