Baku 2012: Day seven rehearsals live

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Today’s rehearsals kick off at 11:00 local time, 8:00CET, and the first block of rehearsals will feature the second rehearsals of the next 5 acts from semifinal two. They will continue on from Bulgaria’s rehearsal last night, starting with Slovena, Croatia, Sweden, Georgia and Turkey. Additionally, in the next two blocks, the Big 5 and host nation Azerbaijan will have their first rehearsal in the hall. Tomorrow the remaining acts from semifinal two will get their second rehearsal, along with the Big 5 and Azerbaijan.

The video player in the sidebar will update when each new rehearsal video is uploaded on our youtube account here!

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Slovenia

First on stage this morning was the very talented, and very young, Eva Boto! The track Verjamem was penned by Vladimir Grajic, the composer of the winning Eurovision entry for Serbia, ‘Molitva’, in 2007. The track is similar, in the fact it’s a slow tempo-ed ballad, coloured by various instruments. Eva is looking beautiful on stage with a puffy white dress and is accompanied by five female backing vocalists. Overall the performance is sung and presented very elegantly.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShaVu4kYKxg

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Croatia

Next on stage is Nina from Croatia with her power ballad ‘Nebo’! For the Croatian presentation this year, the wind machine is in full drive, with a big white sheet being used to full effect behind the performers. Nina is dressed in a black dress and is joined by three female backing singers plus two male dancers. The performance is vocally solid, but leaves something left to be desired.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmzsNSj-j8M

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Sweden

Loreen took quite some time to start warming up her vocals and practicing elements of the dance routine. The first run through was problematic, with Loreen obviously holding back on her vocals and at one point the snow failed to stop falling! By the time of the final run through all problems were ironed out and the large crowed who had showed up to see her showed their appreciation. Last not least Loreen wore the actual outfit we will be seeing her in in the live shows, similar to Melodifestivalen but this time the suit is lime green. Her dancer is dressed entirely in black, as are her backing singers, with the women wearing black bowler hats.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVROlY3GOpM

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Georgia

Anri too revealed his full costume today. He starts the performance in what seems to be like a Friar’s robe and it is removed to reveal a black suit, worn with a black jumper with diamanté detail. His trousers have side lines of the same diamanté. The backing singers are in matching black bustier with diamanté while the dancer is in a red dress. He seems even more confident this rehearsal, strong vocals and spoke and shouted more during this the second rehearsal compared to last time.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyXPK9Ed6KU

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Turkey

It’s Can’s backing dancers who had their turn to reveal today as Can wore the same outfit as first rehearsal. They are in outfits almost matching Can’s colours and they have large cloaks which they move in rhythm to the music. Towards the end, to compliment the lyrics, are joined to create a boat! All backing dancers have a cloak but one is dressed in T-shirt and jeans presumably as his outfit is away for alterations. The group managed to run through the song many times with strong vocals and co-ordination.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcoUEAnbP2Q

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Germany

A simple staging for a simple performance. The backdrop is also minimalist. Roman sings well with passion in his eyes. The reaction from the crowd was positive. Roman is not dressed as he will be on stage as there was a costume check. Two pieces of clothing seem form his top, one of which is a shirt.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0p3wzM4plg

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France

Discussions amongst the delegation delayed even sound check. The backing is mostly moving linear patterns though there is some video of a male gymnast. Anggun does not seem to be wearing what she will be for the final (T-shirt and jeans) though she has some white lace that we will probably be seeing on the night as it is moved by wind machines and backing dancers. Three of the former, all male and two backing singers, one male, one female. Two of the backing dancers start the performance with backflips. There are three podiums for the dancers to perform on and often they imitate the gymnastics in the backing.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GajNkMhYeu4

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Italy

Two female and one male vocalist accompany Nina. She seems tired. Her vocals are either flat or forced. Very large crowd here to view the rehearsals. Art decco black and white backdrop.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hah5K0sOf6M

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Azerbaijan

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M7ruNbcFM8

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Spain 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRBm07Yembk

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United Kingdom 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3qGK5WoXgQ

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