Oslo 2010: Rehearsal coverage day seven

A very warm welcome back to sunny Oslo for the penultimate day of open rehearsals. Today we start in semifinal two from Azerbaijan to Slovenia, and then come in the big four + Norway. Follow live below:

This is our seventh live day of rehearsal coverage from the Telenor arena in Oslo and today we have the longest schedule yet. Now join Luke, Alec, Deni and Simon for today’s rehearsal reports.

Here are our videos and reviews;



SafuraDrip Drop

As anticipated, Safura’s stage show continues to draw attention from the gathered fans and press. The colour scheme for the whole thing is aquatic blues and greens, with Safura’s dress featuring LEDs on the front panel! There is an awkward moment towards the end of the performance when she is forced to totter on her heels back from the very front of the stage, which appears clumsy and could do with some attention. Safura’s vocals are strong enough, but it feels like she is not totally confident with the way the performance ‘flows’ yet.

 


AlyoshaSweet People

It is still hard to believe that the 2010 performance from Ukraine doesn’t feature a large stage prop, or numerous energetic backing dancers! Alyosha is dressed in a very loose, sheer peach-coloured outfit trimmed with red braiding, which becomes quite see-through under the stage lights and is in danger of causing embarrassment, if the wind machine catches it in the wrong direction! Vocally, however, Alyosha is very strong and the show is very powerful. If only the actual song was more appealing, Ukraine would definitely stand a chance.


SienekeIk Ben Verliefd (Sha-la-lie)

Sieneke’s colourful performance is as energetic as ever, and it is good to finally see her, and the backing ‘dolls’, in full costume, (though the ‘dolls’ sometimes feel a bit creepy, as their movements are so robotic!) Sieneke is wearing ivory trousers and a bodice-style top trimmed with (Dutch?!) lace, which allows her to move more freely. She is still having trouble ‘finding’ the camera and is performing more to the crowd in the arena than to the television audience. It is a lively, popular song which will probably appeal to those Eurovision viewers who expect just this kind of thing from the Contest!


Paula Seling & OviPlaying With Fire

Paula’s new silver catsuit really does her no favours, (and neither does the frankly rather orange foundation she is wearing today!) Sticking to the black outfit from the promo video would be far more flattering! There is some good on-stage almost flirty chemistry between Paul and Ovi, and Paula especially seems very comfortable with the camera. The transparent ‘piano’ is as effective as ever, with some nice camera shots coming from underneath it. ‘Playing With Fire’ is definitely one of those songs that will benefit from a live audience.



Ansambel Žlindra & KalamariNarodnozabavni Rock

The troupe from Slovenia are out to enjoy themselves on-stage, and despite some initial technical difficulties with the sound for their rehearsal, throw themselves into their performance. This song is one of those that seems to appeal to those who like the more fun, ‘novelty’ Eurovision entries – but will it compete for the same votes as the Netherlands? The camera work needs a bit of fine-tuning if the performance is to be seen in its best light, but is likely to be boosted by lots of clapping from the crowd in the Telenor Arena on the night.



Daniel DigesAlgo Pequeñito

Daniel Diges takes to the stage next for his first rehearsal at the arena. Vocally, he is very strong, and has a definite presence on-stage. He is once again joined by the circus performers, who start off very close – maybe too close? –  to Daniel, and seem to come to life during the song. They are at their most impressive after the moment when Daniel throws down his microphone stand, as they take the opportunity to fill the entire stage and we see some impressive acrobatics. Daniel is wearing the white shirt and metallic silver trouser/waistcoat ensemble we have come to be familiar with.



 Didrik Solli-Tangen: My Heart is Yours

Naturally, there is lots of support in the arena for the singer from the host country. Didrik’s first rehearsal brought us a different staging from the Melodi Grand Prix shows, with the stage draped in long, flowing curtains and bathed in an orange-gold glow. Another recent change is the introduction of the ‘chorus’, who provide vocal support. These vocals don’t really come across until mid-way through the song as it builds; it almost seems as though the sound levels need adjusting a little. Some of Didrik’s vocals sound a little strained, particularly as the rehearsals went on. A very competent, polished performance – but will be get the firework curtain from MGP?!



Josh Dubovie: That Sounds Good To Me

Another ‘first timer’ at the Telenor, Josh seems to have taken a leaf out of the Ani Lorak book of Eurovision staging, with his performance featuring stepped lightboxes with the man himself, and two male dancers, in them. Three female backing vocalists stand on the top ‘step’ and take ful advantage of a wind machine which inflates their flowing white gowns during the performance. Josh makes his way up and down the steps as the song goes on, and is vocally confident. It doesn’t look as if Josh is particularly enjoying himself, however – maybe this is nerves, and he will settle in to it all after a few run-throughs?



Jessy Matador Alllez, ola, olé

Jessy and his dancers put an awful lot of energy into the performance of ‘Allez, Ola, Olé’. This is very much the kind of thing that will get the crowd in the hall up and dancing, and – depending on what comes before it – could very well stand out in the final. However, all the rather sweaty gyrating does makes the vocals quite ‘breathy’ occasionally, and there sometimes seems to be a focus more on achieving the dance routine than singing the song. As with Safura from Azerbaijan, Jessy has to run back awkwardly along the ‘catwalk’ that projects into the audience!



Lena Satellite

And so to the last rehearsal of the day, and another début: this time, Lena from Germany. She initially looks very awkward on-stage but seems to settle in after the first few lines. Accompanied by four female backing vocalists, Lena bounces along quite happily on a stage lit – once again! – in blue, (without a doubt, the colour of choice in 2010!), but could possibly make more use of the space available. The whole thing is competent, but could do with being a little ‘brighter’ to suit the rhythm; at the moment, Lena and all the backing singers are dressed in black, and it looks a little dark.

Saturday 22 May
Azerbaijan 11.00 11.30
Ukraine 11.30 12.00
The Netherlands 12.00 12.30
Romania 13.30 14.00
Slovenia 14.00 14.30
Spain 14.30 15.10
Norway 15.10 15.50
United Kingdom 16.10 16.50
France 16.50 17.30
Germany 17.30 18.10