EUROVISION 2019: DAY 1 REVIEW (FIRST REHEARSALS)

It's finally here! We've had our first glimpse of Eurovision 2019 performances and the stage, and I have to say I'm impressed. I've gathered my opinions and I'm going to share my top 9 from today's first rehearsals. This ranking is mostly based on my initial first impressions on the staging and LED, as well as the vocal performance from what we've seen so far.

9th - Montenegro

Bless D Mol, this was just a mess. Their outfits are giving me cabin crew meets karate lesson and just visually it looks like 6 solo acts fighting for the limelight. Clunky is definitely the word. The LED is basically non-existent and it all feels cheap. Non-qualifier guaranteed now it would seem.

8th - Finland

I actually don't think Finland was as bad as people are making out. Yes, Sebastian's half denim half leather trousers are RANCID, but vocally he has improved and there is at least a concept here which is coming through more than in UMK. I don't like how Darude is shafted to the side though, he's one of the main sells of this and any cuts to him will detract from the action, so its a lose-lose situation.

7th - Poland

I'm really conflicted on Poland's staging. A lazy susan and faces on the LED? Isaiah Firebrace is filing for copyright as we speak. In all seriousness, this staging seems to be as divisive as the song is. I like the lazy susan and Tulia's costume but the LED with faces behind just doesn't work. Its too much to look at, and I think an LED like what we saw in their Amsterdam pre-party performance would work way better. I also felt no warmth from the performance, which I expected and wanted from what we've seen previously of the group. This one definitely sits in the middle for me.

6th - Serbia

There's a lot of positivity online for this one and I get why. The images we've seen from the LED for this one are beautiful, which is the common theme from this year because the quality of that LED is stunner. Nevena is also on point vocally as always. Something about the song still doesn't cut it for me though, and I'm not a fan of the dress she's wearing, I was hoping for something different from her Beovizija performance, but its a definite improvement.

5th - Hungary

Hungary delivered a performance that felt like the A Dal performance but with subtle tweaks that were beneficial to the performance. Similar to Serbia, some of the LEDs we're seeing from Az en apam look breathtaking, and I'm really happy that Joci Papai adds more conviction in his vocal compared to the studio cut as that was my one concern. I'm impressed!

4th - Belarus

People complaining about the staging for this one need to realise that 'Like It' is just a cute basic bop and nothing more. They've straddled the line of fun, colourful staging that gives us something to look at and not overdoing it really well. Zena was vocally really good and the backing dancers add that extra fun element. It has me wanting to see the whole performance with camera angles so all in all its a success!

3rd - Czech Republic

I have a confession: 'Friend Of A Friend' is growing on me big time. Lake Malawi delivered the stage show I expected and even more, and only cemented my predictions that this could finish inside the top 10. Colourful, uplfiting and appealing to a wide audience, I'd even go as far as saying this might win the whole semi-final. It's finally won me over!

2nd - Cyprus

If someone could explain to me what was wrong with Cyprus, that'd be great. I love the LED beams that make the stage seem 3D, and Tamta is serving us looks on stage and vocally sounds fine. Its quality once again from Cyprus and I'm excited to see this one when Tamta and the dancers have got more confident with the stage and I've seen it with proper camera angles.

1st - Slovenia

A clear winner of the day for me. They've managed to keep the intimate atmosphere this song demands while also creating an airy and atmospheric stage show with the galaxy-esque LED. The red hues that come through now are an enhancement on the EMA LED and the 360 degree shot we know the're using halfway through adds that extra personal element to the performance. Zala also seems to have even more control over her vocal than in the Slovenian national final and I'm really impressed at the subtle improvements that have brought this one together. I'm really going to be gutted if this doesn't make it through now because its such a special moment both musically and visually, and I hope people respect this.

Day 1 of rehearsals is wrapped up! Tomorrow we turn to arguably the most exciting day of rehearsals for the second half of semi-final 1. Let the madness commence!

Follow me on Twitter @ESCTBy for more rehearsal and Eurovision ramblings. See you tomorrow!