Eurovision 2023 Day 3 rehearsals: First rehearsal footage of 11 Semi-Final 2 countries
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A set of 11 Semi-final 2 competing acts of the 67th Eurovision Song Contest are taking the stage today for their first rehearsal.
The rehearsals week is divided into two primary phases: the first rehearsals of all competing countries into the two semi finals take place while in the second phase the second reeharsals of all competing countries in the semi finals are held along with the first rehearsals of the Big-5 countries and the host nation.
This year all rehearsals are held closed to the press and without the presence of any audience as rehearsals material will be released on only on TikTok and eurovision.tv with photos and backstage content.
Check out the rehearsal footage and impressions of today's first rehearsal of Estonia, Iceland, Greece, Poland, Slovenia, Gerogia, San Marino, Austria, Albania, Lithuania, Australia.
Estonia: Alika - Bridges
Photo Credit: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett
Opening rehearsals Day 3 is Alika from Estonia. Alika Milova (born 5 September 2002), known mononymously as Alika, is an Estonian singer from Narva. She rose to prominence in 2021 with her victory at the eighth edition of the Estonian talent show Eesti otsib superstaari, which earned her a record deal with Universal Music. She has participated in many singing competitions, including The Baltic Voice, New Wave Junior, Kaunas Talent, Bravo Laulukonkurss and Berlin Perle.
She has relased over the last two year several singles among which Õnnenumber (2021), Bon Appetit (2022) , C'est La Vie (2022), Bridges (2022).
Photo Credit: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett
Alika made it ti Eurovision 2023 after winning the Estonian national selection Eesti Laul 2023 with 'Bridges'. Alika takes to the stage wearing a blue dress with a long train. During her performance there is a wide use of dramatic effects on the LED screens of the backdrop and the floor. Judging from the pictures she uses extensively her hands in order to convey the dramtic tone of her ballad song.
More material from Alika's first rehearsal and backstage contest can be found on the Eurovision TikTok account.
Iceland - Dilja - Power
photo credit: EBU/ Corinne Cumming
Second rehearsal of the day is Dilja from Iceland who is bringing her 'Power' on the stage of M&S Arena. Diljá Pétursdóttir, known simply as Diljá (Kópavogur, 2002 ...), is an Icelandic singer. Diljá made her name by participating in the talent show Ísland Got Talent in 2015. In 2020 she moved to Copenhagen, where she alternated her studies in physiotherapy with singing lessons.
photo credit: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett
Dilja takes the stage dressed in a sliver suit. Her performance demonstrates the power and strength through high kicks and gymnastics moves. She keeps herself in full motion across the song and delivers her song in an extrovert expressive way to showcase the power within !! A different and impressive performance with lots of drum and bass sound contributing to convey the message of empowerment.
More rehearsal footage from Dilja's powerful performance on the Eurovision TikTok account.
Greece: Victor Vernicos - What They Say
photo: Eurovisionert
It's time for our younger contestant as Greece's Victor Vernicos takes the stage to rehearse his entry 'What they say'.
16 years old, Victor Vernicos, was one of the act suggested by Panic Records for this year’s contest. He is the younger contestant so far in this year's competition and Greece younger representative ever.
The young talanted act has been involved in since he was 4 years old, learning musical instruments and taking vocal lessons. At the age of 8 he took vocal lessons and at 10 guitar lessons, while when he was 13 years old he attended music technology seminars. His ability is special as he writes songs himself while he has stood out with his first YouTube videos.In 2021 he released his first song titled "Fake Club", in which he wrote music, lyrics but also produced it himself.
Photo Credit:EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett
Victor appears on stage confident and ready to convey his youth energy to the audience. He is wearing shorts and a jacket on top in a dark beige colored safari outlook. We can have a bigger oversized picture of him as multiple giant Victors are displayed on the LED wall. The energy is there and you can spot it in the pictures and his bouncing motion on stage urging the audience to jump up with him. We couldn't expect a less energetic performance from this young man and the Greek Delegation must be satisfied!
More content from Victor's first rehearsal and backstage on the Eurovision TikTok account.
Poland: Blanka - Solo
Photo credit: EBU/ Corinne Cumming
Here comes Blanka from Poland for her first rehearsal. Blanka secured her place in the Eurovision 2023 class by winning the Polish national final sining 'Solo'.
Stajkow was born in Szczecin to a Polish mother and Bulgarian father. According to Stajkow, neither of her parents have a musical background.At the age of 13, she would decide to make and release her first single, "Strong Enough". In 2021, she would compete in Top Model, a Polish reality television show. While on the show, she would officially release her first official single, "Better". In 2022, she would sign a contract with Warner Music Poland, and release her second single, "Solo".
Photo Credit: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett
Blanka takes the stages joined by four backing dancer and treats the audience with a total blast of dancefloor vibes. Her peformance is uplifting along with the colourful scenery in a summer mood paired with tropical graphics on the backfdrop and suummer sunset colored outfit. The song is all about how to get rid of bad relationships and love yourself better...... and what a better way to go solo than taking yourself near into beach's summer sensation.
Take a look at more content from backstage and Blaka's first rehearsal on the Eurovision TikTok account.
Slovenia: Joker Out - Carpe Diem
Photo Credit: EBU/Corinne Cumming
Next up afte the lunch break come on stage Slovenia's hopefuls Joker Out. The boy band was interanlly selected to represent the nation with 'Carpe Diem'.
Joker Out is a pop rock band that has been operating since 2016. They describe their style as "shagadelic rock'n'roll."
The band formed in May 2016, following the break-up of the Apocalypse group, which sycabbed bojan cvjetićanin, Martin Jurkovič, Matic Kovačič and Luka Škerlep. Three of them – Cvjetićaninu, Jurkovič and Kovačič – were joined by Kris Guštin and Jan Peteh of the Bourgeage group and the Joker Out was formed. Their first public appearance was at the Gaju Festival (21 May). In November, they released their first single "Like a Blood-Driven Heart," for which they also recorded their first music video.
After several single published from 2016 to 2022, their debut album Dirty Thoughts was released in October 2021. On October 10, it was announced on Instagram that the band was being abandoned by bassist Martin Jurkovič (due to study abroad). For now, they continue as a quartet, accompanied by Nace Jordan.
Photo Credit: EBU/ Corinne Cumming
Joker Out take the stage in confidence and easily show the audience that they ve got it! Talent and energy on stage ready to rock the rooftop off in M&S Bank Arena. The leading vocalist is wearing a pink trousers paired with open green colored shirt while the rest of the band are in vintage fashioned clothes.
Find more footage and backstage content on the Eurovision TikTok Account
Georgia: Iru - Echo
Up next for her first rehearsal is Iru from Gerogia who made it to the Eurovision stage after winning the Voice Georgia which was used as the national selection format.
Irina "Iru" Khechanovi, also known mononymously as Iru is a Georgian singer and songwriter. As a member of the girl group Candy, she won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2011 with the song "Candy Music".
Khechanovi was born on 3 December 2000 in Tbilisi. She is of Armenian descent. As a child, she took part in various singing competitions. In 2011, on her eleventh birthday, she represented Georgia in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Yerevan, Armenia as a member of the girl group Candy. The group won the competition with 108 points.n 2019, Khechanovi was a participant in Georgian Idol. In 2021, she released her debut solo single "No Jerk Around Me".
photo credit: EBU/Corinne Cumming
Iru takes the stage to deliver for the first time on stage her power ballad song 'Echo'. Echo" was penned by Iru herself and Giga Kukhiadnidze who has written the Georgian winning entries of Junior Eurovision.
Her performance unwinds on a lifted platform while two huge LED screens on the backdrop displaying and weather effects which along with the swirling smoke and wind maschine contribute to the dramatic impact of the song. Iru is wearing a white dress and her motion gives a fruther dramatic element to her ballad. We are sure that vocally she'll be captivating the whole audience.
Get further scenes and content from backstage and Iru's first rehearsal on the Eurovision TikTok account.
San Marino:Piqued Jacks - Like An Animal
Photo credit: EBU/ Corinne Cumming
Up next is the italian group Piqued Jacks formed in 2006 in Buggiano and composed by E-King (vocals, piano, synthesizer), Majic-o (guitar), littleladle (bass) and HolyHargot (drums). The won the Sammarinese national selection with the song 'Like An Animal'.
In 2010 and 2011 Piqued Jacks released their first two EPs, then in 2012 they worked with Los Angeles-based producer Brian Lanese on the third, Just a Machine, to be released in January 2013. Over the years they've released several single while in In March 2021 the album Synchronizer is released, produced by Julian Emery, Brett Shaw and Dan Weller.
Photo credit: EBU/ Corinne Cumming
The group takes to the stage dressed all in black while E-King is wearing a sparkling jacket that under the lights seems so glittery. The Sammarinese hopefuls are providing us a lot of dance action on the stage while the scenery is dominated by LED screen's red color on the backdrop along with black graphics. A really energetic performance which will drive the audience through its dancing vibes.
Take a look at Piqued Jacks' first rehearsal and backstage content on the Eurovision TikTok account.
Austria - Teya & Salena - Who the hell is Edgar?
photo credit: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett
Austria's delegates are up next for their first rehearsal as Teya and Salena are set to deliver their song 'Who the hell is Edgar?'.
TEYA started to love music since she was twelve. Adele and Amy Winehouse are two of the idols she adores. She taught herself how to sing, participipated in musicals, and had her first experiences on stage as a saxophone player. At 17 she began writing songs. In 2020, she competed in both national shows for Austria’s and Serbia’s participation to the Eurovision Song Contest.
SALENA began to sing at the age of seven, and she learnt to play the quitar on her own. She performed at school events, weddings and christenings with a band and by herself. In 2017, she made until the third round of “The Voice of Germany”. In 2019 she tried to get into the Song Contest as an Austrian entry and since 2020 she has been the voice of Hitradio Ö3 station.
photo credit: EBU/Corinne Cumming
Teya and Salena appear on stage wearing white and black outfits both combined with red under it. This is a catchy and very fun performance. Red white and black are the color dominating the backdrop while the duo is accompanied on stage by four backing dancers. The song might be talking about how being possessed by the ghost of American lyricist and poet Edgar Allan Poe but the audience will certainly get possessed by the rhythm of this performance.
Catch up with more backstage and rehearsal content of Teya and Salena on the Eurovision TikTok account.
Albania: Albina & Familja Kelmendi - Duje
Photo credit: EBU/Corrine Cumming
And from Austria to Albania with Albina & Familja Klemendi taking the stage for their first rehearsal. Albina and the Kelmendi family won the ticket to Liverpol after winning the Albanian national final back in December singing 'Duje'.
Albina Kelmendi born 27 January 1998) is a Kosovo-Albanian singer and songwriter. She rose to fame after placing as the runner-up on the fourth series of The Voice of Albania in 2014. Kelmendi and her family are set to represent Albania at Eurovision 2023 with the song Duje.
Albina Kelmendi was born in Pejë, Kosovo (then part of FR Yugoslavia). She studied clarinet and piano at the Halit Kasapolli music school in her hometown, and started performing together with her family under the name Family Band.
photo credit: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett
This performance is all about love and family run unwinding under a dramatic tone combined with red and black colors on the backdrop inspired by the Albanian flag colors. Be prepared for amazing vocals from the very beginning and amazing harmonies througout the song...it 's a family case after all. The pyro effect certainly fits in at the peak of the performance.
Take a look at more content from the Albanian rehearsal on the Eurovison TikTok account.
Lithuania: Monika Linkyte - Stay
Photo credit: EBU/Corinne Cumming
Second last rehearsal of Day 3 comes for Lithuania's Monika Linkyte and her song 'Stay'. Monika made her way to Eurovision 2023 after winning the Lithuanian national selection.
Monika Linkytė is a Lithuanian singer and songwriter. She represented Lithuania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 along with Vaidas Baumila with the song "This Time", placing 18th. She also represented Lithuania in the New Wave 2014 competition and was a finalist on season two of Lietuvos Balsas.
After Eurovision, Linkytė released the single "Po dangum", which went on to be certified platinum in Lithuania. Her debut studio album Walk with Me was released on 17 September 2015, and was also certified platinum. She went on to win Best Album for Walk with Me, Best Song for "Po dangum", and Best Female Act at the 2015 M.A.M.A. Awards, the largest music awards ceremony in Lithuania. She was nominated for Best Female Act once again at the 2016 awards.
Photo Credit: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett
Monika takes the stage wearing a orange dress and surrounded by four female backing vocalists. Monika delivers her captivating ballad in a orange colored backdrop which switches to a darker colors with graphics displayed on the LED screen. A really atmospherical performance that take the audience into the story of the song.
You can check for more backstage and rehearsal footage on the Eurovision TikTok account.
Australia: Voyager - Promise
photo credit: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennnett
Closing rehearsal of the day comes from Australia and the internally selected group of Voyager. The Aussie group is competing with the song 'Promise' is promising to rock the rooftop off in M&S BanK Arena.
Voyager was formed in 1999 at the University of Western Australia by Daniel Estrin, Mark Baker, and Adam Lovkis. The band saw a few lineup changes before recording the album Element V in 2003 with Aidan Barton at Sovereign Studios, Willetton, Western Australia. The lineup for Element V consisted of Daniel Estrin (keyboards, vocals), Mark De Vattimo (guitar), Jennah Graieg (bass), Geoff Callaghan (drums) and Emanuel Rudnicki (guitar), in 2002. Voyager is a progressive metal band from Perth, Western Australia, formed in 1999. The band has released seven full-length albums. Their seventh full-length studio album, Colours in the Sun, was released worldwide on 1 November 2019 on the French American metal record label Season of Mist.
photo credit: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett
Nope it's not the Dukes on stage but the Voyager bringing another car-prop on after Malta this year. The rock group give an explosive performance combining 80's style synths with old classic rock. They are dressed in glittery outfits that certainly match the occssion with the 80's vibes there. Smoke, fireworks are coming in and Voyager in full motion and energy confirming that they kept their promise to treat us with a spectacular show. It's one of those of those moments that we fully understand why Australia should be part of this Eurovision family!
Check out the rehearsal material from Voyager at the Eurovision TikTok account
News Source: Eurovision.tv
Cover photo: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett
AUTHORS
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Angelos D.
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