ESCXTRA are live from Lisbon for day 6 of rehearsals ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest 2018!The countries rehearsing today, in chronological order, are Armenia, Switzerland, Ireland, Cyprus, Norway, Romania, Serbia, San Marino, Denmark, Portugal, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Italy and France. (Yes, we know, it’s a long one…)
We’re streaming live from the press centre
Furthermore, read our handy guide for a more detailed look at this contest’s rehearsal schedule.
In addition, for our immediate reactions to every single rehearsal, you can follow our live stream from the press centre at the Altice Arena by visiting our YouTube channel.
The latest artist to rehearse for the first time is SuRie for United Kingdom. We have just watched their latest run through of Storm live on screen and here is our initial reaction.
Staging
There is a gigantic tunnel of diamond shaped LED light strips in the centre of the stage. It’s purple coloured – similar to Robin Bengtsson last year. The lights rotate round them in the first verse and then come from back to front in the chorus. Then they flash on the beat when it comes in at the end of the first chorus. There is some dry ice on stage now which looks like clouds, but then it needs some wind to blow it away… like a storm!
The second verse is similar in lighting and prop to the first verse. Then in the second chorus, there is a flash of white light (lightning) from around the arena. SuRie then, finally, moves after 1 minute and 45 seconds. I say she moves, she takes three steps. In the final chorus, she marches around a bit before getting back on her prop. It also seems that every time the camera does a close-up, SuRie just misses it by looking past the camera and to the crowd. She does her geometric arm movements in the bridge, as ever. Then there is a finally a look to camera at 2 minutes and 10 seconds.
It’s far too static. An improvement (if the BBC are reading this) would be if the backing singers would come out at the last chorus and add to the ‘anthemic vibe’ that SuRie is trying to conjure by stamping around the stage before she gets back on her prop. Right now, I can’t see who would pick up a telephone to vote for this based on that staging.
Camera shots in this performance: 47
Vocal
Her vocal starts very delicately but builds into it when the beat comes in. The vocals are quite weak in depth and could be aided with a bit more depth from the backing singers added in.
She seems a little uncomfortable hitting the big note at the end still, but we expect this to be improved in the next weeks.
Costume
SuRie is wearing a white pantsuit and her trademark hair.
Watch the rehearsal!
Stay tuned for our reaction to Amaia y Alfred as they rehearse Tu canción next for Spain. If you want to know what to expect for the rest of the day, check out our rehearsal schedule here. Meanwhile, remember to tune in to our live stream from the press centre for instant reactions to each rehearsal.
