Live Blog: Thursday 13 May

WHAT a day. We've now seen every performer's staging, so we're starting to see how next week's live shows are going to come together. Tomorrow the final 8 Semi-Finalists will rehearse for the second time, so please join us from 10:00 CEST. And thank you for staying with us all day today...we really appreciate all the support.

Day 7 Schedule (Second Rehearsals)

Georgia 🇬🇪
Albania 🇦🇱
Portugal 🇵🇹
Bulgaria 🇧🇬
Finland 🇫🇮
Latvia 🇱🇻
Switzerland 🇨🇭
Denmark 🇩🇰

Here's us queueing for dinner after an 11 hour Live Blog.

Watch: Spain First Rehearsal

Enjoy some pictures of Blas and his giant moon, and we'll post a video soon.

Watch: United Kingdom First Rehearsal

Blas is dressed in black and sings the first verse entirely a capella, which is a bold move that he absolutely has the vocal skills to pull off.

He’s standing under an enormous moon that we’d guess is inflatable, because otherwise how would you truck a five metre moon from Spain to the Netherlands? He's gone for a celestial digital backdrop, and the moon turns red for the final chorus. Put your arms in the air and sway...

We'll post a video soon, but here's a gallery of photos.

And finally for today’s first rehearsals, it’s Blas Canto from Spain singing his beautiful ballad Voy A Quedarme. As we wait for him to start, please enjoy this picture of Blas leaping over a backstage puddle like a cat. We haven’t seen outside for eleven hours, but at least we now know it’s raining.

Watch: France First Rehearsal

...you and I gonna light up the shoes.

Top footwear game, James Newman.

James Newman's staging features enormous prop trumpets hanging over the stage like a health and safety nightmare, and he's wearing a rather fabulous black leather coat. His four male dancers are dressed in white and have some serious moves - it's the upbeat energy we need eight hours into this liveblog.

Light up the ROOOOM.

Please enjoy these pictures of France's rehearsal, video coming soon.

Next up it’s the United Kingdom’s James Newman, who is singing Embers.

Now would probably be a good time to mention that, whilst remaining entirely impartial and loving every act equally and without bias, both of your Live Bloggers are Brits and hoping James has brought all of his vocal and performance talents to Rotterdam.

*waves tiny flag*

We regret to inform you that France has no pyro.

Watch: The Netherlands First Rehearsal

Unsurprisingly, Barbara's staging is incredibly stylish and minimalist, lit by nothing but spotlights. No graphics, no dancers, not so much as a plinth. Just Barbara, dressed in black, delivering her extraordinary vocal performance. Magnifique.

Video coming soon, but here are some pictures to tide you over...

France is on stage next, with Barbara Pravi rehearsing her song Voilà. This is much-anticipated performance, and the official video doesn't offer a huge number of clues about how the staging might look. We'll just have to be patient...

"Jendrik, this wasn't what I meant when I said I'd lend a hand with your staging"

To get you in the mood for this year’s Grand Final, Eurovision.tv will show the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in full this Saturday 15 May at 21:00 CEST on the official Eurovision YouTube channel.

Get ready: Watch Party - Eurovision Song Contest 2019

Eurovision.tv invites fans to Tweet along with our Watch Party for the 2019 Grand Final this Saturday 15 May. We'll premiere the show on our official YouTube Channel so everyone will be able to watch in sync, as one, together.

What’s more, from this weekend, the Eurovision Song Contest has two Twitter hashtag emojis: one on #Eurovision and the other on #OpenUp. Just Tweet using those hashtags during the week of the live finals and the emoji will magically appear when you post.

Eurovision is consistently one of the most-Tweeted events in the world. Last year, Eurovision made it into the top 25 most-Tweeted entertainment shows in the UK across the entire year - despite not having an official Contest!

So join us to once more enjoy the 64th Eurovision Song Contest, held in Tel Aviv after Netta won the 2018 Contest with her mega-bop TOY.

Oh, and fans of Eurovision rewatches will be pleased to learn that #EurovisionAgain will return in the Summer with a line-up of classic Contests.

Read the full story.

There aren't many men who can pull off an electric blue suit, but Jeangu is definitely one of them. He's joined on stage by two backing singers and a dancer for a powerful three minutes of storytelling. Jeangu has taken full advantage of the rule change that allows pre-recorded backing singers - his features a choir, which creates a real impact in the arena.

It won't be the last time we say this, but we're continually blown away by how good this year's performances are. Next week's live shows are going to be something else.

Watch: Germany First Rehearsal

Here's some pictures of Jendrik's performance - video is coming very soon!

Up next is Jeangu Macrooy from The Netherlands with his song Birth Of A New Age. Considering just about every member of the audience in the arena next week will be from the Netherlands due to travel restrictions, it’s reasonable to assume this will have a LOT of support. But it’s got a lot of love in the international ESC fan community too – let’s see how Jeangu brings this beautiful musical narrative to the stage.

Watch: Italy First Rehearsal

Jendrik doesn't have any pyro - apparently a ukelele, a trumpet, a trombone, a saxophone, a giant dancing finger and some tap dancing was deemed adequate for a three minute performance. We'd have gone for it, but each to their own.

A video of Måneskin's performance will be available soon, but here's a gallery of photos.

Watch: Serbia Second Rehearsal

Watch: Iceland Second Rehearsal

Faced with a jacket choice of either pink or silver (the only two colours allowed at Eurovision this year), Jendrik chose pink. He’s armed with a sparkly ukulele, three backing musicians and a woman dressed as a giant hand with a raised middle finger.

There’s even a tap-dancing interlude, and we're fully expecting pyro. Never let it be said that Germany don’t make the effort - great fun, and you can't help but sing along.

...we really enjoyed your first performance! 😍

Germany are up to rehearse next, with Jendrik singing his ukulele ditty I Don’t Feel Hate. The official video takes place in a laundrette, so perhaps Jendrik plans to recreate that digitally. We’ve definitely seen trombones making their way to the stage.

Watch: Moldova Second Rehearsal

Måneskin aren't QUITE so pyro-happy as Finland, but they've gone for a HUGE curtain of fireworks finish, with some bonus flames. It's warming up nicely in here.

After feeling unwell on Wednesday morning (12 May), the lead singer of Ukraine’s band Go_A, Kateryna Pavlenko, had a PCR test for COVID-19, in accordance with our Health & Safety Protocol. As a precautionary measure, Kateryna did not perform with her band during their second rehearsal.

We are pleased to report that the COVID-19 test has come back negative.

Kateryna is feeling better and looking forward to performing on the Eurovision stage next week.
We are delighted to welcome her back!

You don't have to love rock music to see what a class act Måneskin are. The staging features red graphics with silhouettes of the band members, and rows of red lights on the raised plinth that are now burned onto our eyeballs. In fact Måneskin seem to be using every lighting rig in the arena - it's quite the spectacle.

Also, our first entirely shirtless performance of the year! Thanks Damiano, we are LOVING the silver trousers. Silver is very much a costume theme of 2021, and Måneskin is definitely on board.

Here's some photos from Serbia's performance - video coming soon!

First up from the Big Five is Italy, with Måneskin singing Zitti E Buoni. This translates as ‘shut up and be quiet’ but if the official video is anything to go by, it’s highly unlikely that Måneskin are going to do either. Will they out-pyro Finland? Can ANYONE out-pyro Finland?

The Big Five are about to start their first rehearsals, which means we're back in the Green Room camping out on Sweden's sofa. Stay tuned for all the action!

Need some more Icelandic joy in your life? Of course you do. Video coming soon!

NPO/NOS/AVROTROS want fans to create and film their own versions of iconic Eurovision songs from previous Contests, and to post the resulting videos on their TikTok and Instagram accounts using the hashtag: #EurovisionChallenge.

There’s a fantastic prize on offer too! The best entries will be chosen from a shortlist by Nikkie de Jager and will feature in her online Eurovision YouTube show: LookLab.

Nikkie will also pick the overall winner of the challenge and their video will be shown during the Grand Final broadcast AND the lucky entrant will win two tickets for the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final in 2022!

Here are the full details!

...every day our hair finds a new way to grow.

We caught up with Daði Freyr getting a little haircare pampering from Eurovision Presenting Partner Moroccanoil. Simply feels good...

Here's some pictures of Moldova's performance - video coming soon!

Watch: Poland Second Rehearsal

"Dear Eurovision.tv Live Blog, is there any chance you could share a picture of Maneskin from Italy hanging out in their dressing room?"

Yes. Yes we can.

Watch: Austria Second Rehearsal

Take a look at Poland's gallery - video coming soon!

Watch: Greece Second Rehearsal

Apologies for the late fishy update today, it's a public holiday in the Netherlands today so Eurovissie and Eurofishion had the morning off.

But they're wouldn't miss the Big Five's first rehearsal, and are particularly excited about Bass Canto from Spain.

Watch: Czech Republic First Rehearsal

And Austria too! Our photographers are on FIRE today.

The gallery is ready, and the video will be available soon!

Maneskin from Italy are playing table tennis in the Delegation Bubble, and James Newman from the UK is in the Rotterdam Ahoy car park. More Big Five news as it happens!

Today's Delegation Bubble is BUZZING as it fills with more and more artists for Second Rehearsals... plus the Big Five and the Netherlands for their first go... meanwhile, we promise you this is Gjon!

Watch: Estonia First Rehearsal

6 acts have completed their second rehearsal, with 4 more to go after a break for lunch. Then it's time for first rehearsals from the Big 5 and the host nation. Don't go away!

Watch: San Marino First Rehearsal

Here are some lovely pictures of Benny Cristo - video coming soon!

Måneskin have arrived in the bubble!

Video coming soon, but the gallery is available now.

WATCH: Malta Second Rehearsal

Natalia Gordienko of Moldova isn't on stage for over an hour, but we can already hear her warming up those vocal chords in her dressing room. Or maybe she has genuinely run out of sugar and wants somebody to pop over and lend her some?

Can exclusively reveal that Benny Cristo from Czech Republic is wearing glasses in today's rehearsal. Unclear whether this is due to fashion or a contact lens nightmare.

These pictures are both flame AND dynamite.

Loving Team Destiny's branded hoodies. Can we swap for our official Eurovision one, like they do at the end of football matches?

Malta's second rehearsal video will be available soon, but the gallery is available now!

Still no confirmation on whether Flo Rida is busy packing his apple bottom jeans and boots with the fur for these nippy Rotterdam nights...

...but Senhit's altered her headpiece... 🤔

*starts flicking through the rulebook*

Great to see James Newman and the UK Delegation at London City airport, making their way to Rotterdam. We can't wait to see their first rehearsal later...

Rules state participants have to wear their Saturday night outfit for the Second Rehearsals and so we can exclusively reveal a change of costume for Destiny...

Silver sequins IN, pink fringing OUT!

Destiny's looking FAB-U-LOUS!

Senhit isn't telling.

This is how anarchy begins.

...in the Delegation Bubble. We can hear Destiny rehearsing in her dressing room, she's up first on stage at 10:00 CEST. We can barely SPEAK at this time of the morning, never mind sing with that kind of power.

Greetings from Rotterdam - we hope you're well rested, because today is a HUGE day on the main stage. 10 more second rehearsals starting at 10:00 CEST, but also the arrival of Big Five and the host nation, who will rehearse for the first time from around 15:30 CEST. Here's today's schedule:

Second Rehearsal: Second Semi-Finalists

🇲🇹 Malta*
🇸🇲 San Marino
🇪🇪 Estonia
🇨🇿 Czech Republic
🇬🇷 Greece
🇦🇹 Austria
🇵🇱 Poland
🇲🇩 Moldova
🇮🇸 Iceland
🇷🇸 Serbia
(*Malta are performing in the first Semi-Final)

First Rehearsal: The Big Five and The Netherlands (Hosts)

🇮🇹 Italy
🇩🇪 Germany
🇳🇱 The Netherlands
🇫🇷 France
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
🇪🇸 Spain