Austria's PÆNDA meets the Eurovision 2019 stage in first rehearsal

06 May 2019 at 15:57 CEST

Austria first rehearsal backstage 2019 Thomas Hanses

Surrounded by vertical lights that twinkle and mimicking fountains of water, PÆNDA delivered the first rendition of her emotional Austrian entry 'Limits'. Alone on stage, the delivery feels as personal as the moving story she presents.

PÆNDA will take the stage 9th in the second Semi-Final on Thursday 16 May at Expo Tel Aviv in Israel.

At the age of 14, PÆNDA wrote her first songs while learning how to play the guitar and piano in order to implement them musically. PÆNDA's style is a mix of electronic, hip-hop, pop and techno, avoiding pretentiousness or cliché. The South Austrian native started her project in 2016 and has since been experimenting meticulously with her unique sounds ever since. PÆNDA's music style knows no limits; while she creates various sounds in her home studio, she passionately plays with stylistic restrictions and narrowing genres.

READ MORE: PÆNDA's participant profile

What happens on stage?

Starting in black and white, colour fills the stage at once, mid-way through the song. The minimalist staging and delicate use of light allow the song to stand on its own. Limits tells the story of how she pushed herself beyond all limits in her zeal and passion for music to the point of full exhaustion. PÆNDA explains: "Being aware of the moments where I needed a break was a process for me. It was a long and at times difficult road to learning my own limits." The song expresses her vulnerability. At the same time, it conveys the message that it is important to believe in yourself in order to find your own way.