Eurovision 2026 Semi-Final 1 Dress Rehearsals Live Commentary

Live from Vienna, it is the semi-final 1 jury show
17 countries will take the stage tonight (15 semi-finalists and 2 automatic qualifiers)

The running order for semi-final 1:

• 1. 🇲🇩 Moldova: Satoshi – Viva, Moldova
• 2. 🇸🇪 Sweden: FELICIA – My System
• 3. 🇭🇷 Croatia: LELEK – ANDROMEDA
• 4. 🇬🇷 Greece: Akylas – Ferto
• 5. 🇵🇹 Portugal: Bandidos do Cante – Rosa
• 6. 🇬🇪 Georgia: Bzikebi – On Replay
• AQ. 🇮🇹 Italy: Sal Da Vinci – Per sempre sì
• 7.🇫🇮 Finland: Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen – Liekinheitin
• 8. 🇲🇪 Montenegro: Tamara Živković – Nova Zora
• 9. 🇪🇪 Estonia: Vanilla Ninja – Too Epic To Be True
• 10. 🇮🇱 Israel: Noam Bettan – Michelle
• AQ. 🇩🇪 Germany: Sarah Engels – Fire
• 11. 🇧🇪 Belgium: ESSYLA – Dancing on the Ice
• 12. 🇱🇹 Lithuania: Lion Ceccah – Sólo Quiero Más
• 13. 🇸🇲 San Marino: Senhit feat. Boy George – Superstar
• 14. 🇵🇱 Poland: ALICJA – Pray
• 15. 🇷🇸 Serbia: LAVINA – Kraj mene

The article will be updated along with the show

1.🇲🇩 Moldova: Satoshi – Viva, Moldova

• The performance resembles the one from the national selection, but exploits the stage size.
• Satoshi is accompanied by 2 backing dancers/singers. One of them is Aliona Moon, as well as 2 guitar players and a drummer.
• Satoshi is wearing a royal blue sports top, and he is adorned with rows of chain mail on his shoulders. The shirt also has some white elements and the “373” print (which is Moldova phone prefix)
• Those chains are extended to his backing dancers/singers.
• The drummer sits on a black platform on the back part of the stage. The guitarists move along the stage.
• The LED floor is lit in blue, red, and yellow.
• The camera angles can make the viewer a bit dizzy, including a steady camera.
• The customs are highlighted by a touch of shiny metal.
• In the middle of the performance, we can see the Moldovan flag beaming out in big lights from behind the LED screen.
• Aliona will stand on a high platform on the front stage.
• The general performance is uplifting, full of energy, bouncy, and jumpy.
• The background is colorful, full of shapes, and some may say Japanese aesthetics inspires it. Some anime characters are dancing in the chorus on the background LED video.
• Overall, it was an energetic and uplifting performance, but a bit messy considering the camera angles and the multiple moves.

2. 🇸🇪 Sweden: FELICIA –  My System

• FELICIA is dressed in black and sparkling red, accompanied by 4 male backing dancers. Her outfit has been upgraded compared to the “Melodifestivalen 2026” final. Her dancers are wearing black sunglasses.
• As always, her face is covered by a mask.
• The performance starts with wind machine effects, alongside a red cloud of smoke.
• The general concept of the staging remained quite similar to the one we’ve seen in “Melodifestivalen 2026“. The red lasers are still an integral part of the performance.
• She is seen alone on stage in the first part of the song. In the first chorus, the lasers are mainly blue and white. Later on, the lasers became red.
• The video effects on the backdrop will present FELICIA’s character climbing out of the screens and into the audience.
• During the second verse, we have a hand routine, which looks like she is fighting the lasers and is trying to defeat them with her bare hands. Later on, the lasers are synced with her movements, framing her in a bolder way.
• In the part point, she turned her back to the audience, performing some dance routine with her dance.
• Towards the end, she switched her mask with another one, which doesn’t cover her mouth, but her eyes.
• The performance is energetic, electrifying, and interactive.

3.🇭🇷 Croatia: LELEK – ANDROMEDA

• The band members are wearing a robe ensemble, combining pure white and deep blood-red colors in their costumes. As in “Dora”, their faces are covered with a unique symbolic makeup, which helps them convey the message. 4 of them are in red, the 5th member is wearing white.
• Their performance will utilize the catwalk connecting the Green Room and the main stage.
• The performance is built on the merits of their deep connection and chemistry.
• In the beginning, the focus is on each one of them solely. Slowly, four of the units. The 5th member floating in air with a microphone stand next to her.
• The image is of the separation of the 5th member from the rest.
• The backdrop LED screen plays a crucial role in the performance, presenting haunting visuals: from a mystical cave to an enchanting forest, closing the performance by pulling us through a wormhole at such high speed.
• The camera angles will be captivating.
• The performance is built on sisterhood, harmonies, and dark atmosphere.
• Towards the end, we can expect some pyro effects.
• Overall, a very cinematic and powerful performance. The staging is really good, and they sound excellent together

4.🇬🇷 Greece: Akylas – Ferto

• The staging is arcade game inspired.
• Akylas is wearing an orange and black outfit, black sunglasses, a pendant, and his regular kitty hat and furry boots.
• Some may say his visuals will resemble a tiger. One of his props is a tiny orange scooter.
• Akylas will be joined on stage by Parthena Chorozidou, Michalis Michailidis, Christos Nikolaou, and Konstantinos Karypidis.
• There will be multiple video effects and illusions for the viewers, featuring some new characters.
• In the first part, we can see Akylas alone on stage. He performs charismatically with video effects around him, like
• The visuals demonstrate a video game with Akylas as the main character. We will see him running in different urban views.
• The camera artwork will generate the impression of duplicate Akylas in a swirl. The LED floor will be colorfully lit in many colors. In the first chorus, we will see him “fighting” with colorful geometric elements floating in air.
• The second part is fascinating!! We can see him going between rooms, each time a different character appears next to him: Parthena Chorozidou as his mother knits a sock hat and wears an orange outfit. We can see Akylas photos on the walls. Each of the other rooms shows another member of the team, one as a white painted statue, and another colors in gold. Later on, they dance together with hi.
• At the peak point of the performance, he stops, removes his funky shades, steps out of character, and addresses his mother in an emotional display.

5.🇵🇹 Portugal: Bandidos do Cante – Rosa

• IA 6th member, a violinist, joins the 5 band members. They are wearing elegant suits in pastel and earth colors.
• The performance starts with the band members standing in one line, while the camera shots are long, panning them one by one to the audience.
• The band members will perform on the far part of the stage. The female violinist is wearing a white elegant suit
• They look proud and fully committed to their mission.
• The performance ends with the visuals on the screen behind the band springing into life. This is when Rosa blooms, on the backdrop LED screen.
• At some point, we will see 5 neon blue roses on screen that will move along the melody. Those roses will be seen as a video on the LED floor. They look like X-ray shapes.
• The lights are mostly white, brown, and blue.

6.🇬🇪 Georgia: Bzikebi – On Replay

• The Bzikebi trio will play a tribute to their Junior Eurovision performance with black and yellow outfits. They are wearing yellow catsuits cinched in with black-striped PVC and yellow gloves.
• Their general looks resemble superheroes.
• The backdrop will show 3 huge Cyborg Bzikebi characters with crazy eyes. These elements look quite artificial.
• The lighting is mainly blue and white.
• There will be a use for pyro and smoke.
• Their performance features rich neon lasers to enhance the song’s electrifying power. Those lasers are white, pink and purple,
• Vocally, they don’t sound proper, and it made it a bit underwhelming.
• The stage looks pretty empty, and it seems the lack of props doesn’t fit with the camera angles.

AQ. 🇮🇹 Italy: Sal Da Vinci – Per sempre sì

• Sal is wearing a white modern suit of Naples design.
• The performance is composed of 4 scenes.
• .It begins with a wedding preparation scene: a groom-to-be selects his attire with the help of his groomsmen, while Sal stands front and center, commanding the stage.
• As a grand chandelier descends, we are swept into an opulent ballroom where the groom celebrates with backflips and top-tier choreography alongside his best men. The narrative then shifts to the ceremony itself; as the bride makes her elegant entrance down the catwalk, Sal takes on the role of the marriage officiant in a charming twist.
• The show concludes with a vibrant Neapolitan wedding reception under the night sky, complete with lemon trees, fairy lights, and a digital firework display.
• I am convinced about the choice of the camera angles, which sometimes look random. I found the actors/dancers distracting me from Sal. The vocal performance was a bit unstable. However, I can see the charm it might play on the public.

7.🇫🇮 Finland: Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen – Liekinheitin

• Linda is wearing a strapless, silver mini dress with a soft, textured or ruched fabric that gives it a delicate, almost ethereal look. It is paired with knee-high metallic silver boots, which add a bold, futuristic contrast. The overall vibe is icy, elegant, and striking—almost like a modern “ice queen” aesthetic.
• Pete is dressed in a black, deep V-neck shirt or blouse with a silky, slightly sheer finish. He wears a neckline that plunges low, revealing a vertical chest tattoo, adding a dramatic and edgy touch. His trousers are loose, high-waisted black trousers create a flowing, relaxed silhouette.
• The general concept of the staging is similar to that of “UMK 2026”, but some elements have been sharpened, especially the customs.
• The performance starts with focus on Pete, while light and shadow wrap his body and face.
• There are 3 female backing vocalists accompany them begind the scenes.
• It takes some time until we see Linda. Her dress train floats in the wind, while she preserves the drama, still far from Pete.
• Linda Lampenius stands alone on the deserted stage of what was once an orchestra. She is surrounded by overturned chairs and sheet-music stands of what looks like an orchestra area.
• Linda will be allowed to play part of the song with live violin on stage!
• Pete is inside the wooden confessional box, with dramatic lights.
• At a certain point, we will see each of them from a different side of the wooden cell.
• Towards the peak of the song, the camera pans away from Linda. She will run towards the back of the stage to be reunited with Pete, and there she’s lifted onto the abandoned orchestra seating for a showdown with Pete. It brings him to his knees, and the set goes up in flames.
• The performance will be dramatic, hot, and full of fire and an orange-red palette.

8.🇲🇪 Montenegro: Tamara Živković – Nova Zora

• Tamara is wearing a black corset bejewelled with black gems and topped off with a black ruff collar.
• Regarding the makeup, her face is painted, and this time she appears with more gentle lipstick
• 4 female backing dancers accompany Tamara.
• She begins her performance, draped dramatically across the stage floor by four shadowy figures. She performs the first verse sitting on the floor, while the floor shows broken thunder.
• Similar to the “Montesong” performance, the show will be split into 3 scenes, labelled by roman numeral: I, II, III.
• The lights differ from orange, to red and then blue.
• In the second pre-chorus, the dancers move around her in a circle, while holding hands.
• The performance is based on facial expression and rich choreography. Tamara is sitting on the floor at some point.
• Thereafter, she contorts herself into a standing position so the audience can see her. The 4 dancers standing around her. The dancers are wearing skintight black with white collars
• In each scene, the 5 women perform another synced dance routine.
• The staging is characterized by dramatic light, mostly red and blue, with some effects like thunderers, lightning and lava.
• Towards the last pre-chorus, we can see the daws rises from the backdrop.
• She looks charismatic and emotional on stage, while maintaining a high level of singing.

9. 🇪🇪 Estonia: Vanilla Ninja – Too Epic To Be True

• The band has revamped the song: The bridge was changed, as the spoken recorded part (performed by a male vocalist) was removed. Instead, we got a more hymn-like part of the band chanting “Too Epic, Too Epic” with minimal production, in what sounds like a rock stadium piece. Overall, the song sounds a bit more modern.
• The band members upgraded their customers compared to the national final. They are still wearing white/cream outfits with black tops, which emphasizes the girls’ rock credentials.
• It starts with Lena singing solo, while another member of the band “plays” the guitar. A male drummer and 2 backing singers are behind the scenes, accompanying them.
• Carli performs the second verse, bringing a sweeter and softer voice to the song.
• The scene is mostly white, black, and red.
• Between the second and final chorus, they will be more connected to the audience.
• Some elements are black, combining well with the white light camera shots.
• At the peak point, they will chant “too epic” to the audience, while the LED video will show more fire-gold and orange elements
• The performance concludes with pyro finish.
• The performance is quite simple, focusing mostly on them and their energy.

10. 🇮🇱 Israel: Noam Bettan –  Michelle

• Noam will be accompanied by 5 female dancers.
• Noam Bettan is wearing a black leather jacket over a black silk shirt, with the outfit completed by black leather trousers. The fabric has been chosen to match the diamond.
• The female dancers are wearing leather short jumpsuits that are dual in tone; one side cream, one side burgundy.
• Israel will use one of the biggest props in Eurovision 2026 production: It is a huge diamond in the center of the stage with a mirrored exterior. The diamond will open and move along the performance.
• The performance starts inside the diamond. Noam begins while surrounded by a reflective surface that gives the illusion of him being inside a crystal chamber.
• Later on, one of the dancers (Lihi) will join him inside.
• The diamonds will be inside an orange gold circle of light.
• He’s beckoned out from his giant diamond by a sole dancer (the main character from the video clip), who takes him to the front of the stage, where we can find the rest of 4 female dancers.
• Most of the time, the dancers are around him, performing some hand choreography, like we could’ve seen in the clip.
• The lighting palette will differ from dark blue to bronze and gold.
• The LED floor will look like Scorched floor
• Overall, it was a very powerful vocal showcase. Noam was accurate, and it feels like he is connected to the story. I think that some camera angles can be improved. I think the dancers should have interacted more with him

AQ. 🇩🇪 Germany: Sarah Engels – Fire

• Sarah is wearing a gold flame-inspired bodysuit. The corset part has been designed to look like roaring flames, while sparkling rhinestones dotted elsewhere resemble golden embers.
• The song was revamped, and the first part is more of a piano pop-ballad.
• The performance is built around a large cube prop. Sarah starts the performance lying down on this cube, with the camera angles above.
• Later on, she stands on this cube. Her dancers are around her. At some point, they even lift her
• It ends with some pyro elements.
• She delivers excellent performance, with strong vocals and tons of charisma. It reminded me the Jennifer Lopez days in the 2000s.

11.🇧🇪 Belgium: ESSYLA – Dancing on the Ice

• ESSYLA is wearing a cape of long fabric. It is almost transparent, and thin like a sheet of ice. Underneath, she is wearing an all-white custom, where laced-up leather is the main motive: Combining a white dress, one boot, paired with a silver pump, and over-the-shoulder armour with a long, sharp crystals jutting out of it.
• She starts the performance static, and then starts to move on stage.
• There will be the use of a wind machine as well as a snow machine during the performance.
• She is accompanied by 4 male dancers, who stand in front of the stage. ESSYLA is walking along the stage toward them. Thereafter, they remove the upper part of her costume, so it becomes out of sight.
• When she dances, alongside her dancers, we can see the effects of the floor’s tiny crystal parts beneath her feet.
• At some point during the performance, the view will split into 2 parts, one in blue and one in orange. The camera artwork includes some long shots. ESSYLA will walk along on the LED floor in the background of a dark scene, and vertical orange lights are preset on the LED floor. Later on, we will see some beam lights that will show up like a circle of flashlights.
• The staging will show us a kind of contrast of visuals of fire and ice. So the lighting is mainly blue and orange.
• It is staged quite well, especially the lights. colors and effects. However, something about the energy is missing.

12.🇱🇹 Lithuania: Lion Ceccah – Sólo Quiero Más

• The performance will be bold due to its visuals, concept and vocals.
• The Lithuanian performance will feature a bold prop: A costume installation created especially for the performance, which dramatically falls apart right on stage
•  According to a press release, the black stage sculpture comprises metal elements and tensioned steel cables, held in place by an electromagnet system. While the system is active, the structure remains stable and appears on stage like a petrified sculpture.
• However, the electricity is turned off, a magnet releases the metal elements, the cables loosen, and the entire structure suddenly collapses.
• Lion will appear in silver make-up and silver gloves. His outfits are composed of 2 parts: a giant hooded cloak or a spiky figure in a gothically tailored suit.
• At the beginning, he will be bound by the hooded cloak, we will see only his face under blue lights.
• Towards the first chorus, he will get out of the cloak, walking robotically on stage.
• In the second chorus, we will see a neon human character on the LED screen, making some dance moves.
• English-language subtitles will be presented on screen during the bridge and before it.
• The scene will be dark most of the time. On the bridge, a blurry circular blue light will appear behind him and move dynamically. Later on, we will see a black and white effect that will come just before the outfit reveal.
• I felt he was too powerful and stressed vocally, I hope it will better in the live performance,

13.🇸🇲 San Marino: Senhit feat. Boy George – Superstar

• Senhit and Boy George are accompanied by 4 male dancers.
• Senhit is wearing a dramatic metallic silver look with a floor-length shimmering faux-fur coat layered over a sleek gown. The dress features a high neckline and sheer vertical panels decorated with oversized reflective polka dots, giving it a futuristic disco-glam aesthetic. She finishes the look with voluminous curly hair, smoky eye makeup, and metallic accessories that amplify the glamorous stage-ready vibe.. Boy George will appear with a hat (as always) and a black, elegant suit. It seems they changes their customs this time.
• There are at least 2 props planned for the show.
• The spotlights will shine in rainbow theme lights. They are pointed outward into the audience too, so that everyone is illuminated.
• The stage is packed full of chrome and mirror
• The lights are bright and joyful, resembling a lot of the 1980s music scene. We will see dynamic swirls, watery shapes, and geometric shapes presented on the LED floor.
• Boy George
• Towards the end, Boy George and Senhit are walking hand in hand down the catwalk and off into the rainbow sunset, while pyro blasts behind them in their rear-view mirror.
• I felt like their vocals were quite problematic, but maybe what’s important about this type os song is that they are having a lot of fun.

14.🇵🇱 Poland: ALICJA – Pray

• Everything has pretty much changed compared to the national selection, besides her silver outfit.
• ALICJA will be accompanied by 4 backing dancers. who are wearing high-fashioned gleaming white shirts tucked into high-waisted, wide-legged black trousers, with a cummerbund
• The performance starts with a dark scene, with focus on ALICJA solely, slaying it vocally.
• The performance will focus on a special monumental prop. For us, it looked a bit similar to the prop from Brunette’s “Future Lover” (Armenia 2023).
• We will see the prop in the second verse, the dancers will climb on the back part of it,
• They will climb on it, creating the effect of being upstairs.
• It is a standalone prop (which hasn’t been specified yet), and what’s special about it is the way the Polish team will interact with it. They will jump over it with synced moves
• The video backdrop will present a pair of 2 hands at some point.
• The press release highlight the camara work around the light and shadows.
• The camera work shines, especially in the goapel part.
• It should get appreciation at least from the jury.

15.🇷🇸 Serbia: LAVINA – Kraj mene

• The basis of the performance remained quite similar to the “PZE” concept, but was upgraded in some manners.
• The band members are wearing black outfits. The lead singer, Luka, wears a fur-trimmed cloak with oversized metal embellishments on top. His shoulder armour is significantly big. His make-up is mostly based on black eye-liner.
• At the beginning, we will see Luka lying on the floor, while only his fingers and nails will be seen through the light and the outfit, like a wild animal.
• During the performance, he will get rid of the heavy weight armour.
• The color palette was mostly blue. We will be able to see some LED video effects that will look like rain.
• The performance features a big sword, which later on, is tabbed down into a rock, giving it a platform to serve as a mic stand for Luka.
• The performance is more dynamic, as Luka will start slumped on the stage floor. and later on staggers and swings to his feet.
• The performance will feature dark scenes, blue lights, and smoke.
• At the peak point of the song, we’ll see the camera shaking with some fire and lave effects/
• In parallel to the first growling part, the pyro will be dominant.
• Towards the end, the staging will look more in hot colors like red and orange.

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