Eurovision 2025: First day of rehearsals (update: conclusion)

That’s it, the big day has finally arrived! After almost a year of waiting, the fortnight we all expect today! Indeed, this morning begins the rehearsals of our favorite musical competition! Participants of the first part of the first semi-final will work on the St. Jakobshalle scene for the first time (yes that is a lot of first today but it’s normal ^^).

As you know, during these individual rehearsals, each candidate looking for the crystal microphone will have the opportunity to set up their scenography, test their visual effects and work on your camera games. These sessions will take place on site behind closed doors.

As for the Eurovision team on a daily basis, we are all ready to make you live by our side this formidable fortnight. We thank you in passing for your loyalty. The UER having drastically restricted access to rehearsals and their follow -up by the media, we will try as much as possible to publish the information and photos possibly communicated. This 1st day will be followed by Lolotte. Let’s the Eurovision’s Rehearsals Begin!

Here are the schedules for this Saturday, May 3, which concerns the countries of the 1ʳᵉ part of the first semi-final (Hours and progress likely to be modified) :

This article will be updated, over the rehearsals. You can read the descriptions of the scenographies there. As for the photos, you will find them tomorrow in a specially dedicated article (New Uer regulations require). We already wish you a great day. Take advantage of it and above all, let us know your impressions and comments!

Iceland

We find more or less the same scenography that we could see during the Icelandic selection (do not force me to write it please!) We find the wooden boat in two parts is painted white with a few waves at the level of the stage, and the three dancers wear more modern outfits: overalls and silver bobs with pretty Icelandic sweaters. The 2 brothers that make up the VAEB group wear the same hooded outfits as those seen previously, and of course their emblematic silver sunglasses. The LED wall is used. Væb uses it for landscapes with very original geometric figures, in red and fluorescent blue colors, with an Icelandic spirit, as well as for the giant letters of Væb, overviews during the national final. And… there will be Pyro!

Poland

Justyna descends from the roof on two strings at the start of the song. She has a black combination very similar to that she wore during the Polish selection, but without the fringes on the shoulders. Her four dancers (three men and a woman) also wear different outfits, with gladiator fringed skirts and very high heels. We can see on the LED wall, planets in rotations, lava, water and lightning as if we attended the Big Bang. At the end of her performance, the Polish representative is raised towards the heavens, against the backdrop of dragers of fire (!!). There is Pyro of course!

Slovenia

The staging of How Much Time Do We Have Left Really reflects the theme of the title that is the fragility of life. The LED wall and the front arch sparkling both thousands of stars that go from red to blue throughout the song. Klemen’s outfit is very sober (at least, during this rehearsal): a black suit with a white t-shirt. The Slovenian delegation kept the part where their representative sings head upside down, supported by 2 dancers.

Estonia

Little change compared to the scenography of the Eesto Laul (or rather lol in view of the result). Tommy has the same blue suit and the same red tie. The 4 “bodyguards” are also there. On the LED screen, you can see alpine landscapes reminiscent of those that border the St. Jakobshalle scene. Good energy released by the title.

And it’s time for the lunch break!

Ukraine

More small flowery garden for Ukraine. Instead, a LED wall decorated with pink and green neon neon lights that vibrate and swirl to the rhythm of the music, before exploding during the refrain. Lighting and camera work are the pillars of this performance. The way Daniel (the singer) moves on stage is perfectly choreographed to the rhythm of the measure. The whole is very elegant and neat. As for the costumes, they have kept their 1970s style, but they are now bright and sparkling colors and the three choristers wear golden and sparkling tailors too. There is obviously the pyro with smoke at the start of the performance and then “fireworks” during the guitar solo.

Suede

And here is that one of the favorite countries arrive on stage. The 3 members of Kaj decided to keep their green suit. And even if since Melodifestivalen, they have lost a dancer, the famous sauna is still there! As for the LED screen, we see a forest populated by deer. Then everything turns into a gigantic party with neon lights and lasers. Among the accessories present on the stage, there are trees (artificial? Real? This is the question!) Which blend perfectly into Swedish scenography.

Portugal

Last country to repeat today: Portugal! The Napa quintet is placed exactly in the same place as at the Da Canção festival. But the outfits have changed. No more sand color, make way for shirts of different colors for each member. On the LED screen, you can see an animated and changing colors (just like the LED ark, too) with floating clouds. A very nice way to end this 1ʳᵉ day of rehearsal!

Conclusion

Booon … Difficult to form an opinion with a simple description. The news of the 1ʳᵉˢ repetitions reducing over the years to skin of sorrow. The rumor that said yesterday that the photos would only be revealed the day after the candidates’ performances was therefore true. Our work (volunteer, I remind you) starts to become complicated and obviously, dear readers and dear readers, you are hard impacted.

Nevertheless, and when reading the descriptions, I can’t wait to see a little more from Ukraine, Portugal and Sweden (even if for this one, we know the main lines). Regarding Poland, the scenography seems to me quite kitsch and overloaded (a recurring defect in the country). As for the other countries, if I have a particular tenderness for Slovenia, I do not expect anything from the staging. And Iceland and especially Estonia are neither hot nor cold.

And don’t forget to find tomorrow, the photos of this 1ʳᵉ day in a specially dedicated article!

Tomorrow, I give the keys to Michaël who will take care of describing the second part of the first semi-final!

Photo credit: Uer