THE FIRST THREE PARTICIPANTS TO REHEARSE TODAY AT THE BELGRADE ARENA WERE ARMENIA’S SIRUSHO, THE HIND FROM THE NETHERLANDS AND THE FINNISH ROCKERS OF TERASBETONI
Eurovision.tv
May 16 2008
Switzerland
First rehearsal of the day was Armenia’s Sirusho, who astonished
everyone at her first rehearsal last Monday and her great performance
at the party thrown by the Russian delegation at the Euroclub. Sirusho
and her three backing dancers once again delivered a steady
performance, opening with the dancers entangled around Sirusho’s legs,
making Sirusho wave in the air when she stoops. Sirusho did not wear
her final outfit for the semi-final on the 20th of May, but it was
revealed by a person from the Armenian delegation: Sirusho’s dress
is classy, sexy and shiny. During the rehearsal, fire was blowing
up from the stage and the pyrotechnics were tried out. Given the
expressions on Sirusho and her dancers’ faces, it was seeming like
they were quite content with rehearsals. Later at the press conference,
Sirusho and the Armenian delegation expressed their satisfaction with
today’s rehearsal. Furthermore, Sirusho told the fans and accredited
press that there had been some security issues regarding some of the
elements which were supposed to be used in the act. Sirusho explained
that this of course is unfortunate, but it does not matter because
in the end it is the vocal perfomance that counts.
The second delegation to perform today was the Netherlands with
their experienced singer Hind. Rehearsing Your Heart Belongs To Me,
one could clearly see that the cute Dutch singer really enjoyed being
on the stage in the Belgrade Arena. The whole rehearsal looks very
polished already with big white chandeliers being projected on the
enormous LED screens, and yellow colours used at the front part of
the stage. Hind is on stage with two male dancers and three backing
singers who are all dressed in dark blue. Hind herself is wearing a
dark blue dress as well which has lots of glittering elements on it
which looked really elegant on screen. The Dutch singer is one of
the most secure singers in the contest this year and she interacts
brilliantly with the camera, too. Lots of people were hugely impressed
by the Dutch rehearsal today! The Dutch press conference was opened
by Hind singing a Dulce Pontes song which went down really well with
the audience being present. Hind also revealed that she met Marija
Serifovic yesterday and had a nice chat with her.
The metal rockers Terasbetoni from Finland were the third to enter
the stage at the Belgrade Arena this morning. As Terasbetoni usually
do they gave a powerful and flawless performance of their song Missa
Miehet Ratsastaa. The Finnish group were wearing various leather
outfits, and some of them did not wear anything on the upper part
of their bodies. The smoke on the stage as well as the fire balls
blowing up from the stage enhances the intensity of the song. In
the last rehearsal full pyrotechnics were tested. Finland has in
many recent years sent rock songs to the Eurovision Song Contest,
and it may come to their advantage this year, since they stand out
compared to most other participating countries. Today’s rehearsal
revealed that the Finnish rockers clearly are ready for the dress
rehearsals. After the rehearsal, the Finnish delegation showed up
for a press conference. Head of Delegation Terhi Norvasto told the
accredited press and fans that they are very pleased about the just
finished rehearsal and the organization of the event in general. A
journalist asked whether Terasbetoni has received advice from former
Finnish winner Lordi, but they had not since they have actually never
met Lordi in person.