First rehearsal: Netherlands and Australia

End of day

Semi 2 is feeling fun and entertaining, comparing to the 'heavy' Semi 1. And a good word about the Portuguese police at the arena gates, they handled the scanner malfunction well this morning and have always been nice and smiley, which isn't a given.

Australia

Pre-opinion: I've never had a problem with their inclusion, but haven't warmed up to their entries. Until now. This lifts me up in all the right ways. There are some questions about Jessica's lower notes, but if they overcome this it could be a contender.

First run-through: It's her in a glittery purple short dress with a side trail, standing in front of a structure made of symmetrical LED lines, that are pink/turquoise most of the song but turn red during the climax. Doesn't sound good at the start (but this may be sound issues). Backing singers are not visible sadly, but Jessica's personality carries it well.

Second run: Sounds better now. A short pyro shoot from behind after the drummy bit. This aims at looking great with the audience in. The camera shots keep switching too often for me, but despite the cold reaction in here I'm not willing to rule it out yet.

Last runthrough with some more pyro around the outside of the ring. This is fine, if a bit underwhelming.


The Netherlands

Pre-opinion: I was a huge fan of CATS, even before the staging allegedly lift it from nothing to something. Can't say I feel the same about this one. Not ruling it out from qualification, but it's very lucky to be in this semi.

First run: A family of leopards were murdered for this. He's on a simplistic platform with lights on the sides, Waylon 'doing his thing' on top of it, busy dancers doing all the moves around him.

Second run: Waylon sounds fine (but that was never going to be an issue). One of the dancers-pretending-to-be-guitarists is particularly eager with his breakdancing while still wearing a guitar. Not exactly buying me over, but Waylon is as great eyeing the cameras as he was four years ago.