i'm with you completely - Poland going through over Estonia feels so wrong, it does my head in. just.. have a lot of feelings about the delegations this year. i kept watching Israels big $$$$ staging and then thought of Romania working with basically crumbs from the delegation both in money and general support. that being said, huge kudos to Mimicat for absolutely slaying with what little she was given. so badass.
I want to like it, because her voice is great and she has strong stage presence. But the song itself I find shrill and unpleasant. Hoping tomorrow's performance changes my opinion!
My fav in this semi 2 is Slovenia when I hear the first bass line on debut of the song I immediately need to move. They have communicative energy and smile.
I'm so sad for Latvia, it's been my favorite entry from this edition. The truth is that the song is not a catchy one, it's not a loud one, and it's not one to leave a huge impression on the first listen. And being in a semifinal with acts like Croatia, Israel, Sweden and Finland, I kinda expected it to not qualify. I'm really curious how a jury ranking would look like for this semifinal, and if they would have appreciated Latvia's song more than the public did
@@freshlypainted definitely, the televotes will be so spread out in the final because most of songs were chosen by the public, so the jury vote is going to have a lot of power.
I feel exactly the same as you about Poland (although it is my country and I should support it). Unfortunately, there was a lot of hype, memes and laughter around this performance and the Polish team picked it up as a chance for publicity. Now everyone is commenting on Blanka's outfits, interviews, dances, visual effects, social media posts. And where in all this is what should be in the first place, that means the music itself? It's gotten to the point where when people criticize Solo, others immediately accuse them of hate (because that's the easiest way). And you are 100 percent right that if Poland advances to the final, it will probably be at the expense of some really great vocalist.
As a Pole, I think that she will not qualify. There's a huge difference between watching the videos, laughing, etc. and actually voting for a song. There is still a lot of hype, but I guess almost everyone can see that this song, effects and vocals are just... not good.
Last year I was able to turn a blind eye to Poland's Windows Movie Maker shenanigans because Krystian COULD really sing but this year I'm like "I'm done, pls no 🤡" The only one I'm really excited about is Slovenia. That would be awesome if they made it through (or even won this semi) after last year's place... And they deserve it! ❤
Yeah I agree about Poland. Also to me is just another generic "Hey look I'm hot and sexy and you're stupid for breaking up with me or cheating on me" modern song.
I don’t know why people were saying semi 1 was the bloodbath . THIS SEMI IS THE REAL BLOODBATH . Im soooo rooting for Albania ( and queen sidorela ) also love your videos !!
my feelings toward semi 2 is I LOVE that it's a bit more unpredictable and unhinged than semi 1 but my anxiety is high af. I'm glad the songs i do like have a decent chance of qualifying. ever since rehearsals my confidence for albania has gone up a lot. it's the only "ethnic" song in semi 2 (unless you count Armenia??) and I think televoters are drawn to non English songs based off of what qualified yesterday.
Totalmente de acuerdo con tu predicción, lamento mucho que Estonia e Islandia no sean tan apreciadas por el fandom. Muchos éxitos Rachel, un gran abrazo desde Buenos Aires, Argentina
I reckon that if Poland goes through, they will announce her first (like Croatia, I think they are the 2 most controversial/polarizing songs of their semis) but we need to try and prevent that. Just because of that I think half my votes tommorow will go to Estonia and Albania
I agree, it would be tragic if that rigging fraud went through, when we lost several good songs from semi 1. It would be so unfair. On the other hand, she would be an automatic drink break in the final. I'd just rather have any other drink break than a fraud.
I’m holding to most of my earlier predictions, with one swap out. Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Georgia, Lithuania, Slovenia… and much to my dismay I expect Poland to qualify. I would rather see either Iceland or Estonia instead of Poland but I think the basic “summer girl song” vibe will push it through.
One more thing - if Poland MIRACULOUSLY sneaks through its definitely not THANKS to diaspora, people who emigrated are sick and tired of whats going on in their country so they wont lose their money voting for her thus supporting sth that made them leave their country. Is polish diaspora big in Europe? Yes it is BUT it doesnt make them go through every single year (Rafal besos) Its getting views just because of controversy and memes, another thing if people are likely to want to spend their money on votes because watching online is free😅 But still, if she advances and people with great voices like Estonia etc are out - I'd be so gutted. We got Croatia in the final already so the casual novelty act place is taken so pls no. And again - its not me being a "hater" - its just me caling a spade a spade.
I'm hoping Estonia and Iceland make it but it's very possible both of them will miss out. it would certainly hurt about Estonia because it's exactly the sort of tune the juries would help get through.
I think Latvia's downfall was peforming to the crowd rather than the home audiences. Kept waiting for close-ups of the lead singer looking directly into the camera and making connection with the viewers. Instead the overall effect felt distant. Too bad. It was my #2 fav this year.
- You didn't put a Nordic country through. Also you said in your SF1 predictions that the TikTok vote will help (it probably helped Switzerland). So Denmark might sneak through. On the other hand, we are 8/10 common with our prediction qualifiers. > I have Iceland and Estonia instead of Poland and Lithuania. Strong female vocals over diaspora votes (though Monika has both). > I would be so sad if Dilja doesn't qualify. As much as I want to give them support, I want to go about all out for Slovenia coz I still think they can be in trouble. I'd do 15 to Slovenia, 3 to Belgium and 2 to Iceland. Hoping all 3 qualifies.
Don't feel bad or blame yourself when commenting on something that's bad or isn't correct, even if it goes against everybody. Because of all of this "be nice / be kind" or God forbid say something that could offend somebody's feelings - especially if you are right, AND YOU ARE, the world is becoming an amorphous mass of nothing without any criteria at all. I don't hate anyone, but I sure won't stay silent if something isn't correct. I won't lover my criteria for no one, because I really respect the art and hard work that's behind good music and good singing.
I'd be heartbroken for Estonia and Iceland if they don't qualify. Alika and Diljá are 2 of my favorite vocalists this year. Personally, I think they could qualify. And I'm pretty sure Estonia will qualify, I would say instead of Cyprus, Albania or Lithuania.
In present case naming Denmark, Poland and UK (check out Mae's dress rehearsal from today) but speaking in general - I really don't like this approval of so many vocal effects, million pre-recorded backing tracks, heavy loud duplex of their main vocal and even autotune has been used, because it heavily blurs the line between putting an accent on good singing and masking really bad singing. I understand that musical taste is changing with the development of the new technology, but this is too much and I think that it's gone too far. In few years they'll just send their audio full of vocal effects and just fully lip-sync in „live“ performance. I'm studio musician and a singer - I know how this technology is used, what can be done with it to hide what's bad, so If you ask me, this is big time cheating.
Agree with you 100%. I'm not a musician and have no idea about all the technical details etc but seeing some of this year's performances makes me very sad about these tendencies. Soon we'll probably have more and more performances where the artist does pretty much not sing at all.
@@silencestation557 Last night, Iru was its first victim, but sure won't be the last if people don't organize and demand from the EBU/ESC to reverse these rules. Because this is not Blanka's fault, but from those who allowed it to happen. No more fakery. I don't want to be on needles and pins that some future Mimicat won't Q because national broadcaster gave her no money to play with staging circus with pyros, even though her performance and singing was immaculate. (as I hear, they are planning to cancel the jury in general)
You look like you had a great time in Liverpool, Rachel. Bumping into Teya, Salena, and Luke Black outside Tesco doesn’t sound all that rock and roll, but it’s still cool 😆🤘 I’m not even going to think about who I’m going for in semi final two at the moment, mostly because I just can’t make my mind up! I’ll wait for the interval to finally decide. I like to think that they left announcing Norway to last because she made that mistake with the whistle note, and wanted some tension.
The crowd in general were outstanding last night! Hopefully its the same tomorrow. My predictions: 1. Austria (its just so different that I've got no idea where to put this, but I think the running order will help them just about win the semi final) 2. Australia (SO tempted to put this as my winner, it is going to be so good as a show closer - before they inevitably get drawn first half and get put to open) 3. Slovenia (maybe a bit risky putting them 3rd but safely through) 4. Lithuania (I mean they're going 2nd last and unlike the Netherlands Monika can actually sing well, so yeah, 4th and safely through) 5. Cyprus (damn the man can sing) 6. Georgia (that rehearsal has got me so hyped for this, so obviously I can't wait to completely flop and not qualify...) 7. Armenia (the last of the "guaranteed" qualifiers - its this low because she's going second, and the curse is genuine - only Poland 2016 has qualified from the semi final after going 2nd since 2016, but if anyone's going to break the curse, it's Brunette) 8. Belgium (i honestly don't know how belgium keep qualifying every year when i think they don't deserve to, but this one does deserve to make it i think) 9. Albania (ok this prediction is based primarily on hope as i love the song, but i think the public could buy into the family idea) 10. Estonia (between Estonia Iceland and Poland for this last spot - if Poland hadn't decided to boot up Windows Movie Maker again then I might have her to qualify, but they did. And after Switzerland made it yesterday I'm pretty confident Alika will as well)
Yeah I was shocked at everyone talking about how well Alessandra did on her whistle note when it was clear to me on first listen that she missed it 😢 I feel like people think the point of the note is just singing something really high rather than it being an actual note in the song that needs to be hit which is really odd to me.
After Switzerland's qualification last night, I'm more optimistic about Estonia's chances. As for the Polish diaspora, I don't think Blanka will get much votes there considering the Poles hate her. Poland tends to get a lot of RU-vid views by default, and more so this time because of the controversies, not because people like the song. Here's my current prediction list for SF2 (I reserve the right to change it after the live performances): - Armenia - Estonia - Belgium - Cyprus - Slovenia - Georgia - Austria - Albania - Lithuania - Australia I also predict that Romania will come last.
@@jagodowypryzmat Unfortunately I was dead wrong. She came 3rd in the semi and was 8th with the televote in the final. 💀 I wonder if the new Ukrainian diaspora gave Poland a big boost (as Ukraine's televote gave 12p to them).
Not confident in putting my s2 Q's in a particular order, however these are the ones I think will make it: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria (All the A's!) Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Slovenia, Lithuania and Poland. As much as I like Georgia's song I feel it may have the Latvia effect and not get across to the casual audience. I too keep swapping Poland and Denmark. I think s2 is harder to predict and there maybe a few surprise Q's. In less than 12 hours we'll have our answer 😅
Iceland really deserves to qualify, Diljá always gives 100% and more. Her energy and stage presence are amazing, the song has a great message and her vocals are pretty much perfect.
Ah I love reading and hearing comments about Poland performance but yeah, Blanka will go through unfortunately, and it pisses me off she'll qualify at the cost of Alika or Dilja. And it comes from me, a Pole. And man... IMAGINE JANN BEING HERE 😖
I feel you with the possible outcome of Poland, I totally agree with your appreciations about the situation. I actually don't see either Denmark or Iceland out, I think one of them will Q to the final. I think Georgia is in risk because of the televote history like it happen with Latvia. I'll be so happy if Armenia, Belgium, Slovenia and Austria make it to the Grand Final.
2:20 regarding Finland, also loved it but now there are plagiarism issues with this song. It is definitely 'inspired' (including the hairdo) by Electric Callboy - We Got The Moves somehow, (btw. they tried to take part last year with another song 'Pump It' but were not allowed by the broadcaster), what do you think? Is it at least similar? Not quite sure. It's also a fun song.
Latvia definitely got robbed... Eurovision ist just becoming a party show... Well anyways i thought the crowd was way too audible in the tv show during and after performances. It influences tv audiences
Maybe it's the time zone but I got kinda stressed during Semi 1. Luckily, I don't really have eggs in this basket so imma chill. Can't wait to see what's waiting for Poland. Whatever happens, we can say that she's one of the top story lines this year.
You are soooo right regarding diaspora for Poland vs Denmark. There are over 4 mio (hard working and liked) Poles spread out all over Europe. The extremely few Danes who live abroad are mainly working/living in either Sweden or Norway or Brexdom. And that’s not gonna help tomorrow.
Poland will be in the top 6/7 of the semi i think, we have great situation when it comes to neighbours, songs and diaspora. But they got rid off the effects in dancebreak! So there is nothing like that anymore
Semi 1 was tough. But semi 2 is, to quote the Pythons "...something completely different". Not in that it's easy. But in that it's so open, that it is tough in a totally different way. Will it be possible to top the 9/10 we got in semi 1? I wish us both luck, cause prolly not. Here are my final, locked in (locked out, locked up, locked down, locked sideways) predictions; The 5 I would be most shocked to see leave: 1. Australia 2. Slovenia (a rock clean sweep) 3. Armenia 4. Austria (yep, I think they miss out on the podium, just) 5. Georgia The interchangeables: 6. Cyprus 7. Belgium 8. Lithuania 9. Albania 10. Estonia 11. Poland (brace yourselves for her to potentially be the big shock of the year, but I'm playing it safe and tipping her out for now) 12. Denmark 13. Greece 14. Iceland These two are the only ones I'm sure are heading home, sadly: 15. San Marino 16. Romania
Post-video: - I deffo agree that the juries need to come back for the semis. The solution to vote rigging is not scrapping the juries outright, but it's better to reform the system they use to vote, to increase the number of jurors (if this is affordable, but it would help a great deal) and most importantly the EBU must tighten their transparency measures. I think Malta and Latvia would have had a better shot at qualifying from Semi 1 if the juries had been involved, for instance, even if it may not have been enough. I wonder if we'll get the backup jury split results as well. - Lithuania having a wine mum feel 🤣 - WE HAVE ALMOST THE SAME 10 QUALIFIERS... AGAIN. Same bottom 3 and in order too, innit. Stop being so in sync with me, it's freaky 😝 - Poland actually qualifying (which is not looking all that unlikely anymore) would not even piss me off really, I'd probably just laugh. It would be the ultimate surreal result, and regardless what I think of the song, the word "BEJBA" will forever remain an iconic meme. - It has just dawned on me that Denmark has not yet qualified in the 2020s, and this could carry on going tomorrow. Feels weird and quite "ouch".
@@Doivid297 I dont think that is a good idea, we lost Andromache "Ela" and Ronela "Sekret" thanks to them. People are talking so mutch about Albania to qualify this year, I think personally it would be a joke when Ronela was out..... So no jurys stay away plz
I can't imagine Estonia not to qualify. And I especially don't think it's fair to compare Alika with Sudden Lights. In my opinion the problem with the latvian song was, that it was a bit of a mood downer, not causing euphoria, rather the opposite. And that just doesn't encourage people to vote for. The estonian song is much more positive and uplifting or touching, dragging people with it and is therefore much more mobilizing. And this year it just stands out as a somewhat classic power ballad, a genre that still has its fans. I'd be more worried for Lithuania, as I think the song is a bit too boring, though certainly well sung.
Just want to put it out there, Eurovision Song Contest is NOT a vocal talent contest. And without the juries now, as long as the overall package is appealing enough from all other aspects (ie. stage show, song catchiness etc), the entry will just get votes from the televoters. It's just as simple as that. Just don't understand why people keep on harping on so and so sounds good, then he or she or they deserve to go through. If you don't bring the overall package in despite sounding amazing, then you are out.
I agree that I'd rather anything but Poland qualifies and like you've said a jury would balance out the results. I agree with your 10 qualifiers but one. I think Denmark will qualify instead of Albania. I'd be happy for Albania to make it because her music, her sound and her emotion on stage is excellent. I find Denmark's song childish, but has a good stage performance.
Thanks for this prediction Rachel. You are right this is a hard one to predict but I will share my prediction with you. Qualifiers (In no Particular order) 1.Austria 🇦🇹 2.Cyprus 🇨🇾 3.Australia 🇦🇺 4. Georgia 🇬🇪 5. Slovenia 🇸🇮 6. Lithuania 🇱🇹 7. Estonia 🇪🇪 8. Poland 🇵🇱 9. Armenia 🇦🇲 10.Belgium 🇧🇪 (😕) NQs. 11. Denmark 🇩🇰 12. Albania 🇦🇱 13. Iceland 🇮🇸 14. Greece 🇬🇷 15. San Marino 🇸🇲 16. Romania 🇷🇴
Here are the 10 countries I think will qualify, in no particular order (some of them are definitely not my favourites !) : Armenia, Georgia, Cyprus, Slovenia, Austria, Australia, Estonia, Albania, Denmark, and Poland.
I personally am not sure that Armenia is going to win semi final 2. I can't stand the way she is singing the line "be good, do good, look good" as it rather sounds like she's singing "be goo, do goo, loo goo" and it annoys me each time I am listening to that song 🙂
Alright so in the last semi I got 10/10, curious if I'm right again. To be honest though I don't want to be right this time: 1. Australia 2. Austria 3. Slovenia 4. Denmark 5. Lithuania 6. Georgia 7. Armenia 8. Cyprus 9. Belgium 10. Poland 11. Greece 12. Albania 13. Estonia 14. Iceland 15. San Marino 16. Romania I'm pretty sure on 7 of them. Despite them being high up in my prediction, I'm not 100% if Denmark is qualifying. If they do though I think he's doing pretty well with the public. I think he will sweep the younger demographic. I would personally put Greece, Estonia and Iceland through over a few of my predictions but I'm kinda convinced Iceland isn't making it. I think Greece has the weakest looking performance out of these but also the highest chance of qualifying due to neighbours. And Estonia would sail through with juries but I'm afraid the televote will blank it. Poland could go either way to me. It's borderline but Poland has a large diaspora, plus it stands out by being the only girl bop in the semi. The memes obviously don't matter as no-one outside of the bubble knows about them so Eurofans need to stop pretending they matter to the results. Belgium is one I was convinced wasn't making it early, then as the season went on the stronger it was looking. Now I think it's qualifying. Cyprus is one I've been saying could be a shock NQ from the beginning - it could be was too generic for them. Ultimately it'll probably be a lower qualifier. The odds are being extremely generous though, it was at 2nd earlier today. Finally Albania certainly stand a chance but I'm not super convinced anymore. Again a borderline one so if the performance looks really good on camera I could see this stealing a spot. The rest I'm pretty confident on my predictions for. A long shot but I could see a shock Lithuania semi win - I don't think it'll happen but we never know.
@@searlait9379 Yup absolutely agreed. It's basically the same situation as with Switzerland with it being the male ballad that will have an audience that should push it through. The only worry I have about this one is that it's much more generic and disingenuous than Switzerland which could hinder it a bit like it sometimes does. It'll still likely be enough in this semi though.
I REALLY hope that Poland doesn't make it in. Also really not looking forward to a possible Denmark qualification. but we are just seeing internet/tiktok responses... people on the internet tend to LOVE and celebrate mediocrity. more than in real life.
because regardless of her staging concept and online hype, the song is outdated and unoriginal + the vocal is extremely unremarkable. The one redeeming quality for her performance was the tiny dance section which has now been obscured by those hilarious effects. I hope people see through it.
My prediction: 1 Australia 🇦🇺 2 Armenia 🇦🇲 3 Austria 🇦🇹 4 Georgia 🇬🇪 5 Slovenia 🇸🇮 6 Cyprus 🇨🇾 7 Belgium 🇧🇪 8 Lithuania 🇱🇹 9 Poland 🇵🇱 10 Iceland 🇮🇸 11 Estonia 🇪🇪 12 Albania 🇦🇱 13 Greece 🇬🇷 14 Denmark 🇩🇰 15 Romania 🇷🇴 16 San Marino 🇸🇲 (I think 9-12 are at the same level and all of them could Q, the two that stand out the most will pass, and if they all do poorly, Greece and probably Estonia will pass)
What they say is an okay song but that boy is not a good performer and his live vocals aren't good. I guess that's what happens when you go to the Eurovision because you have connections and not talent 🤷🏽♀️
I didn’t like the Maltese entry at all. It is not universally loved. The moment I heard Latvia my first thought was “amazing song - not for Eurovision.” Its a really great song but it doesn’t belong in the contest. I also predicted 9/10 of the qualifiers with my one mistake being Latvia. I’m fine with Swiss instead Austria will win SF 2
Rachel, the fact that Malta did not qualify, that Croatia qualified, that everybody goes wild over the Finnish entry, that France and other good entries being constantly ignored or criticised, even that almost nobody sees that Sweden's entry an euphoria 2.0(of lower quality) has frustrated me, and I 'm on the verge of turning my back to the contest. And on the top of it, we have the bookmakers, who seem to predestine the outcome of the contest, or the contest seems trying to please the bookmakers. I mean, there is no excitement about the results. And I feel like my taste has long begun to differ dramatically from the taste of the majority of the ESC fan base. I fee kind of exhausted and disappointed. Ok, I would just like to say, I think Cyprus will do great, both in the semi and the final. Georgia will certainly qualify. I see as definitiv non Qualifiers: Iceland, Greece, Albania, Romania, San Marino
