Opinion

Lithuania get to kick start our second day of rehearsals and they do so with plenty of enthusiasm.

Again, the chemistry between Vaidas and Monika comes across so well in on screen. Good vocal run for the Lithuanian duo too. There have no changes been made in terms of the backdrops, which is a good thing, and really adds to the performance.

I don't think we could have had a better opener for semi 2 then, Lithuania, and judging by the rehearsal seen today, I think it's very likely we'll see Lithuania in the final, Saturday May 23.

A Very very very very confident closer coming from Georgia.

Still channeling her inner Raven, Nina is performing once again really really strong. I am getting huuge Moldova 2007 vibes from this and I think this will do equally well.

No huge changes from Georgia and we're very very satisfied with it.

Another perfect run for Georgia.

Gosh what can we still say about Russia what hasn't been said yet? Look, Polina is an all round entertainer. She knows exactly what angles she needs to use to make sure they're right for her performance.

Vocally, she is not trying, yet she is sounding absolutely amazing. The backdrop, dress, her backings and band are all pitch perfect.

Great vocals, great performance.

Sochi 2016... it could be an actual possibility!

A million yesses to Polina!

Uzari & Maimuna have just finished rehearsing for the second time and there's plenty more interaction between the pair however.... I wish I could say that the added interaction was the only real issue with the performance.

As I said previously, Time ticks all the right Eurovision boxes, yet when it comes to the staging, there's a lot of missed opportunities. The performance could really use the wind machine and pyros but we're not seeing anything of that. And that's an absolute shame, as the song itself is one of my absolute favourites.

Bojana from Serbia has just had her new rehearsal and she's once again proving she's an absolute powerhouse with her vocals.

Not much has changed from the actual performance, since the first rehearsal. The backings still come onto the stage in long white robes and masks, albeit wearing different coloured flags now. These were previously white.

The lightning, and overall colours have stayed the same, as has Bojana's silver grey dress. Her hair is looking better than it did on the first rehearsal so it clearly was just a bad hair day.

You're being very very consistent Serbia!

First up after the break are the duo from Estonia; Elina Born & Stig Rästa .

Just like their first rehearsal, Elina and Stig haven't changed much in their performance. We still have the silhouettes in the doorlights, and a skyline backdrops.

I really love the camera shots and the chemistry between these two singers. They are really channeling this broken relationship brilliantly. It's very cleverly done and very intriguing shown.

Estonia are for definite a front runner to qualify with ease and make some big damage in the contest.

After Finland Greece takes the stage and again we're not seeing much change for the Greek staging.

Somehow the wind machine has dissapeared from the first verse of the song. I'm not entirely sure if that was deliberately done or not, because for me personally the gently blowing of the wind machine through Maria-Elena's hair lifted that performance for me. We'll see how it pans out with the second one.

Otherwise there is no change whatsoever. Maria-Elena is a confident singer and she's sounding beautifully.

I hope the wind machine somehow gets its return with one of the other runs, but if not, I can still see Greece do very well.

Next up are Finland who are doing exactly what they are supposed to do. They deliver their punk track with ease.

Nothing much has changed since they won the national final in Finland. They are consistent performers, but overall their entry and their performance lacks that little something to really win over the audiences in my opinion.

I had them down as qualifiers, but after today's rehearsals, I think Finland might actually struggle to qualify.

The Netherlands have made their second rehearsal soooo sooo soooo much better.
Trijntje's original dress has left the building and been swapped for a leather jacket and black dress. It's a much better choice in my opinion. The black lace head piece has remained for the first verse of the song.

There hasn't been much changes otherwise in terms of staging, but Trijntje seems to be feeling a lot more comfortable on the stage. I love the camera work that's been done too. Trijntje's more or less singing towards the tv audience and that really works in its favour.

A very good rehearsal for The Netherlands. This semi is already turning into a killer.

Third rehearsing already is Belgium. 18 year old Loic Nottet is gonna do Belgium proud no matter what.

In my review of the first rehearsal I said that I felt that the emphasis lay mostly on the backings, and it's good to see that this has now been shifted to Loic. He's really working the camera with his big eyes and stares.

The backdrop is still very much black and white. We're still having the backings doing alternative steps and movements and the big lightshow throughout the song has remained as well.

This is very different for Belgium and I can only applaud it. There are still a few camera angles that need working on, especially for the bit where Loic lays on the floor, but I'm sure that's going to be worked on.

Vocally sounds great, albeit a little shouty towards the end, but the song lends to it.

Impressive.