Iceland

Hatari's 2nd rehearsal! The Icelandic hopefuls are back with their hateful song. Klemens improved vocally, but still, need to step his game up a bit. Matthías is on point as always. More or less the same performance as it was in the first rehearsal. A grey version of Matthías' head appears at the last part of the song, with thorns or spears coming out of him. There are also smoke coming up from across the stage.

Iceland's turn. The Hatari members are on stage for their first rehearsal. "Hatrið mun sigra" gets an intense performance, as it should. The stage is lit with red and flickering white lights. With the group on stage are 3 dancers, one starts off in a round shaped cage. The third band member is on the cage. Some fire pyro is being used, as expected. Camera work is good, transfers the angry mood on stage. Matthías sounds very good, he sells the song. This will definitely stand out in the first semi and will slide to the finals.

Iceland is aiming to pick up votes from Star Wars fans all across Europe this year. Svala is styled like the blonde twin sister of Princess Leia and the staging looks very much sci fi inspired.
I quite like the song, but presentation is still missing something. Hard to point the finger on it really, since vocals are very good and Svala certainly has the stagecraft and experience.

Greta Salóme has returned to Eurovision and she's doing so with a style that's closer to her heart. (She told us so in our interview at London).

The outfit has been upgraded a little bit and the biggest change really is the act is being played out bigger, than it was in the national final. There's also new camera angles, which are looking pretty good.

Greta's such a professional performer that you can not fault her vocals at any point, she's an absolute expert. I do feel however that at the moment the movements working with the LED are not quite on par yet. Mind you, translating the concept to a bigger stage, does take a little time to adjust.

Keep up the good work Iceland!

I can not help but smile when Pollaponk take the stage.

After the rather dark staging from Sweden, Iceland is treating you quite literally on an overdosis on colour.