Sergey Lazarev got on stage and gave a rehearsal that you would easily think is his live performance in the final. He was perfect vocally and everything was produced to the mill second. On stage, it appears that Sergey stands when behind him are 7-8 mirrors. We soon find out that it's actually recorded versions of him being screened. It's the first twist of the performance. There are a few of them. Behind Sergey and the "mirrors", the LED screen shows falling stars, giving a sense of movement. Sergey moves in and out of the light, sing in front of a window with raindrops on it, etc. The final shot makes a very effective zoom out from Sergey to the big stage, it makes it look huge. It looks expensive, but lack a bit of soul...

ESCKAZ team has attended concert event of Oto Nemsadze & Shavnabada ensemble which was held in Sports Center "New" of Tel Aviv. Georgian diaspora has been invited to this free concert organized by Georgian embassy in collaboration with Tel Aviv municipality and Oto Nemsadze fan club.

The Georgian delegation has also hosted an event at a local restaurant Kinto owned Maurice Janashvlilli - Georgian Israeli pop star. We hope you enjoy the video and photos from the event

Jurij Veklenko stands with his mic stand the whole performance. There's no movement, much like in the national final. The video art is mostly in yellow lights and some red ones, which goes on and off, creating a dynamic atmosphere to go with the song. There's a lot of camera work to add to that dynamic. I got flashbacks of Sweden 2016 in a way. Is this enough to make the song qualify? I'm not so sure. He's charismatic and has a great voice, but the live seems to lack something.

Yesterday evening the City of Herzliya and the organisation of this year's Eurovision, KAN, hosted a cocktail reception in Herzliya Marina. All delegations were invited to take part in the welcome photo wall, and were treated to complimentary food and drink.

Tali Eshkoli and the Mayor of Herzliya gave welcome speeches and the audience were then given a concert by a local band who sang all the Israeli winning songs - and then the 4th placed singer from Eurovision 2005, Shiri Maimon performed

It's Malta now! Michela and her "Chameleon", one of this year's bangers, took the stage. The video art is quite amazing. The Maltese got their own LED screens, that closes Michela in half a square. She starts off in her room, she opens the virtual door, and the house is flooded. The water is, of course, part of the video art. It changes to underwaters, to a jungle and eventually to an urban jungle. With Michela are 4 dancers in sweatsuits that dance around, looking very urban and chic. It reminded me a bit of Ace Wilder last performance at the Melodifestivalen with "Wild Child". This will definitely rise up in the betting odds.

Roko is giving his first rehearsal on the stage of Expo Tel Aviv. Vocally he sounds amazing, very accurate and powerful. The performance is over the top; He's wearing a white outfit and starts the song laying on the stage as the LED floor gives him red fiery wings. He slowly gets up and then two shirtless male dancers with golden wings show up, only to rise and fly at the end (to heaven?). One of the wings almost hits Roko in the face. The video art shows heavenly skies. It is then that Roko receives golden wings himself, that I guess helped him hitting that high note at the end.