So this time I was able to watch almost all of Wiwiblogg's live stream, so I have a bit more insight into the different stagings, and I maaay be potentially biased as well, but again, I'll try to stay as impartial as possible!

Note again that this top is NOT based on the songs, but on a combination of vocals, clothes, and staging.

8. BELGIUM // Wake Up // 9/15

https://youtu.be/T5o9-9Uo3yQ

Ouch...

Vocals: 4/5

There was nothing that shocked me vocally in this performance, but the sound wasn't perfect and since I know he's been struggling vocally, I still have doubts for his performance.

Clothes: 2/5

Just... why? Why does he look like he's about to jump out of a plane? His and his backing vocalists/drummers/whatever's clothes are not matching the song at all, and do not compliment it in any way... The biggest drawback of this perf for sure.

Staging: 3/5

Again, why are they drumming on stage? They should have played with lights and contrasts instead of trying hard to copy Hungary 2016...

CURRENT PREDICTION: 100% qualifies | Secure qualifier | Will probably qualify | Will struggle to qualify, but still can | I honestly don't know | Will probably fail to qualify | Secure non-qualifier | All hopes are dead

I don't see this going through. They have stronger contenders in this semi, and they are too early in the running order to be remembered.

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7. SAN MARINO // Say Na Na Na // 12/15

https://youtu.be/hE9lkb7Z-Qw

Vocals: 4/5

They overall sounded good, but I feel like we heard mostly the backing singer's voice, and this is not what I want to hear. Either Serhat's mic was too low or his voice was too calm, but he overall didn't shine enough, which is a shame.

Clothes: 4/5

I don't dig the shorts. They look like they had pants at first but the bottom parts were dirty or ripped, so they had to cut them off. I don't see any other explanation as to why they wear these shorts that don't match the rest of the outfit. I know that it's not much and the rest is perfect, but they reaaally disturb me.

Staging: 4/5

I like these megaphones or whatever they were holding (although they remind me of Brutalero; rip what could have been my biggest guilty pleasure of the year), and I like when they light up. However, I think that the staging felt too empty and lacked movement. They should have invested in more dancers than these two guys, or at least add LED dancers. The staging didn't look dynamic enough for such a song. I liked the "NA NA NA" backdrop though.

CURRENT PREDICTION: 100% qualifies | Secure qualifier | Will probably qualify | Will struggle to qualify, but still can | I honestly don't know | Will probably fail to qualify | Secure non-qualifier | All hopes are dead

I'm not so sure about this song's qualification anymore, but I think that since Serhat performs last and the song is such a likable bop it may still have a chance to go through.

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6. PORTUGAL // Telemoveis // 12,5/15

https://youtu.be/K0Oj8N03rZg

I hate to say this, but it was a bit of a letdown...

Vocals: 5/5

As always, Conan was vocally perfect, there's nothing to really criticize here.

Clothes: 3,5/5

Apparently, he won't be changing his clothes. I do agree with the fact that he looks like a Christmas present and that a white outfit would be more appropriate; and although I don't think the color is exactly the problem here, it certainly contributes to the Barbara Dex effect of the outfit. The shape and shininess of the clothes is the main problem, and the green only makes them look more Christmasy. It's great that they went for something different, but this is a bit of a fail.

Staging: 4/5

The stage is okay, although apparently, the dancer doesn't fall off the stairs, so it kind of downgrades the "wow" effect the performance normally has. The performance looks a bit too static and basic, at least more basic than it used to be on the FDC stage. I miss the weirdness of the finger/hand jewelry and the dance also seems less crazy. Overall it looks like a downgraded FDC version, which is a real shame because this song deserves so. much. more.

CURRENT PREDICTION: 100% qualifies | Secure qualifier | Will probably qualify | Will struggle to qualify, but still can | I honestly don't know | Will probably fail to qualify | Secure non-qualifier | All hopes are dead

It's been a while that the odds have predicted it to fly home after the semi-final, but I've never been as worried for this song as I am now. I fear that it could get lost in the sea of weird songs with awesome to great stagings, and I'm scared it could get forgotten. I hope the Portuguese diaspora will be kind enough to vote it through, and that the jury will appreciate its uniqueness and artistic value. This gem is too precious to be lost.

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5. ESTONIA // Storm // 14/15

https://youtu.be/Ga4re32dN5k

Speaking of lost songs...

Vocals: 5/5

He honestly seems to have improved, and from what I heard it sounded good, nothing made my ears bleed nor even itch, so I don't see any valid reason not to give it a 5 vocally. AND shout out to the melody modulations near the end, they sounded really cool and fresh!

Clothes: 5/5

Modern, casual, not too original... a bit like the song itself.

Staging: 4/5

From what I've seen it looks good. My only concern is that it feels a bit too static and repetitive, but I'm sure it will look great with the right camera angles.

CURRENT PREDICTION: 100% qualifies | Secure qualifier | Will probably qualify | Will struggle to qualify, but still can | I honestly don't know | Will probably fail to qualify | Secure non-qualifier | All hopes are dead

I don't know if he will be helped by its normalness or if he will literally drown in the ocean of uniqueness and great staging. We'll see.

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4. ICELAND // Hatrið Mun Sigra // 14/15

https://youtu.be/6S1sByqdPok

Don't get mad, it's still my winner.

Vocals: 4,5/5

I still think that lower-pitched back vocals would suit the chorus better. It overall sounded almost perfect, just the chorus that still needs a bit more work vocally.

Clothes: 5/5

Although I'm personally not the biggest fan of Klemens' corset, I think that the overall image of different genders portrayed through different clothes is good, and sends yet another message to the viewers. Also, I really love the long sleeves/bare chest combination of Matthías' outfit, it looks better than what he had at Söngvakeppnin.

Staging: 4,5/5

I'm not gonna lie, I expected something bigger (than us). I sensed that they would stick to what they had and upgrade it instead of starting from scratch, but I still thought that it would still be slightly different from what we had at Söngvakeppnin. Also, the circular cage reminds me of Turkey 2011's Live It Up, which failed to qualify. I'm not saying I'm scared HMS won't qualify, but, you know...

CURRENT PREDICTION: 100% qualifies | Secure qualifier | Will probably qualify | Will struggle to qualify, but still can | I honestly don't know | Will probably fail to qualify | Secure non-qualifier | All hopes are dead

I'm basing my perspective on someone who has seen way to many... um... multiple times the Söngvakeppnin perf, so it's hard to really surprise me anymore. However, since for most people it will be a first time, the shock factor will still be here, and it will be strong. It's still a risky song coming right after Australia, though... And well, Turkey 2011. And crimes exist at Eurovision, especially when it comes to Iceland it seems.

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3. GREECE // Better Love // 14,5/15

https://youtu.be/THmHbsTiaig

Vocals: 5/5

Have you heard this long high note? Because I have and since then I've been searching for my wig :'D

Clothes: 4,5/5

They look gorgeous! The only thing that I don't really like is the look of Katerine's dress, but it's just personal taste, it suits her and it suits the song, so it's no big deal.

Staging: 5/5

THE BACKDROP AND THE FLOWER DOOR. Nuf said.

CURRENT PREDICTION: 100% qualifies | Secure qualifier | Will probably qualify | Will struggle to qualify, but still can | I honestly don't know | Will probably fail to qualify | Secure non-qualifier | All hopes are dead

Duh.

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2. AUSTRALIA // Zero Gravity // 14,5/15

https://youtu.be/jEMJ9PYGDfY

Is... this growing on me?!

Vocals: 5/5

We've known this for a while. She's vocally perfect.

Clothes: 5/5

I love the dresses, they look very bridal, and they fall nicely when suspended. They look a liiiiiittle bit ghostly, though, but it's no big deal.

Staging: 4,5/5

The backdrop is gorgeous, but I think that their swinging around is going to get a bit too repetitive. I think that an Australia Decides performance with a Eurovision backdrop would have been the perfect combination.

CURRENT PREDICTION: 100% qualifies | Secure qualifier | Will probably qualify | Will struggle to qualify, but still can | I honestly don't know | Will probably fail to qualify | Secure non-qualifier | All hopes are dead

With this staging, it has chances. The song may be a bit too off-putting for some, but it's the first weird song in the running order, so that could be a bonus.

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1. GEORGIA // Keep On Going // 15/15

https://youtu.be/BoOvVqtZyus

Yee, another unpop opinion!

Vocals: 5/5

He slays.

Clothes: 5/5

They are dark, which reflects the mood of the song, and they blend in well with the beautiful background.

Staging: 5/5

Snowy mountains on fire! I love this! It really elevates the song and gives it a post-apocalyptic feel, even a dramatic feel. It definitively doesn't leave anyone indifferent and makes you feel strong emotions. I don't exactly know if the barbed wire is a good addition though.

CURRENT PREDICTION: 100% qualifies | Secure qualifier | Will probably qualify | Will struggle to qualify, but still can | I honestly don't know | Will probably fail to qualify | Secure non-qualifier | All hopes are dead

It could be a shocking qualifier, or it could simply not be enough to squeeze through. It could do very well with the juries, just as it could flop. Maybe it will gain some support from the televoters, but maybe it won't. I really don't know where this will end.

That's it for today! I don't know if I'll be able to write anything tomorrow as I finish school quite late and I'll have some homework to do, so I'll see. I will definitively post on Tuesday though, so I'll see you then! Bye :3