A ballad, this one is remarkably similar in staging to Cyprus's entry (minus the bare chest and bare feet).īeautiful in sky-blue, Estonia's Alika plays a grand piano as she sings Bridges, before breaking out onto the wider stage to finish her song, solo throughout. Plus it's a family affair, with pop star Albina Kelmendi joined by her parents and siblings to perform the song about love and family togetherness.įor Italy's Due Vite sung by Marco Mengoni, members of the audience are asked to light the torches on their mobile phones and wave them in the air, which the majority dutifully do. The act gets full pyrotechnics too, bookending singer Blanka's energetic dance interval.Ī quick sweep of the stage later, and a large white sculpture - resembling a half eggshell or H R Giger-inspired skull - contains Serbia's singer Luke Black, who belts out techno-backed Samo Mi Se Spava (which translates as I Just Want To Sleep).įrance's La Zarra (the second favourite to win) is quite literally wheeled onto the stage atop a cylindrical platform, which then raises toward the sky, leaving her towering at least 10 ftabove the stage.Īlbania's Albina & Familja Kelmendi sing Duje (which translates as Love It), with all six band members clad in black cloaks. We're treated to a setting sun on the big screen for Poland's catchy Solo, so while the weather here in Liverpool may be a little damp, the sun is shining in the arena. Meanwhile, Switzerland's war-inspired Watergun is black and minimal, relying on Remo Forrer's impressive and heartfelt lyrics advocating peace as he sings out: 'I don't wanna be a soldier'. Portugal's Mimicat follows, in a blur of red feathers, and a strong flamenco flavour to her song Ai Coracao.

The tzar of love and techno