Düsseldorf, Germany – The first Semi-Final of the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest, Europe’s greatest and most popular music TV show, has finally taken place. 19 countries competed to qualify and pave their way to the final. 19 songs were presented to reveal the participants’ big potential and drive the fans of Eurovision 2011 ecstatic. With so many talented solo performers and creative bands on stage, one could not tell what the outcome of the musical battle would be. Nevertheless, the first impressions about the prestigious song contest are given below!
1. Magdalena Tul – Jestem – Poland
Magdalena Tul has opened the Semi-Final with her song Jestem. She moved to the rhythm of the song exquisitely, with four female dancers assisting her. The Polish participant sounded confident despite being the first performer on stage and was greeted by lavish applause of the audience.
2. Stella Mwangi – Haba Haba – Norway
The second performer was Stella Mwangi from Norway. Her energetic song Haba Haba made the hall explode with applause. The backing singers in red costumes contributed to the song’s passionate message. The audience just couldn’t stop cheering!
3. Aurela Gaçe – Feel The Passion – Albania
Next Aurela Gace from Albania displayed her great vocal ability and artistry in a song Feel The Passion. The song was accompanied by pyrotechnic effects and an impressive play of light. Red colour and fire – these were the main attributes of Albania’s performance.
4. Emmy – Boom Boom – Armenia
The fourth performance made the hall dance and sing along. Emmy from Armenia with her song Boom Boom was energetic and cheeky, setting the audience on fire with her swift rhythmic movements to the beat. Male dancers completed the atmosphere of partying and good time.
5. Yüksek Sadakat – Live It Up – Turkey
The next to perform at Eurovision 2011 were the Turkish band Yüksek Sadakat. They performed a rock song Live It Up. The spice of the show was a caged female gymnast who got out of the cage and spread her wings like an exotic bird in the end. The crowd erupted into rapturous applause.
6. Nina – Čaroban – Serbia
Number six was Nina from Serbia whose performance can be definitely called the brightest one: a riot of colours at the background, background dancers’ colourful dresses and tights – all this looked jolly and carefree.
7. Alexej Vorobjov – Get You – Russia
Next in line for Eurovision 2011 was Russia. The beginning of Alexej Vorobjov’s song Get You sounded like a soulful ballad, but then suddenly the beat and the rhythm changed, and the song turned out to be an energetic dance hit. Alexej and the dancers looked tough and manly in their leather jackets and white tight-fitting T-shirts.
8. Anna Rossinelli – In Love For A While – Switzerland
The images of fluffy clouds, falling stars and the sun on the background screen created a fairytale-like atmosphere when Anna Rossinelli from Switzerland came onto the stage to perform In Love For A While. She sounded impressive and sweet at the same time and made the audience cheer.
9. Eldrine – One More Day – Georgia
Then it was time for Eldrine, a rock band from Georgia, to take the stage. Culmination was growing while they were performing her song One More Day. Powerful refrains set the audience on fire, and the drive was felt in every sound. This certainly was one of the strongest rock performances of the show.
10. Paradise Oskar – Da Da Dam – Finland
The 19-year-old Paradise Oskar fascinated the audience with his simple and sweet song Da Da Dam. The performance itself was very modest: no back vocalists or dancers, only Oskar with his guitar, and the image of the Earth at the background. He seemed very calm and relaxed and received a warm emotional welcome of the hall.
11. Glen Vella – One Life – Malta
Next, a very stylish performance of Glenn Vella from Malta followed. The song One Life, performed energetically and sincerely, was magnified by outstanding choreography. All this created an unforgettable impression of Malta’s show.
12. Senit – Stand By – San Marino
The twelfth participant to take the floor at this year’s Eurovision song contest was Senit from San Marino. Her gorgeous and vocally strong song Stand By became on the most lyrical and soulful performances of the semi-final.
13. Daria – Celebrate – Croatia
When the Croatian singer Daria appeared on stage, it became clear at once that it was going to be a very glamorous performance. It could be even called magical because some tricks were used it it – during the show Daria’s dresses changed two times!
14. Sjonni’s Friends – Coming Home – Iceland
The Iceland’s band Sjonni’s Friends sounded simple but very vibrant and quite convincing with their song Coming Home. The guitars, the drum and the piano brought in play on the stage created an unforgettable warm atmosphere of live music and live emotions.
15. Kati Wolf – What About My Dreams? – Hungary
Kati Wolf from Hungary looked impressive on the Eurovision 2011 stage in blue flashlights matching the colour of her dress. Her performance, supported by male dancers and female back vocalists was warmly greeted by the hall.
16. Homens Da Luta – Luta É Alegria – Portugal
Portugal’s performance was certainly the most versatile one: the members of the band Homens Da Luta appeared on stage in costumes representing people of different professions. They were holding banners imitating a kind of peaceful demonstration. That was a wonderful humorous performance well received by the audience.
17. Evelina Sašenko – C’est Ma Vie – Lithuania
Then the stage filled with dark-blue light, and the powerful voice of Lithuania’s participant Evelina Sašenko reverberated in the hall. Her soulful ballad C’est Ma Vie accompanied by the piano play invoked fascination in the audience.
18. Ell/Nikki – Running Scared – Azerbaijan
Ell/Nikki performed an emotionally strong lyrical composition Running Scared. The singers dressed in white, the starry background and visual effects created a warm feeling of tenderness and a dreamy mood. Ell/Nikki are one of the favorites of this year’s Eurovision.
19. Loucas Yiorkas feat. Stereo Mike – Watch My Dance – Greece
The last ones to perform in the first semi-final were Loucas Yiorkas and Stereo Mike who electrified the audience with their energy and vocal prowess. Powerful choreography and visual effects made the performance even stronger. It was a decent finish of the show.
Eurovision 2011 Semi-Final (1) Winners
Here is the list of the winners of the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest first semi-final, who have gained their places in the final of the Contest:
- Serbia
- Lithuania
- Greece
- Azerbaijan
- Georgia
- Switzerland
- Hungary
- Finland
- Russia
- Iceland
