As any ESC fan knows, there are mediocre songs which suddenly shine on stage, just as there are favourites that don’t get a favourable treatment. So let’s find out how things are looking on stage in Kyiv!

See the bottom of this post to find out how the total scores are calculated, as well as other detailed explanations.

16. Lithuania
Fusedmarc – Rain of Revolution

Total score for Lithuania: 5.0 (out of 40)

You know, I don’t consider myself an evil person. I try to be fair, but at Eurovision, there’s always at least one entry that proves to be the acid test for my goodwill. Is it fair to the people of Fusedmarc to be lied to? No! It’s not fair. And that’s why it’s part of my goodwill to be honest with them, and label this whole package as one of the most horrendous things that the Eurovision stage has to suffer this year. But where there’s suffering, there’s always healing:

17. Estonia
Koit Toome & Laura – Verona

Total score for Estonia: 19.0 (out of 40)

This is my favourite song of the whole year, and of course I wish I could give it more points for the staging, but I’m strict and try to be as unbiased as possible. However, the little bit that I’m missing in the performance, a spark, might be there when it counts.

18. Israel
IMRI – I Feel Alive

Total verdict for Israel: 13.5  (out of 40)

Israel could have staged this a lot better. It’s a relatively weak song, and it could have benefited from the use of different colours. A white shirt and a black & white stage would have suited better, if you ask me. Most things could be better, but nothing is “bad” either.

Winning these three: Estonia

The Estonian presentation isn’t as good as it could be either, but still, between Lithuania and Israel, it definitely shines. I know, the song is about the end of a love, so they shouldn’t perform this duet as if they were in love, but something is still missing here. But if Elina Born managed to shed a tear during the live performance, maybe that spark I am missing will also come to Koit and Laura when it counts.

Explanations

What the categories mean

Concept: Meaning the idea behind what the performers are actually doing on stage, ignoring how well their performance is executed.

Look: Hairdo, clothes, but also attractiveness or likability play a role here.

Stage: Use of backdrop, lights and colours.

Camera: The camerawork, judging by the official snippets.

Performance: How well the concept is executed. Movements, facial expressions, finding cameras.

Vocals: Well, how well can the entrant actually sing?

What the stars mean

1 star – Counterproductive, doesn’t do the song any favours
2 stars – Mediocre, doesn’t help nor ruin the song
3 stars – Decent, supports the song well enough.
4 stars – Literally outstanding, unique in the context of this year

How the total score is calculated

1 star = 0 points
2 stars = 1 point
3 stars = 2 points
4 stars = 4 points

For the total score, “Vocals” is weighted x5, “Performance” x3, the other four categories x0.5.