Day 6, let’s go! Good morning Europe and good evening Australia! We are back at the Expo Tel Aviv, as the second rehearsals for the 35 countries competing at the two semi-finals have now well and truly kicked-off! Today a further 11 acts will get on-stage for the second time, while the automatic qualifiers (Big 5 & Israel) will have their first rehearsals!

Following the conclusion of the day’s second rehearsals, the 6 already qualified countries of the competition (United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Israel) are all set to take to the stage for the first time, just eight days before the Grand Final.

The United Kingdom is the fourth of the “Big 5” to rehearse today. With the galaxy in the background, which is absolutely… Bigger than us, the country sends the young artist Michael Rice to this year’s contest.

Initially, Michael gets on stage solo, while his 5 backing vocalists join  him afterwards, all dressed in white. The galaxy of stars in the background appears later and sends the energy up, by conveying the song’s hopeful message.

Michael Rice is added to our list of male singers who appear all in black today. Michael is wearing jeans, a black t-shirt and a black leather jacket over the top of his outfit. His backing singers are all in white – an unusual move, as normally the singer wears the brighter colour.