And the exciting performance rehearsals has begun for Eurovision 2026, as yesterday we got the first glimpse of the few First Semi-Finalists.
The Eurovision Song Contest’s official Reddit account is running a live blog daily from the rehearsals with the latest developments. The rehearsals began with Moldova, and ending the day with Finland, with each performance being more exciting than the other.
In this article we bring you excerpts from Eurovision’s official Reddit account’s live blog:
Portugal
Bandidos do Cante – Rosa
Portugal’s staging commences with a continuous shot that pans through the lineup of Bandidos do Cante singing to their audience. It’s like a Wall of Song – if the video game theme from the entry before them had continued into this one, then the Portuguese Wall of Song would be a proper ‘final boss’ moment!
Like a lineup of football players singing their national anthem before a trophy-deciding match, you can tell that Bandidos do Cante are just as proud to be showcasing their beloved Cante Alentejano genre as the world watches. In Rosa, they’re not just performing in the genre, they’re telling the listener about it, too.
If you watched the boys’ performance from Portugal’s Festival da Canção, then you’ll remember that they are momentarily joined by a sixth member! Their violinist is back and contributing a magical moment to proceedings, enhancing the soothing tone that’s already been set by the band. Bandidos do Cante give the First Half of the First Semi-Final a change of beat, which many viewers will no doubt appreciate.
The performance ends with the visuals on the screen behind the band springing into life. This is when Rosa blooms, literally and figuratively speaking. And there’s not a thorn in sight.
Georgia
Bzikebi – On Replay
It’s the stuff of dreams. Bzikebi representing Georgia at the grown-up Eurovision Song Contest – and they’re dressed fully in black and yellow The talented trio are proud to pay homage to the big buzzzz around their Junior Eurovision beginnings and their outfits are a cute Easter eggs for longtime fans.
Their hornet-themed high fashion has understandably had quite the glow-up since that Junior victory back in 2008. We’re at Vienna 2026, but Bzikebi look like they’ve come to us from some decades in the future. Yellow catsuits cinched in with black-striped PVC. It’s giving superhero, which is fitting really, because Bzikebi are our very own connecters of the ESC and JESC multiverse.
But wait… there’s more! More Bzikebi, that is. Performing behind the Georgian group is a second iteration of the trophy-winning trio. Meet CYBORG BZIKEBI! They may look intimidating (don’t stare into those eyes for too long), but they’re here to help our Bzikebi babes. These cyborg overlords are surging the popstars with power.
And with great power comes great… lasers! The laser show on display here is electrifying. Bzikebi weren’t lying when they said they were gonna “la, la, la light it up”.
Finland
Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen – Liekinheitin
Linda Lampenius stands alone on the deserted stage of what was once an orchestra. Now, it’s been littered with the overturned chairs and sheet-music stands of Linda’s former musician colleagues. But what could possibly have happened here? Shall we head to the confessional box to find out?
There, we find Pete Parkkonen, and he’s been in touch with the wardrobe department for an outfit upgrade. In the confessional box, Pete has got some things he’d like to get off his chest – and this all-new open top of his is gonna make that an easy-breezy process.
It’s not just Pete who’s had an appointment with the Tampere tailors. Linda Lampenius has lightened her colour palette! Her dress, while structurally similar to what you’ll have seen at the Finnish pre-selection UMK, is now a striking silver. It makes her slow descent towards the burning confessional box even more otherworldly to the eye. And it’s difficult to look away – both performers are emanating star power so brightly here.
The staging for Liekinheitin has turned the Eurovision Song Contest into an Olympic sport, with silver-clad Linda Lampenius going for gold in the sprinting category. When the camera pans away from her towards the big climax of the song, the audience at the Wiener Stadthalle will be able to watch as our heroic violinist races towards the back of the stage to be reunited with her duet partner. There, she’s lifted up onto the abandoned orchestra seating for a final showdown with Pete. It brings him to his knees and the set goes up in flames, destroying all evidence!
