Third day of rehearsals for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 took place yesterday, and today we got the first look photos.
The countries set for the Second Semi-Final in Eurovision 2026, had their first rehearsals yesterday in the Wiener Stadthalle, in Vienna.
In this article we bring you excerpts from Eurovision’s official Reddit account’s live blog and the first looks:
Bulgaria
DARA – Bangaranga
We’ve got an eye-opening start to the Second Semi-Final ahead of us on Thursday 14 May, thanks to DARA and her team of dancers. The opening sequence of the staging brings to mind two iconic Eurovision performances from recent years — Cha Cha Cha and Dizzy. But that’s mainly in a WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON WITH THOSE DANCERS kinda way. They’ve gone Bangaranga berserk!
It can all be explained by the ancient Bulgarian Kukeri tradition that the song is inspired by — the act of driving away evil spirits and cleansing dark energy. And when you see the faces and movements of these dancers, you’ll understand why something, ANYTHING, had to be done.
DARA is the heroine assigned to perform the ritual. She’d dressed for the occasion in a black skirt, black belt and black knee-high boots, with a short pink top and elbow-length pink gloves. The two colours are brought together via a fur trim which appears on both the belt and the gloves.
As the intensity of the ‘home’ setting builds, DARA breaks free, leading her dancers out with her. The Bulgarian delegation have plonked this home right onto the Wiener Stadthalle stage, Wizard of Oz style, and there’s yet more witchcraft to come! The next part of the song, which has been musically revamped, is an explosive display that signifies the darkness being expelled, in which the choreography switches lanes and reveals more synced formations.
Azerbaijan
JIVA – Just Go
Azerbaijan to the stage, and viewers at home are going to be introduced to Just Go’s performer, JIVA, in fabulous fashion… Emerging from a cloud of smoke! If you’re gonna end up on TV, this is the way to do it.
From ‘nice to meet ya’, to ‘nice sheets, yeah’. Billowing fabric is the main ‘prop’ of this performance, and plenty of it. Nothing says drama in the romance department like drapes blowing in the wind within a nighttime home setting. And this is represented both physically (on stage) and visually (on screen).
While JIVA performs her love song of lament, she’s dressed in an exquisite gown. Sequins of black, red and blue shimmer throughout her performance, all while black and white footage of her broken relationship plays out on the screen behind her. She’s truly baring her soul to Eurovision fans.
In the final act of the song, the man behind the misery dares to show his face, joining JIVA on stage for a make or break heart-to-heart. It clearly doesn’t end well, as we witness a confined JIVA finally break free from what has been holding her back. She marches triumphantly down the stage away from him and this break-away moment is represented beautifully in the staging.
Romania
Alexandra Căpitănescu – Choke Me
Well someone is confident in front of the camera! … Alexandra Căpitănescu for Romania has come prepared! You could put this performance out on Thursday 14 May; this was broadcast-ready stuff that Alexandra delivered today.
The staging for Choke Me starts via the representation of a sharp intake of breath. And it’s a big one, because it’s meant to be held for three whole minutes until Alexandra is finally able to exhale at the song’s climax. And there’s a hell of a lot of energy that comes with that kind of tension. How are they gonna release it all?…
What happens in the middle of the two breaths is a gripping grapple between Alexandra and her inner thoughts. And there are six people on stage for Romania here at the Wiener Stadthalle – our camera-confident singer, her four-member band and a special sixth presence who shall remain nameless for now.
The performance of Choke Me is electrifying, even without the constant stream of electrical current coursing through the stage from glowing tubes. Black leather is Alexandra’s protective gear of choice; a corset with a collar and shoulders, plus strappy extensions coiled around her arms. Knee-high black leather boots complete the outfit, ensuring that Alexandra cuts a formidable figure up there on stage.
Luxembourg
Eva Marija – Mother Nature
Eva Marija is next to rehearse her song here in Vienna; it’s Mother Nature for Luxembourg.
This is a performance that has already won one competition – Luxembourg Song Contest. But Eva Marija ain’t resting on her laurels – she’s given it some enhancements for the international stage.
As she sings, the Wiener Stadthalle is turned into a hotbed of life; nature’s elements are flowering all around her and as you would expect from a lady of her status, she’s interacting with all her babies. The butterflies, the birds and the blossoming buds – they’re all encouraged to life by Eva.
Dressed in suitably earthy tones, Eva Marija has maintained the colour scheme that served her so well at Luxembourg Song Contest. Gone are the visible trousers though. A floaty, layered gown gives our gal an ethereal appearance. She does plenty of running around the stage, covering much of it, and this is a dress that’s made for movement. Eva looks amazing up on that stage – we wouldn’t have anyone else in charge of our flora and fauna!
