Eurovision Song Contest 2023, Semi-Final 1

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We're tuning in, watching it on live Freeview broadcast. Really enjoying the hosts. The first interval act between Alyosha and Rebecca Ferguson was breathtaking.

I took a few notes during each performance, so from the first semi-final in descending order of total score:

Finland: Käärijä - "Cha Cha Cha" (25) (qualified)

• Outfits: 9
• Show: 10
• Music: 6

This will turn up on Lefty on the Doof.

Czechia: Vesna - "My Sister's Crown" (24) (qualified)

• Outfits: 6
• Show: 10
• Music: 8

Four languages. Rap break!

Croatia: Let 3 "Mama SC" (22) (qualified)

• Outfits: 9
• Show: 9
• Music: 4

Fabulously stupid with extra tractors. Not in English

Serbia: Luke Black - "Samo Mo Spe Spava" (21) (qualified)

• Outfits: 8
• Show: 6
• Music: 7

Emo goes techno. Big 00s vibes.

Sweden: Loreen - "Tattoo" (21) (qualified)

• Outfits: 7
• Show: 7
• Music: 7

Outfit gives 5th Element vibes. Lots of smoke. Strong voice for less good song.

Moldova: Pasha Perfeni - "Soarele și Luna" (20) (qualified)

• Outfits: 7
• Show: 8
• Music: 5

Excellent staging and light show.

Norway: Alessandra - "Queen of Kings" (20) (qualified)

• Outfits: 9
• Stage Show: 4
• Music: 7

Operatic soloist, minimalist

Portugal: Mimi Cat - "Ai Coração" (19) (qualified)

• Outfits: 6
• Show: 7
• Music: 6

Not in English! Kind of cabaret meets polka.

Ireland: Wild Youth - "We Are One" (18)

• Outfits: 8
• Show: 5
• Music: 5

Kind of U2 ish. Lots of gold lamé and sequins.

Malta: The Busker - "Dance (Our Own Party)" (16)

• Outfits: 7
• Show: 4
• Music: 5

Chunky sweaters and sax. 8bit kitsch like Dodi Freyr.

Israel: Noa Kirel - "Unicorn" (15) (qualified)

• Outfits: 4
• Show: 6
• Music: 5

Didn't do it for me, but very popular online apparently.

Latvia: Southern Lights - "Aijā" (14)

• Outfits: 3
• Show: 7
• Music: 4

Made good use of stage effects.

Azerbaijan: TuralTuranX - "Tell Me More" (14)

• Outfits: 4
• Show: 4
• Music: 6

Very 90s guitar.

Switzerland: Remo Forrer - "Watergun" (12) (qualified)

• Outfits: 4
• Show: 4
• Music: 4

Heartfelt ballad, nearly fell asleep. Probably will do well because of the subject matter though.

Netherlands: Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper - "Burning Daylight" (10)

• Outfits: 4
• Show: 3
• Music: 3

Ballad.