The first rehearsals are now over, so let the second rehearsals of the 2018 Junior Eurovision Song Contest continue! Today see’s the remaining ten acts take to the stage again, but in reverse order – you know the drill, join me, Richard from 08:00CET by regularly refreshing the page for all the up-to-date commentary from here in Minsk!

Refresh From 08:00CET

10:00 – 10:30 Wales

Wales are first to take to the stage this Friday morning. While they have come to the stage to perfect what they started on Wednesday, the polishing of the routine is not the only thing that has happened.

Visually, they have added some eye make up to Manw – mainly reddy black, with a touch of glitter – complementing the rest of her outfit and her backing dancers. In terms of the backing dancers, their hair has been crimped.

10:30 – 11:00 Ukraine

Again Ukraine have come back to polish off what was a near-perfect set of rehearsals on Wednesday. 

The camera angles are dynamic and the colouring of reds, whites and when cinematically used, monochrome too. The use of the loud speaker adds a different stance to the performance that other entries don’t have.

The back projection has patterns of whits and reds to begin with now, rather than just a plain red or a plain white. Darina has come to deliver a message to her fellow generation and future generations to protect them against from war and conflict.

11:00 – 11:30 The Netherlands

While I forgot to mention the contemporary dancers on the island stage back on Wednesday, the focus is clearly still on Max and Anne.

In terms of production elements, it seems to flow nicer and camera work is more dynamic in places – especially after the part key change about two thirds the way through.

The connection between Anne and Max is still not as strong as Melissa and Marco from Italy.

11:30 – 12:00 Serbia

Serbia and Bojana have returned to the stage after Wednesday and we don’t really see much change. “Svet” is been rehearsed just to perfect the performance it seems.

On reflection, it is very Disney-esque. Bojana reminds me of a Princess dancing in the distance in front of her castle.

13:00 – 13:30 Russia

Russia have returned to the stage with a refocused performance – focusing more on Anna instead of both her and her backing band. The band are in the shade until the choruses when the light shines on them.

Apart from these subtle changes, the performance is as was on Wednesday.

13:30 – 14:00 Portugal

While Rita is back polishing off the near perfect performance from Wednesday afternoon, some of the cinematography elements have evolved.

When using the social media elements, we now have various filters used instead of a normal camera view. This adds a whole new element for the television viewer, something that sadly won’t be seen in the arena on the evening.

14:00 – 14:30 Poland

On listening and watching the performance again, while visually it is still a bit messy with 5 or 6 different elements still in play, vocally Roksana is a perfectionist. 

While Poland was a pre-contest favourite, the way things stand, they may not live up to expectations.

14:30 – 15:00 Malta

Malta is always about perfecting their rehearsals from Wednesday. While there is a lot going on on the stage, the Maltese aren’t trying to do 5 or 6 different things at once.

Vocally Ela knows what she is about – and she is amazing when connecting with both the audience in both the arena and at home, via the camera.

15:00 – 15:30 Kazakhstan

I admit to watching this in the arena and the Kazakhstan delegation have got the complete package. Visually, the stage projection looks as if it is telling a story and while I don’t understand the lyrics without finding the translation, I guess the back projection is linked.

Great visuals and great vocals – if this was the only time we were to see Kazakhstan at either a Junior or Eurovision Song Contest (which I highly doubt), the delegation will be very happy.

15:30 – 16:00 Italy

Italy didn’t need to come back for more rehearsing. They nailed it on Wednesday morning. Melissa and Marco ooze connectivity between the two of them and it really comes through on screen. 

Italy are sat in eleventh place in the running order. Many would consider this as a top 10 finisher – some may also see this entry as safe. It’ll either rate with the juries or rate with the online vote – one or the other.

Join me at 16:00CET for coverage of the Jury Final of this year’s Contest and the last #LiveBlog here from Minsk.

Author: Richard Taylor

Source: Eurovision Ireland