Live blog:
14:10 CEST: Rehearsal 5: 🇺🇦 Ukraine - Ziferblat – Bird of Pray
In the first Semi-Final it will be time for Spain to perform now, but as one of the Big 5 they won’t rehearse until Thursday. Instead it’s time for our first band of 2025 – Ukrainian 3-piece Ziferblat. They formed in 2015, and took part in X Factor Ukraine in 2019, where (FUN FACT) they were mentored by none other than Andriy Danylko, aka Eurovision legend Verka Seduchka.
Made up of Daniel, Valentyn and Fedir, Ziferblat define themselves as being part of the new generation of Ukrainian music. The staging has definitely undergone some changes since the performance that won them Vidbir – the suits are a similar wide-legged/puff shoulders 1970s cut, but they’re now each in a different solid bright colour with lots of sparkle, and the three backing singers have glittery gold pantsuits.
The on-stage garden of grass and flowers has also gone – instead the LED wall has pink and green neon graphics that pulse and swirl with the music, and explode during the chorus. The lighting and close camerawork really drive this performance - even the way Daniel walks around the stage is perfectly choreographed to each beat. The whole thing is VERY stylish and polished, but that’s very much the Ziferblat signature, no?
🔥 PYRO update! There's low smoke on the main stage from the start, then some fireworks during the guitar middle eight. Post lunch lull? Not in this arena.
IT'S GREYSIE IT'S PARTY