Last night saw the second semi final of the Ukranian national selection show, Natsionalnyi Vidbir. Just as with the first semi-final, the show was hosted by Serhii Prytula and the judges consisted of Andriy Danylko (better known to Eurovision fans as Verka Serduchka), the representative from the 2006 Eurovision Tina Karol, and producer Vitalii Drozdov. The semi final consisted of 8 acts vying for 3 spots in the Grand Final next week. During the show, the audience were also treated to a live performance by this year’s Czech Republic representative Benny Cristo with his song Kemama. At the end of the show, we also saw the live draw for running order for the Grand Final next week.
The acts:
Song 1: “Maze” performed by Moonzoo feat. F.M.F. Sure
Moonzoo is an electronic music band from Lviv with lead vocals by Oleksandr along with a featured rapper, F.M.F Sure from Florida, USA who is currently living in Ukraine. The entry was in an electro pop/synth style reminiscent of Depeche Mode. Judge Vitalii felt that it felt very Ukranian, but that the song didn’t scan very well and needed some work on the backing track. Judge Tina liked the hook and thought the poetry in the lyrics where very interesting. Judge Andriy thought is was excellent, very atmospheric and characteristically Ukranian. Overall it was a good performance and opened the first semi-up very well.
Song 2: “Blck Sqr” performed by Fo Sho
Blck Sqr brought some African HipHop to the show, thanks to Fo Sho who originally come from Ethiopia but now live in Ukraine. The song had quite a 90’s hip hop feel, similar in style to Salt-N-Pepa, although at times it felt a little chaotic on stage. Tina complemented Fo Sho on their harmonies and said the song has a Ukranian essence that really caught her attention. She also said she would love to sing with them sometime. Andriy thought it felt really colourful and positive.
Song 3: “Get Up” performed by Elina Ivashchenko
This was a more traditional power ballad, although it also had undertones of Jamala at times. Elina, who previously found fame from reality music shows (she won both The Voice Kids and the all-Ukrainian singing contest Black Sea Games), has a very good voice and gave us a fantastic key change moment. She loved being able to perform her own song on a stage though and said the message of the song is very personal to her. The judges however seemed underwhelmed by the song, although they all complemented her voice. Tina felt she should rather have had a hand microphone rather than a headset to give her more of a presence on stage.
Song 4: “Saviour” performed by Oleksandr Poriadynskyi
Oleksandr won the 4th Season of X factor Ukraine and brought us a ballad with a very strong Bond-theme feel. His deep bass voice was very reminiscent of John Legend or Rag’n Bone Man (which judge Vitalii also commented on). The staging was slightly distracting with very busy screen projections and dark lighting on stage. The song also didn’t have that much needed “moment”, feeling like it was building to something that never came. Tina thought he gave a really classy vocal and that he was a real artist who makes in impression. She likes the song, but thought it did not work visually and that he needs to be more of a showman than just standing on the stage.
Song 5: “Who We Are?” Performed by Garna
Who We Are was performed in a soft rock style with a very Eastern European sound. It felt well staged in dramatic red and black, and Garna is definitely able to give a very powerful performance. She did at time tend to swallow her words though when using vocal effects. Garna did however tick off quite a few Eurovision must-haves by giving us a fantastic key-change, followed by a very dramatic big note, and finished it off with wind machines. Tina complemented her voice and 3 octave vocal range. Vitalii felt that although she was a great vocalist, sometimes more is needed.
Song 6: “Call for Love” performed baby Khayat
This ethno-punk entry started very dramatically, and the “white voices” traditional backing vocals complemented the song. Although Khayat gave a very good performance, he didn’t always connect with the camera, rather he performed for the audience in the studio. Tina thought is was a fantastic performance with interesting vocals and staging. Vitalii thought is was an interesting mixture of folk and dance styles and rhythms. He appreciated the minimalist style and thought it showed off the performer very well. He also like the “Soviet” style that the song had.
Song 7: “Horizon” performed by David Axelrod
This was a very traditional Eurovision ballad. David was centre stage surrounded by 5 angels/birds complete with key-change and wind machine. It did however feel a little dated and could do with some modernisation. Andriy complemented David’s vocals and said if this contest was purely down to vocals, he would win.
Song 8: “Bonfire” performed by Tvorchi
Tvorchi are a duo consisting of Ukranian Andriy and Nigerian Jeffrey. They brought a very creative entry “Bonfire” to close off the show. The synth-pop style of the song along with the avant-garde staging and energy felt very Pet Shop Boys, although the staging could have done with a little more help, as the duo sometimes got a little lost on stage. Judge Andriy felt they should be proud of that piece of art, but said they were performing like they were in a small club rather than a big stage. Vitalii agreed that they created a club feel atmosphere. Tina said she would love Ukraine to enter a song like that.
Results:
The results were based on a combined Jury vote from the judges and a televote. It was revealed that the 3 finalists where:
1st place: “Bonfire“ by Tvorchi
2nd place: “Call for Love” by Khayat
3rd place: “Horizon” by David Axelrod
Draw for running order of the Grand Final
All the finalists from both semi-finals joined host Serhii on stage. Serhii had 6 envelopes each containing a place in the Grand Final and asked each act to choose one and reveal their place. The running order for the Grand Final will be:
“99” by Krutь
“Vegan” by Jerry Heil
“Solovey” by Go-A
“Horizon” by David Axelrod
“Call for Love” by Khayat
“Bonfire” by Tvorchi