Only Australia ended up using their Live-on-Tape recording. Tonight, the first Live-on-Tapes from the other countries were aired. This was a unique view as to how the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest could have looked like.
Back in March, all 39 participating countries recorded – and submitted – their Live-on-Tape. These were to be used in case of countries not being able to travel to the Eurovision Song Contest. Or should they be affected by Covid-19 when being in Rotterdam. The latter in case they were not able to perform on stage at the Jury shows and the following Live shows. All Live-on-Tape recordings contain live performances of the country’s Eurovision entry, and all recording sessions have been overseen by EBU officials.
Each country recorded three takes, and decided themselves which one to submit to the European Broadcasting Union, EBU. Only Australia’s Montaigne ended up using her Live-on-Tape. When affected by Covid-19, the Icelandic band Daði og Gagnamagnið were offered to choose between their Live-on-Tape or a recording from their rehearsal in Rotterdam. They band went for the rehearsal clip, and as such that was shown for both the second semi-final and the final.
Note: Ireland and United Kingdom have chosen not to have their Live-on-Tapes shown. Both Lesley Roy and James Newman want ‘the live performance they delivered in Rotterdam to be the version that people remember’. As Lesley finished last in her semi-final and James last in the final, some will probably wonder if their Live-on-Tapes really weren’t of a standard where it will be good to show them. Unfortunately, we probably will never know.
Live-on-Tapes semi-finalists
Krista Siegfrids (Finland 2013, 24th place) hosted the first of two Eurovision Song Celebration shows tonight. Tomorrow evening, the second one will follow. Let’s take a look at the Live-on-Tapes shown this evening – in order of appearance.
🇸🇮 Slovenia: Ana Soklič – Amen finished 13th in the first semi-final.
In the Live-on-Tape, Ana wore a black costume unlike her white costume on the actual Eurovision stage. The stage was quite different too. However, Ana kept her strong voice and performance in this recording too.
🇦🇺 Australia: Montaigne – Technicolour finished 14th in the first semi-final
Due to Montaigne not travelling to Rotterdam for the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest, their Live-on-Tape recording was used for the participation in the first semi-final. As such, what we saw tonight was identical to the semi-final.
🇲🇰 North Macedonia: Vasil – Here I Stand finished 15th in the first semi-final.
In Vasil’s Live-on-Tape, the golden lightning theme was also used but in a slightly different way. We don’t see Vasil’s golden heart here either. However, he still sings fabulously.
🇭🇷 Croatia: Albina – Tick-Tock finished 11th in the first semi-final
Albina and the dancers are dressed up completely different in the live-on tape. Instead of the glittery costume she wore in Rotterdam, she wore a hip hop style black & purple costume. The stage is also completely different, wider than the stage they used in Rotterdam.
🇷🇴 Romania: ROXEN – Amnesia finished 12th in the first semi-final
ROXEN’s hairdo is different, her hair looks longer on the Live-on-Tape. The choreography is almost the same, only a little more minimal which gives ROXEN the opportunity to use her voice more effectively. The stage is almost the same.
🇪🇪 Estonia: Uku Suviste – The Lucky One finished 13th in the second semi-final
Uku’s Live-on-Tape is very similar to his performance at Eesti Laul. Uku’s costume is the same. However, we can see quite many differences about the staging. The most recognizable detail is the chains tangling down which was not used in Rotterdam.
🇨🇿 Czech Republic: Benny Cristo – omaga finished 15th in the second semi-final
Benny’s costume didn’t change. His hair is different though, it’s black and longer unlike her silver short hair in Rotterdam. The dancers also have different costumes The stage is also different. There are also slight changes in the choreography and the camera angles.
🇦🇹 Austria: Vincent Bueno – Amen finished 12th in the second semi-final
Vincent hasn’t changed his costume and staging. The only different thing was that his stage on the Live-on-Tape is shorter than his stage in Rotterdam.
🇵🇱 Poland: RAFAŁ – The Ride finished 14th in the second semi-final
Rafal hasn’t changed his stage act in Rotterdam too much, it was still recognisable. The biggest difference is the introduction of columns on stage in the Live-on-Tape which we haven’t seen in Rotterdam. The amount of pyrotechnics featured in his Eurovision performance is also far greater than his Live-on-Tape. The dancing was different too. Maybe this Live-on-Tape would actually have worked better for Poland?
🇬🇪 Georgia: Tornike Kipiani – You finished 16th in the second semi-final
In the Live-on-Tape, Tornike is sitting on a bar chair during the whole performance. He was mostly up on his feet in Rotterdam. The staging and lightning are also completely different in the Live-on-Tape. We don’t see song lyrics reflected on Tornike in the Live-on-Tape as much as they did in Rotterdam.
🇱🇻 Latvia: Samanta Tīna – The Moon Is Rising finished 17th in the second semi-final
Samanta’s costume and hairdo is different here, although the colour is the same (green). She wore trousers on the Live-on-Tape. The staging is the same as in Rotterdam.
🇩🇰 Denmark: Fyr og Flamme – Øve Os På Hinanden finished 11th in the second semi-final
Their costumes, staging, choreography is pretty much as seen in the Danish final, it was also recorded on the same stage. The main difference to the Eurovision performance is the size of the stage. The stage in Rotterdam was much bigger. But compared to the Danish final, the backing choir was on stage too, and Jesper’s running was shorter – so much that he had time to join Laurits and create more collaboration between them.
