Cyprus | Tamta is the first to rehearse on the Eurovision Stage!

This morning kicked off an exciting two week lead up to the final with the start of first rehearsals! Join us over the next four days as we take a look at the first rehearsals of all competing semi finalists. For the first day of rehearsals, the nine countries drawn to the first half of the first semi final will take to the stage.

Image Credit: Kynthia Kindeli (Eurovision.tv)

Our first rehearsal is the semi-final opener, Cyprus. After last years huge success with Greek superstar Eleni Foureira and her fiery ethno-dance song 'Fuego', who went on to exceed all early expectations and place second, Cypriot broadcaster CyBC opted to work with the same production team behind Fuego for this years entry. Greek-Georgian pop star Tamta will be performing dance-pop track 'Replay' at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest.

With a career spanning over 15 years, Tamta was actually the first artist to be offered Fuego last year to represent Cyprus however due to a busy schedule was unable to participate in 2018. Her participation also comes 12 years after her first brush with the Eurovision Song Contest - when she entered the Greek National Final in 2007 with 'With Love' ultimately placing third but getting lots of commercial success with her song.

Image Credit: Andres Putting (Eurovision.tv)

CYPRUS - FIRST REHEARSAL

As you can expect for her up-tempo performance, Tamta is joined on stage by four backing dancers for a high-octane performance. From the start, Tamta herself looks very strong with her hair styled straightened down similarly to in the music video and they make good use of the cameras with plenty of camera cut shots throughout and close-ups on her. She's accompanied by four male backing dancers wearing all in black with black cowboy style hats. Throughout the performance they join in with the choreography. Sure to be memorable, Tamta, who starts wearing a black leather jacket, has the jacket ripped off halfway through to initiate a costume change. She also has incredible thigh-high black leather boots which really complete the look.

For those that are comparing 'Replay' to 'Fuego', noticeably Tamta is less involved within the dance routine than Eleni Foureira - finding herself being more static on the stage. However it is being rumoured that she has been given a second routine due to a recent back injury and that if her condition improves then the routine could change back to more involved choreography.

Stage colours are darker than expected, mostly purples and blacks, whilst there are smoke effects, surging lights and of course ... pyrotechnics! In addition to the stage LEDs, Cyprus have also brought along six vertical pillars that are just behind Tamta and her dancers. In the final run through there was also a bigger focus on Tamta with more close-up shots.