🇩🇪 TES Reviews: Dazzling ukuleles for Jendrik

Up next today is Germany, who are being represented by Jendrik Sigwart. Jendrik will be singing the song ‘I Don’t Feel Hate’ in this year’s competition.

What did we make of Germany’s rehearsal?

The staging opens on Jendrik, dressed in a black shirt, pink jacket and blue trousers, playing a bedazzled ukelele, which he promptly tosses into the air (and then catches!). He’s joined on stage by three backing singers, who also mime playing brass instruments, as well as the woman in the peace sign costume (rather than middle finger), who mimes the lower-voice parts in the backing of the song.

The LEDs are a mixture of black and white words, almost like newspaper text – not really readable – and splashes of paint, which break through the words. Insulting words in different languages appear on the screen, and are promptly smashed to pieces. During the verses, the LEDs are blue in the background with some black and white patches/grids, which almost look like a house with large windows.The camera angles are mostly very focused on the stage, which works well with the ukulele. During the build, Jendrik looks from side to side into different cameras (think Annna in Polyester). All of the performers on stage join in the tap break, and do so in a triangle formation. Jendrik performs the spoken word bit at the end as the camera zooms into him from straight on, and all performers make their way to the satellite stage to end with a final dance break and party.

Now, what does the team make of Germany’s rehearsal?

Rory: This is so colourful! The first thing that came to my mind was “WTF?”, but in a sense that actually prepares you for the staging. Overall, it’s actually a fun way of creating visuals. Perhaps the backing vocals don’t need to be as loud as they are, and Jendrik might need to work on his breathing techniques, but I see this being a nice little moment in the flow of the grand final. It’s definitely something we’ve not had or seen before this year!

Jazzi: This was crazy I didn’t really know what was going on half the time! This staging is very busy there is a lot going on! Jendrik is as vibrant as ever he does get a bit breathy towards the end of the song but he really is an excitable little puppy so I’m not surprised. Will this win? No Will it make some of Europe smile along with him on finale night? Yes

Rosie: Germany have worked out a great way to bring the vibe of the music video to the Rotterdam stage, and do so with humour and fun without losing the message of the song. It’s vivid, colourful and eccentric – exactly what you would expect from Jendrik, and the camera angles do a great job of making sure him and his ukulele don’t get swallowed by the huge stage. It’s infectious, it’ll stand out, and I can see the audience being quite divided over it. It’s fun and it’s entertaining, and that’s all you can ask for.

What do you think of Jendrik’s first rehearsal? Let us know in the comments below or at social media. Don’t forget to follow ‘THAT Eurovision Site’ over at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

News Source: EBU/ That Eurovision Site

Photo Source: EBU/NDR