🇦🇲 That Eurovision Review: Plaits and patterns for Ladaniva in their first rehearsal

Today the rehearsals for Eurovision 2024 continue in Malmö. Countries rehearsing on Day 3 include Malta, Albania, Greece, Switzerland, Czechia, Austria, Denmark, and Armenia. The eight to rehearse today is Armenia’s Ladaniva.

Ladaniva’s first rehearsal

The next to take to the Eurovision 2024 stage at Malmö Arena in Malmö was Armenia’s Ladaniva. Ladaniva will be competing in this year’s competition with their entry “Jako” following their internal selection.

Following Ladaniva’s first rehearsal a clip of what went on was posted on the official TikTok account of the Eurovision Song Contest. The clip showed them before and after they took to the Eurovision stage for the first time, as well as giving us some insight into how well their first rehearsal went.

What did we learn about Ladaniva’s staging?

Ladaniva’s first rehearsal beings back the cultural element of the show, according to the live-blog being provided by the EBU. The performance involves Ladaniva – together with a band – on a series of platforms and plinths with each band member playing their instruments. There are plenty of traditional pattens galore, including Jaklin’s old-style outfit. The LED cubes are also used throughout the second half of the performance. Several graphics including traditional Armenian designs and modern chickens come through perfectly.

What we thought of Ladaniva’s first rehearsal

After Armenia’s first rehearsal, Rory gave his initial thoughts on the snippet that we saw.

Who is Ladaniva

Ladaniva are a world music duo consisting of singer Jaklin Baghdasaryan, who was born in Armenia and grew up in Belarus, before moving to France in 2014, and French instrumentalist Louis Thomas.

The pair met by chance at a music bar in Lille in 2019, and quickly hit it off. Their musical style is inspired by the traditional songs from Armenia, Russia & the Balkan countries, as well as from Latin America, Africa and the French island of Réunion.

Ladaniva (a reference to the off-road SUV Lada Niva) started to gain traction in the COVID lockdowns of 2020, with videos such as “Vay Aman” and “Zepyuri Aman” being received particularly well by the Armenian communuty, Their 2020 video “Kef Chilini” has reached over 29 million views on YouTube.

The pair’s self titled debut album, which features their Eurovision entry, Jako (a nickname for Jaklin) was released in September of last year.

Armenia’s Eurovision Journey

In 2006, Armenia made their debut into the Eurovision Song Contest, where André represented the nation with his entry “Without Your Love”, placing 8th overall. Since their debut, Armenia has participated 15 times, 12 of which saw them make the Grand Final. Their best result was both in 2008 and 2014, achieving 4th place with Sirusho and “Qélé Qélé” and Aram MP3 with “Not Alone”.

Armenia took part in the 2023 edition of the Contest with Brunette and her song “Future Lover”. She qualified from the second semi-final of the Contest in Liverpool, making it to the final on Saturday. The final result saw Armenia finish in 14th place with 122 points. The juries gave Brunette 69 points, whilst the televoters awarded her 53 points.

What do you think of “Jako”? SECOND SENTENCE? Let us know your thoughts! Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok as we prepare for Eurovision 2024!

News Source: That Eurovision Site / Eurovision.tv

Photo Credit: Corinne Cumming / EBU