Tonight: Semi-final 2 of Eurovision Song Contest 2021

We already know the first 16 songs qualified for the Grand Final on Saturday. Tonight the second Semi-final will find the last 10 qualifiers.

There are 17 participants tonight, where the 16 songs will be performed live from Rotterdam Ahoy. Iceland was unfortunately hit by COVID-19, so a recorded performance from their rehearsals will be shown instead.

The show starts at 21:00 CEST, live from Rotterdam Ahoy in The Netherlands. Hosts are Chantal Janzen, Edsilia Rombley, Jan Smit and Nikkie de Jager. The running order has been decided by the producers (Dutch broadcasters AVROTROS, NOS and NPO) based on an allocation draw.

On Saturday the Grand Final kicks off with 26 songs.

Lineup Semi-final 2

After the 17 songs from the second Semi-final, a 1-minute preview of three of the six pre-qualified countries will be shown: France, Spain and United Kingdom. These previews have been recorded yesterday at the jury rehearsals.

Opening: Forward Unlimited

We're back for the second semi-final! Tonight's semi-final begins similarly to what we've seen in the first semi-final however with different locations this time. As a reminder, the segment opens up with horizontal lines which are present in the Eurovision Logo, tiny transparent houses and various locations within the Netherlands. The lines are used to connect the houses, each situated in different locations of the country. The final destination is the Rotterdam Ahoy.

We are then introduced to the handicapped award-winning Dutch break dancer Redo, together with Dutch singer Eefje de Visser. The dance by Redo is presented to tell his life story with his dance act and hoping to inspire others. The moment ends with some good old fashioned pyros.

It's time to welcome the hosts. Give a warm applause to Chantal Janzen, Edsilia Rombley, Jan Smit and Nikkie de Jager.

They start by praising Redo and Eefje's performance and remind everyone that tonight, we'll find out the last 10 songs that will complete in the Grand Final of Saturday night.

Commercial Breaks

After song number 6 (Poland), the evening's first commercial break takes place:

For the viewers without commercials, we see Nikkie de Jager telling us what is happening online as she shares several videos from the Eurovision Challenge which was launched a few weeks ago. Nikkie continues promotes her own YouTube segment (LookLab) with the interview she had with the host country entrant, Jeangu Macrooy.

A special mention is given to the Netflix Eurovision movie released last year "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga" whilst having a special video message by Molly Sandén, partly responsible for the movie's Oscar nomination:

– You are all winners, she says.

We are later joined by Edsilia Rombley and Jan Smit in the green room who take a selfie to remember the moment and encourage viewers at home to do the same.

After song number 12 (Portugal), the second commercial break takes place:

Chantal Janzen is joined by the winner of Eurovision 2005, Helena Paparizou, via a video link who is part of the Grand Final's Rock The Roof interval act. Chantal chats with Helena sharing her winning moments whilst also wishing luck to all the participants.

We head to the green room with Edsilia and Nikkie who promote the Eurovision app and introduce Bulgaria.

Interval Act: Close Encounter of a Special Kind

After all performances, the voting begins with all 17 performing countries as well as France, Spain and the United Kingdom are able to vote.

The four presenters explain the rules and are quick to open the voting:

EUROPE! START VOTING NOW!

A recap is followed. The interval act is next featuring a performance with classical ballet dancer Ahmad Joudeh and Dez Maarsen from ISH Dance Collective. The dance performance will tell the story of our natural desire for connection. This theme matters more than ever especially after the world is in the midst of a pandemic.

Chantal and Jan take the second stage of the arena to inform viewers that one can purchase the official Eurovision CD and DVD followed by a video clip of fans having all the collection and imitating a Eurovision performance. A second recap of the competing entries follows. Once that's done, Chantal and Jan take to the final countdown:

EUROPE! STOP VOTING NOW!

Nikkie and Edsilia are on the main stage to continue the Eurovision history clip, "A Winners Journey" which aired its first part during semi-final 1. Included in tonight's segment are Duncan Laurence (Netherlands 2019), Izhar Cohen (Israel 1978), Getty Kaspers from Teach-In (Netherlands 1975), Ruslana (Ukraine 2004), Nicole (Germany 1982), Niamh Kavanagh (Ireland 1993) who also watch their own winning performances and speaking on how winning is a life changing experience.

A second part of Nikkie's “Eurovision Tutorials” is shown, giving tips on how to have a successful team work. We're back with Edsila in the green room where she interviews a few artists.

Pre-qualified countries

During the first semi-final, three from the six countries that are automatic pre-qualified for the Grand Final performed. These were Italy and Germany from the Big 5 countries and host country Netherlands.

Tonight just before the announcement of the result, we continue to be presented with France, Spain and the United Kingdom whom also form part of the Big 5. These three countries will also broadcast and vote in Semi-final 2.

A short interview of the three artists is followed by a preview of their song recorded yesterday evening.

We're ready to know the 10 qualifiers and, Martin Osterdahl, the new Eurovision Song Contest Executive Supervisor, announces that all is set for the qualifiers announcement.

THE 10 SONGS QUALIFIED FOR THE GRAND FINAL ARE...

GOOD NIGHT EUROPE!

Voting

The voting procedure will be the same as previous four editions. Each country will have two sets of 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10 and 12 points to give. One set for each country's jury, and one set for each country's televoting.

• The 10 songs with most points will qualify to the Grand Final
• Each of the 17 countries participating in Semi-final 1 will vote
• The pre-qualified countries, France, Spain and United Kingdom will broadcast and vote in Semi-final 2
• Each country has a national jury who gives one set of 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10 and 12 points.
• Each country will have televoting which also results in a set of 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10 and 12 points
• The voting will not be revealed before the Grand Final has finished on Saturday
• Only the 10 qualified songs will be revealed in random order
• Televoters and national juries have equal weight in the voting
• The national juries voted yesterday evening (Wednesday, 19 May) during the second dress-rehearsal