Semi 2: 01 Lithuania

In a last moment decision, Vaidas and Monika decided to sing together instead of competing against each other in the national final. A move I think most broadcasters would have objected against had it happened in somebody else's national final.

Rules aside, it proved to be a clever thing to do. The song is deceptively simple but needs sparkle and conviction. Vaidas is pretty and sings well but has given quite a wooden impression on stage. Monika has been nice but unspectacular on her own. Put them all together and the sparks start to fly in a completely different way.

They still have work to do, though. Maybe they are as fond of each other as the lyrics imply but this is a televised song contest where you have to perform for the cameras and not for your singing partner. This duet must open up and stop excluding the audience watching them.

It's also unfortunate to perform a song as bouncy and cheerful as this one as the first one when there will be so many slower ones coming on later. Coming in after a few of them would have cemented this Lithuanian ditty in the final.

Qualifier:
Yes, probably. This one is ridiculously upbeat and silly-in-a-good-way and that should carry all the way, but perhaps not too far in the actual final.

Grade: 3/5



Monika Linkytė & Vaidas Baumila - This Time (Lithuania 2015)