However the real show kicked off right from the start with the opening act which was the offering from San Marino. The song ‘Machine’ is a Cranberries-style song with cross-genre influences and an abnormal yet infectious chorus. Power is one word that describes this number well with the lead singer in control throughout the whole performance, if it's hitting the LED cues or running around on stage like a real punk performer, she nails it. It is all very kooky and odd, but it fits so well with this song and this performer. It sets the scene for what is a phenomenal semi-final - watch out for San Marino in the final as well.

During the middle segment of the semi-final, there were some outstanding songs including Australia's indie ballad. 'It is like a gritty take on Shawn Mendes' according to one of the DSC producers. The performance is very dark and intimate with close and low camera shots, the performance grabs the viewer from start to finish, taking them on a story. As the song builds, the LED background builds, as does the singer's confidence. This was a little breath of fresh air in the running order and it could easily take Australia back to the final and maybe back to the top 5.

Later in the show we came across France, a country that has won 2 semi-finals in the past, but have never managed to reach the top 10 in the new system. Their entrants Blossoms are here to change that with their old-sound throwback number 'Charlemagne'. It is an interesting song which has a very different style to the usual DSC song, even this is presented in the stage show which has a retro camera filter and LED light show. This is the latest France have ever performed from in a post-edition #5 DSC show which gives good signs about the producers' confidence in the song. It's hard to tell whether the DSC voters will fall for Blossoms or leave them with nothing.

Closing the show for the 2nd time in their short DSC career is Ukraine. They have moved away from their usual contestant Max Barskih and have opted for Bulgarian/Russian/Kazakh multi-national star Kristian Kostov. His song 'Ne Si Za Men' is a modern dance song which a catchy chorus and a quirky and modern stage show. LED projections, on stage doodles, camera effects and a whale all feature during this DSC closing performance. This may sound strange, but it is perfectly executed with Kristian hitting all his projector cues (there's a projected version of him and the song's lyrics throughout the song). He is another young performer, at the age of just 17, Kristian could be a future DSC star if he continues with this kind of form.