The glitter balls are practically prepared, the sequins are all however sewn. Europe is making ready to occasion.
That’s proper: the Eurovision Track Contest is nearly upon us.
This Could, Basel, Switzerland will host the 69th version of the annual musical extravaganza.
Thirty-seven nations will compete for the coveted title.
Usually likened to a pop Olympics, Eurovision delivers a singular mix of triumph, tears, and even geopolitical rivalries.
Right here’s a information to navigating the fantastic world of Eurovision.
What’s Eurovision?
Eurovision is a global pop music competitors, wherein acts from nations throughout Europe — and some past it — compete in a reside televised contest. Every singer or group performs a three-minute track, with the winner determined by votes from nationwide juries and viewers around the globe.
Launched in 1956 to check new live-broadcasting know-how and foster unity after World Struggle II, Eurovision has develop into a campy but heartfelt celebration of variety, nationwide delight and the joyous energy of pop. It has grown from seven nations to nearly 40, together with non-European nations comparable to Israel and Australia. Organizers say final yr’s competitors was watched by 163 million folks around the globe.
Eurovision has develop into synonymous with elaborate costumes, spectacular staging and songs that vary from anthemic to extraordinarily foolish. Previous winners embody songs with titles like “La, La, La” and “Growth Bang-a-Bang,” in addition to hovering energy ballads and slick disco dancefloor-fillers.
Previous champions vary from Sweden’s ABBA — with “Waterloo” in 1974 – to Finnish metalheads Lordi in 2006, Austrian drag performer Conchita Wurst in 2014, Italian rock band Måneskin in 2021 and Ukrainian folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra in 2022.
When and the place is Eurovision going down?
Historically the competitors is hosted by the earlier yr’s winner, and final yr’s victor was nonbinary Swiss singer Nemo with their operatic anthem “The Code.” The 2025 contest shall be held on the St. Jakobshalle area in Basel, a largely German-speaking metropolis bordering France and Germany.
Two semifinals, on Could 13 and 15, shall be adopted by a grand Saturday evening ultimate on Could 17, hosted by Swiss broadcasters Hazel Brugger, Michelle Hunziker and Sandra Studer.
Switzerland is the birthplace of Eurovision — it staged the first-ever contest, and the European Broadcasting Union, which runs the present, is predicated in Geneva. It has gained twice earlier than: in 1956 and in 1988, when Canadian chanteuse Celine Dion competed underneath the Swiss flag.
Do pop and politics combine?
Eurovision’s motto is “united by music”, an admirable purpose that’s not all the time achieved.
Contest guidelines ban overtly political lyrics or symbols, however regional rivalries are rife and world tensions usually intrude. Russia has been banned since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine gained Eurovision that yr, however couldn’t host in 2023 due to the continuing battle, so the English metropolis of Liverpool stood in.
Final yr’s occasion within the Swedish metropolis of Malmo attracted giant pro-Palestinian protests that referred to as for Israel to be dropped from the competition over its conduct of its battle in opposition to Hamas.
Tensions spilled over into the competitors, the place Israeli singer Eden Golan was given tight safety. Israel was ordered to alter the lyrics of its competing track, initially titled “October Rain”, an obvious reference to Hamas’ cross-border assault on October 7, 2023 that killed some 1,200 Israelis. Renamed “Hurricane”, the ability ballad got here fifth.
Final yr’s contest additionally noticed Dutch contender Joost Klein expelled mid-competition after an altercation with a member of the manufacturing crew.
Organisers have tightened up the competition’s code of conduct, calling on individuals to respect Eurovision’s values of “universality, variety, equality, and inclusivity” and its political neutrality.
Who’re this yr’s favourites?
Sweden has gained Eurovision seven occasions and is bookies’ favourite to take the title once more, which might take it previous Eire for essentially the most victories. Swedish entry “Bara Bada Bastu” is an upbeat ode to sauna tradition carried out by KAJ, a trio from Finland’s Swedish-speaking minority.
Additionally extremely ranked by the betting markets are classically-trained Austrian singer JJ’s “popera” track “Wasted Love”, French singer Louane’s ballad “maman”, Dutch entry Claude’s “C’est La Vie” and Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 assaults, with “New Day Will Rise”.
Intriguing outsiders embody extremely caffeinated Estonian entry ”Espresso Macchiato” by Tony Money, Icelandic brother duo VAEB with “Róa” (it’s about rowing) and Irish entrant Emmy’s ode to a doomed area canine, “Laika Occasion”.
“There’s a whole lot of novelty acts this yr,” stated Paul Jordan, an skilled on the competition referred to as Dr. Eurovision. “I feel it’s form of reflective of the chaos on the planet. It’s nearly like persons are on the lookout for a little bit of escapism.
“There’s a whole lot of innuendo this yr as properly,” he stated, citing “Milkshake Man” by Australian entrant Go-Jo and “Serving” by Malta’s Miriana Conte, which has already had its title and lyrics modified on the orders of contest organisers.
How can I watch Eurovision and vote?
The competitors shall be aired by nationwide broadcasters in taking part nations.
Within the UK, you’ll be able to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, and hear reside on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds. The semi-finals are on Could 13 and 15, and the Grand Ultimate is on Could 17.
These in America can watch on streaming service Peacock in america and on the Eurovision YouTube channel in some nations.
Many of the acts will carry out over two semifinals that can resolve 20 to undergo to the grand ultimate. One other six nations — France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the U.Ok. and host Switzerland — mechanically qualify for the ultimate.
Voting for the winner will open at first of the ultimate on Could 17. Viewers in taking part nations can vote by telephone, textual content message or the Eurovision app — however aren’t allowed to vote for their very own nation’s act. Viewers within the U.S. and different non-participating nations can vote on-line or with the app.
After a voting interval, every nation in flip declares its jury and public voting outcomes, with the factors tallied on-screen till a winner emerges. The fast-changing rankings and suspense about whether or not any nation will get the dreaded “nul factors” — zero factors — are all a part of the enjoyable.
“Everybody appears to suppose that Sweden has it within the bag,” Jordan stated. “But it surely may properly be {that a} nation sneaks up the center.”
