Eurovision 2025 is officially underway in Basel, Switzerland. With 37 countries competing across two semi-finals and a grand final on May 17, the contest promises another wild mix of genre swings, thematic showdowns, and a few emotionally charged performances that might just change the game.
Three key moments from the semi-final lineups and rehearsals
This year, the semi-finals don’t just decide who makes it to the final — they’re shaping up to be the real battlegrounds. The first semi-final on May 13 features heavy hitters like Sweden, Ukraine, and the Netherlands, while the second on May 15 packs in Australia, Greece, and Ireland. All three of those countries will unveil their performances for the first time during the semis, despite already being in the final.
Rehearsals have given us our first real look at how these songs might land with the live audience — and the reaction online has been swift and unforgiving. Ukraine’s staging, once praised for its creativity, now feels over-polished and generic compared to the haunting flower field concept from their national final. Meanwhile, Cyprus is turning heads with director Juan de Dios Sánchez’s choreography, giving Theo Evan’s gothic pop ballad Shh a chance to break into the top tier.
Sweden’s sauna sensation divides the crowd
Sweden’s KAJ is back with Bara Bada Bastu, a steam-powered dance anthem built around the cultural ritual of the sauna. It’s catchy, it’s visual, and it has Björn Ulvaeus’s seal of approval. But not everyone is sold. Critics call it a gimmick — too similar to past wins like Loreen’s — while fans love the energy and absurdity of building a sauna on the Eurovision stage.
It’s the kind of polarizing performance that rarely fails to score points. Whether it’s enough to win again is another question. But like the UK’s Remember Monday with What The Hell Just Happened?, Sweden isn’t playing it safe this year.
Three heartbreaking songs about cancer steal the emotional spotlight
Amid the glitz and innuendo, three entries stand out for their raw emotional weight. France’s Louane sings to her late mother in Maman, a lullaby of loss and love that builds to a tear-jerking moment with her daughter’s voice. Norway’s 19-year-old Kyle Alessandro turns a phrase from his ill mother into a mantra for survival in Lighter. And Slovenia’s Klemen Slakonja, known for his comedy, delivers a sobering ballad in How Much Time Do We Have Left — written during his wife’s battle with bone marrow cancer.
These aren’t songs about winning. They’re songs about living. And that might give them a resonance beyond the usual Eurovision spectacle.
San Marino’s masked singers and Azerbaijan’s human touch
San Marino’s Tutta L'Italia is a fun, if slightly awkward, tribute to Italian culture. Created by Gabry Ponte, it mixes dance beats with folk accordion — but the staging misses the mark. Masks hide the singers’ faces, and the DJ remains stationary. It’s a performance that risks blending into the background.
Contrast that with Azerbaijan, who continue to refine their formula. Their semi-final 1 entry Mamagama features warm red-orange lighting and a lead singer who sticks closely to the studio sound. The choreography is organic, not robotic. It’s a smart play for a country that knows how to appeal to the wider European audience beyond the hardcore Eurovision fan bubble.
Gothic spells, gaming metaphors, and one last space dog
Following last year’s success of goth-witch Bambie Thug, Eurovision 2025 is packed with moody boys and mystical imagery. Poland’s Justyna Steczkowska channels a bit of Showgirls flair into her spell-casting performance of Gaja. Croatian Marko Bošnjak’s Poison Cake feels like a dark fairy tale leveled at his online bullies. And Cyprus’s Shh gives us a Da Vinci scaffold and cryptic lyrics with a hope that the mystery will pay off on voting night.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s Emmy sings Laika Party — a trancey, tragic tale about a dog sent to space and abandoned there. It’s hopeful in tone but hard to shake off as a somber metaphor. Still, Eurovision has never shied away from strange emotional mixes, and this one fits right in.
Who’s likely to crash and who might soar in Basel?
Based on rehearsals and early fan reaction, some predictions are starting to form. Belgium’s Red Sebastian may not win hearts with the song, but the Strobe Lights rave visuals could earn them a fan-fueled final spot. Slovenia’s Klemen may not have the strongest song, but his personal story and stage presence could turn him into a commentator favorite.
Ukraine is at risk of underperforming thanks to uninspired staging. The Netherlands, despite Claude’s strong camera game, might falter due to vague lyrics that fail to connect. And San Marino... well, they’re hoping the party vibe is enough to carry them through, even if the execution is shaky.
Final thoughts: Eurovision 2025 is a messy masterpiece
Like every year, Eurovision 2025 is a cocktail of cultural expression, commercial appeal, and personal storytelling. It’s about saunas and space dogs, cancer and cosplay, tarot cards and teen trauma. Basel may not have the biggest stage, but it’s hosting one of the most varied lineups in recent memory.
Whether you’re watching for the next big pop anthem, the most over-the-top staging, or just hoping for a moment that cuts through the noise — Eurovision 2025 has you covered. See you in the turquoise carpet crowd.