Malmö Messages: The Big Five plus Sweden

We haven’t heard from the big five plus Sweden yet. Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the host Sweden automatically qualify for the final. They had their rehearsal tonight.

The United Kingdom was the first to rehearse. If you think you have ended up in the locker room of a boxing match; this is still the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Olly Alexander is wearing red pants and a white shirt. His hands are taped up. Around him are a number of dancers in red shorts and with bare chests. According to eurovision.tv, the camera moves in such a way that it seems as if the room is spinning. It could make you “Dizzy”.

EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett

Isaak, representing Germany, appears to be in a very luxurious living room while singing his song “Always on the run”. We see a fire pit, lots of flames, and the cube coming down again. Isaak himself is dressed in black and is flanked by four backup singers; live singing matters here too.

EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett

Marcus and Martinus are performing “Unforgettable” for Sweden. And as usual, the Swedes have the exact same act on stage as they did during Melodifestivalen. The twins are dressed in blue and black. On the LED screens behind them, and on the cube above them, many colors and patterns are visible. Occasionally, the title of the song also appears. The act is the same, but huge.

EBU/Alma Bengtsson

The contestant for France, Slimane, is dressed in white during his “Mon amour”. He starts lying down and sings the first part of the song on his knees. Later, he stands behind the microphone and steps away from it to sing the last piece a cappella. The smoke machine does its job.

EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett

The Spanish duo Nebulossa rehearsed next. Their song “Zorra” starts from the cube, which is now not hanging but has come all the way down. Mery is wearing pants with wide legs and a blouse with large puff sleeves. The red sofa, which Mery also was standing on during the national final, has come along to Malmö. There is smoke on the floor throughout the performance.

EBU/Corinne Cumming

Angelina Mango will perform for Italy in a red dress. On her arms and legs, we see some sort of plant images. The four dancers emerge from four large cubes to lift Angelina. She stands among them in front of a large throne made of branches. The whole scene is set against a backdrop of a sort of forest with bare trees. In short, there will be much to see during “La Noia.”

EBU/Corinne Cumming

Related news

Eurovision 2026

Road to Vienna: Switzerland

Road to Vienna: Switzerland With the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna drawing closer, we’re continuing our daily series highlighting this year’s participants. Today putting the spotlight on Switzerland. Veronica Fusaro: Singer-Songwriter with a strong reputation Swiss singer-songwriter Veronica Fusaro has built a strong reputation with her soulful voice and captivating live performances. Born in Thun, she rose to prominence in the mid-2010s and is now set to represent Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Early Career and Breakthrough Fusaro’s breakthrough came in 2016 with her debut EP Lost in Thought, recorded in her parents’ basement. The release earned her “Demo of the Year” at m4music Festival and “Best Talent” from SRF3. These early achievements quickly positioned her as one of Switzerland’s most promising new artists. Musical Growth and Live Success She continued her rise with the EPs Ice Cold (2018) and Sunkissed (2019), blending pop, soul, and R&B influences. Known for her strong stage presence, Fusaro has performed over 500 shows and appeared at major events like the Glastonbury Festival and Montreux Jazz Festival. She also supported artists such as Mark Knopfler. Albums and Artistic Evolution Her debut album All the Colors of the Sky (2023) reached No. 5 in Switzerland, marking a major milestone. In 2025, she released her second album Looking for Connection, showcasing a more mature sound and modern production style. Eurovision 2026 Journey In 2026, Fusaro was internally selected by SRG SSR to represent Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Chosen from nearly 500 submissions, she will bring her distinctive voice and experience to one of the world’s biggest music stages. Alice: A Dark Story of Obsession and Control Alice explores the thin line between love and obsession. What begins as a seemingly gentle and caring tone quickly reveals a one-sided and unsettling connection, where affection feels forced rather than mutual. When Love Turns Unhealthy As the song զարգ progresses, it becomes clear that the narrator’s feelings are not grounded in reality. There is a strong sense of delusion, with imagined love replacing genuine emotion. This creates an uncomfortable dynamic built on control rather than trust. Psychological Depth and Isolation The track dives into intense psychological themes. The narrator appears disconnected from reality, possibly existing only within Alice’s mind. This adds a surreal and haunting layer, while also highlighting deep loneliness and emotional isolation. At its core, “Alice” is a warning about unhealthy attachment. It shows how love can shift into control and emotional harm when boundaries disappear. The song leaves a lasting impact by exposing the darker side of obsession. Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest Switzerland has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since its inception in 1956, achieving victories in 1956 with Lys Assia‘s “Refrain,” in 1988 with Céline Dion‘s “Ne partez pas sans moi,” and in 2024 with Nemo‘s “The Code.”  The Bookmakers Switzerland is currently ranked 26th by the bookmakers and just 13th in its semi-final . Qualifying for the final is shaping up to be a tough challenge    

Read More »
Eurovision 2026
Anja Kroeze

Road to Vienna: Switzerland

Road to Vienna: Switzerland With the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna drawing closer, we’re continuing our daily series highlighting this year’s participants. Today putting the spotlight on Switzerland. Veronica Fusaro: Singer-Songwriter with a strong reputation Swiss singer-songwriter Veronica Fusaro has built a strong reputation with her soulful voice and captivating live performances. Born in Thun, she rose to prominence in the mid-2010s and is now set to represent Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Early Career and Breakthrough Fusaro’s breakthrough came in 2016 with her debut EP Lost in Thought, recorded in her parents’ basement. The release earned her “Demo of the Year” at m4music Festival and “Best Talent” from SRF3. These early achievements quickly positioned her as one of Switzerland’s most promising new artists. Musical Growth and Live Success She continued her rise with the EPs Ice Cold (2018) and Sunkissed (2019), blending pop, soul, and R&B influences. Known for her strong stage presence, Fusaro has performed over 500 shows and appeared at major events like the Glastonbury Festival and Montreux Jazz Festival. She also supported artists such as Mark Knopfler. Albums and Artistic Evolution Her debut album All the Colors of the Sky (2023) reached No. 5 in Switzerland, marking a major milestone. In 2025, she released her second album Looking for Connection, showcasing a more mature sound and modern production style. Eurovision 2026 Journey In 2026, Fusaro was internally selected by SRG SSR to represent Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Chosen from nearly 500 submissions, she will bring her distinctive voice and experience to one of the world’s biggest music stages. Alice: A Dark Story of Obsession and Control Alice explores the thin line between love and obsession. What begins as a seemingly gentle and caring tone quickly reveals a one-sided and unsettling connection, where affection feels forced rather than mutual. When Love Turns Unhealthy As the song զարգ progresses, it becomes clear that the narrator’s feelings are not grounded in reality. There is a strong sense of delusion, with imagined love replacing genuine emotion. This creates an uncomfortable dynamic built on control rather than trust. Psychological Depth and Isolation The track dives into intense psychological themes. The narrator appears disconnected from reality, possibly existing only within Alice’s mind. This adds a surreal and haunting layer, while also highlighting deep loneliness and emotional isolation. At its core, “Alice” is a warning about unhealthy attachment. It shows how love can shift into control and emotional harm when boundaries disappear. The song leaves a lasting impact by exposing the darker side of obsession. Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest Switzerland has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since its inception in 1956, achieving victories in 1956 with Lys Assia‘s “Refrain,” in 1988 with Céline Dion‘s “Ne partez pas sans moi,” and in 2024 with Nemo‘s “The Code.”  The Bookmakers Switzerland is currently ranked 26th by the bookmakers and just 13th in its semi-final . Qualifying for the final is shaping up to be a tough challenge    

Read More »
Follow Us: