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: Norway

As the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna approaches, we continue our daily spotlight on this year’s contestants. Road to Vienna: Norway   Jonas Lovv: From the Voice to Eurovision Early Life and Local Music Scene Jonas Lovv is a Norwegian singer and songwriter from Bergen. Before gaining national attention, he spent years building his craft on the local music scene, performing in clubs and bands across the city. An early attempt on Idol in 2014 did not lead to a breakthrough, but it strengthened his focus on live performance and artistic development. Shuffle Baby and Musical Growth Lovv later became the frontman of synth-pop trio Shuffle Baby, known for blending 1980s-inspired electro-pop with modern production. The group released the EP Posers in 2019 and the single “Over It” in 2020. Although the band gained traction, the project eventually slowed down, leading Lovv toward a full solo career. Solo Career and Expanding Sound From 2020 onward, Jonas Lovv steadily released solo music in both Norwegian and English. His work ranges from pop and rock to more emotional, stripped-back tracks. With multiple singles and the EP Fotografisk minne (2023), he built a diverse catalogue that showcased his evolving sound and songwriting identity. The Voice Norway Breakthrough His national breakthrough came in 2025 on The Voice Norway, where his powerful audition of “Play That Funky Music” turned all chairs. Mentored by Espen Lind, he impressed audiences with versatile performances and quickly became a standout contestant. After the show, he expanded his live presence with major festival appearances and orchestral collaborations. Ya Ya Ya: A High-Energy Song About Intense Attraction Ya Ya Ya is an energetic track that explores desire, temptation, and emotional intensity. At its core, the song captures the feeling of being pulled into a powerful attraction that is both thrilling and overwhelming. Desire and Emotional Loss of Control The lyrics describe a relationship where passion takes over completely. The narrator becomes consumed by someone irresistible, unable to maintain control. This emotional and physical intensity reflects a connection that feels exciting but also slightly destructive. Pleasure, Pain, and Emotional Conflict A key theme in the song is contradiction. The attraction brings both excitement and frustration, highlighting the unstable nature of the relationship. While the connection feels euphoric, there is also an awareness of emotional risk and instability. Hypnotic Repetition and Emotional Impact The repeated “ya-ya-ya-ya” chorus acts like a hypnotic loop, symbolizing obsessive desire. This repetition enhances the song’s energy and reflects how emotions can feel inescapable when attraction becomes overwhelming.                                                                                                                                                      Ultimately, “Ya Ya Ya” is about surrendering to intense attraction despite the risks. It explores the balance between control and emotional abandon, capturing the excitement, vulnerability, and chaos of passionate relationships.   Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest Norway has a storied history in the Eurovision Song Contest, having participated since 1960. The country boasts three victories: in 1985 with Bobbysocks‘ “La det swinge,” in 1995 with Secret Garden‘s “Nocturne,” and in 2009 with Alexander Rybak‘s “Fairytale.” Despite holding the record for the most last-place finishes, Norway has also achieved numerous top-ten results, reflecting its resilience and commitment to the competition. The Bookmakers Norway may be ranked 18th with the bookmakers and 9th in the semi-final, but a place in the final is anything but certain.        

Read More »
Eurovision 2026
Anja Kroeze

Road to Vienna: Norway

As the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna approaches, we continue our daily spotlight on this year’s contestants. Road to Vienna: Norway   Jonas Lovv: From the Voice to Eurovision Early Life and Local Music Scene Jonas Lovv is a Norwegian singer and songwriter from Bergen. Before gaining national attention, he spent years building his craft on the local music scene, performing in clubs and bands across the city. An early attempt on Idol in 2014 did not lead to a breakthrough, but it strengthened his focus on live performance and artistic development. Shuffle Baby and Musical Growth Lovv later became the frontman of synth-pop trio Shuffle Baby, known for blending 1980s-inspired electro-pop with modern production. The group released the EP Posers in 2019 and the single “Over It” in 2020. Although the band gained traction, the project eventually slowed down, leading Lovv toward a full solo career. Solo Career and Expanding Sound From 2020 onward, Jonas Lovv steadily released solo music in both Norwegian and English. His work ranges from pop and rock to more emotional, stripped-back tracks. With multiple singles and the EP Fotografisk minne (2023), he built a diverse catalogue that showcased his evolving sound and songwriting identity. The Voice Norway Breakthrough His national breakthrough came in 2025 on The Voice Norway, where his powerful audition of “Play That Funky Music” turned all chairs. Mentored by Espen Lind, he impressed audiences with versatile performances and quickly became a standout contestant. After the show, he expanded his live presence with major festival appearances and orchestral collaborations. Ya Ya Ya: A High-Energy Song About Intense Attraction Ya Ya Ya is an energetic track that explores desire, temptation, and emotional intensity. At its core, the song captures the feeling of being pulled into a powerful attraction that is both thrilling and overwhelming. Desire and Emotional Loss of Control The lyrics describe a relationship where passion takes over completely. The narrator becomes consumed by someone irresistible, unable to maintain control. This emotional and physical intensity reflects a connection that feels exciting but also slightly destructive. Pleasure, Pain, and Emotional Conflict A key theme in the song is contradiction. The attraction brings both excitement and frustration, highlighting the unstable nature of the relationship. While the connection feels euphoric, there is also an awareness of emotional risk and instability. Hypnotic Repetition and Emotional Impact The repeated “ya-ya-ya-ya” chorus acts like a hypnotic loop, symbolizing obsessive desire. This repetition enhances the song’s energy and reflects how emotions can feel inescapable when attraction becomes overwhelming.                                                                                                                                                      Ultimately, “Ya Ya Ya” is about surrendering to intense attraction despite the risks. It explores the balance between control and emotional abandon, capturing the excitement, vulnerability, and chaos of passionate relationships.   Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest Norway has a storied history in the Eurovision Song Contest, having participated since 1960. The country boasts three victories: in 1985 with Bobbysocks‘ “La det swinge,” in 1995 with Secret Garden‘s “Nocturne,” and in 2009 with Alexander Rybak‘s “Fairytale.” Despite holding the record for the most last-place finishes, Norway has also achieved numerous top-ten results, reflecting its resilience and commitment to the competition. The Bookmakers Norway may be ranked 18th with the bookmakers and 9th in the semi-final, but a place in the final is anything but certain.        

Read More »
Follow Us: