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: Denmark

Road to Vienna: Denmark As the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna approaches, we continue our daily spotlight on this year’s contestants. Road to Vienna: Denmark Søren Torpegaard Lund: Danish Pop & Musical Star Søren Torpegaard Lund, born on 23 December 1998 in Gudme, Denmark, discovered his passion for performing at a young age. Drawn to musical theatre, he gained early acting experience in short films before pursuing formal training. From 2016 to 2019, he studied at Den Danske Scenekunstskole in Fredericia, earning a bachelor’s degree in musical performance. This foundation shaped his versatile career as both a singer and stage performer. Breakthrough in Music Lund gained national recognition in 2023 through Dansk Melodi Grand Prix with his ballad “Lige her.” Although he didn’t reach the final, his vocal performance stood out. He later released an English version, “In a Perfect World,” expanding his international reach. In the same year, Lund debuted as a songwriter with “Stor Kunst,” collaborating with Tim Schou. He continued building momentum in 2024 with tracks like “De ting, jeg hvisker” and “En dreng som mig,” the latter connected to the musical Matador. His debut EP Øjesten, released in October 2024, blends contemporary pop with theatrical storytelling. Theatre Career & Achievements Alongside his music career, Lund has established himself in Danish musical theatre. He has performed in major productions including Oliver!, Grease, Dirty Dancing, Kinky Boots, and Jersey Boys. A career highlight came in 2022 when he played Tony in West Side Story at the Copenhagen Opera House. His talent earned him the prestigious Reumert Talent Prize in 2021. Lund has also performed at major national events, including Denmark’s televised Christmas show and Queen Margrethe II’s 50-year jubilee concert. In addition to stage work, he has appeared in the TV series Sommerdahl. As an openly queer artist, he received a nomination for Artist of the Year at the Danish Rainbow Awards 2024. Eurovision 2026 Journey In 2026, Lund returned to Dansk Melodi Grand Prix with “Før vi går hjem,” an upbeat pop track he co-wrote. His dynamic performance secured victory, beating strong competition and earning him the chance to represent Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna. Musical Style & Future Outlook Søren Torpegaard Lund’s music combines modern pop with theatrical influences, reflecting his stage background. With growing recognition in both music and theatre, he is quickly becoming one of Denmark’s most promising artists to watch on the international stage. Før Vi Går Hjem: Love, Temptation & Late-Night Emotion “Før Vi Går Hjem” explores the intensity of attraction and the struggle between emotion and self-control. The song follows someone who knows they should walk away, yet feels pulled back by a powerful connection. This push-and-pull creates a relatable narrative about love, temptation, and emotional conflict. Capturing the Nightlife Atmosphere Set against a vivid late-night backdrop, the track highlights the thrill of living in the moment. It focuses on passion, closeness, and the excitement of giving in to feelings—despite the awareness that regret may come later. This tension between pleasure and consequence drives the song’s emotional depth. A Relatable Modern Love Story With its mix of intimacy and realism, the song delivers a compelling message about connection and the fragile balance between excitement and reality—making it resonate strongly with today’s listeners. Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest Denmark has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 52 times since its debut in 1957. The country has won the contest three times: in 1963 with “Dansevise” by Grethe and Jørgen Ingmann, in 2000 with “Fly on the Wings of Love” by the Olsen Brothers, and in 2013 with “Only Teardrops” by Emmelie de Forest.  The Bookmakers Denmark is currently ranked 3rd by the bookmakers and 2nd in the semi-final odds — things are looking strong. Søren says he’s coming to win… and who knows, he just might.        

Read More »
Eurovision 2026
Anja Kroeze

Road to Vienna: Denmark

Road to Vienna: Denmark As the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna approaches, we continue our daily spotlight on this year’s contestants. Road to Vienna: Denmark Søren Torpegaard Lund: Danish Pop & Musical Star Søren Torpegaard Lund, born on 23 December 1998 in Gudme, Denmark, discovered his passion for performing at a young age. Drawn to musical theatre, he gained early acting experience in short films before pursuing formal training. From 2016 to 2019, he studied at Den Danske Scenekunstskole in Fredericia, earning a bachelor’s degree in musical performance. This foundation shaped his versatile career as both a singer and stage performer. Breakthrough in Music Lund gained national recognition in 2023 through Dansk Melodi Grand Prix with his ballad “Lige her.” Although he didn’t reach the final, his vocal performance stood out. He later released an English version, “In a Perfect World,” expanding his international reach. In the same year, Lund debuted as a songwriter with “Stor Kunst,” collaborating with Tim Schou. He continued building momentum in 2024 with tracks like “De ting, jeg hvisker” and “En dreng som mig,” the latter connected to the musical Matador. His debut EP Øjesten, released in October 2024, blends contemporary pop with theatrical storytelling. Theatre Career & Achievements Alongside his music career, Lund has established himself in Danish musical theatre. He has performed in major productions including Oliver!, Grease, Dirty Dancing, Kinky Boots, and Jersey Boys. A career highlight came in 2022 when he played Tony in West Side Story at the Copenhagen Opera House. His talent earned him the prestigious Reumert Talent Prize in 2021. Lund has also performed at major national events, including Denmark’s televised Christmas show and Queen Margrethe II’s 50-year jubilee concert. In addition to stage work, he has appeared in the TV series Sommerdahl. As an openly queer artist, he received a nomination for Artist of the Year at the Danish Rainbow Awards 2024. Eurovision 2026 Journey In 2026, Lund returned to Dansk Melodi Grand Prix with “Før vi går hjem,” an upbeat pop track he co-wrote. His dynamic performance secured victory, beating strong competition and earning him the chance to represent Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna. Musical Style & Future Outlook Søren Torpegaard Lund’s music combines modern pop with theatrical influences, reflecting his stage background. With growing recognition in both music and theatre, he is quickly becoming one of Denmark’s most promising artists to watch on the international stage. Før Vi Går Hjem: Love, Temptation & Late-Night Emotion “Før Vi Går Hjem” explores the intensity of attraction and the struggle between emotion and self-control. The song follows someone who knows they should walk away, yet feels pulled back by a powerful connection. This push-and-pull creates a relatable narrative about love, temptation, and emotional conflict. Capturing the Nightlife Atmosphere Set against a vivid late-night backdrop, the track highlights the thrill of living in the moment. It focuses on passion, closeness, and the excitement of giving in to feelings—despite the awareness that regret may come later. This tension between pleasure and consequence drives the song’s emotional depth. A Relatable Modern Love Story With its mix of intimacy and realism, the song delivers a compelling message about connection and the fragile balance between excitement and reality—making it resonate strongly with today’s listeners. Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest Denmark has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 52 times since its debut in 1957. The country has won the contest three times: in 1963 with “Dansevise” by Grethe and Jørgen Ingmann, in 2000 with “Fly on the Wings of Love” by the Olsen Brothers, and in 2013 with “Only Teardrops” by Emmelie de Forest.  The Bookmakers Denmark is currently ranked 3rd by the bookmakers and 2nd in the semi-final odds — things are looking strong. Søren says he’s coming to win… and who knows, he just might.        

Read More »
Follow Us: