🇵🇹 Road to Basel: Portugal

Road to Basel: Portugal

Road to Basel: Portugal. As the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel approaches, we continue our daily spotlight on this year’s contestants. Today, we focus on Portugal.

photo: EBU/Lucas Coelho

NAPA

NAPA is a Portuguese indie pop band originating from Madeira. The group comprises João Guilherme Gomes, João Lourenço Gomes, João Rodrigues, Diogo Góis, Francisco Sousa, and André Santos. Known for their harmonious melodies and introspective lyrics, NAPA has steadily gained recognition within Portugal’s vibrant music scene. Their unique blend of traditional Portuguese sounds with contemporary indie influences has endeared them to a growing fan base.

“Deslocado” (What does AI say?)

Their Eurovision entry, “Deslocado” (English: “Displaced”), is a heartfelt indie pop ballad that delves into themes of longing and the search for belonging. The song reflects the band’s personal experiences of moving from their native Madeira to mainland Portugal, encapsulating feelings of nostalgia and the quest for home. Upon its release on January 23, 2025, as part of the Festival da Canção 2025 compilation album, “Deslocado” resonated deeply with listeners, leading it to peak at number one on the Portuguese singles charts—a feat not achieved by a Portuguese Eurovision entry since 2017.

Festival da Canção 2025

Portugal selected its Eurovision 2025 representative through the esteemed national competition, Festival da Canção 2025. The 59th edition of this annual event featured two semi-finals on February 22 and March 1, culminating in the grand final on March 8, 2025. NAPA’s performance of “Deslocado” captivated both the jury and the public, securing their victory and the honor of representing Portugal in Basel. ​

Here are the full results:

1. NAPA, “Deslocado“
2. Diana Vilarinho, “Cotovia“
3. Fernando Daniel, “Medo“
4. Henka, “I wanna destroy U“
5. Josh, “Tristeza“
6. Jéssica Pina, “Calafrio“
7. Bombazine, “Apago tudo“
8. Marco Rodrigues, “Minha casa“
9. Margarida Campelo, “Eu sei que o amor“
10. Peculiar, “Adamastor“
11. Emmy Curl, “Rapsódia da paz“
12. Bluay, “Ninguém“

Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest

Portugal has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since 1964, achieving its first and only victory in 2017 with Salvador Sobral‘s “Amar pelos dois.” The country’s entries often showcase its rich musical heritage, blending traditional and contemporary styles. In recent years, Portugal has demonstrated a commitment to highlighting diverse musical genres and emerging artists through Festival da Canção.

A Random Portuguese Entry

Reflecting on Portugal’s Eurovision history, random.org chose the 1986 entry. Dora sang “Não sejas mão p’ra mim”. Dora didn’t dare to tell the press that her husband worked in a supermarket. Dora’s skirt was, to say the least, striking. Dora reached a 14th place and returned to Eurovision 2 years later.

​

Betting Odds

As of now, the betting odds are not too positive about NAPA’s “Deslocado”. They give it a 29th place in order to win the contest in Basel. For the results of semifinal 1, the song currently has a 14th place. It’s gonna be a tough job for Portugal. But a tough job doesn’t mean it’s impossible…​

We eagerly await the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel and look forward to witnessing NAPA’s performance on the grand stage.