Basel Bulletin: a treadmill, a boat, a pier and blue

đŸ“· Thomas Ramstorfer

This rehearsal afternoon is about a treadmill, a boat, a pier and blue. Today we started the rehearsals of the second semifinal. We tell you everything we know about the second row of 4 countries in this article.

EBU has decided to release photo’s of it only the day after. But still we can show you (if available) the national final performance or any other live performance so you got an idea what the artists are capable of. Disclaimer: for the description of the performance, we have to do it with what the EBU tells us.

🇩đŸ‡Č Armenia

Armenia’s PARG, also known as Pargev Vardanian, presents a new staging concept for Survivor, distinct from his Depi Evratesil performance. The setup features overhead “lego” lights lowered to two levels, creating a tunnel effect that frames the stage in industrial tones. PARG begins the performance between the two lighting sections, lit by spotlights. The majority of the routine takes place on a treadmill positioned on the frame stage. He sprints during the chanting chorus sections and slows for the middle eight, matching the musical shifts. His outfit now consists of a black vest and loose, studded black leather trousers. During the final chorus, the lighting rig lifts, opening the stage. Pyro includes flame jets and smoke rising from the treadmill.

🇩đŸ‡č Austria

Austria’s JJ, also known as Johannes Pietsch, rehearses Wasted Love, a theatrical entry staged entirely in black and white. JJ performs throughout from within a small wooden boat placed centre stage, featuring a mast and sail. The staging, directed by Sergio Jaen, uses lighting to create stark contrasts between light and shadow, increasing in intensity as the song progresses. During the second chorus, a storm begins, enhanced by wind machines, spinning cameras, and flashing strobes. JJ incorporates expressive, wind-resisted choreography without leaving the boat. As the drum and bass section builds, the LED wall displays crashing waves and storm clouds. At the end, a lighthouse appears on the LED wall, while an overhead shot shows the boat surrounded by a swirling vortex. JJ wears a long black leather coat with metallic detailing.

đŸ‡ŹđŸ‡· Greece

Greece’s Klavdia rehearses Asteromáta, a ballad accompanied by symbolic staging elements. The performance opens with Klavdia standing on a pier, which leads to a large central rock where she sings most of the song. A second performer, a female dancer, joins her briefly during the second verse before moving away, visually reinforcing the song’s theme of separation. Klavdia wears a long, fitted gown adorned with small jewels, appearing either black or dark navy under different lighting. Overhead camera shots create the illusion of water around the pier, which transitions into volcanic imagery and burning trees on the LED wall as the song intensifies. At the end, blue lighting effects respond to Klavdia’s gestures, and the lego lights descend in layered formation above the stage.

đŸ‡±đŸ‡č Litouwen

Lithuania’s Katarsis close the day with TAVO AKYS, maintaining the core visual concept of their national final performance. The stage features the same elements—blue outfits, bleak digital landscapes, an exploding house, and flying debris during the final chorus—but expanded across the LED wall and floor for added scale. The band members are more spread out on the Basel stage, and during the second verse, lead singer Lukas moves to the frame stage alongside guitarists Alanas and Emilija. The overall structure and flow remain consistent with the original, though the Basel staging adds enhanced lighting and effects. A wind machine and varied camera angles contribute to the build-up. At the end, descending lights form a wing-like shape as strobes flash and the performance concludes in white light.

 

Related news

Uncategorized

Weekly Update

It’s Tuesday, December 2, 2025, and time for another weekly update! This week, debates over Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 intensified, as several broadcasters take a stand. We also have news about a potential new country joining Eurovision, plus a flurry of national selection updates. With 2026 fast approaching, broadcasters across Europe are unveiling their plans and contestants. Here are this week’s top stories: Israel 🇼🇾 Iceland: RÚV Board Wants Israel Barred The board of Icelandic broadcaster RÚV has formally called on the EBU to ban Israel from Eurovision 2026. At a recent meeting, 5 of 9 RÚV board members approved a recommendation urging Israel’s exclusion. Chairman StefĂĄn JĂłn Hafstein noted that the EBU General Assembly on December 4–5 will discuss Israel’s participation. RÚV is even weighing Iceland’s withdrawal if Israel is allowed to compete, pending the EBU’s decision. A final call on Iceland’s own participation will be made after that EBU meeting. source: RÚV 🇾🇼 Slovenia: Will Only Participate if Israel Excluded Slovenia’s broadcaster RTVSLO has signaled it won’t take part in Eurovision 2026 unless Israel is out. A draft of RTVSLO’s 2026 programming plan made no mention of Eurovision, fueling withdrawal speculation. Now RTVSLO board president Natalija Gorơčak clarifies that Slovenia will compete only if Israel does not. If the EBU votes to exclude Israel at next week’s assembly, RTVSLO will amend its plan and join the contest. Otherwise, Slovenia is prepared to sit out. RTVSLO joins broadcasters from Ireland, the Netherlands, and Spain in this stance. source: RTVSLO đŸ‡Ș🇾 Spain: RTVE Reaffirms Israel Boycott Threat Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE has doubled down on its position regarding Israel. RTVE President JosĂ© Pablo LĂłpez told parliament that Spain will withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates, a stance maintained for months. He stated Israel’s presence is “untenable,” citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and argued that Israel has broken contest rules without punishment. Spain’s culture minister echoed this, revealing Spain formally requested Israel’s exclusion. RTVE’s message is clear: unless the EBU expels Israel, Spain will not compete. source: eurovision-spain 2026 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan: Debut to be Decided in Early 2026 Is Kazakhstan finally joining Eurovision? The Kazakh Ministry of Culture says the EBU will consider Kazakhstan’s debut in early 2026. Over the summer, Kazakh broadcaster Khabar Agency met with EBU’s Director General to discuss this possibility. No decision has been made yet, but the EBU is expected to revisit the issue after New Year’s. One major hurdle is funding. The Ministry noted that participating would require significant financial resources, and no budget is currently approved for it. For now, Kazakhstan remains hopeful, awaiting the EBU’s verdict on whether it can join the Eurovision family in Vienna. source: esc-kaz National Finals and Selections đŸ‡±đŸ‡» Latvia: 24 Supernova 2026 Semi-Finalists Unveiled Latvian broadcaster LTV has revealed the 24 artists and songs competing in Supernova 2026, Latvia’s national selection. The semi-finalists were selected from 124 submissions and will be split across two heats before a February 14 final. The full lineup is: Agnesse – “Oh My My” Aivo Oskis – “Walking Out” Antra Stafecka – “Divejāda” Atvara – “Ēnā” Blurie – “Lovin’ Always Gets Me Down” Daba – “Panic Attack” De Mantra – “Let Them” Edvards StrazdiƆơ – “I Ain’t Got The Guts” ELPO – “Blakus” Emilija – “All We Ever Had” Honey Blue – “Blue Disco” Ivo GrÄ«sniƆơ GrÄ«slis – “Home” Jānis Rugājs – “Smoke” Kautkaili – “Te un tagad” Krisy – “Take It” KristÄ«ne MeÄŁija – “Insanity” LEGZDINA – “Ribbon” Miks Galvanovskis – “Cruel Angel” NOLARK – “Different Places” PapÄ«ra lidmaĆĄÄ«nas – “You’re My Saviour” PAULA – “Dejot vien” Robert Ox – “Ravin’ At The Taj Mahal” Tikasha Sakama – “#010126 CODA” Vēstnieks – “Vai tas ir kāds brÄ«nums?” If there is a link, the song is already published on YouTube. đŸ‡ČđŸ‡Ș Montenegro: 15 Songs Out for MonteSong 2025 Montenegro’s national broadcaster RTCG has released all 15 entries for MonteSong 2025, its selection for Eurovision 2026. The songs are available on the RTCG website, and the national final will take place on December 21. The MonteSong 2025 participants are: Andrea Demirović – “I Believe” Baryak – “Minerva” Dolce Hera – “Casanova 91” Đurđa – “Dominos” Krstinja Matanović – “Oli oli” Lana Lopičić – “Doline” (Valleys) Lana Vukčević & Đorđe Savković – “Temperatura” (Temperature) Lara Baltic – “Rhythm Boy” Luka Radović – “Pjevaj vilo” (Sing, fairy) Majda BoĆŸović – “Ipak smo ljudi” (We are human after all) Mila Nikić – “Kao varnica” (Like a spark) Neno Murić – “Ako čujeĆĄ glas” (If you hear a voice) Stefan Vukotić – “Nedekodirana” (Undecoded) Tamara Ćœivković – “Nova zora” (New dawn) Tina DĆŸankić – “Shadows” đŸ‡ČđŸ‡č Malta: MESC 2026 Semi-Finalists Revealed PBS, the Maltese broadcaster, has announced the 18 artists for the Malta Eurovision Song Contest (MESC) 2026. These acts will compete in a single semi-final on January 15, hoping to reach the final on January 17. Snippets of all the songs are online. You can listen to them here. The MESC 2026 lineup is: Franklin Calleja – “Guide You Home” Chess Galea – “Shout It Out” Liston Bongailas – “Mela” Kurt Anthony – “On the Borderline” Stefan Galea – “Pose” Ema – “Achikuku (Don’t Think About It)” Kelsey Attard – “Perfectly Broken” Adria Twins – “NerÄĄĂ  nqum” Kelsie Borg – “Let a Girl Breathe” Matthew Cilia – “Brutality Mentality” Matt Blxck – “Ejja lejja ħdejja ’l hawn” Rhiannon Micallef – “Hold Myself Up” Mychael Bartolo Chircop – “My Sweet Angel” Aidan – “Bella” Denise – “Trophy” Nathan Psaila – “Ganador” Mark Anthony Bartolo – “Mumenti sbieħ” Janice Mangion – “Univers” đŸ‡ŠđŸ‡± Albania: Festivali i KĂ«ngĂ«s 64 Songs Released Albanian broadcaster RTSH has released the 28 entries competing in Festivali i KĂ«ngĂ«s 64, which will determine Albania’s Eurovision 2026 act. The contest will be held December 17–20 in Tirana. This year’s FiK features a diverse mix of new and returning artists. The full list of participating acts and song titles is: 2Farm – “Valle mbi hi” Alis – “NĂąn” Endri Kaçaçi – “Si unĂ«â€

Read More »
Uncategorized
Martijn

Weekly Update

It’s Tuesday, December 2, 2025, and time for another weekly update! This week, debates over Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 intensified, as several broadcasters take a stand. We also have news about a potential new country joining Eurovision, plus a flurry of national selection updates. With 2026 fast approaching, broadcasters across Europe are unveiling their plans and contestants. Here are this week’s top stories: Israel 🇼🇾 Iceland: RÚV Board Wants Israel Barred The board of Icelandic broadcaster RÚV has formally called on the EBU to ban Israel from Eurovision 2026. At a recent meeting, 5 of 9 RÚV board members approved a recommendation urging Israel’s exclusion. Chairman StefĂĄn JĂłn Hafstein noted that the EBU General Assembly on December 4–5 will discuss Israel’s participation. RÚV is even weighing Iceland’s withdrawal if Israel is allowed to compete, pending the EBU’s decision. A final call on Iceland’s own participation will be made after that EBU meeting. source: RÚV 🇾🇼 Slovenia: Will Only Participate if Israel Excluded Slovenia’s broadcaster RTVSLO has signaled it won’t take part in Eurovision 2026 unless Israel is out. A draft of RTVSLO’s 2026 programming plan made no mention of Eurovision, fueling withdrawal speculation. Now RTVSLO board president Natalija Gorơčak clarifies that Slovenia will compete only if Israel does not. If the EBU votes to exclude Israel at next week’s assembly, RTVSLO will amend its plan and join the contest. Otherwise, Slovenia is prepared to sit out. RTVSLO joins broadcasters from Ireland, the Netherlands, and Spain in this stance. source: RTVSLO đŸ‡Ș🇾 Spain: RTVE Reaffirms Israel Boycott Threat Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE has doubled down on its position regarding Israel. RTVE President JosĂ© Pablo LĂłpez told parliament that Spain will withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates, a stance maintained for months. He stated Israel’s presence is “untenable,” citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and argued that Israel has broken contest rules without punishment. Spain’s culture minister echoed this, revealing Spain formally requested Israel’s exclusion. RTVE’s message is clear: unless the EBU expels Israel, Spain will not compete. source: eurovision-spain 2026 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan: Debut to be Decided in Early 2026 Is Kazakhstan finally joining Eurovision? The Kazakh Ministry of Culture says the EBU will consider Kazakhstan’s debut in early 2026. Over the summer, Kazakh broadcaster Khabar Agency met with EBU’s Director General to discuss this possibility. No decision has been made yet, but the EBU is expected to revisit the issue after New Year’s. One major hurdle is funding. The Ministry noted that participating would require significant financial resources, and no budget is currently approved for it. For now, Kazakhstan remains hopeful, awaiting the EBU’s verdict on whether it can join the Eurovision family in Vienna. source: esc-kaz National Finals and Selections đŸ‡±đŸ‡» Latvia: 24 Supernova 2026 Semi-Finalists Unveiled Latvian broadcaster LTV has revealed the 24 artists and songs competing in Supernova 2026, Latvia’s national selection. The semi-finalists were selected from 124 submissions and will be split across two heats before a February 14 final. The full lineup is: Agnesse – “Oh My My” Aivo Oskis – “Walking Out” Antra Stafecka – “Divejāda” Atvara – “Ēnā” Blurie – “Lovin’ Always Gets Me Down” Daba – “Panic Attack” De Mantra – “Let Them” Edvards StrazdiƆơ – “I Ain’t Got The Guts” ELPO – “Blakus” Emilija – “All We Ever Had” Honey Blue – “Blue Disco” Ivo GrÄ«sniƆơ GrÄ«slis – “Home” Jānis Rugājs – “Smoke” Kautkaili – “Te un tagad” Krisy – “Take It” KristÄ«ne MeÄŁija – “Insanity” LEGZDINA – “Ribbon” Miks Galvanovskis – “Cruel Angel” NOLARK – “Different Places” PapÄ«ra lidmaĆĄÄ«nas – “You’re My Saviour” PAULA – “Dejot vien” Robert Ox – “Ravin’ At The Taj Mahal” Tikasha Sakama – “#010126 CODA” Vēstnieks – “Vai tas ir kāds brÄ«nums?” If there is a link, the song is already published on YouTube. đŸ‡ČđŸ‡Ș Montenegro: 15 Songs Out for MonteSong 2025 Montenegro’s national broadcaster RTCG has released all 15 entries for MonteSong 2025, its selection for Eurovision 2026. The songs are available on the RTCG website, and the national final will take place on December 21. The MonteSong 2025 participants are: Andrea Demirović – “I Believe” Baryak – “Minerva” Dolce Hera – “Casanova 91” Đurđa – “Dominos” Krstinja Matanović – “Oli oli” Lana Lopičić – “Doline” (Valleys) Lana Vukčević & Đorđe Savković – “Temperatura” (Temperature) Lara Baltic – “Rhythm Boy” Luka Radović – “Pjevaj vilo” (Sing, fairy) Majda BoĆŸović – “Ipak smo ljudi” (We are human after all) Mila Nikić – “Kao varnica” (Like a spark) Neno Murić – “Ako čujeĆĄ glas” (If you hear a voice) Stefan Vukotić – “Nedekodirana” (Undecoded) Tamara Ćœivković – “Nova zora” (New dawn) Tina DĆŸankić – “Shadows” đŸ‡ČđŸ‡č Malta: MESC 2026 Semi-Finalists Revealed PBS, the Maltese broadcaster, has announced the 18 artists for the Malta Eurovision Song Contest (MESC) 2026. These acts will compete in a single semi-final on January 15, hoping to reach the final on January 17. Snippets of all the songs are online. You can listen to them here. The MESC 2026 lineup is: Franklin Calleja – “Guide You Home” Chess Galea – “Shout It Out” Liston Bongailas – “Mela” Kurt Anthony – “On the Borderline” Stefan Galea – “Pose” Ema – “Achikuku (Don’t Think About It)” Kelsey Attard – “Perfectly Broken” Adria Twins – “NerÄĄĂ  nqum” Kelsie Borg – “Let a Girl Breathe” Matthew Cilia – “Brutality Mentality” Matt Blxck – “Ejja lejja ħdejja ’l hawn” Rhiannon Micallef – “Hold Myself Up” Mychael Bartolo Chircop – “My Sweet Angel” Aidan – “Bella” Denise – “Trophy” Nathan Psaila – “Ganador” Mark Anthony Bartolo – “Mumenti sbieħ” Janice Mangion – “Univers” đŸ‡ŠđŸ‡± Albania: Festivali i KĂ«ngĂ«s 64 Songs Released Albanian broadcaster RTSH has released the 28 entries competing in Festivali i KĂ«ngĂ«s 64, which will determine Albania’s Eurovision 2026 act. The contest will be held December 17–20 in Tirana. This year’s FiK features a diverse mix of new and returning artists. The full list of participating acts and song titles is: 2Farm – “Valle mbi hi” Alis – “NĂąn” Endri Kaçaçi – “Si unĂ«â€

Read More »
Follow Us: