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

📷 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.

🇦🇲 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.

🇦🇹 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.

🇬🇷 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.

🇱🇹 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.