Basel Bulletin: armours, red, halo’s and a DJ

📷 Taike de Wilde

We have armours, red, halo’s and a DJ during the rehearsals. Today the second row of countries from the first semifinal have had their rehearsals. We tell you everything we know about the first 4, and update on the others will follow.

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.

🇳🇴 Norway

Norway’s Kyle Alessandro opens the second day of rehearsals with Lighter. The 19-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer from Steinkjer performs on a set that closely resembles his MGP staging, including two stone pillars and a central staircase. The LED backdrop now features large-scale, post-apocalyptic mountain imagery, and Kyle makes full use of the larger Basel stage, incorporating both the walkway and the frame stage in his choreography. A moving lighting rig descends during the middle eight, surrounding him with spotlights in a quiet moment after the dance break. Kyle wears a costume similar to his MGP armour, despite earlier discussions of a redesign. He is joined by three dancers, one of whom performs breakdancing during the finale. Flames accompany the second half.

🇧🇪 Belgium

Belgium’s Red Sebastian rehearses Strobe Lights, a high-tempo entry featuring tightly synchronised lighting and choreography. The LED visuals from his Eurosong performance return, now expanded to fill both the full-height LED wall and the frame structure at the front of the stage. The performance includes precision lighting effects and coordinated graphics, particularly during the final section when descending lights intensify the visual impact. The moving platform from the national final is not used here; Red Sebastian remains on the main stage with three dancers instead of four. He wears a red PVC suit with angular shoulders, while his dancers wear matching outfits with black accents. A choreographed interaction with the LED floor adds an extra visual layer. No pyro effects are used.

🇦🇿 Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan’s Mamagama rehearse Run With You, performed by Asef, Hasan, and Arif. The trio take the stage inside a circular floor halo, mirrored by a smaller lit ring suspended above. The LED backdrop features animated shadow dancers that echo the movements of their three on-stage dancers, creating a layered visual effect. The song blends funk-pop elements with traditional Azerbaijani music, including a section where Asef plays the saz, a long-necked lute. The band wears black leather outfits with red accents; Asef and Hasan sport different jacket styles, while Arif wears a sleeveless top to accommodate drumming. The dancers wear sparkly black and red catsuits; one male dancer is expected to have a different final costume. The performance ends with large flame jets.

🇸🇲 San Marino

San Marino’s rehearsal features DJ Gabry Ponte performing Tutta L’Italia, a high-energy dance track with strong visual and staging elements. Gabry stands at a large mirrored DJ platform that reflects pulsating lights, dressed in a silver jacket. The LED wall behind him displays graffiti-style visuals that shift with the rhythm of the song. Unlike his national final performance, Gabry is now accompanied by two instrumentalists—one on accordion and one on tambourine—instead of dancers. The vocalists remain masked and are not the visual focus of the performance. This staging centres entirely on Gabry and the instrumental elements. Pyrotechnics include flame jets, smoke effects during the final chorus, and fireworks to close the performance.

There is a lunch break now, we keep you updated and let you know when there is more news about the rehearsals.