Basel Bulletin: silver, lava, upside down and coffee

The first rehearsals are about silver, lava, upside down and coffee! Today the first seven countries have had their rehearsals. We tell you everything we know about the first 4, and update on the other three will follow.

EBU has decided to release photo’s of it only tomorrow. 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.

🇮🇸 Iceland 

Iceland is represented by VÆB with the song RÓA. The performance retains much of its national final staging, featuring a two-part white wooden boat on stage and three dancers in silver dungarees, Icelandic sweaters, and matching bucket hats. VÆB themselves wear hooded outfits and silver sunglasses. The choreography is lively and synchronized, set against dynamic LED visuals of stylized landscapes in neon red and blue, with “VÆB” prominently displayed. The LED-clad frame around the stage adds depth through front and back graphics. Smoke jets mimic Icelandic geysers, and the show ends with a mic drop. The arena reaction is immediate and enthusiastic.

🇵🇱 Poland

Justyna Steczkowska represents Poland with the song GAJA, marking her return to Eurovision after her debut in 1995. The performance begins with Justyna descending from above, dressed in a black catsuit. Four dancers accompany her, wearing coordinated costumes with structured elements. The stage visuals depict dramatic natural forces—lightning, lava, and water—culminating in animated dragons during the finale. Deep bass and dynamic choreography add to the intensity. The staging includes smoke effects and flame jets, creating a visually and sonically powerful performance from beginning to end.

🇸🇮 Slovenia

Slovenia’s first rehearsal was delayed due to technical issues, putting the schedule approximately 40 minutes behind. Once resolved, rehearsals resumed with Klemen’s emotional ballad How Much Time Do We Have Left. The performance explores the fragility of life through understated but effective staging. The LED wall and front stage arch shimmer with thousands of stars that slowly transition from red to blue, enhancing the song’s reflective tone. Klemen wears a black suit with a white t-shirt, differing from his EMA appearance. A striking moment comes when he sings part of the song upside down, supported by two dancers. After two high-energy entries, this ballad introduces a stillness to the show, carried by Klemen’s controlled and expressive vocal performance.

🇪🇪 Estonia

Estonia’s Tommy Cash closes the morning rehearsal session with Espresso Macchiato, bringing his distinctive performance style to the Eurovision stage. Dressed in the same blue suit and exaggerated red tie seen at Eesti Laul, Tommy is joined by four performers styled as security guards. The choreography includes his signature loose-limbed dance, adding an intentionally surreal touch. The LED backdrop displays a stylised alpine landscape, visually echoing the mountainous surroundings of the Basel stage and enhancing the performance’s theatrical tone. The staging is faithful to the national final but amplified in scale. With its mix of humour, energy, and a catchy Italian-language hook, this entry is set to leave a memorable impression both in the arena and on screen.

At this moment, there is a rehearsal break. After the break, three more countries will rehearse. We will see and hear more later today. We keep you updated!!

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The European Broadcasting Union will hold a member vote in November to decide Israel’s status for 2026. source: AD Ralph Siegel Turns 80 Ralph Siegel, the legendary German songwriter-producer often nicknamed “Mr. Eurovision,” celebrated his 80th birthday on 30 September 2025. Born in 1945 in Munich, Siegel has been involved in Eurovision for over five decades. He is best known as the composer of “Ein bisschen Frieden”, the song that won Eurovision 1982 for Germany. In total, Siegel has written or co-written 24 songs that have competed at the Eurovision Song Contest, a record for a single composer. These include numerous German entries from the 1970s through 2000s, as well as songs for other countries (such as Switzerland and multiple entries for San Marino). Beyond Eurovision, Siegel was a prolific figure in the Schlager music scene, producing hits for artists like Udo Jürgens and Mary Roos. He also founded the label Jupiter Records, contributing greatly to Germany’s music industry. 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Eurovision 2026
Martijn

Weekly Update

It’s time for another weekly Eurovision update! National final preparations are in full swing across Europe, from the Baltics to the Balkans. Broadcasters are firming up their plans for Eurovision 2026 – even as debates intensify over Israel’s participation. Meanwhile, one of Eurovision’s most prolific songwriters celebrates a milestone birthday. Here are this week’s top stories: National Selection Updates 🇱🇻 Latvia: Latvian broadcaster LTV reports that 124 songs have been submitted for Supernova 2026, Latvia’s national selection, by the 1 October deadline. This marks an increase from last year, indicating strong interest from artists. A jury will now review the entries, aiming to pick a diverse and competitive lineup. Source: lsm.lv 🇦🇹 Austria: To begin with, local daily Kleine Zeitung reports that ten acts have expressed interest in competing in “Vienna Calling – Wer singt für Österreich?”, Austria’s national final for Eurovision 2026. Meanwhile, ORF has scheduled the live final for 20 February 2026 in Vienna; specifically, 12 finalists will perform and, ultimately, a combined jury and public vote will decide who represents the host nation.. Source: eurovoix.com 🇦🇱 Albania: Festivali i Këngës 64 has drawn high interest. In fact, more than 100 songs have been submitted for the upcoming edition. Moreover, festival producer Belioza Çoku explained that all entries will undergo a detailed vetting process; consequently, songs created with AI will be excluded. Additionally, the festival will retain its traditional four-night format. In the meantime, the list of selected entries should be announced within days. Finally, the competing songs are set for a November release, giving fans an early listen. Source: rtsh.al 🇲🇪 Montenegro: Montenegrin broadcaster RTCG has confirmed the return of its national final Montesong 2025 (selecting Montenegro’s entry for Eurovision 2026). The grand final will be held on 21 December 2025 at the RTCG studios in Podgorica. Organizers opted for an in-studio show to manage production costs. The song submission period closed on 3 October, and while many entries have been received, officials say it’s too early to reveal the artists or songs at this stage. Source: rtcg.me  🇮🇸 Iceland: Iceland’s broadcaster RÚV has postponed the song submission deadline for Söngvakeppnin 2026. In a statement via its official Instagram, RÚV announced it will wait until the EBU’s November vote on Israel’s participation before closing submissions. A new deadline will be set after that decision. RÚV has indicated that Iceland may withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel is allowed to compete. If Iceland does proceed, Söngvakeppnin 2026 is expected to feature 10 songs. Source: RUV 🇪🇸 Spain: Benidorm Fest 2026 is underway with 870 songs submitted to RTVE’s selection process. The broadcaster has announced it will reveal the titles of the selected songs on 18 December 2025. A panel will short-list 16–20 entries to compete in the semi-finals.  Source: escplus.es 🇸🇲 San Marino: San Marino’s Head of Delegation, Denny Montesi, has outlined the plans for the San Marino Song Contest 2026. He announced that the national final is set for Sunday, 1 March 2026. In addition, a new preparatory phase called “Stage Live Academy” will take place in February, prior to the semi-final stage.  Source: SMRTV Eurovision 2026 Updates: EBU, Moldova & Israel The Eurovision Song Contest’s Reference Group has a new member from the EBU. Gert Kark, the EBU’s Eurovision TV Project Manager, has joined the Reference Group, filling the seat previously held by Martin Österdahl, who recently stepped down as Executive Supervisor. Kark has been involved with Eurovision projects since 2017, including Junior Eurovision,  and will now help steer the 70th Contest’s preparations. Source: EBU 🇲🇩 TRM, Moldova’s public broadcaster, has started consulting local artists about a possible return to Eurovision in 2026. In a recent open forum, singers, composers and producers discussed the format of a national selection and proposed rule changes, promotional plans and support measures for participants. TRM has not yet made a final decision on ESC 2026 participation; the broadcaster will decide once the consultations conclude. Source: radiomoldova.md 🇩🇪 Israel’s potential participation in Eurovision 2026 has split broadcasters. This week, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany will boycott the contest if the EBU excludes Israel. He called any ban “a scandal” and insisted, “Israel has a place at Eurovision.” At least five other broadcasters take the opposite line: they threaten to withdraw if the EBU lets Israel compete and demand Israel’s exclusion. The European Broadcasting Union will hold a member vote in November to decide Israel’s status for 2026. source: AD Ralph Siegel Turns 80 Ralph Siegel, the legendary German songwriter-producer often nicknamed “Mr. Eurovision,” celebrated his 80th birthday on 30 September 2025. Born in 1945 in Munich, Siegel has been involved in Eurovision for over five decades. He is best known as the composer of “Ein bisschen Frieden”, the song that won Eurovision 1982 for Germany. In total, Siegel has written or co-written 24 songs that have competed at the Eurovision Song Contest, a record for a single composer. These include numerous German entries from the 1970s through 2000s, as well as songs for other countries (such as Switzerland and multiple entries for San Marino). Beyond Eurovision, Siegel was a prolific figure in the Schlager music scene, producing hits for artists like Udo Jürgens and Mary Roos. He also founded the label Jupiter Records, contributing greatly to Germany’s music industry. Even in recent years, Siegel remains active; in 2021 he premiered a new musical, “Zeppelin.” Marking 80 years of life, Ralph Siegel’s legacy looms large – his enduring passion and countless contributions have cemented him as a true Eurovision icon.

Read More »
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