Basel Bulletin: The Big 5 and Switzerland

The Big 5 and Switzerland are on today. We haven’t seen or heard anything so far about them but here they are! They rehearsed today!

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.

🇩🇪 Germany

Germany’s first rehearsal for Eurovision 2025 featured Abor & Tynna performing their electro track “Baller.” This is Germany’s first entry in German since 2007. The duo, who are siblings, originate from a musical family based in Vienna. The performance begins with Abor playing a white LED-lit electric cello in front of a tall curtain. As the beat drops, the curtain falls to reveal Tynna standing atop a large 1980s-style boombox prop, about three metres high. She performs the first verse and chorus there before descending to the stage. Four dancers use handheld spotlights to illuminate her as they freestyle around her.

Tynna’s outfit includes black military-style shorts, a crop top, knee-high boots, and leather gloves. The visuals feature intense white and blue strobes, industrial-style graphics, and the word “BALLER” in large LED lettering. For the finale, she dances on the walkway while Abor plays above. The final chorus includes pyrotechnics and a firework display.

🇫🇷 France

France’s Louane rehearsed her song “Maman” for the first time in Basel, presenting a minimalist and symbolic staging. She performs barefoot, wearing a long black lace dress, within a sand-covered circle at the center of the stage. Throughout the song, a steady stream of sand falls from above onto one side of the circle, representing the passage of time.

The performance includes a moment where Louane kneels and clears a patch of sand to reveal a mirror. Her movements are precisely timed with the musical arrangement and camera direction. The lighting builds gradually alongside orchestral strings, culminating in an intense sequence as the drumbeat grows louder.

All visuals are centered around the theme of time, with the hourglass imagery and falling sand reinforcing the song’s message about love, loss, and personal growth. The performance concludes with a wide, backlit shot, highlighting Louane’s stillness as the sand continues to fall.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

The United Kingdom’s 2025 Eurovision rehearsal features vocal trio Remember Monday performing “What The Hell Just Happened?” The staging begins in a vintage-style boudoir on one side of the stage, designed to evoke the “morning after the night before.” A padded screen with a heart-shaped cut-out frames the trio as they begin the song in corseted dresses—pale blue (Lauren), pink (Holly-Anne), and yellow (Charlotte).

As the chorus hits, the group moves down the catwalk toward the main stage, where a large, tilted chandelier sits—around 2.5 to 3 metres tall—with candles and multi-coloured lighting. This prop represents the chaos referenced in the lyrics.

Throughout the performance, dynamic camerawork follows the trio’s movement, including overhead shots of the LED floor and a sweeping pan over the chandelier. The song concludes with the singers back in the boudoir, framed by the heart cut-out.

Pyrotechnics are expected in future rehearsals but were not included in this run.

🇨🇭 Switzerland

Switzerland’s first rehearsal for Eurovision 2025 features Zoë Më performing “Voyage” in an intimate, cinematic setting. The performance, set entirely in black space with sculptural lighting, is filmed in one continuous handheld shot. There are no cuts, choreography, props, or LED content. Instead, the camera moves gently and closely around Zoë, responding to her presence in real time.

She begins seated and remains alone on stage throughout, wearing an off-the-shoulder black silk dress printed with abstract florals in deep reds, purples, and blues. The performance is shot on vintage Zeiss Super Speed lenses, creating soft highlights and a shallow depth of field that isolates her in the frame.

During the bridge, the quiet atmosphere ruptures with smoke, wind, and overexposed flashes, while the camera continues uninterrupted. As the performance resolves, the audience appears with phone lights raised, before fading to black. The concept focuses entirely on emotional detail and visual restraint.

🇮🇹 Italy

Italy’s first rehearsal for Eurovision 2025 features Lucio Corsi performing his glam rock ballad Volevo Essere Un Duro. The 31-year-old singer-songwriter from Tuscany brings a 1970s aesthetic, both musically and visually, echoing Bowie-era piano ballads. The staging closely follows his Sanremo performance: Lucio begins seated at an extended piano, wearing a bright yellow, giant-shouldered bolero jacket and his signature white face makeup. He is joined on stage by guitarist and co-writer Tommaso Ottomano.

After the first third of the song, Lucio moves to the centre stage with his guitar. New for Eurovision are two large retro speaker props at the back—one square and approximately four metres high, the other slightly smaller. A sepia filter is applied to the broadcast, enhancing the vintage atmosphere, and English subtitles appear on-screen to support accessibility. A harmonica solo precedes the final chorus, one of the few live instrumental moments in this year’s contest.

🇪🇸 Spain

Spain’s first rehearsal for Eurovision 2025 features Melody performing her uptempo track Esa Diva. Known for her long-standing career in Spanish pop, Melody presents a completely reimagined staging compared to her Benidorm Fest performance. Previously seen elements such as the swing, throne, and neon pink visuals are no longer present. Instead, the new staging introduces a more refined and structured concept.

The performance is now divided into three distinct acts, each marked by a specific visual theme. First, Act One uses purple lighting and graphics. Then, Act Two shifts to red tones, adding intensity. Finally, Act Three transitions into pure white, blending with a mountain backdrop projected on the LED screen.

Throughout the performance, Melody is joined by five dancers—three male and two female—who perform different routines for each act. Additionally, her outfit features a black corseted design with sharp shoulders and hips, paired with a fedora and thigh-high boots. The performance opens in silhouette and concludes with a powerful, high-energy final dance sequence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Eurovision 2026

Weekly Update

It’s Tuesday, March 17, 2026, which means it’s time for another weekly Eurovision update! Over the past week, the final wave of song reveals for Eurovision 2026 generated plenty of buzz both on and off the stage. Four more countries unveiled their entries, completing the Vienna line-up. Meanwhile, controversies erupted around a few artists and songs. Preparations also ramped up as EuroClub tickets went on sale and pre-party announcements rolled out. The Heads of Delegation met in Vienna to finalize plans. The betting odds also shifted as new favorites emerged. Here are this week’s top stories: New Eurovision Entries Confirmed 🇨🇭 Switzerland Switzerland has revealed its entry for Eurovision 2026: Veronica Fusaro will perform the song “Alice”. The track is an intense alternative pop ballad with rock influences. It tells the story of a woman whose personal boundaries are gradually crossed under the guise of affection. Fusaro was internally selected by Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR. “Alice” is a revamped version of a song from her 2025 album, updated in collaboration with producer Charlie McClean. 🇦🇲 Armenia Armenia completed this year’s Eurovision roster by announcing SIMÓN as its representative with the song “Paloma Rumba”. The entry delivers a “rebellious anthem” about breaking free from a suffocating 9-to-5 routine. Its title literally translates to “Dove’s Dance” and symbolizes a joyful dance of freedom. Lilit Navasardyan (LI’LITH) composed “Paloma Rumba”. David Tserunyan, Eva Voskanyan, and Rosa Linn (Armenia’s 2022 representative) wrote the lyrics. SIMÓN earned the selection after finishing as the runner-up in Armenia’s national final. 🇨🇿 Czechia Czech Television (ČT) confirmed 23-year-old Daniel Zizka as the Czech representative for Eurovision 2026 with his song “CROSSROADS”. During the artist reveal on March 8, the broadcaster highlighted his soulful voice and authentic style. Daniel impressed the selection team by performing his song flawlessly in the studio on his first attempt. He premiered “CROSSROADS” on March 11, completing Czechia’s line-up for Eurovision 2026. 🇬🇪 Georgia Georgia unveiled its entry “On Replay”, which trio Bzikebi will perform. Bzikebi famously won Junior Eurovision 2008 as children. Now the three members return to the Eurovision stage as adults. Giga Kukhianidze composed “On Replay”, while Lizi Japaridze wrote the lyrics. The song closed the release schedule for the 70th contest. Georgia will present “On Replay” in the first semi-final on May 12. 2026 🇸🇪 Sweden: Felicia’s Israel Comment Draws EBU Reminder Sweden’s Eurovision representative, Felicia, sparked controversy by stating that Israel “should not be allowed to compete” in Eurovision 2026. The European Broadcasting Union responded by contacting SVT and Felicia to reiterate the contest’s rules against political statements. SVT held a meeting with Felicia following the incident. The broadcaster confirmed that she has been clearly reminded of Eurovision’s guidelines forbidding political advocacy. The EBU also stressed that all contestants must respect the event’s neutrality and keep the focus on music. source: SVT 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan: Broadcaster Denies AI Rumors Around Entry Azerbaijan’s broadcaster İctimai officially dismissed rumors that its Eurovision entry “Just Go” by JIVA was created using artificial intelligence. Speculation had spread online after fans noted that the song’s composer, Fuad Javadov, used AI tools in some previous projects. In a public statement, İctimai clarified that “Just Go” is an original work “created through a professional process.” The broadcaster stated that allegations of AI involvement “do not correspond to reality”. They also noted the increased involvement of local songwriters this year, with 107 of 186 submissions written by Azerbaijani creators. The selection committee chose JIVA for her strong live vocals. This aligned with Azerbaijan’s focus on vocal quality, especially now that juries have returned for the semi-finals. source: Instagram İctimai 🇷🇴 Romania: Entry “Choke Me” Faces Backlash Romania’s Eurovision entry “Choke Me” by Alexandra Căpitănescu has come under fire from anti-violence campaigners. Critics argue that the song’s lyrics – which repeat the phrase “choke me” – glamorize sexual strangulation. Campaigners have called the entry “dangerous” and “reckless” for young audiences. Many people have urged the EBU to disqualify the song or demand a lyric change. So far, no official action has been taken. Alexandra has defended her song. She explains that the vivid “choking” imagery is a metaphor for feeling overwhelmed by emotions and self-doubt, not a literal call for violence. source: Romania Insider EuroClub 2026 Tickets Now on Sale EuroClub – the official afterparty venue during Eurovision week – is coming to Vienna, and tickets are now on sale. Nightly EuroClub events will run from May 11 through May 16 at the Prater DOME in Vienna, giving fans and delegations a place to celebrate after each show. Early-bird tickets cost around €28 for OGAE fan club members and about €37 for non-members. These discounted prices are only available until March 14. The EuroClub will feature different themed nights and guest DJs. It is open to all fans aged 18 and over. With the Eurovision party atmosphere returning, many attendees are already snapping up EuroClub passes to dance into the early hours during contest week. source: Instagram Euroclub   Heads of Delegation Meeting Held in Vienna The Heads of Delegation meeting for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 took place today in Vienna. Representatives from all 35 participating countries gathered on March 17. This was one week after the deadline for each broadcaster to submit their song, staging plans and other materials for the contest. During the meeting, each delegation handed over its final entry and performance plans to the EBU and host broadcaster ORF. This annual summit allows producers to review all plans, ensure rules are being followed, and begin working on the show’s running order. Now that the Heads of Delegation meeting is complete, preparations move into the next phase. In the coming weeks, ORF will focus on postcard filming, stage design work and other production tasks as the road to Vienna continues. source: Eurovoix Update: A draw decided that Austria will perform in 25th position in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest. Betting Odds Update With all 35 songs now revealed, the betting markets are

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Eurovision 2026
Martijn

Weekly Update

It’s Tuesday, March 17, 2026, which means it’s time for another weekly Eurovision update! Over the past week, the final wave of song reveals for Eurovision 2026 generated plenty of buzz both on and off the stage. Four more countries unveiled their entries, completing the Vienna line-up. Meanwhile, controversies erupted around a few artists and songs. Preparations also ramped up as EuroClub tickets went on sale and pre-party announcements rolled out. The Heads of Delegation met in Vienna to finalize plans. The betting odds also shifted as new favorites emerged. Here are this week’s top stories: New Eurovision Entries Confirmed 🇨🇭 Switzerland Switzerland has revealed its entry for Eurovision 2026: Veronica Fusaro will perform the song “Alice”. The track is an intense alternative pop ballad with rock influences. It tells the story of a woman whose personal boundaries are gradually crossed under the guise of affection. Fusaro was internally selected by Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR. “Alice” is a revamped version of a song from her 2025 album, updated in collaboration with producer Charlie McClean. 🇦🇲 Armenia Armenia completed this year’s Eurovision roster by announcing SIMÓN as its representative with the song “Paloma Rumba”. The entry delivers a “rebellious anthem” about breaking free from a suffocating 9-to-5 routine. Its title literally translates to “Dove’s Dance” and symbolizes a joyful dance of freedom. Lilit Navasardyan (LI’LITH) composed “Paloma Rumba”. David Tserunyan, Eva Voskanyan, and Rosa Linn (Armenia’s 2022 representative) wrote the lyrics. SIMÓN earned the selection after finishing as the runner-up in Armenia’s national final. 🇨🇿 Czechia Czech Television (ČT) confirmed 23-year-old Daniel Zizka as the Czech representative for Eurovision 2026 with his song “CROSSROADS”. During the artist reveal on March 8, the broadcaster highlighted his soulful voice and authentic style. Daniel impressed the selection team by performing his song flawlessly in the studio on his first attempt. He premiered “CROSSROADS” on March 11, completing Czechia’s line-up for Eurovision 2026. 🇬🇪 Georgia Georgia unveiled its entry “On Replay”, which trio Bzikebi will perform. Bzikebi famously won Junior Eurovision 2008 as children. Now the three members return to the Eurovision stage as adults. Giga Kukhianidze composed “On Replay”, while Lizi Japaridze wrote the lyrics. The song closed the release schedule for the 70th contest. Georgia will present “On Replay” in the first semi-final on May 12. 2026 🇸🇪 Sweden: Felicia’s Israel Comment Draws EBU Reminder Sweden’s Eurovision representative, Felicia, sparked controversy by stating that Israel “should not be allowed to compete” in Eurovision 2026. The European Broadcasting Union responded by contacting SVT and Felicia to reiterate the contest’s rules against political statements. SVT held a meeting with Felicia following the incident. The broadcaster confirmed that she has been clearly reminded of Eurovision’s guidelines forbidding political advocacy. The EBU also stressed that all contestants must respect the event’s neutrality and keep the focus on music. source: SVT 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan: Broadcaster Denies AI Rumors Around Entry Azerbaijan’s broadcaster İctimai officially dismissed rumors that its Eurovision entry “Just Go” by JIVA was created using artificial intelligence. Speculation had spread online after fans noted that the song’s composer, Fuad Javadov, used AI tools in some previous projects. In a public statement, İctimai clarified that “Just Go” is an original work “created through a professional process.” The broadcaster stated that allegations of AI involvement “do not correspond to reality”. They also noted the increased involvement of local songwriters this year, with 107 of 186 submissions written by Azerbaijani creators. The selection committee chose JIVA for her strong live vocals. This aligned with Azerbaijan’s focus on vocal quality, especially now that juries have returned for the semi-finals. source: Instagram İctimai 🇷🇴 Romania: Entry “Choke Me” Faces Backlash Romania’s Eurovision entry “Choke Me” by Alexandra Căpitănescu has come under fire from anti-violence campaigners. Critics argue that the song’s lyrics – which repeat the phrase “choke me” – glamorize sexual strangulation. Campaigners have called the entry “dangerous” and “reckless” for young audiences. Many people have urged the EBU to disqualify the song or demand a lyric change. So far, no official action has been taken. Alexandra has defended her song. She explains that the vivid “choking” imagery is a metaphor for feeling overwhelmed by emotions and self-doubt, not a literal call for violence. source: Romania Insider EuroClub 2026 Tickets Now on Sale EuroClub – the official afterparty venue during Eurovision week – is coming to Vienna, and tickets are now on sale. Nightly EuroClub events will run from May 11 through May 16 at the Prater DOME in Vienna, giving fans and delegations a place to celebrate after each show. Early-bird tickets cost around €28 for OGAE fan club members and about €37 for non-members. These discounted prices are only available until March 14. The EuroClub will feature different themed nights and guest DJs. It is open to all fans aged 18 and over. With the Eurovision party atmosphere returning, many attendees are already snapping up EuroClub passes to dance into the early hours during contest week. source: Instagram Euroclub   Heads of Delegation Meeting Held in Vienna The Heads of Delegation meeting for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 took place today in Vienna. Representatives from all 35 participating countries gathered on March 17. This was one week after the deadline for each broadcaster to submit their song, staging plans and other materials for the contest. During the meeting, each delegation handed over its final entry and performance plans to the EBU and host broadcaster ORF. This annual summit allows producers to review all plans, ensure rules are being followed, and begin working on the show’s running order. Now that the Heads of Delegation meeting is complete, preparations move into the next phase. In the coming weeks, ORF will focus on postcard filming, stage design work and other production tasks as the road to Vienna continues. source: Eurovoix Update: A draw decided that Austria will perform in 25th position in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest. Betting Odds Update With all 35 songs now revealed, the betting markets are

Read More »
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