Ukraine, Lithuania, Sweden, Norway and Iceland

No less than five countries start or continue with their national selections!

To start with Ukraine. It will be at 18.00 CET and you can watch it here. There are 8 songs, three of which will head to the final. The songs will be judged by televoters and a jury, consisting of Andriy Danilko, Tina Karol and Vitaliy Drozdov. The participants of tonight are:

  • [O], “Tam kudy ya ydu”
  • Jerry Heil, “Vegan”
  • Katya Chilly, “Pitch”
  • Krutь, “99”
  • Go-A, “Solovey”
  • Cloudless, “Drown me down”
  • Gio, “Feeling so lost”
  • Assol, “Save it”

Norway will have it’s last semifinal. There will be duels again, and one song will head to the final. It will start at 19:50 and can be watched here:

  • Elin & The Woods, “We are as one”
  • Jenny Jenssen, “Mr. Hello”
  • Kevin Boine, “Stem på mæ”
  • Liza Vassilieva, “I am gay”

Lithuania has it’s second semifinal. After tonight, the full line up of the final is known. The show starts at 20:00 CET and can be watched here and here. We will see:

  • Meandi, “DRIP”
  • Petunija, “Show ya”
  • Germanas Skoris, “Chemistry (Breaking Free)”
  • Moniqué, “Make me human”
  • Rokas Povilijus, “Vilnius calling”
  • Monika Marija, “If I leave”
  • Andy Vaic, “Why why why”
  • The Backs, “Fully”

The second semifinal of Melodifestivalen will also be on and can be watched at 20:00 here. The contestants are:

  • Klara Hammarström, “Nobody”
  • Jan Johansen, “Miraklernas tid”
  • Dotter, “Bulletproof”
  • Méndez featuring Álvaro Estrela, “Vamos amigos”
  • Linda Bengtzing, “Alla mina songer”
  • Paul Rey, “Talking in my sleep”
  • Anna Bergendahl, “Kingdom come”

Two former Eurovision participants will enter the stage: Anna Bergendahl and Jan Johansen. The latter replaces Thorsten Flinck, who was disqualified. Dotter participated before in 2018. Méndez was present in 2002, 2003 and 2018. Linda Bengtzing was there in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2014 and 2016. Paul Rey took part last year.

The last one of the semifinals starts on 20:45 and can be watched here. It will be the Icelandic one. The songs will all be sung in Icelandic:

  • Brynja Mary, “Augun þín”
  • DIMMA, “Almyrkvi”
  • Elísabet, “”Elta þig”
  • Ísold & Helga, “Klukkan tifar”
  • Kid Isak, “Ævintýri”

 

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📷 EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett Live music at Eurovision 2026 is making an unexpected return for Finland. The EBU has given Linda Lampenius special permission to play her violin live during the live shows in Vienna. Why Finland asked for live violin Lampenius represents Finland together with singer Pete Parkkonen. Their song, “Liekinheitin”, means “Flamethrower” in English. The act is built around a strong musical dialogue between Parkkonen’s voice and Lampenius’ violin. For that reason, the Finnish team asked the EBU to allow real violin playing on stage. A rare Eurovision exception This is a remarkable decision. Since 1999, Eurovision performances have mostly used pre-recorded instrumental tracks. Artists may sing live, but instruments on stage are usually not heard live. They are often used as part of the visual show. The rule helps the production team, because Eurovision has many acts and very quick stage changes. However, Finland’s request has been approved. According to Finnish broadcaster Yle, the live violin was tested first. After that test, the EBU accepted the plan. The news is important because live music at Eurovision 2026 could give Finland a more natural and emotional performance. It also makes the act stand out in a year full of big staging ideas. Lampenius has said she is happy with the decision and sees it as a historic moment. There was a small exception in 2025, when Italy’s Lucio Corsi played harmonica on stage. That was possible because the sound could be picked up through the vocal microphone. Finland’s case is different, as Lampenius has official permission to play her violin live. What happens next? Finland will perform in the first semi-final on Tuesday 12 May. The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will take place in Vienna on Saturday 16 May. The decision does not mean that all countries can now use live instruments. For now, it looks like a special exception for Finland. Still, many fans will watch closely. If the live violin works well, it may start a new discussion about the future of live music at Eurovision.

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Vienna 12 points: Live music at Eurovision 2026

📷 EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett Live music at Eurovision 2026 is making an unexpected return for Finland. The EBU has given Linda Lampenius special permission to play her violin live during the live shows in Vienna. Why Finland asked for live violin Lampenius represents Finland together with singer Pete Parkkonen. Their song, “Liekinheitin”, means “Flamethrower” in English. The act is built around a strong musical dialogue between Parkkonen’s voice and Lampenius’ violin. For that reason, the Finnish team asked the EBU to allow real violin playing on stage. A rare Eurovision exception This is a remarkable decision. Since 1999, Eurovision performances have mostly used pre-recorded instrumental tracks. Artists may sing live, but instruments on stage are usually not heard live. They are often used as part of the visual show. The rule helps the production team, because Eurovision has many acts and very quick stage changes. However, Finland’s request has been approved. According to Finnish broadcaster Yle, the live violin was tested first. After that test, the EBU accepted the plan. The news is important because live music at Eurovision 2026 could give Finland a more natural and emotional performance. It also makes the act stand out in a year full of big staging ideas. Lampenius has said she is happy with the decision and sees it as a historic moment. There was a small exception in 2025, when Italy’s Lucio Corsi played harmonica on stage. That was possible because the sound could be picked up through the vocal microphone. Finland’s case is different, as Lampenius has official permission to play her violin live. What happens next? Finland will perform in the first semi-final on Tuesday 12 May. The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will take place in Vienna on Saturday 16 May. The decision does not mean that all countries can now use live instruments. For now, it looks like a special exception for Finland. Still, many fans will watch closely. If the live violin works well, it may start a new discussion about the future of live music at Eurovision.

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