Eurovision 2025 second semi-final live updates: Can Ireland's Emmy qualify with Laika Party?
Grüezi mitenand, this is Dublin calling with all the glittering action from the second semi-final in the 69th
Eurovision Song Contest
. Tonight in Basle,
Emmy
will be vying on behalf of Ireland to make it through to Saturday's grand final with her cosmic bop Laika Party.
Will Europe save its kisses for Ireland? Will Saturday night be a party under the
Swiss
sky for Emmy? Or will this semi-final be our Waterloo?
In the countdown to the show, I'll be recapping some of the rules and controversies, weighing up Emmy's chances and wondering how exactly to phrase the trigger warning I fear might be necessary for Australia's effort.
Then, as the competition shimmies into life at 8pm, I'll have a snap analysis of the 16 countries contending for 10 grand final spots, as well as the performances of pre-qualified entries from the UK, France and Germany. Expect dry ice and costume changes.
So, if you're home and willing, practise your best simultaneous toe-taps and eye-rolls, plate up your Euro-snacks and prepare to indulge in Eurovision 2025. Note: space helmets are optional, but recommended.
Boom-bang-a-banging reads:
'RTÉ said we don't have any problem with Emmy. We have an Irish writer on the team': Ireland's Eurovision singer from Norway
Eurovision 2025: When is Ireland's semi-final on, what are Emmy's chances and how does voting work?
Eurovision 2025 first semi-final: the 10 countries advancing to the final
3 minutes ago
Ireland is third in the running order tonight, a spot deemed unfavourable. This is because the results of the semi-finals depend entirely on the public vote, and the voting public are generally regarded as being a fickle lot who will be swayed by the last good thing(s) they heard.
Voting will open after the last song has been performed and it will stay open for around 18 minutes. You can vote up to 20 times, if you are so inclined, and I'll leave it to
Marty Whelan
on the
RTÉ
commentary tonight to explain how. But – and it's a drag, I know – you can't vote for your own country.
Ireland's qualification for Saturday night hangs in the balance. According to the aggregated bookmaker odds, we are the 13th most likely to qualify, having slipped in recent days from 11th. As there are only 10 qualifying spots, if this holds true, it will mean we won't get through.
Some fingers may need to be crossed.
13 minutes ago
Israel
's Yuval Raphael is fourteenth in the competition running order tonight with her balled New Day Will Rise.
She is a survivor of the Nova music festival near Gaza on October 7th, 2023, where Hamas attackers killed 360 people and took 40 people hostage. The singer, who was wounded by shrapnel, says she survived by hiding under dead bodies in a bomb shelter.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 50,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel's offensive began in the wake of the October 7th attacks.
The UN said on Tuesday that almost 71,000 children under the age of five are expected to be acutely malnourished over the next 11 months as a result of Israel's aid blockade.
An analysis by UN-backed food security experts IPC has found that one in five people in Gaza, or 500,000 people, face starvation, with
2.1 million people across Gaza
likely to experience high levels of food insecurity by the end of September.
This is just part of the backdrop that has informed protests against Israel's inclusion in Eurovision, both in 2024 and this year. A
silent protest was held in Basle
on Wednesday. Last year, protestors in Malmö held signs reading 'Eurovision Genocide Contest'.
RTÉ is among the members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises the contest, to have
asked for a 'wider discussion'
about Israel's participation – or, to be more accurate, the participation of Israeli broadcaster Kan. A group called Artists for Palestine wants the EBU to
expel Kan
.
The official EBU position is that, unlike its suspended Russian broadcaster members, Kan has not breached any of its membership rules.
However, no one is under any illusions. Although fractious international relations have regularly surfaced throughout Eurovision's 69-year history, the past two years have been the most tense and uncomfortable for the EBU – and for many Eurovision viewers, too.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
21 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Masterchef contestant edited out of show after objecting to broadcast
A contestant on the upcoming series of MasterChef has been edited out of the programme after asking producers not to air the show, following allegations against presenters Gregg Wallace and John Torode. Sarah Shafi, from Leeds, told producers Banijay she believed broadcasting the series would send the wrong message about accountability and the treatment of women. As reported by The Guardian, she initially refused an offer to be edited out and instead urged them to cancel the show altogether. She later agreed to be removed as a compromise after the BBC confirmed the series would air from 6 August. Wallace and Torode were both dropped as presenters following an independent report. An independent report upheld 45 complaints against Wallace, including claims of inappropriate sexual language and one incident of unwanted contact. Wallace apologised "for any distress caused", but said the report cleared him of "the most serious and sensational accusations". Torode was the subject of a substantiated complaint over racist language, which he denies. In a statement to RTÉ, Banijay said: "We are sorry that Sarah does not support the decision to air this series of MasterChef. "We carefully considered her concerns and discussed them with the BBC. However, having consulted with all contributors in the series, the resounding feeling from those taking part was support for airing the series."
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
RTÉ presenter Seán Rocks dies aged 63 after brief illness
RTÉ radio presenter and actor Seán Rocks has died following a brief illness. He was 63. Rocks is best known to Irish audiences as the host of the broadcaster's long-running Radio 1 arts and culture show, Arena, which has aired on weeknights since 2009. On Arena, he interviewed countless high-profile actors, playwrights, authors, musicians, and artists, including Salman Rushdie, Edna O'Brien, Frank McGuinness, Roddy Doyle, Rupert Everett, Martin Sheen, Nicola Coughlan, and Brendan Gleeson. He had hosted the programme as recently as last Friday. Prior to Arena, Rocks worked as a presenter with RTÉ Lyric FM for nine years. Outside of radio, Rocks worked extensively as an actor both in Ireland and abroad, appearing on stage at the Abbey, Peacock, and Gate Theatres, as well as the Royal Court, National, Donmar Warehouse, and Tricycle theatres in London. His stage work included collaborations with several notable companies, including Rough Magic, Druid, and Field Day. "It is with enormous shock and sadness that we learned today of Seán's untimely passing," RTÉ director-general Kevin Bakhurst said on Thursday morning. "Seán said once: 'Radio is never about the presenter. It's about the person who is opposite you.' Loyal listeners, especially to Seán's beloved and long-running Arena on RTÉ Radio 1, will recognise the man in that quote: modest yet learned; subtle yet probing; curious yet polite." Mr Bakhurst said the "listener at home" was always Seán Rocks' focus. "Not only is radio the poorer for his passing, but so too has Ireland lost one of its most passionate advocates for the arts, and one of its most informed and versatile voices. I want to extend my most sincere sympathies to Seán's beloved Catherine, his children Christian and Morgan, his friends, and his colleagues at this terrible time.' Irish Examiner Arts/Culture Editor Des O'Driscoll described Seán Rocks as a "brilliant broadcaster". "He always sounded so knowledgeable in those interviews on Arena, and had a lovely warm manner that got the best out of his guests," he said. RTÉ's Director of Audio Patricia Monahan said her colleague's "passion for radio and the arts was infectious," and that his curiosity across cinema, theatre, books, and classical music "was compelling to listen to." "He was interested in everyone's point of view and had a great ability to command an audience's attention. He was never more at home than when he was on stage," she said. Ms Monahan added that Seán Rocks was always "full of energy and ambition for the future" and called his death "a huge, untimely loss to radio and RTÉ." "He will be sorely missed by his RTÉ Radio 1 colleagues and his wider RTÉ family. Our thoughts are of course with his beloved, Catherine, children Christian and Morgan and his extended family and friends," she added. "As you take your final bow Seán, May you rest in peace.'
Extra.ie
2 hours ago
- Extra.ie
RTÉ radio presenter Seán Rocks dies aged 63
Broadcaster and actor Seán Rocks has died following a brief illness at the age of 63. The presenter was well-known to listeners across Ireland and the world, presenting RTÉ Radio 1's Arena since its inception in 2009. Seán also recently presented a Sunday afternoon programme on RTÉ Lyric FM, where he kick-started his radio career in 2000. Broadcaster and actor Seán Rocks has died following a brief illness at the age of 63. Pic: RTÉ After beginning his career in Lyric FM, Seán made the move to Radio 1 where he was widely regarded for his public interviews including with the likes of Edna O'Brien Roddy Doyle, Martin Sheen and Brendan Gleeson. RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst paid tribute, saying it was 'with enormous shock and sadness' that he learned of Seán's death. He said: 'The listener at home was always his focus. Not only is radio the poorer for his passing, but so too has Ireland lost one of its most passionate advocates for the arts, and one of its most informed and versatile voices. Seán Rocks also guest-presented, produced and wrote several series for the public service broadcaster, and won a Silver Medal at the New York Festival of Radio for BBC Radio 1 documentary, Soul of Ireland. Pic: RTÉ 'I want to extend my sincere sympathies to Seán's beloved Catherine, his children Christian and Morgan, his friends, and his colleagues at this terrible time.' The late broadcaster also guest-presented, produced and wrote several series for the public service broadcaster, and won a Silver Medal at the New York Festival of Radio for BBC Radio 1 documentary, Soul of Ireland. As well as his broadcasting career, Seán was a stellar actor and performed at the Abbey, Peacock and Gate Theatres across his career. As well as his broadcasting career, Seán Rocks was a stellar actor and performed at the Abbey, Peacock and Gate Theatres across his career. Pic: RTE In TV and film, he appeared in The Bill, Glenroe and Fair City. RTÉ Director of Audio, Patricia Monahan, said his 'passion or radio and the arts was infectious.' She said: 'He was interested in everyone's point of view and had a great ability to command an audience's attention. He was never more at home than when he was on stage. 'He was full of energy and ambition for the future and is a huge timely loss to radio and RTÉ.' Ms Monahan added that Seán would be 'sorely missed by his RTÉ Radio 1 colleagues and his wider RTÉ family.' Seán is survived by his beloved Catherine and sons Christian and Morgan.
