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Powys County Times
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
UK, Israel and Ukraine perform in Eurovision final
The UK, Israel and Ukraine have performed in the Eurovision Song Contest final as they compete with other countries to win the competition in Basel, Switzerland. Friends Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele, the first girl group act from the UK since 1999, performed the genre-shifting What The Hell Just Happened? inspired by their friendship that began at a school in Hampshire. Dressed in colourful Bridgerton-style outfits, they danced around the stage and kept their harmonies in sync. Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, an October 7 survivor, sang the heartfelt New Day Will Rise, while colourful Ukrainian band Ziferblat burst on to the stage to perform Bird Of Pray. BBC Eurovision Song Contest commentator Graham Norton said there was a 'mixed response' in the arena to Raphael, 24, who he said attracted cheers and boos. Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR said her act also saw a crew member hit with paint, after two people tried to rush on stage through the barrier after Raphael's performance. 'They were stopped,' a spokesman said. 'One of the two agitators threw paint and a crew member was hit. 'The crew member is fine and nobody was injured. The man and the woman were taken out of the venue and handed over to the police.' A spokesman for Basel police said: 'The organiser handed the two people over to the police. The police checked the two people and then released them. It is now up to the organiser to decide whether to press charges.' Ukraine has made it through to every final since they began competing in 2003, while if Israel triumph they will join Luxembourg, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom on five wins. Also taking to the stage before Remember Monday was Norway's Kyle Alessandro, the youngest Eurovision act this year at 19 years old who has an exam on Monday morning and is taking part on the date of his country's National Constitution Day, with the fiery Lighter. Luxembourg's Laura Thorn sang the zany La Poupee Monte Le Son while Estonia's Tommy Cash entertained with his spaghetti-dancing filled Espresso Macchiato, a parody on Italian stereotypes. Back to back were two favourites, the Dutch singer Claude Kiambe, and Finland's Erika Vikman, who had contrasting performances. Congolese-born Kiambe, 21, sang the heartfelt C'est La Vie, inspired by his mother's advice of understanding that there are good and bad moments in life, while surrounded by violins, and finished breaking down in tears. Opting for a different tack was black leather-clad Vikman with the risque Ich Komme – a German-Finnish entry that finished with her taking off on a giant microphone with sparks flying. Also garnering cheers were Maltese singer Miriana Conte with Serving, which was changed from Kant because of its similarity to a swearword, and Switzerland's Zoe Me with the powerful Voyage. As the final neared its end, performers included Sweden's Kaj – who if the sauna advocates win will break the Eurovision record for the country with eight wins – French singer Louane Emera and San Marino's Gabry Ponte with upbeat Tutta L'Italia. Earlier, 2024 Swiss winner Nemo returned to the Eurovision stage to do a rendition of The Code in a full-length white dress, following an opening sketch which saw a Mission Impossible-style segment to find the trophy, before it was delivered to the hosts. The winner will be determined by viewer votes in the participating 26 countries, which have already begun, and juries made up of the music industry. The rest of the world also had a poll, which will count the same as a country, and the verdict of TV viewers will be added to the combination of points from national juries. The UK's national jury votes are set to be announced by singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor after Doctor Who actor Ncuti Gatwa pulled out of being the British Eurovision spokesperson due to 'unforeseen circumstances'. Earlier, there were pro-Palestinian protests near a free concert in the centre of Basel to demonstrate against Israel's inclusion, with a small group nearby also protesting with Israeli flags. Later the group advocating for Israel to be removed from Eurovision moved across Basel, where they were met by a significant police presence, and tear gas was seen being used. On Saturday, the Basel government said more than half a million people have visited the city so far this week after the competition came home to Switzerland, which first hosted it in 1956 in Lugano.
North Wales Chronicle
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Anxious wait for Eurovision 2025 winner begins
The winner will be determined by viewer votes, which has stopped and the hosts have confirmed it has been validated, and juries made up of music industry professionals across European countries, who cast their votes based on rehearsals. British group Remember Monday, made up of friends Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele, were dressed in colourful Bridgerton-style outfits, as they kept their harmonies in sync for the genre-shifting What The Hell Just Happened?. Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, an October 7 survivor, sang the heartfelt New Day Will Rise, while colourful Ukrainian band Ziferblat burst onto the stage to perform Bird Of Pray. BBC Eurovision Song Contest commentator Graham Norton said there was a 'mixed response' in the arena to Raphael, 24, who he said attracted cheers and boos. Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR said her act also saw a crew member hit with paint, after two pro-Palestinian protesters tried to rush through the barrier and onto the stage after Raphael's performance. 'They were stopped,' a spokesman said. 'One of the two agitators threw paint and a crew member was hit. 'The crew member is fine and nobody was injured. The man and the woman were taken out of the venue and handed over to the police.' Israeli broadcaster Kan issued a statement, saying that the protesters 'were blocked by security officials, but Raphael was shaken and upset', and the delegation 'needed to move location for 15 minutes'. A spokesman for Basel police said: 'The organiser handed the two people over to the police. The police checked the two people and then released them. It is now up to the organiser to decide whether to press charges.' Ukraine has made it through to every final since they began competing in 2003, while if Israel triumph they will join Luxembourg, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom on five wins. Also taking to the stage before Remember Monday was Norway's Kyle Alessandro, the youngest Eurovision act this year at 19 years old who has an exam on Monday morning and is taking part on the date of his country's National Constitution Day, with the fiery Lighter. Luxembourg's Laura Thorn sang the zany La Poupee Monte Le Son while Estonia's Tommy Cash entertained with his spaghetti-dancing filled Espresso Macchiato, a parody on Italian stereotypes. Back to back were two favourites, the Dutch singer Claude Kiambe, and Finland's Erika Vikman, who had contrasting performances. Congolese-born Kiambe, 21, sang the heartfelt C'est La Vie, inspired by his mother's advice of understanding that there are good and bad moments in life, while surrounded by violins, and finished breaking down in tears. He later said on Instagram that 'it was amazing, I was so nervous that I mixed up two words, and was so mad at myself, but yeah it's real C'est La Vie'. Opting for a different tack was black leather-clad Vikman with the risque Ich Komme – a German-Finnish entry that finished with her taking off on a giant microphone with sparks flying. Also garnering cheers were Maltese singer Miriana Conte with Serving, which was changed from Kant because of its similarity to a swearword, and Switzerland's Zoe Me with the powerful Voyage. Prior to the finishing of the acts was Sweden's Kaj, who if the sauna advocates win will break the Eurovision record for the country with eight wins, French singer Louane Emera, and San Marino's upbeat Tutta L'Italia. Earlier, 2024 Swiss winner Nemo returned to the Eurovision stage to do a rendition of The Code in a full-length white dress, following an opening sketch which saw a Mission Impossible-style segment to find the trophy, before it was delivered to the hosts. The rest of the world also had a poll, which will count the same as a country, and the verdict of TV viewers will be added to the combination of points from national juries. The UK's national jury votes are set to be announced by singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor after Doctor Who actor Ncuti Gatwa pulled out of being the British Eurovision spokesperson due to 'unforeseen circumstances'. Earlier, there were pro-Palestinian protests near a free concert in the centre of Basel to demonstrate against Israel's inclusion, with a small group nearby also protesting with Israeli flags. Later the group advocating for Israel to be removed from Eurovision moved across Basel, where they were met by a significant police presence, and tear gas was seen being used. On Saturday, the Basel government said more than half a million people have visited the city so far this week after the competition came home to Switzerland, which first hosted it in 1956 in Lugano. TV coverage for the final is provided by 'King of Eurovision' Norton on BBC One from 8pm on Saturday while British audiences can also listen to BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds for live coverage with presenters Rylan Clark and Scott Mills.
LeMonde
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- LeMonde
Austria's JJ triumphs at Eurovision with operatic powerhouse 'Wasted Love'
Classically trained countertenor JJ of Austria won the 69th Eurovision Song Contest Saturday, May 17, with the operatic song "Wasted Love." Israel's Yuval Raphael came second at a competition overshadowed by the Gaza war. The world's largest live music event reached its glitter-drenched conclusion with a grand final in Basel, Switzerland that offered pounding electropop, quirky rock and outrageous divas, at a celebration of music and unity ruffled by discord over Israel's participation. JJ beat 25 other competitors during Saturday's grand final. Estonia's Tommy Cash came third with "Espresso Macchiato," and Swedish entry KAJ, who had been favorite to win with jaunty sauna ode "Bara Bada Bastu," came fourth. Eclectic and sometimes baffling Acts from 26 countries – trimmed from 37 entrants through two elimination semifinals – performed to some 160 million viewers for the continent's pop crown. No smoke machine, jet of flame or dizzying light display was spared by musicians who had three minutes to win over millions of viewers who, along with national juries of music professionals, pick the winner. The show offered a celebration of Europe's eclectic, and sometimes baffling, musical tastes. Lithuanian band Katarsis delivered grunge rock, while Ukraine's Ziferblat channeled prog rock and the UK's Remember Monday offered country pop. Italy's Lucio Corsi evoked 1970s glam rock, while Icelandic duo VAEB rapped about rowing and Latvia's six-woman Tautumeitas offered gorgeous, intertwined harmonies. There were divas aplenty, including Spain's Melody, Poland's Justyna Steczkowska, participating in Eurovision for a second time after a 30-year gap, with "GAJA," and Malta's outrageous Miriana Conte, who performed "Serving" – a song whose previous suggestive title and lyrics were changed on the orders of contest organizers – on a set including a glitter ball and giant lips. Dean Vuletic, an expert on the history of Eurovision, said the competition has become more diverse over the years, both musically and linguistically. There are songs in 20 languages this year, including Ukrainian, Icelandic, Albanian, Latvian and Maltese. "In the past it was about having a catchy, innocuous pop song, usually in English," he said. But "in recent years the formulaic approach to a Eurovision entry hasn't succeeded. "An entry needs to be memorable and it needs to be authentic in order to succeed these days." 'Boycott Israel' This year's contest was roiled for a second year by disputes over Israel's participation. Dozens of former participants, including Switzerland's Nemo, have called for Israel to be excluded, and several of the broadcasters that fund Eurovision sought a review of the country's participation. Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protests both took place in Basel, though on a much smaller scale than at last year's event in Sweden, where tensions spilled over backstage and Dutch competitor Joost Klein was expelled over an alleged altercation with a crew member. Hundreds of people marched through Basel just before the competition, waving Palestinian flags and chanting "Boycott Israel." Earlier, a group of Israel supporters gathered in Basel's cathedral square to root for Raphael and to show that "Jews belong in public spaces in Switzerland," Zurich resident Rebecca Laes-Kushner said. She said that "it would be such a strong statement against antisemitism," if Raphael won. "This is supposed to be about music, not about hate," she said. The European Broadcasting Union, or EBU, which runs Eurovision, tightened the contest's code of conduct this year, calling on participants to respect Eurovision's values of "universality, diversity, equality and inclusivity" and its political neutrality. After a controversial ban in 2024 on flags, apart from national ones, being waved in the arena, this year audience members can bring Palestinian flags or any others, as long as they are legal under Swiss law. Performers, though, can only wave their own country's flag. Eurovision director Martin Green told reporters that the organizers' goal was to "re-establish a sense of unity, calm and togetherness this year in a difficult world." "All 37 delegations, in difficult times, have behaved impeccably," he said.
Chicago Tribune
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Austria's JJ wins Eurovision Song Contest with pop-opera song ‘Wasted Love'
BASEL, Switzerland — Classically trained countertenor JJ of Austria won the 69th Eurovision Song Contest Saturday with the operatic song 'Wasted Love.' Israel's Yuval Raphael came second at a competition overshadowed by the Gaza war. The world's largest live music event reached its glitter-drenched conclusion with a grand final in Basel, Switzerland that offered pounding electropop, quirky rock and outrageous divas, at a celebration of music and unity ruffled by discord over Israel's participation. JJ beat 25 other competitors during Saturday's grand final. Estonia's Tommy Cash came third with 'Espresso Macchiato,' and Swedish entry KAJ, who had been favorite to win with jaunty sauna ode 'Bara Bada Bastu,' came fourth. Acts from 26 countries — trimmed from 37 entrants through two elimination semifinals — performed to some 160 million viewers for the continent's pop crown. No smoke machine, jet of flame or dizzying light display was spared by musicians who had 3 minutes to win over millions of viewers who, along with national juries of music professionals, pick the winner. The show offered a celebration of Europe's eclectic, and sometimes baffling, musical tastes. Lithuanian band Katarsis delivered grunge rock, while Ukraine's Ziferblat channeled prog rock and the U.K.'s Remember Monday offered country pop. Italy's Lucio Corsi evoked 1970s glam rock, while Icelandic duo VAEB rapped about rowing and Latvia's six-woman Tautumeitas offered gorgeous, intertwined harmonies. There were divas aplenty, including Spain's Melody, Poland's Justyna Steczkowska, participating in Eurovision for a second time after a 30-year gap, with 'GAJA,' and Malta's outrageous Miriana Conte, who performed 'Serving' – a song whose previous suggestive title and lyrics were changed on the orders of contest organizers – on a set including a glitter ball and giant lips. Dean Vuletic, an expert on the history of Eurovision, said the competition has become more diverse over the years, both musically and linguistically. There are songs in 20 languages this year, including Ukrainian, Icelandic, Albanian, Latvian and Maltese. 'In the past it was about having a catchy, innocuous pop song, usually in English,' he said. But 'in recent years the formulaic approach to a Eurovision entry hasn't succeeded. 'An entry needs to be memorable and it needs to be authentic in order to succeed these days.' This year's contest was roiled for a second year by disputes over Israel's participation. Dozens of former participants, including Switzerland's Nemo, have called for Israel to be excluded, and several of the broadcasters that fund Eurovision sought a review of the country's participation. Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests both took place in Basel, though on a much smaller scale than at last year's event in Sweden, where tensions spilled over backstage and Dutch competitor Joost Klein was expelled over an alleged altercation with a crew member. Hundreds of people marched through Basel just before the competition, waving Palestinian flags and chanting 'Boycott Israel.' Earlier, a group of Israel supporters gathered in Basel's cathedral square to root for Raphael and to show that 'Jews belong in public spaces in Switzerland,' Zurich resident Rebecca Laes-Kushner said. She said that 'it would be such a strong statement against antisemitism,' if Raphael won. 'This is supposed to be about music, not about hate,' she said. The European Broadcasting Union, or EBU, which runs Eurovision, tightened the contest's code of conduct this year, calling on participants to respect Eurovision's values of 'universality, diversity, equality and inclusivity' and its political neutrality. After a controversial ban in 2024 on flags, apart from national ones, being waved in the arena, this year audience members can bring Palestinian flags or any others, as long as they are legal under Swiss law. Performers, though, can only wave their own country's flag. Eurovision director Martin Green told reporters that the organizers' goal was to 're-establish a sense of unity, calm and togetherness this year in a difficult world.' 'All 37 delegations, in difficult times, have behaved impeccably,' he said.
South Wales Guardian
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Anxious wait for Eurovision 2025 winner begins
The winner will be determined by viewer votes, which has stopped and the hosts have confirmed it has been validated, and juries made up of music industry professionals across European countries, who cast their votes based on rehearsals. British group Remember Monday, made up of friends Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele, were dressed in colourful Bridgerton-style outfits, as they kept their harmonies in sync for the genre-shifting What The Hell Just Happened?. Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, an October 7 survivor, sang the heartfelt New Day Will Rise, while colourful Ukrainian band Ziferblat burst onto the stage to perform Bird Of Pray. BBC Eurovision Song Contest commentator Graham Norton said there was a 'mixed response' in the arena to Raphael, 24, who he said attracted cheers and boos. Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR said her act also saw a crew member hit with paint, after two pro-Palestinian protesters tried to rush through the barrier and onto the stage after Raphael's performance. 'They were stopped,' a spokesman said. 'One of the two agitators threw paint and a crew member was hit. 'The crew member is fine and nobody was injured. The man and the woman were taken out of the venue and handed over to the police.' Israeli broadcaster Kan issued a statement, saying that the protesters 'were blocked by security officials, but Raphael was shaken and upset', and the delegation 'needed to move location for 15 minutes'. A spokesman for Basel police said: 'The organiser handed the two people over to the police. The police checked the two people and then released them. It is now up to the organiser to decide whether to press charges.' Ukraine has made it through to every final since they began competing in 2003, while if Israel triumph they will join Luxembourg, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom on five wins. Also taking to the stage before Remember Monday was Norway's Kyle Alessandro, the youngest Eurovision act this year at 19 years old who has an exam on Monday morning and is taking part on the date of his country's National Constitution Day, with the fiery Lighter. Luxembourg's Laura Thorn sang the zany La Poupee Monte Le Son while Estonia's Tommy Cash entertained with his spaghetti-dancing filled Espresso Macchiato, a parody on Italian stereotypes. Back to back were two favourites, the Dutch singer Claude Kiambe, and Finland's Erika Vikman, who had contrasting performances. Congolese-born Kiambe, 21, sang the heartfelt C'est La Vie, inspired by his mother's advice of understanding that there are good and bad moments in life, while surrounded by violins, and finished breaking down in tears. He later said on Instagram that 'it was amazing, I was so nervous that I mixed up two words, and was so mad at myself, but yeah it's real C'est La Vie'. Opting for a different tack was black leather-clad Vikman with the risque Ich Komme – a German-Finnish entry that finished with her taking off on a giant microphone with sparks flying. Also garnering cheers were Maltese singer Miriana Conte with Serving, which was changed from Kant because of its similarity to a swearword, and Switzerland's Zoe Me with the powerful Voyage. Prior to the finishing of the acts was Sweden's Kaj, who if the sauna advocates win will break the Eurovision record for the country with eight wins, French singer Louane Emera, and San Marino's upbeat Tutta L'Italia. Earlier, 2024 Swiss winner Nemo returned to the Eurovision stage to do a rendition of The Code in a full-length white dress, following an opening sketch which saw a Mission Impossible-style segment to find the trophy, before it was delivered to the hosts. The rest of the world also had a poll, which will count the same as a country, and the verdict of TV viewers will be added to the combination of points from national juries. The UK's national jury votes are set to be announced by singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor after Doctor Who actor Ncuti Gatwa pulled out of being the British Eurovision spokesperson due to 'unforeseen circumstances'. Earlier, there were pro-Palestinian protests near a free concert in the centre of Basel to demonstrate against Israel's inclusion, with a small group nearby also protesting with Israeli flags. Later the group advocating for Israel to be removed from Eurovision moved across Basel, where they were met by a significant police presence, and tear gas was seen being used. On Saturday, the Basel government said more than half a million people have visited the city so far this week after the competition came home to Switzerland, which first hosted it in 1956 in Lugano. TV coverage for the final is provided by 'King of Eurovision' Norton on BBC One from 8pm on Saturday while British audiences can also listen to BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds for live coverage with presenters Rylan Clark and Scott Mills.
