Latest news with #musiccontest
The National
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Eurovision winner JJ condemns Israel over its war on Gaza
Austrian-Filipino singer, who grew up in Dubai, has called for greater transparency in voting at the long-running music contest
Malay Mail
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Eurovision drama on and off stage: Austria's JJ wins, protests target Israel's entry (VIDEO)
BASEL, May 18 — Austria's JJ won the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest today with his opera-tinged song 'Wasted Love' triumphing at the world's biggest live music television event. JJ topped the votes from national juries around Europe and viewers from across the continent and beyond, giving Austria its first victory since Conchita Wurst's triumph in 2014 with 'Rise Like a Phoenix'. After the nail-biting drama as the votes were revealed, Austria finished with 436 points, ahead of Israel on 357 and Estonia on 356. 'Thank you to you, Europe, for making my dreams come true,' said 24-year-old countertenor JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch. 'Love is the strongest force in the world. Let's spread more love. 'This is beyond my wildest dreams. It's crazy.' 'Wasted Love' saw him hit the high notes while mixing opera and techno. In his Eurovision song, about the experience of unrequited love, blends lyricism and balladry, before ending with a techno flourish. His performance was filmed in black and white, in the 4:3 ratio of the monochrome television era. Sweden had long been the bookmakers' hot favourite to win the 69th edition of the contest with the comedy trio KAJ's 'Bara Bada Bastu' on the delights of sweating it out in a sauna. But they faded away as the votes came in, finishing fourth ahead of Italy, Greece and France. Separate jury and viewer votes from each of this year's 37 participating countries — with equal weight — plus an extra vote from the rest of the world combined, decided who won the coveted microphone-shaped trophy. 'Ich Komme' An estimated 160 million people across Europe and beyond were expected to tune in for the annual TV spectacle, where kitsch, glam and spectacular staging go hand in hand. The 26 finalists took the stage carrying their national flags at the start of the show, to the thundering sound of a traditional drum corps. The songs in contention were a showcase of Europe's different musical scenes. They included a Portuguese guitar ballad, a Maltese diva, Lithuanian alternative rock, an Italian singalong, a Greek power ballad, ethereal Latvian choral folk and German booming beats. Finland's Erika Vikman — who gained momentum during Eurovision week with the orgasmic 'Ich Komme' — finished by being hoisted in the air on a spark-emitting golden microphone, triggering a big response in the arena. Poland's Justyna Steczkowska, 52, set a new record between Eurovision appearances, returning 30 years after her first appearance in the competition. The Netherlands' competitor Claude broke into tears after performing his song 'C'est La Vie'. French singer Louane, who lost both her parents as a teenager, performed her song 'Maman', with falling pieces of cork representing the sands of time. The song's final word was spoken by her own daughter. And Malta's Miriana Conte finished her diva big number 'Serving' by bouncing up and down on an exercise ball. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators wave Palestinian flags and burn flares during a protest against Israel outside the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest's grand final in Basel May 17, 2025. — AFP pic Pro-Palestinian protests Israel's participation in Eurovision 2025 prompted a series of protests in Basel over the war in Gaza. Israel's entrant Yuval Raphael survived the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza war, hiding beneath bodies as Hamas gunmen attacked a music festival, killing hundreds. During the performance of her song 'New Day Will Rise', loud whistles could be heard in the arena and two people tried to get on stage. 'At the end of the Israeli performance, a man and a woman tried to get over a barrier onto the stage. They were stopped. One of the two agitators threw paint,' a Eurovision spokesman told AFP. 'The man and the woman were taken out of the venue and handed over to the police.' Elsewhere in Basel, pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed briefly with riot police. Blows were exchanged and police used tear gas. Life dreams Some 6,500 excited ticket holders packed out the St Jakobshalle arena in Basel, dressed up to the nines and ready to party. 'This is my first live show at Eurovision. I have goosebumps, I'm so excited!' said Luena Beeler, 20, wearing a red sequin-covered Tirol-style dress, and a big Austrian flag on her shoulders. 'This is one of my life dreams!' Some 36,000 partygoers were watching a live transmission of the show at the football stadium opposite the arena, and held a mass singalong of Swedish four-piece ABBA's smash hit 'Waterloo', which won Eurovision 1974. — AFP
Malay Mail
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Eurovision drama on and off stage: Austria's JJ wins, protests target Israel's entry
BASEL, May 18 — Austria's JJ won the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest today with his opera-tinged song 'Wasted Love' triumphing at the world's biggest live music television event. JJ topped the votes from national juries around Europe and viewers from across the continent and beyond, giving Austria its first victory since Conchita Wurst's triumph in 2014 with 'Rise Like a Phoenix'. After the nail-biting drama as the votes were revealed, Austria finished with 436 points, ahead of Israel on 357 and Estonia on 356. 'Thank you to you, Europe, for making my dreams come true,' said 24-year-old countertenor JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch. 'Love is the strongest force in the world. Let's spread more love. 'This is beyond my wildest dreams. It's crazy.' 'Wasted Love' saw him hit the high notes while mixing opera and techno. In his Eurovision song, about the experience of unrequited love, blends lyricism and balladry, before ending with a techno flourish. His performance was filmed in black and white, in the 4:3 ratio of the monochrome television era. Sweden had long been the bookmakers' hot favourite to win the 69th edition of the contest with the comedy trio KAJ's 'Bara Bada Bastu' on the delights of sweating it out in a sauna. But they faded away as the votes came in, finishing fourth ahead of Italy, Greece and France. Separate jury and viewer votes from each of this year's 37 participating countries — with equal weight — plus an extra vote from the rest of the world combined, decided who won the coveted microphone-shaped trophy. 'Ich Komme' An estimated 160 million people across Europe and beyond were expected to tune in for the annual TV spectacle, where kitsch, glam and spectacular staging go hand in hand. The 26 finalists took the stage carrying their national flags at the start of the show, to the thundering sound of a traditional drum corps. The songs in contention were a showcase of Europe's different musical scenes. They included a Portuguese guitar ballad, a Maltese diva, Lithuanian alternative rock, an Italian singalong, a Greek power ballad, ethereal Latvian choral folk and German booming beats. Finland's Erika Vikman — who gained momentum during Eurovision week with the orgasmic 'Ich Komme' — finished by being hoisted in the air on a spark-emitting golden microphone, triggering a big response in the arena. Poland's Justyna Steczkowska, 52, set a new record between Eurovision appearances, returning 30 years after her first appearance in the competition. The Netherlands' competitor Claude broke into tears after performing his song 'C'est La Vie'. French singer Louane, who lost both her parents as a teenager, performed her song 'Maman', with falling pieces of cork representing the sands of time. The song's final word was spoken by her own daughter. And Malta's Miriana Conte finished her diva big number 'Serving' by bouncing up and down on an exercise ball. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators wave Palestinian flags and burn flares during a protest against Israel outside the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest's grand final in Basel May 17, 2025. — AFP pic Pro-Palestinian protests Israel's participation in Eurovision 2025 prompted a series of protests in Basel over the war in Gaza. Israel's entrant Yuval Raphael survived the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza war, hiding beneath bodies as Hamas gunmen attacked a music festival, killing hundreds. During the performance of her song 'New Day Will Rise', loud whistles could be heard in the arena and two people tried to get on stage. 'At the end of the Israeli performance, a man and a woman tried to get over a barrier onto the stage. They were stopped. One of the two agitators threw paint,' a Eurovision spokesman told AFP. 'The man and the woman were taken out of the venue and handed over to the police.' Elsewhere in Basel, pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed briefly with riot police. Blows were exchanged and police used tear gas. Life dreams Some 6,500 excited ticket holders packed out the St Jakobshalle arena in Basel, dressed up to the nines and ready to party. 'This is my first live show at Eurovision. I have goosebumps, I'm so excited!' said Luena Beeler, 20, wearing a red sequin-covered Tirol-style dress, and a big Austrian flag on her shoulders. 'This is one of my life dreams!' Some 36,000 partygoers were watching a live transmission of the show at the football stadium opposite the arena, and held a mass singalong of Swedish four-piece ABBA's smash hit 'Waterloo', which won Eurovision 1974. — AFP
The Sun
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Eurovision 2025 Fan reaction to UK act Remember Monday, plus calls for an ‘offensive' act to be disqualified
France is up now - and counting this, only three acts remain in tonight's contest. An incredible moment has seen a stadium filled with thousands of people sing along to iconic song Waterloo. The classic track was released by ABBA in 1974. Hot favourites Sweden - represented by KAJ - performed " Bara bada bastu " . Graham Norton declared the act "might be our winner." Sissal represented their nation with track Hallucination. One fan wrote: "In a fair world, Denmark would win and have a global smash song with this absolute BOP." Another added:" Dare i say that Denmark had one of the best vocals of the night so far." Representing this year's host Switzerland is Zoë Më with track Voyage. As Graham Norton mentioned, the act is especially local as Zoë is from Basel. One viewer commented on X: "Switzerland is so romantic." Another shared: "Switzerland has the voice of an angel." Klavidia took to the stage for Greece with track Asteromata . The performance featured an incredible costume change from long black dress to a constrasting white dress. One fan commented on X: "What a moment. What a voice. What a soul. Klavdia, you already won us!" Abor and Tynna flew the flag for Germany with the song Bonna. In his commentary, Graham Norton branded the act as the "best German entry for a long time." Justyna Steczkowska took to the stage with track Gaja. One fan wrote: " Poland is a vibe. I'm enjoying the staging for this one and her outfit is fab #Eurovision ." Another commented: "The outfit is wild, the song is so dull and basic." Finland's entrant Erika Vikman performed Ich komme - and fans online had a lot to say. One wrote: "idk what erika is saying but GO AWFF QUEEN." Another added: "Finland more like WIN-land!! On ya Erika ya b****y legend!" While a third shared: "And Finland gets my vote #Eurovision." An important voting rule for Eurovision 2025 states you cannot vote for your own country. Voting is open to viewers in all participating countries, as well as the 'Rest of the World' — i.e. non-participating countries. UK's act - girlband Remember Monday performed What the Hell Just Happened? It comes as the trio's result was "revealed" just hours before the final. Show co-host and Eurovision alum Sandra Studer is treating the audience to a performance. She represented Switzerland in 1991, placing fifth place at the time. Sandra quipped, "31 years and four kids ago." Spanish singer-songwriter Melody is representing her nation by performing Esa diva. Graham Norton noted Spain last won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1969 - could this be their year? Alternative rock band Katarsis are representing Lithuania in this year's final. Could the song Tavo akys secure victory for the group? Representing Israel is Yuval Raphael with New Day Will Rise. Following this performance, commentator Graham Norton noted it was a "mixed response" in the crowd. Rapper and singer Tommy Cash is singing Espresso Macchiato for Estonia's entry. Is anyone else craving coffee now? Luxembourg's Laura Thorn has taken to the stage with La poupée monte le son . One fan wrote on X: "I don't understand french at all but this is catchy." First up is Kyle Alessandro for Norway - singing "Lighter". At just 19, he's the youngest performer in tonight's line-up. One fan wrote on X: " Ooo I like Norway's entry #Eurovision ." Another shared: " Norway's song is so kpop coded #Eurovision ." There are some important rules to keep in mind when voting in Eurovision 2025: You cannot vote for your own country's entry Each person is allowed to vote up to 20 times, but only once per act per voting method Voting is open to viewers in all participating countries, as well as the 'Rest of the World' — i.e. non-participating countries In the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final, all participating countries are eligible to vote, not only those competing in the final itself Votes from the Rest of the World are aggregated and count as one additional set of points. Tonight's hosts are here! Hazel Brugger, Sandra Studer and Michelle Hunziker have come on stage to start off the show. The traditional flag parade introduces all 26 finalists who will be performing! They are all introduced in the order they'll be performing.
CBC
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Meet the Eurovision finalists
IN PHOTOS | Meet the Eurovision finalists Here's a look at the performers from the two semifinals who have qualified and will be competing on Saturday at the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest at the St. Jakobshalle arena in Basel, Switzerland. Winner of popular song contest to be chosen at Saturday final
