Albania: The Running Order of the 30 Artists for the First Two Nights of Festivali i Këngës 63!

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The running order for the 30 artists participating in the first two nights of Festivali i Këngës 63 has just been announced!

First Night – December 19

  1. Orgesa Zaimi – “I parë”
  2. Erma Mici – “Mbaje”
  3. Luna Çausholli – “Qiell apo ferr”
  4. Ronaldo Mesuli – “N’zemër”
  5. Mihallaq Andrea – “Porositë e babait”
  6. Kejsi Jazxhi – “Kur bota hesht”
  7. Lorenc Hasrama – “Frymë”
  8. Jet – “Gjallë”
  9. Djemtë e Detit – “Larg”
  10. Nita Latifi – “Zemrës”
  11. Martina Serreqi – “Nese qaj”
  12. Alis Kallacej – “Mjegull”
  13. Shkodra Elektronike – “Zjerm”
  14. Kleansa Susaj – “Ta dija”
  15. Ardit Çuni – “Amane”

Second Night – December 20

  1. Mal Retkoceri – “Antihero”
  2. Klea Dina – “Dashuri Ngiej“
  3. Devis Xherahu – “Ka momente”
  4. Vesa Smolica – “Lutem”
  5. Algert Sala – “Bosh”
  6. Gresa Gjocera – “E vërteta”
  7. Frensi Revania – “Rreziko”
  8. Endrik Beba – “Ishe ti”
  9. Epos – “Kurajo dhe Zjarr”
  10. Laurjan Ejlli & Adelina Corraj – “A thu”
  11. Santino De Bartolo – “Kur nata vjen si bora”
  12. Rea Nuhu – “Sot”
  13. Elvana Gjata – “Karnaval”
  14. Stine – “E kishim nis”
  15. Gjergj Kaçinari – “Larg jetës pa ty”

Event Details

Festivali i Këngës 63 will take place from December 19 to December 22 at the Pallati i Kongreseve. The festival promises four nights full of excitement, music, and entertainment for audiences of all ages.

Last year’s televote winner at Festivali i Këngës was Besa with “Zemrën n’dorë”. Besa later released an English version titled “Titan” for Eurovision but failed to qualify for the Grand Final, finishing 14th in the second semi-final.

 

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all updates regarding Albania’s participation in Eurovision 2025 in Basel!

Source: Eurovision Albania

EBU concerned over privatization of Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation

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The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), organizer of the Eurovision Song Contest, has sent a letter to lawmakers in Israel expressing “deep concern” about government plans to privatize the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC).

“Such a move would not only threaten the media landscape in Israel but could also have serious implications for the democratic foundations of the country and its international reputation,” the letter to the Knesset’s Economic Affairs Committee states.

The EBU emphasizes that “shutting down the IPBC, government intervention, or reducing its budget would represent a departure from the standards upheld by democratic nations worldwide and could undermine both domestic trust and international credibility.”

The letter further notes that the broadcaster’s participation in the EBU offers significant benefits to Israel. These include participation in major international events, such as the Eurovision Song Contest – which was the most successful television program in Israel last year – and securing broadcasting rights for significant sports events, including the FIFA World Cup 2026, ensuring free access for all Israeli citizens. Additionally, it highlights Kan’s contribution to showcasing Israeli culture, talent, and innovation on a global stage.

The EBU warns that privatizing the IPBC could jeopardize this relationship, likely leading to Kan’s exclusion from the Union and limiting Israelis’ access to key events and content.

The letter also recalls Kan’s vital role in covering the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which was widely distributed through the EBU’s international news network.

“Weakening or dismantling this institution could create a vacuum in reliable news dissemination, both domestically and internationally,” the EBU warns.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the latest updates!

Source: Times of Israel

Eurovision 2025: 35000 tickets will be available for Basel!

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35,000 tickets will be available for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. In addition, Basel’s main football stadium will host a large outdoor viewing party where fans can enjoy the show.

St. Jakob-Park can host up to 38,000 fans during football matches. This means that for Eurovision, the ground is expected to be more than 90% full.

Eurovision 2025

Fans who travel to Basel in May will enjoy the Grand Final whether inside the Arena or not.  In an interview for The Euro Trip, Beat Läuchli talked about what we can expect for the viewing party in St. Jakob-Park.

There will be a 90-minute pre-show with national and international artists.  We want to give all the fans who are not able to buy a ticket to also be part of the Grand Final. There will be live connections between the main venue.

The ticket sale will start at the end of January.  35,000 tickets will be available for all the shows.

As the preparations for the biggest music festival in Europe are on the way, the organization wants to offer something in return not only to the fans but to the city of Basel.  There will be a number of other events during the Eurovision week for visitors and locals to enjoy.

The Eurovision Village will be held for the first time indoors in Messe Basel.  Next year the Eurovision Village will have a capacity of 12,000 visitors at a time.  The popular Euroclub will be located in Messe Basel too.

Läuchli added that there will be “music all over the city” and that local musicians will perform on stages in Eurovision Square to “show how rich the music culture in Basel is.”

At the Eurovision Boulevard there will be themed drinks and meals.

Eurovision Street will also be part of the festivities with decorated areas, bar and restaurants.

As part of the preparations Mr. Läuchli has been on contact with the organizers involved in Liverpool’s hosting of Eurovision 2023.  He also traveled with his team to Malmö for meetings and workshops.  The aim of these meetings are to pass learnings on to Basel-Stadt’s team for the future organization.

Source: The Eurotrip Podcast

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for more news and updates about Europe’s favorite music festival!

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Israel: All the highlights from the seventeenth episode of HaKokhav Haba!

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The seventeenth episode of the highly anticipated Israeli selection process for Eurovision 2025, HaKokhav Haba, aired last night. This competition, known in English as “The Next Star”, is the format used by Israel to choose its representative for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Since its debut in 2015, HaKokhav Haba has been the main selection method for Israel, excluding the years 2022 and 2023. The show has achieved significant success, notably securing Israel’s Eurovision victory with Netta in 2018.

Though filming for this season began on October 10 at Neve Ilan Studios, on November 10 the official broadcast commenced on Israeli television.

The format

As we advance to the next stage of the contest, the judging panel has selected a total of twenty-one contestants.

In each episode, a number of these participants will take the stage on The Next Star. The contestant with the lowest score of the night will ultimately be eliminated from the competition, losing their chance to represent Israel in Basel for Eurovision 2025.

So far, two contestants have already been eliminated, leaving nineteen contestants still in the running.

Hosts and Judging Panel

Returning to host the show are Rotem Sela and Assi Azar. Azar has been involved with HaKokhav Haba since its inaugural edition in 2013 and previously hosted the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. Sela joined as a host in the second season and has been a presenter ever since.

The judging panel for this season includes a diverse group of music industry veterans:

    • Assaf Amdursky
    • Keren Peles
    • Shiri Maimon
    • Eden Hason
    • Ran Danker
    • Itay Levi

With their combined experience, the panel ensures a high level of competition, which promises to be even more intense than last season’s edition.

Contestants and Their Performances

In last night’s episode of The Next Star, seven participants took the stage. Here’s a look at some of the standout performances:

  • Nati Livian: After delivering a captivating audition, Nati performed “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi. His performance was solid, and he demonstrated international potential. However, not all judges were impressed. Assaf Amdursky and Ran Danker did not vote for him, and Nati ultimately received a score of 77%.
  • Parfilab Mongoza: Dressed in a sparkling cream-colored dress and accompanied by backing singers, Parfilab performed “Lift Me Up” by Rihanna. The judges gave her overall positive feedback, with all but Itay Levi voting for her. Parfilab finished with a score of 84%.
  • Itay Paz: For his performance, Itay chose “Chom Yuli Ougost” by Shlomo Artzi. His emotional delivery, expressing a deep connection to the song, impressed the judges. They all voted for him, and Itay received a score of 85%.
  • Aviad Klein: Accompanied by dancers, Aviad performed “Bruises” by Lewis Capaldi. Despite a solid performance, the judges noted a lack of authenticity, with Ran Danker choosing not to vote for him. Aviad received a score of 77%, tying with Nati. However, Nati had a slightly higher score at a decimal point, leaving Aviad at risk of elimination.
  • Shira Knop: Shira is the only contestant this season to have been saved by the judges during the auditions. She performed “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles in the next stage of the contest. While she appeared confident, something seemed off, and Ran Danker did not vote for her. Shira received the lowest score so far, 70%.
  • Ily Avidani: Ily performed “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys, accompanied by his piano. His improvisations, however, did not impress the judges, with both Assaf and Ran opting not to vote for him. Nonetheless, Ily received a score of 76%, securing his spot in the competition.
  • Moran Aharoni and Red Band: In an intriguing collaboration, Moran and Red Band performed an English version of “Haim Lihiot Bach Me’ohav” by Aviv Gefen. The judges praised their performance, and they all voted for them. Moran Aharoni and Red Band received a 93% score – the highest of the night.

As Shira Knop received the lowest score of the night, she was eventually eliminated from the competition.

The winner of HaKokhav Haba and therefore Israel’s representative in Eurovision 2024 was Eden Golan. Eden Golan performed her song “Hurricane“, finishing fifth overall.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the latest updates on the Israeli selection process!

Source: euromix

Spain: Listen to the songs competing in Benidorm Fest 2025!

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Spain is one step closer to selecting its entry for Eurovision 2025. A few moments ago, RTVE, the country’s public broadcaster, revealed the 16 songs that will compete in Benidorm Fest 2025! Read more

Eurovision 2025: Changes to semi-finals voting procedure and qualifiers announcement

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Speaking on The Euro Trip Podcast, Executive Producers Moritz Stadler and Reto Peritz revealed that exciting updates are being planned for the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest. Hosted by Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR for the first time in 35 years, the event will aim to make the Semi-Finals more engaging for viewers.

The team is rethinking how voting results are revealed in the Semi-Finals. Peritz explained:

“The Grand Final voting is full of emotion, but the Semi-Finals aren’t as exciting. We’re brainstorming ways to make the results more engaging.”

In 2023, the BBC tried a new format where contestants stood on stage to hear if they qualified, but the idea was dropped after a trial run. While Peritz didn’t share details, the Swiss team plans to bring fresh ideas to the process.

The length of the Grand Final is another focus. Recent shows have run over four hours, which SRG SSR sees as the maximum limit.

“At some point, it’s just too long,” Stadler said. “We won’t make it longer in 2025, but we’re looking at ways to streamline it.”

While some parts of the show, like interval acts, could be shortened, other elements are essential and can’t be cut. Stadler emphasized the importance of balance and small adjustments.

More updates about the 2025 contest are expected soon. Peritz revealed that the hosts will be announced in January, and the creative team, led by Yves Schifferle, is working on interval acts for the live shows in May. Details about special guests are yet to be revealed.

What do you think about these potential changes?

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the latest updates on Eurovision 2025!

Source: The Eurotrip Podcast 

Croatia: “Dora 2025” comes back in Opatija on the 2nd of March!

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During the press conference that was held today in Croatia by the country’s National Broadcaster, HRT, the city where “Dora 2025” is going to take place for 2025 was announced, as well as the dates of the national final.

More specifically speaking, “Dora 2025” will return in the beautiful town of Opatija, after one year of absence, while the official date of the Croatian national final is going to be the second (2nd) of March.

The National Broadcaster of Croatia, HRT, has already announced the official list that includes all of the twenty four (24) artists that are expected to participate in order to get the longed-for ticket to Basel for 2025, as well as the titles of their songs, in which you can take a look:

  1. Ananda – “Lies Lay Cold”
  2. EoT – “Bye, Bye, Bye”
  3. Filomena – “Strong”
  4. Irma – “Enigma”
  5. IVXN – “Monopoly”
  6. Jelena Radan – “SALUT!”
  7. Lara feat. LSQ – “MAMA”
  8. Laurakojasong – “NPC”
  9. LELEK – “The Soul of my Soul”
  10. Luka Nižetić – “Južina”
  11. Magazine – “AaAaA”
  12. Marin Jurić Čivro – “It Burned”
  13. Marko Bošnjak – “Poison Cake”
  14. Marko Škugor – “What Should I Ask of God”
  15. Marko Tolja – “Through the dark”
  16. Martha May – “Running to the Light”
  17. Matt Shaft – “Welcome to the circus”
  18. Natalie Balmix – “LIFE GOES ON”
  19. Natally – “Home to My Heart”
  20. NIPPLEPEOPLE – “SIGN”
  21. Fire – “Give, Give”
  22. Petar Brkljačić – “THE END”
  23. Supersonic Trio – “Animal”
  24. Teenah – “Aurora”

The four standby entries:

  1. SWINGERS – “FUL COOL (Full cool)”
  2. Fenksta – “Extra”
  3. Patricia Gasparini – “KARMA”
  4. llyricum – “TANANAI” (MOTHER)

Remember that Baby Lasagna, singing his song “Rim Tim Tagi Dim“, was not only the winner of “Dora 2024” but he was both the runner-up of Eurovision 2024 and the public’s winner. Take a look:

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for even more news regarding Croatia’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, Switzerland!

Source: Novi list

 

Malta: Dario Bezzina & Żeppi l-Muni Replace Alexandra Alden at MESC 2025!

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As we previously reported, Alexandra Alden, a well-known singer and judge on Malta’s X-Factor, has been excluded from the Malta Eurovision Song Contest (MESC) 2025. According to the announcement by PBS, Malta’s national broadcaster, her song “Magnolia” had been released before the permitted date, violating the contest’s rules.

Dario Bezzina ft. Żeppi l-Muni have been announced as Alexandra Alden’s replacements for MESC 2025. Their song, titled “Għażliet”, will compete in the MESC 2025 semi-finals.

Dario Bezzina is a prominent name in Malta’s music scene, while Żeppi l-Muni is an emerging artist with a unique style.

Dario Bezzina ft. Żeppi l-Muni

Dario Bezzina ft. Żeppi l-Muni

You can listen to a 10-second snippet of their song [HERE].

MESC 2025

The following 24 artists will compete in the two semi-finals of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2025:

  1. “Għażliet” – Dario Bezzina ft. Żeppi l-Muni
  2. “365” – Kelsey Bellante
  3. “Heaven Sent” – Kristy Spiteri
  4. “AZIZ/A” – Kurt Calleja
  5. “Kant” – Miriana Conte
  6. “Hideaway” – Mark Anthony Bartolo
  7. “Concrete” – Nathan Psaila
  8. “Breaking the Cycle” – Miguel Bonello
  9. “Control” – Matthew Cilia
  10. “Te Amo” – Dre’ Curmi
  11. “Yo Listen” – Martina Borg
  12. “LalaRataTakeke LalaRataKabum” – Kantera
  13. “Still I Rise” – Justine Shorfid
  14. “Rubble & Stone” – The Alchemists
  15. “Unheard” – Krista Šujak
  16. “Love Me Loud” – Kelsy Attard
  17. “Festa (No Time for Siesta)” – JVF (Jessika, Victorio, Fabrizio)
  18. “Wildflower” – Marie Claire
  19. “Miegħek Biss” – Kurt Anthony Cassar
  20. “Silenced” – Raquela Dalli
  21. “Lablab (Talk Talk)” – Stefan Galea
  22. “Qalb ma’ Qalb” – Adria Twins
  23. “Whistleblower” – Haley Azzopardi
  24. “Juno” – Victoria Sciberra

The MESC 2025 will consist of two semi-finals on February 4 and 6, followed by the grand final on February 8.

Last year, Sarah Bonnici won with her song “Loop” and represented Malta in Malmö. Unfortunately, she failed to qualify for the final, finishing in last place in her semi-final.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the latest updates!

Source: TVMNews

Albania: Slimane and Noizy to perform as guests on the First Night of Festivali i Këngës 63!

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In just a few days, Festivali i Këngës 63, Albania’s prestigious music festival and preselection for Eurovision 2025, will kick off live from Tirana. Thirty artists will compete for the prize and the honor of representing Albania at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest.

As FiK is a major celebration of music, two international stars have been revealed as special guests for the festival’s opening night.

Slimane and Noizy to Perform on the First Night

On December 19, the Palace of Congress in Tirana will host two exciting performances.

Slimane, France’s representative in Eurovision 2024 with his hit single “Mon Amour“, will take the stage for the first time in Albania. Before participating in Eurovision, Slimane had already gained significant popularity across Europe, but his Eurovision performance turned him into a pan-European phenomenon, with sold-out concerts throughout the continent.

Additionally, the renowned Albanian rapper Noizy will perform as a special guest on the first night of the festival. Having made a name for himself in several European music charts, Noizy will bring his sound to the FiK stage for the very first time.

Festivali i Këngës 63

Thirty artists will compete in FiK 63, divided in two semi-finals, as follows:

First Night – December 19

  1. Orgesa Zaimi – “I parë”
  2. Erma Mici – “Mbaje”
  3. Luna Çausholli – “Qiell apo ferr”
  4. Ronaldo Mesuli – “N’zemër”
  5. Mihallaq Andrea – “Porositë e babait”
  6. Kejsi Jazxhi – “Kur bota hesht”
  7. Lorenc Hasrama – “Frymë”
  8. Jet – “Gjallë”
  9. Djemtë e Detit – “Larg”
  10. Nita Latifi – “Zemrës”
  11. Martina Serreqi – “Nese qaj”
  12. Alis Kallacej – “Mjegull”
  13. Shkodra Elektronike – “Zjerm”
  14. Kleansa Susaj – “Ta dija”
  15. Ardit Çuni – “Amane”

Second Night – December 20

  1. Mal Retkoceri – “Antihero”
  2. Klea Dina – “Dashuri Ngiej“
  3. Devis Xherahu – “Ka momente”
  4. Vesa Smolica – “Lutem”
  5. Algert Sala – “Bosh”
  6. Gresa Gjocera – “E vërteta”
  7. Frensi Revania – “Rreziko”
  8. Endrik Beba – “Ishe ti”
  9. Epos – “Kurajo dhe Zjarr”
  10. Laurjan Ejlli & Adelina Corraj – “A thu”
  11. Santino De Bartolo – “Kur nata vjen si bora”
  12. Rea Nuhu – “Sot”
  13. Elvana Gjata – “Karnaval”
  14. Stine – “E kishim nis”
  15. Gjergj Kaçinari – “Larg jetës pa ty”

During the first two nights, the thirty competing artists will perform their original songs. The third night, named Nostalgia Night, will feature performances in a non-competitive manner. During the end of the third night, the eighteen finalists will be revealed.

The Albanian festival will take place during 19-23 December. The winner of Festivali i Këngës 63 and therefore the Albanian representative in Basel will be decided by a combination of jury and public votes, while the vote of diaspora will also have a say in the final result.

Last year’s televote winner of Festivali i Këngës was Besa with “Zemrën n’dorë”. Besa released an English version titled “Titan” for Eurovision. However, she did not qualify to the Grand Final, finishing 14th in the second semi-final.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: RTSH

Estonia: The twenty songs competing for the wildcard spot revealed!

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A month ago, ERR unveiled the fifteen entries selected for Eesti Laul 2025, Estonia’s national selection for Eurovision. While these fifteen songs were chosen by a panel of judges, the final spot in the competition was left to the public to decide. Today, the broadcaster has revealed the twenty songs competing for the wildcard spot in the Estonian pre-selection.

The 20 songs vying for the Eesti Laul 2025 wildcard are the following:

  1. AG x Laura Põldvere – “Pimepäev”
  2. Antsud Metal Project – “Ei enam”
  3. Bel-Etage Swingorkester – “Mind kõikjal näed”
  4. Carol Suurevälja – “Purpose”
  5. Cecilia – “Rollercoaster”
  6. Ela – “Südamés”
  7. Elina Martinson – “Sinitihane”
  8. Everfall – “Stories We Hold”
  9. Felix Enghult – “More Than Innocent”
  10. Gerli Padar – “Võõraks jääd”
  11. Horror Dance Squad – “The Rebel Reborn”
  12. Kozy – “Jääb nii (tahan, et tead)”
  13. Marianne Leibur – “Pluto and Mars”
  14. Marta Lotta – “Tantsin veel”
  15. Merwis – “Aknal langevaid pisaraid”
  16. Mick Pedaja – “Sound Of Pines”
  17. Sarah Murray – “High On Myself New”
  18. Silver Jusilo – “Turn Back Time”
  19. Sten-Olle – “Noorex”
  20. Synne Valtri – “Butterflies & Bees”

Among these 20 artists, two former Eurovision participants are featured. Laura Põldvere previously represented Estonia in 2005 as part of Suntribe and again in 2017 with Koit Toome. Meanwhile, Gerli Padar represented Estonia in Eurovision 2007.

You can listen to the songs on the Raadio 2 website.

How will the wildcard be decided?

The final entry for Eesti Laul 2025 will be determined by the public vote. Voting will open on December 28 on the Raadio 2 website and will close on January 5. The winner will be announced on January 6 during a live broadcast on Raadio 2.

Eesti Laul 2025

Sixteen artists will participate in Eesti Laul 2025. The first fifteen have been announced and their songs have also been released:

  1. An-Marlen – “Külm”
  2. Anna Sahlene – “Love Me Low”
  3. ANT – “Tomorrow Never Comes”
  4. ELYSA – “The Last to Know”
  5. FELIN – “Solo Anthem”
  6. Räpina Jack feat. Kaisa Ling – “Tule”
  7. Stereo Terror – “Prty Till the End of the World”
  8. Tuuli Rand – “Rem”
  9. Andrei Zevakin feat. Karita – “Ma ei tea sind”
  10. Frants Tikerpuu  – “Trouble”
  11. Gem98 – “Psycho”
  12. Janek – “Frozen”
  13. Joelle – “Eyes Don’t Lie”
  14. Minimal Wind – “Armageddon”
  15. Tommy Cash – “Espresso Macchiato”

The Estonian selection will only consist of an one night-show, in which sixteen songs are going to compete and will take place February 15, 2025, while the voting will take place in two stages.

  • During the first stage, all sixteen participants will perform their entries. Following the voting of the jury panel and the public’s vote in equal shares, a number of them will advance to the Superfinal.
  • During the Superfinal, the winner of Eesti Laul 2025 and therefore the Estonian representative in Eurovision 2025 will be decided exclusively by the public.

The previous winners of Eesti Laul and Estonia’s representatives at Eurovision 2024 were 5MIINUST x Puuluup with their song “(nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi”, who finished in 20th place in the grand final.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: Raadio2