Netherlands: The committee responsible for choosing the country’s Eurovision 2025 act!

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Following AVROTROS’ official confirmation that the country will compete in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, and Joost Klein’s refusal to represent the country for the second time, the Dutch broadcaster began its search for its Eurovision 2025 act.

An internal selection process will be used, as has been done successfully by AVROTROS in previous editions. Meanwhile, and now that the registration window for aspiring artists is open, the evaluation process has begun, as has the committee in charge.

Who will select the Dutch entry for Eurovision 2025?

A six-member committee will evaluate the submitted songs and make a decision. The jury will be composed of:

  • Jacqueline Govaert
  • Jaap Reesema
  • Carolien Borgers
  • Hila Noorzai
  • Cornald Maas
  • Sander Lantinga

The selection committee has already begun its operations and elected a chairperson at its inaugural meeting. The newly appointed Head of Delegation will be present at committee meetings but will not be able to cast a vote.

The committee’s criteria

Following the deadline of November 22nd for artists to submit their proposals, the committee tasked with selecting the next Dutch act will make its initial selection. Following the disappointing performance of Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper in 2023, which resulted in the first Dutch non-qualification in eight years of a successful course, the shortlisted artists will then perform their entry live in order to have their vocal abilities assessed.

The Netherlands – Eurovision 2025

Following months of discussions between the EBU and AVROTROS and the granting of an extension in registering for Eurovision 2025 in the wake of the Malmö incident, AVROTROS ultimately decided to take part at Eurovision 2025. The pledges made regarding participant safety and Martin Green’s appointment were likely a factor.

Moreover, AVROTROS informed us that along with other delegations has advocated for structural changes both during and right after the Malmö edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, both in front of and behind the scenes. The broadcaster looks forward to the future and is happy with the set of measures that are currently in place.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: songfestivalweblog

France: Louane denies rumors of Eurovision 2025 participation

/0 Comments/in , /by

Singer Louane will not represent France in the upcoming Eurovision competition. This Friday, with the release of her new album Solo, the artist decided to address and deny the rumors about her participation in the contest.

In an interview with the French newspaper Le Parisien, the 27-year-old singer clarified: “Despite the rumors, I won’t be taking part in Eurovision. I’m honored that people think of me for something like this, especially since I always watched it with my mother.”

However, Louane hasn’t ruled out the possibility for the future: “Why not one day, but my priority now is the album.”

Speculation about her potential participation arose after she canceled some live concerts during the period the competition will take place in Basel, and because she is soon releasing her new album. Many assumed one of the songs from the album might serve as France’s entry, a practice the French national broadcaster has followed for the last two years—selecting a song from an established local artist’s album to represent the country.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: soimar

Eurovision 2025: Changes in backstage filming rules

/0 Comments/in , /by

The national broadcaster of the Netherlands, AVROTROS, after announcing the country’s participation in Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland, has made further revelations.

In an interview held today at the broadcaster’s headquarters, AVROTROS General Director Taco Zimmermann confirmed that the new head of the Dutch delegation will be Claudia van der Pas. Van der Pas served as the assistant head of delegation for AVROTROS at Eurovision 2024 in Malmö and Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool.

Van der Pas succeeds Twan van der Nieuwenhuijzen, who stepped down after the tumultuous events of Eurovision 2024 in Malmö, Sweden. Following the consequences of Joost Klein’s disqualification due to an incident backstage with a videographer, the Dutch broadcaster negotiated an extension with the EBU for their participation deadline, citing concerns over the disqualification and how the contest was managed.

Changes in Backstage Filming Policy for the Contest

One of the key issues raised by the broadcaster during talks with the EBU was the matter of backstage filming. The two sides had clashed over whether arrangements were made to prevent the filming of Klein behind the scenes, with the EBU denying the existence of a written agreement, while AVROTROS claimed to have evidence of such an agreement.

During the interview, AVROTROS confirmed that changes would be made to the contest’s filming rules. While a statement released yesterday confirmed that the EBU will “significantly reduce backstage filming,” the broadcaster clarified that artists will no longer be allowed to be filmed backstage or in dressing rooms without permission.

An AVROTROS spokesperson explained:

“Filming is now much more restricted, and it is also strictly prohibited for people to approach artists backstage without prior clearance. This must first go through the head of media, who will then need to grant permission. So, no one will unexpectedly face a camera anymore.”

Thus, anyone wishing to film artists backstage – including the EBU itself – must now receive explicit permission from the head of press of the delegations. This also applies to embedded media traveling with national delegations competing in the contest.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the latest updates!

Source: songfestivalpodcast

Netherlands: “The decision to participate in Eurovision 2025 was made regardless of Joost Klein’s choice

/0 Comments/in , /by

Following Joost Klein’s withdrawal from Eurovision, AVROTROS is now in search of a new artist for the 2025 contest. Taco Zimmerman, CEO of the Dutch public broadcaster, spoke about the turmoil caused by this decision and the next steps regarding the country’s participation in the upcoming competition.

Joost Klein’s Sudden Withdrawal

Despite initial discussions, Joost Klein decided not to participate in Eurovision 2025. He made the announcement during an interview on Eva Jinek’s talk show, where he emotionally explained his decision to step away from the Eurovision stage for good. According to Zimmerman, although no contracts were signed, talks with the eccentric artist had advanced significantly. However, in recent weeks, it became increasingly clear that Joost was having second thoughts about his participation.

Moving Forward Without Joost

Faced with the urgent need to find a replacement, AVROTROS is now calling on artists, songwriters, and composers to express their interest by November 22. Zimmerman emphasized that despite the limited time, there is still enough to find an outstanding artist and song, citing Duncan Laurence’s example. Laurence introduced his song “Arcade” in December 2018, which went on to win Eurovision in 2019.

Choosing an Experienced Artist

After the difficulties of recent years, particularly with Joost Klein’s situation and the challenging path of Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper, AVROTROS is now seeking an artist with substantial stage experience. According to Zimmerman, the chosen candidate must be well-prepared for the pressures and demands of the competition—something that has become more important in recent years due to Eurovision’s growing public attention.

The Case of Anouk

Singer Anouk, who successfully represented the Netherlands in Eurovision in the past, had expressed interest in participating with a new album. Although AVROTROS initially did not consider this option due to its discussions with Joost Klein, the door is now open for Anouk to enter the running.

The Next Steps

With preparations for Eurovision 2025 in full swing, AVROTROS plans to offer additional support to the selected artist. This could include not only physical security but also psychological support, ensuring the artist feels comfortable and protected amid the intense atmosphere of Eurovision.

The Decision to Participate

The Netherlands had expressed doubts about whether to participate again in the contest, mainly due to the disappointment caused by Joost Klein’s disqualification at last year’s competition in Malmö. However, as Zimmerman explained, discussions with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and subsequent changes convinced the Dutch delegation to return to Eurovision.

The Netherlands is now preparing for Eurovision 2025, hoping to find an artist who can shine on the stage in Basel, with announcements expected in the first quarter of 2025.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the latest updates!

Source: Telegraaf

Sanremo Festival: These are the names of the twenty-four participants of SanremoGiovani 2025!

/0 Comments/in , , /by

The procedures for the Festival di Sanremo seem to be progressing. The 24 names of the SanremoGiovani 2025 participants have just been announced! The list of names was announced via the official Sanremo social media accounts.

Below you can see the list of official names:

 

Δείτε αυτή τη δημοσίευση στο Instagram.

 

Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη Sanremo Rai (@sanremorai)

The show will be broadcast in a second zone on Rai2, RaiRadio2 and RaiPlay from 12 November.

The historic Sanremo is a very important music festival in Italy and through which new talents and trends in the Italian music industry are highlighted. SanremoGiovani is an important event for the Italian music scene, acting as a prelude to the Sanremo 2025 festival. The participation of young artists is expected to offer fresh ideas and musical proposals.

We are looking forward to this year’s selections by Sanremo’s 2025 organizers!

For more news about the competition stay tuned to Eurovision Fun!

Source: SanremoRai

 

The Netherlands: AVROTROS will take part at Eurovision 2025 | Joost Klein declined the opportunity to represent the country again!

/0 Comments/in , , /by

AVROTROS officially confirms that the country will compete in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, following months of discussions between the EBU and AVROTROS and the granting of an extension in registering for Eurovision 2025 in the wake of the Malmö incident.

The pledges made regarding participant safety and Martin Green’s appointment likely caused AVROTROS to reconsider their choice and eventually compete in Eurovision 2025. Nevertheless, the nation opts for for an internal selection process because Joost Klein declined the chance to represent the nation for the second time, despite the rumors that he would return.

Eurovision 2025 – The Netherlands

AVROTROS informs us that along with other delegations has advocated for structural changes both during and right after the Malmö edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, both in front of and behind the scenes. The broadcaster looks forward to the future and is happy with the set of measures that are currently in place.

Joost Klein declined the chance to represent The Netherlands in Eurovision 2025

Joost Klein, who was disqualified at Eurovision 2024 shortly before the Grand Final, was contacted by the broadcaster to represent the nation once more, according to AVROTROS’ press release today. Joost, however, declined because he would prefer to concentrate on recovering from this traumatic experience.

Moreover and via his Instagram account, Joost Klein mentions:

Is it greed or is it desire?
I’ve made the decision to NOT participate in Eurovision 2025
My team and I had everything ready, but it just doesn’t feel good. I am very thankful for all the love around the world, however I am still very affected by this year. I need to give myself more time to heal.
It was my dream to do Eurovision and we did that.
For months I had this feeling that I needed to make a return to finish the job. But in reality: we reached a higher goal. Europapa united a lot of people. This story is not just about me, it’s about us. I’m grateful.
People from all around the world are trying to learn Dutch and this makes me very proud of my language.
We achieved something previously claimed to be impossible. We used the real power of the internet.
So maybe I was blinded, but now I see clear. I have to follow the light. Not fight against it.
The media will be the media, but I have no place in that. I am not made for this big machine. My path is different and I welcome anybody who would like to join this adventure. Trust the process.
I believe one of my purposes in life is to connect people. Through music, (digital) art and performance art. My tour around Europe and USA is sold out and I can’t wait to play my new album there. Let’s all come together. This life is crazy, but just know..
I’m still standing

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Joost Klein (@joostklein)

An internal selection

As usual, AVROTROS plans to choose internally after Joost Klein declined to represent the Netherlands in Eurovision 2025. In order to submit an authentic, unique, and competitive song, interested artists, composers, songwriters, producers, and record labels are encouraged to register now. The deadline to register is Friday, November 22, at 23:59.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: AVROTROS

Ireland: Close to a unique track selection show, Ireland’s TV is on the verge of a unique show!

/0 Comments/in , /by

Irish television seems to be closer than ever to broadcasting a TV show to select the song that will represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest!

In an interview with EuroTrip, Michael Kealy, said he is enthusiastic and more optimistic than ever about Eurosong, an Irish national final, a TV show to select the country’s Eurovision song. It’s something he has long wanted to happen but due to various circumstances it hasn’t taken shape so far.

It should be remembered at this point that Ireland’s selection of the representation piece is done during the Late Late Show and there is no separate show for this process, which seems to be the case for 2025. Specifically, Kealy said:

“I’m afraid that Eurosong 2025 will still be embedded in The Late Late Show”

The reasons why RTÉ was unable to produce such a show were mainly financial. However, as can be seen from his statements above, the economic plans are gradually changing with Kealy’s optimistic message that the state has made provision for such a programme presentation. Realistically speaking, Kealy stated that Eurosong will be broadcast from 2026 onwards.

“Obviously this will not happen in 2025. I would be optimistic that 2026 is the year that we do that, but I think that’s on the cards and I hope it happens sooner rather than later.”

But RTÉ was caught up in scandal when secret financial deals with former The Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy were revealed. It emerged that Tubridy had been paid €345,000 more than the announced amount for the period 2017-2022, while expenses of more than €100,000 for international travel and the existence of parallel accounts were revealed. The then director general, Dee Forbes, after being suspended, resigned. Kealy said the scandal had hampered plans for an independent Irish selection show in 2024.

Among other things, the presenter said that after 2025 might be the right time to hand over the reins to the new mission. He considers it a privilege to work for Eurovision, but feels guilty about taking it on alone. Clare Hughes, a big Eurovision fan, is an important addition to the Ireland team and a valuable asset ahead of the event in Switzerland in 2024.

“Clare is a big Eurovision fan, which definitely helps, but I think she’ll be a great addition to the Ireland team and definitely a great addition for me ahead of Basel in Switzerland next year.”

We look forward to seeing how things develop in relation to Irish TV’s choices for the upcoming Eurosong in the future!

For all news regarding the contest follow Eurovision Fun!

Source: EuroTrip

Latvia: 96 entries submitted for Supernova 2025!

/0 Comments/in , , /by

The submission window for Supernova 2025, the Latvian national selection for Eurovision, opened two months, marking the official beginning of the Eurovision 2025 season for the Baltic state. The submission’s period ended on October 21st, after being opened since late August.

Hence, LTV revealed that 96 entries were submitted for Supernova 2025 and will compete for the Latvian representation in Basel.

The interest remains high

The submissions’ number did not increase in comparison with the past editions neither set any groundbreaking records to the competition. However and according to the Head of the Entertainment and Documentary Content Editorial Department of Latvian Television, Agnese Kubliņa:

Although the number of applications has not increased, the competition promises to be splendid and fierce. There is a wide spectrum of talent among the participants, representing various music genres – from already known names to brand new talents. The show promises to be a real musical adventure! In addition, this year there are more surprises than ever before, proving that the Eurovision Song Contest is a unique opportunity to appeal to a huge audience around the world!

Among the submitted artists are also Citi Zēni, the group who represented the country in Eurovision 2022 with their song “Eat Your Salad”.

Supernova 2025 – what’s next?

Now that the deadline for submission is over a jury will evaluate the originality, orchestration, messages, and relevance of the songs, on the current music scene. They will also evaluate the vocal abilities of the performers, how competitive they are in the international pop music market, previous achievements in the music industry, and their opportunities for future success.

Participants who move to the next round of Supernova 2025 will be announced in November. The Supernova 2025 final will take place in February.

Dons emerged as the winner of Supernova 2025 and therefore the Latvian representative in Basel with his song “Hollow”. He ultimately brought Latvia back to the Grand Final for the first time since 2016, placing sixteenth.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: lsm

Sweden: Three more artists are rumored to participate in Melodifestivalen 2025!

/1 Comment/in , , /by

Sweden seems to be preparing for Eurovision 2025, with the list of participants for Melodifestivalen 2025 continuously growing. In total, thirty artists are expected to participate in Sweden’s national final, and according to reports, SVT plans to present all the contestants at a press conference that will take place at the end of November.

However, according to information from Aftonbladet, three more entries are almost certain to compete in Melodifestivalen 2025:

Björn Holmgren: The 28-year-old artist became known to the general public through the TikTok platform, and in 2022, his song titled “Ut med allt” reached the top of the Swedish charts. Aftonbladet’s sources report that the artist’s next step is the stage of Melodifestivalen 2025.

KAJ: The Finnish-Swedish group KAJ was founded in 2009 in Österbotten, Finland, and consists of three members: Kevin Holmström, Axel Åhman, and Jakob Norrgård. They have released seven albums and have also been involved in musicals. Reports indicate that their immediate plans include participation in Eurovision 2025.

Arwin: The emerging 16-year-old artist Arwin Ismail has confirmed his participation in Melodifestivalen 2025. Arwin has also become known through TikTok and released his first song last autumn. At the end of summer, he was one of the artists who participated during Rockbjörnen, and now, according to multiple sources, he has secured a spot in Sweden’s national final.

We remind you that the names already announced and expected to participate in Sweden’s national final are as follows:

  • Kristofer Greczula
  • Angelino
  • Frans
  • Måns Zelmerlöw
  • Arvingarna
  • John Lundvik
  • Kalifa
  • Andreas Lundstedt
  • Dolly-Style
  • Malou Prytz
  • Klara Hammarström
  • Scarlet
  • Maja Ivarsson
  • Meira Omar
  • Annika Wickihalder
  • Tennessee Tears

Melodifestivalen is expected to kick off on February 1, 2025, and the grand final will take place on March 8.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the latest news!

Source: Aftonbladet

Eurovision 2025: An event for the entire community in Basel!

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Basel is eager to host the 69th Eurovision Song Contest for the first time as May draws near. The City of Basel hopes to make the forthcoming Eurovision a memorable event for all tourists as its plans are progressively revealed.

“An event for the whole of society”

The Swiss appear to be taking the Liverpool hosting as a benchmark. There will be Eurovision banners everywhere, and the entire city will act as a Eurovision-brand ambassador. Additionally, the city’s name will be displayed in “sculptures” in key locations close to St. Jakobshalle and Eurovision Street so that guests can snap photos and post them to social media.

A platform for artists

The canton of Basel-Stadt and Messe Basel is open to suggestions from cultural workers and restaurateurs, such as karaoke nights with an ESC theme.

This also holds true for choirs, music groups, singers, and musicians who wish to perform on one of the city’s stages. The stages will feature local acts from the Basel and Dreiland regions in addition to street musicians from throughout Europe.

The longest Turquoise Carpet ever

The largest opening ceremony in the history of Eurovision is scheduled to take place in Basel. Beat Läuchli, the project manager, states that:

Basel wants to create the longest “Turquoise Carpet'” in ESC history.

The goal of Switzerland is to organize an Opening Ceremony that will captivate the participants, delegation members, accredited media, and viewers who will watch it live at home.

The Basel Exhibition Centre will host the Eurovillage as well as the Euroclub for all the attendees.

The 69th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Basel, Switzerland during May 13 and 17, following Nemo’s win in Malmö with their song “The Code“.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: BAZ