Estonia: A Two-way battle for Eesti Laul 2025

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Two popular names from Estonia’s music scene are expected to dominate the spotlight at Eesti Laul, Estonia’s national selection for Eurovision 2025. Rapper Tommy Cash and Pop Idol winner Ant Nurhan have both confirmed their entries, setting the stage for a fierce competition as both are widely loved in Estonia.

Two Big Names in Eesti Laul

Tommy Cash responded to fans’ questions about Eurovision 2025 with a single photo, confirming his participation. Known for his eccentric style, Tommy Cash has often grabbed attention with his unique behavior and provocative lyrics, leading Eurovision fans to compare him to Joost Klein.

Ant Nurhan, the ninth-season winner of Pop Idol, also confirmed his entry into Eesti Laul during a radio interview. With the support of a mysterious group he called the “winners,” Nurhan revealed his desire to show his Turkish compatriots just how far he has come as an artist in Estonia. Winning Pop Idol carries a tradition of representing Estonia at Eurovision, as previous winners have often gone on to claim victory at Eesti Laul.

A Multicultural Background for Both Artists

Both artists share multicultural backgrounds. Ant Nurhan was born in Istanbul and is an immigrant to Estonia, while Tommy Cash has heritage from Estonia, Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. Despite his diverse background, Cash identifies as Estonian with a spirit rooted in Eastern Europe and a Scandinavian outlook.

What’s Next for Eesti Laul 2025?

A panel of 35 judges made up of singers, composers, producers, TV hosts, vocal coaches, and music enthusiasts will evaluate the 175 entries submitted to Eesti Laul 2025. The panel will review songs anonymously, unaware of the identity of the creators or artists. Fifteen artists will advance directly to the final, and the public will vote for a sixteenth finalist from the non-selected entries.

ERR will announce the jury’s decision in early November, and the songs will be released on the show “Start” on December 6. The final contestant will be revealed in early January.

The Eesti Laul final, featuring 16 artists, will take place on February 15, 2025. This year’s Eesti Laul winners, 5miinust and Puuluup, represented Estonia in Malmö, where they finished 20th in the Grand Final.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSMMU2wX0Bk

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Azerbaijan: Turkish Popstar Edis aims to represent the country in Eurovision 2025

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Turkish popstar Edis revealed during his concert in Baku today that he hopes to represent Azerbaijan at Eurovision 2025 alongside Azerbaijani singer Alizade.

Who is Edis?

Edis Görgülü (born on November 28, 1990) is a Turkish singer and songwriter. Born in London and raised in Izmir, Edis pursued music while attending high school and university. After enrolling at Galatasaray University’s Faculty of Communication, he moved to Istanbul, where he sought to connect with various creators to produce an album, but initial attempts were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, he began acting and took on roles in the TV series Dinle Sevgili (2011–2012), Hayatımın Rolü (2012)—a Turkish adaptation of Mrs. Doubtfire—and the 2023 film Alya. After years of acting, his manager proposed he return to music and record an album.

Following the release of several singles, Edis launched his debut studio album Ân in March 2018. His first single, “Benim Ol,” released in March 2014, was a hit, reaching the second position on the Türkçe Top 20 chart. His subsequent singles, “Dudak” (2016) and “Çok Çok” (2017), also reached the second spot, while “Roman” claimed the number one position. To date, he has won several awards, including a Turkey Music Award, and has received numerous nominations.

 

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Azerbaijan at Eurovision 2025

According to İctimai Television, a total of 154 entries were submitted after the submission window closed on September 15. The broadcaster observed a notable increase in domestic composers showing interest in Eurovision 2025; last year, 43% of entries were local, while this year, the figure has risen to 49%, representing nearly half of all submissions.

Although details regarding Azerbaijan’s exact selection method remain scarce, it appears that İTV will initially review the submitted entries. If last year’s procedure is followed, the broadcaster will likely test candidates’ vocal and performance abilities to identify the entrant with the best song and the ability to perform it powerfully. This chosen artist will then represent Azerbaijan in Basel.

Fahree and Ilkin Dovlatov were İTV’s pick for Eurovision 2024 with their song “Özünlə apar.” Unfortunately, the duo failed to qualify for the Grand Final, marking the second consecutive year that Azerbaijan missed the final.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhN9r8TH2Hw

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Swiss conservative party submits signatures for referendum to block Eurovision 2025

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The Swiss Federal Democratic Union (EDU), an ultra-conservative political party, has submitted signatures to initiate a referendum aiming to block the hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel from May 13 to 17, 2025.

The EDU seeks a vote on November 24 regarding the CHF 37.5 million ($43.3 million) loan recently approved by the Basel cantonal parliament for organizing the ESC 2025. On Saturday, the party submitted 4,203 signatures for the referendum, surpassing the minimum requirement of 2,000 certified signatures due by October 26. These signatures will now be verified by the Basel State Chancellery.

On September 11, Basel’s cantonal parliament approved the loan for Eurovision 2025 with 87 votes in favor, 4 against, and 4 abstentions. However, the EDU is the only political party opposing this funding. Given its limited presence in Basel City, it had to rely on support from outside the canton to gather sufficient signatures.

The small Christian party had previously announced it would initiate a referendum against public funding for what it described as a “propaganda event.”

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: swissinfo

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

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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

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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.

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Source: soimar

Eurovision 2025: Changes in backstage filming rules

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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

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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!

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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:

 

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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!

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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

 

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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!

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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