The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest is gearing up for its annual extravaganza, set to take place from May 13 to May 17, 2025, live from Basel, Switzerland. With 37 countries participating, the excitement is building as various nations gradually reveal their representatives and the musical acts they will bring to the stage.
One artist making headlines is Claude Kiambe, popularly known as Claude, who will represent the Netherlands. Just one day before the official release, Claude's song "C'est la Vie" inadvertently leaked, leading Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS to confirm its authenticity. "We worked for months, and it's unfortunate it leaked just before the premiere," they stated. Despite the setback, Claude took the incident with grace, commenting on Instagram, "You’ve probably heard it. Well, there it is. C’est la vie." The 21-year-old artist, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, has made waves with his danceable synth-pop music and is expecting the song to resonate well with international audiences.
Meanwhile, competitors are flocking to the stage from all over Europe and beyond. Albania's entry, the duo Shkodra Elektronike, mixes traditional Balkan music with electronic elements, bringing their song "Zjerm" to the contest. Similarly, Cyprus has chosen the talented Theo Evan, marking his debut as the first male solo singer to represent the nation since 2023. Evan, who has already caught the spotlight with his single "The Wall," is now preparing for what will be his biggest performance yet.
Czech Republic has selected ADONXS, whose powerful voice is expected to captivate the audience with their entry "Kiss Kiss Goodbye." Another interesting twist is the return of Nina Žižić, the representative for Montenegro who previously competed as part of the duo Who See back in 2013. This year, she returns with the song "Dobrodošli," which fans hope will bring more success.
Austria has picked JJ, whose classical music background gives him a unique flair, yet his song details remain under wraps for the moment. Azerbaijan presents the group Mamagama with their energetic piece "Run With U," promising to deliver modern influences steeped with cultural heritage.
Over to Belgium, Red Sebastian seeks to capture hearts with his song "Strobe Lights," having gained notable recognition through shows such as "Belgium's Got Talent". Finland's Erika Vikman, who rose to fame after winning "Tangomarkkinat," is also generating buzz with her track "Ich Komme," aiming for Scandinavian success.
Greece will feature Klavdia, known for her dynamic presence after making it from "The Voice of Greece" to the big stage. The last year's dark aesthetic of Bambie Thug from Ireland is swapped for EMMY this year, who will go for victory with her playful song "Laika Party." Israel has Yuval Raphael making her debut, and audiences await details about her contest piece.
Turning our attention to the Baltic States, Letland has the ethno-pop band Tautumeitas brewing anticipation with their song "Bur man laimi." Luxembourg’s representative Laura Thorn boasts extensive musical training and will present her piece "La Poupée Monte Le Son". Miriana Conte is all set to make waves for Malta with "Kant," targeting the Eurovision crown.
Poland presents artist Justyna Steczkowska with her evocative song "Gaja," and Slovenia has Klemen Slakonja, adding his flavor with "Much Time Do We Have Left." Not to be outdone, Spain’s Melody hopes to rise above with her performance of "Esa Diva" and Ukraine’s Ziferblat is prepared to impress the crowd with "Bird of Pray."
Italy rounds out this exciting roster with Lucio Corsi, who has accepted the spotlight with his entry "Volevo Essere Un Duro". The 2025 Eurovision excitement builds as countries finalize their acts, each hoping to take home the coveted trophy.
With the variety of styles and personalities expected this year, it’s shaping up to be another unforgettable Eurovision Song Contest. Audiences are eagerly waiting to see how each entry stacks up against the rest of the competition and which artists will capture the hearts of fans across Europe and beyond.