The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest is just around the corner, with rehearsals set to begin in less than two weeks. This year, the iconic event will take place in Basel, Switzerland, following the country's victory at the 2024 contest with Nemo's song "The Code." With excitement building, details have emerged about the performances and staging for many of the participating countries.
So far, information is available for 17 of the 37 performances scheduled for this year’s contest. Among the highlights, Mamagama from Azerbaijan and Remember Monday from the UK will have their performances choreographed by Jorge Antonio Fujizaki. This talented Japanese-Brazilian choreographer is no stranger to the Eurovision stage, having previously worked with the UK delegation as a costume designer and assistant choreographer for the Junior Eurovision events in 2022 and 2023.
Meanwhile, the staging for Finland, Cyprus, and Austria will be handled by Sergio Jaén, a rising star in the world of performance design. Jaén gained recognition for his work on Ireland’s Bambie Thug's performance at last year’s contest and has also directed the interval act at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Madrid. His impressive portfolio continues to expand with this year's Eurovision.
A veteran of the Eurovision stage, Marvin Dietmann will oversee the performances for Germany, Australia, and Ireland. Dietmann has an extensive track record, having staged notable performances for artists like Conchita Wurst and Elena Tsagrinou. His experience is expected to bring a polished touch to this year's entries.
In a more localized approach, Fokas Evangelinos will direct the performance for Klavdia, representing Greece. Evangelinos is well-known in the Eurovision community, having worked with several prominent artists including Helena Paparizou and Sergey Lazarev. Similarly, Steven Levi Vella will return to collaborate with the Maltese delegation for Miriana Conte’s entry, "Serving," having previously worked with artists like The Busker and Christabelle Borg.
Albania's Shkodra Elektronike will be staged by Italian director Emanuele Kabu from Ombra, who also worked on last year's Italian entry by Angelina Mango. France has entrusted the staging of their performance to Frederik Rydman, a Swedish creative director known for his previous work on Nemo’s "The Code" and Käärijä’s "Cha Cha Cha."
Other notable directors include Pim Brassien for the Netherlands and the Ukrainian team TRI.Direction for Luxembourg. Czechia's entry, performed by Adonxs, will be staged by Matyáš Vorda, who has handled Czechia’s performances in the last two editions. Norway’s Kyle Alessandro will be choreographed by Mona Berntsen, known for her work with the band Gåte. Host country Switzerland has chosen Theo Adams, recognized for his direction of Olly Alexander’s "Dizzy," to lead their staging efforts.
As the contest draws closer, many delegations have yet to announce their staging directors, as they typically collaborate with respective broadcasters. Fans can stay updated on these developments through various platforms, including ESCBubble.
In addition to the performances, excitement is also brewing around the commentary for the event. SVT, the Swedish national broadcaster, has confirmed that Edward Af Sillen will commentate for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, alongside Petra Mede, who will join him during the Grand Final. This will be Mede's first time commentating, although she has hosted the event three times in Sweden. Af Sillen, on the other hand, will be providing commentary for the 14th time.
Mede expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "This is the first time I have had the honor of commentating on the Eurovision Song Contest, but thankfully it is not the first time I have had the honor of working with Edward. The former makes me excited and excited, the latter makes me feel safe and overjoyed." Af Sillen added, "I would like to thank you most warmly for the trust in once again guiding the TV viewers through the most fun music competition of the year. As usual, we do it with a lot of humor and love for the program."
Sweden is set to compete in Semi-final 1 on May 13, 2025, with their entry "Bara Bada Bastu" performed by KAJ. All three Eurovision shows will be broadcast in Sweden on SVT 1, ensuring that fans can tune in to see how their country fares.
As the event approaches, fans worldwide are gearing up for the Eurovision Song Contest, with live streams, replays, mini mixes, and exclusive behind-the-scenes extras set to roll out when the contest kicks off on May 14. For those in the UK, the grand final on May 17 will be shown live in over 100 cinemas, including Everyman Edinburgh and Vue Edinburgh Omni Centre, allowing fans to enjoy the spectacle on the big screen.
John Travers of CinemaLive, which distributes the event in cinemas, expressed his excitement, saying, "We’re delighted to be working with the BBC to bring Eurovision’s Grand Final live into cinemas across the UK for the third year in a row. There’s simply no better way to enjoy the biggest night in music than in a cinema, surrounded by fellow fans. So, grab your friends, dress to impress, and join us for an unforgettable celebration on the big screen!" Tickets for the cinema screenings can be purchased online, making it easy for fans to secure their spot for the event.
As the countdown to Eurovision 2025 continues, anticipation is building for what promises to be an exciting and memorable competition. With a diverse range of performances, talented choreographers, and engaging commentary, this year's event is shaping up to be a highlight in the music calendar, bringing together fans from around the globe to celebrate the power of song and creativity.
