On March 15, 2025, French singer Louane took center stage at the Stade de France, performing her emotional ballad "Maman" during the halftime of the France vs. Scotland rugby match. This performance marked the live reveal of her song for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, slated for May 17, 2025, in Basel, Switzerland.
With 80,000 spectators watching, Louane’s dedication of the song to her late mother, who passed away from cancer when Louane was just 17, lent the performance immense emotional weight. "Pour vous, pour ma fille et pour ma mère," she told the audience, reflecting her deep personal connections. The poignant lyrics of "Maman" capture the essence of love and familial bonds as Louane navigates her life transitions as both daughter and mother.
After her performance, reactions poured in from various experts and fans alike. William Lee Adams, the founder of Wiwibloggs and Eurovision journalist, expressed optimism, stating, "Elle a clairement sa place dans le top 10," (She clearly has her place in the top 10). He praised Louane's expressive delivery and hinted at the song’s ability to resonate across generations.
Ana from the Spanish radio station LOS40 also attended the performance and found it spectacular for its visual and emotional impact. She stated, "La prestation de Louane était spectaculaire," asserting the song’s universal appeal, even beyond the language barrier. "Despite the language difference, what the song talks about can be understood largely; it’s deeply personal and relatable," she added.
Conversely, GJ Kooijman, a Dutch podcast host and DJ, was less impressed, describing the song as lacking the uniqueness needed to win the grand prize. "C’est une bonne ballade. J’espérais être époustouflé, je ne l’ai pas été," he remarked, noting the high expectations set by France’s earlier promotional campaign.
Meanwhile, Portuguese Eurovision specialist Bernardo Santos expressed confidence, emphasizing the song's distinguishing emotional quality amid the competition's noise. He remarked, "La chanson de Louane est une power ballad émotionnelle," showcasing its potential to stand out due to its qualitative storytelling.
This heartfelt performance, marked by Louane's stage presence—as she sang suspended mid-air with drums and violins echoing below—was rooted not only in nostalgia but also showed Louane's growth as both artist and human. The song "Maman" serves as the centerpiece of her participation, tying deeply to her life experiences.
Before taking center stage at the Eurovision, she will be showcasing her work in Basel, hoping to end France's long history without victory since Marie Myriam’s win back in 1977. Louane’s previous album, "Solo," released last year, saw notable success, selling 25,000 copies and helping to sustain her relevance and artistry.
Louane made her rise to fame through her participation on the reality show "The Voice" and later solidified her stardom with her role in the successful film "La Famille Bélier," which drew 7.5 million admissions. Today, as she prepares for Eurovision, she stands third among bookmakers, placing her after Sweden and Austria's entries.
The anticipation surrounding "Maman" encapsulates the hopes of many for the festival—its themes of love and longing reach wider than just competition; it embodies the personal journeys of Louane, making it meaningful for her as well as audiences across Europe. The song’s setup, where she reaches out across generations, speaks to universal truths—an unbroken love between mother and child—and sets the stage for her continued success.
Only time will tell if Louane's powerful personal tribute will secure her victory at Eurovision, but the groundwork for possibly grasping gold again for France is certainly laid with such heartfelt and emotionally driven performance.
With the world watching, Louane prepares to step onto the international stage, armed not only with her song but with the legacy of her mother and the love for her child, uniting generations with her expressing hurdles and joy through music.