Hello Switzerland,

Basel. On Tuesday May 13th, 2025 the 69th Eurovision Song Contest has started with the semi-final 1. Read some impressions and a review here.

The long awaited Eurovision Song Contest and even longer awaited return to Switzerland has finally come. While social media had been full with posts and stories about arrivals, opening ceremonies and rehearsals so far meanwhile you cannot save yourself from the group-chats you get invited to to collectively celebrate the euphoria from afar. Please do not take it personal but since I am fully into this business myself it turned really out to be tough to keep on with social media.

As for me the day could not be more musical: First we shot the cover for my song “Mirror Time” soon to be released as well as the album cover (even though that one still lies in an undefined future). Then I got my piano delivered. The best conditions to end the day celebrating Eurovision.

It was a big surprise to see stand-up comedian Hazel Brugger co-hosting Eurovision and, yes, the recognition with last year’s hosts which I wrote about here “an experienced brunette and a blonde debutante” was unmistaken. Knowing Brugger from German television (foremost the German version of “The Daily Show”, “Heute Show”) I must say that she truly impressed me surprisingly – apart from standing out with her eye-catching sequins-blazer. Talking about Sweden and their hosts: Petra Mede really cannot go without Eurovision, can she? One more agreeable surprise was the new, younger and fresher “Peter Urban”, Thorsten Schorn. I really hoped that with him the mocking comments about the acts as well as participants would have ended but apparently they did not. This is an occasion for me to realize their texts seem to be scripted from a higher authority unfortunately which rather speaks for the bad quality of German public broadcaster. But well, if you know you know. At least you cannot blame it on the single people. So, my apologies dear Peter.

Eurovision Song Contest 2025: Acts & Impressions

1. ICE – VÆB “Róa” (Rail): Wiking beats and modern electro-pop? Genius! But even more genius was their dance during the bridge behind the boat. These brothers know how to create a mood. And wait, did they sing in French?
2. Poland – Justyna Ssteczkowska “Gaja”: The song did not quite convince me but her performance as well as her craftmanship from singing was impressive and strong. I loved how the dragon appeared unexpectedly on the screen. Also the bridge was quite a surprise.
3. SLO – Klemen “How Much Time Do We Have Left”: Now that is a beautiful song. It may be sad but deeply touching with his very private insights on screen. He sounds like the average chart singer but with more class and could definitely conquer the radios of the world. I really hope they still have a lot of time left together. What a special performance with his wife. I would be happy if he wins. But the magic broke when it was revealed that his wife (luckily) survived.
4. EST – Tommy Cash “Espresso Macchiato”: The performer I almost saw life last year in Estonia which you can read about here. According to a friend he is however nothing for children. Well, this guy is a parody but he can sing! But hold on, was that crazy fan on stage planned?
5. ESP – Melody “Esa Diva”: Another sexy and fierce Spanish lady who made an announcement.
6. UKR – Zifferblat “Bird Of Pray”: This band reminds me of a colorful hippie-band that could have escaped from the 60s in a younger version. They have beautifully singing background singers. Overall a very agreeable song.
7. SWE – Kaj “Bara Bada Bastu”: What a great band! What a mood! So much fun to listen and watch them. They put a lot of effort in their stage. I see them very highly ranked.
8. POR – Napa “Deslocado” (Misplaced): I loved the setting of the night-sky. Their acoustic song was a welcome change within the songs. Agreeable to listen to.
9. NOR – Kyle Alessandro “Lighter”: A young but strong and impressive singer. Wow he has fire under his song which he beat with the chorus. Also this youngster has kind of this Nordic Viking beats with a mix of modern electro-elements. I love it!
10. BEL – Red Sebastian “Strobe Lights”: Red is not his name for no reason. Also he hit it with an impressive voice and a modern futuristic song. But really, I liked the performance.
11. ITA – Lucio Corsi “Voleve Esere Un Duro”: A performance in classic Italian. Pretty vintage – what we love Italy for.
12. AZE – Mamagama “Run With You”: I’m speechless. That really was a surprise and the last thing I kind of expected even though an act like this once participated in the history of Azerbaijan in Eurovision not long ago.
13. SAN – Gabry Ponti “Tutti L’Italia”: Again Viking-beats with Italian heritage. A really cool song of which the performers could perfectly transmit the mood on the stage. The floral stage in pink was my highlight.
14. ALB – Shkodra Elektronike “Zjerm”: Albania is always traditional with a kind of power in their singers. But this time it really had quite a spice and fire. Definitely outstanding.
15. NET – Claude “C’est La Vie”: A soul ballad in French? Yes, please! He pretty much resembles last year’s Slimane who performed really well so I’m all in favor of him.
16. CRO – Marko Bosniak “Poison Cake”: This guy is cool. Mysterious. Different. He reminds me of Ukraine’s Melovin whom I very much celebrate.
17. SWI – Zoe Me “Voyage”: I love songs in French. Zoe was so perfect in her classy French style paired with her youthful innocence and tenderness. A very agreeable song.
18. CYP – Theo Even “SHH”: A pop-song to turn the volume up and dance. That was what it definitely was! The performer had something of a Justin Timberlake but somehow more according to time.

Eurovision 2025 Semi-Final 1: Personal Finalists

1. Iceland
2. Estonia
3. Sweden
4. Portugal
5. Norway
6. San Marino
7. Albania
8. Netherlands
9. Croatia
10. Cyprus

There was a new system for the announcements of the finalists. As my husband called it, similar to the show “The Masked Singer” there are going to be so called candidates whose places are insecure. Three countries were portrayed and out of these three always one passed further until the finalists were complete. The connection to that made it quite more fun to watch. As for me I was really happy to see most of my personal favorites pass further and I was even happy for Poland. Even though it was not on my final list I did consider it one of the strong acts.

I also have to say that I never loved the interval acts so much than this year. Usually I always feel of the – we all know – gap-filling interval acts as pointless (and a good opportunity to leave the room shortly. But this time you did not want to leave especially not during “Made in Switzerland” where I constantly thought “Wait, this was from Switzerland/at Eurovision?”. Also something they had also taken up was summaries of not so old Eurovision-acts. This is always a highlight to me when it happens.

Despite the short night I am really very much looking forward to the semi-final 2 on Thursday.

Love, Johanna