Live EUROVISION 2025 - REHEARSALS AND FINAL DISCUSSION THREAD

[Sean]

Please post all discussion, content and reaction relating to the rehearsals in Basel in this thread!

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Semi-Final 1 discussion begins on page 38 of this thread.
Semi-Final 2 discussion begins on page 96 of this thread.
Final discussion begins on page 157 of this thread.

 

[Leydan]

The reaction online to RM is a reminder to me why the EBU restricts footage of the rehearsals now and it wouldn't surprise me if they become completely closed off at some point. I don't mean on this forum, because people are more respectful but online I've read some real nasty stuff in reaction to their clip, some of if bordering on misogyny. It's not just them either, other artists have been relentlessly subjected to some nasty comments also. Twitter ofc is the most toxic space going, but it's all clear reminder why we can't have nice things anymore.

 

[seriouslyscratchy1]

They might quite like Switzerland to host again. Switzerland has made it more affordable for everyone by putting more of their own money in

Yes very much so - but probably they wouldn't be able to afford for 2 years in a row so they'd have to give it to 2nd place or UK

 

[theditz83]

My predictions (not based on rehearsals since I have done my best to avoid them, save for a couple that have sneaked through on my social stories and my eyes and ears just wouldn't avert!!)...

Jury Top 10:
1. France
2. Austria
3. Netherlands
4. Sweden
5. Switzerland
6. Greece
7. Norway (think this one will surprise many)
8. Israel
9. Ukraine
10. Latvia or Denmark (depending on who, if any, qualifies)

Public Top 10:
1. Sweden
2. Finland
3. Austria
4. Israel
5. Poland
6. Malta
7. Australia
8. Norway
9. Netherlands
10. France

Shock failure in the final:
I still don't see a world where Albania amasses any significant total of points in either jury or public vote - it'll be a solid mid-table for most countries I think, which is a dangerous position to be in with the Top 10 points system.

 

[aef]

Did you watch Israels national final?

No.

Based on the rehearsal clip, neither her vocals nor the staging are fully convincing in my opinion (leaving my personal opinion about beside).

 

[Gentleman]

Welcome to Switzerland!

 

[crashworld]

I don't think Israel will do as well as predicted.

While there has been backlash against their participation this year, but it's pretty muted as compared to last year's.
The ESC activists should perhaps learn that the best thing to do is to ignore the entry so it doesn't present an aggressive image towards Israel's participant that would turn casual viewers off and cause them to send a vote to Israel to empathize with the performer. I think most sane people can differentiate an ordinary citizen of the country VS the actions of the government. So the more aggressive you turn against Israel's performer, the more likely you will get an opposite effect, which was evident from last year's televoting results.

I predict at best a top 10 finish for Israel (at best a top 5 televoting result), but more realistically top 15 if the jurors decide to tank them again.

But regardless of the end results, I am hoping this year's contest is at least in a cordial environment for everyone and there is no security issues.

 

[seriouslyscratchy1]

No.

Based on the rehearsal clip, neither her vocals nor the staging are fully convincing in my opinion (leaving my personal opinion about beside).

In the national final for Israel (Deciding the artist), her vocals were flawless. I think Yuval must be saving her vocals.

Also I feel sorry for Eden and Yuval as they probably are against what their Government has decided to do

 

[aef]

In general I really wanted a new country to win this year, before the season started. Or let’s say a country that hasn’t won in the last 10-15 years.

or the baltics would have been very nice for example.

But if will win, it’s also a 11 year gap since the last win so I guess that’s fine too haha.

 

[Looren]

Guys please try putting together a reasonable jury top 10, I mean it’s so hard haha. Like almost nothing is there for them… it was so hard for me right now.

Ehhh for fuck sakes this is hard as hell

Okay trying one, will update after seeing the live performances

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

 

[GermanBango]

Soooo we should slowly move the topic away from Israel otherwise the mods will have to work overtime again.

I still think people are somewhat underestimating Ukraine. Anything but a top 5 would be a huge surprise to me.

 

[seriouslyscratchy1]

TURQUOISE CARPET STARTING

 

[SpiritofKeiino]

The reaction online to RM is a reminder to me why the EBU restricts footage of the rehearsals now and it wouldn't surprise me if they become completely closed off at some point. I don't mean on this forum, because people are more respectful but online I've read some real nasty stuff in reaction to their clip, some of if bordering on misogyny. It's not just them either, other artists have been relentlessly subjected to some nasty comments also. Twitter ofc is the most toxic space going, but it's all clear reminder why we can't have nice things anymore.

I wonder are most of the comments coming from British people? I mean the type of people who are not really fans and love slating ESC, Europe, and the BBC along with it. Just look at the comments under any Daily Mail article about ESC and you'll see them.

 

[aef]

Soooo we should slowly move the topic away from Israel otherwise the mods will have to work overtime again.

I still think people are somewhat underestimating Ukraine. Anything but a top 5 would be a huge surprise to me.

Personally I’m not underestimating them. With the NF staging I would’ve bet on top 5, now with the worse staging (no garden) and the awful costumes I’d say top 10.

 

[crashworld]

The reaction online to RM is a reminder to me why the EBU restricts footage of the rehearsals now and it wouldn't surprise me if they become completely closed off at some point. I don't mean on this forum, because people are more respectful but online I've read some real nasty stuff in reaction to their clip, some of if bordering on misogyny. It's not just them either, other artists have been relentlessly subjected to some nasty comments also. Twitter ofc is the most toxic space going, but it's all clear reminder why we can't have nice things anymore.

Agreed. Don't blame EBU for taking this stance for protecting the contestants if the fandom couldn't keep their disgusting comments to themselves and feel like they are entitled in every sense. Constructive criticisms are good, but they need to be done in good faith. But so far, the comments from the fandom are getting more and more personal. It seems like people forget that these contestants are human beings after all.

I am fine that EBU has closed off the rehearsals from the ESC fan press (who are barely professional).
It does take away the joy, but then the atmosphere has not been exactly joyful when fans just spew hatred every single time they dislike an entry.

 

[SpiritofKeiino]

Have any of the artists this year commented on the Israel/Palestine war, in recent weeks? I don't remember seeing anything but I'm less active on social media than I used to be so I could miss things.
It seemed there was much more talk about it from last year's artists. Maybe the ceasefire means less of this years group are talking about it OR maybe they've been ordered not to.

BTW I'm not saying artists 'should' speak out about it. I'm just curious about the situation vs last year when many artists were vocal.

 

[Leydan]

I wonder are most of the comments coming from British people? I mean the type of people who are not really fans and love slating ESC, Europe, and the BBC along with it. Just look at the comments under any Daily Mail article about ESC and you'll see them.

I haven't been reading them articles or comment sections tbh. It wouldn't surprise me though, i was referring to the fan spaces particularly on Twitter. Fans complain we can't see the rehearsals anymore, then feed into the exact reason it was banned.

 

[aef]

Have any of the artists this year commented on the Israel/Palestine war, in recent weeks? I don't remember seeing anything but I'm less active on social media than I used to be so I could miss things.
It seemed there was much more talk about it from last year's artists. Maybe the ceasefire means less of this years group are talking about it OR maybe they've been ordered not to.

BTW I'm not saying artists 'should' speak out about it. I'm just curious about the situation vs last year when many artists were vocal.

Yes, this year I also didn’t read/ hear anything in that direction from the other artists (yet).

But if you look at the comment sections on IG for the rehearsal footage, many contestants are commenting the videos and photos of the other contestants in a positive/ funny way. I didn’t see such comment for the rehearsal footage… so that also tells you something…

 

[GermanBango]

Have any of the artists this year commented on the Israel/Palestine war, in recent weeks? I don't remember seeing anything but I'm less active on social media than I used to be so I could miss things.
It seemed there was much more talk about it from last year's artists. Maybe the ceasefire means less of this years group are talking about it OR maybe they've been ordered not to.

BTW I'm not saying artists 'should' speak out about it. I'm just curious about the situation vs last year when many artists were vocal.

I guess the EBU has been doing some behind the scenes stuff. Like threatening the delegations to disqualify them and such. It’s this “Ahhh I don’t wanna hear it”-mentality that we saw last year already. Any criticism is unwanted. Gotta keep up the picture of the perfect Eurovision world in which everyone is happy.

Let’s see for how much longer they can keep this up.

 

[crashworld]

Have any of the artists this year commented on the Israel/Palestine war, in recent weeks? I don't remember seeing anything but I'm less active on social media than I used to be so I could miss things.
It seemed there was much more talk about it from last year's artists. Maybe the ceasefire means less of this years group are talking about it OR maybe they've been ordered not to.

BTW I'm not saying artists 'should' speak out about it. I'm just curious about the situation vs last year when many artists were vocal.

I am pretty sure EBU has sent instructions and guidance to every delegation on how to deal with this issue.
And looking at the mess of last year's edition, I am sure it has given EBU something to work with.
My guess is likely something along the lines that the contestants can do whatever they want in their personal platform.
But they cannot use ESC-related platforms to voice on this issue in order to prevent the contest from spiraling into another hate-fest.

 

[gingerale]

Yay, Lumo is bringing world peace!