The Eurovision Song Contest is back - this time in Basel, Switzerland. The UK's entry this year is Remember Monday - a country-pop trio who will perform their song What The Hell Just Happened. The Eurovision Song Contestis an annual televised competition organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The theme for the 2025 edition is "Welcome Home", as the first contest was held in Switzerland in 1956. Songs must be original and no more than three minutes long. They cannot have been released or publicly performed before 1 September 2024. Lead vocals must be live, with no lip-syncing or auto-tuning allowed and a maximum of six singers and dancers. The grand final of the contest will take place in St Jakobshalle, an indoor arena in Basel, on Saturday 17 May. It will be broadcastlive on TV on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 20:00 BST, hosted by Graham Norton. You can also listen onBBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, hosted by Scott Mills and Rylan Clark. Inside the arena, the international Eurovision coverage will be hosted by presenters Hazel Brugger, Sandra Studer and Michelle Hunziker. A total of 37 countries are taking part in Eurovision 2025 - all but one took part in last year's contest in Malmö, Sweden. Montenegro returns to the competition this year for the first time since 2022, replacing Moldova - which withdrew because of financial and logistical challenges. Most Eurovision countries are European, but Australia takes part every year, after being invited to join Eurovision's 60th anniversary celebrations in 2015. Australia, however, cannot host if it ever wins. Other non-European countries including Israel participate because they are members of the EBU. Russia has been banned since 2022,following its invasion of Ukraine. Switzerland is playing host to Eurovision 2025 after contestant Nemo won the 2024 contest with the song The Code. Nemo is due to appear as a guest performer this year too, despite accusing the contest ofnot supporting artistsenough in 2024. This is the third time that Switzerland has hosted Eurovision. Its contestant this year is Zoë Më, with the song Voyage. The "big five" nations who provide extra financial support to Eurovision get an automatic qualification for the final. These are the UK, Italy, Spain, France and Germany. Switzerland also gets a golden ticket to honour last year's victory. In the first semi-final on 13 May, Céline Dion, who won the contest for Switzerland in 1988,delivered a pre-recorded messagecelebrating the "beautiful" return of the contest to Basel. These countries qualified fromthe first semi-final: These countries were knocked out: Who joins them will be decided at the second-semi final. This takes place on Thursday 15 May. It is being broadcast onBBC iPlayer, BBC One, Radio 2 and BBC Sounds from 20:00. You can also watch it on the BBC News website live stream. This is the running order: Girl band Remember Monday are made up of Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele. They will be performing asong titled What The Hell Just Happened, full of harmonies and pop melodies. The band formed at school in Farnborough, Hampshire, and appeared on TV talent show The Voice, in 2019. Lauren and Holly-Anne have also appeared in West End shows like Phantom of the Opera and Six: The Musical. They'll be hoping to turn around the UK's fortunes, after the last two contestants Olly Alexander and Mae Muller both finished at the bottom end of the table in 2024 and 2023 respectively. More than 70 former Eurovision contestants, including Britain's Mae Muller, have signed an open letter demanding that Israel's public broadcaster KAN be banned from the contest, alleging that it was "complicit in Israel's genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza". Eurovision, which has always billed itself as non-political, has resisted calls for Israel to be excluded. Yuval Raphael, Israel's contestant this year, told BBC News she was "expecting" to be booed during her performance. The inclusion of Israel sparked controversy last year, when its contestant Eden Golan also faced boos during a rehearsal and thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the venue. Golan was also forced to change the lyrics of her entry, titled Hurricane, to remove references to the deadly attacks by Hamas on Israel, on 7 October 2023. The last major music event Raphael attended was the Nova festival, in Israel, when it came under attack by Hamas gunmen during the 7 October attacks and more than 360 people were killed. Around 1,200 people were killed in Israel by gunmen led by Hamas that day, and 251 were taken hostage. During Israel's ensuing military campaign in Gaza more than 53,000 people have been killed, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. In the final, every participating country is awarded two sets of scores - one from a jury of music experts and one from fans around Europe. Fans get a maximum of 20 votes, cast via phone call, SMS or via the official Eurovision app. They can vote for as many different acts as they like, but votes for your home country are banned. Once the lines close, each country will have chosen a "Top 10" of their favourite songs. The most popular song gets 12 points, the second choice gets 10, and the rest are scored from eight to one. Viewers from countries that don't participate in Eurovision also get a say. Their choices are bundled into a single bloc known as the "rest of the world vote".
When is the Eurovision 2025 final and who is in it?
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Eurovision Song Contest 2025 to be Held in Basel, Switzerland on May 17"
Bbc News
8.1
TruthLens AI Summary
The Eurovision Song Contest is set to return in 2025, hosted in Basel, Switzerland, with the UK's entry, the country-pop trio Remember Monday, performing their song 'What The Hell Just Happened.' This year's theme, 'Welcome Home,' commemorates the contest's origins in Switzerland back in 1956. Each entry must be an original song lasting no more than three minutes, and all performances must feature live vocals without any lip-syncing or auto-tuning. The grand final is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, and will be held at St Jakobshalle, broadcasting live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, starting at 20:00 BST. Notable presenters for the event include Graham Norton and Scott Mills, with international coverage hosted by Hazel Brugger, Sandra Studer, and Michelle Hunziker. A total of 37 countries will participate, including Montenegro, returning for the first time since 2022, while Moldova has withdrawn due to financial difficulties. Australia continues its participation despite not being a European country, while Russia remains banned from the contest since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In preparation for the contest, the UK hopes to improve its standing after recent poor performances. Remember Monday, formed at a school in Hampshire, includes members with experience in the West End. The contest has sparked controversy, particularly regarding Israel's participation, with over 70 former contestants signing an open letter calling for Israel's exclusion due to allegations of complicity in violence against Palestinians. This year's contestant from Israel, Yuval Raphael, has expressed her concerns about potential backlash during her performance, reflecting the ongoing political tensions surrounding the event. The Eurovision final will employ a dual scoring system, incorporating votes from both a jury of music experts and fans across Europe, with additional input from non-participating countries. As anticipation builds for this year's contest, the complex interplay of music, culture, and politics remains a defining feature of Eurovision's storied history.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article provides an overview of the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest 2025, highlighting its location, theme, and participants. By focusing on the event's details such as the contestants, broadcasting information, and historical context, it aims to engage both Eurovision fans and the broader audience.
Purpose and Audience Engagement
This article serves to inform readers about the Eurovision Song Contest while also generating excitement around the event. By emphasizing the return of certain countries and the participation of notable artists, it aims to attract attention from various demographics, including music enthusiasts and those interested in international cultural events. The choice of the theme "Welcome Home" resonates with nostalgia, potentially appealing to audiences who value tradition and cultural heritage.
Public Perception
The framing of the contest in Switzerland, a nation with a rich Eurovision history, may evoke pride among Swiss citizens and foster a sense of unity among participants. The mention of previous controversies, such as the ban of Russia and the withdrawal of Moldova, may also shape public discourse around the competition, possibly leading to discussions about political influences in cultural events.
Potential Omissions
There may be an underlying intent to downplay the criticisms from artists, like Nemo's accusations regarding the lack of support for performers. This selective emphasis on the event's celebratory aspects could sidestep potential controversies surrounding the contest’s organization and its treatment of artists.
Manipulative Elements
The article presents a largely factual account of the event; however, the language used could imply a promotional slant, focusing on the positive aspects while glossing over criticisms or controversies. This could lead to perceptions that the Eurovision Song Contest is solely a positive cultural event, rather than a complex platform influenced by various socio-political factors.
Comparative Context
In comparison to other news articles covering cultural events, this one maintains a celebratory tone that aligns with the general media portrayal of Eurovision as a unifying event. This can be contrasted with articles that focus on the political implications of the contest, showcasing how media framing can shape public perception.
Impact on Society and Economy
The Eurovision Song Contest often generates significant economic activity in host cities through tourism, advertising, and media rights. The excitement generated can lead to increased visibility for Switzerland as a cultural destination. However, it may also bring to the forefront discussions about funding and support for the arts, especially in light of Moldova's withdrawal due to financial challenges.
Community Support
This event typically garners support from diverse communities, particularly those with a strong interest in music, culture, and European unity. The inclusion of non-European countries like Australia and Israel may also appeal to a wider audience, reflecting a more globalized view of cultural exchange.
Market Implications
While the article does not directly address stock market implications, events like the Eurovision Song Contest can influence sectors such as tourism, broadcasting, and entertainment. Companies involved in these areas may see fluctuations based on the event's reception and viewership.
Geopolitical Relevance
The article aligns with contemporary discussions about cultural diplomacy and international relations, especially in light of Russia's ban. The contest serves as a stage for nations to express their identities and values, contributing to broader conversations about art, culture, and politics.
AI Involvement
It is possible that AI tools were employed in drafting the article, particularly in organizing factual information and ensuring clarity. However, the tone of the language suggests a human touch, particularly in crafting narratives that engage the audience emotionally. AI might have influenced the structure and flow, but the core messaging appears to reflect human editorial choices.
The article presents a largely accurate depiction of the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, with a focus on its celebratory aspects while potentially omitting critical viewpoints. The overall reliability can be considered high, though readers should remain aware of the nuances and broader implications surrounding the event.