Jeremy Williams-Chalmers, Arts Correspondent
The 69th Eurovision Song Contest
The 69th Eurovision Song Contest is nearly upon us. With just a week to go and the acts already rehearsing in Basel, the world is on the final countdown to find out who replaces the third Swiss winner - Nemo - as the crown carrying Eurovision winner. While there we no doubt be numerous Eurovision icons born as a result of the competition, which is hosted in the country that gave us the first ever Eurovision winner and helped Celine Dion on her quest to global domination - we decided we would have a quick glance at the five acts currently tipped by the bookies for glory, while throwing in a few of our own choice acts too...Having beaten former winner Måns Zelmerlöw at Melodifestival to be crowned Sweden's entry, Finnish trio KAJ instantly became the bookies favourite for their playful ode to the sauna. With an undeniably memorable chorus and well thought out staging, this is an instant hit that is bound to fare well. Although the bookies have been championing it, could it be a victim of its own popularity and fall slightly short at the final hurdle? We love it, but it is not our favourite...
One of many former The Voice contestants, operatic whizzkid JJ teamed up with former Austrian entrant Teya (who finished 15th alongside Salena in 2023) for this rather epic ode to unrequited love. A pop opera track at the core, it is the epic techno crescendo, with echoes of Nemo's fusionist sound, that really sets this apart from other songs. If the vocal is right on the night, this will steal the hearts and could well pinch the crown from KAJ.
It is 12 years since Louane found fame on the French series of The Voice. Having just released her Greatest Hits, her star power both in the Francophone world and outside of it has been proven time and again. While the launch of the intimate Maman was a little overwhelming at the 2025 Six Nations match between France and Scotland, with a more representative performance at Eurovision to highlight the touching ode to her late mother and her own journey as a mother, this could see France finally claim the victory they have been striving for since Barbara Pravi was pipped to the post. A deserving entry, but this one needs to be allowed to shine in it's simplicity.
Yuval Raphael auditioned for HaKokhav Haba last year and stormed to victory for the honour to represent Israel at the Eurovision. The Nova Festival survivor will be joined on stage by fellow survivors in Basel as she performs her Chanson inspired trilingual ballad. This is a tender number and will do well with the public, but can she win over the jury too?
Congolese-Dutch singer Claude was internally selected for Eurovision and follows in the footsteps of 2024's disqualified bookies favourite Joost Klein to reinstate Netherlands in the upper echelons of the contest. Having beaten former representatives Douwe Bob and Anouk for the honour, Claude is a chart topping sensation on his home turf and his slick pop entry has all the key ingredients to perform well for both public and jury votes. This could do very well.
Best of the rest
Adonxs - Kiss Kiss Goodbye (Czechia)
Having won SuperStar back in 2021, non gender-conforming Adonxs has been named in Slovakia's Forbes 30 Under 30 and has made his name on the live circuit in both his home terrain and his adopted home of the UK. His ballad turned techno track Kiss Kiss Goodbye has one of the most unexpected twists of the contest and his striking vocal will certainly make him memorable.
Kyle Alessandro - Lighter (Norway)
Former child star Kyle Alessandro claimed the opportunity to represent Norway at Eurovision earlier this year. With subtle nods to former Norwegian Eurovision winner Alexander Rybak's Fairytale, this is a big pop number that needs bold vocals on the night to fare well - particular as Armenia's Survivor (Parg) has a very similar feel.
Miriana Conte - Serving (Malta)
Initially titled Kant, Miriana Conte found herself a viral sensation in the aftermath of winning the opportunity to try bring Eurovision to Malta for the first time. Having had to drop the Maltese word for singing from her epic anthem, Miriana has proved that the song was about much more than the play on words and has become a Eurovision icon ahead of the contest even happening. This will do well with the public.
Shkodra Elektronike - Zjerm (Albania)
Growing up in Italy, Shkodra Elektronike have been on the rise in Albania over the last half a decade for their fusion of electro, pop and the traditional Albanian folk songs. This fusion of folk and electro is a proven formula for Eurovision and the killer presence of vocalist Beatriçe Gjergji should see them doing extremely well. A top 5 finish is our prediction.
Theo Evan - Shh (Cyprus)
For the first time since 2017, Cyprus will be represented by a Cypriot-born aritst. Having studied at Berklee, he made his solo debut back in 2021 with The Wall, and has even appeared on the US series, Euphoria. However, it is his dark EDM pop sound that takes him to Eurovision with the black horse of the competition, Shh. From sneak snippets of the staging, this is designed to win and could do extremely well, particularly given Evan's proven vocal and poster boy good looks being thrown into the mix.
Tommy Cash - Espresso Macchiato (Estonia)
Having worked with Käärijä and Joost Klein prior to the contest, Tommy Cash won a landslide victory in the build up to Eurovision representation in Estonia. However, Espresso Macchiato has proved controversial in Italy, with criticism of a mocking tone of Italian culture. Cash sees it as a love letter. This is novelty pop and will either do extremely well or crash out in the semis.
Go-Jo - Milkshake Man (Australia)
Choosing a viral Tik Tok sensation and teaming him up with former Eurovision wannabes Sheppard to write his entry has resulted in one of Australia's most playful entries yet. This is certainly an earworm, but as with Tommy Cash, the novelty factor may see it supped for victory or spilt before the finals.
Abor & Tynna - Baller (Germany)
Germany have finally entered a song in German! Having last done so back in 2007, Austrian sibling duo Abor & Tynna won over the public vote with the banger Baller earlier this year. This is one that you will be singing for weeks after the competition, but has it got Eurovision winner written on it? Only time will tell...
Klemen - How Much Time Do We Have Left (Slovenia)
Comedian and actor Klemen showed his sensitive side when he revealed his entry for Slovenia. A touching letter to his wife, written in the aftermath of a devastating diagnosis, this is sentimental but not too mushy. While it is low down in the running with the bookies, this may well be a surprise qualifier.
Væb - Róa (Iceland)
The bookies really do not think Iceland's Jedward equivalent, Væb, have any chance of even qualifying from the first semi-final. However, Jedward struck a chord with both their entries, and this pop-rap bop may well be a surprise qualifier, even if it is unlikely to win.
And the UK??
Remember Monday - What The Hell Just Happened?
Having come to prominence on The Voice, Remember Monday are trying to return the Eurovision crown to a girl band for the first time since Bobbysocks in 1985. With the UK last represented by a girl band in 1999 (Precious), What The Hell Just Happened? moves away from the trio's country origins in a pop meets musical direction. This has elements of Six - The Musical and Queen, and the girls certainly have the vocals, but is it just too busy to really claim the crown? It has proved itself a grower in the weeks since its release, so let's see what happens...