The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast

The current Eurovision champion JJ returns to the podcast to reflect on his incredible year. He talks to Steve about performing his new single Unknown during the second semi-final and the love he's received from Austria since winning with Wasted Love. JJ also spills the tea on his friendship with the Beauty Blenders (Miriana Conte, Erika Vikman, Sissal and Kyle Alessandro). The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your ten qualifiers from the first semi-final are right here! The artists representing Greece, Finland, Belgium, Sweden, Moldova, Israel, Serbia, Croatia, Lithuania and Poland give their immediate reaction after making it through to Saturday’s Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final.  Steve then talks to Monroe, who's representing France with her pop-opera epic Regarde! The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready to join COSMÓ, Alis and Atvara at one of this year's Eurofan Cafés - the legendary Gerstner in Vienna. In front of a live audience of ESC volunteers, the trio of stars talk about their Eurovision experience so far. Austria's COSMÓ chats the Tanzschein, Latvian star Atvara is feeling like a celebrity and Albania's Alis reveals how he got one of his country's acting legends involved in his song Nân. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We can't get Sweden's FELICIA out of our system as she joins us on the podcast, alongside LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER from the UK. The Swedish star talks about her love of Eurovision icon Carola, being influenced by Shrek and tells us about her mask collection. Meanwhile, LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER chats about his rise to YouTube sensation and his hands-on approach to the Contest. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Noam Bettan joins the podcast for a chat about his journey to the Eurovision Song Contest to represent Israel. He talks about his lifelong love of music, his influences and the unusual animal he'd like as a pet. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two stars of this year's 2026 Grand Final join the podcast for a catch-up! First, Germany's Sarah Engels returns to talk about musicals, motherhood, and her song Fire. Italian legend Sal Da Vinci also chats to Steve about his song Per Sempre Si, the love he had for his home city of Naples and why food means family. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

San Marino legend SENHIT is joined by music icon Boy George to talk about their Vienna collaboration Superstar! The pair talk about how their partnership came about, and George's first impressions of the Eurovision Song Contest. Luis and Miguel from Portuguese vocal group Bandidos do Cante also drop by to chat about their friendship, their proud history and their song Rosa. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two amazing piano players join the podcast in Vienna! First up, it's Australian superstar Delta Goodrem to talk about her song Eclipse, her love of representing her country, and how the stars aligned - literally - for her Eurovision debut. Daniel Zizka from Czechia also jumps on the pod to chat about Crossroads, his favourite musicals and how he nearly didn't quite make it to Austria. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fresh from their first rehearsals, Romania's Alexandra Căpitănescu and Georgia's Bzekebi join the latest edition of the podcast. Alexandra and her bandmates talk about bringing Romania back to the contest, being huge Eurovision fans themselves... and how the singer has an interesting double life as a physicist! Georgian legends Bzekebi discuss their memories of winning Junior, bringing the vibes to their song On Replay, and where to find the best khachapuri in Tbilisi! The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fresh from his first rehearsal, Luka from Serbian band LAVINA joins Steve on the latest episode of the podcast to discuss their song Kraj Mene. He talks about his love of fantasy, his love of Lordi and Wig Wam, and how his love of metal began. JIVA from Azerbaijan also swings by to chat about her song Go, her musical influences and her love of the contest. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lithuania's Lion Ceccah and Estonia's Vanilla Ninja join the podcast straight after their first rehearsal. Lion Ceccah chats to Steve about his silver era, his multilingual song Sólo Quiero Más , and the support he's getting back home in Vilnius. Meanwhile, Vanilla Ninja are back at the contest, 21 years after they first entered. They chat about returning to Eurovision, ice cream and their interesting side hustle. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello from Vienna!! It's our first episode from Austria as we catch up some of the acts of 2026 straight after their first rehearsals. First up, it's Satoshi from Moldova who's opening the whole event. Representing Finland, Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen talk fire, ice, sauna and violins. And LELEK from Croatia chat about their favourite pop divas, their intricate make-up and how they're bringing the drama on stage to sing Andromeda. he Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LELÉKA is all set to represent Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest with the beautiful ballad Ridnym. She joins Steve on the podcast to talk about her musical life, her love of Rosalía, and how she could break a record for the longest note ever sung at the contest. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Veronica Fusaro is ready to rock the stage in Vienna with her song Alice. The Swiss singer talks to Steve about her lifelong love of music, her love of Conchita Wurst and why she's bringing such a powerful anthem to Vienna. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Ferto time! Akylas from Greece joins us for the latest episode of the podcast to talk about his preparation for Vienna. He talks to Steve about his love of the contest, his appreciation of Käärijä, and his journey to Eurovision fame. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We go backstage at the London Eurovision Party to meet some of the stars of this year’s Contest. Steve chats to LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER from the United Kingdom about being a new dad, and Sarah Engels from Germany about lighting a fire in Vienna. He catches up with best friends COSMÓ from Austria and Eva Marija from Luxembourg, and the party’s hosts Sissal (Denmark, 2025) and Cesár Sampson (Austria, 2018) also join for a chat about life after Eurovision. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tamara Živković is representing Montenegro with her empowerment anthem Nova Zora! The singer talks to Steve about her talent on the flute, her love of Lady Gaga and her special friendships with this year's contestants. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're joined by Essyla, who will be Dancing On The Ice for Belgium in Vienna. She meets Steve to chat about fulfilling her lifelong dream to sing at the Eurovision Song Contest, the support she's getting from her tiny city in Belgium, and the advice she's been getting from former Belgian entrants Gustaph and Mustii.  The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the 2020 contest was cancelled, Alicja from Poland is finally back to have her moment on the Eurovision stage. She talks to Steve about returning with her song Pray, her musical influences and how she set up the group chat for the Class of 2026. Marcus Tang also joins us from Bangkok to talk about the excitement of bringing the first ever Eurovision Song Contest Asia to life. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Latvian singer Atvara will be bringing raw emotion and drama to the Eurovision stage with her highly personal ballad Ēnā. She talks to Steve about the magic of the song, finding fame on TikTok and how she's already vibing with the Class of '26, including Australia's Delta Goodrem and Akylas from Greece. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a love letter to his country, Satoshi is heading to Vienna with the pulsing national anthem Viva, Moldova! He talks about the story behind his song, his love of Linkin Park and some of the hidden moments in his lyrics. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bulgaria’s superstar DARA is ready to bring the energy to Vienna! The singer talks to Steve Holden about the meaning of her song Bangaranga and bringing Bulgaria back to the Eurovision Song Contest.  The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonas Lovv is looking to make his mark on the Eurovision Song Contest as he competes for Norway with the song Ya Ya Ya. He talks to Steve about his huge win at the Norwegian national final, his love of Queen's Freddie Mercury, and tells us about his impressive array of tattoos. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Antigoni is living out a childhood dream by representing Cyprus at the Eurovision Song Contest. She talks about her song Jalla, honouring her Cypriot roots and performing on stage with Hollywood star Jason Momoa. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Søren Torpegaard Lund talks about channelling his 'inner-Britney' as he gets ready to represent Denmark in Vienna. He talks about his musical theatre background, his energetic staging of Før vi går hjem and his love for 2025's entry Sissal. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After several attempts to represent his country, Aidan is finally heading to the Eurovision Song Contest for Malta! He speaks to us about his song Bella, how he loves being an absolute Eurovision nerd and reveals to us his dream collaborations and inspirations. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eva Marija will be representing Luxembourg with her song Mother Nature, and is the first artist from the Class of 2026 to appear on the official podcast! She talks about her winning her national final, how Alexander Rybak inspired her to play violin and chats about her love for one of the contest's legends... Celine Dion! The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Norway’s Queen of Kings, Alessandra, joins us for the first episode of the brand new season of the podcast. She’s going to be joining other icons on the official tour to celebrate the Eurovision Song Contest’s 70th birthday. The singer talks about the excitement of visiting cities all across Europe and tells us what she’s been up to since her amazing 5th placed finish in the 2023 final in Liverpool.  Details of tickets for the tour can be found at eurovision.com The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have an end of the year treat for you as we catch up with some of your favourite stars of the Eurovision Song Contest at Amsterdam's Het Grote Songfestivalfeest. The huge concert featured dozens of Eurovision singers who got to perform in front of thousands of people. We spoke to Austria's reigning champion JJ about life after winning in Basel. Joining together are Destiny and Miriana Conte to chat about their friendship and showcasing what Malta has to offer. We catch up with Marcus & Martinus, who represented Sweden in Malmö in 2024. Remember Monday, who sang for the United Kingdom this year, share their highs of douze and nil points. And making their debut on the podcast, it's two-time representatives for Moldova, the Sunstroke Project, with singer Olia Tira. This episode was recorded on 20 November 2025, at Amsterdam's Ziggo Dome. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three of this year’s Grand Finalists join Steve to debrief this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Klavdia finished in sixth position for Greece with Asteromata and talks about her final performance, the secrets behind her quick change and the celebrations back home. Norway’s Kyle Alessandro and Denmark’s Sissal became firm friends during the Eurovision season and join this episode together to talk about JJ’s win, celebrating their new found fame and friendships, and Kyle’s wisdom teeth drama. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a victory for Austria! Hear from JJ, just minutes after winning the Eurovision Song Contest with his operatic Wasted Love. He achieved 436 points in the Grand Final. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two Eurovision legends join forces as Käärijä and Baby Lasagna team up for the Grand Final in Basel! The pair sit down with Steve to discuss their much anticipated collab #eurodab! They talk about finally meeting in real life for the first time, their experiences as iconic runners-up in Liverpool 2023 and Malmö 2024 and what happens when they join forces on the Eurovision stage.  The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prepare yourself.... as Irish Eurovision legends Jedward are finally on the podcast!  Brothers John and Edward are two-time competitors, taking part in 2011 AND 2012 with Lipstick and Waterline for Ireland. They talk about their time in Basel, their love of the Eurovision Song Contest, and whether they would ever come back for a third time.  The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your ten qualifiers from the second semi-final are right here! The artists representing Denmark, Latvia, Israel, Austria, Finland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Greece, Armenia and Malta  give their reaction after making it through to Saturday’s Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final. Gjon’s Tears also joins us to chat about what he’s been up to since his third-placed finish for Switzerland in 2021. We hear about his involvement in this year’s show and some secrets from the Rotterdam Grand Final. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Italy’s Lucio Corsi is bringing his poetic song Volevo Essere Un Duro to the Eurovision stage in Basel. He sits down with Steve (and his friend & translator Francis) to discuss his love of the quiet life in Tuscany, the meaning behind his song and his pet parrot. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your ten qualifiers from the first semi-final are right here! The artists representing Iceland, Norway, Albania, Sweden, The Netherlands, San Marino, Portugal, Estonia, Ukraine and Poland give their reaction after making it through to Saturday’s Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final.  We also catch up with three members of the Class of 2024: Marina Satti from Greece, iolanda from Portugal and Jerry Heil from Ukraine. They came together to sing Celine Dion’s 1988 winning entry Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready to serve and run with Malta's Miriana Conte and Azerbaijan's Mamagama! First up, Miriana tells us about her journey to Basel, the pride in representing her country with Serving, and how she's exhausted her country's supply of exercise balls! Next, singing for Azerbaijan with Run with U, it's Mamagama. Asaf, Hasan and Arif tell us about their roots in Baku and all the advice former Eurovision winner Eldar has been giving them. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time to get the know the hosts of this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Basel! TV host and singer Sandra Studer and comedian Hazel Brugger are presenting the live finals together. The pair sit down with Steve to talk about hosting the best show on earth, some secrets behind the production and whether they've heard anything from Celine Dion. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The representatives from France and Georgia speak about their Eurovision journeys. French singer Louane tells us about her poignant ballad Maman, which features her daughter, as well as that huge reveal at the Stade de France in Paris.  Next, Georgia’s Mariam Shengelia tells us about her song Freedom, representing her country, and the love of her life… her five-month old puppy.  The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some of the biggest creative brains at the Eurovision Song Contest join a special episode of the podcast, recorded in front of a live audience at the Novartis Pavilion in Basel. Joining Steve is Teya, Ralf Mackenbach, Ace Bowerman, Jorge Antonio Fujizaki and Melanie Wehbe.  Teya represented Austria in 2023 with Who The Hell Is Edgar? and is now the creative director and co-writer for JJ’s entry Wasted Love.  Ralf Mackenbach won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2009, but switched his career to his other passion… and is now a leading physicist! Creative director Ace Bowerman and choreographer Jorge Antonio Fujizaki are the brains behind the staging for this year’s United Kingdom and Azerbaijan entries. Melanie Wehbe has worked on four Eurovision Song Contest entries, including Sissal’s Hallucination, where she’s also a backing vocalist.  Also joining Steve are two ‘Novartists’ - Gustavo Prack & Anisah Alyahya - who talk about balancing their careers at Novartis, with their passion for music.  The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Steve speaks to German representatives Abor & Tynna, as well as Israeli singer Yuval Raphael. First up, brother and sister duo Abor & Tynna chat about their energetic song, Baller, which is the first German entry in the German language for nearly 20 years.  Next, it’s Yuval Raphael, representing Israel with the stirring ballad New Day Will Rise. She talks about her childhood in Switzerland and her favourite karaoke tracks… and there's a cameo appearance from her mum! The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's finally sauna time as Swedish representatives join the podcast, along with Ukraine's Ziferblat. KAJ (Kevin, Axel and Jakob) talk about their sauna anthem Bara Bada Bastu, their thoughts on being one of the favourites this year, and why Finland's Lordi left a lasting impression (literally) on the band. Next up, twin brothers Daniil & Valentyn from Ukraine discuss Bird of Pray, their love of Kate Bush, and why they'll be channeling Roger Federer in the semi-final. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The artists from Austria and Latvia drop by for the latest episode of the podcast! Austrian opera star JJ is ready to bring drama to his Wasted Love performance. He talks about bonding with Conchita, working with 2023 contestant Teya, and his ‘choatic’ friendship with Denmark’s Sissal. Then, all six members of Latvian folk-pop group Tatumeitas tell us about their song Bur Man Laimi and their love of Eurovision ethno-divas.  The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s podcast, we say a big hello to Claude from the Netherlands and Montenegro’s Nina Žižić. Claude is bringing his feelgood anthem C’est La Vie to the stage. He tells us about his road to Basel, his musical heroes, and why everyone’s going to be hearing his mother at the Contest.  Nina Žižić first represented Montenegro back in 2013 as the singer with rap duo Who See. She;s now flying solo and brings her country back to the contest after a three-year absence with her dramatic ballad Dobrodošli.  The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a triple threat as Croatia’s Marko Bosnjak, Albania’s Shkodra Elektronike and Theo Evan from Cyprus visit the podcast. First up, Marko Bošnjak has been baking his Poison Cake for the Eurovision stage. Albanian powerhouse duo Shkodra Elektronike tell Steve all about the famous legend inspiring their song Zjerm. And finally, please be quiet as Cyprus’ Theo Evan tells us all about his entry Shh, a performance which channels Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous Vitruvian Man. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Estonia’s Coffee King Tommy Cash and Slovenia’s TV presenter-turned-Eurovision star Klemen join Steve on today’s episode of the podcast. First up, Tommy Cash takes part in his first EVER podcast to discuss the creation of Espresso Macchiato, his friendship with Charli XCX and the famous names backing him for Eurovision victory. Next, Klemen brings his personal story to the stage in Basel with his ballad How Much Time Do We Have Left?. He tells Steve about the heartfelt ode to his wife, and his background as one of Slovenia’s best known impressionists.  The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The rehearsals in Basel have begun and we're speaking to three acts who performed on stage on day one of the Contest - Væb, Justyna Steczkowska & NAPA! First up, it's Icelandic duo Væb who are opening the whole event with their ocean-inspired anthem RÓA. Brothers Matthías and Hálfdán talk about their rehearsals, whale watching, and their fame in Iceland. Next, it’s Justyna Steczkowska, representing Poland with the epic GAJA. Justyna is returning to the Eurovision Song Contest after first performing 30 years ago... in 1995! Steve also talks to singer Guilherme & drummer João from Portugal's NAPA. They discuss the message behind their beautiful entry, Deslocado and the love of their home island, Madeira and its legendary drink Poncha. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have two HUGE singers for the price of one on today’s episode of the podcast.  First up is Serbia’s long-haired Princ who’s bringing his epic song Mila to Basel. He talks about his cat (also called Mila), his former life as a karate champion, and the unusual third language he speaks. Armenia’s PARG is here to talk about his powerful anthem Survivor. The singer tells Steve about the meaning of the song, what we can expect from him in Switzerland, and his special connection to Rosa Linn.  The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a very special episode of the podcast, recorded in front of a live audience at the London Eurovision Party! Joining Steve on stage are the United Kingdom’s Remember Monday, Australia’s Go-Jo and Austria’s 2024 entry Kaleen. Next up it’s Iceland’s Væb, Malta’s Miriana Conte and Slovenia’s Klemen, before they passed the microphones to Sweden’s KAJ, Sissal from Denmark and Croatia’s Marjo Bošnjak.  The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Representing Greece, Klavdia will be bringing the starry-eyed beauty of her song, Asteromata, to the Eurovision stage in Basel.  She talks to Steve about her lifelong Eurovision dreams, her iconic glasses and the strong relationship she has with her Eurovision ‘mother’ Helena Paparizou.  The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices