As we count down to Eurovision 2025, it’s the best time to get caught up on who’s who this year, and what the general vibe is for each country’s entry.
In a series of pieces for OGAE Ireland, member Ciarán O’Driscoll checks out each country’s entry, giving his verdict on its chances:
Should we toot or boot this year’s song compared to what they sent last year? Is it meh or magnificent compared to Malmö? My own handrailing-lacking sense of judgement will guide us here, as we sprint through the entries. These views should, of course, not be taken seriously (at all) and best ignored in their entirety.
Belgium
Last year Belgium sent Mustii with “Before the Party’s Over”, a dark, soulful pop song, it had impressive vocals. However, the fantastic final choir and blast of James Bond-esque brass was not enough to save this song from taking fartoo long to get where it needed to be. It failed to make it to the final, placing 13th out of 16 in the semi-final.
This year, Seppe Guido Yvonne Herreman, aka electro-pop singer Red Sebastian, will be singing “Strobe Lights” for Belgium. His stage-name (since 2019) is inspired by the red Jamaican-accented singing crab, Sebastian, from the Disney’s 1989 film, The Little Mermaid.
His song holds your attention throughout, building with an addictive electro-club beat, as he leaps impressively through his singing abilities. Some clever staging and camera angles here will see it soar like Red Sebastian’s falsetto vocals.
Better than before: Absolutely! There’s no hanging about here with this song to get off the ground.
Finland
There was endless hilarity with Windows95man’s “No Rules!” at Malmö last year. Although it went as big as the egg that Windos95man emerged from, it didn’t land with viewers, placing 19th in the final with 38 points.
This year, Finland are sending Erika Vikman and her song “Ich komme” (“I’m coming” in German). A pop star in her native Finland, she has had chart topping songs, including 2024’s “Ruoska” with Käärijä, and came 2nd in UMK 2020 with “Cicciolina”.
“Ich komme”, for me, is the only entry so far of 2025 that has winner linked to it. It’s a fun upbeat Euro-dance anthem, that leaves any subtleness at the cloakroom. One of the final lyrics is (in Finnish) “…and when you want more love, just shout: ‘Encore!’ and baby I’m coming.” Vikman will have the whole arena at Basel shouting “ICH KOMME, ICH KOMME!” and I can’t wait for it.
Better than before? Without a doubt, its Wunderbar!
Ireland
The only other thing better about Bambie Thug’s phenomenal performance last year is that they are from Cork. Hup! From their vocal abilities, commanding stage presence, to incorporating the Trans Pride colours as part of their outfit, and coming in 6th place, Bambie Thug has won our hearts!
To the surprise of some, including the women herself, Emmy will be representing Ireland in Basel this May with “Laika Party”. A catchy Scandi-pop song, it gives us an alternative happy story of poor Laika, the dog who went up in Soviet-built Sputnik 2 in November 1957 and she never came back down again. Staging will be key here to get the song’s story across clearly to viewers.
Better than before? Bambie’s performance last year is peerless and its incomparable to what Emmy is bringing this year (think of the goth-Barbie beach houses from the memes). What is better than before is being excited for Ireland’s entry two years in a row! Bring on Basel!
Greece
Here we have Klavdia, singingly her hauntingly beautiful ballad “Asteromáta” (“Starry Eyed Girl”). While a number of dancers accompany Klavdia on stage, their reserved movements keep Klavdia and her powerful vocals the centre of our attention.
Better than before? It’s hard to compare considering the two different music styles. Marina Satti’s “ZARI” merged traditional Greek folk music with urban pop, and we loved it, giving it 126 points reaching 11th in the final. With Klavdia, unfortunately, while her vocal abilities are stellar, it’s far more timid ballad style might not be an audience go-getter.
