JOY Eurovision

The 75th edition of Europe’s original song festival gave us all the drama, with an outcome that even bookies were enjoying. This year’s Sanremo (aka Festival della canzone italiana) had new artistic management, but Italy‘s televote results didn’t change all that much.

Michael and Io discuss what went down at the Ariston (and beyond), leading us to Lucio Corsi taking the Italian flag to Basel.

Who should have a break?

Who got robbed?

What will come of Sanremo next year?

Coma_Cose – CUORICINI [Little Hearts]

Joan Thiele – Eco

The Kolors – TU CON CHI FAI L’AMORE [Who Do You Make Love With]

Elodie – Dimenticarsi alle 7 [Forget about each other at 7am]

Giorgia – LA CURA PER ME [The Treatment for Me]

Simone Cristicchi – Quando sarai piccola [When You Are Little]

Fedez – BATTITO [Heartbeat]

Brunori Sas – L’albero delle noci [The Walnut Tree]

Olly – Balorda nostalgia [Foolish Nostalgia]

The post Reviewing Sanremo 2025: Olly wins, and Lucio goes appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

Benidorm Fest heralds the beginning of gay Christmas in Spain, as singers from across the country battle for the bronze microphone. This year, Melody won the hearts of muscle bears with her song ESA DIVA.

Michael and Io look from top to bottom for a selection of Spanish divas that might just tickle your fancy.

Who’s been stocking up on cigars?

What public service announcement does Michael have to share?

Who’s smashing the beachside clubs?

Kuve – LOCA XTI [Crazy for you]

Mel Ömana – I’m a Queen [LGBTIQA]

J Kbello – VIP

Daniela Blasco – Uh Nana

The post Reviewing Benidorm Fest 2025: Spain’s diva has arrived appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

As we enter the calm before the Eurovision semi final storm, it’s the perfect opportunity to check in with Ireland.

After teasing that Eurosong would be its own production, we ended up with another special edition of The Late Late Show. And this special edition delivered a win to Norwegian singer EMMY with a song about Laika the dog.

Michael and Io take a rocket ship into the Irish cosmos to explore what else was vying for the Irish title.

Can Eurosong ever break free?

Who should be back next year?

What can a dog do for Ireland?

Adgy – Run Into The Night [LGBTIQA]

NIYL – Growth [LGBTIQA]

Bobbi Arlo – POWERPLAY [LGBTIQA]

Samantha Mumba – My Way

The post Reviewing Eurosong 2025: Taking Ireland to space appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

After months of musical delight (and disappointment), the 2025 Eurovision National Final Season is coming to a close.

And as is traditional, Sweden‘s festival of music, Melodifestivalen, is the last preview show of the year.

Michael and Io get through most of the songs wanting to win that special trophy and head to Basel. Will it be the return of a Swedish champion or will another foreigner claim the reward?

Watch Melodifestivalen on SVT Play on Saturday 8 March from 8pm if you’re in Europe, or on Sunday 9 March from 6am if you’re working on AEDT.

What’s the deal with Måns?

Who’s got Michael feeling the ’80s?

Where did all the horses comes from?

John Lundvik – Voice of the Silent

Dolly Style – YIHAA [Yeehaw!]

Greczula – Believe Me

Klara Hammarström – On and On and On

SCARLET – Sweet N’ Psycho

Erik Segerstedt – Show Me What Love Is

Maja Ivarsson – Kamikaze Life

Meira Omar – Hush Hush

Måns Zelmerlöw – Revolution

Saga Ludvigsson – Hate You So Much [Podcast extra]

Annika Wickihalder – Life Again [Podcast extra]

KAJ – Bara bada bastu [Just Take a Sauna]

The post Previewing Melodifestivalen 2025: From bros to… ? appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

As the 2025 Eurovision National Final season starts to wrap, we turn to Denmark. Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, or DMGP for brevity.

Michael and Io fired the satellite up to delve into DMGP for 2025 and discuss Denmark’s options for Basel. You can fire your own satellite up to watch DMGP via DRTV on Sunday 2 March at 6am (if you’re in the Aussie east coast) or at 8pm on Saturday 1 March (if you’re working in central Euro time).

Has Io’s DMGP tune changed?

What’s happening to Michael’s sixth sense?

Who’s going to be busy during European festival season?

MARIYA – I Belong To Me

Tim Schou – Proud

Max Ulver – Supernova

Hervé Toure – ALLEZ ALLEZ

Maria Mathea – Air

Adel the Second – The Unluckiest Boy Alive

Sissal – Hallucination

Andreas Kruse – Hear My Prayer

The post Previewing Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2025: Denmark’s crowning glory appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

Poland has made its decision for Eurovision 2025 thanks to Wielki finał polskich kwalifikacji. A massive 39% of Poles decided that pop legend Justyna Steczkowska was the one to choose, with her banger GAJA.

Michael and Io check out some of the other songs that came close and share their thoughts about a (surprisingly) well produced national final.

Where are the receipts?

What does Io really think?

Has TVP turned a corner?

Kuba – PRAY

Dominik Dudek – Hold The Light

Sw@da x Niczos – Lusterka [Mirrors]

The post Reviewing Wielki finał polskich kwalifikacji: When Poland transcends appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

After reaching Bjorkan heights last year, Iceland is ready to choose a new Eurovision hero.

With the Söngvakeppnin grand final only hours away, Michael and Io run through the six songs that will be wanting to fly the flag in Basel.

If you’re on the Aussie east coast, you can enjoy the show on Sunday 23 February from 6:45am via the Eurovision YouTube channel. If you’re in Europe, you should try to watch from 8:45pm on Saturday 24 February instead.

How niche can Iceland get?

What’s happened to the rock?

Are the bookies on track?

ÁGÚST – Like you

Bjarni Arason – Aðeins lengur [A little longer]

Júlí & Dísa – Fire

VÆB – RÓA [QUIET]

Tinna – Words

Stebbi Jak – Set Me Free

The post Previewing Söngvakeppnin 2025: The highest of Iceland’s heights appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

We’re in the home stretch of Eurovision National Final Season, and Norway is next up to decide. Melodi Grand Prix has ditched the semi finals and is direct to the grannie, as Tarjei Strøm takes over musical duties.

Michael and Io listen to the nine songs that made it through to the big event and share some ideas for staging, perfect demographics and how old favourites might be received.

You can watch MGP live via NRK from 5:50am on Sunday 16 February (AEDT) or 7:50pm on Saturday 15 February in Central Europe.

What’s Rybak up to?

Who’s getting their house-down-boots on in Oslo’s gay clubs? 

What about Laika Party?

Tone Damli – Last Song

Sondrey – Vagabond

Nora Jabri – Sulale [Bloodline]

Wig Wam – HUMAN FIRE

LLL – Parasite

Kyle Alessandro – Lighter

Nataleen – The Game

Ladybug – Hot as Hell in Paradise

Bobbysocks – Joyful

The post Previewing MGP 2025: Norway’s grand melodi appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

Latvia is ready to shine with the grand final of their Eurovision national final, Supernova. Ten acts have reached the final, hoping to be sent to Switzerland to represent their country in May.

Michael and Io preview the ten songs in the running and share what they think should happen next.

You can watch the Supernova final on Saturday 8 February at 8pm in Central Europe or on Sunday 9 February at 6am on the Aussie East Coast via the LTV website.

Why is the studio smokey?

Who’s getting hot and bothered?

What do the Latvians need to learn from the Nordics?

Chris Noah – Romance Isn’t Dead

Palú – Delusional

Sinerģija – Bound by the light

Citi Zēni – RAMTAI

Tepat – Sadzejot [Compose]

The Ludvig – LĪGO [Midsummer]

Markus Riva – Bigger Than This

Tautumeitas – Bur man laimi [Bring me happiness]

Bel Tempo & LEGZDINA [LGBTIQ] – The Water

Emilija – Heartbeat

The post Previewing Supernova 2025: Who is Latvia’s new star? appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

Everyone thought the drama would end in 2024. It seems we were wrong.

Michael looks into the withdrawals and disqualifications in 2025’s national final season.

What’s going on?

What should the broadcasters do?

Who’s to blame?

The post National Final drama: A season of DQs appeared first on JOY Eurovision.