Norwegian singer EMMY will represent Ireland at the second semi-final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel this evening, with Israel among the other countries competing.
The 24-year-old singer, who will perform the song Laika Party – a tribute to the Russian space dog – is representing Ireland after meeting an Irish songwriter at a music camp.
Against a backdrop of controversy over Israel’s ongoing participation in the contest, security is tight around the arena in Basel.
Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, will represent Israel performing Hebrew, French and English language entry New Day Will Rise.
Pro-Palestinian protesters have planned to walk the streets of Basel “silently” to demonstrate against Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.
There are 26 coveted spots in the Grand Final this Saturday night for the 69th Eurovision Song Contest final.
Six places go to the so-called big five, who automatically qualify every year, along with the host country.
On Tuesday night at the first semi-final, the first ten qualifiers claimed their spots, so that means there are just ten spaces left for tonight’s 16 competitors.
The evening will also see performances from three of the “big five” countries that have already made the final – British girl group Remember Monday, French singer Louane and German duo Abor & Tynna.
Last year, Ireland, which holds a record seven wins with Sweden, came sixth with Bambie Thug’s witchy Doomsday Blue, the first time the country made the final since Ryan O’Shaughnessy in Lisbon in 2018.
It is hoped EMMY can replicate that, but she faces strong competition from Finland singer Erika Vikman’s energetic Ich Komme, Malta’s Miriana Conte with the pride-filled Serving, and Czechia’s dramatic song Kiss Kiss Goodbye, from Adonxs.
Once all the acts have performed, the voting will begin with those countries performing being able to cast their votes for their favourites, and ten contestants going through to the final on Saturday.
In the final, qualifiers will also face Kaj, who are representing Sweden, with their entry Bara Bada Bastu, about Nordic sauna culture, Ukraine’s Ziferblat with the song Bird Of Pray, and Estonia’s Tommy Cash with Espresso Macchiato, among others.
The Grand Final on Saturday will also see reigning champion Switzerland perform, who, as hosts, are guaranteed a slot after their act, Nemo, was victorious last year.
