Eurovision 2026 Returns Amid Controversy
The buildup to Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria, has been marked by significant controversy. Five nations, including Spain, the Netherlands, and seven-time winners Ireland, have boycotted the event in protest at Israel's participation. During the first semi-final on Tuesday, chants of "free Palestine" echoed through the Wiener Stadthalle venue. The contest's slogan, "United by music," feels increasingly ironic as the annual pop party celebrates its 70th anniversary.
Despite the tensions, the show must go on. Saturday night's grand final promises to be as compelling as ever, with surprises already emerging. Boy George co-wrote San Marino's entry and provided guest vocals, but failed to make it through Tuesday's semi-final. The audience of 150 million expected to tune in will witness a blend of geopolitical point-scoring and surreal spectacle. Here are 11 bangers to watch out for.
Norway: 'Ya Ya Ya' by Jonas Lovv
The Norwegian entry is textbook Eurovision, with lyrics consisting largely of "ya ya ya." However, it is no novelty pop confection. Five years after Måneskin's triumph, moustachioed, tattooed hipster Jonas Lovv adopts a stomp-rock approach with a scuzzy gem full of driving riffs and singalong refrains. It has been compared to 2000s indie anthems like The Hives' "Hate to Say I Told You So." Ya ya and, if you will, ya.
Finland: 'Liekinheitin' by Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen
The bookies' favourite is the angsty techno-ballad "Liekinheitin," which translates to "flamethrower." Expect overly literal pyrotechnics and peroxide-blond classical violinist Linda Lampenius wearing a Bacofoil dress and playing her 19th-century Gagliano violin so ferociously that strings snap and horsehairs fly. It is only the second time a live instrument has been allowed on stage since 1998. They aim to become only the second Finnish winners after fancy-dressed metallers Lordi 20 years ago.
Armenia: 'Paloma Rumba' by Simón
"Paloma rumba, let's go / Delete my number, burn the phone!" Armenia complains about office culture with lyrics like "This meeting could have been an email / Free coffee won't keep me here." The staging sees Simón flinging reams of paper and backflipping towards the exit door.
France: 'Regarde !' by Monroe
Sung by 17-year-old prodigy Monroe, the youngest act this year, "Regarde !" is a poperatic epic reminiscent of current critical darling Rosalía. The past two Eurovision winners featured opera-tinged vocals, and Monroe could make it a hat-trick. Her staging nods to "Les Misérables and late 19th-century romantic painting."
Australia: 'Eclipse' by Delta Goodrem
Delta Goodrem, an established chart-topper who has sold over 8 million albums, survived cancer, and was once engaged to Westlife's Brian McFadden, represents Australia. Her big-lunged, lighters-aloft ballad about a passion so strong it blocks out the sun is inspired by Céline Dion.
Greece: 'Ferto' by Akylas
Akylas first gained fame in Greece five years ago with ukulele-accompanied cover versions on TikTok. Bouncy dance anthem "Ferto" (meaning "bring it") mixes traditional instrumentation with Super Mario bleeps and house beats. The lyrics morph from fame-hungry to a touching tribute to his mother. Hyperactive staging involves tiger-print costumes, an old lady knitting, statues coming to life, video game graphics, a slippery pole, and Akylas riding a scooter down the runway.
Cyprus: 'Jalla' by Antigoni
The most-viewed entry on YouTube this year, "Jalla" is by North London-born Antigoni, who once appeared in Love Island and is the daughter of TV cook Tonia Buxton. The title is Cypriot for "more," but the summery, sensual video has been criticized by "concerned" public figures back home as "unsophisticated" and "insulting to Cypriot history."
Lithuania: 'Sólo Quiero Más' by Lion Ceccah
This melodramatic man-v-machine ballad warns of the dangers of AI, urging us to break ChatGP-free. Sung in six languages, the lyrics exhort listeners to reject the algorithm and reclaim humanity. Lithuanian drag artist Lion paints himself head-to-toe in silver, like a robot from 1984.
Germany: 'Fire' by Sarah Engels
Sarah Engels is a solo female performing a pop song with love-themed lyrics in English, the winning formula according to seven decades of data. She is the most popular act on Instagram and TikTok with 2.5 million followers. Her song is an infectious, Dua Lipa-like dance-pop anthem, backed by Pussycat Dolls-alike dancers.
Bulgaria: 'Bangaranga' by Dara
Dara, an X Factor finalist and two-time winning coach of The Voice of Bulgaria, delivers a sassy club tune mixing Alanis Morissette-esque lyrics with a teeth-rattling drumbeat and gratuitous dance breakdowns.
Austria: 'Tanzschein' by Cosmó
Can the host nation make it back-to-back wins? Cosmó, a 19-year-old former finalist on The Voice Kids, performs a quirky synth-pop number that translates to "dance licence." Over a low-slung bassline, he exhorts clubbers to unleash their inner animal, accompanied on stage by gorillas and lions (not real ones).
The second semi-final of Eurovision 2026 airs on BBC One and iPlayer at 8pm on Thursday. The grand final follows at 8pm on Saturday.
