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Toronto Sun
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
The Eurovision Song Contest reaches its grand final
Published May 17, 2025 • 5 minute read Laura Thorn from Luxembourg performs the song "La Poupee Monte Le Son" during the Grand Final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, Saturday, May 17, 2025. Photo by Martin Meissner / AP Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — The world's largest live music event has reached its glitter-drenched conclusion with the grand final on Saturday of the Eurovision Song Contest, a celebration of music and unity ruffled by discord over Israel's participation. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account A trio singing for Sweden about the joys of saunas and a classically trained Austrian countertenor are among those tipped to take the microphone-shaped Eurovision trophy at the contest in Basel, Switzerland. But at the ever-unpredictable event, the prize could just as easily go to powerful singers from France, the Netherlands or Finland — or even an Estonian who sings about Italian coffee. The final kicked off at 9 p.m. local time (1900 GMT), with the winner due to be crowned after midnight (2200 GMT). Sweden's sauna song is a favourite Bookmakers say the favorite is KAJ, representing Sweden with their ode to sauna culture 'Bara Bada Bastu,' followed by Austrian singer JJ's pop-opera song 'Wasted Love.' French chanteuse Louane has risen up the odds with 'maman,' as has Dutch singer Claude with soulful ballad 'C'est La Vie' and Finland's Erika Vikman with the innuendo-laden 'Ich Komme.' Estonia's Tommy Cash is also a contender with his highly caffeinated dance-pop song 'Espresso Macchiato.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Israel's Yuval Raphael has won many fans with her anthemic 'New Day Will Rise,' but also faced protests from pro-Palestinian demonstrators calling for Israel to be kicked out of the contest over its conduct of the war against Hamas in Gaza. Acts from 26 countries — trimmed from 37 entrants through two elimination semifinals — will perform to some 160 million viewers for the continent's pop crown. No smoke machine, jet of flame or dizzying light display has been spared by musicians who have 3 minutes to win over millions of viewers who, along with national juries of music professionals, pick the winner. After a humorous opening film involving a thriller-style chase across Swiss mountains to deliver the Eurovision trophy, the contestants entered in an Olympics-style flag parade. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Then, Norway's Kyle Alessandro — at 19 the youngest contender — kicked off the competition with flaming power-pop number 'Lighter.' He was followed by Luxembourg's Laura Thorn with the playful 'La Poupee Monte Le Son' (The Doll Turns Up the Volume). Next up was Cash's 'Espresso Macchiato' — a popular favorite with revelers in Basel this week — followed by Israel's Raphael, showcasing her powerful voice on a rousing ballad and met by a mix of cheers and boos. Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR said a man and woman were stopped as they tried to climb over a barrier to the stage at the end of Raphael's song. It says a crew member was hit by paint thrown by the pair. The show was a celebration of Europe's eclectic, and sometimes baffling, musical tastes. Lithuanian band Katarsis delivered grunge rock, while Ukraine's Ziferblat channeled prog rock and the U.K.'s Remember Monday offered country pop. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Italy's Lucio Corsi evoked 1970s glam rock with 'Volevo Essere Un Duro' (I Wanted to be a Tough Guy), while Icelandic duo VAEB rapped about rowing in 'R'A' and Latvia's six-woman Tautumeitas offered gorgeous, intertwined harmonies on 'Bur Man Laimi' (Bring Me Happiness). There were divas aplenty, including Spain's Melody with the powerful 'Esa Diva,' Poland's Justyna Steczkowska, participating in Eurovision for a second time after a 30-year gap, with 'GAJA,' and Malta's outrageous Miriana Conte, who performed 'Serving' — a song whose previous suggestive title and lyrics were changed on the orders of contest organizers — on a set including a glitter ball and giant lips. The show was bookended by nonbinary Swiss singer Nemo, who opened the live performances with their 2024 winner 'The Code' and closed it with their intense new single 'Unexplainable.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. There was also face-off between two fan favorites: Baby Lasagna of Croatia, the 2024 runner up with 'Rim Tim Tagi Dim,' and Finland's Käärijä, whose rap-pop party anthem 'Cha Cha Cha' came second in 2023. But a rumored appearance by Celine Dion failed to materialize. Before she was a global star, the Canadian chanteuse won Eurovision in 1988, competing for Switzerland. Melody from Spain performs the song 'ESA DIVA' during the Grand Final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, Saturday, May 17, 2025. Photo by Martin Meissner / AP An eclectic competition Dean Vuletic, an expert on the history of Eurovision, said the competition has become more diverse over the years, both musically and linguistically. There are songs in 20 languages this year, including Ukrainian, Icelandic, Albanian, Latvian and Maltese. 'In the past it was about having a catchy, innocuous pop song, usually in English,' he said. But 'in recent years the formulaic approach to a Eurovision entry hasn't succeeded. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'An entry needs to be memorable and it needs to be authentic in order to succeed these days.' The war in Gaza clouds the contest This year's contest has been roiled for a second year by disputes over Israel's participation. Dozens of former participants, including Switzerland's Nemo, have called for Israel to be excluded. Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests have both taken place in Basel, though on a much smaller scale than at last year's event in Sweden, where tensions spilled over backstage and Dutch competitor Joost Klein was expelled over an alleged altercation with a crew member. Hundreds of people marched through Basel just before the competition, waving Palestinian flags and chanting 'Boycott Israel.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Earlier, a group of Israel supporters gathered in Basel's cathedral square to root for Raphael and to show that 'Jews belong in public spaces in Switzerland,' Zurich resident Rebecca Laes-Kushner said. She said that 'it would be such a strong statement against antisemitism,' if Raphael won. 'This is supposed to be about music, not about hate,' she said. The European Broadcasting Union, or EBU, which runs Eurovision, tightened the contest's code of conduct this year, calling on participants to respect Eurovision's values of 'universality, diversity, equality and inclusivity' and its political neutrality. After a controversial ban in 2024 on flags, apart from national ones, being waved in the arena, this year audience members can bring Palestinian flags or any others, as long as they are legal under Swiss law. Performers, though, can only wave their own country's flag. Eurovision director Martin Green told reporters that the organizers' goal was to 're-establish a sense of unity, calm and togetherness this year in a difficult world.' 'All 37 delegations, in difficult times, have behaved impeccably,' he said. Golf Columnists Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs Columnists
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Where to watch Eurovision final live in US? Full list of performances and running order
The Eurovision 2025 Grand Final kicked off at 3 p.m. EDT on Saturday. In the U.S., viewers can watch the live broadcast on Peacock. Depending on regional availability, the contest may also be streamed via the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel, according to Newsweek. This year's event is being held in Basel, Switzerland. Here's the complete list of final performances and the official running order - 1. Norway | Kyle Alessandro – Lighter 2. Luxembourg | Laura Thorn – La Poupée Monte Le Son 3. Estonia | Tommy Cash – Espresso Macchiato 4. Israel | Yuval Raphael – New Day Will Rise 5. Lithuania | Katarsis – Tavo Akys 6. Spain | Melody – ESA DIVA 7. Ukraine | Ziferblat – Bird of Pray 8. United Kingdom | Remember Monday – What The Hell Just Happened? 9. Austria | JJ – Wasted Love 10. Iceland | VÆB – RÓA 11. Latvia | Tautumeitas – Bur Man Laimi 12. Netherlands | Claude – C'est La Vie 13. Finland | Erika Vikman – ICH KOMME 14. Italy | Lucio Corsi | Volevo Essere Un Duro 15. Poland | Justyna Steczkowska – GAJA 16. Germany | Abor & Tynna – Baller 17. Greece | Klavdia – Asteromáta 18. Armenia | PARG – SURVIVOR 19. Switzerland | Zoë Më – Voyage 20. Malta | Miriana Conte – SERVING 21. Portugal | NAPA – Deslocado 22. Denmark | Sissal – Hallucination 23. Sweden | KAJ – Bara Bada Bastu 24. France | Louane – maman 25. San Marino | Gabry Ponte – Tutta L'Italia 26. Albania | Shkodra Elektronike – Zjerm
Wales Online
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Who is Luxembourg's Eurovision 2025 act Laura Thorn and what are the lyrics of her song La Poupée Monte Le Son
Who is Luxembourg's Eurovision 2025 act Laura Thorn and what are the lyrics of her song La Poupée Monte Le Son Luxembourg returned to the Eurovision stage for the first time in three decades in 2024, and they are back again in 2025 Laura Thorn representing Luxembourg performing at the Semi Final Round 2 of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest Opening Ceremony at Messe Basel (Image: Getty Images ) After returning to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2024 following more than three decades away, Luxembourg is back once again in 2025, this time represented by rising artist Laura Thorn, who will take the stage in the Grand Final in Basel, Switzerland. Luxembourg took part in the very first Eurovision Song Contest in 1956 and has won the competition on five occasions, making its recent comeback a celebrated revival for long-time fans. Her entry, La Poupée Monte Le Son, is both a debut and a tribute. The song, which marks her first commercial release, was written by a team of French producers and is a direct homage to the 1965 Eurovision-winning hit Poupée de Cire, Poupée de Son, originally performed by France Gall. Like France Gall, Laura brings a youthful energy and playful charm to the stage, updating the spirit of the original with a modern pop twist. Laura's performance embraces the spirit of Eurovision with a generous dose of camp and charm. Complete with pink lighting and a risqué costume change, it leans fully into its cute, girly pop identity that will absolutely resonate with fans of Sabrina Carpenter. Laura earned her spot in the final through the semi-finals, where her polished delivery and confident stage presence helped reintroduce Luxembourg to the Eurovision stage after a 31-year absence. Article continues below Who is Laura Thorne? According to the Eurovision website, the 25-year-old is a classically trained musician with a strong background in both performance and teaching. She holds Masters degrees in solfeggio, pedagogy, as well as pop singing — a rare combination that brings both skill and creativity to the stage. Laura's journey in music began early. She started dancing at five, then took up solfeggio at eight, while also learning to play the piano and cello. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter Over the years, she added chamber music, harmony, counterpoint, and choral conducting to her training, building a broad foundation that shapes her approach to pop music today. Outside of performing, Laura works as a music teacher at the Conservatoire de Musique in Esch/Alzette, in southern Luxembourg. She speaks Luxembourgish and French as her native languages and is also fluent in English and German. Lyrics of La Poupée Monte Le Son The English translation of this song according to Wiwibloggs: If all you see in me is a perfect doll Who smiles and then shuts up when you want her to Forget me, I'm not your puppet That's the way it is, that's the way it is Your little game is over If you think a man like you can manipulate me Go back to mummy, you'd better give up Or else, I'm the one who will dismantle you Beware, beware, Because I'm taking the controls New instruction manual I can do everything without you It's another setup Another era I make my voice heard So, above all, don't play The ventriloquist The doll turns up the sound Na na na na na na Remember the lesson Na na na na na na The doll turns up the sound Na na na na na na Watch out, boy Na na na na na na The doll turns up the… If you thought I was fragile like porcelain Or more malleable, like polyethylene I'm not like that, I need oxygen Don't blame me, don't blame me, A new world is calling me If you were intending to display me in your showcase With your complete collection of figurines, Sorry for you but I alone determine Where my heart goes, my heart goes Yes, I am pulling the strings New instruction manual I'm relying on myself alone now You see, that's the sign Of another era I make my voice heard To trigger in you The electroshock The doll turns up the sound Na na na na na na Remember the lesson Na na na na na na The doll turns up the sound Na na na na na na Watch out, boy Na na na na na na The doll turns up the sound Your doll, as you call her, Turns up the decibels She is the echo of a new generation Without rags or plastic In her specifications, Your doll conducts the music She turns up the… She turns up the… She turns up the sound The doll turns up the sound Na na na na na na Remember the lesson Na na na na na na The doll turns up the sound Na na na na na na Watch out, boy Na na na na na na The doll turns up the sound Na na na na na na Remember the lesson Na na na na na na The doll turns up the sound The Eurovision Song Contest grand final will be available to watch on BBC and BBC iPlayer from 8pm on tonight, May 17. Article continues below
Telegraph
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The 10 Eurovision finalists to watch: From Swedish saunas to suggestive microphones
Grab your miniature flags and hold on tight – Eurovision 2025's finalists have been confirmed following Thursday's second semi-final. It's a fascinating line-up, encompassing comedy, pop, rafter-raising ballads and a celebration of coffee that has Italians gagging on their espressos. Ahead of Saturday's grand final in Basel, here's a run-down of 10 tunes worth looking out for. 10. La Poupée Monte le Son, Laura Thorn (Luxembourg) A creepy banger seemingly about a doll that wants to be pop star (the title translates as 'the doll turns up the volume'). The track is a tribute to Luxembourg's Serge Gainsbourg-composed 1965 Eurovision winner Poupée de Cire, Poupée de Son –though the blistering techno beat would have had Gainsbourg coming out in blisters. Luxembourg used to be a Eurovision power and has five victories under its belt. Could this be the post-Barbie bopper to restore some of that faded glory? 9. What the Hell Just Happened?, Remember Monday (UK) 'What the hell just happened?' was the thought racing through the minds of Eurovision viewers last year when Olly Alexander staged his performance of Dizzy inside a mocked-up sex dungeon. Twelve months later, Hampshire trio Remember Monday are playing it straighter with a girl power anthem celebrating the joys of a messy night out and the even messier morning after. A bit of a Frankenstein monster of a tune, it probably won't win – it's slightly all over the place, sounding a bit like The Last Dinner Party if they really wanted to impress Simon Cowell, crossed with Queen rebooted as a Dolly Parton cover band. But they are full of vim, and having reached the knockout stages of The Voice in 2019, know what it's like to perform under pressure. Controversy continues to surround Israel's participation in Eurovision, but the scrutiny has not unduly detained the country's 24-year-old representative, Raphael. She has been through far worse than social media hate as a survivor of the October 2023 attacks. Raphael was among the attendees of the Nova music festival, where she hid from Hamas death squads by concealing herself under the bodies of other victims. Inspired by Celine Dion, Beyoncé, and Led Zeppelin, New Day Will Rise is an old-fashioned, hair-dryer barnstormer that blends English, French, and Hebrew lyrics and has been interpreted as a response to the trauma Raphael suffered in 2023 – a tonne weight of emotion crashing down as she reaches the line, 'Everybody cries, don't cry alone.' Benny Hill meets Richard Wagner on an innuendo-fuelled power ballad from former tango singer Erik Vikman. Ich Komme – the lyrics are German – is an ode to a healthy sex life, delivered by Vikman with the fury and enthusiasm of a thousand Valkyries. For anyone who has wondered what might happen if Aqua collaborated with Sisters of Mercy... Well, now you have your answer. The memorable staging features with Vikman astride a giant phallic microphone. 6. C'est La Vie, Claude (Netherlands) There is a rich tradition of soppy man-pop doing well at Eurovision – just look at Nemo's 2024 winner, The Code. Dutch-Congolese singer Claude satisfyingly tweaks this familiar formula. Written as an ode to his mother, C'est La Vie starts as cheesy and maudlin but soon spreads its wings into energetic Afropop. Still not a patch on the B*witched original, obviously. 5. Bara Bada Bastu, KAJ (Sweden) Sweden is on course to finally eclipse Ireland (boo!) and take first place on the leaderboard with eight Eurovision wins. But while this boisterous and bonkers song from Finnish comedy trio KAJ is among the favourites, it also has a bad case of what scientists call 'LadBaby' syndrome in that it's massively quirky and a bit annoying. That isn't to say comedy pop has never done well at Eurovision – it is part of the contest's DNA. Still, this wacky song about Finnish sauna culture (a source of bafflement to Swedes) is funny first and catchy second – and you wonder if that will be enough to get it over the line. Who knows? It might. 4. Bur man laimi, Tautumeitas (Latvia) Finally, someone taking Eurovision seriously. Amid a parade of pervy stompers and songs about Finns and their saunas, this all-female six-piece goes bananas for Bjork and frantic for Florence and the Machine with a seismic salvo of melodic power-power. Costumes straight out of folk-horror shocker Midsommar add to the vibe while the haunting crescendo suggests an unlikely fandom for early Nineties madrigal goth trio Miranda Sex Garden. Just what you want from Eurovision, in other words. The song translates as 'Bring me happiness' – a surprise sentiment considering how terrifying it is. 3. Espresso Macchiato, Tommy Cash (Estonia) Forget Israel's participation – the real controversy at Eurovision 2025 is Tommy Cash's Espresso Macchiato. Half of Italy is reportedly up in arms over its celebration of exaggerated cliches about Italy: 'I work around the clocko/That's why I'm sweating like a mafioso.' If the relentless melody and comedy-rap qualities are familiar, it is because co-writer Johannes Naukkarinen was responsible for the 2023 Finnish entry Cha Cha Cha, aka the one sung by the scary man with the glowing green hulk arms. The memorable staging features Cash fighting off a fake stage-invader. But will Eurovision voters want to shower him with douze points? 2. Volevo Essere un Duro, Lucio Corsi (Italy) What if a young David Bowie grew up in Bari rather than Bromley and was obsessed with winning Eurovision? That is the sensibility evoked by glam-pop balladeer Corsi, whose entry feels like a love letter to the Thin White Duke's Hunky Dory years. It's one of the favourites, and you do have to credit Italy for standing apart from the pack. In 2021, Måneskin won with a glam-metal bopper Zitti E Buoni: this time, they're pinning their hopes on a wistful and entirely sincere post-hippy piano anthem. It might just work. 1. Wasted Love, JJ (Austria) The key to a great Eurovision entry is to combine ludicrous ambition and absolute sincerity. That mix comes together perfectly on this slo-mo banger from former Voice UK contestant Johannes Pietsch. It starts as a graceful slab of neo-classical balladry and pivots into floor-melting techno. Talk about having your cake and also waving your cake around like a glow stick at a rave. Eurovision 2025: Full line-up and running order Norway, Kyle Alessandro – Lighter Luxembourg, Laura Thorn – La Poupée Monte Le Son Estonia, Tommy Cash – Espresso Macchiato Israel, Yuval Raphael – New Day Will Rise Lithuania, Katarsis – Tavo Akys Spain, Melody – Esa Diva Ukraine, Ziferblat – Bird of Prey United Kingdom, Remember Monday – What The Hell Just Happened? Austria, JJ – Wasted Love Iceland, Væb – Róa Latvia, Tautumeitas – Bur Man Laimi Netherlands, Claude – C'est La Vie Finland, Erika Vikman – Ich Komme Italy, Lucio Corsi – Volevo Essere Un Duro Poland, Justyna Steczkowska – Gaja Germany, Abor & Tynna – Baller Greece, Klavdia – Asteromáta Armenia, Parg – Survivor Switzerland, Zoë Më – Voyage Malta, Miriana Conte – Serving Portugal, Napa– Deslocado Denmark, Sissal – Hallucination Sweden, KAJ – Bara Bada Bastu France, Louane – maman San Marino, Gabry Ponte – Tutta L'Italia
Powys County Times
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
How to vote in the Eurovision Grand Final
The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final is back tonight, and you will likely want to vote for your favourite country. Both semi-finals are complete, with 20 qualifiers joining the Big 5 countries and reigning winners Switzerland. All will be fighting to get your vote, but how can you support your favourite? Here is all to know ahead of the 69th outing of the popular competition. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Eurovision Song Contest (@eurovision) How to vote in the Eurovision Grand Final Votes can be cast by phone, SMS or the Eurovision Song Contest app. The app is available on iOS, Android and Windows devices. As the UK are a participating country, those planning to vote on the phone or through SMS, the numbers you need will be on the screen during the broadcasts and at the Eurovision website. For countries participating in Eurovision, voting will open just before the first song is performed. It will then remain open right through the performances, and for approximately 40 minutes after the last song. You can vote up to 20 times for your favourite. What is the running order of the Eurovision Grand Final? The running order of which countries are performing is as follows: Norway - Kyle Alessandro – Lighter Luxembourg - Laura Thorn – La Poupée Monte Le Son Estonia - Tommy Cash – Espresso Macchiato Israel - Yuval Raphael – New Day Will Rise Lithuania - Katarsis – Tavo Akys Spain - Melody – ESA DIVA Ukraine - Ziferblat – Bird of Pray United Kingdom - Remember Monday – What The Hell Just Happened? Austria - JJ – Wasted Love Iceland - VÆB – RÓA Latvia - Tautumeitas – Bur Man Laimi Netherlands - Claude – C'est La Vie Finland - Erika Vikman – ICH KOMME Italy - Lucio Corsi - Volevo Essere Un Duro Poland - Justyna Steczkowska – GAJA Germany - Abor & Tynna – Baller Greece - Klavdia – Asteromáta Armenia - PARG – SURVIVOR Switzerland - Zoë Më – Voyage Malta - Miriana Conte – SERVING Portugal - NAPA – Deslocado Denmark - Sissal – Hallucination Sweden - KAJ – Bara Bada Bastu France - Louane – maman San Marino - Gabry Ponte – Tutta L'Italia Albania - Shkodra Elektronike – Zjerm How to watch the Eurovision Grand Final The Eurovision 2025 Grand Final will take place at indoor arena St Jakobshalle in Basel, on Saturday, May 17. It will be live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 8pm, once again hosted by Graham Norton. It will also be avaiable to listen to on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, hosted by Scott Mills and Rylan Clark. Inside the arena, the international Eurovision coverage will be hosted by presenters Hazel Brugger, Sandra Studer and Michelle Hunziker. It was announced on Thursday that Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa would be replaced as the UK's spokesperson for the Eurovision Song Contest. The BBC said it was due to 'unforeseen circumstances'.
