Eurovision
PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen Heat 2 2026 starring Robin Bengtsson, Arwin, Brandsta City Släckers, Felicia & Laila Adèle
By Aline Mahrud
WHERE? Scandinavium, Gothenburg WHEN? Saturday 7 February 2026 WHERE TO WATCH? SVT
There are 2 returning winners to the 66th Melodifestivalen this year and the 1st is Robin Bengtsson who won MF in 2017 finishing 5th in Kyiv, Ukraine with I Can’t Go On.
- Read on for reasons including more detail about this show’s 6 acts
SONG OF THE MONTH: Too Epic To Be True by Vanilla Ninja (December 2025)
Estonia’s all-female rock band Vanilla Ninja next year attempt to return to the Eurovision Song Contest for the 1st time in 21 years with this anthemic delight.
- Read on for reasons including when Vanilla Ninja compete to represent Estonia
PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen Heat 1 2026 starring A-Teens, Greczula & Jacqline
By Aline Mahrud
WHERE? Saab Arena, Linköping WHEN? Saturday 31 January 2026 WHERE TO WATCH? SVT
A-Teens had UK hits with Upside Down and Halfway Around The World as well as 2 ABBA covers a quarter of a century ago and mark their reformation in Melodifestivalen’s 66th year.
- Read on for reasons including more detail about this opening show’s 6 acts
PREDICTIONS/PREVIEW: Eurovision Song Contest 2025 Final starring Erika Vikman, KAJ, Claude, Remember Monday & Melody
By Neil Durham
WHEN?: 8pm (UK time) 17 May 2025
WHERE?: St Jakobshalle, Basel, Switzerland
HOW DO I WATCH?: BBC1 in the UK SVT Also eurovision.tv
2025 appears very much to be the year of Finland but will it be the country’s Erika Vikman (pictured) who triumphs or the Finns singing a sauna song for favourites Sweden?
- Read on for reasons including how we predict the finalists will perform on 17 May
GIG REVIEW: Olly Alexander at the London Palladium
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN?: Last date of tour Monday 7 April 2025
Setlist: Polari; I Know; Make Me A Man; If You’re Over Me; Whisper In The Waves; Cupid’s Bow; Archangel; King; Dizzy; Starstruck; Worship/Breathe; Desire; All For You; It’s A Sin; Eyes Shut; When We Kiss; Sweet Talker; Heal You; Shine
The voice of Sir Ian McKellen (Player Kings, Noel Coward Theatre) opens the show explaining Polari, the title of Alexander’s debut album, and the actor’s here tonight waving at the delighted crowd from the box above us.
- Read on for reasons including how Alexander has been rejuvenated by this tour and meeting his audience again
9 reasons why we can’t wait for May 2025 starring Kylie Minogue
- Kylie brings Tension tour to The 02
Ms Minogue’s Tension show arrives in London for 4 gigs at The 02 this and next month as part of a world tour which runs through 26 August 2025. Tickets We 1st saw her live on the Enjoy Yourself tour at London’s now-no-more London Arena in 1990 and have seen her since at the old Wembley Arena, Eventim Apollo Hammersmith, new Wembley Arena and many times at The 02 – but not since 2014. Our review
- Read on for reasons including Eurovision Song Contest predictions, Scissor Sisters reunite and Imelda Staunton
PREVIEW/PREDICTIONS: Eurovision Song Contest finalists 2025 starring Melody, Remember Monday & Louane
By Neil Durham
WHEN?: Saturday 17 May 2025
WHERE?: St Jakobshalle, Basel, Switzerland
HOW DO I WATCH?: BBC1 at 8pm in the UK or eurovision.tv or SVT
Former child star Melody (above and below) threw everything including the kitchen sink at her victorious Benidorm Fest, Spain’s national selection, performance and below we predict how it and the other pre-qualified finalists will fare in the Eurovision Song Contest final.
- Read on for reasons including how we predict the directly qualified countries will do in 2025’s Eurovision Song Contest final
PREVIEW/PREDICTIONS Eurovision Song Contest Semi Final 2 starring Erika Vikman, Go-Jo, Sissal, Laura Thorn & ADONXS
By Neil Durham
WHEN?: Thursday 15 May 2025
WHERE?: St Jakobshalle, Basel, Switzerland
HOW DO I WATCH?: BBC1 at 8pm in the UK or eurovision.tv or SVT
We think this is by far the tougher of the 2 semi finals and also that it will be much more difficult to lose 6 of these songs ahead of Saturday’s final rather than the 5 that will go home early in Semi 1.
- Read on for reasons including who are the 10 acts we’re predicting will make it to Saturday’s final
PREVIEW/PREDICTIONS: Eurovision Song Contest 2025 Semi Final 1 starring Red Sebastian, Justyna Steczkowska, Claude & KAJ
By Neil Durham
WHEN?: Tuesday 13 May 2025
WHERE?: St Jakobshalle, Basel, Switzerland
HOW DO I WATCH?: BBC1 at 8pm in the UK or eurovision.tv or SVT
Rather too many men in this easier of the 2 semi finals with the much tougher and saucier semi 2 taking place on the following Thursday.
- Read on for reasons including who are the 10 entrants we think will make the 17 May final
