It’s that time of year again: Eurovision. Today, semi-final one sees countries pass or fail at the final hurdle. Thursday, it’s semi-final two, and finally, the grand finale on Saturday. What songs should you be looking out for? What’s the UK entry like? Where can you watch it locally? We’ve got you covered.

The Eurovision Song Contest is in its 69th year of broadcast, coming from Basel in Switzerland, after Switzerland won last year with Nemo’s The Code. It will air live from 8pm on BBC One on Saturday the 17th of May. A live viewing party will be held at The Radnor Arms pub in New Radnor, open from 3pm and closing at 1am.

Today is when the competition gets serious. At 8pm this evening on BBC One, join Rylan and Scott Mills as we see the first round of countries compete for a place in the final. At 8pm on Thursday, the second round of countries compete.

Opening semi-final one is Iceland, with Róa by Væb, an up-beat europop dance anthem. Poland follows with the song Gaja, which could be a dark horse. Next up is Slovenia with How Much Time Do We Have Left, a touching son about his wife’s cancer diagnosis. Estonia comes with Espresso Macchiato, an ear worm that has divided Eurovision fans. Spain will then perform, but are guaranteed a place in the final, as one of ‘the big fives’ - those countries who contribute the most financially to Eurovision. Ukraine will follow with Bird of Pray. The last time they won the contest was in 2022. Currently favourite to win, Sweden are up next, with their song about a sauna. Portugal will follow with their song Deslocado. Norway are up next with Lighter, a song about the singers mother. Belgium bring the lights with Strobe Lights. Italy, always a favourite at Eurovision, are performing with Volevo essere un duro, they are also one of the big fives who will have a spot in the final. Azerbaijan are next, followed by San Marino and then Albania. The Netherlands come with C’est La Vie, an interesting song that might prove popular when it inevitably qualifies. Croatia perform for their spot, before Switzerland compete, also going straight to the final because they won last year. Cyprus ends the show with their interesting performance of Shh.

The second-semi final is harder to call, broadcasting on Thursday at 8pm.

Australia open the show with their banger Milkshake Man. Montenegro are next with Dobrodošli. Ireland compete third with their Norwegian singer performing a song about a dog sent to space, called Laika Party. It’s cheesy Europop to the max, but it’s surprisingly touching when you listen to the lyrics. Latvia follow with Bur man laimi, and Armenia will follow. Austria are next, with a song similar to last years winner, titled Wasted Love. Can the same be replicated? The United Kingdom perform with What the Hell just Happened? A song that takes you different places with changing tempo, and is hard to predict. The girls, Remember Monday, can obviously sing, but will that be enough to win them the public vote? The United Kingdom are guaranteed a spot in the final. Greece follow, and then Lithuania, Malta, and Georgia. France, another favourite to win, and another country guaranteed a spot in the final, come next with their song maman. Denmark are next, followed by Czechia and Luxembourg. Controversially, Israel are next in line, with a song performed by a singer who fled Hamas gunmen on 7th of October 2023. An open letter was recently signed by past Eurovision performers, including Olly Alexander, to the EBU, which stated that Israel should be removed from the competition. More than 52,800 people have been killed in Gaza since the 7 October attacks, including 2,700 since the Israeli offensive resumed, according to the territory's health ministry. Germany are next, with their electro banger Baller. Germany are guaranteed a place in the final. Serbia follow, and the show concludes with Finland’s entry Ich komme, with lyrics described as ‘joyous message of pleasure, ecstasy and a state of trance’, reflecting sexual pleasure and orgasm. Both Finland and Australia really took the 69th year of Eurovision seriously.

Remember Monday are the UK entry for Eurovision 2025 with their song What the Hell just Happened? Remember Monday are described as being a British country group, the first girl group to represent the UK since 1999. The song plays with tempo, switching between slower melodies and picking up into a Chappel Roan inspired dance anthem. Upon release, critics praised the style, with comparisons drawn to Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, or Girls Aloud’s Biology. However, some fans have said that when the song gets going, it slows down again. The music video sees the girls in regency inspired outfits, waking up after a house party in a Manor House. Glimpses of the staging for their performance has the band performing in front of a fallen chandelier. West End trained, the vocals of the members are on point.

There will be a viewing party held at the newly community owned pub The Radnor Arms. The first event to be held there since opening. People are encouraged to arrive from 6pm, with Eurovision songs from over the years playing, before watching the live show at 8pm.

As of writing this article on May 13th, the current odds are:

Sweden

Austria

France

Israel

Belgium

Netherlands

Finland

Switzerland

Estonia

Malta

Albania

Czechia

Cyprus

Italy

Ukraine

Spain

United Kingdom

Germany

Australia

Ireland

Poland

Greece

Lithuania

San Marino

Norway

Slovenia

Denmark

Latvia

Azerbaijan

Serbia

Armenia

Luxembourg

Iceland

Portugal

Georgia

Montenegro

Croatia

Only 26 can make the grand finale, and all can change with staging and performance. Buckle up!