Fire, flying and coffee: Eurovision Song Contest - The first semi-final

Updated / Tuesday, 13 May 2025 22:54
The electric opening number was like am-dram Riverdance.
The electric opening number was like am-dram Riverdance.

Check out all of the madness, jaw-dropping moments and welcomed silliness from the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, Switzerland.

The next Eurovision Song Contest semi-final takes place on 15 May and will be shown live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 8pm.

The Grand Final takes place on Saturday, 17 May, and will be shown live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from 8pm.

Sandra Studer (L) and Hazel Brugger embraced on stage before the start of the first semi-final.
Sandra Studer (L) and Hazel Brugger embraced on stage before the start of the first semi-final.
Fan favourites Sweden were represented by comedy trio KAJ with Bara Bada Bastu.
Fan favourites Sweden were represented by comedy trio KAJ with Bara Bada Bastu.
Iceland opened the show in style.
Iceland opened the show in style.
In 2022, brothers Matthías Davíð Matthíasson and Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson from Iceland formed the duo VÆB after posting a comedy song on TikTok. The new Jedward, eh?
In 2022, brothers Matthías Davíð Matthíasson and Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson from Iceland formed the duo VÆB after posting a comedy song on TikTok. The new Jedward, eh?
Gaja is an anthem, performed in both Polish and English, that symbolises Mother Earth as a divine force of strength and love.
Gaja is an anthem, performed in both Polish and English, that symbolises Mother Earth as a divine force of strength and love.
Poland's Justyna's took part in the Contest 30 years ago in 1995 with the song Sama.
Poland's Justyna's took part in the Contest 30 years ago in 1995 with the song Sama.
Slovenia's track How Much Time Do We Have Left is about the importance of making the most of every moment.
Slovenia's track How Much Time Do We Have Left is about the importance of making the most of every moment.
In 2016, after one of Klemen's comedy videos had gone viral, his wife Mojca was diagnosed with a serious illness and told that it was incurable. Incredibly, she went on to make a full recovery.
In 2016, after one of Klemen's comedy videos had gone viral, his wife Mojca was diagnosed with a serious illness and told that it was incurable. Incredibly, she went on to make a full recovery.
Known for both his bold visuals and sounds, Estonian artist Tommy Cash has been doing very well on this year's Eurovision circuit.
Known for both his bold visuals and sounds, Estonian artist Tommy Cash has been doing very well on this year's Eurovision circuit.
Tommy's track Espresso Macchiato is an electroswing song blending Estonian and Italian element.
Tommy's track Espresso Macchiato is an electroswing song blending Estonian and Italian element.
Spain's Melody is part of the 'Big 5', which means she will automatically qualify for the final.
Spain's Melody is part of the 'Big 5', which means she will automatically qualify for the final.
Ukraine's Ziferblat are on a mission to represent a new generation of Ukrainian music.
Ukraine's Ziferblat are on a mission to represent a new generation of Ukrainian music.
Twins Daniel and Valentyn always dreamt of representing Ukraine at Eurovision.
Twins Daniel and Valentyn always dreamt of representing Ukraine at Eurovision.
Originating from Finland, KAJ are the first-ever Finnish group to represent Sweden at Eurovision.
Originating from Finland, KAJ are the first-ever Finnish group to represent Sweden at Eurovision.
Flying high: Portuguese indie band Napa had a smooth landing with their emotional entry Deslocado (Displaced).
Flying high: Portuguese indie band Napa had a smooth landing with their emotional entry Deslocado (Displaced).
Portugal's truly gorgeous track was written by the members of NAPA along with André Santos.
Portugal's truly gorgeous track was written by the members of NAPA along with André Santos.
Norway's entry Lighter is a pop song with a unique sound that mixes baroque and medieval elements.
Norway's entry Lighter is a pop song with a unique sound that mixes baroque and medieval elements.
Norway's Kyle Alessandro is this year's youngest participant.
Norway's Kyle Alessandro is this year's youngest participant.
Belgium brought a rave to the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
Belgium brought a rave to the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
With his distinctive bright red look and larger than life persona... it could only be Belgium's Red Sebastian.
With his distinctive bright red look and larger than life persona... it could only be Belgium's Red Sebastian.
Italian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Lucio Corsi performed Volevo Essere Un Duro.
Italian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Lucio Corsi performed Volevo Essere Un Duro.
Italy's status as one of the 'Big Five' countries means Lucio Corsi has an automatic place in the Grand Final on Saturday 17 May.
Italy's status as one of the 'Big Five' countries means Lucio Corsi has an automatic place in the Grand Final on Saturday 17 May.
Mamagama blends modern influences with the deep-rooted musical heritage of Azerbaijan.
Mamagama blends modern influences with the deep-rooted musical heritage of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan performed their catchy song Run With U by Mamagama.
Azerbaijan performed their catchy song Run With U by Mamagama.
San Marino took to the stage with Tutta L'Italia by Gabry Ponte.
San Marino took to the stage with Tutta L'Italia by Gabry Ponte.
Shkodra Elektronike was formed by two Albanian musicians who emigrated to Italy after leaving their native city of Shkodër.
Shkodra Elektronike was formed by two Albanian musicians who emigrated to Italy after leaving their native city of Shkodër.
Over the years, Albania's Shkodra Elektronike have performed at festivals around Europe, including Paléo Festival (Geneva), EXIT Festival (Novi Sad), MOST Festival (Veszprém), Pin Music Conference (Sofia), and SoAlive (Vienna).
Over the years, Albania's Shkodra Elektronike have performed at festivals around Europe, including Paléo Festival (Geneva), EXIT Festival (Novi Sad), MOST Festival (Veszprém), Pin Music Conference (Sofia), and SoAlive (Vienna).
Despite his young age, the singer-songwriter Claude (Netherlands) comes to the Eurovision Song Contest with over a hundred million streams and sold-out shows to his name.
Despite his young age, the singer-songwriter Claude (Netherlands) comes to the Eurovision Song Contest with over a hundred million streams and sold-out shows to his name.
As well as singing for the Netherlands at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, 2025 will also see Claude performing at the Pinkpop festival, set to take place in June.
As well as singing for the Netherlands at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, 2025 will also see Claude performing at the Pinkpop festival, set to take place in June.
Croatia's Marko is regarded as one of the leaders of a new generation of musicians who are making their mark and setting trends on the Croatian music scene.
Croatia's Marko is regarded as one of the leaders of a new generation of musicians who are making their mark and setting trends on the Croatian music scene.
Marko won the hearts of the Croatian audience when he was just 11 years old, performing in the popular TV show Pink's Stars.
Marko won the hearts of the Croatian audience when he was just 11 years old, performing in the popular TV show Pink's Stars.
Cyprus were the last country in tonight's first Eurovision semi-final with Shh by Theo Evan.
Cyprus were the last country in tonight's first Eurovision semi-final with Shh by Theo Evan.
Eagle-eyed viewers might have spotted Cypus' Theo in HBO's hit TV series Euphoria, in which he's appeared as an extra!
Eagle-eyed viewers might have spotted Cypus' Theo in HBO's hit TV series Euphoria, in which he's appeared as an extra!
Switzerland's Zoë Më sings in both German and French, blending poetic pop with 'chanson'.
Switzerland's Zoë Më sings in both German and French, blending poetic pop with 'chanson'.
Look who EMMY bumped into as he made his way to the commentary box in Basel earlier this evening! Only Eurovision royalty Marty Whelan.
Look who EMMY bumped into as he made his way to the commentary box in Basel earlier this evening! Only Eurovision royalty Marty Whelan.
Canadian singer Celine Dion delivered a message at the Eurovision Song Contest, saying Switzerland has "always held a special place in my heart" as she spoke in French and English.
Canadian singer Celine Dion delivered a message at the Eurovision Song Contest, saying Switzerland has "always held a special place in my heart" as she spoke in French and English.
And the 10 countries that have qualified for the Grand Final are....
And the 10 countries that have qualified for the Grand Final are....

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