Eurovision 2025 rehearsals Day 1: First seven semi-final one countries take the stage

• Eurofans here we are! After months of national selections and preparations in 37 nations we are in the final countdown to the next Eurovision Song Contest winner. The first rehearsals have kicked off in Basel with the first seven countries from Semi-final one taking the stage. 

  Like the past few years, no media representative is permitted to view or access any individual artist rehearsals: Media representatives will not be able to view or access any individual artist rehearsals taking place between Saturday 3 May and Saturday 10 May either at the arena or in the Online Media Centre. This is to allow all artists to rehearse in private and the production to perfect each performance before it is seen in full when dress rehearsals begin on Monday 12 May.

  Unlike previous years, there will be no video footage uploaded from the first rehearsals. Excerpts from each country second rehearsals are expected to be shared on Eurovision's YouTube or other digital channels.

  The first six countries to open the first reeharsal on May 3 were: 

   

  Iceland: VÆB – "Róa" 

  

  Credit: EBU/Sarah-Louise Bennett

  The two VÆB boys are in the same outfits with hoods we’ve seen previously, and of course their trademark silver shades while the whole staging resembles to the national selection. Of course the the LED wall at the back of the stage with the geometric landscapes and seascapes in neon red and blue along with the big letter we saw in the naitonal final performance elevate the performance in Basel .

  Have a taste of the first look content: 

   

  
  Poland: Justyna Steczkowska – "Gaja" 

  

   Credit: EBU/Sarah-Louise Bennett

  Justyna Steczkowska booked her place in the class of 2025 by winning the national final in Poland marking her comeback on the Eurovision stage adfter her participation back in 1995 with the song 'Sama'.  

  The Polish established star appears in a black catsuit that’s very similar to the one she wore at the national final missing out the shoulder fringing. She is accompanied in stage by four backing dancers (three male, one female) with different outfits, fringed skirts and VERY high heels.

  The performance unfolds in a universal scenery with planets and space environment colors dominating the backdrop. 

  Have a taste of more first look content: 

   

  
  Slovenia: Klemen – "How Much Time Do We Have Left" 

  

  Credit: EBU/Corinne Cumming

  Slovenia’s Klemen who is he’s an actor, singer, songwriter and TV host, made his way to the Eurovision stage after winning the EMA national final with How Much Time Do We Have Left. 

  Klemen deliver his ballad song that is all about  the fragility of life, in a dark  haunting theme, with thousand of sparkling stars in red and blue featuring the staging. The Slovenian artist is wearing a black suit with a white t-shirt.

   

  
  Estonia: Tommy Cash – "Espresso Macchiato" 

  

  Photo credti: EBU/Sarah-Louise Bennett

  Estonia’s Tommy Cash is bringing the dose of cafeine everyone might need in these days of ongoing rehearrsals with 'Espresso Macchiato'.  He’s a singer and conceptual artist, with a huge social media following across Europe and made his own way to Basel after winning the Eesti Laul national final. Espresso Macchiato is the first of three songs featuring the Italian language this year.

  Tommy is wearing the same blue suit/long red tie we saw at the national final, with two burly security guards who are joined by two others for Tommy’s iconic dance style. The graphics on the backdrop are similar also to those of the national final but this time bigger and bolder making it an impressive stage set up. 

   

  
  Ukraine: Ziferblat – "Bird of Pray" 

  

  photo credit: EBU/Corinne Cumming

  Ukraine is been represented this year by national final winners Ziferblat with the song 'Bird of Pray'. The band is Made up of Daniel, Valentyn and Fedir, who define themselves as being part of the new generation of Ukrainian music.

  However their national selection floral staging has changed along with their outfits. the suits are a similar 70s cut style , but now in red and blue solid bright colour with lots of sparkle while the three backing singers have glittery gold pantsuits.

  The staging now features  pink and green neon graphics on the LED wall .

  
  Sweden: KAJ – "Bara Bada Bastu" 

  

  photo credit: EBU/Sarah-Louise Bennett

  Finnish trio Kevin, Axel and Jakob, aka KAJ are this year's Swedish representative, after triumphing at Melodifestivalen with their 'just sauna' song  Bara Bada Bastu. 

  Thsi is the first time since 1998 Sweden is represented by a song in national language. The staging is pretty much tha same as the Melfest one , the same greeny-brown suits, a firepit that’s more like the wooden heat rock box you get in a sauna. 

  The addition of LED backdrop provides an entire forest complete with deer, until the key change when the entire arena goes full neon laser party for an elevated performance that will just keep everyone standing. 

   

  
  Portugal: NAPA – "Deslocado" 

   

  Closing rehearsal of Day 1 is for Portugal and NAPA bringing on stage in Basel their 'Deslocado'. which translates as 'displaced' 

  The song about feeling out of place in the city, but also the peace of knowing you can always go home. It is in Portuguese which marks the seventh language of Day 1 rehearsals and is influenced by Portuguese Fado music with more summer sensation vibes. 

  The set up is close to that of the Festival Da Cancao staging with the addition of some extra features. The band’s outfits have changed – now they all have long-sleeved jackets or shirts in different colours while the LED wall features some lovely floating clouds and animated skyscapes

  News Source: Eurovision/reddit

   

AUTHORS

Angelos D.
Loyal follower of the Eurovision Song Contest since 1987, I've made the competition one of the stories of my life. After attending as accredited press the event for 13 consecutive years along with the 2017-2024 JESC editions, I also enjoy the last three years sharing more Eurovision music through the Eurofans radio's project.