🇸🇪 News from the HoD meeting

Today, there is some interesting news from the Head of Delegation meeting. This meeting took place today, and some decisions are made about the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest:

Iceland

It was a big questionmark whether Iceland was going to take part or not. Icelandic broadcaster RUV stated that they, together with the artist, would make a decision. Icelandic artists expressed serious concern about their country taking part in a contest with Israel being there.
The decision now made is that Iceland will take part. Big releave for singer Hera Björk, who now will for sure represent her country.

Marcus & Martinus

Always, the place for the host country gets drawn at the HoD meeting. So this time, it was decided where Sweden would perform in the final. And the result is: they will open it! In 1984, Sweden opened the show too and won. Is it an omen?

Big Five

For the very first time, the artists from the Big Five countries – France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom – and host nation Sweden will each perform their entries in full live during the Semi-Finals. In other years, a part of the rehearsals was shown, but never the entire performance. Longer ago, even that didn’t happen and only a part of the video was shown.

The voting

A new feature for Malmö 2024 includes extending the timeframe for voting during the Grand Final.

Voting will start just before the first song is performed on Saturday, 11 May. This allows viewers to vote for the songs in real-time as they are being performed, a departure from the traditional method where voting commenced after all the entries were showcased. This approach was the standard since the introduction of public voting in 1997, with the exceptions of 2010 and 2011 when voting opened at the show’s start.

Moreover, fans from countries not competing (Rest of The World) will be given almost 24 hours to vote for their preferred songs before the start of each live show. For these international fans, online voting will be available right after the conclusion of the second dress rehearsal for each Semi-Final and the Grand Final, continuing until the commencement of the live broadcasts.

Related news

Eurovision 2026

Song: Switzerland, Armenia, Czechia and Georgia complete the latest reveal wave

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Eurovision 2026
Martijn

Song: Switzerland, Armenia, Czechia and Georgia complete the latest reveal wave

The latest Eurovision 2026 entries have sharpened the picture for Vienna. Switzerland has confirmed Veronica Fusaro with Alice. Armenia has completed the artist lineup with SIMÓN and Paloma Rumba. Czechia moves forward with Daniel Zizka and CROSSROADS. Georgia closes the release cycle with Bzikebi’s On Replay. Together, these four songs add alternative pop, rebellious energy, emotional sincerity and a strong dose of comeback value to a contest field that is now taking clear shape ahead of May. Switzerland brings a darker message with Alice Switzerland’s new entry may be one of the most serious songs in this latest batch of Eurovision 2026 entries. Eurovision describes Veronica Fusaro’s Alice as an alternative pop track with rock influences. The song tells the story of a woman whose boundaries are crossed under the disguise of affection. In the official article you can read the lyrics explore several forms of violence, including manipulation, control and abuse of power. It is also a new version of a song from Fusaro’s 2025 album Looking for Connection, reworked with British producer Charlie McClean. Armenia completes the lineup with Paloma Rumba Armenia, meanwhile, arrives with one of the day’s most immediate concepts. Paloma Rumba, performed by SIMÓN, is framed by Eurovision as a rebellious anthem about breaking out of a suffocating routine and choosing ambition over comfort. The official story explains that the title refers to a joyful dance of freedom, while the lyrics follow a character who walks away from an unrewarding nine-to-five life. The song was composed by LI’LITH, and the lyric team includes Rosa Linn, who represented Armenia at Eurovision 2022. With this announcement on 11 March, Armenia also became the final country to confirm its singer for Vienna 2026. Czechia puts its faith in Daniel Zizka Czechia takes a different route. Rather than leaning into spectacle, broadcaster ÄŒT appears to be backing authenticity with 23-year-old Daniel Zizka. Eurovision describes him as one of the most compelling voices of a new generation in Czech music, while the official participant list confirms CROSSROADS as his song for Vienna. The Eurovision feature also notes that magazine Headliner has named him among the future talents of the Czech scene. In addition, Czech delegation head KryÅ¡tof Šámal praised Zizka’s focus and control in early studio sessions, while Zizka himself said he wants to bring music and emotion rather than hide behind flashy tricks. Georgia turns nostalgia into a new Eurovision chapter Finally, Georgia offers one of the most intriguing stories of the season. Bzikebi are no ordinary newcomers: the trio won Junior Eurovision for Georgia in 2008, and Eurovision.com notes that the country has since gone on to collect a record-setting four Junior Eurovision victories. Now reunited as adults, Giorgi Shiolashvili, Mariam Tatulashvili and Mariam Kikuashvili return with On Replay, which Eurovision calls the final song to be released for the 70th contest. Composed by Giga Kukhianidze with lyrics by Lizi Japaridze, the entry sends Georgia into the First Half of the First Semi-Final on 12 May with a familiar name and a fresh mission. What these Eurovision 2026 entries say about this year Taken together, these Eurovision 2026 entries reveal a striking balance. Switzerland brings social weight and a darker lyrical edge. Armenia goes for motion, release and personal freedom. Czechia bets on sincerity and clean emotional delivery. Georgia, by contrast, turns proven Eurovision history into a contemporary comeback story. That variety matters. In a contest where memorability is often just as important as melody, none of these four countries has chosen the same lane, and that should help each entry carve out its own identity as rehearsals draw closer. source: eurovision.com        

Read More »
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