Eurovision 2025 Favourites

The Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest is tonight, so this is the second of my annual posts. You can see the first one here: 

Countdown to Eurovision 2025!: https://starsparklex.blogspot.com/2025/05/countdown-to-eurovision-2025.html 

 

This year I saw the second semi-final (the one the UK could vote in) and some of the first one. I don't always watch them both because then I've heard all the songs beforehand (I listen to the ones that didn't get through afterwards). Here are my favourites from this year's contest. :)

 

Klavdia- Asteromáta (Greece)

My favourite song in the second semi-final was Greece's entry, Asteromáta by Klavdia. I voted for her and she got through, so will be in the final. 

Klavdia (full name Klavdia Papadopoulou) took her first steps in the entertainment business aged 15 appearing on Series/Season 5 on Ellada eheis talento (Greece's Got Talent). She then competed on S5 of The Voice of Greece, reaching the final and was mentored by Helena Paparizou, who won Eurovision for Greece back in 2005.

Side note: Can you believe it's 20 years this year since Helena won?!

After doing the TV shows, Klavdia signed a record deal with Greek record label Arcade Music and Panik Records. She released her debut single Lonely Heart in 2022 and her debut EP Klavdia in February 2024. Her other hit singles include Haramata, Vasanizomai and Movin' Too Fast with DJ duo PLAYMEN.

Random fact: Greek singer Eleni Foureira (who entered Eurovison for Cyprus in 2018; my fave entry that year), is also signed to Panik Records.

This year, Klavdia won the first edition of  Ethnikós Telikós, the Greek national final competition to choose a Eurovision representative (and its first pre-selection since 2017). It wasn't her first time attempting to enter ESC, she previously applied to represent Greece in the 2023 contest but Victor Vernicos was the winner that year. 

Asteromáta was released as a single in January. The title translates as "Starry Eyed" in English. It's described as an "ethnic ballad that addresses separation in every possible form", including refugees separated from their homelands. Klavdia herself has Pontic Greek heritage.

It's a haunting, powerful song. The lyrics are from the point of view of a mother and her missing child.

 

For more on Klavdia visit these links:

Eurovision profile: https://eurovision.tv/participant/klavdia-2025

FB profile: https://www.facebook.com/klavapapadopoulou

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klavdiaitiz

 

Fan of Greece in Eurovision? Check out these posts:

Back in 2013, I included 2005 winner Helena Paparizou's My Number One in the post Eurovision Songs I Like: https://starsparklex.blogspot.com/2013/05/eurovision-songs-i-like.html

Then I wrote an update about her career (as well as 2009 Norwegian winner Alexander Rybak in 2015 (10 years after she won): https://starsparklex.blogspot.com/2015/05/eurovision-update.html

Plus last year, Marina Satti was one of my faves with ZARI: https://starsparklex.blogspot.com/2024/05/eurovision-2024-favourites.html

 

Sissal- Hallucination (Denmark) 

I also liked Denmark's entry, Hallucination by Sissal. It got through in the second semi-final as well.

Sissal (full name Sissal Johanna Norðberg Nivlas) is originally from the Faroe Islands and started her career young, performing on stage for the first time age 10 and winning Faroese children's singing competitions. 

In 2020, Sissal moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, to pursue an international career as a musician and performer. Her singles include Summarið er komið, Anyone Better, Far from Sober and Hear Me Now.  She released her debut EP Hear Me Now in January.

Sissal has experienced prejudice due to being a mother but won't let it define her. She aims to show that women can still have succcessful careers and make music ,while also being mums.  

Hallucination is a rousing pop song. Sissal released it as single in February.

 

For more on Sissal visit these links:

Eurovision profile: https://eurovision.tv/participant/denmark-2025

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sissaljo/

 

And here are a couple more songs that stood out:

 

PARG- SURVIVOR (Armenia): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sXbxyQ5K0M

SURVIVOR by PARG (full name Pargev Vardanian) was something different. He is known for blending traditional Armenian elements and modern soundscapes. He got through to the final (from the 2nd semi) so you'll be seeing him tonight!

 

Katarsis- Tavo Akys (Lithuania): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vLHs89Akzo

This one was in the 2nd semi-final and also qualified. It's a rock song which isn't my fave genre but I thought it was quite good.. Kataris is an experimental rock band made up of 4 members- Lukas Radzevičius (vocals), Alana Brasas (guitar), Emilija Kandratavičiūtė (bass guitar) and Jokūbas Andriulius (drums).

I only really liked a couple of songs this year, to be honest!  (There are a few I haven't heard because I'm saving them for the final.)

 

Hope you liked the post! :) If you're watching Eurovision, which act/s do you like this year?  

The Eurovision Grand Final is tonight at 8pm BST/9pm CEST. In the UK it will be shown on BBC1.

Keep up with all things ESC on the official site: https://eurovision.tv/