It's time to get the know the hosts of this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Basel!
TV host and singer Sandra Studer and comedian Hazel Brugger are presenting the live finals together.
The pair sit down with Steve to talk about hosting the best show on earth, some secrets behind the production and whether they've heard anything from Celine Dion.
The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox.
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36:56
Episode 25: Louane & Mariam Shengelia
The representatives from France and Georgia speak about their Eurovision journeys.
French singer Louane tells us about her poignant ballad Maman, which features her daughter, as well as that huge reveal at the Stade de France in Paris.
Next, Georgia’s Mariam Shengelia tells us about her song Freedom, representing her country, and the love of her life… her five-month old puppy.
The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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25:52
Episode 24: Live from Basel - A Novartis Special
Some of the biggest creative brains at the Eurovision Song Contest join a special episode of the podcast, recorded in front of a live audience at the Novartis Pavilion in Basel.
Joining Steve is Teya, Ralf Mackenbach, Ace Bowerman, Jorge Antonio Fujizaki and Melanie Wehbe.
Teya represented Austria in 2023 with Who The Hell Is Edgar? and is now the creative director and co-writer for JJ’s entry Wasted Love.
Ralf Mackenbach won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2009, but switched his career to his other passion… and is now a leading physicist!
Creative director Ace Bowerman and choreographer Jorge Antonio Fujizaki are the brains behind the staging for this year’s United Kingdom and Azerbaijan entries.
Melanie Wehbe has worked on four Eurovision Song Contest entries, including Sissal’s Hallucination, where she’s also a backing vocalist.
Also joining Steve are two ‘Novartists’ - Gustavo Prack & Anisah Alyahya - who talk about balancing their careers at Novartis, with their passion for music.
The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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51:19
Episode 23: Abor & Tynna, Yuval Raphael
On this episode, Steve speaks to German representatives Abor & Tynna, as well as Israeli singer Yuval Raphael.
First up, brother and sister duo Abor & Tynna chat about their energetic song, Baller, which is the first German entry in the German language for nearly 20 years.
Next, it’s Yuval Raphael, representing Israel with the stirring ballad New Day Will Rise. She talks about her childhood in Switzerland and her favourite karaoke tracks… and there's a cameo appearance from her mum!
The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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28:40
Episode 22: KAJ & Ziferblat
It's finally sauna time as Swedish representatives join the podcast, along with Ukraine's Ziferblat.
KAJ (Kevin, Axel and Jakob) talk about their sauna anthem Bara Bada Bastu, their thoughts on being one of the favourites this year, and why Finland's Lordi left a lasting impression (literally) on the band.
Next up, twin brothers Daniil & Valentyn from Ukraine discuss Bird of Pray, their love of Kate Bush, and why they'll be channeling Roger Federer in the semi-final.
The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is brought to you by Novartis! It is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
About The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast
It's the Official Eurovision Song Contest podcast. Presenter and music journalist Steve Holden will be chatting to star guests, as well as the singers and artists who'll be competing in Basel, Switzerland in 2025.
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