One of the most appealing forms of entertainment is music, and live music especially holds a special place in many people’s hearts.
Whether you’re physically present or simply watching it on TV, the atmosphere is unlike that of any other event.
And there are countless live music events that have amassed plenty of popularity, like the Sanremo Music Festival or Coachella. However, few are quite as special and unique as Eurovision.
After all, music is a universal language, so this competition’s slogan, “United by Music,” is very appropriate. Although it originated in Europe, other countries like Australia have become part of it. And if you’re curious to learn more, we’ve got you covered with the below.
Eurovision 101
Starting in 1956, with only seven competing nations, Eurovision was a sort of technical experiment. Would a live, transnational broadcast in Europe work and succeed? Well, as the longest-running music competition in the entire world, we can easily say this was a certifiable success.
The format has changed over time, as originally every country had two entries, but with the addition of so many countries, it evolved to only one entry per country. Now, the entire show spans a week, featuring two semi-finals and a final.
It used to only be broadcast on TV, with millions sitting down and watching the show on the national TV, voting via SMS. Now, you can also stream it directly from YouTube on their official page, and voting can be done through the app.
Moreover, while this is an international song contest, as the name suggests, Eurovision is predominantly made up of European entries. However, this does come with a bit of a caveat: any country that falls under the European Broadcasting Area (EBA) is eligible.
This would include several countries outside of Europe, more specifically those situated in Western Asia and North Africa. But recently, we had the surprising addition of Australia, which has been competing since 2015.
It was supposed to be merely a one-time exception to commemorate the 60th contest, thanks to the coverage provided by Australian broadcaster SBS since 1983.
But it proved to be a popular, albeit controversial decision, which is why the country has received a yearly invite since then. After all, Eurovision Australia entry songs have been pretty remarkable, with notable artists like Dami Im and Guy Sebastian getting pretty close to the top spot. The only notable catch that comes with Eurovision Australia is the fact that, should they win, another European country would be selected as a host.
This is due to the fact that the competition can’t leave Europe, as it wouldn’t make sense to get everyone to Australia. So, this rule makes sense in the long run, although it would be quite interesting to see how they would proceed with it.
But besides this, Eurovision is a true spectacle that will never bore you. And, there’s plenty to enjoy if you haven’t had the chance before, with the most recent Eurovision 2025 final available online to watch.
Why You Should Watch Eurovision
Initially, Eurovision was more of a serious affair, with full-blown ballads and artists who focused on showing off their talent. Now, it has become more of a show where the music changes the mood of the viewers, often aiming to make them laugh or amaze them. Here, you’ll get to enjoy a nice variety of songs, ranging from folk to pop to metal. We all know what a powerful impact music can have on our moods; Eurovision is a huge part of this.
There have been countless highly memorable moments from the show. One of the most notable ones was the Epic Sax Guy, also known as Sergey Stepanov, from Moldova’s SunStroke Project.
In addition to this, Eurovision has some of the most elaborate staging seen in such events – with astounding backup dancers, intricate pyrotechnics, and stunning modern visuals that will mesmerize you.
Typically, with few exceptions, the competing artists are unknown to most. This makes it a great opportunity to find some undiscovered gems that could become your new favourite singers.
And it can be an excellent launching place for those artists. Some of the most famous artists were originally featured in Eurovision, such as ABBA and Maneskin, along with even Celine Dion. This may come as a surprise to many who don’t know their origins, but Eurovision has been the trampoline off which they jumped into stratospheric fame.
Conclusion
In an age where the new is celebrated above all and the old is easily swept away by trends, having something as long-lasting as Eurovision can feel like a miracle. Blending tradition, music, and modernity into one great package, it truly is a one-stop shop for music lovers.
And even if some of the entries may not be quite to your taste or might seem far too outlandish, it can be a great way to expand your musical horizons. So, whether you’re in it for the outstanding setups, the fun bops, or simply the atmosphere, Eurovision will prove to be quite the ride.
