The buildup to Eurovision 2026 in Austria has been marked by controversy, with five nations boycotting the event over Israel's participation. Despite protests and chants of 'free Palestine' during the first semi-final, the grand final on Saturday promises to be as compelling as ever. Here are 11 bangers to watch out for.
Norway – Ya Ya Ya by Jonas Lovv
Moustachioed hipster Jonas Lovv brings stomp-rock with scuzzy riffs and singalong refrains, reminiscent of 00s indie anthems like The Hives.
Finland – Liekinheitin by Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen
The bookies' favourite is an angsty techno-ballad with flamethrower pyrotechnics and a classical violinist in a Bacofoil dress.
Armenia – Paloma Rumba by Simón
A gnarly rock track complaining about office culture, with lyrics like 'This meeting could have been an email' and staging involving paper flinging and backflips.
France – Regarde ! by Monroe
Seventeen-year-old Monroe delivers a poperatic epic reminiscent of Rosalía, with staging inspired by Les Misérables and 19th-century romantic painting.
Australia – Eclipse by Delta Goodrem
Chart-topper Delta Goodrem sings a big-lunged ballad about a passion that blocks out the sun, inspired by Céline Dion.
Greece – Ferto by Akylas
A bouncy dance anthem mixing traditional instruments with Super Mario bleeps and house beats, featuring hyperactive staging with a scooter ride.
Cyprus – Jalla by Antigoni
The most-viewed entry on YouTube, a Shakira-adjacent anthem with a summery video that has sparked controversy in Cyprus for being 'insulting to Cypriot history'.
Lithuania – Sólo Quiero Más by Lion Ceccah
A melodramatic ballad warning of AI dangers, sung in six languages, with the drag artist painted silver like a robot from 1984.
Germany – Fire by Sarah Engels
A Dua Lipa-like dance-pop anthem from the most popular act on Instagram and TikTok, with 2.5 million followers.
Bulgaria – Bangaranga by Dara
A sassy club tune from an X Factor finalist, mixing Alanis Morissette-esque lyrics with a teeth-rattling drumbeat.
Austria – Tanzschein by Cosmó
A quirky synth-pop number from a 19-year-old with a Bowie-inspired star on his face, accompanied by gorillas and lions on stage.
