The Eurovision Song Contest is kicking off with more Brabanders than you think: where and when can you watch the (semi-)final? | Eurovision Song Contest

‘Europe, start voting now!’, we will hear it on TV no less than three times this week. Brabanders can also vote for their favorite Eurovision Song Contest song again. But there is also a first this year: viewers can vote online anywhere in the world. Because, believe it or not, the Eurovision Song Contest has fans as far away as the United States. But there is also plenty of recognizable stuff.

Did you know, for example, that two residents of Den Bosch participate in the song festival? And that the new Kids from Maaskantje want to enter Europe during this edition? We will see that in three (!) different shows. The first semi-final already took place last Tuesday. Ten countries qualified for the final. The second semi-final is scheduled for Thursday at 9 p.m. You need to know this.

Only in the second semi-final, on May 9, will the Netherlands take action with Joost Klein. But already in the first semi-final, two days earlier, there is an act with an orange touch. Or even red and white checked. Born in Breda, Jesse Wijnans is participating as a dancer for the second time. He now lives in Den Bosch, but is now more than well known outside of it.

Read more below the photo: Breda dancer hatches from an egg

While last year he danced an alternative form of the cha cha for the Finnish artist Käärijä, he is participating again. Wijnans crawled out of a huge crate last year, but this year things are a little different: he comes out of an egg, together with Windows95man. For another special act from Finland. Also striking on May 7? The darkest entry ever, from Ireland. With references to witchcraft, but also trans rights.

The Cyprus song was co-written by Dutch producer Elke Tiel. She wrote last year Anne Fleur Holiday, with which Roxy Dekker made her breakthrough. Dekker is now at number 1 with another hit. In 2023, Boxtel producer Wouter Hardy already contributed to a Eurovision Song Contest entry. Furthermore, the ‘Croatian Rammstein’ stands out, with a good chance of winning.

Joost Klein is the last to act in the second semi-final. According to experts, this is good news: by the time viewers have to vote, they still have the last song in their heads. Europapa has plenty of Brabant touches. For example, the infamous blue bird is none other than Appie Mussa, a TikTok influencer who was born in Den Bosch.

The men from Maaskantje are also going to Europe: between the Europapas, suddenly ‘welcome to Europe, boy!’

Mussa grew up in Eindhoven. He is best known for his funny sketches on TikTok. That inspiration may have come from other Brabanders who come up with hilarious scenes, such as the makers of new Kids. The men from Maaskantje are also going to Europe: between Europapas suddenly ‘welcome to Europe, boy!’ As far as we know, Rikkert, Richard, Gerrie, Barrie and Robbie will not travel to Sweden themselves.

Joost will probably make it to the final. Betting companies tip that the Frisian-Brabant entry will go first or second. Who else will we see? For example, final contender Belgium. And Austria calls with the 90’s dance song We Will Rave memories of the past. Switzerland has a special message on a huge turntable. They are also tipped as winners.

In the Grand Final are countries for which we could not yet vote. They form the Big Five and can always participate directly in the final. The United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France and Italy pay so much to the organization of the Eurovision Song Contest that the future of the festival becomes uncertain if they do not participate. We should keep an eye on the last two countries the most.

The Italians send a pop song with influences from Latin American dance. Fans hope that singer Angelina Mango wins because she has ‘superstar energy’, it sounds online. Mon Amour, the French entry, is a kind of pop opera with a lot of outbursts. An ode to love that can reach the top ten, with an approximately equal chance of winning as that of ‘our’ Joost Klein.

Read more below the photo: Udense gives ‘douze points’ from Friesland

Appie Mussa and the new Kids If they reach the final, they will be joined by another Brabander. At the end, the Dutch points are awarded by Nikkie de Jager. The Udense does this from Friesland, because Joost comes from there. The well-known YouTube star and presenter, who became famous with her make-up videos, has lived with her fiancé in Uden for years. In 2021 she presented the Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam.

The Eurovision Song Contest will be broadcast on television on NPO1. Don’t have a television? The Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel broadcasts a live stream of each show without commentary. You can also enjoy looking around the city with friends. This is possible in various bars in Breda. Like every year, the gay cafes Venise Bar and the Piggenhuis install a large screen inside.

You can even win prizes in that first pub if you predict the winner correctly. The Mad Molly’s Irish Pub and Filmhuis Breda, where the municipal museum used to be, also join in the festive fun. Tilburg residents can go to a well-known place: Café Peanuts broadcasts the semi-final with Joost and the final. De Regenboog in Eindhoven also does this, just after all the red-white confetti from the PSV championship party has been cleared away.

Furthermore, several Pathé cinemas will broadcast the final of the Eurovision Song Contest this Saturday. Remarkably not in Brabant or Friesland. The Kinepolis in Antwerp also broadcasts the final. By train it takes more than half an hour from Roosendaal and Breda. Wherever you look: we hope you have fun.

Are you curious about how Joost Klein will do on Thursday? Watch a preview below:

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