Previewing the first half of Eurovision 2026 Semi Final 2

After a nail-biting voting sequence, the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest found its winner. In this penultimate show for the season, we celebrate DARA’s win for Bulgaria and BNT, documenting the last 21 years through music. Michael takes you through the bops, bangers and misses of Bulgaria’s journey to their first win, thanks to Bangaranga.  Get involved Follow JOYEurovision across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Bluesky and X at linktr.ee/joy_eurovision Not in Australia? Grab this podcast via Spotify Podcasts. Playlist 2005: Kaffe – Lorraine 2007: Elitsa Todorova & Stoyan Yankulov – Water 2008: Deep Zone & Balthazar – DJ, Take Me Away 2010: Miro – Angel Si Ti [You Are An Angel] 2012: Sofi Marinova – Love Unlimited 2016: Poli Genova – If Love Was a Crime 2017: Kristian Kostov – Beautiful Mess 2018: Equinox – Bones 2021: VICTORIA – Growing Up Is Getting Old 2022: Intelligent Music Project – Intention 2026: DARA – Bangaranga The post BANGAWINNA!: Celebrating Bulgaria’s 2026 Eurovision win appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

The big dance is finally here. Who will get the big glass trophy for 2026? We’re soon to find out. Michael and Bryan preview the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final live from Vienna, and you get to hear the five auto-qualifiers in full. You can enjoy (and vote in) the Grand Final live on SBS and On Demand on Sunday 17 May at 5am (AEST) and in prime time (with some added extras) at 7:30pm (AEST). In this episode: Find out what would make Michael write a letter to the EBU Hear all 25 songs back-to-back Cheer for Delta! Get involved  Listen to this year’s entries on your preferred platform Follow JOYEurovision across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Bluesky and X at linktr.ee/joy_eurovision Not in Australia? Grab this podcast via Spotify Podcasts. Playlist Germany: Sarah Engels – Fire United Kingdom: LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER – Eins, Zwei, Drei France: Monroe – Regarde ! [Look!] Italy: Sal Da Vinci – Per Sempre Sì [Forever Yes] Austria: COSMÓ – Tanzschein [Dance licence] The post Previewing the Eurovision 2026 Grand Final appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

JOY’s in Vienna, and it’s perfect timing too! With the Second Semi on its way, it’s time to finish previewing it. Michael and Bryan share their thoughts live from Vienna. You may think they’re in a bad hotel bathroom, but echoey surfaces are just the Viennese way. Don’t worry – we’ll find a better cocoon for the Grand Final preview. You can enjoy the second Semi Final live on SBS and On Demand on Friday 15 May at 5am (AEST) and in prime time (with some added extras) on Saturday 16 May at 7:30pm (AEST). In this episode: Plan the exit strategy if Delta doesn’t qualify Hope that language isn’t a curse for some Wonder how much money Malta has Get involved  Listen to this year’s entries on your preferred platform Follow JOYEurovision across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Bluesky and X at linktr.ee/joy_eurovision Not in Australia? Grab this podcast via Spotify Podcasts. Make your vote count via the poll (and be in the chance to win something special) – closes 15 May Playlist Cyprus: Antigoni – JALLA Latvia: Atvara – Ēnā [In the shade] Denmark: Søren Torpegaard Lund – Før Vi Går Hjem [Before We Go Home] Australia: Delta Goodrem – Eclipse Ukraine: LELÉKA – Ridnym [Relatives] Albania: Alis – Nân [Mother] Malta: AIDAN – Bella Norway: JONAS LOVV – YA YA YA The post Previewing the second half of Eurovision 2026 Semi Final 2 appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

The plants have brought Eva Marija to Vienna, via Luxembourg, and we’re pleased to see some nature blossoming on the Eurovision stage. Michael dives into language, studying and Slovenian mayoral grandfathers with Eva Marija, as they chat about family and connection. In this episode: Learn what sort of plant Eva Marija would be Discover the pitfalls of the Luxembourgish education system Wonder about the importance of human connection and authenticity in front of the cameras You can see Eva Marija perform Mother Nature (and throw her some votes) during Semi Final 2, live on SBS and On Demand on Friday 15 May at 5am (AEST) and in prime time (with some added extras) on Saturday 16 May at 7:30pm (AEST). And watch the interview in full video glory via the Spotify podcast. The post Vienna Calling: Meeting Luxembourg’s Eva Marija appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

She’s a big deal in Switzerland, and finally Veronica Fusaro is going to be a big deal on the Eurovision stage. Michael caught up with Veronica for a quick coffee and chat about Calabrian families, the dream of a big Viennese orchestra and what might have happened if she had stuck with the trumpet over guitar. In this episode: Find out how connected Veronica is to Australia Say hi to Veronica’s nonna Enjoy a touch of Kylie You can see Veronica Fusaro perform Alice (and throw her some votes) during Semi Final 2, live on SBS and On Demand on Friday 15 May at 5am (AEST) and in prime time (with some added extras) on Saturday 16 May at 7:30pm (AEST). And watch the interview in full video glory via the Spotify podcast. The post Vienna Calling: Meeting Switzerland’s Veronica Fusaro appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

Norway is sending a touch of pop rock to Eurovision this year, thanks to moustached and tattooed wonder JONAS LOVV. Michael met Jonas to talk about moustaches and fashion, along with how Jonas deals with the spotlight. Plus the boys attempt a slang quiz… which goes horribly wrong. In this episode: Learn about all those tattoos Discover how Jonas goes invisible Get the hottest tips if you’re starting your moustache journey You can see JONAS LOVV perform YA YA YA (and throw him some votes) during Semi Final 2, live on SBS and On Demand on Friday 15 May at 5am (AEST) and in prime time (with some added extras) on Saturday 16 May at 7:30pm (AEST). And watch the interview in full video glory via the Spotify podcast. https://open.spotify.com/episode/4LkNT9iGAKeJ601d44ObVy?si=vQlTNT0aT5uZUlykhhUJ9g The post Vienna Calling: Meeting Norway’s JONAS LOVV appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

Australia and Belgium are similar in some respects, but when it comes to winter weather, we can’t be more opposite. That’s no problem for ESSYLA though, who’s dancing her way across a frozen pond to Eurovision. Michael met ESSYLA to chat about Eurovision, how The Voice of Belgium has given her a helping hand and what makes her favourite singers (including our own Delta Goodrem) so special to her. In this episode: Get some ice skating tips Find out what’s on the workout playlist Learn how important music (and musicians) are to ESSYLA You can see ESSYLA perform Dancing on the ice during Semi Final 1, live on SBS and On Demand on Wednesday 13 May at 5am (AEST) and in prime time (with some added extras) on Friday 15 May at 7:30pm (AEST). And watch the interview in full video glory via the Spotify podcast. https://open.spotify.com/episode/4XWX1ykxx4rtaKHI0gzTSB?si=upoFH1jUQpySaJKdSH1KuQ The post Vienna Calling: Meeting Belgium’s ESSYLA appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

From Tomas to Alen Chicco to Lion Ceccah, this Lithuanian performer has done a lot. But now, the out and proud Lion is ready to send a message via the Eurovision stage. Michael met the silver wonder to talk about the changes to his drag and self identity, how music helps him explain the world and what we need to do as humans in an ever-changing world. In this episode: See where the Logies come in Get a different perspective on drag Find out if Lion Ceccah is more Aussie or Austrian You can see Lion Ceccah perform Sólo quiero más during Semi Final 1, live on SBS and On Demand on Wednesday 13 May at 5am (AEST) and in prime time (with some added extras) on Friday 15 May at 7:30pm (AEST). And watch the interview in full video glory via the Spotify podcast. https://open.spotify.com/episode/3a2EnwZitIaiqSPFl0K9Eu?si=hJHmcBuuROifjuiV6aclCA The post Vienna Calling: Meeting Lithuania’s Lion Ceccah appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

She’s broken free of the pink balaclava, and now FELICIA is doing it for herself. Michael caught up with Sweden’s Eurovision hopeful ahead of the first Semi Final. They talked about moving on from Fröken Snusk, the importance of eyebrows and just how that amazing performance actually started out. Plus, enjoy the premiere of Australian or Austrian? In this episode: Get a look into Felicia’s algorithm Find out just how powerful a Powerpoint presentation can be Discover Felicia’s favourite animal You can see FELICIA perform My System during Semi Final 1, live on SBS and On Demand on Wednesday 13 May at 5am (AEST) and in prime time (with some added extras) on Friday 15 May at 7:30pm (AEST). And watch the interview in full video glory via the Spotify podcast. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2RlQjgUMOzH88DvphKr6DW?si=aM1ZFPIbSgiIRVcVMl0vQw The post Vienna Calling: Meeting Sweden’s FELICIA appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

We’re getting closer and closer to the 2026 Eurovision Grand Final, but first, there’s another semi to get to. Michael and Bryan fire up the satellite to run through the first half of Australia’s semi, with some surprising results. You can enjoy the second Semi Final live on SBS and On Demand on Friday 15 May at 5am (AEST) and in prime time (with some added extras) on Saturday 16 May at 7:30pm (AEST). In this episode: Pray for a singing miracle Investigate the role of paper in the history of Armenia Get in early for a tea break Get involved  Listen to this year’s entries on your preferred platform Follow JOYEurovision across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Bluesky and X at linktr.ee/joy_eurovision Not in Australia? Grab this podcast via Spotify Podcasts. Make your vote count via the poll (and be in the chance to win something special) – closes 15 May Playlist Bulgaria: DARA – Bangaranga Azerbaijan: JIVA – Just Go Romania: Alexandra Căpitănescu – Choke Me Luxembourg: Eva Marija – Mother Nature Czechia: Daniel Žižka – CROSSROADS Armenia: SIMÓN – Paloma Rumba Switzerland: Veronica Fusaro – Alice The post Previewing the first half of Eurovision 2026 Semi Final 2 appeared first on JOY Eurovision.