Permit to dance: Reviewing Austria’s Vienna Calling – Wer singt für Österreich? 2026

The host country always gets a free pass into the Eurovision Grand Final. It’s probably lucky then that Austria is hosting after reviewing Vienna Calling – Wer singt für Österreich?. Michael and Bryan take a whizz through the host’s national final, and wonder if ORF’s budget can stretch enough to cover Cosmó‘s needs in May. Is Tanzschein the best choice for Austria in 2026? In this episode: Investigate how many euros went into the show Wonder if Austria is planning to win Ask if there are dancers in Austria 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 Anna-Sophie – Superhuman Kayla Krystin – I brenn [I’m burning] Bamlak Werner – We Are Not Just One Thing Lena Schaur – Painted Reality The post Permit to dance: Reviewing Austria’s Vienna Calling – Wer singt für Österreich? 2026 appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

April 1 is never a good day to release news. Thankfully Eurovision Song Contest Asia organisers announced theirs a touch earlier. ABC Canberra‘s James Findlay chatted with Michael about the newest addition to the Eurovision family, and how Australia might get involved. Plus they talk about Delta Goodrem’s chances for Eurovision-proper. Audio courtesy of ⁠666 ABC Canberra⁠ The post It’s no April Fools: Eurovision Asia and Delta (666 ABC Canberra) appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

There are some Eurovision national finals that are very well know, and then are are some which, well, are often missed. Lithuania is often caught in the latter category, but we reckon it’s time for that to change. Michael and Ethan go back in time to review Eurovizija.LT, which saw Lion Ceccah win the coveted ticket to Vienna. But what else was up for contention? Is Sólo Quiero Más the best choice for Lithuania in 2026? In this episode: Petition for a food-related Eurovision compilation album Discover a new way to work with exclamation marks Find out why calculus is important 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 Lolita Zero – Salve in meum mundum Atikin – Deganti Žemelė Black Biceps – LET ME COOK NØRA BLU – Hold My Own SHWR – Contact! The post We want more: Reviewing Lithuania’s Eurovizija.LT 2026 appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

The beauty of being a Big 5 country is not having to deal with pesky semi finals. It feels like Germany takes this on board when their national final comes around. Michael and Ethan delve into Eurovision Song Contest: Das deutsche Finale 2026 to explore what new German broadcaster ARD put together to send to Vienna. And it’s quite the combination. While Sarah Engels won the superfinal, there were some songs that really should’ve got a better shot. Is Fire the best choice for Germany in 2026? In this episode: Get a lesson in songwriting, especially when singing about emotions Wonder what was on the jury’s minds Get jealous about fuel availability 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 BELA – Herz RAGAZZKI – Ciao Ragazzki Laura Nahr – Wonderland MOLLY SUE – Optimist (Ha Ha Ha) wavvyboi – black glitter The post Don’t deny it: Reviewing Germany’s Das deutsche Finale 2026 appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

It’s great to have Moldova back for 2026. It’s also great to have their Selecția Națională back for this Eurovision season too. Michael and Lou review the jewels of the Moldovan finala națională, and take some time to critique what couldn’t beat Satoshi. Is Viva, Moldova! the best choice for Moldova in 2026? In this episode: Learn a new way to angry at spaghetti Get an opportunity to count the na-na-nas Find out where to get pink refreshments all across Europe 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 Evgenii Avramov – Foc la ghete [Fire in the boots] Maxim Zavidia – ALLO Dayana – Doina Cătălina Solomac – Pink Margarita Pavel Orlov – Can’t Say Goodbye (Radio Edit) The post Long live Moldova: Reviewing Finala națională 2026 appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

It may not be an easy task for them at the moment, but Ukraine delivered yet another amazing Eurovision national final. They also delivered LELÉKA the ticket to Vienna. Michael and Lou jump into Vidbir to explore what didn’t quite make the cut. Is Ridnym the best choice for Ukraine for 2026? In this episode: Find out how much Lou loves cheese Understand the confusion with Jerry Explore why instrumentalist singers need to do more 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 KHAYAT – Герци (Hertsy) MR. VEL – Do or Done Jerry Heil – CATHARTICUS (prayer) Laud – Lightkeeper The post It’s all relative: Reviewing Ukraine’s Vidbir 2026 appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

After close to 10 hours of broadcasting (consisting of approximately 5 hours of conversations, 2 hours of ads for dentists and tech and 2 hours of songs), Malta Eurovision Song Contest came to an end, with AIDAN finally taking hold of the MESC trophy. Michael and Euro-fan Daniel review some of the songs in the mega grand final and wonder what might have happened if AIDAN didn’t get his way. Is Bella the best choice for Malta for 2026? In this episode: Understand Michael’s jury flip-flopping Dream about a post-Flute world Learn how to wrangle ten genres into one song 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 Janice Mangion – Univers DENISE – TROPHY Matthew Cilia and The AfterParty – Brutality Mentality Mychael Bartolo Chircop – My Sweet Angel MATT BLXCK – Ejja Lejja Ħdejja ‘l Hawn (The Flute) The post So beautiful: Reviewing Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2026 appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

Each year, we wait with baited breath for Croatia to choose their Eurovision entry via Dora. Will it be more Baby Lasagna or more Jacques Houdek? And every year, we’re left with a heap of songs that could’ve done well. Michael is joined by Eurovision fan Daniel to review some of the songs that couldn’t beat out Lelek to take the Dora trophy. Is Andromeda the best choice for Croatia in 2026? In this episode: Meet Daniel (who is also a fan of Dora) Get the background on what Lelek’s artwork means Question what juries consider ‘artistic’ 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 Lara Demarin – MANTRA Lima Len – Raketa Stela Rade – Nema te Cold Snap – Mucho Macho The post Galaxies aligning: Reviewing Croatia’s Dora 2026 appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

It’s the last National Final weekend of the year. And that means Sweden is ready to decide on its song for Vienna. Michael and Bryan jump into the Melodifestivalen final, with 12 songs all vying for that ticket south. While some may argue Melfest has been going downhill of late, the fact that Michael and Bryan can’t settle on one winner is a positive. You can enjoy the show (and find out who wins) by watching via SVT Play from 8pm CET on Saturday 7 March (or 6am AEDT on Sunday 8 March). In this episode: Decide if you’re Team Medina or Team Bryan Find out just how much of a boomer mum Michael is Wonder who the 3-9 year olds will be voting for 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 A*Teens – Iconic Meira Omar – Dooset Daram [Podcast extra] Lilla Al-Fadji – Delulu Saga Ludvigsson – Ain’t Today [Podcast extra] Smash Into Pieces – Hollow Cimberly – Eternity Medina – Viva L’Amor Greczula – Half Of Me Robin Bengtsson – Honey Honey [Podcast extra] FELICIA – My System Sanna Nielsen – Waste Your Love Brandsta City Släckers – Rakt in i elden [Straight into the fire] The post Turn up the heat: Previewing Sweden’s Melodifestivalen 2026 appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

Super Saturday is upon us, as six countries choose their songs for Eurovision. One of them is Norway, is ready to razzle-dazzle us with all things Melodi Grand Prix. Michael is joined by special guest, Lou, to navigate through the nine songs in contention and decide if the new Tarjei Strøm era of MGP is going to amaze us. You can enjoy MGP from the comfort of your lounge room, by tuning in to NRK TV on Saturday 28 February at 7:45pm if you’re in Europe, or on Sunday 1 March at 5:45am if you’re in Melbourne. In this episode: Find out who has a urinal named in their honour Meet the little sister of some Euro-famous siblings Cheer for the Aussie, who’s back to tell his story 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 Skrellex – Into the Wild Hedda Mae – Snap Back STORM – Lullaby Mileo – Frankenstein Silke – Forevermore Alexander Rybak – Rise emma – Northern Lights Leonardo Amor – Prayer JONAS LOVV – Ya Ya Ya The post Shining bright: Previewing Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix 2026 appeared first on JOY Eurovision.