Austria's JJ wins Eurovision 2025 with opera-techno fusion
Austria's JJ won the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest on Sunday, with his operatic song "Wasted Love" triumphing at the world's biggest live music television event.
After votes from national juries around Europe and viewers from across the continent and beyond, JJ gave Austria its first victory since bearded drag performer Conchita Wurst's 2014 triumph.
After the nail-biting drama as the votes were revealed running into Sunday morning, Austria finished with 436 points, ahead of Israel -- whose participation drew protests -- on 357 and Estonia on 356.
"Thank you to you, Europe, for making my dreams come true," 24-year-old countertenor JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, said after his triumph in the Swiss city ofBasel.
"Love is the strongest force in the world. Let's spread more love," the Austrian-Filipino singer said.
"Wasted Love" saw him hit the high notes while mixing opera and techno.
His Eurovision song, about the experience of unrequited love, blends lyricism and balladry, before ending with a techno flourish.
His performance, broadcast in black and white in 4:3 ratio, captivated viewers around Europe.
"What a fantastic success! My warmest congratulations on your victory," said Austria's Chancellor Christian Stocker, adding: "JJ is making Austrian music history."
The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt also issued a message of congratulations to JJ on Facebook.
"What an incredible moment -- Filipino pride on the European stage!," it said.
Celine Dion no-show
The 69th Eurovision Song Contest was held at Basel'sSt. Jakobshalle, packed with 6,500 excited ticket-holders dressed to the nines while 36,000 others watched a live transmission in a nearby stadium.
An estimated 160 million people across Europe and beyond were expected to tune in for the annual TV spectacle, where kitsch, glam and spectacular staging go hand in hand.
Twenty-six countries were in contention, with 11 having been eliminated in the semi-finals during the week.
Basel had been abuzz all week with rumours thatCeline Dionmight make an emotion-laden appearance as she battles Stiff Person Syndrome.
The Canadian superstar, now 57, launched her international career by winning Eurovision 1988, while competing for Switzerland.
But in the end, she did not appear.
"We have been in contact with her through various channels and regret that ultimately it was not possible to include her in the show," Eurovision organisers told AFP.
"We send her all our best wishes and, above all, good health."
Sweden had long been the bookmakers' hot favourite to win in Basel with the comedy trio KAJ's sauna song "Bara Bada Bastu".
But they finished fourth ahead of Italy, Greece and France as JJ scooped up the microphone-shaped trophy.
Albania, Ukraine and Switzerland rounded out the top 10.
Israel protests
As the televotes came in, Israel held the top spot until, right at the very end, the public votes for Austria gave the Alpine nation the right to host Eurovision next year.
Israel's participation inEurovision 2025prompted a series of protests in Basel over the war in Gaza.
Israel's entrant Yuval Raphael survived the 7October 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza war, hiding beneath bodies as Hamas gunmen attacked a music festival, killing hundreds.
During the performance of her song "New Day Will Rise", loud whistles could be heard and two people tried to get on stage.
"At the end of the Israeli performance, a man and a woman tried to get over a barrier onto the stage. They were stopped. One of the two agitators threw paint," a Eurovision spokesman told AFP.
They were taken outside and handed over to police, he added.
Elsewhere in Basel, pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed briefly with riot police. Blows were exchanged and officers deployed tear gas.
Ahead of the final on Saturday, Spain's public broadcaster defied the organisers to air a message in support of Palestinians -- despite being warned to avoid references to the Gaza offensive.
'Ich Komme'
The songs in contention were a showcase of Europe's different musical scenes.
They included a Portuguese guitar ballad, a Maltese diva, Lithuanian alternative rock, an Italian singalong, a Greek power ballad, ethereal Latvian choral folk and German booming beats.
Estonia's wobbly-legged Tommy Cash finished a close third with his cod-Italian "Espresso Macchiato" song.
Finland's Erika-- who gained momentum during Eurovision week with the orgasmic "Ich Komme" -- was hoisted in the air on a spark-emitting golden microphone.
Poland's Justyna Steczkowska, 52, set a new record between Eurovision appearances, returning 30 years after her first performance.
The Netherlands' competitor Claude broke into tears after performing his song "C'est La Vie".
French singerLouane, who lost both her parents as a teenager, performed her song "Maman", with falling pieces of cork representing the sands of time.
And Malta's Miriana Conte finished her diva big number "Serving" by bouncing up and down on an exercise ball.
(AFP)
Originally published on RFI
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Toronto Sun
10 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Red Bull enthusiast gets energy drink barcode tattoo -- and it works!
A Swiss woman's intense passion for the popular energy drink has gone viral after she reportedly got the can's barcode tattooed on her skin. Photo by SCREEN GRAB / TIKTOK This Red Bull drinker clearly has energy to burn. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account A Swiss woman's intense passion for the popular energy drink has gone viral after she reportedly got the can's barcode tattooed on her skin. Amazingly, the barcode works at self-checkout, according to a video of her using this functioning body art. The clip has racked up more than 7.9 million views on TikTok. 'I was thinking about getting a barcode tattoo for some time,' the woman named Dew, told Jam Press of her Red Bull-inspired ink job, per the New York Post . The content creator — who goes by @mycringe.s–t on social media — was initially thinking of getting a tattoo of 'broccoli or something silly,' but then opted for Red Bull after 'thinking energy.' The woman reportedly spent the equivalent of more than $600 on the ink, which features the barcode being chomped by a worm. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I then added the worm which is chomping it up, based on a little drawing my sister did,' Dew said of the body art, which evokes the barcode-themed skull tattoo from the 'Hitman' games. The Swiss miss was astonished that the barcode was functional. Even her tattoo artist was skeptical. 'I knew it possibly couldn't work as my artist was very open about it,' the content creator said. 'I tried the next day at work and it did, I was so excited about it.' In the clip, Dew can be seen taking her tattoo for a test run by scanning the code at a self-checkout. The scanner goes off, prompting the woman to cheer and point at the screen, where it shows she's been charged for one 250 ml can of Red Bull. 'For everyone wondering if my Red Bull barcode works, yes it does,' Dew said in the caption to an Instagram repost of the video. Recommended video Viewers were impressed. 'Well that's my next tattoo design sorted,' said one, while another wrote, 'OMG THIS IS GENIUS!' Even Red Bull Germany was wowed, calling the feat 'Inkcredible.' However, some critics raised a reasonable question. 'What she gonna do when the barcode changes,' asked one, to which the Red Bull fan replied, 'not care.' Read More Sports Toronto & GTA Sunshine Girls Columnists Editorial Cartoons
Toronto Sun
2 days ago
- Toronto Sun
Willie Nelson keeps living the life he loves at 92. 'I'm not through with it yet'
Published Jun 20, 2025 • 4 minute read Willie Nelson performs during the Farm Aid Music Festival at the Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana, on September 24, 2023. Photo by SUZANNE CORDEIRO / AFP via Getty Images Willie Nelson's 90th birthday celebration at the Hollywood Bowl could have been mistaken for a retirement party. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account But two years later at 92, he's working as much as ever. Not that retirement would look much different. The life he loves is making music with his friends, even after outliving so many dear ones. Nelson will be on the road again with Bob Dylan when the Outlaw Music Festival resumes for the second leg of its 10th year starting on June 20 in Clarkston, Michigan Asked if he'd ever like his life to get the feature film treatment that Dylan did last year with 'A Complete Unknown, ' Nelson said, 'I've heard some talk about it. But I'm not through with it yet.' Nelson spoke to The Associated Press in a phone interview from Hawaii's Oahu. 'Bob's a good friend,' Nelson said. 'And I'll be glad to let him headline.' The tour is one part of a loaded year. It'll lead right up to the 40th anniversary of Farm Aid in September. This spring, Nelson released his 77th studio album. And he's added a new THC tonic, Willie's Remedy+, to his wide world of weed products. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. An all-Crowell album Nelson has always loved singing the songs of his friends as much as if not more than the ones he writes himself. In 1979, he released 'Willie Nelson Sings Kristofferson,' a full album of the work of his friend Kris Kristofferson, who died last year. He has similar love for the songs of his friend Rodney Crowell. Nelson has long performed Crowell's 'Til I Gain Control Again,' which he called 'one of the best country songs that I think I've ever heard.' Now he's released a whole album of Crowell tunes, 'Oh What a Beautiful World.' 'So far he hasn't written one that I don't like,' Nelson said. The album comes on the 50th anniversary of 'Red Headed Stranger,' the album that many consider Nelson's masterpiece. A breakthrough for him at age 42, it took him from respected journeyman to beloved superstar. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Nelson said he's already begun work on album number 78, but declines to share its direction. Willie's Family band, old and new, still with no set list As Nelson returns to the road, the only surviving member of the classic lineup of his Family band is Mickey Raphael, 73, whose harmonica has duetted for decades with the Willie warble. Bassist Bee Spears died in 2011. Guitarist and backup singer Jody Payne died in 2013. Drummer Paul English died in 2020. And Nelson's sister Bobbie Nelson, his only sibling and his piano player, died in 2022. But the band he takes on the road now is just as familial in its own way. It often includes his sons Lukas and Micah. English's brother Billy plays the drums. The son of Payne and singer Sammi Smith, Waylon Payne, plays guitar. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. They collectively keep up with Nelson's wants and whims on stage. One thing the live show never includes is a set list. He refuses to use them. Band members — and sound guys, and lighting guys — have to stay on their toes and be ready for anything. 'I'd rather play it off the top of my head, because I can read the crowd pretty good,' Nelson said. 'They jump in there.' The list-less set lately has included classics like 'Whiskey River' (always the opener, no guessing to be done there,) and 'Bloody Mary Morning' along with newer adoptees like Tom Waits' 'Last Leaf,' a song that perfectly expresses Nelson's survivor status. 'I'm the last leaf on the tree,' Nelson sings in the song that leads his 2024 album of the same name. 'The autumn took the rest, but it won't take me.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'My son Micah found that for me,' Nelson said. 'I really love the song, and the audience likes it, it's one of the real good ones.' He's also been performing songs written by Micah, who records and performs as Particle Kid. One favourite, 'Everything Is B- – – – – -t,' seems to stand in contrast to the gospel standards like 'I'll Fly Away' and 'Will The Circle Be Unbroken' that he often plays a few minutes later. Willie disagrees. 'It's all gospel,' he says with a laugh. Farm Aid turns 40 September will bring the 40th anniversary addition of Farm Aid, the annual festival to support family farmers, which Nelson founded with Neil Young and John Mellencamp, He performs there annually. It was inspired by one-off charity concerts like 'Live Aid,' but became an annual institution, rotating each year to a different farm-adjacent city. It's in Minneapolis this year. Asked his favourite, he said, 'They've all been good, for different reasons. The first one was great, the last one was great.' Love concerts, but can't make it to the venue? Stream live shows and events from your couch with VEEPS, a music-first streaming service now operating in Canada. Click here for an introductory offer of 30% off. Explore upcoming concerts and the extensive archive of past performances. World Columnists World Toronto & GTA MMA
Toronto Sun
3 days ago
- Toronto Sun
Chris Brown pleads not guilty to a charge that he beat and injured a music producer in London
Published Jun 20, 2025 • 2 minute read Chris Brown leaves Southwark Crown Court in London, June 20, 2025, after pleading not guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent during an alleged London nightclub brawl in 2023. Photo by CARLOS JASSO / AFP via Getty Images Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. LONDON — Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown pleaded not guilty Friday to a charge related to the serious beating of a music producer with a bottle in a London nightclub in 2023. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Brown, 36, wearing a blue suit, white shirt and black-rimmed glasses, was arraigned in London's Southwark Crown Court on one count of attempting to unlawfully and maliciously cause grievous bodily harm with intent. Brown's friend and fellow musician Omololu Akinlolu, 39, who performs under the name 'Hoody Baby,' pleaded not guilty to the same charge. Prosecutors previously said Brown and Akinlolu assaulted producer Abe Diaw at a bar in the Tape nightclub in the swanky Mayfair neighborhood in February 2023. Brown allegedly launched an unprovoked attack on Diaw and hit him several times with a bottle and then punched and kicked him. The attack was caught on surveillance camera in front of a club full of people, prosecutors said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Brown was originally charged with a single count of grievous bodily harm after his arrest in May, but prosecutors subsequently brought an indictment adding two counts: assault causing actual bodily harm and having an offensive weapon, a bottle. When a court clerk asked Brown how he pleaded to the grievous bodily harm count, he replied: 'Not guilty ma'am.' Brown did not enter pleas on the additional counts and was ordered to return to court July 11 to face those charges after wrapping up the European leg of his world tour. His trial was scheduled for Oct. 26 2026. The singer of 'Go Crazy,' 'Run It,' and 'Kiss Kiss' was released last month on a 5 million-pound ($6.75 million) bail, which allowed him to start his 'Breezy Bowl XX' tour earlier this month. Following his release after almost a week in jail, Brown posted on Instagram: 'FROM THE CAGE TO THE STAGE!!! BREEZYBOWL.' Brown, who quickly rose to stardom as a teen in 2005, won his first Grammy for best R&B album in 2011 for 'F.A.M.E.' and then earned his second in the same category for '11:11 (Deluxe)' earlier this year. He is currently touring the U.K., playing this weekend in London with subsequent shows in Ireland, Scotland, France and Portugal. He returns to North America at the end of July to play Miami, before moving across the U.S. with a two-night stop in Toronto along the way. Toronto & GTA MMA News Sunshine Girls World
