Voting opens in the second Eurovision semi-final after the UK's Remember Monday take the stage – watch live by pressing the button at the top of the page
The trio are among the 19 acts performing tonight
The group won't have to worry about viewers' votes, as the UK gets free passage to the final as part of the Big Five nations
Australian singer Go-Jo kicked off the show, and we've also seen Malta's Miriani Conte, whose rave ditty Serving has proved to be a fan favourite
Ten more countries will qualify tonight and six will be sent packing from the host city of Basel, Switzerland
Edited by Mark Savage from the Eurovision semi-finals in Basel, Switzerland
Mark Savage
BBC Music correspondent, reporting from the Eurovision semi-final
The next interval act is a homage to the cancelled Eurovision Song Contest of 2020, which ground to a halt as the world entered a Covid-19 lockdown.
Our hosts namecheck the artists who never got to perform at the contest, after which we get to hear four of the songs that would have featured in the 2020 edition.
Gjon's Tears from Switzerland performs Répondez-moi; Lithuanian band The Roop play On Fire; Efendi from Azerbaijan (pictured) performs Cleopatra; and Destiny from Malta closes the segment with All of My Love.
Funnily enough, all four acts got to come back in 2021 – albeit with different songs. The contest was eventually won by Italian rock band Måneskin, with Zitti e Buoni, setting them on a path to global fame.
Hosts Hazel Brugger and Sandra Studer will reveal the results imminently
Ten songs from each semi-final will qualify for Saturday’s grand final. They will join last year's winner, Switzerland, along with the Big Five (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) for a total of 26 songs.
The qualifiers are chosen by a public vote, with every country who performed in tonight's semi-final getting a say.
Viewers get a maximum of 20 votes, cast via phone call, SMS or via the official app.
When the lines close, each country will have chosen a "Top 10" of their favourite songs. The most popular song gets 12 points, the second choice gets 10, and the rest are scored from eight to one.
At the end of the night, the scores are totalled up, and five countries are booted out of the competition.Mark Savage
BBC Music correspondent, reporting from the Eurovision semi-final
As the voting gets underway, we're treated to a song and dance number that interrogates Switzerland's obsession with time.
"We like to be organised, precise and punctual – to be as accurate as our watches," says a voiceover, as dancers twirl around a clock face.
As the beat intensifies, the segment becomes an exhortation to live life to the full.
"Time is not just ticking. It’s dancing, laughing, singing
"It’s beating, every second. It’s feeling every moment
"I won’t just let life pass by like the ticking of a clock. I’ll live it, love it, make it mine."
So what are you doing watching Eurovision? Reach for the stars! Achieve your dreams! Or just have another biscuit.
Get your voting fingers ready, it's time to choose your favourites!
As our hosts have explained, you can place up to 20 votes for your favourite act(s), but you can't vote for your own country, so don't even think about it.
The vote is only open to viewers from the countries performing in tonight's semi-final. That means UK viewers can take part tonight, after sitting out Tuesday's edition.Mark Savage
BBC Music correspondent, reporting from the Eurovision semi-final
It goes quickly, huh? Here's a look at the final four acts from tonight's semi-final.
Israel's Yuval Raphael gave a note-perfect rendition of her ballad New Day Will Rise
Germany's Abor & Tynna performed in front of a giant ghetto blaster for their club banger, Baller
Serbian singer Princ was dragged along the stage by his feet before springing back to life for the climax of his song, Mila
Erika Vikman provided an explosive end to the night with her sex-positive anthem Ich KommeMark Savage
BBC Music correspondent, reporting from the Eurovision semi-final
Yuval Raphael's performance tonight passes without incident.
Earlier today, according to Getty Images, a protester whistled and held aloft a Palestinian flag during Raphael's song rehearsal.
Yuval Raphael will be representing Israel with her song New Day Will Rise
Israel's presence at Eurovision has been a subject of scrutiny and protest amid the ongoing military action in Gaza.
More than 52,000 people have been killed in the campaign, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The action started in response to Hamas’ attack on Israel in October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 were taken hostage.
Organisations, including Amnesty International, have accused Israel of committing genocide, a label which it rejects.
In Basel, posters for the Eurovision Song Contest have been graffitied with anti-Israel slogans; and the country complained to police after a pro-Palestinian demonstrator allegedly made a throat-slitting gesture towards their contestant, Yuval Raphael.
Pro-Palestinian protests are also planned in the city ahead of the competition, while Ireland’s broadcaster RTÉ has called for a wider discussion on Israel’s continued participation.
Speaking to the BBC earlier this week, Raphael – who is herself a survivor of the 7 October attacks – said she was prepared for criticism.
"I think I'm expecting it," she admitted, when asked if she anticipated booing. "But we are here to sing and I'm going to sing my heart out for everyone."
So far, her dress rehearsals have passed without incident, although audience reaction has been muted and some fans held up Palestinian flags during today's dress rehearsal.
Nonetheless, her song New Day Will Rise is among the favourites to win the competition.
Protesters hold a sign and a Palestinian flag in front of the townhall ahead of the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final of EurovisionMark Savage
BBC Music correspondent, reporting from the Eurovision semi-final
Seven more acts have taken the stage in Basel. Here's what happened…
Greek singer Klavdia delivered a traditional torch song, with impeccable vocals
Lithuanian band Katarsis are a wild card this year – with a sullen rock sound that's rarely been heard at Eurovision. The reaction in the arena was enthusiastic, though, particularly at the song's dramatic climax
Malta's Miriana Conte ended her outre risqué performance of Serving by bouncing on a medicine ball
Georgia's Mariam Shengelia was accompanied by dancers in traditional chokha coats and headdresses who performed an elaborate routine with giant white flags
French singer Louane sang a touching ballad about losing her mum to cancer, in a dramatic performance that saw her swept up in a sandstorm.
A vision in white: Czechia's Adonxs delivered strong vocals and an acrobatic dance break for his song Kiss Kiss Goodbye
Luxembourg's Laura Thorn played a marionette in her song La Poupée Monte Le Son, a modern, feminist take on France Gall's Poupée De Cire, Poupée De Son – which won the 10th Eurovision Song Contest in 1965Mark Savage
BBC Music correspondent, reporting from the Eurovision semi-final
Hosts Sandra Studer (left) and Hazel Brugger have been leaning into the competition's trademark kookiness
Our guides tonight are Swiss comedian Hazel Brugger and singer-turned-TV host Sandra Studer, a former Eurovision contestant herself.
As you might have seen on Tuesday, they have an self-aware style that celebrates the glorious nonsense and showbiz spectacle of Eurovision.
"I learnt English to host this show," noted Brugger, a successful stand-up comedian, in one of her links.
"I learnt so many words and they said, 'In the end it doesn't matter because the commentators are going to talk over you anyway.'"
The hosts also pulled off a spectacularly silly interval number that listed Switzerland's many gifts to the world (potato peelers, zippers, the electric guitar) and celebrated the creation of Eurovision, which was dreamt up by Swiss television executive Marcel Bezençon back in 1956.
If you missed it, you can watch it here, external.
Tonight we've seen Hazel crowdsurfing, hoovering the stage and visiting an over-60s club in an outfit I can only describe as "disco salmon".
Her chaotic energy is a breath of fresh air, stopping the tightly-scripted show from going stale. It'll be interesting to see what she has in store for the grand final.Mark Savage
BBC Music correspondent, reporting from the Eurovision semi-final
We're roughly at the half-way point now, and journalists are fuirously clacking away at their keyboards in the press centre next to the Eurovision arena in Basel.
But everyone stops to watch their favourites. Next to me, an Australian journalist with dyed blue hair gyrated wildly to Go-Jo's Milkshake Man. And there was a huge reaction from the Greek delegation as Klavdia hit the high notes of her stormy ballad Asteromáta.
Best of all was the moment when hundreds of people from every walk of life joined together to sing the missing word from Miriana Conte's "Serving" (if you know, you know). As the Eurovision slogan goes, the room was united by music.
The UK didn't quite get that reaction, but there was a general feeling that Remember Monday had found an extra gear after their rehearsals earlier today. The only way is up.Mark Savage
BBC Music correspondent, reporting from the Eurovision semi-final
Here's a look at the highlights from the opening acts of tonight's show.
Australia's Go-Jo brought all the boys and girls to the yard with his opening song, Milkshake Man
Montenegro's Nina Žižić cut a striking figure, even as her dress threatened to consume her
Irish contestant Emmy danced atop a replica of the Sputnik 2 spacecraft as she sang Laika Party – a tribute to the Soviet dog who was one of the first animals in space
Latvian folktronica band Tautumeitas transported the audience to an enchanted forest with their pagan incantation, Bur Man Laimi
Armenian star Parg gave one of the most energetic / exhausting performances so far, running on a treadmill for the duration of his goth-pop anthem Survivor
Austrian artist JJ navigated choppy emotional waters in his operatic ballad Wasted Love
Remember Monday showcased their tight harmonies in a spirited performance of What The Hell Just Happened?Mark Savage
BBC Music correspondent, reporting from the Eurovision semi-final
Girl band Remember Monday are about to take the Eurovision stage for the first time.
They will be performing a song titled What The Hell Just Happened, full of harmonies and pop melodies.
The singers are Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele, who met at school in Farnborough, Hampshire, and appeared on TV talent show The Voice, in 2019.
Lauren and Holly-Anne have also appeared in West End shows like Phantom of the Opera and Six: The Musical.
They'll be hoping to turn around the UK's fortunes, after the last two contestants Olly Alexander and Mae Muller both finished at the bottom end of the table in 2024 and 2023 respectively.
"The closer we get to it, the more hungry we are for a good result," Holly-Anne told me earlier this week. "A placement in the single digits would be nice."
They'll find out whether their Eurovision wish will be granted on Saturday – as the band qualify automatically for the final.Mark Savage
BBC Music correspondent, reporting from the Eurovision semi-final
VÆB have been dubbed Iceland's answer to Ireland's previous Eurovision sensation Jedward
If you weren't there, you missed out. We had sauna whisks, demonic aerobics, an Icelandic Jedward and a slice of Poison Cake, courtesy of Croatia’s Marko Bosnjak.
There was also a rare technical glitch during Switzerland's song, as an on-stage camera malfunctioned, causing the picture to freeze.
Afterwards, singer Zoë Më reassured fans it was a one-off incident and that her team would “have a solution” before Saturday’s final. If it was to happen again, she’d be offered the chance to repeat her song under Eurovision rules.
There are five countries who won't be repeating their songs on Saturday, after failing to make it through on Tuesday. They are Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cyprus, Croatia and Slovenia.
Here are the 10 acts that did qualify:
Norway: Kyle Alessandro – Lighter
Albania: Shkodra Elektronike – Zjerm
Sweden: KAJ – Bara Bada Bastu
Iceland: VÆB – RÓA
Netherlands: Claude – C'est La Vie
Poland: Justyna Steczkowska – GAJA
San Marino: Gabry Ponte – Tutta L'Italia
Estonia: Tommy Cash – Espresso Macchiato
Portugal: NAPA – Deslocado
Ukraine: Ziferblat – Bird of PrayMark Savage
BBC Music correspondent, reporting from the Eurovision semi-final
Watch out for the Milkshake Man – Australia's Go-Jo – who is among those taking to the stage on Thursday
The show opens with Australian singerGo-Jo, whose song Milkshake Man is one long double-entendre, and all the better for it.
He arrives on stage with a giant food blender, which delivers the first of the night's costume changes. In case you're wondering, costume changes are a big theme. During rehearsals, I counted 10 instances of "removing my dress to reveal a shorter, spanglier dress".
We can also expect to see a lot of dry ice and pride rocks, as the artist’s whose songs deliver DRAMATIC and IMPORTANT messages drive home their point with DRAMATIC and IMPORTANT staging.
You're much more likely to enjoy Malta’s Miriani Conte, whose sing-song rave ditty Serving has proved to be a fan favourite; and Austria’s JJ, whose heartbreak aria Wasted Love is staged on a tiny boat, cast adrift in an unforgiving ocean.
The UK's Remember Monday make their Eurovision debut, hoping to dazzle Basel with their close-knit harmonies. I’m a big fan of Latvia's entry, Tautumeitas, who combine their country's traditional folk music with the electric pulse of Bjork's Vespertine – but I’m not sure it's a massive vote winner.
And make sure you stick around to the end for Finland's Erika Vikman, who brings new meaning to the phrase, "ending the show with a bang".
Miriani Conte's song Serving has proved to be a fan favouriteMark Savage
BBC Music correspondent, reporting from the Eurovision semi-final
This is quite sweet. Instead of a big, starry opening number, tonight's show begins with a humble Eurovision enthusiast called Phillip.
"I’ve been a Eurovision fan for over 50 years," he says in a video from the streets of Basel.
"Experiencing Eurovision in my hometown is truly once in a lifetime… I love watching fans from around the world become one big family."
As the segment ends, Phillip appears on the stage of the St Jackobshalle.
He walks down the catwalk carrying a glowing fluorescent heart with the Swiss flag at its centre. Then he slots it into the Eurovision logo, lighting the fuse for semi-final two… And we're off!
Here's who we’ll see gracing the stage at Basel’s 12,000-capacity St Jakobshalle tonight.
Tonight's show takes place in St Jakobshalle, an indoor arena in the Swiss city of Basel.
It will be broadcast live on TV on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 20:00 BST, hosted by Scott Mills and Rylan.
You can also listen to coverage of the event on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, with Sara Cox and Richie presiding over the onstage shenanigans.
And you can watch along with us on this live page by clicking on the watch live button at the top of this page.
For participating countries outside the UK, your national broadcaster will broadcast the ceremony in full. Elsewhere, your best bet is the official Eurovision channel on Youtube., externalMark Savage
BBC Music correspondent, reporting from the Eurovision semi-final
This year's UK entry is Remember Monday with their song What the Hell Just Happened
Welcome! We're back in Basel as the world's biggest music competition gears up for its second semi-final.
After the first round on Tuesday, we already know that Iceland, Sweden and Estonia have qualified. Tonight, ten more countries will make the grade, and six will be sent packing.
We'll also see the first performance by the UK’s entry, Remember Monday, with their showboating rock opera What The Hell Just Happened.
The trio don’t have to worry about viewers’ votes though, as the UK gets free passage to the final as part of the “Big Five” nations whose financial contributions keep the competition going.
Stay with us as we bring you all the action – the show kicks off at 21:00 local time (20:00 BST).
You can follow along by pressing the watch live button at the top of the page.
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