Everything to know about the Nordic acts at Eurovision 2025

The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 has arrived, and the city of Basel – perched on the Rhine in northwestern Switzerland – is buzzing with anticipation as this year's host city. More than just a competition, Eurovision is a cultural phenomenon, especially in the Nordics, where it’s woven into the fabric of national identity. From ABBA to Loreen, Scandinavian acts have become legends on the global stage.

Last night, the artists representing all participating 37 countries made their official debut on the Turquoise Carpet, Eurovision’s glamour-filled opening ceremony, and now, with just hours to go before the first semi-final, the Nordic hopefuls are ready to deliver. Below, meet the acts flying the flags for the North.

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Kyle Alessandro steps up as Norway’s representative at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest — a rising talent with both stage presence and a powerful story. Both a singer and producer, Alessandro first captured hearts at just 10 years old on Norway’s Got Talent, wowing judges and audiences alike with his extraordinary voice. Since then, he has grown into a distinct, expressive performer – and now he’s bringing both his voice and his story to the world’s biggest stage.

Alessandro's entry, 'Lighter', is a deeply personal tribute to his mother, who was diagnosed with cancer two years ago. It was she who urged him to "never lose his light". Fittingly, the Grand Final falls on Norway’s Constitution Day, making Alessandro’s appearance all the more poignant. Blending elements of baroque and Norwegian folk with modern pop, 'Lighter' is a powerful fusion of personal legacy and national identity.

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Sweden is no stranger to Eurovision glory, known for bold, genre-defying acts – and this year is no exception. Enter KAJ: a Swedish-speaking Finnish comedy trio who’ve rocketed to the top of the Eurovision favourites list. With 'Bara Bada Bastu', they bring the Swedish language back to the contest for the first time in over two decades. The track is a vibrant mash-up of pop, electronic, and folk, paying tribute to Finland’s beloved sauna culture. But it’s far more than a novelty act – the song is a joyful fusion of Swedish and Finnish identity, laced with sharp wordplay, cheeky humour, and a generous splash of epadunk, the distinctly Swedish genre tied to EPA and A-tractors.

Icelandic duo VÆB – brothers Matthías Davíð Matthíasson and Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson – are representing their native Nordic island. Pronounced 'vibe', the pair bring an undeniable energy to the stage, backed by impeccable fashion and confidence. Raised in a deeply musical family, with a father who’s an organist, saxophone teacher, and choir director, and a mother, Áslaug, who’s a singer and vocal coach, music was always in their blood. The brothers each explored different instruments, with Hálfdán on drums and Matthías on trumpet. Their rise to fame began on TikTok, where a comedic song quickly went viral. Encouraged by the response, they released it on streaming platforms, steadily growing their fanbase. Now, with their infectious energy and musical roots, VÆB is ready to leave a lasting impression on the Eurovision stage.

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Originally from Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands, where she gave her first stage performance at the age of 10, Sissal now resides in Copenhagen. There, she has refined her craft as a musician, performer, and advocate for women. As a mother of two, Sissal uses her platform to amplify the voices of women juggling careers and motherhood, challenging industry norms and promoting self-acceptance. Her song 'Hallucination', co-written with a team of Scandinavian songwriters, is a vibrant dance-pop track influenced by Nordic electropop artists like Dagny and Robyn. The song delves into the intensity of human connection, capturing the feeling of a bond so deep it almost seems unreal.

Few nations command the Eurovision stage quite like Finland, and this year’s act is no exception. Erika Vikman’s music career took off when she won Tangomarkkinat in 2016, earning recognition as a standout Finnish tango singer. Since then, she has kept up a rapid pace, releasing the two-time platinum single 'Cicciolina', followed by other hits like 'Syntisten Pöytä' and 'Ruoska' – a collaboration with Eurovision 2023 runner-up Käärijä, which went triple platinum. Born in Tampere and raised in Lempäälä and Pori, Vikman grew up surrounded by music. Her mother, a tango singing pioneer, passed down the musical talent to Vikman and her sister Jennika. With Vikman's impressive vocal range, undeniable talent, and deep musical roots, Finland could be poised for another Eurovision triumph this year.

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Including Ireland on this list is no mistake. Representing the country this year is Norwegian-born Emmy Kristine Guttulsrud Kristiansen, known mononymously as EMMY. A 24-year-old singer-songwriter from Sande, Norway, Emmy has been immersed in music from a young age. She first gained national attention in 2015 at just 14, competing in Melodi Grand Prix Junior with her song 'Aiaiaiai'. She later returned to Melodi Grand Prix in 2021 with 'Witch Woods', reaching the final. Beyond her performances, Emmy has built a significant online presence, amassing over 1.2 million followers on TikTok, where she shares music covers and original content.

Her Eurovision journey began when she co-wrote 'Laika Party' – a synth-pop tribute to Laika, the Soviet space dog – at a songwriting camp in Norway. The track, co-penned with Irish songwriter Larissa Tormey and others, was initially submitted to Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix but was not selected. Undeterred, Emmy entered Ireland’s Eurosong 2025, where she won both the jury and public votes, securing her place at Eurovision 2025 in Basel.

With her infectious energy, strong vocal presence, and a unique blend of Norwegian roots and Irish collaboration, Emmy is set to bring a fresh and uplifting performance to the Eurovision stage.