Eurovision Song Context

Episode 91: Borders Belonging & Becoming with Josh Rivers

Bradley talks with Busy Being Black host Joshua Rivers about identity, belonging and who gets to be European. From Blackness and queerness to art, poetry and the “right to opacity,” they explore what happens when the labels that help define us also begin to constrain us. Eurovision performances from Milly Scott, Jeangu Macrooy and Conchita Wurst become jumping-off points for conversations about representation, migration and Europe’s changing sense of itself.

Episode 90: [Bonus Content] Eurogulls, Capybaras & Eurovision Asia- feat Suzie & Russ

Suzie and Russ from EuroRiffs are back for an off-season Eurovision catch-up. We head to Burgas, Bulgaria, host city of Eurovision 2027, where a giant seagull and a capybara are already competing for our affections; look at the first songs and selections for the inaugural Eurovision Asia; and ask why Japan, China and India are sitting it out. Plus, the EBU is searching for two missing editions of Eurovision, and we discover Queen Elizabeth II apparently loved dancing to ABBA’s Dancing Queen.

Episode 89: Define, Then See: Journalist Tony Connolly on Europe's Stereotypes

"We define, then we see". In this episode, Bradley sits down with journalist Tony Connolly, RTÉ's Europe Editor based in Brussels, to talk about his book Don't Mention the Wars: A Journey Through European Stereotypes. Tony traces where our national stereotypes actually come from, why the brain reaches for them under stress, and how much truth (if any) is buried inside them. The conversation turns to Eurovision, where stereotyping isn't just cultural shorthand, it's staged. We talk through Dana's

Episode 88: [Bonus Content] Eurovision 2026 Recap: Serviceable Songs & Potato Salad

In this Eurovision 2026 recap episode, Bradley and Sheldon unpack Bulgaria’s controversial victory and ask a bigger question: is Eurovision still really a song contest, or has it become a spectacle-first television event? Drawing on Sheldon’s background in music and songwriting, the conversation explores why some technically stronger songs struggled while louder, more visually aggressive entries dominated the scoreboard. Along the way, they debate craftsmanship versus staging, authenticity vers

Episode 87: [Bonus Content] Post Semifinal 2026 Chat: Bloodbath in the Semis

Emergency Eurovision therapy session after Semi-Final 2. We discuss the shock non-qualifiers, robbed entries, staging disasters, presenter chaos, cargo shorts, and which songs might actually survive into Eurovision history. Featuring reactions to Veronica Fusaro, Delta Goodrem, Alicja, Jonas Lovv, Senhit and more as we try to emotionally recover before the Grand Final.

Episode 86: [Bonus Content] ESC 2026 Turquoise Carpet: Alternative Commentary Track

Our annual Eurovision Turquoise Carpet commentary experiment returns. Open the official Eurovision 2026 Turquoise Carpet stream, start this episode, and when we say “GO,” press play on the video and mute the official commentary. This year, Bradley, Susie Russ, and Russ provide an alternative live commentary track covering the fashion, staging, crowd energy, camera work, and general Eurovision chaos of Vienna 2026. No official audio is included because of copyright, so this episode is designed

Episode 85: [Bonus Content] Eurovision 2026 w Suzie: The Good, The Bad, and the Absolute Hell Not

This week’s episode is a late-night Eurovision catch-up with Suzie from Euro Riffs, as we go through this year’s entries with zero structure and very strong opinions. We cover the songs we love, the ones that might grow on us, and the ones that absolutely should not be anywhere near the final. Along the way: Switzerland’s “too good for Eurovision” moment, Moldova doing what Moldova always does, staging worries, guilty pleasures, and one entry that sparks a full-on rant. If you’ve been listenin

Episode 84: Eurovision 2026: This Feels Off- with Mark Bowden

Bradley is joined by Mark Bowden to break down key Eurovision 2026 entries through a body language lens. Together, they analyze the UK’s “Look Mum No Computer,” Senhit’s star-powered “Superstar” (and whether bringing in Boy George can succeed where Flo Rida didn’t), and the current front-runners from France and Finland. They explore what performers signal on stage, why some acts connect instantly, and how confidence, authenticity, and staging can make or break a result.

Episode 83: [Bonus Content] Love It or Side Eye: Eurovision 2026 Breakdown with Russ

In this episode, Bradley is joined by Russ from EuroRiffs to go song-by-song through the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 lineup. With minimal editing and maximum honesty, they react to this year’s entries using their “love it, hate it, or side eye” framework. They discuss standout tracks like Greece’s “Ferto,” question whether big ballads like Australia’s “Eclipse” can land, and debate which songs risk being repetitive, forgettable, or carried entirely by staging. Along the way, they get into jury

Episode 82: [Bonus Content] Festival da Canção / SAMAs 2026: Double Sleepy or Deeply Portuguese? with Sheldon Rocha Leal

As part of their Eurovision coverage of national finals, Bradley and Sheldon turn to Festival da Canção 2026, breaking down the winner and standout entries including: Napa – Rosa Denise Motta – Juré Sandrino – Disposto a Tudo João Ribeiro – Canção Silvana Peres – Não Tem Fim Nunca Mates o Mandarim – Fumo Inês Souza – Um Filme ao Contrário They explore Portugal’s selection, questioning whether authenticity alone is enough to succeed at Eurovision, and unpack recurring themes of nostalgia, restr

Episode 81: [Bonus Content] SanRemo 2026: Old-Old vs Young-Old with Sheldon Rocha Leal

Bradley and Sheldon break down Sanremo 2026, diving into the winner Sal Da Vinci – Per Sempre, alongside standout and controversial entries including: Fulminacci – Stupida Sfortuna Arisa – Magica Favola Fedez & Marco Masini – Male Necessario Serena Brancale – Qui Con Me J-Ax – Italia Starter Pack Ditonellapiaga – Che Fastidio They unpack what worked, what didn’t, and what this year’s more subdued, introspective Sanremo says about Italy’s musical direction—and its Eurovision chances. Along the

Episode 80: Tiny Vinyl & Big Eurovision with Jesse Mann and Ruben Planting

Here’s a clean, listener-facing episode summary — tight, confident, not defensive: What happens when you shrink vinyl down to four inches — but keep it fully playable? In this episode, Bradley is joined by Jesse Mann, co-founder of Tiny Vinyl, and Dutch vinyl manufacturing consultant Ruben Planting to explore the resurgence of physical media in a streaming world. Tiny Vinyl is a fully playable four-inch record format that turns songs into collectible keepsakes — part merch object, part design

Episode 79: (Part 2) Zero Stars, Nul Points: June Thomas on Failure, Cynicism, and Eurovision

In this episode, Bradley is joined by writer and longtime Slate culture critic June Thomas for a conversation about criticism, failure, and what it means for a work to be “truly bad.” They explore the difference between a one-star work and a zero-star work — the kind of cultural object that isn’t just unsuccessful, but “fascinatingly, existentially terrible.” This leads into a discussion of Lucy Mangan’s Guardian review of All’s Fair and questions about ambition, tone, intentionality, and when s

Episode 78: [Bonus Content] (Part 1) Zero Stars, Nul Points: June Thomas on Failure, Cynicism, and Eurovision

In this episode, Bradley is joined by writer and longtime Slate culture critic June Thomas for a conversation about criticism, failure, and what it means for a work to be “truly bad.” They explore the difference between a one-star work and a zero-star work — the kind of cultural object that isn’t just unsuccessful, but “fascinatingly, existentially terrible.” This leads into a discussion of Lucy Mangan’s Guardian review of All’s Fair and questions about ambition, tone, intentionality, and when s

Episode 77: [Bonus Content] The JESC Holiday Party Episode, Featuring Very Questionable Gifts

n this special holiday edition of Eurovision Song Context, Bradley gathers a spirited panel of Eurovision aficionados—including Jody, Mies, Mike from The EuroWhat Podcast, Sheldon, and Russ—for a chaotic, cozy, laughter-filled deep dive into Junior Eurovision 2024. Together they break down standout entries from Georgia to San Marino, debate what JESC should be, mourn the unfolding drama in “grown-up” Eurovision, and exchange an unforgettable round of white-elephant gifts ranging from Rolexes to

Episode 75: [Bonus Content] (Part 2) Eurovision: When Life Drops a Plot Twist

In this episode we talk with Sheldon about his Journeys I–III essays, identity, alienation, and what it means to belong. We move into a conversation about cancer, resilience, and the books we’re both reading right now — Let Them and Open When. Then we build a Eurovision-powered playlist designed for life’s hardest emotional moments.

Episode 76: [Bonus Content] (Part 1) Eurovision: When Life Drops a Plot Twist

In this episode we talk with Sheldon about his Journeys I–III essays, identity, alienation, and what it means to belong. We move into a conversation about cancer, resilience, and the books we’re both reading right now — Let Them and Open When. Then we build a Eurovision-powered playlist designed for life’s hardest emotional moments.

Episode 74: Personal Note

Episode 73: Vienna 2026! Helena Steinhart on Vienna in Culture, Inclusivity & ESC

Vienna has twice hosted Eurovision and remains one of Europe’s great cultural capitals. In this episode, Bradley talks with Helena Steinhart from the Vienna Tourist Board about the city’s food, culture, and inclusivity — and what fans can expect from a future contest in Vienna. They also revisit four iconic songs: Conchita Wurst’s “Rise Like a Phoenix”, Loreen’s “Euphoria”, Udo Jürgens’ “Merci, Chérie”, and Teya & Salena’s “Who the Hell Is Edgar?”.

Episode 72: Accordions in Eurovision with Zydeco Accordionist Dwight Carrier

Zydeco & Eurovision Accordions (with Dwight “Black Cat” Carrier) Louisiana Creole zydeco, the accordion as a lead instrument, Dwight’s family legacy and touring stories, plus how the accordion shows up on the Eurovision stage (Mandinga, Eliza, Zdob și Zdub, Verka Serduchka) and what makes an unforgettable accordion hook.