Eurovision 2015 Semi Final 1: Everything you need to know

Here we are at last, with our first 16 semi-finalists who’ll be hoping they have got what it takes to make it all the way to the Grand Final.  

In running order, we look at the stories behind the songs and the voices singing them. You can listen to all the songs in the playlist at the bottom of the page. Jump straight to playlist

Although they don't have to take part in the semi-finals, viewers in Spain, France, Austria and Australia will be voting in this one.

Quiz: How much do you know about Eurovision?

1. Moldova

Ukrainian singer Eduard Romanyuta leads the way for Moldova. After four attempts at representing his home country, Eduard nipped across to the neighbours Moldiva and hey presto! He’s in. His song I Want Your Love was co-written by Aussie singer-songwriter Hayley Aitken and British singer Tom Andrews, who was spotted on YouTube and signed to Ellen DeGeneres’ record label.

What’s the song like?
I Want Your Love wouldn’t have been out of place on one of Britney’s early albums – and that’s a compliment. 

2. Armenia

Genealogy claim to be “united by the blood in their veins”, but they’re not related – they’re actually from five different continents. One of their members Inga is the only Armenian singer to appear in the contest twice, and the band prepare for going on stage by holding hands and saying ”random Armenian words”. We love them already.

What’s the song like?
Face The Shadow starts off as an emotional ballad with members sharing lead vocals and showing off their different singing styles. The chorus sounds a bit like a sped up version of Alicia Keys’ Fallin’. Kind of.

3: Belgium

Image: Josh Brandão

It’s 29 years since Belgium took home the big one, but chiselled quiff aficionado Loïc Nottet hopes to end the drought. Finishing as a finalist in Belgium’s version of The Voice, Loïc bagged himself a record contract into the bargain. His entry, Rhythm Inside, was penned by Voice Belgique judge Beverly Jo Scott.

What’s the song like?
Kicking off with some distinctly Lorde vibes, Rhythm Inside is a low-key track with a chorus you can chant along to. 

4: Netherlands

Image: Carin Verbruggen

Four-time winners the Netherlands came second last year with the Common Linnets – who scored a UK Top 10 hit single and album thanks to their Eurovision efforts. This year they have homegrown star Trijntje Oosterhuis representing them in Vienna. Trijntje was a coach on The Voice of Holland.

What’s the song like?
Walk Along was written by the Netherlands’ 2013 contestant Anouk, and is a more traditional pop effort compared with last year’s entry. It’s got more than a hint of Beyoncé’s “pack your stuff” anthem Irreplaceable.

5: Finland

Image: Kalle Pajamaa

Finland’s only victory is one of the most famous – Lordi’s heavy metal sound was the toast of Eurovision 2006. And this time, they’re going punk with Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät (PKN). The bolshy quartet are hoping to raise awareness of disabilities – the members have Down Syndrome or are autistic – and have fans all over Europe and in the USA.

What’s the song like?
Aina Mun Pitää is not as in-your-face as Lordi’s winning effort, and while there is a punk theme, it’s not too anarchic that it’ll scare off the judges. It is also super-short, coming in at just over a minute and a half. 

6. Greece

Image: Sophia Dranidou

It’s exactly a decade since Helena Paparizou gave Greece their first ever win, and this year’s participant Maria Elena Kyriakou has already triumphed in the Greek version of The Voice. She also co-wrote the song.

What’s the song like?
One Last Breath beings us back to ballad territory. While it’s not quite as dramatic, there are more than a few nods to last year’s winner from Conchita Wurst. Despite belting out some serious long notes, by the end, Maria Elana is barely out of breath. (Do you see what we did there?)

7. Estonia

Image: Stina Kase

Last winning in 2001, it’s all down to Elina Born & Stig Rästa. Well-known in his home country, Stig spotted Elina singing a Christina Aguilera song on YouTube. It’s Stig’s fifth attempt to get one of his songs on Eurovision. Chances look good – they ran away with victory in the Estonian selection vote.

What’s the song like?
Folky duet Goodbye To Yesterday has a retro feel and plenty of drama. It sounds a little like a faster version of Adele and Daniel Merriweather’s Water And A Flame.

8. FYR Macedonia

Image: Andreja Damjanovic

Daniel Kajmakoski won The Skopje Festival and gained instant selection as Macedonia’s entry. He actually moved to Vienna from Macedonia when he was six, so he should feel comfortable on stage in front of the locals.

What’s the song like?
Swedish songwriter  and producer TWIN, who’s worked with Kelly Clarkson, Jonas Brothers and Selene Gomez is behind Autumn Leaves. It begins as a piano-led ballad before having something of a David Guetta build-up moment for the chorus… before slowing things down again. Keeps you guessing, basically.

9. Serbia

Image: Slobodan Sarić

Bojana Stamenov was a finalist in Serbia’s Got Talent and won her home country over with her powerful voice.

What’s the song like?
Beauty Never Lies was written by Charlie Mason, who’s penned lyrics for Miley Cyrus, among others and also co-wrote last year’s winner Rise Like A Phoenix. Bojana’s track is along similar themes of empowerment and overcoming adversity, with a poppier feel than Conchita’s winner.

10. Hungary

Image: Enikő Várai

Hungary finished fifth last year, and will be hoping internationally successful Boggie, who looks a teensy bit like the Duchess of Cambridge, will be able to give them a top 2 placing – they’ve never finished above third.

What’s the song like?
Wars For Nothing is a stripped back acoustic ballad which would get you holding your lighters aloft in a second.

11. Belarus

Image: BTRC

Belarus’ best showing was sixth in 2007 – this year duo Uzari&Maimuna are hoping for the big one. Vocalist Uzari is no stranger to the Eurovision stage – he did backing vocals for Belarus in 2011. Don’t call it a comeback, though.

What’s the song like?
Dramatic strings and a pop dance beat both present and correct. Time is like a grittier version of Clean Bandit (kinda).

12. Russia

The Tomalchevy Sisters took Russia to the top 10 last year, but can they add a second win this year with Polina Gagarina, who’s already a star in her home nation?

What’s the song like?
Another song concentrating on themes of peace and empowerment, the rocky A Million Voices has inspirational lyrics and lets Polina show off her rather – dare we say – Aguilera-esque vocals. 

13. Denmark

Image: Ditte Chemnitz

The Danes have romped home three times, most recently back in 2013 with Emelie de Forrest. Clean-cut crooners Anti Social Media have only been together for a few months.

What’s the song like?
The ‘60s-themed The Way You Are wouldn’t feel too out of place on an S Club album from back in the day – collaboration goals! It’s written by Danish producers Remee and Chief 1, who’ve between them made hits for Ace Of Base, Jamelia, Blue and Shayne Ward to name just a few!

14. Albania

Image: Orsola Mema by Class Photography

Albania have missed out on a Grand Final place the last two years, so it’s up to Elhaida Dani to break the spell. Elhaida is a talent show veteran – she won Star Academy in 2009 and romped to victory in The Voice Of Italy in 2013.

What’s the song like?
We’re back in acoustic territory again with I’m Alive, which builds to a rousing chorus.

15. Romania

No wins for Romania yet, but veteran rockers Voltak might be just about to change that. The MTV Europe Music Award winners have picked a song with a theme close to their hearts – it’s about children left alone when their parents leave Romania to seek work abroad.

What’s the song like?
De La Capat (or All Over Again in English) is an emotional midtempo which switches to English halfway through – they may well decide to sing it entirely in English if they each the Grand Final.

16. Georgia

Image: Levan Leko Chkoni

Solo artist Nina Sublatti is famous for her modelling career in her home country and working on Georgian Idol.

What's the song like? Nina wrote Warrior herself along the themes of fighting back against adversity. With battling drums and powerful vocals from Nina, it could almost be a Florence and the Machine track.

See all 16 of the semi finalists in action:

Back to top

So who’s going to make it to the Grand Final? We still have one more Semi Final to go, don’t forget… our rundown of that show is coming soon.

In the meantime, remind yourself of every UK Eurovision entry ever in our gallery below: