December was busy in Eurovision land. Not only did FiKmas come, so did Montesong – Montenegro’s national final competition. It was a big one, with Tamara Živković getting over the line thanks to the jury and local televote. But what didn’t make it?

Michael and Bryan headed to Crna Gora to meet the bangers that were ready to fly the flag in Vienna.

Catch up on the show by streaming Montesong 2025 online.

• Wonder how many ‘Yaas Queen!’ bangers are yet to come
• Investigate the role of Nordic songwriters in the Balkans
• Get the lowdown on this year’s drama
• Find out how close Lara was to winning

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Đurđa – Dominos

Luka Radović – Pjevaj, vilo [Sing fairy]

Krstinja – Oli oli [Oh oh oh]

LANA x ĐORĐE – Temperatura [Temperature]

Lara Baltić – Rhythm boy

The post Rise and shine: Reviewing Montenegro’s Montesong 2025 appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

When the Christmas decorations go up, you know it’s time for Albania’s most wonderful time of the year: FiKmas. And the 64th edition of Albania’s Festivali i Këngës ended up crowning Alis as its winner.

Michael and Bryan take a quick dive into the Eurovision season’s first national selection competition to find out what else we could have heard in Vienna this year.

If you missed the show or want to see the songs performed live, catch up on the FiK Nata Finale online.

• Join the conversation about manchester
• Find out who hasn’t ended up in Kënga Magjike
• Meet Albania’s most popular instrumentalist
• Hear what couldn’t beat Alis

Follow JOYEurovision across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Bluesky and X at linktr.ee/joy_eurovision

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Vedat Ademi – KUR FJALA MBARON [WHEN THE WORD ENDS]

FIFI & TIRI GJOCI – RRI [STAY]

Sheila Haxhiraj – ZEMRA E TOKËS [HEART OF THE EARTH]

Inis Neziri – TË KAM FAL [I FORGIVE YOU]

The post Nân knows best: Reviewing Albania’s Festivali i Këngës 64 appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

JOYEurovision is back for season 2026. And with it being the 70th edition of the world’s biggest music competition, we all should be celebrating right?

The news over the break has made things difficult for Eurovision fans, including Michael and Io.

• Get the latest news about the semi final allocation draw
• Catch up on the new Eurovision rules introduced after the General Assembly
• Dive into the issues behind Israel’s participation
• Find out about the fallout from the EBU General Assembly vote
• Find out how it’s affecting the JOYEurovision team in 2026

Follow JOYEurovision across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Bluesky and X at linktr.ee/joy_eurovision

Not in Australia? Grab this podcast via Spotify Podcasts.

Käärijä – Disko Balls

Go-Jo & Erika Vikman – Appetite

Tina Karol – Шиншила

Subwoolfer – Dark Side of the Moon

Aiko – Time

Nemo – Ride My Baby

ADONXS – Perfume

The post Elephant in the room: New Eurovision rules, old problems; new tunes, old mates appeared first on JOY Eurovision.