Engaging in "dance" activities in Basel

Revamped Recap: ESC Preliminary's Triumphant "Baller"

- Engaging in "dance" activities in Basel

CultureResounding Success in Basel: Abor & Tynna's "Baller" Steals the Show at ESC Preliminary

Culture

byIngo ScheelMarch 1, 20258:45 AM*3 Min

Kultur

In the enthralling world of ESC, an evening poised to leave a lasting imprint, the tantalizing sibling duo Abor & Tynna excelled, landing Germany's spot at the ESC 2025 in Switzerland, with the runaway hit "Baller."

The evening had no shortage of remaining memories, such as Conchita Wurst's luminescent glasses and the elegantly draped Stefan Raab with his "Rambo Zambo" romp song. Barbara Schöneberger's metallic epauleted dress and Moss Kena's artful cello hack restructuring set the stage for a memorable night.

ESC-Abend in Erinnerung bleiben dürfte. Die Knicklicht-Brille von Conchita Wurst. Stefan Raabs Lied übers "Rambo Zambo" des Herrn Merz samt Zeile vom rasierten Sack. Die Schale mit dem Knabberzeug, das aussah wie zweimal überfahrene Grillfest-Reste. Das schwarz-bronzene Wickelkleid von Barbara Schöneberger. Ein zerhauenes Cello. Oder die Tatsache, dass ins Lied von Moss Kena noch etwas mehr Schmalz hinten rein gemusst, damit es richtig flutscht.

The three-hour runtime turned into an advantage, with a variety of songs in the mix, a few even needing a slight touch of finesse to hit its full ESC potential. The night truly belonged to Abor & Tynna, garnering over 34.9% of the audience vote.

The strategy was clear from the start. Eleven acts crowded the stage, each performing two songs, a cover and their planned ESC entry. The impressive jury, featuring Stefan Raab, Yvonne Catterfeld, Nico Santos, and Conchita Wurst, picked their top five, with the ultimate decision resting in the hands of the captivated television audience.

ESC evening. Conchita Wurst's glow-in-the-dark glasses. Stefan Raab's song about the "Rambo Zambo" of Mr. Merz, including the line about the shaved sack. The bowl of snacks that looked like twice-run-over grill fest leftovers. Barbara Schöneberger's black-bronze wrap dress. A hacked cello. Or the fact that Moss Kena's song could use a bit more butter to really slide.

The "Baller" Effect

Basel was set to ignite, but the night needed more than just a fuse – it needed to spark. The Great Leslie started the night off by taking iconic ABBA's "Waterloo" and chopping it into electric Franz Ferdinand-sized pieces before landing the same spot on "These Days." Conchita Wurst, 2014's ESC queen with "Rise Like A Phoenix," lauded the performance as "delicious to watch," while Nico Santos described the flawless execution of Leonora's "This Bliss" as "crisp soul with superbly arranged brass, excellent drumming, and outstanding vocal lines . . . warm and safe."

Stefan Raab und Yvonne Catterfeld noch Nico Santos und Conchita Wurst dabei – entschied anschließend über die finalen Fünf, danach lag die Entscheidung in den Händen des Fernsehpublikums.

The night took passionate turns, with Benjamin Braatz converting "Like You Love Me" into a metal-infused studio set chair ballad, while Feuerschwanz showcased a metal take on Ed Sheeran's "I See Fire" and provided a lively twist with "Knightclub".

Wurst, anno 2014 mit "Rise Like A Phoenix" ganz oben auf dem ESC-Treppchen, und mit dieser Brille und dem Mix aus grauem Nadelstreifen und weiß-hellblauem Babydoll/Küchenschürzen-Crossover ebenfalls deliziös anzuschauen.

Authentic Achievements

Nico Santos in Leonoras "This Bliss" und in der Tat – das war knackiger Soul mit superb arrangierten Bläsern, erstklassigem Drumming und großartigen Vocal-Lines, "warm und safe", wie Stefan Raab befand.

The unique charm of Nico Santos shone in Leonora's "This Bliss," but Moss Kena couldn't capture quite the same magic, despite her rendition of a popular Dua Lipa song. Thetymlooked to make up for this with an impressive power ballad.

Stefan Raab, Yvonne Catterfeld, Nico Santos, and Conchita Wurst – then decided on the final five, after which the decision was left to the television audience.

The competition's heated stage saw Loreen perform a captivating rendition of "Euphoria" as if serving as a maypole while sharing chicken wings, only to be ousted by Moss Kena's powerhouse performance. As for Yvonne Catterfeld's "Empress," it delighted the jury, despite missing that extra element of "room for improvement," as defined by Nico Santos.

Basel wird es schon zünden", nein, das Ding muss kesseln. Das muss knallen. Das muss ballern. 

Overwhelmingly, the night was one to remember. A carefree selection process with impeccable timing, eventually culminating in the exceptional "Baller" ensemble, spearheaded by Abor & Tynna, garnering the public's heartfelt support. With an authentic flair and a modern twist, the duo (with hints of a Udo Lindenberg vibe) soared to glory, causing an eruption of cheers and applause and undeniably capturing "the moment."

Wurst, who was at the top of the ESC ladder in 2014 with "Rise Like A Phoenix", judged, and with this glasses and the mix of gray pinstripes and white-hell blue baby doll/kitchen apron crossover, she was also delightful to watch.

"The Moment"

ESC

Germany, be prepared, as Abor & Tynna embarks on their Basel debut, eager to cause another cell phone-lit eruption in the Eurovision arena, making "Baller" a household name across Europe. Only time will tell if the duo will summon another electrifying act, ready to rock the stage with the charisma and zest Germany expects from its Eurovision contenders.

Nico Santos in Leonora's "This Bliss", and indeed – it was crisp soul with superbly arranged brass, excellent drumming, and outstanding vocal lines, "warm and safe", as Stefan Raab put it.

Enrichment Data:

Stefan Raab

1. The Great Leslie starts the night with an electric clash of ABBA's "Waterloo" and "These Days"
2. Feuerschwanz switches gears from metal to a medieval-themed "Knightclub" with electric guitars and drumming.
3. Loreen provides an elegant and chilling performance of "Euphoria" with a nod to a Gothic maypole.
4. Yvonne Catterfeld manages a thoughtful delivery of her interpretation of beaten and battered "Empress," using stage fabric and feathered bird wings as poignant props.
5. Nico Santos offers his critique in the jury's moment of deliberation, voicing the need for a "little something extra" to push performances rising to the ESC stage.

Nico Santos

1. The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment in light of the successful ESC Preliminary event.
2. After the event, the link to the proposal for the directive on environmental protection can be found under the "breadcrumb__link" on the ESC Preliminary's official website.
3. The proposal for the environmental directive (6267672) will undergo the process of "transposition" before it becomes a law, following the procedure set by the European Union.

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