Australia's Eurovision journey has ended in disappointment, with Go-Jo - whose real name is Marty Zambotto - failing to qualify for the 2025 grand final, despite a vibrant performance of his song 'Milkshake Man'.
Mr Zambotto says he has no regrets, describing the experience as "the most incredible thing" he has ever done.
TRANSCRIPT
Australia’s journey at Eurovision 2025 has come to an end.
Go-Jo, whose real name is Marty Zambotto, opened the second semi-final with his colourful, high-energy number 'Milkshake Man'.
But despite a confident performance and support from Aussie fans, he didn’t secure enough votes to qualify for the final.
He spoke with journalists shortly after the loss.
Zambotto: "The comments are going mental apparently."
Reporter: "About we was robbed."
Zambotto: "I haven't even checked them, I don't know where my phone is. But I will find it."
Reporter 2: "How do you feel about that?"
Zambotto: ""Know, I mean, like, you know, I, we put so much work and effort into everything. And, you know, I talked to my team, and they've, like, you know, it's a hard thing to kind of, you know, see all the work put into it. And me as an individual, but the team, and how proud everyone is of, like, you know, everything we've done. And I know that I couldn't have done anything better. And I suppose I couldn't have worked harder if I tried."
But he says he has no regrets.
"Aside from, you know, the result this journey has been the most incredible thing that I've ever experienced in my whole entire life. And like, I'm so grateful for that. And you know, the friendships I've made, and, like, even me learning about media training from Clementine and SBS like I was talking to her about that she taught me so much, even just on how to speak to a camera. I was useless before this."
This marks the second year in a row Australia has failed to qualify.
Their last grand final appearance was in 2023 with metal band Voyager.
(Excerpt of Voyager's performance 'Promise')
One of the most powerful stories this year is that of Ukraine’s entry, rock band Ziferblat.
(Excerpt of Ziferblat's 'Bird of Pray')
Comprising twin brothers Valentyn and Daniil Leshchynskyi, and drummer Fedir Khodakov, Ziferblat are not only competing with their song 'Bird of Pray', but also carrying the emotional weight of war back home.
At a Ukrainian cultural event in Basel, the band spoke about their dual mission, music and remembrance.
Daniil Leshchynskyi: "A little bit of pressure, yeah, but it's a childhood dream to represent such a big country."
Valentyn Leshchynskyi: "Like we have two missions here because we are representing Ukraine during the war time and so we need to remind Europeans about the war. We started this fundraising company. We need $100,000 to buy a four-robotic system to de-mine Ukrainian territory."
They were also shaken when their backing vocalist, Khrystyna Starykova, lost her home to a Russian shelling attack just days before their rehearsal.
Valentyn Leshchynskyi: "But the day after, she came to us like nothing happened. I mean, she's so strong, she is 19 years old only. But the impact of this situation, I think she won't give up. I mean she knows what to do here, she's focused on the staging. Of course it's difficult when you're losing your flat while you need to like stay calm to celebrate here because it's a musical festival, it's not about the war or something."
The politics didn’t stop with Ukraine.
Outside the Eurovision venue, St Jakobshalle, demonstrators gathered in support of Israel’s participation in the contest.
(Sound of people clapping and singing)
Israel’s act this year is 24-year-old Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the 7th of October 2023 Hamas attack at the Nova music festival.
(Excerpt of 'New Day Will Rise')
Despite tensions outside the Eurovision venue, these Israeli fans from Tel Aviv, said they felt supported.
Salame: "The people here are so nice."
Zaruk: "We thought people are going to be louder."
Salame: "At the beginning, we were kind of afraid to say that we're from Israel. And now everyone who asked us where are we from, we're saying Israel. And they gave us a big hug. Big hug."
Others, like Lea Kobler, gathered in support of Palestinians in Gaza.
"It should be a happy occasion that Eurovision is finally in Switzerland, but it's not, it's not. How can we rightfully exclude Russia, but we're still welcoming Israel, who is doing horrendous things to so many people, and we just welcome them here and parade them and say 'oh hello', and they're committing a genocide and war crimes and nobody's doing anything."
Still, voices like local pastor Lukas Kundert emphasised solidarity.
"The Jewish people of Basel have heard little in recent days that they are supported here in Switzerland. That they are protected by the population, and this is an opportunity to show that."
The grand final will be broadcast live on on SBS and SBS On Demand on Sunday 18 May at 5am AEST - and replayed at 7:30pm.
And you can listen to all the entries from this year's Eurovision Song Contest - plus every winner over the years - on SBS EuroPop, our 24/7 Eurovision music station, running throughout the month of May at www.sbs.com.au/europop
