JJ fuses opera and techno to bring Austria its first Eurovision win in 11 years amid political turmoil.
Austria erupted in celebration as Johannes Pietsch, known as JJ, clinched victory at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest held in Basel, Switzerland. The 24-year-old Austrian-Filipino countertenor mesmerised millions with Wasted Love, a stirring blend of Austria’s rich operatic heritage and pulsating techno beats. This triumph marks Austria’s first Eurovision win in 11 years, following Conchita Wurst’s iconic 2014 victory, and only the country’s third ever, joining Udo Jürgens’ 1966 success.
JJ’s victory captivated audiences, showcasing his extraordinary vocal range and distinctive countertenor style. His song, an operatic ballad about unrequited love that evolves into a techno anthem, resonated deeply. Micaela Taroni, an Austrian-Italian correspondent for APA in Rome, praised JJ as a “musical outsider” who perfectly merged modernity with Austria’s operatic tradition, bringing the nation back into the Eurovision spotlight.
However, JJ’s win was set against a backdrop of intense geopolitical tensions. Israel’s entrant, Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the deadly Hamas attacks on southern Israel last October, finished second. His song New Day Will Rise was met with protests in Basel as over 200 pro-Palestinian demonstrators voiced opposition to Israel’s participation amid its ongoing conflict with Gaza. Some protesters attempted to disrupt Raphael’s performance, and a Eurovision crew member was struck with paint during the unrest.
Protesters donned Palestinian keffiyehs and carried signs decrying “genocide” and demanding an end to violence, with marches held worldwide condemning Israel’s military actions and blockades in Gaza. The Israeli broadcaster Kan described Raphael as “shaken and upset” by the demonstrations, underscoring the fraught atmosphere surrounding this year’s contest.
Estonia’s Tommy Cash claimed third place with Espresso Macchiato, a satirical take on Italian stereotypes that divided opinion across Europe. Despite the excitement at the top, the UK’s entry fared poorly, finishing 19th out of 26 finalists and receiving zero points in the public vote for their song What The Hell Just Happened?.
The UK’s Remember Monday trio—Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull, and Charlotte Steele—nonetheless celebrated their experience, reflecting on the “memories that will last a lifetime” and a respectable jury score of 88 points, including 12 from Italy. The UK public awarded its top 12 points to Israel, though the British jury withheld points from Raphael.
This year’s Eurovision drew 37 countries, with 26 qualifying for the final. The semi-finals saw surprising eliminations, including Australia’s Go-Jo with Milkshake Man. Performances were bold and provocative—Finland’s Erika Vikman repeatedly declared “Ich komme” (“I’m coming”) while suspended on a giant gold microphone shooting fireworks, and Italy’s Lucio Corsi played an oversized piano as France’s Louane was covered in falling sand.
After accepting his trophy, JJ expressed heartfelt gratitude to his supporters and delivered a message of hope: “There’s no wasted love. Love is never wasted. We must use love as the strongest force on planet Earth.” Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker hailed JJ’s triumph as “writing musical history,” while Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger tweeted praise for JJ’s voice that “moved Europe.”
The Philippine consulate in Frankfurt also celebrated the singer’s success, calling it “Filipino pride on the European stage.” Looking ahead, JJ expressed his wish to host next year’s Eurovision in Vienna, his birthplace, promising Austria will welcome the contest with open arms.
As Austria savours this momentous win, the 2025 Eurovision contest remains a powerful reminder of how music intertwines with politics, passion, and protest on one of the world’s largest stages.
