January 16, 2025
From backstage in Flanders to Basel: the road to Eurosong 2025
Eurosong is back, the contest that decides who will go to the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel for Belgium! The candidates are already known, but who will go to Switzerland for our country in May is not yet known. In the two semi-finals, we will get to know the candidates and their songs. Then, on Saturday 1 February, the viewers, together with the professional jury, will decide who will represent Belgium. But what actually happens behind the scenes before the candidates shine on stage? Editor-in-chief Cliff Vrancken, responsible for content, and Birgit Simal, producer and head of the Belgian delegation, share their experiences about the preparations for this ambitious project.
An early start and thorough selection
‘The preparations for Eurosong start months in advance,’ Cliff explains. ‘This year we actually started in May, right after the Song Contest in Malmö. Together with Gerrit Kerremans, VRT's music coordinator, we reached out to the music industry. Then we made a broad selection with a panel of music and media specialists within VRT.’ In the end, eight candidates were selected, each with two songs. ‘A listening panel consisting of radio makers, TV experts and music experts assessed the songs,’ Cliff explains. ‘In doing so, we paid particular attention to three things: a strong song, a good voice and the artist's stage and performance qualities. Eurosong is intense and requires experience, so we look for artists who can handle that.’
Balancing between talent and entertainment
Putting together the selection is an art in itself. ‘You obviously want to give new talent opportunities, but along the other side you also want artists with enough experience on the counter to handle the pressure,’ Birgit explains. ‘In addition, we make a TV show that has to be interesting for viewers, with variation in the candidates and the songs they perform. It's a bit of balancing on a tightrope.’ Cliff adds, ‘It's also important that we appeal to a wide audience, from Studio Brussels listeners to Radio2 fans. That means looking for a mix that offers something to everyone.’
Editor-in-chief Cliff Vrancken during the recording of the semi-finals of Eurosong 2025
Behind the scenes: teamwork and coordination
The first preliminary round is just around the corner, and behind the scenes everything is running at full speed. ‘My focus is currently on editing the episodes,’ Cliff explains. ‘We make sure everything - from reality clips to portraits of the candidates - forms a nice whole.’ Birgit has another task: ‘I coordinate the practical side, from setting up the studio and backstage in Vilvoorde to catering, security and press accreditations. At the same time, we are working on the acts for the final on 1 February. These should be bigger and more impressive than those in the preliminaries.’
Birgit Simal, producer and head of the Belgian delegation
The journey to the Song Contest
After Eurosong 2025, the work does not stop for Birgit. As head of the delegation, she accompanies the Belgian candidate towards the Song Contest.‘From the day after the final here in Belgium, we start preparing together with the artist and the management,’ she explains.‘The Song Contest stage is very different from the one in Vilvoorde, so the act has to be adapted.You would think we would have some time between February and May to perfect that act, but it's flaming every year anyway.After all, by 10 March everything has to be ready, including the music video, photo shoots and artwork. There is an awful lot involved.’
Artistic freedom and collaboration
Although the team at VRT makes suggestions to take Eurosong 2025 songs and acts to the next level, the ball remains in the artist's court.‘We provide tools, but ultimately the artist decides,’ says Cliff.‘It's important that they feel good about what they bring.That trust is essential.In essence, our job is to create a level playing field for each candidate. From then on, it's up to Flanders to decide who they want to see shining on that stage in Basel later on.’
See you in Basel
Both Cliff and Birgit are raving about this year's selection. ‘We have another strong batch of candidates,’ says Birgit.‘It promises to be an exciting competition.’Who will represent the Belgian flag at the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel will be decided on 1 February.One thing is certain: the road towards it is full of challenges, teamwork and passion.
