Meet the Four Bands Who Stole the Show and Our Hearts at Eurovision 2025
From dreamy indie ballads to high-voltage folk-pop, these four unforgettable acts lit up the stage and left a mark far beyond the scoreboard. Meet the bands who truly stole our hearts at Eurovision 2025.
NEWSALT ROCKMUSIC TALK
5/21/20252 min read
So, Eurovision 2025 is done, dusted, and wow—what a ride. Between the glitter, the drama, and the “Wait, what just happened?” moments, a few bands really stood out. Here’s the lowdown on Katarsis, Tautumeitas, Ziferblat, and NAPA — the groups that made us sit up, take notice, and maybe embarrass ourselves by dancing alone in our rooms.
Katarsis (Lithuania)
Katarsis basically showed up looking like they were ready to star in a moody indie film — eyeliner on point, vibes as dark as a basement at midnight. Their song “Tavo Akys” was full of emotion and gritty guitars, which somehow made me want to both cry and throw a fist in the air. Not your typical Eurovision bubblegum pop, but honestly, they gave the contest some much-needed edge. Originally started by lead singer Lukas Radzevičius, they quickly grew into a full band that blends gritty post-punk guitars with haunting vocals. Some of their notable songs include Vasarą galvoj minoras, Niekas, DES, and Praradau tave.
My favourite: Praradau tave - vulnerable, real, spellbinding:
Tautumeitas (Latvia)
These ladies brought traditional Latvian folk music and turned it up to eleven. Their harmonies? Gorgeous. Their energy? Infectious. I half expected the forest sprites to start dancing along. Their costumes felt like something out of a fairy tale, but their performance was anything but gentle. They specialise in traditional Latvian folk songs but bring a fresh, modern twist full of ancient chants. Some of their standout songs include Auļi, Pūt, vējiņi!, and Lai bērni dzīvo Latvijā.
Our favourite: Danco, Jāni - folkloric, different:
Ziferblat (Ukraine)
Ziferblat’s “Bird of Prey” was one of those songs that sneaks into your brain and refuses to leave. They mixed catchy indie hooks with some unexpected twists. Their music effortlessly dances between moody atmospheres and bursts of energy, making each track a little journey you didn’t see coming. On stage, they bring an electric, magnetic presence that makes their live shows feel like a shared secret between the band and the crowd. Some of their popular tracks include Bird of Prey and Lights On.
Our favourite: Земля - emotional, soulful:
NAPA (Portugal)
Watching them perform was like catching the best underground coffee shop show you never heard about until now. Their song “Deslocado” is a smooth, moody ballad packed with soft strings and heartfelt lyrics about feeling out of place but still holding onto the pull of home. It’s kinda like a warm, emotional hug that sneaks up on you, and if you’re into indie tunes that make you feel something real without being too heavy, NAPA’s your go-to.
Our favourite: Deslocado - heartfelt, soft
