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Alternative Concerts Held Across Europe During Eurovision Song Contest
Alternative music events took place in multiple European cities this week as five countries boycotted the Eurovision Song Contest over Israel's participation. The contest, marking its 70th anniversary, features performers from 35 countries and drew 166 million viewers in 2025. Organizers of the alternative events said they aimed to highlight concerns about the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
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Alternative concerts took place across Europe this week during the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. The events responded to calls for a boycott over Israel's participation in the competition. Five countries including Spain and Ireland chose not to take part.
A concert billed as "United for Palestine" occurred Tuesday evening in a Brussels concert hall. European musicians performed alongside Palestinian artists at the gathering organized by the activist group SOS Gaza and the rights group 11.11.11. One performer delivered a version of Nina Simone’s “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free” in English and Arabic.
Ten countries including Israel and favorite Finland advanced to the final of the contest on Tuesday. ” The competition marks its 70th anniversary this year.
In response, Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland announced their boycott. The union had tightened voting rules this year after allegations of vote-rigging in support of Israel's contestant in prior editions. Similar alternative events are scheduled in Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Italy and Spain.
Spanish public television, which previously broadcast the contest, plans to air an alternative program titled “La Casa de la Música” on Saturday evening. The broadcast will feature performances by 20 musicians including winners of the Benidorm Fest who would normally have competed in Eurovision.
The 2024 contest in Malmo, Sweden, and last year’s event in Basel, Switzerland, saw pro-Palestinian protests that called for Israel's expulsion.
