Speaking on the Turquoise Carpet yesterday, the Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, Martin Green, revealed that Luxembourg and Switzerland did not formally request to perform their instruments live in Vienna.
In an interview with The Euro Trip Podcast, Martin Green confirmed that neither public broadcaster in Luxembourg or Switzerland made an official request to the European Broadcasting Union to perform their instruments live at Eurovision 2026. The representatives from Luxembourg and Switzerland had both said in interviews at the end of last week that they had asked to be able to perform live on the Eurovision stage.
Finland’s Linda Lampenius has been allowed to perform the violin live at Eurovision 2026. The EBU released a statement explaining why this has been allowed.
“In close conversation with ORF we granted the request made by Yle some months ago to play parts of the violin solos in the Finnish entry as a live audio capture into a microphone. This decision is in accordance with the Rules of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 which say that live audio capture of instruments may exceptionally be permitted where artistically justified.
We’re always happy to consider requests from delegations. A final decision on this request was made following the second artist rehearsal as the production has to be satisfied that the performance works for audiences and artists alike.”
The final part of the statement from the EBU indicates a change to the rules that have been in place since the Eurovision Song Contest 1999. The rules stated that the use of live instruments is not permitted at the contest. According to the rules, all instrumental music must be pre-recorded on the backing track, with any “playing” of instruments on stage simply being mimed. Prior to 1999, the Eurovision Song Contest had a live orchestra, which was compulsory to use until 1998. However, in 2025, Lucio Corsi was allowed to perform a harmonica live during “Volevo essere un duro”.
Eurovision 2026
As announced by the EBU in August, the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will be held in Vienna following JJ’s victory for Austria with “Wasted Love” in Basel. 35 countries are set to take part. Both semi-finals are scheduled for May 12 and 14, while the Grand Final will take place on May 16. The contest will be hosted in the Wiener Stadthalle, the same venue used in 2015, which can accommodate up to 16,000 spectators.
The 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Vienna on May 12, 14, and 16, 2026.
Source: The Euro Trip Podcast
