Following their disqualification in Malmö back in May, the Netherlands’ participation in Eurovision 2025 has remained in jeopardy. Now, after a series of talks with the EBU, the Western European nation has confirmed its participation in Basel. But with one surprise: Joost Klein won’t be the Dutch act.
Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS confirmed the country’s participation on Wednesday night with a statement on Instagram and on their web site.
The statement reads:
“AVROTROS will take part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Switzerland. After months of conversations and meetings, the broadcaster has received sufficient guarantees from the EBU that there will be structural changes at the song contest. Joost Klein was given the opportunity to take part again. But he has decided to turn down the offer. The submission window for new songs for 2025 has now opened.”
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In an additional statement online, the broadcaster added:
“Together with other countries, AVROTROS has insisted on structural changes behind and in front of the cameras of the Eurovision Song Contest. With a package of measures that has been put forward, the broadcaster is satisfied and looks positively to the future. There are concrete measures that have been carried out, including:
- the inclusion of a safety manager in the artists bubble
- an overall reduction of filming behind the scenes
- a safe space for artists behind the scenes where they won’t be disturbed
- a crisis team consisting of representatives of the EBU, participating countries and the organising broadcaster, so weighty decisions are being made democratically
- the appointment of Martin Green as the new Director, who is going to oversee these changes
AVROTROS will continually monitor this process closely, but is hopeful and has trust in the renewal of the biggest music festival of Europe.”
The Netherlands’ Eurovision 2025 plans
In addition, AVROTROS announced that the window for submitting new entries for 2025 will run for exactly one month until 23 November. The rules published on the AVROTROS website indicate that the intention of the broadcaster is to announce the act in December.
Additionally, AVROTROS states that they will only allow entries from artists that are connected to record labels and have a notable stage experience.
Who do you want to represent the Netherlands at Eurovision 2025? Are you sad Joost Klein won’t be there? Let us know in the comments down below!
Joost Klein statement on Eurovision 2025
Is it greed or is it desire?
I’ve made the decision to NOT participate in Eurovision 2025
My team and I had everything ready, but it just doesn’t feel good. I am very thankful for all the love around the world, however I am still very affected by this year. I need to give myself more time to heal.
It was my dream to do Eurovision and we did that.
For months I had this feeling that I needed to make a return to finish the job. But in reality: we reached a higher goal. Europapa united a lot of people. This story is not just about me, it’s about us. I’m grateful.
People from all around the world are trying to learn Dutch and this makes me very proud of my language.
We achieved something previously claimed to be impossible. We used the real power of the internet.
So maybe I was blinded, but now I see clear. I have to follow the light. Not fight against it.
The media will be the media, but I have no place in that. I am not made for this big machine. My path is different and I welcome anybody who would like to join this adventure. Trust the process.
I believe one of my purposes in life is to connect people. Through music, (digital) art and performance art. My tour around Europe and USA is sold out and I can’t wait to play my new album there. Let’s all come together. This life is crazy, but just know..
I’m still standing
Europapa
After last nights pogrom looks like hes not the only anti semite in Netherlands
Does anyone find this guy kind of obnoxious and can’t wait till we stop getting esc updates about him? 🙁
Nope. Love him. Wiwibloggs may write as much articles about him as they want.
You can say about him what you want but is it necessary?
Alright!
We had enough of this psycho.
As a years-long Eurovision watcher and fan, I really don’t care that much about Eurovision as long as that one other country is in the competition while it’s indiscriminately ending peoples lives. So til then, I hope we don’t take this contest too seriously and just have fun with what we send, or send a satirical message. (Or win as true revenge, ugh sweet sweet victory).
Wig or no wig, low braids or ponytails for everyone!
There is no way to kick out KAN. And I am quite glad because of that.
It would be really satirical if NL sends the Snollebollekes next year, but it will probably be a ballade again (sigh)
Sieneke come back!
Ilse de Lange coming back solo would be a great choice
No, she had her chance, as part of the common linnets and Duncan’s coach.
tbh i am happy they are not sending Joost because i am not a fan of his music but i am glad they are competing and i would like to see them send another country song
That’s not typical Dutch, EDM such as gabber is typical Dutch, with no jury’s in the semi’s , it would be too difficult to qualify with a country song.
we don’t care about typical dutch in ESC, that is what JESC is for, to send our dutch music
we are usa 2.0 with country music
I have mixed emotions. First of all I’m relieved that Joost doesn’t return because causing women or other contestants fear for their well-being is not acceptable. A mentally stable person wouldn’t beak somebody’s camera. If he already was able for that, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him going further… I cannot believe that in today’s developed world some men still take advantage of their physical superiority of women. He should’ve been punished much more than just a disqualification. On the other hand, I’m not happy to see the Netherlands participating. Mostly because of their attitude towards that situation. I… Read more »
Your ‘mixed emotions’ sounds more like a condemnation of a whole country. Punishing more than a disqualification? What did you have in mind, the guillotine? Don’t criminalize someone who has not been proven guilty. According to the Swedish police there wasn’t physical touch so a disqualification was really disproportionate. This non-event could’ve been solved in 10 minutes but probably Martin and EBU are too big to fail. Next year there will be more security and safe spaces for the artists. Apparently they are needed because the press can’t behave themselves and the artists need to cool down after their performances.… Read more »
I already explained that a normal person wouldn’t break somebody’s camera, even when irritated. That incident showed that he’s unstable and unstable people are dangerous for others. Yet all he got was a disqualification.
How did he break her camera when he didn’t touch her?
He didn’t break anything. The swedish woman was a big liar and hopefully she will stay away from Eurovision the rest of her life. The unstable person is the swedish woman.
True the fact that she was a woman had nothing to do with the whole incident, they never revealed who the photographer was, (I respect that). So why being specific about the fact it was a woman).
The fact that she was a woman had nothing to do with the whole incident, that was framing by the EBU, it wasn’t necessary at all to mention the gender. They used it to make more drama out of nothing.
Be honest with yourself, the participation of Israel caused the most fear because of all the extra security measures, and intimidating behaviour by some members of their staff, the fact that the photographer was a woman had nothing to do with the whole incident.
Picture this,! If Joost Klein have been seriously violent toward women, why EBU still allowing him to participate for Netherlands 2025, ( use your common sense ) but he declined . What about men,s right if it ‘s relevant . Countries which are not welcome to participate, is the country that violated human rights. I guess you and everyone knows which country I’m referring to .Don’t you think it makes more sense?
I thought about it, besides Joost , my favourite would be a Dotam ( good vocals and contemporary sound ) and Tiesto combi.
AVROTROS needs a contestant who can handle pressure and media.
And we need photographers and journalists that respect other people.
Joost wasn’t the only artist who couldn’t handle the pressure. it wasn’t a normal year.
F-it Snollebollekes 2025 😉
I will be trusting Avotros and the Dutch delegation when they say they got some answers with EBU and hope for the best in 2025 as it might be my first time witnessing Eurovision. I hope Joost is all right also, people don’t realize how much this experience must have taken a toll on his mental health. I definitely want him to come back but only when he feels ready and wants to do it wholeheartedly!
But still no EBU sorry, hopefully behind the scenes.
Is there a reason to be sorry for?
Yes
Vengaboys for 2025
We have the Snollebollekes now 😉
Whoa, We’re Going To Basel, boom boom boom boom
The Venga Boys are coming… I don’t think the band still exists.
They do and I believe they are still touring. From memory they have expressed a wish to represent…..the UK.
Happy to see The Netherlands taking part.
I honestly do not blame him for not returning after the way he was treated. You can see in the comments that there are still people being needlessly weird about him. Hope he continues to release great music and keeps the old school rave vibes going.
People over here are calling him a psycho, a women abuser an idiot, etc, why? You don’t have to like him… or his music, but don’t make it personal
Netherlands participating: amazing news
Joost withdrawing: amazing news
Next year is shaping up nicely.
very nicely, we now need that Monaco comeback (hopefully)
we need Australia, Poland, Moldova hopefully to confirm participation
And the day you learn how to respect other people, will be amazing too. Unfortunately you will not be able to watch ESC 2025.
They should consider Claude, he is such a joyous person and his songs are perfect for it, including his warm voice and his Dutch/French lyrics. I think he said he wants to, please call him AvroTros!
not sure about him tbh.
I thought about it, too similar to Jeangu, and that didn’t work, for the same reason Numidia won’t work with a song in Moroccan/Dutch too multi-culti.
Great steps forward, and about time. The levels of corporate exploitation coming from a union of PUBLIC BROADCASTERS was insane.
Do we want a Liam Payne to come from this contest? No. That’s on Simon Cowell’s conscience. This contest needs to return to being about the SONG.
Oh dear
Female journalists can breathe a sigh of relief
Maybe they should learn to respect boundaries first then. If the subject say no to being filmed, then back the hell off or face the consequence.
Also it is illegal to film someone without consent, so she should be lucky she was not charged
LOL
Low. Commenting
Eurovision Gods have listened to my prayers once again <3
the eurovision gods working in my favor
next netherlands ideal entry one of Dinand Woesthoff or Chef’Special or Di-Rect
Davina Michelle would be the dream entry but she already confirmed she would not do esc for now
Dinand Woesthoff? You are joking, right?
I hope so…
Dinand is still amazing live, both solo and in his band Kane (their recent song release is quite nice too, reminds you of the american pop/rock band Train, that laidback vibe)
Beetje voor 50+
good music is for everyone to enjoy though, no age discrimination pls
older people can also enjoy k-pop music if they want to, and young people can also enjoy music before their time
In general more liked by the older generation, that’s not discrimination.
Great, now if that other state can go that would be great
Don’t compare the Netherlands with a state that commits war crimes please.
It’s a pity Israel will see no repercussions for their videographer having been an agent provocateur following Joost’s challenge of Israel at the press conference the day before. However, with Moroccan Oil being an Israeli company, Israel gets to do what it wants.
At least Joost should become next year’s spokesperson for the Netherlands. Safe and sound in Hilversum, far away from any Martin Ö.
It will be Nicky T, but not if Anouk is NL’s participant
At least we get rid of him lmao Justice for women !
Well, in this case I am curious if one of the two Martin’s is prepared for a new booing moment.
Pity that it wont be Joost. Him being the Dutch participant would mean we already would have had our winner, i guess thats why a lot of people are satisfied he decided to decline. I wish Joost all the best. Thank you for giving us one of the best Dutch entries!
Already had our winner just because of his presence?! How? But no sorry it’s not how it works.
And no personally I’m satisfied because I am not into his music style, simply and only that.
Joost stans not accepting when somebody says that he doesn’t like his music, ok interesting…
such a brave deicision from joost, i personally really wanted to see him again 2025, as i believe he could win for netherlands bring it back to his country for a sixth time, but i still respect his choice.
however, i’m worried that any self-respecting artist will want to participate, especially with how much we’ve heard how mistreated the artists were this year. feels like we’re just going to see another ”burning daylights” type of song and artists, i hope i’ll be wrong.
The new participant needs to have stage experience and a record label, we shall see.
Let’s hope we’ll keep sending a song in Dutch by a, how it seems, an established artist. However I think lots of established artists will be hesitant after what happened this year…
not every artist here is a similar turd like Joost though?
We only see a few seconds of BTS during the show, yet broadcasters are calling for “the gross reduction of filming behind the scenes“? Are they doing a lot of filming that the public never sees? Makes me wonder what else they’re doing BTS that the public never sees…
It’s a climb down for Avrotros. They haven’t got what they wanted but don’t want to withdraw hence trying to save face.
Do you know what they wanted?
They are doing loads of BTS posts on TikTok. The EBU signed some kind of sponsor contract with them, granting them back stage access in return.
Gross reduction of filming behind the scene, ok we had already peanuts, I mean 10 sec of backstage during the 1st rehearsals per participants and that’s all, so I don’t see what do you want to reduce…
Anyway good news for The Netherlands, it was time!! And to come back with a new act is a wise decision. So good luck The Netherlands and bring us something more like S10’s song, personally I prefered this style rather than what you brought this year, nothing particularly against the guy, just my taste.
Fair enough, but I hope they won’t make a safe choice because of last years drama.
What do you mean by safe choice?
Someone without anger issues
a slow song by a renowned artist like Anouk.
Oh ok!
I guess you are not on TikTok. The EBU signed a sponsor deal with them in return for back stage access, and their bloggers were all over the artists back stage, also asking them to participate in silly and lame content, like singing their song in a shower. All this in attempt to reach a younger audience.
So sad. But maybe the wiser thing to do for Joost for now. Participating would have been a brilliant opportunity for him to set the record straight. But then again, he would have needed another brilliant song, too, to do so. A mediocre song would probably only damage his career now. Whereas he is doing great at the moment, not in the least as a result of what happened to him last year. But who knows, I wouldn’t be surprised if Joost showed up again in a couple of years’ time with a song of his own, written especially for… Read more »
So interesting. Will the 2025 artist eat hOOHmmus or hAAHmmus?
Does this also mean that Joost Klein wont participate for in UMK/Finland?
Because a friend from Yle told me he is maybe participating in UMK together with Kaarija and Haarija.
Intending to internally select Joost Klein was the only right way for Dutch broadcaster to go and I totally understand Joost’s decision to decline the offer. The damage made by EBU is too big for his 2025 participation to feel organic and joyful like it was supposed to be in 2024. People would always remember how undeservedly he was disqualified in 2024 so he would never get rid of that narrative.
Dat is geweldig nieuws!
Wondering who’s desperate enough to go tbh.
Anouk unfortunately
People really thinking the Netherlands would not participate is hilarious! And Joost not participating is great. So he can’t threaten anyone anymore!!!
I promise you guys, no drama from me now
Whatever we send to basel, it cannot be worse than Joost
If anyone should be ashamed of his contributions then it’s you.
I respect Joost’s decision not to go next year, his career is bigger now and so he doesn’t feel the need to do ESC (again) anymore. Wishing him all the best in the future.
Good job Netherlands!
Let’s hope The Netherlands will choose for an act with DIGNITY, let’s hope for Anouk. Fingers crossed. PS. Joost caused a lot of negative buzz in the Dutch media / press during recent days … again. I think he realised himself it would be a good idea to take part again …
Correction about my last sentence, this should be : I think he realised himself it would not be a good idea to take part again.
Wasn’t she accused of transphobia?
No
Yes she made a nasty insta post, and she had her chance.
Anouk No, because she openly insulted trans women, and Eurovision is about diversity, it would cause a lot of drama again, we need someone new.
Best news ever
Go internal still for chef special to still give us a fun entry pls
Bad idea, amigo is a nice song, but the vocals are too weak live, I saw them perform live in September.