Share

cover art for The Contest & Me: James Rowe

The Euro Trip | Eurovision Podcast

The Contest & Me: James Rowe

Ep. 1

We kick off our third series of the Contest & Me as we explore our love of the Eurovision Song Contest through a set of challenging questions. All aimed to help us discover why a person loves Eurovision, this year we're starting with something special as we get to know the hosts of The Euro Trip a little bit better. On this first episode we hear James reveal a surprising drink that helped him enjoy Eurovision in Lisbon, the unexpected rule change he'd like to make, and why French Eurovision entries hit different for him.


Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com.

More episodes

View all episodes

  • Festive special: Rewind Eurovision 1989

    19:09|
    As we await the New Year and Basel's year as Eurovision hosts, we go back in time to the last time Switzerland staged the contest. In this special edition of our Rewind series we hear more about the preparations for the event, Celine Dion's return to the Eurovision stage, and how the UK came close yet again. We also learn more about the two nation's making controversial Eurovision history, and how a first-time winner shocked audiences by taking the win.A special thank you to the EBU, and Chris West's book 'Eurovision! A History of Modern Europe Through the World's Greatest Song Contest' for helping with our research for this episode.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A Coffee.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com.
  • 139. The Eurovision 2025 Executive Producers answer your questions!

    01:01:55||Ep. 139
    After a big week for Eurovision 2025 we now have our branding, visual identity, and slogan for next year's contest. As a pre-Christmas treat we sit down with the contest's two Executive Producers' Reto Peritz and Mortitz Stadler, as they answer your questions. The duo discuss other major announcements coming over the next few weeks and months, as well as hinting at changes they'd like to make to the competition.And before we sign off for the year, we also look ahead to what the BBC could do to improve the UK's fortunes in 2025. Music journalist Nick Levine joins us to discuss a possible return to the lefthand side of the scoreboard, and where things went wrong in Malmö.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A Coffee.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com.
  • 138. The city of Basel reveal their Eurovision plans

    50:32||Ep. 138
    With Eurovision 2025 six months away, we hear more about the city's preparations to host next year's contest. Project Manager Beat Läuchli gotes into detail about what fans can expect, with exciting news about the Eurovision Village, a viewing party for ticketless visitors, and plenty of other exciting suprises.After this week's bonus episode with Martin Green, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, we also discuss the EBU's planned changes to help imrove the situation for delegations behind the scenes, and what we might expect.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A Coffee.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com.
  • Exclusive: Eurovision's new Director on the big changes coming to the contest

    32:44|
    Just over a month into his new role as Director of the Eurovision & Junior Eurovision Song Contest, Martin Green CBE sits down for an exclusive conversation. He first appeared on The Euro Trip after a successful year as Managing Director of the contest in Liverpool, now he tells us more about his new role, helping implement changes aimed at strengthing brand Eurovision, and improving artist welfare for those taking part in the competition.He tells us more about Eurovision's “future road map” process, launched after Malmo 2024, with the EBU is making several key changes to improve communication, wellbeing, and enhance the positive experience of everyone attending the Eurovision Song Contest.These include the introduction of a new Code of Conduct and Duty of Care Protocol, based on the existing rules, which will ensure clear roles and responsibilities for all those involved in the event. There will also be some changes to the rehearsal schedule coming for 2025 too.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A Coffee.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com.
  • 137. Celebrating 30 years since Eurovision victory

    57:45||Ep. 137
    As Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan release a new Christmas single, we head into the archives to mark three decades since Ireland won the contest for the third year in row. To mark the occasion we give you another chance to listen to the Paul and Charlie's memorable podcast appearance again, as they recall that famous night in Dublin.Elsewhere we take a listen to the first song to qualify for Basel, as Neoneon look set to represent Montenegro in Switzerland, and we champion those retro Eurovision classics that should never be forgotten!To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A Coffee.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com.
  • 136. Can Måns Zelmerlöw win Eurovision again?

    49:23||Ep. 136
    He's back! With 2015's Eurovision champion returning to Melfest, we head to Stockholm to ask whether he can really win the contest again? Tobbe Ek and Stina Dahlgren from Aftonbladen help us answer that question, while we also get the latest on the other contenders looking to represent Sweden in Basel.From one Eurovision powerhouse to another, we then head to Luxembourg as they reveal more details for 2025's edition of the Luxembourg Song Contest, as the tiny nation look to improve on their impressive result in Malmö on their Eurovision return.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A Coffee.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com.
  • 135. All change for Norway's Eurovision selection show

    59:04||Ep. 135
    We're granted an exclusive interview with the new team behind Norway's Melodi Grand Prix, as they prepare for their first year in the Eurovision hot seat. Speaking on the day big changes are announced, Callum Rowe sits down with MGP's new Music Director, Tarjei Strøm, and the show’s Project Manager and recently appointed Eurovision Head of Delegation, Mads Tørklep.The pair discuss their history with both MGP and Eurovision, their aims for 2025, and also tease some very exciting information about the forthcoming lineup reveal as we get set to find out who will represent the nation in Basel.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A Coffee.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com.
  • 134. The inside story of Stefan Raab's Eurovision return

    46:18||Ep. 134
    We find out how Germany are shaking up their selection as they aim for victory in 2025 with the return of a showbiz legend. Stefan Raab is the man behind 'Chefsache ESC 2025 – Wer singt für Deutschland?' - so how did the plan come about - we chat to the country's Head of Delegation to find out more.As they celebrate the 10th anniversary of their first participation, what can we expect from Australia? And could Guy Sebastian be returning to Eurovision? We ask Dale Roberts, Founder of Aussievision, for the latest.And yet another reminder that Aiko (Czechia 2024) really does love biscuits...Read more of Aussievision's brilliant work over on their website here.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A Coffee.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com.
  • 133. SuRie on her unforgettable UK Eurovision experience

    51:44||Ep. 133
    As she releases her new album, we get the chance to sit down for a feature-length conversation with one of the UK's best loved entries of the 21st century. SuRie won the right to represent the UK as a surprise winner (her own words) of Eurovision: You Decide, and the rest is history.She tells us more about her unforgettable experience, a night that shaped the rest of her life, and how her Eurovision journey helped shape her future career.You can find 'Little Frames' wherever you listen to podcasts, or find out more on SuRie's official website.Buy tickets to the Eurovision Equinox Charity Quiz night here.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A Coffee.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com.