Belgium BELGIUM 2025 - Red Sebastian - Strobe Lights

[ESC United Mod Team]

 

[shameless]

Has there been some other performances except for the one at this Schnulli show?

 

[Deluxenite]

Has there been some other performances except for the one at this Schnulli show?

No. He is still performing his job atm ( He is a teacher). He will start his Eurovisioncampaign with a performance during the preparty in Amsterdam.

After that he will go to the London and Madrid preparties.

 

[Deluxenite]

A new article on VRT's newssite today concerning the filming of the postcard.

Songfestivalkandidaat Red Sebastian al even in Zwitserland: "Oh, it's happening"

www.vrt.be

Songfestival candidate Red Sebastian already in Switzerland: "Oh, it's happening"
Red Sebastian will not be leaving for Basel for another month, where the Eurovision Song Contest will be held this year, but he has already been in Switzerland for a while these days. The Eurovision Song Contest candidates from the various countries are recording their introductory video there. An ideal moment to hear how the preparation for the song contest is going with our hope for many "douze points".

Gianni Paelinck
06:54
"Oh, it's happening", is how Red Sebastian describes his feeling when he was picked up the day before yesterday by a van with Eurovision lettering. "The first time in Switzerland for Eurovision. It makes me realize: it's really going to happen, it's not a dream, it's coming."

And it is indeed coming. Just 40 more sleeps and Seppe, Red Sebastian's real first name, will perform in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest. In the 2 weeks before that crucial 13th of May, rehearsals are scheduled in Basel.

At the Song Festival, the next candidate is introduced in a short film, a 'postcard', between each performance. In addition to an introduction, it also provides the opportunity to set the stage for the next act.

"Sometimes that film is recorded in the artist's own country, this year it is all in Switzerland because they want to put Swiss culture in the spotlight. So I was allowed to do something typically Swiss there", says Red Sebastian shortly after recording his film.

Our candidate does not want to reveal what exactly will be shown. He certainly did not yodel. "But we did go to the mountains. I am a child of the sea (Seppe was born in Ostend, ed.), but I am also a child of the snow. I have been skiing since I was 2 years old, so I was happy that we went to the mountains."

"The act is ready"
The past few months, Red Sebastian's preparations consisted of "healthy living, sports and lots of choreography and singing lessons". "I'm rehearsing a lot. And the act is ready too", he says.

But as is customary, Red Sebastian doesn't want to reveal much yet. "A lot of red and a lot of strobe lights. And I'm letting the Belgian rave, club and dance scene come to the fore", he says.

An important appointment already on Saturday
The next important appointment is not in Switzerland or Basel, but in Amsterdam. 'Eurovision in concert' will take place there next Saturday. A major event that draws Eurovision fans from far and wide. Almost 30 of the 37 Eurovision candidates will sing their song there.

Anyone who makes a good impression will immediately receive a lot of positive attention... or vice versa. "I'm really looking forward to it", says Red Sebastian. "The past few months have involved arranging a lot of practical matters and giving interviews. I've missed being on stage a bit."

"So this Saturday Amsterdam, the week after that it's in London and then Madrid. This will really warm me up for the podium in Basel."

 

[lavieenrose]

This song is fading on me ever so slightly because I've realized that the beat from the climax is the same as the beat at the very beginning of "Tight Pants" by Leslie Hall, and if your song is *finishing* with the same energy that the below is *starting* with, houston we have a problem.

 

[njdevils94]

Mentissa released her music video for Désolée. Its giving early 90's hip hop but I like the aesthetics.

A lot better than the one VRT made for Red Sebastian anyway.

 

[Deluxenite]

Performance @ Amsterdam preparty.

ð§ðª Red Sebastian "Strobe Lights" (Belgium 2025) - LIVE @ Eurovision In Concert 2025

Red Sebastian from Belgium performs his Eurovision 2025 song "Strobe Lights" Live at Eurovision In Concert Pre-Party in Amsterdam.You can order William's Eur...

youtu.be

People telling he is not gonna qualify are just haters. Beginning could have been a bit surer but considering this was his first performance since NF he is 100% gonna qualify.

 

[mauve]

This is still in my top 5, but have to admit that it is fading on me.

 

[highKing_Peter]

This is still in my top 5, but have to admit that it is fading on me.

Just curious but why is it fading for you? It’s in my top 5 and honestly has stayed strong despite the increasing competition. What did it for you?

 

[ESC94]

Today it was turn at the ESC kompakt songchecks 2025.

Songcheck ESC 2025 (10) – Belgien: „Strobe Lights“ von Red Sebastian - ESC kompakt

Nachdem Joost Klein mit dem Gabberpop-Finale in seinem ESC-Beitrag im letzten Jahr die Vorlage geliefert hat, nimmt Red Sebastian (Aufmacherbild) den musikalischen Faden auf und entwickelt ihn mit …

esc-kompakt.de

The verdict of the bloggers:

Benny - I think it's great. An impressive song, with a solid electronic feel and no holds barred. Plus, the singing is superb, and I firmly believe the performance will be even better by the time we get to Basel. Well done, Belgium.

Berenike - I like these "theme packages," and here the "red" theme is really carried through consistently: artist name, clothing, hair, lighting—everything is red. I also like the song because it's such an unapologetic electronic banger with a pounding beat, barely "diluted" by too many pop or other influences. Still, Red Sebastian's stage presence doesn't really grab me, nor does the track's melody (apart from "Cotton Candy Haze," which I often randomly get stuck in my head).

Douze Points - Based on the ingredients, I should really like "Strobe Lights." The song begins somewhat mystically and then becomes hysterical with a strobe light orgy. The path to it doesn't really grab me, and I can't really connect with Red Sebastian and his voice. It's a good approach, but it still doesn't quite work for me.

Manu - What a rollercoaster: For much of the song, I'm annoyed by Red Sebastian's thin vocal acrobatics, which only seem to gain power in the screeching high notes. However, I really enjoy the instrumental alone, and it reminds me of exuberant times on all sorts of dance floors and my days as a DJ. With so much back and forth, I'll opt for the middle ground for now.

The points of the other bloggers:

Chris - Danio - Giulia - Laureen - Max - Peter - Rick -

 

[mauve]

Just curious but why is it fading for you? It’s in my top 5 and honestly has stayed strong despite the increasing competition. What did it for you?

That is a good question, if I only knew myself! For me, it is getting a bit boring. When I first heard it, I loved the pure power behind this song. And this power sort of faded within time.
For me, a good song means not only having the power to connect with me for a while, but also the power to captivate me again and again. And unfortunately, this song doesn't do that – unlike the song from Albania, which I've been listening to on repeat since December.

 

[highKing_Peter]

That is a good question, if I only knew myself! For me, it is getting a bit boring. When I first heard it, I loved the pure power behind this song. And this power sort of faded within time.
For me, a good song means not only having the power to connect with me for a while, but also the power to captivate me again and again. And unfortunately, this song doesn't do that – unlike the song from Albania, which I've been listening to on repeat since December.

Hey I respect it. Music hits differently for different people. That’s one thing that makes the contest fun for me. I had the opposite effect. I’ve had this one, milkshake man, bara bada bastu, wasted love, and cest la vie. But if you see my preferred tastes over the years that list isn’t surprising. Male vocal acrobatics get me every time. Some people find the tone of his voice a bit off putting but for me I love it lol.

 

[SpiritofKeiino]

I don't find him very pleasant to watch while performing, facial expressions and gestures a bit forced. I had the same issue with Mustii last year, to a much higher degree.

 

[deletingpoint]

I don't find him very pleasant to watch while performing, facial expressions and gestures a bit forced. I had the same issue with Mustii last year, to a much higher degree.

Have you seen his Arcade? It's really emotional, almost made me actually like the song.

 

[SpiritofKeiino]

Have you seen his Arcade? It's really emotional, almost made me actually like the song.

No, thanks for the tip I'll watch it.

 

[SpiritofKeiino]

As we're back to Wallonia next year, it's time for something in French, methinks.

 

[highKing_Peter]

I just watched the Manchester performance. Man, I gotta say, Red Sebastian has done a great job of steadily improving every time they hit the stage. From the NF to now, it has gotten noticeably better each time. He’s getting more confident and comfortable, the crowd was actually singing along loud enough to be heard over the driving beat. It reminds me of Baby Lasagna’s arc last year from his first SF performance at the NF to that epic GF performance. I’m excited for this, its always been at the top for me so I’m excited to see them thrive.

 

[han-g]

I just watched the Manchester performance. Man, I gotta say, Red Sebastian has done a great job of steadily improving every time they hit the stage. From the NF to now, it has gotten noticeably better each time. He’s getting more confident and comfortable, the crowd was actually singing along loud enough to be heard over the driving beat. It reminds me of Baby Lasagna’s arc last year from his first SF performance at the NF to that epic GF performance. I’m excited for this, its always been at the top for me so I’m excited to see them thrive.

I'd always be wary in judging vocal improvement when the improvement comes from the arena rather than the live mic feed. The former is very very forgiving but the latter is completely unforgiving and the latter is what we had at the national final, and its also what we will have at eurovision whilst for the pre parties so far we are just getting the former.

You can watch many a eurovision performance from the audience vs the official broadcast and around 8 times out of 10 if the mic feed sounds bad the audience clip will sound perfectly fine.

Madrid used live mic feed in the official videos they uploaded last year so hopefully they will do so again and then we can see what vocal improvements everyone has made.

 

[Deluxenite]

I'd always be wary in judging vocal improvement when the improvement comes from the arena rather than the live mic feed. The former is very very forgiving but the latter is completely unforgiving and the latter is what we had at the national final, and its also what we will have at eurovision whilst for the pre parties so far we are just getting the former.

You can watch many a eurovision performance from the audience vs the official broadcast and around 8 times out of 10 if the mic feed sounds bad the audience clip will sound perfectly fine.

Madrid used live mic feed in the official videos they uploaded last year so hopefully they will do so again and then we can see what vocal improvements everyone has made.

He's a great livesinger. Won Belgiums got Talent already at a very young age and then went on to study singing at the conversatorium of Ghent under the wings of Gustaph.

As we're back to Wallonia next year, it's time for something in French, methinks.

For next year i hope Pierre De Maere goes. As it probably will be an internal selection by RTBF. But probably its gonna be some unkown candidate from the voice Belgique.

 

[highKing_Peter]

I'd always be wary in judging vocal improvement when the improvement comes from the arena rather than the live mic feed. The former is very very forgiving but the latter is completely unforgiving and the latter is what we had at the national final, and its also what we will have at eurovision whilst for the pre parties so far we are just getting the former.

You can watch many a eurovision performance from the audience vs the official broadcast and around 8 times out of 10 if the mic feed sounds bad the audience clip will sound perfectly fine.

Madrid used live mic feed in the official videos they uploaded last year so hopefully they will do so again and then we can see what vocal improvements everyone has made.

I think the vocals have been solid each step of the way so far, especially when he is getting into the upper notes. Might not be perfect every time, but it hits more than it doesn't. I meant more in terms of vocal and breath control. They are starting to do a better job of knowing when to really go for it and when to hold back. That, and he is starting to get more comfortable and fluid. He was never a withdrawn performer, but even with the more out-there entries you can tell if an artist is really shining like they can. This most recent performance showed him at his most confident in my eyes. I honestly did not expect to see so much crowd interaction with the chorus, I mean it is a really good hook, but actually hearing the crowd belt with him was cool to see.

 

[han-g]

I think the vocals have been solid each step of the way so far, especially when he is getting into the upper notes. Might not be perfect every time, but it hits more than it doesn't. I meant more in terms of vocal and breath control. They are starting to do a better job of knowing when to really go for it and when to hold back. That, and he is starting to get more comfortable and fluid. He was never a withdrawn performer, but even with the more out-there entries you can tell if an artist is really shining like they can. This most recent performance showed him at his most confident in my eyes. I honestly did not expect to see so much crowd interaction with the chorus, I mean it is a really good hook, but actually hearing the crowd belt with him was cool to see.

Even in terms of control especially breath control the live mic is much much less forgiving than arena footage and actually it's more that than the actual singing ability that is painfully obvious on the live mic

That said he was quite shaky in his lower register at the national final (nerves I think) and then I think it was the last high note sounded higher than it should be. (Again over excitement) either way. I won't think about any improvements until I hear a live mic feed.