Following the news yesterday that Finland were granted permission to use live audio capture for Linda Lampenius’ violin, Switzerland have now confirmed that Veronica Fusaro will not be using a live guitar during her performances in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
🇨🇭 Swiss delegation provides clarification on live instruments
Earlier today, we reached out to the European Broadcasting Union for further comment on the decision to allow Finland’s Linda Lampenius to use live audio capture for her violin sections during, ‘Liekinheitin’. A Press Spokesperson for the EBU responded that:
“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.”
Elsewhere in the rehearsal images, it was noted that Switzerland’s Veronica Fusaro was using a HF transmitter on her guitar during her performance of, ‘Alice’. After the news regarding Finland, this led many to wonder if other delegations had also submitted requests to the EBU. The following is a response from the Swiss delegation:
“Veronica Fusaro will perform her song in line with the EBU regulations. Plug-in instruments such as electric guitars are not permitted to be played live under the Contest rules, and no exceptions are granted for plug-in instruments.”
Andrea Vogel, Head of Delegation for Switzerland
Previously live instruments had not been allowed to be performed in the contest since the removal of the orchestra in the aftermath of 1998. Back in 2025 we saw the first hint that the rules regarding live instrumentation could be about to relax. Italy’s Lucio Corsi was allowed to perform his harmonica solo during, ‘Volevo essere un duro’.
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