The controversy surrounding NeonoeN’s Clickbait, Montenegro’s entry for Eurovision 2025, remains unresolved as organizers have opted to wait for guidance from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

The dispute began after allegations emerged that an early version of the song was performed live at the Zabjelo Cultural Festival in 2023, potentially breaching Eurovision rules prohibiting public performances before the cutoff date of September 1.

In an earlier statement, Montesong director Danijel Alibabić indicated a decision would be announced today (December 2), but RTCG and the Association of Performing Artists of Montenegro confirmed they are consulting with the EBU before making a final call.

NeonoeN maintains their innocence, reiterating that the song was not commercially released or widely promoted prior to the festival. The band expressed frustration with the scrutiny:

“Our performances prior to Montesong were small-scale, with limited audiences. Clickbait was truly introduced to the public alongside the other entries during the national selection.”

RTCG and UEUI have expressed regret over the current situation, emphasizing that the festival’s rules are designed to uphold fairness and transparency. They highlighted the success of Montesong as a groundbreaking platform for promoting Montenegrin artists and music.

Organizers reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the festival’s integrity and assured that all decisions would be made in alignment with existing regulations and after thorough consultation with the EBU.

“Our goal is for the festival to remain a symbol of transparency and quality, in line with Eurovision rules. All decisions will be made in cooperation with the European Broadcasting Union to ensure fair treatment for all participants. We also stress that no hasty decisions will be made, and we ask for patience and understanding during this process.”

The decision could have significant implications for Montenegro’s Eurovision journey in Basel. If Clickbait is disqualified, RTCG may need to nominate another act.

Will their entry survive the review, or will Montenegro face the challenge of finding a new representative? We want to know your thougths in the comments and on our social media profiles @buildingbridgespod.

Photo: RTCG