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He’s bold, he’s brash, and he’s turning Eurovision into one big red-lit fever dream.
Belgium isn’t whispering this year. It’s shouting—in 808s, strobes, and metallic bodices.
Step forward Red Sebastian, the 25-year-old from Ghent who’s taken a club anthem about nocturnal rebirth and turned it into one of the most hyped Eurovision stagings of the season. His song “Strobe Lights” isn’t subtle—but it’s unforgettable.
From Bedroom demo to dancefloor anthem
Red Sebastian (real name Seppe Herreman) grew up dreaming of Eurovision. In 2014, he was the youngest-ever Belgium’s Got Talent finalist. Fast forward a decade and he’s just smashed Eurosong 2025 with a record-setting 423 points.
How did he choose the track? He threw a Eurovision-themed listening party for mates and narrowed 12 demos to one euphoric monster: Strobe Lights—a 90s-inspired, falsetto-fuelled, rave-glam juggernaut co-written with Billie Bentein and Ameerah A. Roelants.
With lyrics like “Take me to the mirror of bright new dimensions,” it’s giving full queer-coded Matrix energy—and fans are eating it up.
Lights, camera, crimson
His first rehearsal on May 7 practically melted X (formerly Twitter). The performance? Directed by Sergio Jean (Ireland 2024), you get:
A 12-metre spinning platform that mimics a rotating dancefloor.
Crimson-clad dancers syncopating to a bassline that critics (well OK fans) are calling “weaponised”.
A dramatic coat drop revealing a chrome corset straight out of a Berlin afterparty.
It’s a lot. But it’s also absolutely Belgium. RTBF summed it up best: “A fever dream with precision lighting.”
National Rave Pride: #Paint2025Red
The buzz isn’t just digital. Belgium is literally glowing. The Atomium and Montagne de Bueren are bathed in red light. Schools are doing Red Wednesdays, with dyed hair and rave chic dress codes. Celebs from Wout van Aert to Laura Tesoro are in on the act.
“This isn’t my moment alone,” Red Sebastian told De Telegraaf. “It’s a national mood. A heartbeat.”
Climbing odds, cautious critics
Back in April, “Strobe Lights” was floating at 33/1 with the bookies. Now? sixth overall. His live vocals are holding—particularly the soaring falsetto—and a cover of former winning song ‘Arcade‘ is winning over older readers.
The OGAE poll has him at 8th, and the music video has chalked up over 12 million views.
Not everyone’s convinced, of course. One news outlet called the staging “a sensory assault that risks drowning the message.” But Red Sebastian’s not here to play it safe.
Setbacks, steam rooms, and a birthday wish
The campaign’s had hiccups. A voice scare before rehearsals sent him into full steam-inhalation mode. The stage tech for that rotating platform caused timing nightmares. And amid Eurovision’s ongoing political tensions, he’s had to dodge loaded questions – about Israel being allowed to take part. His response? “My stage is a place for togetherness, not politics.”
He’s due to perform 9th in Semi-Final 1—a sweet spot. And on May 13, the night of that semi-final, he turns 26.
“Just qualifying would be the best birthday gift,” he grinned. “But if we make the final? I’m partying until Basel runs out of strobes.”
Whether Belgium lifts the trophy or not, Strobe Lights has already made one thing clear: Red Sebastian isn’t just performing—he’s igniting.