It has induced thousands of Maltese to throw Twistees at the TV when the colossal talent of our national contender is not recognised, so here’s the high notes for travellers to the five most recent song contest hosts...

The Gloriette is seen above a stage set up in the park of Schönbrunn castle as the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performs in the city. Photo: Leonhard Foeger/ReutersThe Gloriette is seen above a stage set up in the park of Schönbrunn castle as the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performs in the city. Photo: Leonhard Foeger/Reuters

Vienna, Austria (2015 host)

Mozart’s home city doesn’t need to prove its musical credentials but for a formal introduction, try the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Konzerthaus.at, tickets from €25).

If you want to combine food with a tune, visit a concert cafe, such as The Weimar, for coffee and cake accompanied by live piano, operettas or jazz.

Vienna is also famous for the Viennese Sound: 1990s electronic music that the city has been reinventing ever since in some pretty weird locations. One of the best clubs is Flex, located in a underground shaft, or Fluc, which hosts ‘avant-garde noise performances’.

If you can afford it, stay at the Imperial, near the Vienna State Opera and the Musik-verein; Wagner stayed there (rooms from €350, starwoodhotels.com).

If you’re broke, try the Hostel Ruthen Steiner; bands perform and the staff are skilled musicians (dorm bed from €10, double €42, hostelruthensteiner.com).

Musicians near the Fountain Stork on Amagertorv, Copenhagen. Photo: Telia/Shutterstock.comMusicians near the Fountain Stork on Amagertorv, Copenhagen. Photo: Telia/Shutterstock.com

Copenhagen, Denmark (2014 host)

The Danish capital is famous for its music festivals. One of the biggest, ‘Distortion’, is an ‘exploration of partying as an event’ in June with dance, art rock and polka in the streets.

In July, 250,000 jazz afficionados ensure every square, club and concert hall is overcome with percussion, horns and smoky voices. There’s also an Opera Festival, where organisers hope to inculcate the uninitiated, while August brings the Strøm Festival, celebrating electronic music with free concerts and master classes.

At the Teaterkælderen organic restaurant, waiters make a song and dance about dinner, serenading as they serve their customers (www.teaterkaelderen.dk).

For accommodation, copenhagencrown.dk (rooms from €100) is close to Vega, Denmark’s edgy concert venue.

City Hall and Stortorget (square) in Malmö. Photo: Oleg Golovnev/Shutterstock.comCity Hall and Stortorget (square) in Malmö. Photo: Oleg Golovnev/Shutterstock.com

Malmö, Sweden (2013 host)

Ah, Sweden… the country gave us Eurovision smash hits Abba and went on to export Europe, Roxette, Ace of Base and Eagle-Eye Cherry.

That’s a lot of dodgy pop for one country, but they redeemed themselves with The Hives, metal group Opeth and The Cardigans. MTV describes their indie scene as “unstoppable”.

The city of Malmö sells itself on music, saying it ‘embodies a passion that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime’.

To light your fire, head to Kristallen, a crazy club which mixes music and performance art.

There’s also Oh Baby I Like It Raw, where Malmö’s fave DJs dish up disco, hip-hop, reggae and rock.

To feed your musical soul, go for dinner at Malmö Opera Grill for the smorgasbord.

Not far away, you’ll find the Scandic Kramer Hotel, which has a quirky mix of rooms behind a historic façade (rooms approx. €150, www.scandichotels.se).

Flame Towers skyscrapers in Baku, Azerbaijan. Photo: cesc_assawin/Shutterstock.comFlame Towers skyscrapers in Baku, Azerbaijan. Photo: cesc_assawin/Shutterstock.com

Baku, Azerbaijan (2012 host)

For thousands of years, traditional musicians called Ashiqs (bards) have travelled across Azerbaijan singing their repertoire of hundreds of songs.

Folk music is still huge and you can experience it at the Mugam Club (9, H.Rzaeva str).

At this former fortress and caravan stop on the Silk Route (imagine camels resting in the stone alcoves), locals dance feverishly in the candlelight.

It’s not all fun and games, however. In these days of political turmoil, activists are using music to get their message across.

The OL! Azerbaijani Youth Movement was founded by video blogger Adnan Hajizade, who was only released from jail after an appeal by US President Obama.

They produce music with lyrics that compare Azerbaijan with the Soviet Union during Stalin’s purges: “Youth are being arrested and we can always feel these black jeeps following us...” Follow them on Facebook to find out more.

If you don’t want to court controversy, the Avaz Dining and Lounge gets rave reviews for offering great Azeri foods along with live music. For accommodation, try the Shah Palace Hotel (from €150) for its proximity to the Karavan Jazz Club.

The Tonhalle is a converted planetarium.The Tonhalle is a converted planetarium.

Düsseldorf, Germany (2011 host)

As you’d imagine for the city that spawned the ‘Düsseldorf School’ of music (Kraftwerk being the most famous protagonists), electronica is big here.

The Salon des Amateurs does it best, spinning cosmic disco tracks and organising events where pianists play with ping-pong balls.

If that’s not your kind of concerto, you can visit the Tonhalle, a ‘music planetarium’ where you can experience concerts under the stars.

Musical bargain hunters can also attend a free organ concert at the beautiful Baroque Andreaskirche.

The Steigenberger Parkhotel has piano music in its Etoile Bar; rooms start at around €200.

Or slum it in style at the bacpackers-duesseldorf.de (dorms from €18.50), where you’ll be just minutes from the ‘longest bar in the world’, the Altstadt.

Live music abounds… and so does chaos.

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