Can Ireland win and who are the favourites for the 2024 Eurovision
The Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) is rising like a phoenix out of the ashes once more for its 68th year.
We don’t know about you, but we’ll be Dancing Lasha Tumbai throughout our houses for the entirety of Eurovision Week- tricolours at the ready!
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As with recent years, there will be 26 countries vying for those all-important douze points in the Grand Final, but who are they and just how do they get there? Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 Eurovision:
Who is representing Ireland in the 2024 contest?
Bambie Thug during Eurovision rehearsals. Pic: RTÉ
Bambie Thug sealed a spot representing Ireland at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden, after competing on the Late Late Show’s Eurosong special back in January.
The Cork native won Eurosong comfortably, collecting 32 points from a possible 36 awarded by a national jury, an international jury and the public vote- maybe we’ve got a winner on our hands?
Bambie Thug during Eurovision rehearsals. Pic: RTÉ
30-year-old Bambie has been mastering songwriting and performing in London for almost a decade, and has garnered a significant fanbase in the UK (hopefully that stands to us!)
They are a self-proclaimed ‘Ouija-pop’ star who identifies as non-binary and goes by ‘they/them’. They’ll perform their track Doomsday Blue at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
Which countries are performing in each semi-final?
First and foremost, the most important thing you need to know is that Bambie will represent Ireland in the first of the two Eurovision semi-finals, which takes place on Tuesday, May 7.
They will compete against 14 other countries; Ukraine, Cyprus, Poland, Serbia, Lithuania, Croatia, Slovenia, Iceland, Finland, Portugal, Luxembourg, Australia, Azerbaijan and Moldova. Only ten of these countries make it through to the Grand Final!
The completed Eurovision stage at Malmö Arena. Pic: Johan Nilsson/TT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
The second semi-final, which takes place on Thursday, May 9, will see 16 countries compete for those final ten coveted spots in the Grand Final.
They include Austria, Malta, Switzerland, Greece, Czechia, Albania, Denmark, Armenia, Israel, Estonia, Georgia, Netherlands, Norway, Latvia, San Marino and Belgium.
Who are ‘The Big Five’ and why do they automatically qualify?
Olly Alexander will represent the UK at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. Pic: REX
The 20 countries that qualify during Tuesday and Thursday’s semi-finals will compete against ‘The Big Five’ and last year’s winner, in this instance Sweden, in the Grand Final.
Formerly ‘The Big Four’, ‘The Big Five’ are a group of five countries who make the greatest financial contribution to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) year in year out.
Sweden’s Loreen won the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. Pic: Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images
In the year 2000, a rule was introduced that grants these countries that flaunt their wealth direct entry into the Grand Final of the Eurovision each year meaning they don’t have to perform in a semi-final.
Initially, the rule applied to the UK, France, Spain and Germany, but Italy had the honour bestowed upon them when they re-entered the Eurovision Song Contest in 2011.
Sweden’s Loreen won the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. Pic: Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images
This year, Slimane represents France with Mon Amour, ISAAK will perform Always On The Run on behalf of Germany, and Italy are represented by Angelina Mango who will perform La noia.
Representing Spain, Nebulossa will perform ZORRA while Years & Years frontman Olly Alexander will perform Dizzy on behalf of the UK. They are automatically joined by Sweden’s Marcus & Martinus who will perform Unforgettable.
When does the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest take place?
The completed Eurovision stage at Malmö Arena. Pic: Johan Nilsson/TT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
The Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest takes place on Saturday, May 11. It will see 26 countries battle it out to be crowned the winners of the 2024 competition.
Who is tipped to win?
According to Eurovision World, Switzerland are the early frontrunner to win the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest with a 23 per cent chance. The country will be represented by Nemo with the track The Code.
They are followed by Croatia’s Baby Lasagne with the track Rim Tim Tagi Dim, who have a 20 per cent chance of winning. Italy, Ukraine and Netherlands complete the top five.
At present, Ireland sits comfortably in the top ten. Nine out of 37- that’s not too shabby!
Where can I watch the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest?
Marty Whelan hosts Eurovision coverage on RTÉ One. Pic: X
We’re not ashamed to admit it: the Eurovision Song Contest is stuck on us like a Tattoo- we simply can’t get enough.
You can catch both semi-finals on RTÉ One or BBC One from 8pm on Tuesday, May 7, and Thursday, May 9. Alternatively, you can watch them on RTÉ Player or BBC iPlayer.
Graham Norton hosts BBC One’s coverage of the Eurovision Grand Final. Pic: X
We’re lucky here in Ireland because we have a choice between two Irish presenters to listen to during the Grand Final: Marty Whelan or Graham Norton.
Both presenters’ coverage tends to have us in stitches, but if you’re looking for slightly wittier humour then Graham’s your man.
Bambie Thug. Pic: Andres Poveda
Tune in to Marty and Graham respectively on RTÉ One and BBC One from 8pm on the night of Saturday, May 11. Don’t be surprised if there are more than a few elaborate costumes, questionable vocals and edge-of-your-seat surprises waiting for you.
Fingers crossed we’ll be hearing Bambie perform Doomsday Blue amid the rest of the chaos. Go n-éiri an bóthar leat!
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