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Eurovision 2024: EBU Strives to Maintain Apolitical Stance

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Amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is determined to uphold the apolitical stance of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

Bambie Thug from Ireland faced instructions to alter their appearance for Semi-Final One after attempting to convey a message advocating for a ceasefire on the Eurovision stage. During rehearsals, the singer sported body paint inscribed with Ogham script translating to “ceasefire” and “freedom.” In a press conference, the singer expressed:

“It was very important for me because I’m pro-justice and pro-peace … Unfortunately, I had to change those messages today to ‘Crown the Witch’ only (which was an) order from the EBU.”

The EBU clarified in a statement:

“The writing seen on Bambie Thug’s body during dress rehearsals contravened contest rules that are designed to protect the non-political nature of the event. After discussions with the Irish delegation, they agreed to change the text for the live show.”

Despite efforts to curtail political statements, a member of the Australian performance managed to convey a message on the contest stage. Fred Leone disclosed on Instagram that he incorporated a ‘Watermelon’ into his body paint to protest against genocide in Gaza.

 

Furthermore, Eric Saade, who participated in the Opening Act for Eurovision 2024, faced criticism from show producers and the EBU for performing with a Palestinian shawl wrapped around his wrist.

The EBU stated to SVT:

“The Eurovision Song Contest is a live program. All artists are informed of the rules of the competition. We regret that Eric Saade chose to disregard the non-political nature of the event.”

Since the commencement of the war in Gaza on October 7, Israel’s participation in Eurovision has been a contentious issue. Numerous artists, musicians, and fans across Europe have called for Israel’s exclusion from the competition due to its involvement in military action.

Several of this year’s Eurovision artists, including Windows95Man from Finland and SABA from Denmark, have also expressed contemplation on whether competing in Eurovision was appropriate if Israel remained involved.

Source: RTE / SVT

Ireland: Bambie Thug calls for ceasefire from Eurovision stage!

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Bambie Thug, Ireland’s representative, took to the Eurovision stage again for the dress rehearsal with the song “Doomsday Blue.” Despite the impressive performance, attention was drawn to a small detail that could potentially violate competition rules and protest against Israel’s participation.

On Bambie Thug’s face appeared line makeup, seemingly innocent at first glance but actually depicting an ancient Irish address system called Ogham, spelling out “Ceasefire.” Bambie Thug is known for their pro-Palestinian stance and activism against Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2024.

Thug is among the leading voices in the anti-Israel camp at Eurovision 2024. At the “PrePartyES 2024” event in Madrid, Thug led a sharp pro-Palestinian demonstration along with nine other competing artists, wearing red scarves calling for a ceasefire, accompanied by a joint statement on social media expressing dissatisfaction with Israel’s participation and standing in solidarity with the pro-Palestinian side.

 

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Eurovision 2024: Which rehearsal has the most views on TikTok?

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Two days ago, the first rehearsals for all 37 entries officially concluded, and today the second rehearsals are expected to be completed, with the Big 5 and the host country Sweden taking the stage at the Malmö Arena for the second time! This means that we are getting closer to the Eurovision week, with the Dress and Jury Rehearsals for the first semi-final starting on Monday.

However, as we know on TikTok, all the first rehearsals are uploaded. Apart from their performances, we’ll also get a sneak peek backstage before they take the stage for the first time in a video of about one minute.

One of the many features of TikTok is the ability to add songs to each user’s video creation. However, the TikTok algorithm is usually able to detect the song used in the video, assign it to the correct track, and then include it in the total number of videos where that sound has been used. Based on this capability, the most popular songs before rehearsals were from the Netherlands and Italy. Will they receive the same promotion as before?

The ranking with all the entries (in brackets will be the day of the rehearsal) based on the increasing number of views after one week from the start of the first rehearsals on TikTok is as follows:

  1. Netherlands: Joost (fourth day) – Europapa – 3.2 milion views
  2. Greece: Marina Satti (third day) – ZARI – 2.7 million views
  3. Poland: LUNA (first day)– The Tower –1.5 million views
  4. Switzerland: Nemo (third day) – The Code – 1.2 million views
  5. Serbia: Teya Dora (first day) – Ramonda – 980.1 thousand views
  6. Ukraine: alyona alyona & Jerry Heil (first day) – Teressa & Maria – 971.2 thousand views
  7. Croatia: Baby Lasagna (first day) – Rim Tim Tagi Dim – 812.3 thousand views
  8. Georgia: Nutsa (fourth day) – FireFighter – 637.4 thousand views
  9. Israel: Eden Golan (fourth day) – Hurricane – 607.1 thousand views
  10. Belgium: Mustii (fourth day) – Before The Party Is Over – 585.7 thousand views
  11. United Kingdom: Olly Alexander (sixth day) – Dizzy – 567.4 thousand views
  12. Armenia: LADANIVA (third day)  – Jako – 528.6 thousand views
  13. Sweden: Marcus & Martinus (sixth day) – Unforgettable – 515.6 thousand views
  14. Spain: Nebulossa (sixth day)– Zorra – 448.5 thousand views
  15. Albania: Besa (third day) – TiTan – 413.5 thousand views
  16. France: Slimane (sixth day) – Mon Amour – 412.5 thousand views
  17. Ireland: Bambie Thug (first day) – Doomsday Blue – 388.2 thousand views
  18. Latvia: Dons (fourth day) – Hollow – 383.2 thousand viewsc
  19. Austria: Kaleen (third day)  – We Will Rave – 366.2 thousand views
  20. Azerbaijan: FAHREE feat. Ilkin Dovlatov (second day) – Özünlə Apar – 363.5 thousand views
  21. Cyrpus: Silia Kapsis (first day) – Liar – 324.8 thousand views
  22. Lithuania: Silvester Belt (first day) – Luktelk – 306.2 thousand views
  23. Luxembourg: TALI (second day) – Fighter – 304.3 thousand views
  24. Estonia: 5MIINUST x Puuluup (fourth day) – (Nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi – 292.0 thousand views
  25. Malta: Sarah Bonnici (third day) – Loop –  291.7 thousand views
  26. Czechia: Aiko (third day) – Pedestal – 284.9 thousand views
  27. Denmark: SABA (third day) – SAND – 262.0 thousand views
  28. Norway: Gåte (fourth day) – Ulveham – 255.4 thousand views
  29. San Marino: Megara (fourth day) – 11:11 – 238.2 thousand views
  30. Australia: Electric Fields (sexond day) – One Milkali (One Blood) – 229.9 thousand views
  31. Moldova: Natalia Barbu (second day) – In The Middle – 211.0 thousand views
  32. Germany: Isaak (sixth day) – Always On The Run – 210.2 thousand views
  33. Portugal: iolanda (second day) – Grito – 192.3 thousand views
  34. Italy: Angelina Mango (sixth day)– La Noia – 186.0 thousand views
  35. Iceland: Hera Bjork (second day) – Scared of Heights –  180.3 thousand views
  36. Finland: Windows95man (second day) – No Rules – 172.2 thousand views
  37. Slovenia: Raiven (second day) – Veronika – 162.4 thousand views

The views were counted at 17:45 CET.

Based on the views from the first semi-final, the following countries will qualify (in ascending order): Poland, Serbia, Ukraine, Croatia, Ireland, Azerbaijan, Cyprus (seventh), Lithuania, Luxembourg, and Australia.

Similarly, from the second semi-final, the following countries will qualify: Netherlands, Greece, Switzerland, Georgia, Israel, Belgium, Armenia, Albania, Latvia, and Austria.

TikTok has played a significant role in the success of Eurovision songs in recent years. For example, Duncan Laurence’s winning entry “Arcade” became a global hit a year after winning the competition when it was used in over a million videos on TikTok. One of the earliest TikTok successes from Eurovision was Getter Jaani’s “Rockefeller Street”, which went viral on the platform in 2018 and has since been used in over two million videos. Let’s not forget that Armenia’s entry in 2022 by Rosa Linn with “Snap” gained over a billion views on the platform. Finally, Norway’s entry last year gained significant worldwide publicity months before the competition week, where it secured fifth place.

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Eurovision 2024: Ireland’s Second Rehearsal!

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Bambie Thug from Ireland with the unique song ”Doomsday Blue” is the next act on the stage for the Second Rehearsal.

Who is Bambie Thug?

Bambie Thug breaks gender and socio-political stereotypes to create a sound that defines its time, with elements of pop, rock, electronic and more.

“Doomsday Blue” speaks to the feeling of overlooking your potential and is an ode to the queer community.

Bambie is no stranger to the big stage, having torn up stages at festivals around the world, including Download Festival, The Great Escape and Trans Musicales, earning critical acclaim.

The Rehearsal

THE WITCH IS BACK! Bambie Thug is making a amazing second rehearsal today. The staging is dark and mysterious and the whole performance is totally theatrical. The colours is light purple and black and the circle with the circle with the candles adds to the horror that they want to convey.

Sarah-Louise-Bennett

They are accompanied by a male dancer and the dance routine is simple yet effective. On the last run we can see a lot of smoke and fire that totally heats the whole arena.

Sarah-Louise-Bennett_EBU

After all today’s second rehearsals a recap video will be published on the official Youtube channel! Stay tuned!

The Dress Rehearsal for Ireland and the rest of Semi Final 1 will be held on the 6th of May.

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Source: eurovision.tv

 

Eurovision 2024: Which rehearsal had the most views on the first day?

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Yesterday, the big moment we’ve all been waiting for has arrived! Rehearsals began with the first seven countries of the first semi-final taking the stage.

However, as we know on TikTok, all the first rehearsals are uploaded. Apart from their performances, we’ll also get a sneak peek backstage before they take the stage for the first time in a video of about one minute.

One of the many features of TikTok is the ability to add songs to each user’s video creation. However, the TikTok algorithm is usually able to detect the song used in the video, assign it to the correct track, and then include it in the total number of videos where that sound has been used. Based on this capability, the most popular songs before rehearsals were from the Netherlands and Italy. Will they receive the same promotion as before?

In less than 24 hours (April 28, 2024, time 17:20 CET), since the first clip from the rehearsals was uploaded, we have a indicative sample of which rehearsal was favored by the audience (here it should be noted that the videos were uploaded one after the other with a one and a half hour interval and there was a significant delay in their publication).

The rehearsals that had the most views are:

  1. Poland: LUNA – The Tower – 711.3 thousand views
  2. Ukraine: alyona alyona & Jerry Heil – Teressa & Maria – 608.1 thousand views
  3. Serbia: Teya Dora – Ramonda – 606.7 thousand views
  4. Croatia: Baby Lasagna – Rim Tim Tagi Dim – 484.7 thousand views
  5. Ireland: Bambie Thug – Doomsday Blue – 208.7 thousand views
  6. Cyprus: Silia Kapsis – Liar -195.8 thousand views
  7. Lithiania: Silvester Belt – Luktelk – 193 thousand views

With this small sample, we can infer that:

  • Poland’s performance possibly appealed to fans, with the caveat that the stage presence was a surprise – either positively or negatively.
  • The rehearsals of Ukraine and Serbia also gained huge popularity, surpassing the following four positions in views, demonstrating their strength in the semifinal.
  • Croatia, as one of the major favorites of the competition, did not gather particularly high views, although fans and betting companies have placed it at the top for victory, resulting in the stage presence not making enough of an impression.
  • Similarly, Lithuania did not impress fans at all, as it maintained the same appearance as its national final.

TikTok has played a significant role in the success of Eurovision songs in recent years. For example, Duncan Laurence’s winning entry “Arcade” became a global hit a year after winning the competition when it was used in over a million videos on TikTok. One of the earliest TikTok successes from Eurovision was Getter Jaani’s “Rockefeller Street”, which went viral on the platform in 2018 and has since been used in over two million videos. Let’s not forget that Armenia’s entry in 2022 by Rosa Linn with “Snap” gained over a billion views on the platform. Finally, Norway’s entry last year gained significant worldwide publicity months before the competition week, where it secured fifth place.

For detailed information about the rehearsals, you can check out our related articles:

The second rehearsal for the first semi-final countries will be held on the 1st of May, when we will know how things will appear on screen for the representatives.

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Stay tuned at EurovisionFun for all the latest developments regarding the Croatian entry in Eurovision 2024!

Eurovision 2024: Ireland’s First Rehearsal!

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Next up onstage for their first rehearsal in Malmö Arena is Bambie Thug from Ireland with the unique song ”Doomsday Blue”!

Who is Bambie Thug?

Bambie Thug breaks gender and socio-political stereotypes to create a sound that defines its time, with elements of pop, rock, electronic and more.

“Doomsday Blue” speaks to the feeling of overlooking your potential and is an ode to the queer community.

Bambie is no stranger to the big stage, having torn up stages at festivals around the world, including Download Festival, The Great Escape and Trans Musicales, earning critical acclaim.

The Rehearsal

Bambie is inside a circle of candles, wearing a black dress with a tutu skirt and shoulder horns. Their usual dramatic white face makeup is topped with hair styled into antlers. There’s also a bare-chested dancer giving centaur vibes, who accompanies Bambie in some balletic choreography.

In the final section the candle circle raises up, and the big screamo finish concludes with a graphic backdrop of CROWN THE WITCH. Pure Eurovision theatre, and testament to the diversity of musical styles we’re going to see at Eurovision this year.

PYRO UPDATE: In the final run-through there is both low-level ground smoke throughout, AND our first flame jets of the day, right at the end. We are twenty metres from the stage and can feel the heat.

Bamble Thug from Ireland - Eurovision 2024 first rehearsal

Bamble Thug from Ireland – Eurovision 2024 first rehearsal

The second rehearsal of Ireland will take place on Wednesday May 1st, when we will have a better picture of what we will see from Bambie Thug on the Eurovision stage, as we will have the official TV snippet.

Below you can watch a small clip from Ireland’s first rehearsal from TikTok:

@eurovision @Bambie has cast hues of Doomsday Blue onto the Malmö Arena stage #Eurovision2024 ♬ original sound – Eurovision

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Irish participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö!

Source: eurovision.tv

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Listen to the performances of Ireland, Denmark and Iceland in “A Little Bit More”!

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Just like last year, some time before the first rehearsals of the countries, the show called “A Little Bit More” aired on the official Eurovision YouTube channel.

So, for all this time before the rehearsals, Eurovision TV will upload different performances of the artists, like different versions of their songs, or covers of songs from other artists.

In today’s videos, you can listen to an Intimate version of Ireland’s entry “Doomsday Blue” by Bambie Thug as well as the acoustic version of Denmark’s entry,“SAND” performed by Saba:
You can also listen to Hera Björk performing her fan-favourite Eurovision 2010 song, “Je Ne Sais Quoi” in a “Candlelight” version:

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö!

Eurovision 2024: Joint announcement of nine participants about the happenings in Gaza!

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The representatives of nine countries participating in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest have publiced a joint statement regarding what is happening in Gaza. More specifically, they are asking for ceasefire for permament peace to prevail and for the hostages to return in Israel. It is worth noting that they refer to Gaza as occupied Palestinian territories by Israel.

Down bellow you can read the statement:

” We want to begin by acknowledging the privilege of taking part in Eurovision.

In light of the current situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and particulary in Gaza, and in Israel, we do not feel comfortable being silent. It is important to us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and communicate our heartfelt wish for peace, and immediate and lasting ceasefire, and the safe return of all hostages. We stand united against all forms of hate, including antisemitism and connections.

We feel that it is our duty to create and uphold this space, with a strong hope that it will inspire greater compassion and empathy.”

The announcement is signed by the representatives of nine countries, mainly from those that had reactions to Israel’s participation in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest and these are:

  • Bambie Thug – Ireland
  • Gate – Norway
  • Iolanda – Portugal
  • Megara – San Marino
  • Nemo – Switzerland
  • Olly Alexander – United Kindom
  • SABA – Denmark
  • Silvester Belt – Lithuania
  • Windows95Man – Finland

The announcement was then posted by Belgium’s representative, Mustii, on his social media.

 

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Ireland: The team for Eurovision 2024

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Bambie Thug provided details about their Eurovision 2024 performance of the song “Doomsday Blue.”
The performer disclosed their plans to collaborate with choreographer Matt Williams and Director Sergio Jaen for their performance in Sweden.

Williams has contributed to numerous Broadway productions such as “Gypsy” and Will Ferrell’s “You’re Welcome America.” Sergio Jaen, a Spanish director known for his queer perspective, has helmed various films and commercials for artists worldwide. Notably, Jaen oversaw the production of the music video for “Doomsday Blue.”

Regarding the presentation of their Eurovision performance, Bambie Thug remarks:

“My lips are sealed on that one. I don’t want to give anything away before the performance but what I can say is that my choreographer Matt Williams, my director Sergio Jaen and I have created a truly beautiful concept and piece for the big stage. I feel in a way it’s Bambie Thug as you’ve never seen before. I’m really excited and working very hard to deliver something that stands out on that big stage.”

Bambie Thug secured the opportunity to represent Ireland at Eurovision 2024 by emerging victorious in Eurosong 2024. Garnering the top scores from both the Irish jury and the public vote, they clinched third place in the international jury vote.

The song “Doomsday Blue” was collaboratively written and composed by Olivia Cassy Brooking, Sam Matlock, Tyler Ryder, and Bambie.

Ireland is slated to perform during the first half of the First Semi-Final on May 7th.

Ireland: Watch the official music video of “Doomsday Blue” by Bambie Thug!

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Earlier today, the official music video of “Doomsday Blue” by Bambie Thug for Eurovision 2024, was released on the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel.

Bambie Thug won the national final of Ireland, conducted by RTÉ, taking place through the show “The Late Late Show“ with their song “Doomsday Blue”.

You can watch Bambie Thug’s music video for Eurovision 2024 in the video below:

Ireland will take part in the first half of the first semi-final of Eurovision 2024, on May 7!

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Irish participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö!

Source: eurovision.tv