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Ireland: Close to a unique track selection show, Ireland’s TV is on the verge of a unique show!

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Irish television seems to be closer than ever to broadcasting a TV show to select the song that will represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest!

In an interview with EuroTrip, Michael Kealy, said he is enthusiastic and more optimistic than ever about Eurosong, an Irish national final, a TV show to select the country’s Eurovision song. It’s something he has long wanted to happen but due to various circumstances it hasn’t taken shape so far.

It should be remembered at this point that Ireland’s selection of the representation piece is done during the Late Late Show and there is no separate show for this process, which seems to be the case for 2025. Specifically, Kealy said:

“I’m afraid that Eurosong 2025 will still be embedded in The Late Late Show”

The reasons why RTÉ was unable to produce such a show were mainly financial. However, as can be seen from his statements above, the economic plans are gradually changing with Kealy’s optimistic message that the state has made provision for such a programme presentation. Realistically speaking, Kealy stated that Eurosong will be broadcast from 2026 onwards.

“Obviously this will not happen in 2025. I would be optimistic that 2026 is the year that we do that, but I think that’s on the cards and I hope it happens sooner rather than later.”

But RTÉ was caught up in scandal when secret financial deals with former The Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy were revealed. It emerged that Tubridy had been paid €345,000 more than the announced amount for the period 2017-2022, while expenses of more than €100,000 for international travel and the existence of parallel accounts were revealed. The then director general, Dee Forbes, after being suspended, resigned. Kealy said the scandal had hampered plans for an independent Irish selection show in 2024.

Among other things, the presenter said that after 2025 might be the right time to hand over the reins to the new mission. He considers it a privilege to work for Eurovision, but feels guilty about taking it on alone. Clare Hughes, a big Eurovision fan, is an important addition to the Ireland team and a valuable asset ahead of the event in Switzerland in 2024.

“Clare is a big Eurovision fan, which definitely helps, but I think she’ll be a great addition to the Ireland team and definitely a great addition for me ahead of Basel in Switzerland next year.”

We look forward to seeing how things develop in relation to Irish TV’s choices for the upcoming Eurosong in the future!

For all news regarding the contest follow Eurovision Fun!

Source: EuroTrip

Bambie Thug: “The Israeli delegation’s violations are being investigated by the EBU”

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An EBU investigation is underway into alleged violations of the competition rules by the Israeli delegation, according to recent statements by Bambie Thug, who represented Ireland and finished in 6th place.

What charges does the Israeli broadcaster face?

Bambie Thug exposes several unlawful actions by KAN in a formal complaint that they filed to the EBU.

The first concern has to do with the Israeli commentators’ remarks about the Irish entry. During the show, the latter brought up Bambie Thug’s political views, claiming that their feelings about Israel are anything but favourable. The Irish delegation claims that as this influences viewers’ vote, it clearly violates EBU’s regulations.

The investigation also focuses on additional incidents such as the Eden Golan team’s persistent harassment of other delegations. The illegal filming of multiple participants is sone of those incidents. In fact, Bambie Thug, Nemo, and Marina Satti did not appear at the flag parade of the grand final dress rehearsal as a result of one of those events.

Bambie Thug stated in an interview with Ireland AM that more details will be made public after the investigation is over.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news about the world’s biggest music competition!

Source: Esc Portugal 

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.

Bambie Thug: I am the wildcard Ireland needs! | Interview

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Bambie Thug from Ireland gave an interview to Eurovisionfun’s Paschalis. They introduced themselves to us, gave us some hints about the performance in Eurosong 2024 and told us about the message of the song.

About Bambie Thug and their music style

I like to fuse a lot of styles into one. I don’t like to put me in a box. I’m a singer, actor and dancer.

I’m a goth obviously, I love to wear black all the time. I also love theatre. I studied musical theatre in London. I love to create characters and different worlds. I love to play in all aspects of the world.

Why did they decide to participate in Eurosong 2024

We’re tied with Sweden for the wins. It’s been a long time since Ireland has been in the competition and they need a shake. I’m probably the wild card. It’s 50 years since ABBA won and I love them and I thought that I got to do it this year. My friends encouraged me to enter. Hopefully my country vote me in, it will be the right choice!

What is the song about?

I don’t write any music with anything in mind. I just write music. Doomsday Blue is about having your potential overlooked in releationships, in life, in career. It’s about being taken for granted, but also knowing your worth. It highlights perfectly all the facets of me musically from rock to screamy pop to jazz to electro metal. It’s a really fun song. It’s a task really to perform too. It’s not an easy task to sing it, it’s a challenge for me and I love challenges. I believe in a song, I don’t think there is a song that sounds like that anywhere else, so that’s why I decided to enter with it.

How has the experience with Eurosong been so far?

That’s great. It’s nice to talk to so many people and see how well it’s being received. I’m really grateful to be able to show my art to my country. My career is mostly in the UK. Ireland didn’t have a clue and that’s really special to me, being accepted by so many people in my own soil.

What can we expect to see on stage?

You can expect gorgeous costumes and an infectious performance.

Are they a Eurovision fan?

I’ve been watching Eurovision with friends in the UK. My friend Luke Black was there last year and it was cool to see him representing Serbia. There’s always something that I love, a song, the costumes, the spectacle.

Who’s their favorite Eurovision entries?

Conchita Wurst and obviously my friend Luke and Cha Cha Cha.

Would they collaborate with any Eurovision artists?

I would love to collaborate with ABBA!

Bambie Thug’s message to our fans

Please continue to support your little goth gremlin goblin witch in this journey and thank you for all your love. I’m willing to give you something really special! Love and witchcraft!


We thank Bambie Thug for this interview and wish them best of luck in this year’s Eurosong!

Ireland: Are Eurosong 2024 – The Late Late Show contestants revealed?

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Irish podcast I’m Sorry Zero Points, by Adrian & Seamus, today revealed the six artists which are reportedly competing in the hopes of representing Ireland at Eurovision 2024, to be held in Malmö, Sweden.

According to the Irish Eurovision podcast, the nominees for Eurosong 2024 – The Late Late Show are:

  • Erica Cody
  • JyellowL
  • Bambie Thug
  • Isabella Kearney
  • Next In Line
  • Ailsha

We remind you that, from 8 January and on at the Ray D’Arcy Show between 16:00 – 17:30 CET on RTÉ Radio 1, the songs of Eurosong 2024 will be revealed.

The number of submissions for the Irish national final was around 380 songs. A total of six songs will compete in the hopes of representing Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö. The date and regulations of Eurosong 2024 will be revealed at a later stage.

This year Ireland was represented at the contest in Liverpool by Wild Youth and the song “We Are One” but failed to make it to the grand final as they finished in 12th place in the first semi-final with 10 points.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Eurovision Song Contest 2024!

Source: I’m Sorry Zero Points

 

 

Ireland: Songs for Eurosong 2024 will be revealed starting on January 8th!

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Eurosong 2024 will be used as the country’s national selection format for Eurovision 2024. A total of approximately 380 entries were submitted to RTÉ, vying for the Irish representation in Malmö.

A jury consisting the Head of Delegation and other experts listened to the submissions and is now ready to present the six entries that will fight in order to win the ticket for Eurovision.

According to Éirevision, the participating songs in Eurosong 2024 will be revealed starting on January 8 and during the week, via the “Ray D’Arcy Show“, which airs daily between 16:00 and 17:30 CET on RTÉ Radio 1.

Eurosong 2024

Except the number of the competing entries, no other information regarding the format of the selection process has been disclosed yet. Six entries will compete for the Irish representation in Malmö, while the most likely scenario is that the contest will take place as usual during the Late Late Show.

In 2023, Ireland was represented by Wild Youth and the song “We Are One”, not making it to the Grand Final, for the fourth year in a row.

https://youtu.be/80-4_rjW10U

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Ireland: Niamh Kavanagh: “I had doubts about participating in Eurovision”

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In an interview with the news agency “Irish Mirror”, Irish singer Niamh Kavanagh discussed her participation in Eurovision as well as Ireland’s overall performance in the competition.

With the song “In Your Eyes”, Niamh Kavanagh won the 1993 Eurovision Song Contest representing Ireland. Seventeen years later, she participated again, placing 23rd with “It’s For You” in the 2010 competition.

At first, she said that she was unsure about her choice to enter the competition because those close to her had persuaded her not to.

I released “The Commitments” in 1990 and people asked me, “Why are you doing that?”.

I did it because it was a great experience, and I loved the song and I did wonder whether I should do it because people didn’t take it seriously then either.

We think about it now in a different way because we look back and we were successful, but the thing is if you stand on the stage and do what you do well, then that should be enough.

She went on to discuss Ireland’s recent performance in the competition and the unfavorable comments that the artists representing the country have to deal with:

I’m always in support of whoever they send because if anyone stands up as an artist here and actually represents us, I think they deserve a medal just for that one because they get a lot of slack.

They don’t necessarily get the support that they need when they go and I think that is a bit unfair because if they are up doing their best, we have to be in support of that. The only way that changes is if people get the support and encouragement to feel that this is going to be a positive experience for them, and it should be positive.

We don’t have to win to do well in it. We just have to be chasing a win. The win will come when we concentrate on what we do well in this country. There’s a lot of great talent but they don’t want to get involved in it because immediately when you’re involved in the selection process people say the same thing.

You may listen Niamh Kavanagh’s two Eurovision entries, from 1993 and 2010, respectively, below:

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun to stay up to date on all the latest news about the world’s largest music competition!

Source: Irish Mirror

Ireland: Eurovision 2019 exceeded €300,000

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In a yesterday’s article in Irish Mirror, the cost of the Irish participation in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest was listed.

Specifically, RTE spent more than 300,000 euros to participate in this year’s event. The total cost of € 336,617 was increased by 10% from last year’s € 304,088. RTE said the cost increase can be attributed to a number of factors, such as the journey distance, 5,500 km from Dublin to Tel Aviv, compared to 2,800 km for Lisbon in 2018.

RTE sent a delegation of 19 people to Tel Aviv, while flights to Tel Aviv reached close to 22,000 euros. In addition, they spent 50,000 euros for 2-week accommodation. Finally, 43,000 euros were spent on design, construction, props and lighting.

Of course, the public broadcaster had to pay also a subscription fee of  EUR 85,000 to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for its participation in Eurovision 2019.

An RTE’s spokesman stated that the costs did not include RTE’s workforce charges and that all flights were economy class while Eurovision representatives should stay only in designated hotels.

The cost of Eurovision 2019 may have been high, but the final result was disappointing. The queen of Eurovision, represented by Sarah McTernan and the song “22“, failed to qualify for the big Finals, finishing in the 18th (last) of the second semifinal with 16 points.