Eurovision 2024 Preview: 🇮🇪 Ireland

In today’s preview, we are going back to my home country; the land of green, craic (not the drug kind) and the best presidential doggos (RIP Bród and Síoda). It’s Ireland!

History

Ireland first participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1965. This year marks their 56th appearance in the contest. Along with Sweden, they have won the contest more than any other country, with seven victories. Their first victory came in 1970, with Dana singing “All Kinds of Everything”. Ireland also holds the record the most wins by a single person, (Johnny Logan as an artist in 1980 with “What’s Another Year?” and in 1987 with “Hold Me Now” and as a songwriter with “Why Me?” in 1992) and is the only country to achieve three consecutive wins (Linda Martin with “Why Me?” in 1992, Niamh Kavannagh with “In Your Eyes” in 1993 and Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan with “Rock’n’Roll Kids” in 1994). Their last victory was in 1996 when Eimear Quinn sang “The Voice”.

Since the turn of the century, things have not fared as well. Ireland has only reached the top 10 three times since 2000, the last of which was in 2011 when Jedward finished eighth with “Lipstick” and have not reached the final since 2018. At the 2023 contest, Wild Youth finished 12th in the first semi-final with “We Are One”, leaving Ireland out of the final for the fourth year in a row.

Selection

The Irish national broadcaster, Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) organised Eurosong 2024 to select their 2024 entry. The show was broadcast during a special edition of RTÉ’s flagship talk show The Late Late Show and six artists took part. The result was decided by a combination of an international jury (33%), an Irish jury (33%) and public voting (33%). After winning the Irish jury and public votes, Bambie Thug was awarded the Irish ticket to Malmö.

Artist

Cuntry Ray Robinson, better known as Bambie Thug, was born to a Swedish father and an Irish mother in Maigh Chromtha/Macroom in Cork in the south of Ireland. They later moved to London to study ballet on a dance scholarship. However, after they broke their arm, they switched to studying musical theatre.

Bambie was first credited in music as a featured artist on the Fike and Fabich song “Mean” in 2020. They released their debut single “Birthday” in March 2021. In May that year, they released their debut EP “Psilocyber”. A second EP “High Romancy” followed later that year.

After releasing several non-album singles in 2022, Bambie released their third EP “Cathexis” in 2023. Their Eurovision entry is featured on this EP.

The song that Bambie Thug will perform in Malmö is called “Doomsday Blue”. It was written and composed by Olivia Cassy Brooking, Sam Matlock, Tyler Ryder and Bambie themself. Bambie will be the first openly non-binary artist to perform on the Eurovision stage.

Song Review

If you told me a year ago that this song would be my country’s Eurovision entry, I would have called you crazy.

I can’t begin to describe how surreal it is to see Ireland take a risk and make an effort for once. This song intrigues me so much. The contrast between the lighter and dark parts is blended perfectly together. It’s scary and confusing but you just can’t look away. It is like nothing I have ever heard before. Now that Bambie is out of the confines of the Late Late studio and its less than stellar acoustics, they can let their imagination run wild on stage in Malmö. If this is staged correctly, this could do some serious damage.

I think this can qualify for the final. As long as it gets there, I don’t really care where we come (but the higher the better). Regardless of the result, I hope Bambie inspires Irish artists to see that anything is possible at Eurovision and that it’s the place to show off your best work for the world to see. Something is finally changing in Ireland when it comes to Eurovision and I can’t wait to see where it leads. Look out Europe, the witch is coming!

The One That Got Away

Watching Eurosong this year was wild because from the choice of songs and the general tone of the show, something was different and an effort was being made (we need to get out of the Late Late studio though). While Bambie is very different to any other Irish entry, another turned heads for being quite different too.

Ailsha was born into a musical family. Her father is Shaun Davey, composer of “The Granauile Suite” and her mother is Rita Connolly, the vocalist on “The Granuaile Suite”. Ailsha’s style is quite different from the rest of her family as she went Celtic pop-punk in her song “Go Tobann” (Suddenly).

“Go Tobann” is a critique of most people in Ireland’s experience with the Irish language. We learn it for 14 years in school (it’s mandatory) and then we forget it all except for a few words and phrases. Fortunately, that is not my experience but I recently appreciate the message of this song. It finished second overall.

I think two things are happening in Ireland right now.

(1) We’re starting to realise that a Eurovision entry can be anything and that it doesn’t have to follow a specific formula.

(2) Instead of asking “Why?” when it comes to Irish, we are now asking “Why not?”.

I think Ailsha would have also been a great choice for Eurovision. It would have also been the first entry with lyrics in Irish since 1972. Plus, how iconic would it have been to have the lyrics “An bhfuil cead agam dul an leithreas?” (Can I go to the toilet?) in a Eurovision entry. Ceapaim go mbeidh amhrán i nGaeilge againn i gceann tamaill. Tá súil agam ar aon nós….

Ádh mór Éire!

Are you happy with Bambie Thug or feeling some doomsday blues? Leave your comments below. Stay tuned tomorrow for another Eurovision preview!

(Sources: eurovision.tv, RTÉ, YouTube)

Eurovision 2023 Preview: 🇧🇪 Belgium

Our next Eurovision preview takes us to my current country of residence; the land of chocolate, fries, waffles and too many governments. It’s Belgium!

History

Belgium was one of the seven countries that took part in the very first Eurovision Song Contest in 1956. They will take part in the contest for the 64th time this year. They have only won once, when Sandra Kim sang “J’aime la vie” in 1986. She is the youngest winner in history after winning the contest at 13 years old (although her song stated that she was 15!). The closest Belgium have come to winning since then was in 2003, when Urban Trad finished second with “Sanomi”, just three points behind the winners Turkey. At the 2022 contest, Jérémie Makiese finished nineteenth with “Miss You”.

Selection

The selection of Belgium’s entry alternates between two broadcasters; the Dutch-language Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT) and the French-language Radio-télévision belge de la Communauté française (RTBF). VRT was in charge this year and for the first time since 2016, they used a national selection to select their 2023 entry. Eurosong 2023 had seven competing artists. Each artist performed two songs each in front of their fellow competitors. The other artists then voted for which song should advance to the final. Each artist could either follow or ignore the other artists’ advice.

In the live final, a combination of a 15-member professional jury (50%) and public voting (50%) decided the winner. Despite winning neither the jury vote nor the public vote, Gustaph received the highest amount of points overall and was awarded the Belgian ticket to Liverpool.

Artist

Stef Caers, better known as Gustaph, was born on July 5 1980 in Leuven in central Belgium. He began his music career while studying at the Royal Conservatory of Ghent. Using the stage name Steffen, he scored a hit in 2000 with his debut single “Gonna Lose You”. He released another single later that year “Sweetest Thing”.

Following these releases, Gustaph became more focused on songwriting and producing. He wrote jingles for the Belgian radio stations Radio Donna and Q-music. He also worked as a backing singer for artists such as Natalia, Zap Mama, Willy Sommers and Mama’s Jasje.

In 2008, Stef began performing under the name Gustaph. In 2012, he joined the dance project Hercules & Love Affair as one of the main vocalists. In 2018, he left the group.

In addition to performing and songwriting, Gustaph is also a vocal coach and teacher at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Ghent.

The song that Gustaph will perform in Liverpool is called “Because Of You”. It was written and composed by Jaouad Alloul and Gustaph himself.

Song Review

I have a big connection to this song. Not only did I attend Eurosong, which was held in my adopted home city of Brussels, I was there as a journalist and got to meet Gustaph. We later met up at the Pre Party ES in Madrid and you can watch our interview here.

This song sounds like something you would hear at the height of club culture in the 90’s. It is queer excellence from beginning to end. It pays hommage to ballroom culture while pairing it with a timeless message of loving those who support you, blood relations or not. We all need a song to pick us up from time to time and this is that song. I have seen this performed live a few times now and Gustaph serves it every time with soulful vocals.

Despite the lukewarm reaction to it at first, I think people are finally starting to wake up to the magnificence of this song. I definitely see this getting through to the final. In conclusion, I stan a daddy in a hat!

The One That Got Away

The reaction to Gustaph was initially so lukewarm because everyone wanted Chérine to win.

Raised bilingually in Dutch and French in Antwerp, Chérine took part in both the Flemish and French version of The Voice. Using the full strength of her linguistic skills, Chérine entered two French-language songs into Eurosong, of which “Ça m’ennuie pas” (It doesn’t bother me) was selected to advance to the final.

Although highly favoured before the final among fans, the colourful live staging did not translate as well and Chérine ended up in fourth place. Despite the result, I expect big things from her in the future, regardless of whether she gets to Eurovision or not.

Veel succes België! Bonne chance à la Belgique! Viel Glück Belgien!

Will Gustaph be happy or sad because of you? Leave your comments below. Stay tuned for another preview tomorrow!

(Sources: eurovision.tv, VRT, YouTube)

Eurovision 2023 Preview: 🇮🇪 Ireland

In today’s preview, we are going back to my home country; the land of green, craic (not the drug kind) and the best presidential doggos. It’s Ireland!

History

Ireland first participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1965. This year marks their 55th appearance in the contest. They have won the contest more than any other country, with seven victories. Their first victory came in 1970, with Dana singing “All Kinds of Everything”. Ireland also holds the record the most wins by a single person, (Johnny Logan as an artist in 1980 with “What’s Another Year?” and in 1987 with “Hold Me Now” and as a songwriter with “Why Me?” in 1992) and is the only country to achieve three consecutive wins (Linda Martin with “Why Me?” in 1992, Niamh Kavannagh with “In Your Eyes” in 1993 and Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan with “Rock’n’Roll Kids” in 1994). Their last victory was in 1996 when Eimear Quinn sang “The Voice”. Since the turn of the century, things have not fared as well. Ireland has only reached the top 10 three times since 2000, the last of which was in 2011 when Jedward finished eighth with “Lipstick”. At the 2022 contest, Brooke finished 15th in the second semi-final with “That’s Rich”, leaving Ireland out of the final for the third year in a row. Brooke is still living her best life as Derry Lipa, so I’m not worried about her.

Selection

The Irish national broadcaster, Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) organised Eurosong 2023 to select their 2023 entry. The show was broadcast during a special edition of RTÉ’s flagship talk show The Late Late Show and six artists took part. The result was decided by a combination of an international jury (33%), an Irish jury (33%) and public voting (33%). After winning the Irish jury and public votes, Wild Youth was awarded the Irish ticket to Liverpool.

Artist

Wild Youth were formed in Baile Átha Cliath (Dublin) in 2016. The band consists of David Whelan (vocals/guitar), Conor O’Donohoe (keyboards/vocals), Ed Porter (guitar/vocals) and Callum McAdam (drums).

Wild Youth released their debut single “All Or Nothing” in May 2017. Several other singles were released including “Can’t Move On” and “Making Me Dance”, which received heavy airplay on Irish radio. Following these releases, the band went on tour with Westlife and Lewis Capaldi. In 2019, they released their debut EP “The Last Goodbye”. This was followed by a second EP “Forever Girl” in 2021.

Band member Conor O’Donohoe previously co-wrote “Dying to Try”, the Irish entry for Eurovision 2017.

The song that Wild Youth will perform in Liverpool is called “We Are One”. It was written and composed by band members Conor O’Donohoe and Ed Porter alongside Jörgen Elofsson. Jörgen has written hits such as “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson, “(You Drive Me) Crazy” by Britney Spears and “Fool Again” by Westlife.

Song Review

As this is my home country, I have a lot to say about this entry.

I saw Wild Youth at a concert in 2018 and have been following them since then. I love their music and was very excited when they were announced as one of the participants in Eurosong, as it’s rare to see an act that is that well-known in an Irish selection, let alone an act that is that willing to go to the contest despite its poor image in Ireland. I have been on a journey since then.

I don’t think this is the best that Wild Youth can do. I think they tried to compose “a Eurovision song” when they decided that they wanted to enter Eurosong. Muintir na hÉireann, there is no checklist you need to follow in order to for a song to be a “Eurovision song”. If your song satisfies the rules of the contest, then any song of any genre can take part in the contest. Just look at how different the last five winners were!

Anyway, back to the song. Despite I have already said, it is not a bad song. Pop-rock is a style that we are good at in Ireland and it’s on full display here. The revamp has helped a lot and I get some U2 vibes from certain parts of the song. Wild Youth have experience of performing both on television and on big stages, including in the biggest indoor arena in Ireland, and that is something that has been lacking in some recent Irish entrants. They will not be confined to the shoebox that is the Late Late studio anymore, so I hope all of that will translate into something good in Liverpool.

Recently, there was some talk of the crowd at the Barcelona Eurovision Party being very rude to some of the acts performing there by ignoring their performances and chanting insults to them while they were on stage. Wild Youth was one of those acts. I felt compelled to write something here, especially since my country is involved. You might not like a song but if you are at a pre-party, you clap and cheer for every act. They all put in hard work and effort for pre-parties and Eurovision itself. Eurovision is supposed to be a fun experience for everyone involved. Don’t be a cunt by ruining an artist’s experience because you don’t like their song.

I am going off on many tangents today! To wrap this up, can Ireland qualify? I’m not sure. There are no other songs with a rousing uniting message, which can make it stand out. However, Ireland will have to slay some heavy hitters to get through to the final. We have done it before in 2018. I quietly hold out hope that it can happen, despite the odds being against us. After all, when we all come together, we are one.

The One That Got Away

I watched Eurosong 2023 in a hotel room with other Eurovision journalists while at Benidorm Fest. The song that captiavted the entire room was “Midnight Summer Night”.

Hailing from Leitir Mealláin in the Galway Gaeltacht, Connolly moved to Dublin for studies. She wrote “Midnight Summer Night” during lockdown as a demo and presented the final version during the Eurosong final. The song evokes something mystical to me and I can imagine myself running through a field in the dead of night while this plays in the background. For her first television performance, she did extremely well and ended up in second place, scoring top marks from the internaitonal jury. I look forward to big thing from Connolly in the future.

Agus Connolly, má tá fonn ort amhrán Eorafíse eile a scríobh, tá stáisiún teilífíse eile in Éireann a ghlacann páirt i gcursaí Eorafíse a bheadh an-suim aige ionat….

Ádh mór Éire!

Are you one with Wild Youth or leaving them by themselves? Leave your comments below. Stay tuned tomorrow for another Eurovision preview!

(Sources: eurovision.tv, RTÉ, YouTube)

Eurovision 2022 Preview: 🇮🇪 Ireland

Today I am in Madrid and I will be interviewing even more Eurovision 2022 participants. In today’s preview, however, we are going back to my home country; the land of green, craic (not the drug kind) and the best presidential doggos. It’s Ireland!!!

History

Ireland first participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1965. This year marks their 54th appearance in the contest. They have won the contest more than any other country, with seven victories. Their first victory came in 1970, with Dana singing “All Kinds of Everything”. Ireland also holds the record the most wins by a single person, (Johnny Logan as an artist in 1980 with “What’s Another Year?” and in 1987 with “Hold Me Now” and as a songwriter with “Why Me?” in 1992) and is the only country to achieve three consecutive wins (Linda Martin with “Why Me?” in 1992, Niamh Kavannagh with “In Your Eyes” in 1993 and Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan with “Rock’n’Roll Kids” in 1994). Their last victory was in 1996 when Eimear Quinn sang “The Voice”. Since the turn of the century, things have not fared as well. Ireland has only reached the top 10 three times since 2000, the last of which was in 2011 when Jedward finished eighth with “Lipstick”. At the 2021 contest, Lesley Roy finished last in the first semi-final with “Maps” but she’s still a legend and we love her!

Selection

The Irish national broadcaster, Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) organised Eurosong 2022 to select their 2022 entry. This was the first time since 2015 that a national selection was used to select the Irish Eurovision entry. The show was broadcast during a special edition of RTÉ’s flagship talk show The Late Late Show and six artists took part. The result was decided by a combination of an international jury (33%), an in-studio jury (33%) and public voting (33%). After winning the international jury and public votes, Brooke was awarded the Irish ticket to Turin.

Artist

Brooke Scullion, performing under the mononym Brooke, was born on March 31 1999 in Baile Eachaidh (Bellaghy) in County Derry in Northern Ireland. She has been singing since a young age. She first found fame after taking part in the ninth series of The Voice UK in 2020. After getting all four judges to turn around during her Blind Audition, she joined Meghan Trainor’s team and reached the Grand Final, where she finished third. After her appearance on the show, she was named by BBC Introducing as an act to watch out for.

The song that Brooke will perform in Turin is called “That’s Rich”. It was written and composed by Izzy Warner, Karl Zine and Brooke herself.

Song Review

As always, I will try not to be biased but if I am, I can’t help it!

When I heard the Eurosong entries for the first time, this was the one where I immediately thought “This needs to win or I’m renouncing my citizenship”. Thankfully it did and I still have my passport!

This song is sassy, driven and catchy. The Blondie inspiration is very obvious here. It is quite different to what Ireland have tended to send to Eurovision over the last few years. I get a sense of who Brooke is an artist from this song, and that is the most important thing in a Eurovision entry for me. The Eurosong performance was not the best but I always thought Brooke just needed a bigger stage. My intuitions were right as with every pre-party performance, she has become more confident in herself. (If you’re interested, I did a little interview with Brooke before she performed at Eurovision In Concert last weekend).

As with every Irish entry, I want to see the best for Brooke. I hope Europe sees that we haven’t given up on the contest and that there are artists in our country that aren’t ashamed of Eurovision and who see it as the modern contest it is, and as what it was in the 90’s.

The One That Got Away

While they were definitely still things to be done, I think that Eurosong was s step in the right direction. Before the live shows, I thought that the only competitor for Brooke was Patrick O’Sullivan.

Born and raised in Cork in the south of Ireland, Patrick moved over to London to start a career in musical career, where he starred in shows such as The Book of Mormon. Last year, he won the first season of the RTÉ singing gameshow Last Singer Standing, which was hosted by Nicky Byrne, who represented Ireland in 2016.

Patrick’s entry for Eurosong, “One Night, One Kiss, One Promise”, sounded the most like contemporary music that you would hear on the radio in Ireland. That comes as no surprise when you hear that the composers were Nicky Byrne, Danny O’Reilly, lead singer of The Coronas and son of legendary Irish singer Mary Black and Lar Kaye, one half of pop duo All Tvvins. This also seemed to be the entry RTÉ were throwing their own weight behind, as the backing dancers were both professionals from RTÉ’s Dancing With the Stars. However, it only ended up in fourth place overall.

My one wish going into future editions is that our delegation stops being so narrow-minded as to what a Eurovision entry is. Our Head of Delegation even said on national radio that “Eurovision is a pop contest” and that “you don’t send a song to Eurovision that you think is going to win”. If that is the attitude of the person in charge of a country’s Eurovision participation, it’s no wonder the general public, let alone artists, are apathetic towards the contest these days.

There is clearly hunger from the industry, which has opened up to many different genres over the years. So many of these artists deserve an international platform, which is hard to come by otherwise, but RTÉ are still afraid to having to host the contest again after hosting it so much in the 90’s. Honestly, just let me take over as Head of Delegation and I’ll change everything.

Ádh mór Éire!

Has Brooke hit the jackpot or will she leave penniless? Leave your comments below. Stay tuned tomorrow for another Eurovision preview!

(Sources: eurovision.tv, RTÉ, YouTube)