The world’s largest reside music contest is again. The Eurovision Track Contest, a springboard to fame for among the greatest acts on the earth – legendary Swedish band ABBA, or extra lately, Italian glam rock band Måneskin, for instance – will return to screens on Saturday, Might 11, to do what it does finest: offering probably the most eccentric performances Europe has to supply.
From completely garish outfits and heartfelt ballads to synchronized dance numbers and heavy steel guitar solos, the occasion is ready to function the wackiest of the continent’s music scene as hundreds of followers flock to the Malmö Enviornment.
Sweden grew to become host after its homegrown star Loreen triumphed final yr in Liverpool, England.
However this yr’s Contest – like in 2023, the place Ukraine was compelled to go internet hosting privileges onto the U.Ok. – is one backdropped by conflict. Nonetheless, the specter of mass boycott has not, to the outrage of some, satisfied organizers to deviate from common programming.
Right here’s what it’s worthwhile to learn about Eurovision 2024 forward of its second semi-final and the Grand Ultimate on the weekend.
1. Viewers Promise Political Boycott
Israel’s participation this yr has precipitated widespread controversy, and even a few of Eurovision’s most loyal followers have vowed to boycott the occasion. The conflict in Gaza, which has killed over 30,000 males, ladies, and kids within the territory, has prompted outrage. The battle escalated in October when Hamas militants launched an assault and murdered 1,200 folks at an Israeli music pageant. The retaliation from Israel has concerned a near-constant barrage of airstrikes on Gaza because the Hamas incursion.
However Eurovision organizers are standing agency on Israel’s inclusion within the occasion. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has additionally warned viewers to not direct abuse on the Israeli entrant this yr, 20-year-old Eden Golan. “We wish to stress that any selections concerning participation are the accountability of the EBU’s governing our bodies, not the person artists,” the EBU stated. “We’re firmly towards any type of abuse or harassment directed at members, on-line or offline, and are dedicated to fostering a protected, respectful and inclusive surroundings.”
It added that there needs to be a “constructive dialogue and help” for these competing, underlining the Contest’s mission to be “United By Music.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog ordered “needed changes” to Golan’s preliminary entry to make sure his nation may compete. The lyrics to “October Rain” seemingly referenced the Hamas assault. Golan will now carry out a romantic ballad known as “Hurricane.”
However different performers are already making a political stance. The EBU was compelled to launch a press release saying that they “remorse” the opening act from former Swedish Eurovision contestant Eric Saade on Tuesday night time. Saade, who just isn’t competing within the Contest, had the keffiyeh image, generally utilized by these in help of Palestine, on his arm as he carried out his 2011 entry “Standard.”
A spokeswoman for the EBU stated: “The Eurovision Track Contest is a reside TV present. All performers are made conscious of the foundations of the competition, and we remorse that Eric Saade selected to compromise the non-political nature of the occasion.”
Saade took to Instagram to query if freedom is “controversial” and why folks maintain asking whether it is “political.”
Forward of the exhibits, followers have been warned to not convey Palestinian flags, symbols, or luggage as “vigorous safety checks” will happen.
2. Stress Mounts on the U.Ok.’s Olly Alexander
Eagle-eyed TV followers might acknowledge Olly Alexander from Channel 4’s award-winning drama It’s A Sin. However he was additionally the frontman of British pop band Years & Years earlier than he started performing underneath his personal title. He’s an fascinating alternative as Britain’s entrant this yr — a far larger title than earlier contestants had been earlier than their massive Eurovision break, like Sam Ryder or Mae Muller, who’re good examples of the not-quite-yet-established musicians the U.Ok. usually opts for.
The singer can be performing his dance monitor “Dizzy,” however has needed to wade via myriad criticism to retain his spot within the remaining.
Greater than 450 queer artists, people and organizations known as on him to not carry out amid the battle in Gaza.
Alexander quickly shared a press release on Twitter, previously X, to say: “I wholeheartedly help motion being taken to demand a right away and everlasting ceasefire in Gaza, the return of all hostages, and the security and safety of all civilians in Palestine and Israel.”
He added: “It’s my present perception that eradicating myself from the competition wouldn’t convey us any nearer to our shared objective. As a substitute, I’ve been talking with among the different EV contestants and we’ve determined that by collaborating we will use our platform to come back collectively and name for peace.”
The British star has individually added, in a glimpse of the BBC documentary Olly Alexander’s Highway to Eurovision ’24, that the criticism has been “excessive.”
“I perceive the place that sentiment is coming from however I believe it’s not right,” he stated. “It’s an extremely difficult political scenario, one which I’m not certified to talk on. The backdrop to that is precise immense struggling. It’s a humanitarian disaster, a conflict. It simply so occurs there’s a music contest happening on the identical time that I’m part of.”
3. No Clear Frontrunners — But
By now, there’s usually a transparent star that the bookies are tipping to be the nation to beat. However whereas there’s some buzz round a number of contestants, nobody efficiency is standing out fairly but.
Croatia’s entrant, an act known as Child Lasagna, has garnered some consideration within the run-up due to the music title “Rim Tim Tagi Dim.” The bleach-blond frontman has stated the title doesn’t translate as something however is only a catchy riff, but a severe theme concerning the financial migration of younger Croatians lies beneath the efficiency.
Switzerland’s act can be attracting some bets. “The Code,” by non-binary performer Nemo, tells the story of their gender identification. Italy’s TikTok-famous contestant Angelina Mango may comply with within the footsteps of Måneskin together with her music “La Noia.”
4. How the Voting Works
Eurovision options an intricate voting system. The ultimate leaderboard is set by a mix of votes solid by viewers and a jury of music professionals in every collaborating nation. Audiences at house can cellphone in to solid their vote and, notably, they can’t vote for their very own nation.
In a latest change, these watching in the remainder of the world can now solid their vote by way of app or web site within the days earlier than the semi-finals and remaining. However, crucially, their collective vote holds the load of just one extra nation. Final yr, Sweden’s winner earned 583 factors, forward of Finland with 526 factors. Israel positioned third with 362 factors.
5. Who’s Watching and When?
The Eurovision viewers is rising, and it’s turning into a staple within the music calendar all around the globe.
Final yr, greater than 160 million folks watched the competition, in line with the organizers. Iceland, Finland, Norway, and victor Sweden all had greater than 80 % of their TV-viewing populations tuned in. Media protection of the occasion has grown 20 % year-on-year, the EBU additionally stated, with over 150,000 articles written concerning the Eurovision Track Contest in Might 2023 alone.
Though solely 37 international locations took half final yr, folks from 144 totally different international locations had their say and voted for the winner.
Within the U.S., the Eurovision Track Contest will solely be streaming on Peacock. Collaborating international locations can be airing the occasion on their public broadcasting networks, such because the U.Ok.’s BBC.
In Sweden, the Eurovision Grand Ultimate kicks off at 9 p.m. native time, which is 8 p.m. in London. L.A. viewers can watch at 12 p.m. on Saturday, and people in New York from 3 p.m.