Eurovision 2024

[RunningAndSinging]

Anyone interested in the build up this year? I have been more aware this year as the songs are announced. I like Croatia, Ireland and Finland. Dizzy is hopefully going to do well which makes it exciting - Olli Alexander should be good performing live and he is well known in Europe.

Just reading about the controversy with Israel’s entry and I see that Iceland might send a Palastinian singer.

Ukraine have been the favourites for a while but Croatia is just ahead of them now.

Really? Was that just for live recordings? I was handed one outside and stuck it in my hair, nobody said a thing. I think I saw some around me for the live semi we attended too.

It's definitely in the arena rules from last year and from this year that the only flags allowed are those of the competing nations.

And yes it was strongly discouraged by the event runners ahead of the show last year (or I'd have considered taking one). Whether it was being enforced I don't know.

I think it would be nearly impossible to stop it this year with a straight face given Europapa!

I was also handed an EU flag on the way to the area in Liverpool and was waving it around as we entered - nobody said a thing and there were loads of them around in the audience as far as I could see.

Love Olly's comment. I'm gearing but for the inevitable comments from SiL - every year I get messages about it supposedly being a family show and she's had to send the children upstairs during certain performances. I think UK will be in her firing line this year.

There was a protest about EU flags... So I'm guessing they probably thought the better of banning them in the end!

Oh hell yes.

I've already seen die hard Eurovision fans saying "soft porn" this afternoon after the clip has been released. It's STRONG by anyone's standards. I'm kinda wondering if he's overcooked it if I'm honest. It's BRAVE. And yes controversial.

We are also first half of the draw when kids likely to still be up too. (Lots of speculation that we'll end up 9th because since 2016 9th has always been either Sweden, Italy or the UK. And Sweden are 1st).

If we do get 9th, Terry drink will be well timed!!!!

Italy have just drawn producers choice.

The Tic Tok crowd loved Ollie’s staging and the face bookers think he has gone too far. Maybe an age thing. I would have preferred clean wall tiles 😂

The question is whether he can nail his vocals while coping with the staging. Eurovision audiences and juries will put up with a lot, but they have zero tolerance for bum notes.

The thinking is he should do well with the Jury. However Juries are older and much more conservative, so this may back fire.

He wasn't supposed to do as well with the televote. I'm not convinced this will help with this either. Yes it may appeal to the Eurovision gay vote, however Eurovision also has a broad viewership. It could backfire.

I dunno. I'm not sure how it will pan out. Its definitely risky.

My gut is, it is too risky.

The Daily Mail will have a field day next Sunday.

Where are the Big 5 rehearsal links please?
Thanks in advance x

Anyone? thirsty much
It doesn't appear to be on the official site yet although I saw hazy footage on YouTube.

I think it is just the cameras that spin - he isn’t really hanging from the ceiling - I don’t think the set is even going to tilt in real life. His vocals will be great.

Eurovision cloud on Facebook has lots of links

Merci
I like all the Big 5 this year
Bless Olly, tis a Queer as Folk locker room. Don't mind if I ogle.

I also like Spain a lot.

But I now think Italy might take it - she has amazing vocals.

I'm not sure Olly minds about winning or not - he'll have seen the odds weeks ago so he is paying service to his fans and I'm here for it!!!

I've posted this elsewhere but very excited to hear that the legend that is Johnny Logan (surely he needs no introduction) has been invited to perform on Tuesday night.

I can't wait to watch next week. My 7 and 2yo will watch but even the raunchy stuff they won't pay attention to as they usually just dance about to the music lol.

Just come up on YouTube in the last 20mins.

This is Germany.

Thanks red
That made me laugh.
I like the song and I don't care that he's a bit bigger, same as James Newman in his big coat, but that staging's a bin fire, and it will end up with Germany being told to get in the bin again. Worst Olly'll get is less votes from conservative voters but he'll get the pink vote.
Listening to the rehearsals, I take back Italy and replace with France. His voice is stronger.

Not looking good for the Irish entry

Bambie Thug hospitalised after eating 'bad shellfish' (rte.ie)

It happened last night, hopefully they'll be ok by Monday.

I saw this BBC report from Malmo today about potential protests and an alternative event (mentioned a while ago by pp).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68950907

The UK government updated their travel advice for Copenhagen/Malmo earlier this week.

My feeling to a degree is that the UK is fairly used to this kind of thing and we don't really notice it, but its a bigger deal in Denmark/Sweden because its so unusual.

I said to DH I was slightly nervous about it all given whats happened to me in the past. He pointed out that there were snipers on the roofs in Liverpool and a full on waterbased bomb squad in the centre of the fan arena on the water. Its fair point.

Rather ridiculously I want to tell you all who are going to Malmo to 'take care out there'.

At least put a nice warm cardi on.

I couldn't have put it better myself.

The song never stood a chance of winning but we'll be talking about that staging and performance for years to come.

I'm picturing this reaction on sofas across Europe (and Australia)...

Ollie may be riding a jumping gay shark I fear.