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.

Spain had wardrobe issues during the first rehearsal.

There was supposed to be a removal of clothes. It didn't go well.

Really didn't enjoy Ireland last night, didn't think the song was too bad before but just came across as full on screaming. Loved Olly but vocals were off and he seemed exhausted and breathless by the end. Mike pack dropped at 1 min 42.

Si, I assume you are with the Olly contingent. Fangirling here, but please pass on my best wishes from a random I think he's doing very well (and in difficult circumstances). I watched his interview about Gaza/boycotting Eurovision and really felt for him. Big hugs from Manchester Xxx Plus he was bloody robbed in the Baftas/Emmys for It's A Sin. He deserved every accolade going.
Hope you are all having a blast! or if not yet partying hard x

There was a protest by the station earlier this evening which stopped trains going over the bridge between Malmö and Copenhagen.

We'd heard earlier in the evening that there was a protest near the arena. (The train between Malmö and Copenhagen goes pretty much straight past the arena). We came across mid afternoon so I'm relieved.

There's a protest planned tomorrow for 30000 people. Not sure where.

We saw a small one outside the Eurovision village as we were leaving too which we avoided.

It could make for difficulties tomorrow. We are going to the afternoon show rather than the evening one (which is more likely to be disrupted). Fingers crossed we will be ok. Our plan is to get out the arena and back to where we are staying for the evening rather than hanging around in Malmö city centre.

At the awful Abba event one of the singers was wearing a Eurovision banned Palestinian scarf so that directive is working well... And there's Palestinian flags all down the street towards the Eurovillage.

It's a strange atmosphere. It's clear a lot of people don't want it here. Lots of very friendly local people too I might add. But I think things will be tense tomorrow.

I suspect that one Saturday at least one artist will do a rule break over it given the vibe I'm getting.

Hope it works out tomorrow red and you stay safe. Loving your updates. You are a wealth of knowledge lovely.
As to ABBA where's Bjorn Again when you need them?!

They think about a third of Eurovision fans are staying in Copenhagen rather than Malmö. Twitter says the arena had loads of empty seats right at about 8.30pm local. So I don't know if everyone made it. It sounds like a lot may have missed it.

We came over mid-afternoon and I'm relieved. Seems like we made the right call. We are staying outside the city so need to get the train in tomorrow.

We need to get the train back on Friday to the airport too (jury show is Friday). Our flights home are Friday night. So pretty worried about that now too.

We may need to consider changing our plans tbh, to make sure we are back on the right side in good time.

Bit of a worry...

We've tentatively booked accommodation in Zagreb for two weeks in May 2025!

We can't afford it if it's Switzerland, so here's hoping Croatia pull it off. I'm actually not a fan of the staging, they seem to have selected "all of the above" on the options list.

I agree with those upthread not liking the overall stage. I think there's too many LEDs etc, too many flashy performances. More pared back songs will stand out due to lack of strobing.

We wished it had been an actual Abba tribute act.

One of the artists was a guy in a brown suit jacket who utterly murdered dancing queen. I don't think I've heard worse!

Quite honestly, I could have got up on stage and done better. It was THAT bad.

The host was comparing in just Swedish a lot of the time. Which I don't get the logic for either. Most of the audience were from other countries. Just badly thought out from begining to end. And all the artists needed a wardrobe makeover.

Meanwhile on the other stage when we arrived is all I can describe as cruise ship Scooch. Need I say more...

We ARE having a good time but yeah...

For some reason there was a technical issue during Belgium's performance this evening so Mustii has had to perform again after Joost Klein.

No indication of what happened as yet and why he's had to do this.

It's confusing but some people seem to be saying are saying the issue on the bridge was a fatal accident and not related to protests but I can't find any details to find out what happened. Would be useful to know so we can plan.

Either way it's caused chaos.

Anyway. On a lighter note:

Dancing Moomins.

Audience Fan Poll see below

Switzerland beat the Netherlands (Netherlands were expected to win the televote for semi two).

So looks like Switzerland have exceeded expectations with this.

Not only that but it was the fourth performance when a lot of people were still stuck trying to get into the arena so this probably doesn't give a fair reflection. They possibly should have scored higher.

France finish a fairly solid 6th. A lot of people saying they are likely to win the jury vote. I think this is good but not quite enough to win overall.

But look at Italy. Down in 9th! They aren't winning.

The question now is how well can Croatia do in the jury vote?

On balance if Switzerland finish second in the televote, then Croatia have their work cut out to beat them. Switzerland are going to do well on both.

Ireland are too marmite to win overall I think.

Semi result looks tight though.
The differences between this and the press poll are significant. Note Malta performed first so I'd expect to do better than the fan poll suggests. Same for possibly Czechia.

Belgium performed twice so this may over estimate their chances. Much suggestion that Norway suffered on the audience poll as they followed Israel and it wasn't pleasant atmosphere.

Israel in 7th on this and 11th on the press poll look firm candidates to not quite make it.

Czechia and San Marino definitely look likely surprises.

Denmark apparently weren't great despite her vocals so are borderline.

Estonia look like they'll scrape it. Just. Not sure about Austria.

Tentative final prediction ahead of seeing the semi

Switzerland 1st
Croatia 2nd
Ukraine 3rd
Ireland or France 4th/5th
Greece, Netherlands or Italy 6th/7th/8th
UK 20th

Petra's interval number is getting lots of love.

Something for the Brits to be patriotic about. We have a small segment in between Armenia and Latvia where it is mentioned the UK have bought the most tickets to the semi finals!

Totally unsurprised! Brits everywhere!

Wow.

Sounds like lots of people missed most of the show or didn't make it at all last night.

That is awful - I would have stayed in Copenhagen when I was doing my fantasy planning. Those poor people. It’s interesting to hear how things are on the ground @RedToothBrush thank you for the updates.

I really really feel for people this morning.

The transport app was saying the disruption was due to unauthorized people on the tracks last night. Then there were reports that Swedish polish requested the closure due to a medical incident. This morning I'm reading they were trying to talk someone suicidal down off the bridge.

Thanks for all the info @RedToothBrush - about the show and the disruption. Very glad we changed our accommodation to Malmö for the Friday and Saturday. (I think?)

For anyone else who is Malmö today this is the best information I can find on today's protests.
https://www.dn.se/sverige/stora-demonstrationer-vantas-i-malmo-nar-israel-tavlar-i-eurovision/

Today is a bank holiday in Sweden (and Denmark I think). About 20000 - 30000 protesters expected. There are lots of buses from Stockholm and Copenhagen coming.

There's is an approved protest outside the arena for about 500 people as well as a march from Stortorget to a music event at Mölleplatsen where several artists, including Mikael Wiehe, Stefan Sundström and General Knas, will perform during the evening. The march is where the majority are expected to go. (See attached map - it looks a distance from where Eurovision fans are likely to be).

Hope that helps.

Just escaped. Petra's number is a real treat. It's not love love peace peace but I'm sure most of you will enjoy.

Not going to spoil too much but for me there's a few surprises on the cards I think.

Switzerland was good but I remain unconvinced it's a winner. I can't explain. Technically good but just not the magic I thought. He seems to have changed costume this afternoon - whether it will be his original I'm not sure. A few wow bits but hmmm .

Italy was good and solid. France bored the tits off me but was very good.

Latvia doomed.

The arena was truly awful during Israel. There was someone who put a flag out just in front of us and was immediately kicked out. He wasn't alone. Security werent mucking about. We genuinely didn't know how to feel about any of it and I can't say I watched any of the act. Atmosphere was dreadful and didn't recover at all for Norway.

Malta was better than it should have been tbh.

It was only the unifying of Joost that restored the atmosphere. He was a joy but don't expect great vocals. He's a live in the person act not a TV act and he's going to suffer in the voting for it.

Overall much much better than Tuesday as a show. But marred by the awkwardness of Israel.

It'll be a real blessing if they don't qualify because if they do get through it will ruin it for the act that gets drawn immediately after them. (I'd expect an upbeat one tbh rather than dark brooding of Norway which seemed to just make it worse).

Really enjoyed it.

The Dutch won best costumes btw.

Off back to my hotel to get out of heels and sparkles. And get some food before getting under a duvet for the TV show.

After seeing the show I think it's Croatias to throw away and that's surprised me tbh.

Think I'm going to leave going to Eurovision for a few years though.

Brilliant report! Thanks Red.

Thank you @RedToothBrush That's a brilliant summary and has made me very excited for tonight (apart from the Israel bit - I really do worry about the reaction if they qualify). I won't be home until 10pm though so watching late and will have to keep away from all social media after 8pm.

Thanks red Food under a duvet = you are my soul sister. I'm already under the duvet and eating what might be considered food (DD made scones in Food Tech which went very badly wrong but I am smiling and chewing. Smiling and chewing).
I still don't want Croatia to win and Switzerland's non-binary lyrics didn't sway me as much as France's Roi a few years ago, although I quite enjoyed his video. (I'm a conductor! Wait, I'm in my jimjams! Now, I'm a furry! No, no, I'm in a dress!) I rewatched the semis1 again and Ukraine smashed it. I wouldn't mind them winning again.

If Ukraine win, does that mean it would come back to the UK???

(DH might kill me - if the Netherlands or UK host we would consider going. But otherwise I'm done at least for a few years).

I'd have thought if Ukraine won, whoever came second would host?
Not sure.

Can you imagine if that was Ireland?!

A very big marquee.