Eurovision Song Contest 2024 (Mod warning, see OP updated 10/05 and post #3477 11/05)

RoTelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122088563#Comment_122088563

If we are side lined, should we bother with the Eurovision or is this act really that good, or is it just pure hype. Doesn't seem like we can blame the annual TLLS search for a "You're a Star" or that RTÉ didn't do enough on the production. Will it just be a case of we over estimated this act or that it really is all neighbours and politics? Or should be just send Jedward every year for the next 25 years!

AndyBoBandy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122088675#Comment_122088675

I think it's a really good song (I say song because I heard the song before I saw any video/act), it's different, but it's still very good, and will appeal to a lot of folk.

A day or 2 before Eurosong, Joe.ie posted all the songs so I gave them all a listen, and I remember saying at the time to my OH, that out of all the songs, It was the only one I liked, and I believed it would actually have a chance to win Eurovision, but we wouldn't have the balls to send it…… then a few nights later it was selected (to my shock), and I've been behind it ever since…

Libertine07

I believe RTE actually had some Eurovision fans on the panel reviewing the entries submitted for Eurosong. Without that I could see them completely skipping over both Bambie and Ailsha for being too out there.

Hopefully they stick with that, because RTE don't have a clue what works in modern Eurovision.

supereurope

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122087748#Comment_122087748

I agree with you that the proportions of the 1997 stage were wrong - it took up a huge amount of space but the performance area was actually very small. Apart from that, and Ronan, I though it was another great RTÉ production, though I'd put 1988 or 1994 as the best Irish contests.

The 1998 contest is, for me anyway, one off the high points of Eurovision, both the presentation and the songs. What I've never understood, though it why the BBC took a "meh, this'll do" attitude towards the stage, which was terrible. Same with the logo actually, it was just the EBU logo with a star added, a very lazy design.

RoTelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122089307#Comment_122089307

I suppose I am looking at 1998 from a visual point of view, though Terry Wogan's bit of Paddywackery kind of annoyed me.

gmisk

If anyone is wondering why the staging for Ireland song looks so far excellent versus the absolute train wrecks most other recent years. It seems it is being directed by a young Spanish fella called Sergio Jaen , i.e. it has nothing to do with RTE would be my guess (he also directed the music video).

Welsh Megaman

At this point in time, I’m predicting a scenario similar to last year, where the songs with the ‘earworms’ (‘Rim Tim Tagi Dim’, ‘Europapa’) will be fan favourites, but won’t be the overall winner a la ‘Cha Cha Cha’.

Bern/Zurich in May 2025!

AndyBoBandy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122089734#Comment_122089734

wasn’t it mentioned up thread that Bambi’s team were looking after staging/choreography? (Which was a very welcome move)

AndyBoBandy

8th favourite overall to win Eurovision 2024

Libertine07

Switzerland dropping fast after their rehearsal today. Vocals were good but the outfit is ridiculously bad and the whole package just isn't quite clicking.

It would be a shame if the staging kills it, as the song and performer are fantastic.

gmisk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122090235#Comment_122090235

Plus up to 6th in betting for semi qualification.

Glad I put my little top 10 bet on Bambie a while back 4/1 now 15/8.

seenitall

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122090435#Comment_122090435

I think (hope) that is a wise bet.

I was just going to say that taster of the staging looks impressive, the song has plenty of punch to it and holds interest, Bambie has an intriguing stage presence, BUT the whole package seems to me to be just a tiny bit too “out there” in order for some (I’d say a sizable minority) of the cohort who will be televoting to truly embrace it douze points style, so overall I think this could maybe just slide by a whisker into the top 10 or thereabouts, with some help from the juries, hopefully. Just my rough estimation.

In any case, it really, truly, easily beats pretty much everything Ireland had sent in a good long while!

ETA: Yeah, the above is obvs about the Grand final. After seeing that little clip, I have no doubt whatsoever that they will qualify through. The staging is so important in this competition. Croatia is for example a banger of a song and the favourite to win the whole thing, yet I feel its somewhat unimaginative staging could drag it down and cost it, perhaps crucial, votes in the end.

corkie

Protestors today at RTE studios!

https://twitter.com/thejournal_ie/status/1786065781110853774

https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/0502/1447061-eurovision-protest/

AndyBoBandy

there’s quite a lot of reaction videos up on the Tube for the latest rehearsals, and a lot of the comments are very favourable towards Ireland….. very favourable…

I think we are walking into the Final. Comfortably.

gmisk

Uk seems to be going up a bit in betting I am guessing rehearsal went well.

saabsaab

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122090716#Comment_122090716

Did RTE have a say in allowing the Israeli entry to compete?

supereurope

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122090716#Comment_122090716

Sigh…once again, the time for discussions about a boycott/withdrawal has been and gone. With the exception of France in 1974, no one has ever pulled out of the contest once rehearsals have begun - and that was due to the French president dying.

A withdrawal at this late would lead to even more wasted costs…in addition to EBU participation fees and possible sanctions, all the money spent on getting the delegation to Sweden would be down the drain.

I don't agree with Israel competing, but to demand Ireland boycotts now is madness.

squarecircles

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122091109#Comment_122091109

w .

gmisk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122090934#Comment_122090934

It does look pretty cool to be fair!

https://twitter.com/superTV247/status/1786049755581190197?t=UuJigFIvzCe5_jw4RsENoA&s=19

supereurope

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122091180#Comment_122091180

It looks great, but it does look a bit more like a music video than a live performance, which could backfire. It certainly did on Sweden in 2018.

corkie

@supereurope Pretty much agree with your comments.

More protest planned during the shows!

Meanwhile, protests are also planned in Malmö to coincide with the song contest.

A group called ‘Stop Israel’ said “tens of thousands of demonstrators are expected to march through Malmö” on 9 May when Israel performs in its semi-final.

It will also host an alternative, international music contest at the same time as the Eurovision final on 11 May.

~~ Link

At least we can watch the Tuesday night show since Israel not performing that night. If I watch on Thursday, probably go for a smoke and coffee break while they are been aired.

gmisk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122091207#Comment_122091207

It certainly looks a massive improvement on that Mae Muller car crash last year.

https://twitter.com/superTV247/status/1786081300324950325?t=dl6ndtPCepRLQXc-w9OL1Q&s=19

squonk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122091268#Comment_122091268

Exactly! 3+ minutes to make a cup of tea and get a bit of fresh air.

Danzy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122090716#Comment_122090716

Wouldn't they let her enjoy her time there, instead of that narcissistic bs.

Welsh Megaman

Wow…Switzerland have taken a bit of a tumble in the odds.

Great song, but it goes to show that it all hinges on Nemo’s vocals - he’s really going to have to nail it on the night.

Libertine07

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122091711#Comment_122091711

I think the outfit is the main problem to be honest, just cheapens the whole performance and makes it look like a joke. P

corkie

Johnny Logan as an interval act.

https://twitter.com/thejournal_ie/status/1786155255815643236

seenitall

If true, how cool - and risky.

https://www.reddit.com/r/eurovision/comments/1chqwha/the_ogham_script_on_bambies_face_spells_out/

Deeper Blue

Anyone else think it's a really weak year song-wise? One of the weakest I can remember.

Looking at the odds I'd say we're nailed on to qualify which is great, step in the right direction at least

Strazdas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122090934#Comment_122090934

Ireland and the UK both in the top 10 in the betting to win - that must be the first time since the 1990s, certainly more than a week out from a Eurovision anyway.