Eurovision Song Contest 2024

Rosie_Scope

This year's Eurovision Song Contest is kicking off in Sweden tonight with the first semi final. There's one more semi final on Thursday before the Grand Final on Saturday 11th May at 8pm. Will you be watching? 

I've grown up watching Eurovision every year, so part of my love comes from being exposed to it for so long, but I especially enjoy all the surreal humour and silliness that comes with it. 

One of my highlights for this year is Windows95man from Finland emerging from an egg made of jeans and firing sparks from his pockets. It's really something. 

This year's competition also celebrates 50 years since ABBA won with Waterloo in 1974, so I reckon there'll be a fair bit of ABBA appreciation involved. How convenient that Sweden won last year just in time, eh? I'm wondering whether they'll make an appearance, or even beam themselves in in hologram form. Apparently the UK gave them 0 points back in 1974, so just goes to show how much we know about winning!

We've got Olly Alexander with his song Dizzy representing the UK this year. I'm not sure it's a winner for me, but we've had some much worse entries over the years (I'm looking at you, Scooch). Hopefully it's not nil points!

Have you got any favourite songs from past Eurovisions? Who are you rooting for this year?

Albus_Scope

There's been some absolutely bonkers entries in the last few years, but they've all blended into one big memoryball of spandex and neon colours.

kreacher

i only watch the main show

Jimm_Scope

I usually only watch the final but I usually watch all the performances on youtube beforehand so I know which ones to look forward to.

Haven't watched them yet! Will say my favourites before the final starts :P

birdwatcher

My once a year guilty pleasure! Love Eurovision. However, a friend called in so missed some of tonight's semi final.... I might have to see if it's on I player tomorrow😁
What's anyone's  ' should have son's ? ( apart from Finland last year of course😄)?
Few years ago now, The Roop, discotheque. Can't even remember what country it was now

ice24

It's difficult to know what to say about Scootch to be honest.  I am a friend of David,  the dark haired one. They were extremely camp but even camp has won before.  I have been watching it tonight and only 2 I think were good. 

ice24

Unfortunately,  two of them that were good,  Israel and Latvia got through.  They were the best which,  isn't so good for us. I do however,  like our sing this year. 

Luchia

ice24 said:

Unfortunately,  two of them that were good,  Israel and Latvia got through.  They were the best which,  isn't so good for us. I do however,  like our sing this year. 

Eden(Israel) Has such a moving and emotional song this year and she’s such a talented singer, She’s got both mine and my partners votes 

Rosie_Scope

It's safe to say that there are some ongoing political factors affecting this year's contest, so it's understandable that some people might not want to watch this year. It wouldn't be the first time that political issues have affected the contest and it's totally up to the individual whether they choose to watch or not. Would also just like to add for clarity that I am neutral on this issue and that my choice to watch is not an endorsement or denial of anything in particular.

@ice24, That's so interesting that you know someone from Scooch! Camp definitely does well with the voters!

@birdwatcher, They were joking about Finland missing out at the semi-finals. The presenter said "We are back in Sweden and I know, don't blame me, even I voted for Finland" I think it was Lithuania with Discoteque, it was a good one! I enjoyed Switzerland and Ukraine in the year that Maneskin won (2021), I feel like that was a pretty good year all round.

Luchia

Rosie_Scope said:

It's safe to say that there are some ongoing political factors affecting this year's contest, so it's understandable that some people might not want to watch this year. It wouldn't be the first time that political issues have affected the contest and it's totally up to the individual whether they choose to watch or not. Would also just like to add for clarity that I am neutral on this issue and that my choice to watch is not an endorsement or denial of anything in particular.

@ice24, That's so interesting that you know someone from Scooch! Camp definitely does well with the voters!

@birdwatcher, They were joking about Finland missing out at the semi-finals. The presenter said "We are back in Sweden and I know, don't blame me, even I voted for Finland" I think it was Lithuania with Discoteque, it was a good one! I enjoyed Switzerland and Ukraine in the year that Maneskin won (2021), I feel like that was a pretty good year all round.

There should only be 2 things that influence how someone votes in the Eurovision
1) Talent of the Singer 
2) Quality of the song

For me Eden(Israel) really outshines all the others this year, There’s a lot of talented singers but I found her song very emotional and beautiful.
Her voice is absolutely amazing so that’s who will be getting my vote.

I don’t take into account anything political or news related when I vote.

I just hope all the singers who made it into the finals are so proud of themselves at how far they have made it and they should all feel a great sense of accomplishment and pride.

CHIARIHEAD03

When l was small in the early 70's / 80s we always watched the Eurovision song contest at home but my favourite has always been ABBA and their amazing songs and even though l don't remember the 1974 show , ive been a fan of theirs forever .

Rosie_Scope

@Luchia, Must be pretty cool to perform in front of the millions who watch each year, I bet they're walking on air afterwards! It seems like the acts all hype each other up, make friends and get excited for each other so it sounds like a pretty nice atmosphere. And the slogan for the past couple of years is "United by music" which is what it's meant to all be about, bringing people together with music. With some silliness thrown in!

@CHIARIHEAD03 I love a bit of ABBA too. I'll be interested to see how they'll be celebrating them on Saturday. Have you got a favourite ABBA song?

birdwatcher

Funny enough my friend who called in last night said she didn't get why Russia got barred a couple of years ago but Israel haven't been. I understand her point
I had another visitor this morning . I made him put the Finnish song on YouTube. When last seen he was cha cha cha- ing to himself and will probably never speak to me again!😄😄

Luchia

Rosie_Scope said:

@Luchia, Must be pretty cool to perform in front of the millions who watch each year, I bet they're walking on air afterwards! It seems like the acts all hype each other up, make friends and get excited for each other so it sounds like a pretty nice atmosphere. And the slogan for the past couple of years is "United by music" which is what it's meant to all be about, bringing people together with music. With some silliness thrown in!

@CHIARIHEAD03 I love a bit of ABBA too. I'll be interested to see how they'll be celebrating them on Saturday. Have you got a favourite ABBA song?

I imagine it’s rather nerve wracking before they go on, they all look like they enjoy it though

Albus_Scope

I'm excited to see Bambie Thug made it through, I've been following them and Cassyette on Instagram for a fair while now.  

Rosie_Scope

Bambie is definitely one of the most unique entries this year, I'm glad they got through too.

I thought Belgium might get through to the final, but apparently they didn't perform too well in the semi finals. I missed some of last night's show so I didn't see it, but I'll have to have a catch up later today.

Still can't quite decide who's my favourite to win yet, though!

WelshBlue

Politics aside ... should Israel have been disqualified because of their first entry October Rain being a propaganda song ?  Goes against the ethos of Eurovision ?

I haven't watched it since Nicole in 1982 ... I like music   

Luchia

Albus_Scope said:

I'm excited to see Bambie Thug made it through, I've been following them and Cassyette on Instagram for a fair while now.  

She’s certainly a unique entry, I’ve not heard of her before but first thing I thought when I saw her was “Oh it’s Maleficent” 

Luchia

WelshBlue said:

Politics aside ... should Israel have been disqualified because of their first entry October Rain being a propaganda song ?  Goes against the ethos of Eurovision ?

I haven't watched it since Nicole in 1982 ... I like music   

If they had declined to change the lyrics then it would of been justified but as they accommodated the request then it’s only fair to allow them to continue.

Albus_Scope

I honestly think people should leave the real world at the door when they tune into Eurovision. Just embrace a few hours of pure silliness. We all deserve that break from reality.  

Luchia

Albus_Scope said:

I honestly think people should leave the real world at the door when they tune into Eurovision. Just embrace a few hours of pure silliness. We all deserve that break from reality.  

100% Agree!

The only things that should matter are the talent and songs, nothing else should matter when it comes to the Eurovision.
And as an added bonus we get to see the backstage footage of the singers having fun